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On December 8, 2022, I made my way to a different Starbucks than I normally visit. The purpose? It’s time for the first review of a Starbucks location for Adventures at Starbucks. This Starbucks is located near the corner of Valley View & Chapman. It is a new store that relocated from its previous location just down the street. This is the first time I’ve walked into this store and I’ll be as detailed as I can with my review. I may reevaluate this process as I review more stores but I figure I would give as complete of a review as possible.
Experience
The Starbucks experience really is something that sets Starbucks apart from other coffee shops and companies. Through the years, I’ve met many different Starbucks baristas that are absolutely incredible people. There are few things nicer than walking into a Starbucks and hearing a “hi there” or “welcome!” Unfortunately, this store does not do this. During the time I have been sitting here, I haven’t heard a single greeting for anyone that walked in. However, that doesn’t disqualify this store from being a decent experience.
Once up to make my order, the barista was friendly and professional. My order drink taken, it was made fairly quickly and I soon had my Americano in my hand as I found a table where I could sit with my laptop. Watching the team work here, they seem to be professional and hard working. They have continued to keep busy and not keep people waiting for the last hour that I have been sitting here. The drive through also seems to be moving along at a fairly quick pace with the people working there being polite and congenial.
A quick scan around the store shows things to be clean but not spotless. Under most tables there are crumbs to be found and several of the tables look like they need to be wiped. however, it doesn’t look dirty or messy. I do see garbage under one of the tables across the room. The windows around the building are clean, and there are a lot of them so that is impressive. One window protecting the coffee bar is very clean, the other is very smudgy. The grab and go case has some empty spaces. This could be from selling out or not being restocked. The same could be said for the display that is at the ordering counter. It looks to be missing about half of its snacks and half of its gift cards.
The restrooms are fairly nice and mostly clean. They definitely have been used today and there was toilet paper strewn around. However, they did not dirty or gross.
After sitting here for sometime, I also tested the mobile order to get a chocolate croissant. This was partially to see how long it would take and what the interaction would be like and also to see how the food is. This was a less than stellar experience as well. While I watched them make the croissant about three minutes after I ordered (at least I think it was mine), it was then just thrown on the counter with no name called out. This could be because it was a mobile order but I’m not sure. I waited for a few more minutes and then walked over and grabbed it with zero acknowledgement. I did thank the closest barista and she politely acknowledged me.
Overall, I would say this is a mixed experience for a Starbucks. The team definitely gets the job done in a competent and polite manner. Would I say it is a friendly environment that I would visit frequently? Probably not. While not a bad experience, I probably will only give this part of the experience only a hat nod*.
Environment
The Starbucks is located in the middle of a fairly large parking lot that is shared with a movie theater on the other side. A bowling alley is also under construction in the lot. When both of these are operating, this parking lot will be much busier. The location does have a light to turn into the parking lot, which is great for access from Valley View St. and also for those utilizing the drive-through.
The parking lot is fairly open and during the day, feels like it would be fairly safe. I’m not sure I would feel the same at night as I look around at the surrounding neighborhood. While it isn’t an unsafe neighborhood, there definitely could be some less than savory people around.
Walking into this Starbucks was almost immediately a pleasant one. With all the windows and space, it feels very bright and comfortable. This store has a nice and modern feel to it. There are cement floors and and tables and chairs throughout. By my count, there are approximately 24 places for guests to sit in this store. The windows do have shades for when the afternoon/evening when the sun is going down and could overpower the room.
The restrooms are surprisingly spacious and the one I went in has both a traditional toilet and also a urinal. There was also a baby changing station. The sink was automatic and also had a soap dispenser and there was an air dryer for hands afterwards.
Seeing that it is a new building, things are quite nice. There are two pieces of art in the store. On a far wall there appears to be a building in the mountains with some foliage around it, a matching style can be found in another seating area across the room near a chalk board that says “Welcome to Valley View & Chapman.” Other than that, the only adornments on the walls are menu boards. This isn’t a bad thing, however, as most of the space where artwork could go is taken by windows, which really are a nice feature for the store.
At the time of this writing, almost every person who has come into the store has been a customer. One person wasn’t a customer. After eating what appeared to be the end of a McDonald’s meal, made his way out of the store without disruption. It may be worth stopping by at other times of day to see how safe this neighborhood feels when not in the middle of the day.
Overall, this is a great building in an area the looks to be trying to revitalize itself. The Environment gets a Hat Tip*.
Taste
Taste is very important when visiting Starbucks. Guests expect to get the same tasting experience at every Starbucks they visit literally anywhere around the globe. I have been to Starbucks in several different states and also countries and I would say for the most part, things taste the same.
On this day, I ordered a grande Americano. This drink gets its name from World War II when American soldiers would order coffee with both espresso and water. This was because the Italian espresso was too strong for them. I personally have enjoyed espresso in Italy but to each their own! The resulting drink became known as the Americano after the men who ordered them. Decades later, this is my go to drink at Starbucks. It is very hard to hide a poorly pulled shot, unclean machine, poorly ground espresso beans (or poor beans themselves), bad water, the wrong temperature, or other issues. This generally allows me to see the quality of the coffee shop and also the ability of the baristas in it.
The drink was prepared quickly and I had it in my hands within minutes. I sipped it once I sat down and was situated at my table in the corner. The Americano was nice and hot and tasted exactly as I expected it too. The shots weren’t bitter and the Americano had that nice smooth flavor that I like it to have. It wasn’t weak, it wasn’t too strong. It was a well made Americano.
I later ordered a chocolate croissant separately to watch and see how quickly it would come out and to see if it was warmed all the way through. It passed both of these tests. In recent years, the ovens at Starbucks seem to be much better so I haven’t worried about things not being heated all the way through like would sometimes happen. However, if things are still too frozen when put in the oven, a cold (and disgusting in my opinion) center can be experienced.
As far as food goes, I’m going to give this Starbucks a Hat’s Off* rating. Everything tasted great and as I’ve been listening and watching the room, I’m not the only person who thinks so.
Overall Review & Rating
The Starbucks on Valley View & Chapman is a nice place to visit. I really like the space. I am finding myself sliding back into the bench that is too deep for me but that’s just nit picking. Overall, the building and the experience here is quite enjoyable. The team here is fine. When I visited the team wasn’t great, but wasn’t bad either. They are polite and cordial but I wouldn’t necessarily call this a friendly neighborhood store. The store really could be something special if the culture in the store was a bit more of what I’d consider a more classic Starbucks culture of connection. Having sat and written on a laptop at Starbucks for over two decades now, the best Starbucks always seem to really connect with the customers that walk in the door. This store doesn’t even acknowledge them. This store does nail the taste category so does get big points for that.
Overall, I’m going to give this Starbucks location a Hat Tip*. it’s a good store to visit, just not great.
Starbucks Location:
Valley View & Chapman
12161 Valley View St, Garden Grove
California, 92845
Cafe & Drive-Through
Sunday: 5:30 AM to 9:30 PM
Monday-Saturday: 4:30 AM to 10:30 PM
*Mr. Daps Hat Rating Scale
- No Hat – It was not good at all!
- Hat – It was poor
- Hat Nod – It was ok
- Hat Tip – It was good
- Hat’s Off – Loved it!
