Well Starbucks.....your OK, I suppose.....but you just fired your top talent.....Chris Christwell.....in Chowchilla. (as Starbucks is a chain....reviews know no bounds) You could have spun Gold out of Straw with this guy.....you fired him instead.....he doesn't hold it against you so I guess I kind of wont too much either maybe..... He makes some some really good points in a pretty humorous way in his two Videos. I wish only that "Management" and the public could take being mocked a bit in good humor and have made things even better for your unsung Barristas! Go Chris! businessinsider.com/star… .
(3)
Brian F.
We loved finding the Starbucks in Hilo, HI - but was disappointed to see maggot flies walking over the food - so we left.
(2)
Puna W.
The coffee is still good but since the remodel that atmosphere kinda stinks. Instead of the nice cosy feeling there was now there's an industrial vibe. Hard metal stools and wood chairs with a long wood table. Not a comfy seat in the house.
(3)
Elle U.
Tons of baristas but majority concentrate on drive thru... Cashier is slow taking orders and even asked how to make my drink. Long line in the store... Ugh! Only good thing is free wifi.
(1)
Tamra P.
Huge location very conducive to work + has a drive through. Makes my work days in Hilo a dream!
(4)
Gabe O.
My home away from home. If there is a Starbucks... I'm there. Decent size. People super tanned and ready for the beach, one of my favorite looks. Service was great. On point. Consistent, which I love. Hawaii mugs are a must for any true Sbux fan.
(4)
James W.
Hilo is pretty dead at night. It was a struggle to find places open past 7pm, but luckily, there was this Starbucks, which has both indoor and outdoor seating. It's actually HUGE. There are a bunch of seats along the periphery with access to outlets, and then some scattered tables and a long table. Service was good and they have a lot of food items for sale too. If you're looking to get some work done with free wifi, this is a good bet!
(4)
Eric Robert R.
K, like all Starbucks, I'm not a fan of the coffee, but at this location the baristas rock! Staff friendly, fast and offer genuine smiles. Maybe I just had a good hair day, Idk, but as close to 5 stars for any Starbucks! I've been to many Starbucks, and in many states: Calif, Oregon, Wash, Penn, West Virginia, Florida, Utah, etc, but at this location they were the friendliest out there! I'm more a Peet's Coffee kinda guy, but you don't get Peet's in rural Hilo.... Only Starbucks. My typical Vanilla Latte and Coffee Cake please. Props to the 2 girls here;)
(4)
Elle K.
This is the worst Starbucks I have ever been to. I used to work for Starbucks as an MOD for five years at one of the busiest Starbucks stores on O'ahu, and worked at many others training staff for new stores. Every single time I come to this particular store, they screw something up. My standard order involves a hot drink with soy milk, which scorches easily. Instead of turning the steam wand off at 135 or 140 and letting it heat up to 150 by itself, they steam it all the way to 150 and it BURNS and tastes like CRAP. I eventually gave up getting my morning drink here because aint no way I'm going to pay for anything to be made by incompetent baristas. As if the baristas didn't suck enough at making decent drinks, their customer service is horrible. Believe me, I gave this place a chance, I really did. It took me a year to write a review because I kept thinking I was going on off days...Not the case. They have overcharged me here on numerous occasions, the lackadaisical attitude of the register operators makes them seem like they hate their job. They don't smile, are sassy, and there have been more than a few times whenI didn't even get a thank you after I dropped $6 on my crappily made drink. There was even one time when I was in the middle of giving my order and I guess a regular came in behind me and the girl behind the register interrupted me to tell them she could take their order. Seriously?! WTF?! Starbucks needs to step it up. Quality of drinks and quality of staff has totally plummeted. Staff needs to be trained better. There are far more competent places on this island with better customer service AND better drinks. I will not be coming back here. EVER.
(1)
Angela D.
I am a fan of the 'bucks. I appreciate that their espresso is consistent. They can't get the crema to remain on the top and they usually put the dang thing in a cup that is way too big, but the flavor of the coffee is good. Today, at this location, I got an espresso in a porcelain stay cup. That is the sole reason I am writing this review. We all know what you get at a Starbucks and they are so consistent that it almost seems silly to write a review for them but today something correct happened. Bravo! Hilo Starbucks, for serving my espresso in an appropriate cup. It is appreciated.
(4)
Issa H.
I prefer to go to family owned coffee shops. But they have A/C and good work tables. I don't love the coffee, I taste burnt. But the atmosphere is good for meetings
(3)
Alyssa K.
I occasionally go to this Starbucks because it's in a very convenient location for me. About one out of six times, I can't have what I want because they're out of supplies (like flavor syrups). And I'm ordering straight off the menu, not special stuff. They have a drive-thru, which is very convenient. The drive-thru staff is ok. None of them have been rude, but they also don't have that upbeat energy that I've come to expect from Starbucks employees at most other locations. They also don't seem very knowledgeable. It's like they don't even know the menu sometimes. Once, I ordered a new item (advertised, not secret), and the cashier didn't know what I was talking about. She had to ask another employee. I would have thought they trained their employees ahead of time on this stuff. Average customer service + average quality drinks + staff's lack of knowledge about menu items + often out of supplies + convenient drive-thru = three stars (my equivalent of "meh")
(3)
Andrew T.
If you miss the mainland.... Stepping into this Starbucks is like walking into a wormhole from Hilo to mainland USA. I enjoyed an espresso and the air conditioning. (And no, I DON'T miss the mainland)
(3)
Jim R.
I dont know what happened where it is suddenly good customer service to have the person serving you in the store, also taking a drive-through orders on a headset. Its a very unsettling experience and I really dont like it. Wont go back to a drive-through store until they hire people to work the drive-through separate from inside customers. Plus we are in Hawaii where I find the coffee to be amazing, however they do not serve any Hawaiian coffee.... It tastes shockingly bitter now that I have been spoiled with smooth, rich local Kona blends.
(2)
chris c.
1) best Starbucks to study at. Testament to that is that you'll have College of Pharmacy students along with nursing students living here year round. Mixed in this crowd are the tourists, people who don't have internet at home and business folks in dire need of caffeine. That said, this place is a safe haven for all who seek it. 2) gets pretty loud and crowded for about 10 hours of the day. 3) the parking lot is decent but you'll find many creative off roading parkers during busy hours.
(4)
Nina B.
Eh, only game in town.. or that I have found. I went thru the drive thru one day and ordered a "pupachino" (it's on their dog secret menu) and the girl acted like she fell and bumped her head and argued with me about it not existing. EXCUSE ME, please don't make me teach you how to do your job. I have been going to Starbucks probably longer than this girl has been potty trained ok? They also cannot recommend drinks to you over the drive thru speaker. Do they need to be trained?? They act like they have no idea what you are talking about when you are ordering drinks, and it ends up taking a really long time, just to find out you have a drink you didn't even want... My suggestion.. go inside. The barrista is really nice and seems to know her job well. Drive thru is on crack !
(2)
Janice H.
Store hours Monday 4:30 AM to 9:00 PM Tuesday 4:30 AM to 9:00 PM Wednesday 4:30 AM to 9:00 PM Thursday 4:30 AM to 9:00 PM Friday 4:30 AM to 10:00 PM Saturday 4:30 AM to 10:00 PM Sunday 4:30 AM to 9:00 PM REVIEW #255
(4)
Lei C.
This review is for the last couple of months visits. They have been the most inconsistent, fail on almost ever order, and rude. I stop at Starbucks every morning and most times after work...I don't know if they have new employees or just slacking at their job but they have been SLOPPY. Drinks over flowing and my cup sticky on the outside. Hot drinks most times are alright...but frappes need helps this afternoon, the person on drive thru was so rude. Before I even finished saying my FIRST drink, she cuts me off and says,"would you like anything else?" I wasn't finished! They didn't put the Thai walls in that first And my frappe was so milky, I couldn't taste the extra shot in it! Their new workers need better barista training!
(2)
Joe M.
Hey, it's Starbucks. It's going to be very much like every other Starbucks. When you're in Hilo and it's getting late and you really need a cup of coffee, your choices are limited. There is a large selection of coffee that they'll brew in a clover, plus the usual Pikes. The WiFi is typical Starbucks quality, parking is ample, and there's plenty of seating both indoors and out.
(3)
Ed L.
It's a bigger Starbucks than I am used to. There is a large seating area that can be used for casual meet ups with friends on Sunday mornings. I actually did that too. Checked in here on Saturday afternoon to do a strawberry and creme frappuchino after finishing a 1/2 marathon in Volcano earlier in the day. Love the ambiance, but that's one of the things Starbucks is known for.
(4)
Dania-Maria K.
I come to this particular Starbucks almost every Wednesday. I just got to the Green level on my Starbucks card. Yes, I'm a sucker for those rewards cards and all. The service is good, in my opinion, I usually go through the drive-thru and whenever I do so the person I give my order to is always polite and seems genuinely nice. That's one thing I've noticed at most Starbucks store, almost every employee is genuinely happy to be there. Maybe too much caffeine? I'm not sure, but it keeps me coming back!
(4)
Andree H.
Great for a Seattlite craving an iced latte
(4)
Kiana M.
i'm not a starbucks fan BUT this location always has my fav syrup, peppermint, that i like put in my hot cocoa!! yay!
(5)
Emi H.
We were waiting for my boyfriend to finish a meeting when my son yelled out from the back of our rental mini-van: "Mommy! I have to shi shi!" We drove to the only place I could think of that would be somewhat clean, Starbucks! First off, this Starbucks has a drive-thru so it automatically gets four stars on that fact alone. The people who work here are very nice and while we were waiting to be helped, the cashier apologized prefusely and told us she'd be right with us. They were very busy making orders for the drive thru and regular counter. The downside to this location is that I found some of the clientele to be a bit unsavory. First there was the man in the bathroom who took a good 15 minutes in the loo and then walked out taking on his cell phone. Ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww. Then another man asked if he could sit at our table. I looked at him and said politely, "Uh you can sit with here but you'll have to hang out with the baby." (Who was climbing up and down each seat) He awkwardly told me he'd sit at the table next to us. There are 15 other tables and you want to sit at our table? Either you have some serious issues or you sit there every day and have a mental obstacle when it comes to change. Sadly enough I think he actually sits at our table everyday because I saw him whip out his own ceramic coffee mug and stand in line. That be cray.
(4)
Jade T.
I'm pretty sure this location is my favorite Starbucks. I love that they have a Drive-Thru, as I'm always in a hurry. They have a small parking lot and if it is full there is usually street parking to be found. They have a good amount of seating inside and out if you are in to relax or do some work. I have never been disappointed with the way their drinks were made or with how their customer service is. This Starbucks is all around, the best for me. It's close to home so when I need my caffiene fix in a hurry, it's right around the corner. + All the employees are friendly(esp. Chris) + They make drinks consistently right + Even though there might be a line, they're fast, and will get you in and out in no time I also like to buy their large size bag of "HouseBlend Coffee" beans and sometimes a Blueberry bagel, muffin or cornbread, mmmmmmm! So, remember when your running on "E", head down to Starbucks and get your "Cup of Joe".
(5)
Beverly M.
Great staff--always friendly & courteous. Great place to meet pals & just kick back and catch up. Convenient location & ample parking.
(5)
Matt C.
If I were dating myself, I would surprise myself with Starbucks every morning and it would be cute AF. I'll be honest, I didn't really get into Starbucks until the past couple of years. That Joyce W. and all her Instagram pics of her Starbucks concoctions got me curious. I'm not much of a coffee lover so I first started off with a Cotton Candy Frapp. Since then, I bounce between whatever sounds good. No lie though, I can go #basic on some Pumpkin Spice Latte. No shame. The driveway for the drive-thru is awkwardly short. The staff is usually pretty friendly and accommodating. I've never been inside but it looks spacious. I can imagine them spelling my name as "Mett" or "Mat" though and that always makes me laugh.
(4)
Keri S.
So this is a somewhat "generic" Starbucks. It's more on the dark and dingy side then most. They don't have the normal selection of the yogurts and such in their cooler. When you order, they have to go to the drive they register area to get cups. Most locations it's right next to their register for quicker ordering. A real pain if you ask me for the baristas. The time it took to make the beverages on our walk in was a little more than I am used too in Oahu or mainland locations. I waited about 10 minutes and there had only been 4 people in line, must say that unsatisfactory for Starbucks standards. The parking lot was a little poorly done. The handicapped parking is right in front where the drive thru line backs up behind them. (Like its not difficult enough for the handicapped to drive) Pros would be they have friendly staff, tons of sitting, and it has the drive thru option.
(3)
Jesse B.
In recent years I've really tried to avoid Starbucks coffee, because, well, it's Starbucks.... Not terrible coffee or anything but I've found that as I've become a wanna-be connoisseur of coffee, Starbucks just kinda gets boring and uninspiring. Now since Big Island is home to the famous Kona coffee, I would have assumed local places would have some darn good coffee to serve. Apparently not so much on Hilo side. Granted, I was there a little late in the day, one location (Hilo Sharks Coffee) "closed early" with their doors still open 20 minutes to actual closing time (gee, thanks guys) and Bay Front Coffee, Kava, and Tea provided me with the weakest cup I'd ever tasted, so I was left with little selection of local joints (most seemingly closed) and a serious need for some caffeine before my drive over to Kona. Enter Starbucks. After my exhaustion of seeking out a good local joint, I decided a place tried and tested, an old go-to would have to do. Thank God for Starbucks on Hilo side!! I'm sure there are other coffee shops with decent cups, it's just they weren't there in my tastebuds time of need. So as much as Starbucks can be a little redundant, they do always get it right! My latte tasted just like I remembered and I savored it all the way over to Kona. (Emit sigh of relief.)
Richard H.
Well Starbucks.....your OK, I suppose.....but you just fired your top talent.....Chris Christwell.....in Chowchilla. (as Starbucks is a chain....reviews know no bounds) You could have spun Gold out of Straw with this guy.....you fired him instead.....he doesn't hold it against you so I guess I kind of wont too much either maybe..... He makes some some really good points in a pretty humorous way in his two Videos. I wish only that "Management" and the public could take being mocked a bit in good humor and have made things even better for your unsung Barristas! Go Chris! businessinsider.com/star… .
(3)Brian F.
We loved finding the Starbucks in Hilo, HI - but was disappointed to see maggot flies walking over the food - so we left.
(2)Puna W.
The coffee is still good but since the remodel that atmosphere kinda stinks. Instead of the nice cosy feeling there was now there's an industrial vibe. Hard metal stools and wood chairs with a long wood table. Not a comfy seat in the house.
(3)Elle U.
Tons of baristas but majority concentrate on drive thru... Cashier is slow taking orders and even asked how to make my drink. Long line in the store... Ugh! Only good thing is free wifi.
(1)Tamra P.
Huge location very conducive to work + has a drive through. Makes my work days in Hilo a dream!
(4)Gabe O.
My home away from home. If there is a Starbucks... I'm there. Decent size. People super tanned and ready for the beach, one of my favorite looks. Service was great. On point. Consistent, which I love. Hawaii mugs are a must for any true Sbux fan.
(4)James W.
Hilo is pretty dead at night. It was a struggle to find places open past 7pm, but luckily, there was this Starbucks, which has both indoor and outdoor seating. It's actually HUGE. There are a bunch of seats along the periphery with access to outlets, and then some scattered tables and a long table. Service was good and they have a lot of food items for sale too. If you're looking to get some work done with free wifi, this is a good bet!
(4)Eric Robert R.
K, like all Starbucks, I'm not a fan of the coffee, but at this location the baristas rock! Staff friendly, fast and offer genuine smiles. Maybe I just had a good hair day, Idk, but as close to 5 stars for any Starbucks! I've been to many Starbucks, and in many states: Calif, Oregon, Wash, Penn, West Virginia, Florida, Utah, etc, but at this location they were the friendliest out there! I'm more a Peet's Coffee kinda guy, but you don't get Peet's in rural Hilo.... Only Starbucks. My typical Vanilla Latte and Coffee Cake please. Props to the 2 girls here;)
(4)Elle K.
This is the worst Starbucks I have ever been to. I used to work for Starbucks as an MOD for five years at one of the busiest Starbucks stores on O'ahu, and worked at many others training staff for new stores. Every single time I come to this particular store, they screw something up. My standard order involves a hot drink with soy milk, which scorches easily. Instead of turning the steam wand off at 135 or 140 and letting it heat up to 150 by itself, they steam it all the way to 150 and it BURNS and tastes like CRAP. I eventually gave up getting my morning drink here because aint no way I'm going to pay for anything to be made by incompetent baristas. As if the baristas didn't suck enough at making decent drinks, their customer service is horrible. Believe me, I gave this place a chance, I really did. It took me a year to write a review because I kept thinking I was going on off days...Not the case. They have overcharged me here on numerous occasions, the lackadaisical attitude of the register operators makes them seem like they hate their job. They don't smile, are sassy, and there have been more than a few times whenI didn't even get a thank you after I dropped $6 on my crappily made drink. There was even one time when I was in the middle of giving my order and I guess a regular came in behind me and the girl behind the register interrupted me to tell them she could take their order. Seriously?! WTF?! Starbucks needs to step it up. Quality of drinks and quality of staff has totally plummeted. Staff needs to be trained better. There are far more competent places on this island with better customer service AND better drinks. I will not be coming back here. EVER.
(1)Angela D.
I am a fan of the 'bucks. I appreciate that their espresso is consistent. They can't get the crema to remain on the top and they usually put the dang thing in a cup that is way too big, but the flavor of the coffee is good. Today, at this location, I got an espresso in a porcelain stay cup. That is the sole reason I am writing this review. We all know what you get at a Starbucks and they are so consistent that it almost seems silly to write a review for them but today something correct happened. Bravo! Hilo Starbucks, for serving my espresso in an appropriate cup. It is appreciated.
(4)Issa H.
I prefer to go to family owned coffee shops. But they have A/C and good work tables. I don't love the coffee, I taste burnt. But the atmosphere is good for meetings
(3)Alyssa K.
I occasionally go to this Starbucks because it's in a very convenient location for me. About one out of six times, I can't have what I want because they're out of supplies (like flavor syrups). And I'm ordering straight off the menu, not special stuff. They have a drive-thru, which is very convenient. The drive-thru staff is ok. None of them have been rude, but they also don't have that upbeat energy that I've come to expect from Starbucks employees at most other locations. They also don't seem very knowledgeable. It's like they don't even know the menu sometimes. Once, I ordered a new item (advertised, not secret), and the cashier didn't know what I was talking about. She had to ask another employee. I would have thought they trained their employees ahead of time on this stuff. Average customer service + average quality drinks + staff's lack of knowledge about menu items + often out of supplies + convenient drive-thru = three stars (my equivalent of "meh")
(3)Andrew T.
If you miss the mainland.... Stepping into this Starbucks is like walking into a wormhole from Hilo to mainland USA. I enjoyed an espresso and the air conditioning. (And no, I DON'T miss the mainland)
(3)Jim R.
I dont know what happened where it is suddenly good customer service to have the person serving you in the store, also taking a drive-through orders on a headset. Its a very unsettling experience and I really dont like it. Wont go back to a drive-through store until they hire people to work the drive-through separate from inside customers. Plus we are in Hawaii where I find the coffee to be amazing, however they do not serve any Hawaiian coffee.... It tastes shockingly bitter now that I have been spoiled with smooth, rich local Kona blends.
(2)chris c.
1) best Starbucks to study at. Testament to that is that you'll have College of Pharmacy students along with nursing students living here year round. Mixed in this crowd are the tourists, people who don't have internet at home and business folks in dire need of caffeine. That said, this place is a safe haven for all who seek it. 2) gets pretty loud and crowded for about 10 hours of the day. 3) the parking lot is decent but you'll find many creative off roading parkers during busy hours.
(4)Nina B.
Eh, only game in town.. or that I have found. I went thru the drive thru one day and ordered a "pupachino" (it's on their dog secret menu) and the girl acted like she fell and bumped her head and argued with me about it not existing. EXCUSE ME, please don't make me teach you how to do your job. I have been going to Starbucks probably longer than this girl has been potty trained ok? They also cannot recommend drinks to you over the drive thru speaker. Do they need to be trained?? They act like they have no idea what you are talking about when you are ordering drinks, and it ends up taking a really long time, just to find out you have a drink you didn't even want... My suggestion.. go inside. The barrista is really nice and seems to know her job well. Drive thru is on crack !
(2)Janice H.
Store hours Monday 4:30 AM to 9:00 PM Tuesday 4:30 AM to 9:00 PM Wednesday 4:30 AM to 9:00 PM Thursday 4:30 AM to 9:00 PM Friday 4:30 AM to 10:00 PM Saturday 4:30 AM to 10:00 PM Sunday 4:30 AM to 9:00 PM REVIEW #255
(4)Lei C.
This review is for the last couple of months visits. They have been the most inconsistent, fail on almost ever order, and rude. I stop at Starbucks every morning and most times after work...I don't know if they have new employees or just slacking at their job but they have been SLOPPY. Drinks over flowing and my cup sticky on the outside. Hot drinks most times are alright...but frappes need helps this afternoon, the person on drive thru was so rude. Before I even finished saying my FIRST drink, she cuts me off and says,"would you like anything else?" I wasn't finished! They didn't put the Thai walls in that first And my frappe was so milky, I couldn't taste the extra shot in it! Their new workers need better barista training!
(2)Joe M.
Hey, it's Starbucks. It's going to be very much like every other Starbucks. When you're in Hilo and it's getting late and you really need a cup of coffee, your choices are limited. There is a large selection of coffee that they'll brew in a clover, plus the usual Pikes. The WiFi is typical Starbucks quality, parking is ample, and there's plenty of seating both indoors and out.
(3)Ed L.
It's a bigger Starbucks than I am used to. There is a large seating area that can be used for casual meet ups with friends on Sunday mornings. I actually did that too. Checked in here on Saturday afternoon to do a strawberry and creme frappuchino after finishing a 1/2 marathon in Volcano earlier in the day. Love the ambiance, but that's one of the things Starbucks is known for.
(4)Dania-Maria K.
I come to this particular Starbucks almost every Wednesday. I just got to the Green level on my Starbucks card. Yes, I'm a sucker for those rewards cards and all. The service is good, in my opinion, I usually go through the drive-thru and whenever I do so the person I give my order to is always polite and seems genuinely nice. That's one thing I've noticed at most Starbucks store, almost every employee is genuinely happy to be there. Maybe too much caffeine? I'm not sure, but it keeps me coming back!
(4)Andree H.
Great for a Seattlite craving an iced latte
(4)Kiana M.
i'm not a starbucks fan BUT this location always has my fav syrup, peppermint, that i like put in my hot cocoa!! yay!
(5)Emi H.
We were waiting for my boyfriend to finish a meeting when my son yelled out from the back of our rental mini-van: "Mommy! I have to shi shi!" We drove to the only place I could think of that would be somewhat clean, Starbucks! First off, this Starbucks has a drive-thru so it automatically gets four stars on that fact alone. The people who work here are very nice and while we were waiting to be helped, the cashier apologized prefusely and told us she'd be right with us. They were very busy making orders for the drive thru and regular counter. The downside to this location is that I found some of the clientele to be a bit unsavory. First there was the man in the bathroom who took a good 15 minutes in the loo and then walked out taking on his cell phone. Ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww. Then another man asked if he could sit at our table. I looked at him and said politely, "Uh you can sit with here but you'll have to hang out with the baby." (Who was climbing up and down each seat) He awkwardly told me he'd sit at the table next to us. There are 15 other tables and you want to sit at our table? Either you have some serious issues or you sit there every day and have a mental obstacle when it comes to change. Sadly enough I think he actually sits at our table everyday because I saw him whip out his own ceramic coffee mug and stand in line. That be cray.
(4)Jade T.
I'm pretty sure this location is my favorite Starbucks. I love that they have a Drive-Thru, as I'm always in a hurry. They have a small parking lot and if it is full there is usually street parking to be found. They have a good amount of seating inside and out if you are in to relax or do some work. I have never been disappointed with the way their drinks were made or with how their customer service is. This Starbucks is all around, the best for me. It's close to home so when I need my caffiene fix in a hurry, it's right around the corner. + All the employees are friendly(esp. Chris) + They make drinks consistently right + Even though there might be a line, they're fast, and will get you in and out in no time I also like to buy their large size bag of "HouseBlend Coffee" beans and sometimes a Blueberry bagel, muffin or cornbread, mmmmmmm! So, remember when your running on "E", head down to Starbucks and get your "Cup of Joe".
(5)Beverly M.
Great staff--always friendly & courteous. Great place to meet pals & just kick back and catch up. Convenient location & ample parking.
(5)Matt C.
If I were dating myself, I would surprise myself with Starbucks every morning and it would be cute AF. I'll be honest, I didn't really get into Starbucks until the past couple of years. That Joyce W. and all her Instagram pics of her Starbucks concoctions got me curious. I'm not much of a coffee lover so I first started off with a Cotton Candy Frapp. Since then, I bounce between whatever sounds good. No lie though, I can go #basic on some Pumpkin Spice Latte. No shame. The driveway for the drive-thru is awkwardly short. The staff is usually pretty friendly and accommodating. I've never been inside but it looks spacious. I can imagine them spelling my name as "Mett" or "Mat" though and that always makes me laugh.
(4)Keri S.
So this is a somewhat "generic" Starbucks. It's more on the dark and dingy side then most. They don't have the normal selection of the yogurts and such in their cooler. When you order, they have to go to the drive they register area to get cups. Most locations it's right next to their register for quicker ordering. A real pain if you ask me for the baristas. The time it took to make the beverages on our walk in was a little more than I am used too in Oahu or mainland locations. I waited about 10 minutes and there had only been 4 people in line, must say that unsatisfactory for Starbucks standards. The parking lot was a little poorly done. The handicapped parking is right in front where the drive thru line backs up behind them. (Like its not difficult enough for the handicapped to drive) Pros would be they have friendly staff, tons of sitting, and it has the drive thru option.
(3)Jesse B.
In recent years I've really tried to avoid Starbucks coffee, because, well, it's Starbucks.... Not terrible coffee or anything but I've found that as I've become a wanna-be connoisseur of coffee, Starbucks just kinda gets boring and uninspiring. Now since Big Island is home to the famous Kona coffee, I would have assumed local places would have some darn good coffee to serve. Apparently not so much on Hilo side. Granted, I was there a little late in the day, one location (Hilo Sharks Coffee) "closed early" with their doors still open 20 minutes to actual closing time (gee, thanks guys) and Bay Front Coffee, Kava, and Tea provided me with the weakest cup I'd ever tasted, so I was left with little selection of local joints (most seemingly closed) and a serious need for some caffeine before my drive over to Kona. Enter Starbucks. After my exhaustion of seeking out a good local joint, I decided a place tried and tested, an old go-to would have to do. Thank God for Starbucks on Hilo side!! I'm sure there are other coffee shops with decent cups, it's just they weren't there in my tastebuds time of need. So as much as Starbucks can be a little redundant, they do always get it right! My latte tasted just like I remembered and I savored it all the way over to Kona. (Emit sigh of relief.)
(4)