I stopped by Giant last week to get some coffee and do a little work. Not my first time, but certainly my last.
I ordered a double espresso over ice. The barista at the register rung it up. But then a different barista came over and said that they can't make it. She said it would affect the flavor of the espresso. They prefer to let the espresso cool before putting it over ice.
I said I would assume the risk of diluting the flavor. Still no. Then I asked for a double espresso and a cup of ice. Nope, couldn't do that either. So precious is the quality of their espresso, evidently, that I'm not to be trusted with a cup of ice.
Another barista came over an suggested I get an iced americano. I said no--admittedly not as politely as I could have, but, as far as I'm concerned, they started it.
So I left. And I don't plan to go back. I can't imagine that Giant will suffer much from losing my business. So be it. But the barista at Jobot gladly made me a double espresso over ice, and I gladly gave her a big tip.
Footnote: Giant serves Four Barrel coffee. The good people of Four Barrel in San Francisco will make an espresso over ice. Goose, gander, so on and so forth.