Starbucks - Chalet Mall

I am sorry to report that after sampling the various Starbucks in the Yakima area, this site is the least consistent with respect to its coffee. I've had capuccinos there for the last 3-4 weeks and the espresso is consistently bitter and sour tasting. I've been to the 72nd Street and Valley Mall site and have never had a bitter tasting coffee. From what I've been told by a Safeway Starbucks (which, by the way is ALWAYS great coffee), it has to do with the frequency with which they wash out their coffee makers. They apparently do NOT wash them out regularly which causes the oils from the coffee bean to build up inside the machine creating a sludgy residue that spoils the flavor of the coffee.

Espresso should be sweet and fullbodied; this is the case about 4 times out of 10 at this Starbucks (compared to 10 out 10 times at the other sites). That's a shame because the barristas are particularly friendly and sweet. I tried and waited to see if the coffee would change; it hasn't so I'm off to another Starbucks. My husband complains about his drip coffee being bitter too so apparently this is a consistent issue.