How long do you wait for a coffee?

Lacehim

Hi,

I went to pioneer roastery today.  Around 15 people in there, one person on the machine, and 2 other staff members.  It took around 15-20 minutes for our coffee to arrive which was up to their usual standard, and Kate apologise for the delay.  Fair enough and I knew there were 7 orders in front of mine when I ordered.

Clandestino is just as bad ALL the time when I go there on weekends, and it puts me off going, the place is heaving and I could drive home make a coffee and come back before my coffee has arrived!  :pan

I was sitting there thinking is this the "norm" at every quality cafe known for it's coffee.  How long do other members have to wait at different coffee places, and how long do you all think it's appropriate to have to wait for a quality coffee?

I also tried to have a coffee at "Little Lane Espresso" in Coolum this morning, only to find they are closed for 2 weeks!!!!!  Apologise to their customers  :laugh:  I doubt they will have any when the return if they are going to close for 2 weeks at a time!

mycuppa

L - that's pretty much normal unless you go to a drive-thru Mc-Dodgy or a commodity-bean coffee chain outlet that like to make sausages. Allow around 2+ mins for each order at least if you want quality - which means fresh milk steaming and other aspects. These days everyone has to have their own non-standard beverage which means a barista is constantly having to chop and change all sorts of things from extraction times, milk types and temperatures, additives, volume, etc. On top of that, Baristas are constantly being viewed unfairly (and unreasonably) as non-communicative, aloof and full of pretension because they may not "talk" so much to their customers. Is it any wonder when they are having to work hard and try to please everyone - mostly a thankless task. I feel sorry for most cafes because they are constantly being "bashed" no matter how hard they try. If they turn out a quality product and become popular, people then complain about the wait times. Some of the better cafes I supply, the Barista may sink a few shots until they reach perfection on a double-rizzy - in my book that is worth waiting longer than 20 mins.

derrilex

I'm surprised they were open Lacehim. Must have been before 12 :rofl:

Lizzi

For me it all comes down to the coffee-to-come. If I can see the barista is just not 'up it' and  making a hash of it, i won't wait. But show me a barista who checks the grind, dries the PF, tamps with intent, watches the pours, ( sinks one or two if needed).. and I am willing to wait, silently and for quite some time, in quiet anticipation of what is to come! 2 mins per shot ... I can live with that. L

UNM

Five minutes max if I stop off for a coffee in between jobs. I expect someone ordering a single short black to be prioritised and served quicker than a group ordering multiple milk based drinks.  Not had cause to complain yet. Most baristi seem capable of serving a straight shot while doing other things. Don't really time it or care if we are out for brunch or suchlike as a family.

askthecoffeeguy

we were slammed at the cafe today and wait times blew out to 13 or 14 minutes for some tables - but not for long! I aim to get my coffees, including my takeaways, out within 4 minutes from ordering, which isnt always possible, but its a good ball park figure, and I try and prioritise espresso / long black etc whenever I can I think 10 min is an acceptable wait time in a busy cafe making a very good coffee for dine in, and half that for takeaway - though at times I have customers who refuse to wait more than say six minutes, before cancelling their orders, which I find very frustrating! P

Brett H

I had to stand for 15 minutes at Dominion in Townsville because they were getting hammered.  The Barista finally did my coffee and then stuck his head up from his machine and blearily said 'ank you for eating!'  That small acknowledgement was enough to make me loose any 're we there yet feelings' and the cup was worth te wait!!

UNM

Anopther thing that bugs me a bit. If we go out for brunch, quite often they serve the coffee just before the food. Personally I would prefer it after the food. Certainly used to be normal to have coffee after a meal.

Ronin

on 1376213776:

Anopther thing that bugs me a bit. If we go out for brunch, quite often they serve the coffee just before the food. Personally I would prefer it after the food. Certainly used to be normal to have coffee after a meal.

Do you ask for it after the meal?

C-man

We do not go out for coffee often, waiting and looking around is part of the experience. Both Clandistino and Pioneer are nice comfortable places with soft lounges and interesting people. It would be all too easy to stay home and make better coffee, but it is good to get out and socialize.

Bottom Line

If I am sitting down for a meal I am not too concerned, 20 mins is fine but prefer it to come before the order. And if I know I want more than one I usually order more than one straight up, ie one now and one to come with the meal. If I am just getting a coffee and the line means more than 10 min wait I will leave. Not because I think that the place is poorly run but I just couldn't be bothered. But sometimes you don't know what someone has ordered in front of you.......

Kelsey

You'll generally have to wait a while on weekends at Lamkin, but I don't mind - I'm frequent surprised at how quickly they can bang out those orders and still maintain the quality. During the week it's usually pretty speedy.

GaryatGala

Speaking as a barista, communication to the customer is the key. If an order is expected to be longer than 10 minutes i would let the customer know it,s going to take 10 minutes or longer. Have had the occasional client before they order, asking how long it would take. We tell them, then it,s up to them what their next decision will be. If i was a customer, i do appreciate being told how long it would take when it,s busy.

GaryatGala

I also offer the customer a choice of whether they want the coffee with the meal, or before. Not a good situation on the odd occasion when the coffee arrives, sits there getting cold before the meal is served. I usually ask about their choices of whether they want it before, with, or after. On weekends generally they dont mind waiting, so they  chat or read. During the office rush, it,s a different story. Those suits like their coffees generally under 10 minutes.

Jonathon

In the case of one of the cafes near my office, they're too quick, at least when ordering toast with coffee. They bash out good lattes in about 50 seconds from order, (2 group volumetric synesso and robur-e, and they're never that busy) but take 4-5+ minutes to turn around the toast, so you find yourself sipping the coffee while waiting - by the time I get back to my office the coffee's practically finished. Doesn't help that they serve the coffee at the perfect temperature for my liking, so it's hard to resist drinking it.

mycuppa

on 1379061961:

In the case of one of the cafes near my office, they're too quick, at least when ordering toast with coffee. They bash out good lattes in about 50 seconds from order, (2 group volumetric synesso and robur-e, and they're never that busy) but take 4-5+ minutes to turn around the toast, so you find yourself sipping the coffee while waiting - by the time I get back to my office the coffee's practically finished. Doesn't help that they serve the coffee at the perfect temperature for my liking, so it's hard to resist drinking it.

Sounds like they have it worked out perfectly so you order a 2nd coffee !