The University of Chicago Bookstore Cafe

I LOVE THIS PLACE. The Customer service was amazing!!! Thank you for making my day!!!

As others have mentioned, this Barnes & Noble café serves Starbucks coffee, but doesn’t accept Starbucks cards. (Also, their frappuccinos are poorly blended, with big chunks of ice that shouldn’t be there.) If you want an actual Starbucks, try the one at 55^th and Woodlawn or 57^th and Drexel; if you just want some coffee, there are numerous student cafes on campus.

Umm pretty awful. They are overpriced and barely even have anything that’s really good. The staff is just mean most of the time (some ladies who work there are super nice) and their coffee sucks. They also don’t take starbucks cards at all and they don’t participate in any of the promos (if you are wondering why I am including this, it’s because they label themselves as a starbucks café). They have decent vegan cookies tho right by the counter.

Only go here if you’re desperate. There’s always a long line, service is slow, and the tables are full. The coffee is ok, not great. The food is overpriced and rather boring. I once ordered the spinach and feta pretzel, and could taste neither.

SIMPLY THE WORST. my coffee (at 11am) was not fresh, and the service from the ladies was the WORST I ever experienced at any coffee shop or restaurant. they were constantly so RUDE to every customer which made me feel better b/​c i was not the only one. No name tags on the pastries, and no milk. I don’t write reviews on the internet in general, just read them like most people… I joined Unilocal to leave this review. that’s how bad they were. I wish I could give 0 star.

during peak hours can become a confused, hassled, angry work place with bad service. horrible. do not go here expecting a calm experience. still good for grabbing a mediocre coffee given the location.

The Worst Starbucks or café experience ever. If I could give zero stars I would. Asked for a Hazelnut coffee and did not have any hazelnut in it (I clearly saw the cashier charge for it). When I kindly mentioned it to the lovely lady, I nearly got bitch slapped. That woke me up better than any coffee.

I have always been satisfied coming here for a coffee or a treat during my years at the U of C. The staff is very nice and have been here for years, which means they do recognize your face and remember your order. The place recently remodeled (much needed), which has attracted more people and had led to longer lines, but it’s OK by me!

The awfulness of this Starbucks has moved me to join Unilocal and write a review. I used to frequent the Starbucks downtown before I moved to Hyde Park. However, this Starbucks is by far the worst coffee, Latte, Cappuccino, ect I have ever had. They never fail to disappoint me. Save your money or walk an extra block West and enjoy a delightful beverage from Argo Tea.

If I had a dollar for the number of times something went wrong at this «Starbucks,» I’d be in the money. To put that in perspective, I’ve been to this location and ordered something 50+ times, hands down.
I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve been patronized, yelled at, or dismissed by their RACIST staff.
They’re so ghetto they say «Whip it!» after you request whip cream on a drink.
One time, I ordered a French vanilla latte. The woman ‘worker’ proceeded to yell at me (literally), in a condescending way, saying «WE AINT GOT NO FRENCH VANILLA.» I said, «oh, well most Starbucks just put hazelnut syrup in an otherwise-​normal latte to make the latte ‘French vanilla.’» Homegirl’s response? «THIS AINT NO STAAAAAAAAAABUCKS!»
Enough said.
Manager, please train your employees not to be racist. Staff, get a grip and respect your patrons.

Review for the «coffee» shop too… if you can actually call it like that.
Well — I guess I am being mean. They do serve coffee, pastries and all the like and they do make you believe that you can use coupons or your Starbucks card to pay for them. Well you are wrong. You should know by now — annoying naïve customer — that Barnes and Noble coffee shops are «fake» Starbucks. This one is no exception and they make sure to remind you of that. Often quite rudely. I always had very bad service in there and that’s the reason why I simply don’t go anymore. I don’t know — there must be some curse spelled on that particular block… the most dreaded post-​office of the city is just next door… or maybe it is just the bad waves emanating from all the frustrated students who come to see their fun «die»…not sure.
That being said, ladies it’s the perfect place to spot a husband if you are in the McDreamy type (I mean the doctor part of course, not necessarily the physical appearance. We are talking U of C here). The hospital is literally across from the building and all the famished interns are coming there to get their sugar fix. Try to get them at the beginning of their shift though — they tend to be grumpy and smelly after hours.
Note to the bookstore itself: your opening — or should I say closing hours? — are just ridiculous. R-​I-​D-​I-​C-​U-​L-​O-​U-​S. Like it’s not even funny.

Oh Starbucks «Café» in the U of C bookstore. You’re not a REAL Starbucks, despite your bells, whistles, gamut of Starbucks drinks and sandwiches and pastries.
No. When I went to you, in hopes of using a coupon for Starbucks, you quickly declined: «We’re not a REAL Starbucks,» pointing to the sign that says «We Proudly Brew Starbucks Coffee.»
I don’t understand how it is that a «café» can serve Starbucks, Starbucks beverages and goods, and not be an actual freakin’ Starbucks. How the hell does that work?
Anyhow, this joint gets three stars, for a few reasons. The service is incredibly fast, I’ll give it that. And they are *kind* enough to give me a venti when I ask for a tall. But when it comes down to it, I want a tall. Please, just give me the damn tall. They think they’re doing a favor, but really, they aren’t. And the biggest problem? The drinks often aren’t hot and the staff members spend so much time mulling about and talking to each other their attention to the customer is pretty darn crappy, if not nonexistent.
In truth, it’s worth the extra few blocks for an Argo beverage — which is better for you, guarantees hotness, and where the staff are just more friendly. Damnit.