Gloria Jeans Coffees

I go to Gloria Jean’s when there’s no other suitable options (sorry) and sometimes I’m happy about it, sometimes I’m not, like today. No smile, no greeting, no on-​selling but an obvious disappointment I only ordered a coffee and not half the menu, which given the service I wouldn’t even consider. The coffee was prepared quickly but wasn’t great. Good temperature but weak in flavour, quite milky, closer to an instant in satisfaction than to a quality brew. I’d also like to add that brown with brown on brown is a little drab and the store needs some brightness and colour, in addition to a smile and a greeting.

Much, much better! VERY clean, great service, and actually had someone regularly busing the tables and floor. Great improvement, pleeeeease keep it up!

Remember when there was just the one in the Mall in the mid 00s and it was super cool to hang there and bag the comfy chairs?
I don’t know what happened over the intervening years; times change, people change, coffee changes. I’ve only ever had average coffees from Gloria Jean’s for the last five years or so and because I’m not drinking coffee at the moment, I agreed to go there for our mid-​shop pick-​me-​up because I planned to have something else.
We bagged the comfy chairs at the back of the store where the pervading smell of urine bothered me to the point of checking under the table for any surreptitious puddles. Breathing through my mouth, I went and ordered a skinny latte and a soy chai with a pack of cute mini gingerbread men.
The chai was fine, if not stocko, but Mum took about two sips of her latte before abandoning it. Clearly they have not improved on the scalding, bitter brew other reviewers have mentioned. The gingerbread men, however, were perfect.
After we finished/​abandoned and went on our way, a lady working in another store asked us how we enjoyed our coffees at Gloria Jean’s — assumed she must have seen us in there and Mum replied honestly. The lady recommended next time we try the café at the other end near Woolworth’s, so will be trying that top tip on my next trip. You may also wish to do so.

The cookie cutter café that is Gloria Jeans!
The rating really says it all. My Harbourtown Coffee Experience was less than average. I know Gloria Jeans is a franchise, but seriously. yoiu are called Gloria Jeans Coffee… at least get the coffee right.
After my last experience with Gloria Jeans I again decided to tempt fate and get a large takeaway latte. I’ve always been wary since my last visit of the extreme temperatures that the coffee is delivered to the customer, but again they failed… burning the coffee beans, milk and probably my mouth isn’t really the best method of keeping this customer coming back. The only way I could recover this «Coffee» was to mix it with my wifes Caramel Latte, which tasted like sugar. :) I suppose it worked out in the end, we both got an ok blend… with my awesome barrista skills.
The actual location is really nice. Open spaces and nice design, but maybe there needs to be some training in the Barista department. Dissapointing.

An almost cavernous Gloria Jeans, the Harbour Town franchise churns out the coffees on the Glenelg end of the shopping centre to the dazed shoppers.
My takeaway long black was far too hot, and although I had been warned by the barista, it took about 10 minutes before I was game to take another swig of boiling water. Unfortunately (as hinted by the scalding coffee) the beans were burnt and I was left disappointed.
Next time if I need a caffeine fix I’d probably opt for a latte if I was stuck and see if the milky beverages were OK, but I’d avoid if you’re a devotee of the black or macchiatto caffeinated drinks.

I’m going to be controversial. I’m going to say that I’m not a fan of this place. Yes, I’ve given them three stars, but they’re not for the coffee. No siree. I find the coffee here to be, well, very very average. Not undrinkable. Just a bit of a letdown.
What I do like here are some of the muffins and biscuits that I’ve had which have accompanied my very ordinary cappuccinos.
Service wise, they’re alright. I just wish they’d do a better job of the coffee, which is why I go to these places in the first place.

I am absolutely addicted to Gloria Jean’s take home English Toffee coffee beans, previously known as Butter Toffee. I love going in here and buying a bag, they grind them to whatever machine you have. Once they are goround it just brings the smell out even more and I can smell the coffee all day in my bag as I do my other shopping. It’s so good — heaps of people comment on the smell. Plus this branch has always had the flavours I have wanted when I have gone in there.
This is a nice place, pretty much in the centre of the shopping complex and with a small playground area outside to keep the kids occupied. It does get busy though and I have had a little longer a wait here than at other stores.

Just like every other Gloria Jeans store, the set up is pretty awesome. The moment you walk into Gloria Jeans it just feels like a coffee shop. The booths, the darkness, the awesome couches, it all works. Even if you don’t drink coffee, they’re just great places to hang out at (and drink a milkshake). I personally love the sweet iced tea. Mmm… iced tea.
It tends to get pretty busy at Harbour Town, so the seats are usually all taken inside, but don’t fret just yet, there are plenty of seats to choose from outside. There’s a playground just in front which makes it convenient for parents who want to relax with a cup of joe while they’re kids play.