Starbucks

Love, love, LOVE my Starbucks — it’s not secret.
This location offers up all the standard Starbucks fare but it’s a tad smaller than most and the parking is limited :-(You can only get into it from the St. A Trail or Bellerose Drive on one side of each road because it’s in a high traffic area. Consequently, it can take a little extra time compared to some of the more readily accessible locations.
Be sure to download the Starbucks App to your smart phone in order to earn stars for every purchase (Buy 12 get 1 free) and offers and discounts that are offered exclusively to the App holders such as an extra hour on Frappy 50% off days, B1G1 free from time to time, or the more frequently offered $ 1 off an espresso beverage.
You can also put money on your app, link it to a gift card, or register for auto load with a credit card so that you can conveniently pay on your phone!
One tip if you’re trying to get to Gold member status or earn more stars, request to pay for your purchases separately so that you can earn a reward star for each transaction.
Another thing is remember you can customize the drinks anyway you like. For example, you can get a Frappuccino made your way — it’s doesn’t have to be made with the sugary base. You can ask for it to be made with decaf espresso or made with dark roast coffee, milk of your choice, ice and a sugar free syrup if you want to go sugar free. You can google all kinds of Starbucks off shelf or secret menu ideas/​recipes for your next visit! And if you’re doing a LCHF diet, remember that you can always ask for your lattes or fraps to be made with half and half, heavy cream or whipping cream! If you order any of their drinks as a «Breve» they will make it with half and half rather than milk.
The point is, customize the drinks to what YOU want!

I had to come here because my favorite café (little bean) is closed on Sunday’s. I used the drive thru which is a nice feature and the drink was made to my specifications so I really can’t complain. But recently I’ve been trying to stay away from any chain retailer. I know this is pretty much impossible but with Starbucks they also burn their coffee beans which ruins the espresso. Also the automation of the whole process takes something away from the quality. Just for example, I would NEVER order a Espresso Macchiatto from them.

Ah Starbucks. Well once again brand recognition is in full force, looking at the outside I could have been anywhere (Madrid? Penang? Sydney? — nope I was in St. Albert) and the inside has the same cozy, casual feel to it. The store front faces west which is great for our area because that means they get the afternoon/​evening sun.
The service is good — not great as sometimes you have to repeat your order or the staff feel the drive-​thru takes priority. The food and beverages are exactly what is expected from a Starbucks (that’s what you get from a standardized chain) but I find this fact comforting because I know what I order will taste the same no matter where I am in the world.
I like that there are multiple plug-​in locations — on the walls and underneath the bench seat. This is great if you do need to work for a long period of time because then you don’t have to fight other people for the limited power.
There are 5 Starbucks locations in St. Albert and this is by far my favorite — for some reason, even for how «out of the box» the store is I really like the feel of this one — it is less busy then others, the staff are always welcoming, and the parking lot is very user friendly. I love to meet up after dinner for coffee with friends throughout the year here.