The Second Cup

I’m sad to see more Second Cup locations closing around the city.
This spot is a gem and is always great to visit. Lets show Second Cups more support!

Second Cup doesn’t seem any different than Starbucks. They have their own bags of coffee for sale as well as cute mugs. This particular location is small and the customer service is good. There is only one employee here this morning and he is hustling. I really like the iced coffee here. Its strong plus it comes unsweetened, which is good because I don’t put sugar in my coffee. There’s actually a little table with milk, cream, sugar, straws and whatever else you need to fix up your drinks. So far, its pretty good here.

This Second Cup location is so convenient, nestled on the corner of 34^th Avenue and Calgary Trail, and I find myself stopping here often. Unfortunately, out of the Second Cup locations I frequent, this one is the coldest. Granted, the staff is busy with drive thru customers, but the niceties I have come to expect from Second Cup just don’t exist here.
I can’t comment on the coffee, which I am sure is standard across locations & many seemed to be enjoying their beverages. I went with my go to — the Caramel Frappé. (I just LOVE the new recipe!!)
It tasted different from those I have had at other locations — little to no caramel flavour and less espresso than I have been accustomed to. When I went back inside to ask if something was off, I was met with frustrationon behalf of the staff. They eventually remade it, but the 2^nd tasted blander than the first.
It could have been the day, or something off with the ingredients, but either way it is not likely I will be returning to this location when there is another, friendlier, Second Cup several blocks north.

Just your typical Second Cup… service was good, coffee was okay!

You guys know I’m a Second Cup girl. I had my second Candy Cane latte with almond milk of the season today and unlike the last one I had (which was at a different location), this one was perfect. Not too minty, not too sweet, absolutely perfect. I love their smooth espresso roast here and will go out of my way to seek out a Second Cup over S’bucks any day. This location is right on the way to work when I’m coming from my parents place and I’m happy to take the time to stop. The drive through is great here too, not too cramped or difficult to get to. Quick, pleasant service.

A bit reluctant to return based on previous service (staff too young and disinterested). This time much better. Friendly, quick service, and some changes in setting made this a much more enjoyable experience. Maybe luck of the draw as to who was working, maybe not. At least I will now return.

Not the best Second Cup, but not the worst. I tend to go because it is quite convenient being right on Gateway Blvd and 34^th ave, two major cross streets, although in rush hour traffic it can be maddening to get into. It has a ton of parking and a drive thru! If not for the drive thru I probably wouldn’t go. Being in an industrial/​big box store area on the side of a pseudo-​freeway does not a relaxing coffee shop make! It is not conducive to sitting and working, nor catching up with friends. And you for sure would not want to sit out side, I don’t think they even have a patio, it would be toxic from the car fumes!
Last time I was «in» I grabbed a cappuccino, I really don’t think the espresso is that high quality, it just doesn’t have that «Mmmmm…» effect. More like Meh. I would give them 2 stars, the official Meh, star rating, but I do go once every month or so, so I feel that warrants a 3 star. The signature, full of sugar (I’m sure) drinks that I don’t ever order are all still good. Oh, and the staff is quite nice.

This particular second cup location always seems to be super busy and it’s often difficult to find a table! It’s also kind of tricky to access if you are driving. I find it’s hit and miss with the staff but the beverages are usually prepared quite well. I’m also a fan of their muffins and key lime cheese cake! There is ample parking around this second cup, but that’s usually the trend of the south side.

I was over to the Second Cup for a couple of meetings yesterday. The staff were delightful and helpful, though I found out that THEY DON’T RECYCLE. Really?
I had a great couple of drinks and the service was jovial, but lacking recycling meant I had to take my own trash with me… less one star, Second Cup. Get some blue bags for crying out loud.

I don’t visit Second Cup very often but this one is fairly close to my house and the last time we went we had a bad experience. The drinks we ordered were not made properly and we had some pastries that were hard and tasted stale. We eneded up sending them back and had one replaced (which was another stale piece of cake). They gave us our money back and apologized but it left me with a bad feeling about this location.
I’ve been on other occasions and the service has been great and the drinks good as well. It’s a really relaxed atmosphere here. a nice place to go if you want to sit and read in the corner or write. It’s usually quite busy (it’s right at the corner of 34^th Ave and Gateway Blvd).

I’m so sad the other reviewer had a bad experience here! Whenever we hit Ikea or my massage therapist on the south side, we always come to this Second Cup location! Me — being pregnant — I am very picky at the moment that my drinks are made decaf and they always take the time to double check my order!
We’ve bought desserts to go from this location before and never have had a problem.
One bonus — if you go inside — they have the ghiradelli shavings at the little swizzle stick stand so you can add as much as you want of the chocolate shavings and/​or flavored sugars.
One time I was really craving a London Fog but they didn’t have the Earl Grey tea in a decaf so they created a psuedo London Fog for me with another decaf tea for me and it was great!
I always find this location to be friendly, fast, and efficient!

I’ve never really been a fan of Second Cup coffee, because it always tastes a bit too bitter to me. But I was tired and this was the only coffee-​shop around. Feeling festive, I ordered the candy cane latte with my puffed wheat square. I was very impressed with the service here; they were very fast, and the guy who prepared my latte was really amiable. He had a big smile on his face, and not one of those fake ones either.
Unfortunately, my coffee nor my treat tasted that great. The only reason the candy cane latte was festive was the red sprinkles on top. Other than that, it tasted like normal coffee to me. And my puffed wheat square was stale, it tasted like it was sitting there for a couple days now.
I was surprised to see how busy they were in the late afternoon. There’s lots of seating, tables, couches, and wicker chairs by the fireplace. Almost all of them were occupied by people chatting with their friends. It’s a nice atmosphere here, very cozy and relaxed. Despite all the chatter, I had no trouble reading my book in my little corner. So overall, nice place, great service, but not so good food and drink.