FoxNews.com posted a story today that quotes a former barista saying that "Starbucks is the best place for star-spotting." The reporter uses Starbucks Gossip posts for her list of celebrities and their favorite Starbucks drinks. The celebs-at-Starbucks item was posted here nearly two years ago. It's time to ask again: Which celebs have you spotted, what did they order and how did they behave? (FoxNews.com)
Harsh words John.
Take them elsewhere.
Posted by: Mr.Dazzle | April 03, 2007 at 03:29 PM
When Bill cosby sent the guy to our store to get a drink it was a triple short extra hot no foam latte.
Posted by: David | April 03, 2007 at 04:12 PM
Sweet, I always wanted Alec Baldwin to come in to my store so I could be the prick that says "Put that coffee down! Coffee is for Closers" when he pick up his coffee. I'm sure he'd heard a variation of the joke a million times.
Posted by: anss | April 03, 2007 at 04:14 PM
David, did you get tipped?
Also, we don't have short size (Barnes and Noble = limited products). Maybe he was compensating for the larger size with the nonfat? haha.
Posted by: BNBARISTA | April 03, 2007 at 05:09 PM
Senator John McCain drinks drip coffee.
And I don't think Tony Hawk is rude or aloof. He comes in to our store often and seems pretty cool.
Posted by: Xpresso | April 03, 2007 at 07:08 PM
Katie Holmes - once she even brought Chris Klein (obviously this was a few years ago). She was very, very.... stealthy? She didn't want to be recognized, and so I treated her as I would any other customer :)
Posted by: *misscelestia* | April 03, 2007 at 07:15 PM
The only regular customer I get at my starbucks is Alyson Hannigan... she is very sweet and nice... she gets a triple grande soy latte... once I got elijah wood...a hobbit in real life indeed :oP
Posted by: Dude | April 03, 2007 at 08:24 PM
Rose McGowan and Minnie Driver came into our store in Seattle about a year back separately. I can't remember what they got because it was so long ago..
Posted by: Emily | April 03, 2007 at 08:34 PM
I work at a B&N Cafe, but Rev Run comes in with his kids A LOT. They even filled for his MTV show there a bunch of times. I was asked to wear a mic and sign a waiver or two.
Jason Kidd comes in too. He usually gets a drink (can't remember what), then buys every home/decor type mag we have (he can never remember what his wife wants).
Posted by: Diana | April 03, 2007 at 09:00 PM
Whoops, filmed, not filled.
Posted by: Diana | April 03, 2007 at 09:01 PM
Used to see President Clinton in the local (Chappaqua) Starbucks. As a guest, I have no idea if he tips or what he ordered, but he sure was willing to talk. Pre bypass, I used to see him in the local deli ordering bacon, egg and cheese sandwiches too.
Posted by: JohnnyGunn | April 03, 2007 at 09:38 PM
i would give my eyeteeth to chat with President Clinton on a daily basis. can i transfer to the Chappaqua store, please?!
Posted by: CuteBarista! | April 03, 2007 at 10:06 PM
to sbux rocks....i was at the opening of the paris starbucks.....so i guess this means i know you...but who are you??? hmmm the mystery begins
Posted by: sillysbuxchic | April 03, 2007 at 10:14 PM
I worked at the Main St 'Bux in Park City, UT a loooooong time ago, but I do remember several celeb customers. Valerie Bertinelli came into the store inquiring about a Barista machine. One of my coworkers waited on her and had no idea who she was (which was a good thing). Valerie didn't purchase the machine for whatever reason.
Prior to working at that store, I worked at a rival independent coffee shop down the street and waited on both Kadeem Hardison (A Different World) and Emilio Estevez. Kadeem was like any other customer and wasn't overly nice nor rude. He just ordered a sandwich (for "K") and went on his way.
Emilio was very pleasant, partly because I treated him like any other customer (I'd like to think). He ordered a large (16 oz) mocha and tipped generously. He returned the next day (with a woman and small girl in tow) and made small talk, even trying to answer our trivia question of the day. All-around nice guy!
Posted by: irishgal21 | April 04, 2007 at 12:01 AM
sandra bullock has a home in austin and gets a grande non fat latte and she's even prettier in person!
Posted by: txgal | April 04, 2007 at 01:23 AM
Darleen and anyone else who is ragging on Bill Cosby.... He doesn't tip because he knows how obnoxiously overpriced the (less than average)product is.
Get real, it cost about $2.25 (orless)to brew an air-pot (2.2L) of coffee, not including the overpriced labor. How much do you charge for a large brewed coffee? Exactly.
You want people to tip, make the price realistic. If you knew anything about Bill, you'd know that he came from not much of anything to where he is today, so he knows his way around a dollar bill pretty well.
and to pepperminthotchocolategirl...
get over yourself. I'm pretty sure I could teach a chimp to make most the drinks. It's not magic. All my 15-16 year old employees can do it in their sleep.
Sincerely,
An independent coffee shop owner.
Posted by: starwhipptydobucks | April 04, 2007 at 10:33 AM
@starwhipptydobucks: You would think if Bill Cosby knew his way around a dollar bill, he wouldn't be "wasting" his hard-earned dough on the overpriced offerings at Starbucks to begin with. Once you do, why not tip? In for a penny...
Posted by: Hirayuki | April 04, 2007 at 10:56 AM
Re: starwhipptydobucks
I for one don't usually care if people tip or not, but it's silly for you to talk like any one of us here has control over the price the company is charging... Starbucks is a public company, not your independent coffee shop.
Bill Cosby may or may not find starbucks coffee overpriced, but he certainly didn't seem to mind the convenience of getting his no-foam latte from Starbucks wherever he happens to be.
Lastly, as you claim, you pay your employee less, charge your customers less while serving better coffee at the same time, so what's the problem? Why all that angst?
Posted by: Koohii | April 04, 2007 at 11:02 AM
starwhipptydobucks:
So we shouldn't tip waiters in fine-dining establishments because the food is pricey and should tip MORE when the food is less expensive?
Your logic is flawed; your comments are pointless and your attitude is unappreciated.
Go elsewhere and stop trolling this site for ways and means to bitch about your competition.
Posted by: BaristaNoMore | April 04, 2007 at 11:28 AM
I used to work at one of the Starbucks in Bevery Hills, CA and here is my list...
Bruce Willis (super regular there!)-Chai most the time.
Marcia Cross-soy lattes.
Kristin Davis (sex and the city)- sugar free vanilla latte.
Bridget and Holly (the girls next door)- iced nonfat lattes.
Richard Lewis- mocha frappuccino.
Tracy Ullman-black coffee.
Jessica Biel-soy latte.
Steven Spielberg-chai.
Brittany Murphy-vanilla latte.
Dax Shepard (Punk'd, Employee of the Month)- black coffee.
Heidi Klum-soy latte.
Seal-soy latte.
There are tons more that I can't think of currently, but we had celebrities in every day...due to our location right in the middle of the hustle and bustle of Beverly Hills. Working was like reading an issue of US Weekly!
Posted by: Kat | April 04, 2007 at 11:55 AM
I've had a few Canadian celebrities (ie pretty much unknowns outside of canada but a big deal here) come into my Starbucks.
I was just wondering if those of you with regular celebrities ever talk to them the way you would other regulars: try to get to know their name, regular drink, something small you can talk about(if one of them is moving, about to get married, looking to get a dog)? Because I do that with most of my regulars(easy as I have a consistant scheduale) and know almost all by name, drink and who's doing what. Or do you let them stay incognito?
Posted by: barstar | April 04, 2007 at 12:46 PM
That's right, Bill likes the convenience of getting something from your chain where ever he goes. And if you don't like the fact that you can't control the prices because they are public, then your choice is to stop whining about not getting tipped because people think the prices are too jacked up, or go work somewhere else where the the price can be better controlled.
No angst, I just think that people who feel like just because a person has money they should give some to you is even ruder than the person they are complaining about. You are gettting paid for a job you took, and now you want the customer to pay you extra on top of it?
My logic is not flawed, unless you are telling me that starbucks employees are paid less than minimum wage and have to make that up by getting tips. Waiters and waitresses in full dining establishments are paid less than minimum wage and are expected to make up the difference by earning tips for their quality service. How many times have you walked into the customer area and checked on everyone's drink and food? And as far as tipping more for less expensive food? If you have a conscience, and you get a $5.00 item for $1.00 and you know that you are getting a better product at a less expensive price, then you do the decent thing and tip to show your appreciation for the establishment's commitment to a quality product at a fair price.
The only trolls around here are the pissy little coffee servers (to be a barrista means to do more than push a button on an espresso machine) who whine that they don't get tipped (for pushing a button).
That is all.
Posted by: starwhipptydobucks | April 04, 2007 at 01:08 PM
Too bad Bill and I can't go back to his place for some fun!
Posted by: BOSTON STARBUCKS REBEL | April 04, 2007 at 01:21 PM
STARWHIPPTYDOBUCKS...
1. Tipping is not mandatory, it is simply appreciated...while Sbux does pay above minimum wage, in NYC, that doesn't exactly pay all the bills...most partners use those precious tips for lunch money, metorcards, etc.
2. Having personally worked both the old bar and the new (automated) I have issue with people who think that because the espresso is automated, there isn't any skill involved. You still need to learn all the drinks, steam milk properly and monitor the shots being pulled for accuracy.
3. I believe that you are simply posting to anger the people on this site that genuinely want to discuss Sbux and no matter what we say, you will continue to insult us with gems like- as you so eloqently put it- "pissy little coffee servers"- regardless of the merits of an opposing viewpoint. You don't have to agree with tipping, but your insistence on insulting partners is annoying...
Why don't you try ihatestarbucks.com? This may be a little more up your alley...
Posted by: GRANDESIZED | April 04, 2007 at 01:49 PM
Stay on-topic, please; this discussion is about celebrities spotted at Starbucks.
Posted by: STARBUCKSGOSSIP webmaster | April 04, 2007 at 02:03 PM
Very Canadian..Meg Ruffman from Road to Avonlea and her own handywoman shows. Don't remember the drink, think it was a mocha, I just remember it was really cold out. Someone in her group got a Refresh tea due to feeling under the weather. We talked about her days with the Frantics (when they were still a radio show on CBC).
And due to working here, I got to meet a former hockey player, at his home. Helped me lug cambros around. It was hard to play it cool and not go into 'crazed hockey fan' mode. Made the hockey fans as home annoyed that I didn't ask for an autograph. LOL
Posted by: shiftingnorth | April 04, 2007 at 04:16 PM
paula abdul came in for some benefit at my mall...ordered a vanilla soy chai, ignored us for ten minutes after we put it up on the hand off. i rang her up, thought her nose and cheekbones were gonna reach across the counter and cut me...she's even scarier looking in person, sooo much plastic surgury!
Posted by: KoPbarista | April 04, 2007 at 06:40 PM
Served Amanda Bynes in North Toronto, drinks a decaf triple grande sugar free vanilla non fat extra hot no foam latte.
Posted by: Rob | April 04, 2007 at 07:20 PM
at sbux in stlouis, i saw kevin bacon and matthew broderick...no sjparker, though. in tx, we see a lot of ted nugent, occasional jessica simpson and george eads (csi)
Posted by: a | April 04, 2007 at 09:34 PM
Tom Cavanaugh got a green tea latte.
Ethan Hawke got the rice krispy cube.
Posted by: cornfrost | April 04, 2007 at 11:29 PM
Dave Matthews has been sighted in the Starbucks in Boston on Lower Newbury. He gets a soy chai.
Posted by: BOSTON STARBUCKS REBEL | April 05, 2007 at 03:37 AM
STARWHIPPITYDOBUCKS said:
"You want people to tip, make the price realistic."
Yeah, I'll get right on that. Since I have direct control over the pricing as a barista.
Wow, you work at an independent coffee shop! Would you like a cookie, or perhaps a pat on the back? I worked at an independent coffee shop at one point too. They paid me less than Starbucks does, forced me to work in dangerous conditions, had lower product quality standards, and then laid me off when they were having financial difficulties. My point: indie shops are not necessarily better than Sbux just because they're indie. So hey, be careful not to fall while climbing down from that horse of yours...it's pretty damn high, and I wouldn't want you to injure yourself.
ANYWAYS, ON-TOPIC:
Osama Bin Laden came into my store last week and he got a solo espresso. He tipped very well.
By the way, this site needs a post-quoting feature.
Posted by: OMG Barista Boi | April 05, 2007 at 05:32 AM
In Mystic, CT we had the dad from Wonder Years come in almost every day while they were filming a movie nearby. He was INCREDIBLY NICE to all the Baristas, we were all so impressed.
~ J
Posted by: ~ J | April 05, 2007 at 05:48 AM
Darleen and anyone else who is ragging on Bill Cosby.... He doesn't tip because he knows how obnoxiously overpriced the (less than average)product is.
Starwhippitydobucks,
Get your names right buddy, I didn't say anything about bill cosby.If you are going to put someone down, make sure you know what you're talking about!
Posted by: Darleen | April 05, 2007 at 06:11 AM
Marv Albert, the sports announcer, gets a bone-bone-bone-dry cappuccino. It's sometimes hard to make because the steam wands aren't as hot as they should be.
Posted by: cornfrost | April 05, 2007 at 12:39 PM
To SillySbuxChic, any hint I give you should give it away...Tell your brother "hey". Oh yeah, since we're still on the subject of Celebs, one of the guys from "Greater Tuna" came in the store this week. If you EVER get a chance to see them perform, you should go. They are hilarious!!!
Posted by: sbux rocks | April 07, 2007 at 12:44 AM
Bill Cosby's handlers have also come to my store to get him a drink. He ordered a triple short extra hot no foam latte like David said. Don't know if he tipped because I didn't ring it up.
Other celebs I've seen include Nicole Kidman who got a grande skim cappuccino, Reese Witherspoon who ordered a grande almond soy latte and a kids hot chocolate for her daughter, Chris Matthews (he got a grande vanilla skim latte and was quite rude), and Dave Chappelle. Dave Chappelle has come in several times and is a good tipper and is always very pleasant to the partners and fans that approach him.
Posted by: Jamie | April 07, 2007 at 05:55 PM
The Starbucks I used to be an ASM at was a regular stop for Ben Affleck. He always tried to be so incognito in an obvious way. He also acted put off one morning when I didn't notice who he was as he hid behind his newspaper while standing in line, and I asked for the next "customer" in line. The look of death he gave me as he peeked out from behind his paper was ridiculous. He is just another annoying celebrity who expected us all to swoon over his presence and give him special treatment. Whatever, I am just glad that I don't have to see his scowl anymore.
Posted by: JaVaHead | April 07, 2007 at 09:28 PM
I used to work in the 60th & Broadway store in Manhattan. I've met Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman, Adam Sandler, Mandy Moore, Tyra Banks, Toby Maguire, almost all of the Wayans Brothers, Beyonce, Jay-Z, and some other people that I can't really remember. Seriously it was to the point where we just didn't care anymore. LOL
Posted by: Brooklyn Barista | April 07, 2007 at 11:51 PM
Oh, I guess I should say their drinks. Nicole Kidman would get a grande cup of just nonfat milk foam. Yeah...just foam. She would eat it with a spoon. Hugh Jackman gets grande soy cappuccinos. Toby Maguire gets a doppio and he kinda assembles the drink himself at the bar with some stuff that he carries around in his pocket. He's actually pretty creepy. I didn't like him too much believe it or not. Adam Sandler is super nice but doesn't tip. I forgot to mention that I've also met Robin Williams. That guy's awesome. He would just buy a double shot can and tip $5 all the time. The Wayans Bros. get teas. Tyra Banks gets nonfat lattes. Jay-Z gets a venti hot chocolate. Haha I sound so stalkerish right now but yeah there goes their drinks.
Posted by: Brooklyn Barista | April 07, 2007 at 11:56 PM
I've been to the above mentioned Starbucks. It's 24 hour right? It is a very clean and well run store. Congrats!
Posted by: BOSTON STARBUCKS REBEL | April 08, 2007 at 01:06 AM
Yeah, this store is 24 hours. Thanks for noticing their hard work. :-)
Posted by: Brooklyn Barista | April 08, 2007 at 08:18 PM
to sbuxrocks.....any hint won't give it away....i am blonde and therefore somewhat dim no joke one lil hint would be nice.....please and thank you...
Posted by: sillysbuxchick | April 09, 2007 at 08:05 PM
I saw many WWE guys, and 2 out of 3 ordered venti mocha frappuchinos. Didn't tip (their representative paid for them) They're HUGEEEE
Posted by: | April 10, 2007 at 08:37 PM
Being in the midwest, we don't have too many celebrities come in. The other partners here had to tell me that one of our regulars had been in some movies and stuff...
John Beasley - tall, bold, no roam drip coffee. He was in "The Sum of all Fears" as General Lasseter, and in various other television and film productions. Nice, friendly guy. Better than some other regulars we have.
Posted by: LMD | April 10, 2007 at 10:27 PM
Eating milk foam? No wonder Nicole Kidman stays so slim. I was gonna say, I don't tip there either only cause I don't think it's necessary. Do people tip the burger flippers at fast food restaurants? Same deal. I do dip bartenders since you usually are there for a length of time and I feel it takes more time to make a good martini than a coffee. Unless you're in a nice restaurant and you have one of those cute designs in your coffee from a real barrista. That's just my feelings.
Posted by: Grace | April 12, 2007 at 01:08 PM
Eating milk foam? No wonder Nicole Kidman stays so slim. I was gonna say, I don't tip there either only cause I don't think it's necessary. Do people tip the burger flippers at fast food restaurants? Same deal. I do dip bartenders since you usually are there for a length of time and I feel it takes more time to make a good martini than a coffee. Unless you're in a nice restaurant and you have one of those cute designs in your coffee from a real barrista. That's just my feelings.
Posted by: Grace | April 12, 2007 at 01:08 PM
Tori Amos
Dave Mathews
Ozzy
Manson (Not the murderer, the goth rock guy)
All were very nice. All were big tippers.
The store is not too far from the main highway routs into the city, and in the nicer hotel and restaurant district in Kansas City. We always got a lot of high profile people.
Posted by: Bigjimbo | April 13, 2007 at 11:33 PM
Michael Bolton got a venti hazelnut latte about an hour before going on stage. Seems like a sure fire pipe-clogger, but hey what do I know?
Posted by: s.p. | April 14, 2007 at 08:09 PM
Dave Matthews came into my store [Philly] and ordered a Grande Americano. He was kind.
Posted by: Baudelaire | April 15, 2007 at 12:00 AM