BB’s Coffee Shop Old Seward: An Honest Review of This Anchorage Drive-Thru
Nestled on the bustling Old Seward Highway, BB’s Coffee Shop is a classic Anchorage drive-thru hut, a familiar sight for any Alaskan accustomed to grabbing their daily caffeine fix on the go. With a solid 4.5-star rating from over 100 reviews, it seems like a dependable local spot. But a closer look at recent customer feedback reveals a more complex picture—a mix of delightful experiences and significant service failures. Is BB’s a hidden gem or a risky gamble? Here’s a detailed analysis of what you can expect.
The Highlights: Friendly Service and Flavorful Coffee
On its best days, BB’s Coffee Shop delivers exactly what you want from a local coffee hut. Many customers, like Maria, rave about the experience. She highlights “super friendly” baristas and a fantastic selection of seasonal drinks, praising her “superb” gingerbread latte. Her review offers a valuable tip for those who prefer a less sugary drink: ask for half the syrup, which still provides plenty of flavor without being overwhelming.
This points to a key strength: customization and quality. Maria describes the coffee as “smooth and delicious,” a sentiment that suggests a well-pulled shot of espresso and quality beans. Another customer, Mary Epchook, had a pleasant afternoon visit, noting the friendly baristas and decent drinks, including an iced Americano and a frap.
Analysis: When the staff is on their game, BB’s appears to excel. The positive reviews paint a picture of a quintessential friendly, local coffee stop with a creative menu and the ability to tailor drinks to customer preference. This is the experience that has earned the shop its high rating.
The Red Flags: Inconsistency in Service and Quality
Unfortunately, not every customer has a five-star experience. A significant number of recent one-star reviews point to serious and recurring issues. Jackie Padden describes a frustrating 10-minute wait on a Thursday morning while a barista was “chatting away with a male client,” causing a line of cars to build up and customers to leave.
The problems appear to go beyond slow service. One user, DucksOnAcid, details a “super weird” encounter, alleging they were overcharged, the smoothie quality had declined, and a staff member seemed impaired. Another customer, posting under the name Mcdonalds Drive Thru, called their coffee “the worst,” noting it wasn’t even hot. Their food order was equally disastrous—a cinnamon roll that was retrieved from an unknown location and then microwaved until it was “rock hard.”
Analysis: These negative reviews reveal a troubling pattern of inconsistency. While some staff members are praised for their friendliness, others are cited for being distracted, unprofessional, or worse. The issues with product quality—lukewarm coffee, poorly made smoothies, and improperly prepared food—suggest a potential lack of training or quality control. The fact that several of these negative experiences are recent could indicate a decline in management standards or high staff turnover.
What’s on the Menu? Coffee, Snacks, and Alaskan Staples
Based on customer feedback and the nature of Alaskan coffee huts, here’s a glimpse of what you can find at BB’s.
- Coffee & Lattes: Expect all the classics like Americanos, Lattes, and Frappes. The real draw seems to be the flavored lattes, with seasonal specials like Gingerbread and year-round options like Vanilla. Remember the tip: you can customize the sweetness by asking for less syrup.
- Smoothies: While smoothies are on the menu, recent reviews suggest the quality may be inconsistent.
- Quick Bites: BB’s offers simple grab-and-go food like Egg Bites and Cinnamon Rolls. However, be aware that the preparation and quality of these items have been criticized in recent reviews.
Like many Alaskan drive-thrus, you can likely expect a wide array of flavored syrups and options to add energy drinks (like Red Bull) to your beverage for an extra kick—a local favorite.
Final Verdict: Is BB’s Coffee Shop on Old Seward Worth a Stop?
BB’s Coffee Shop on Old Seward is a classic case of a “hit-or-miss” establishment. The high overall rating was clearly earned through periods of excellent service and quality drinks. If you catch them on a good day with the right barista, you’ll likely leave happy with a tasty, well-made coffee and a friendly interaction.
However, the recent string of one-star reviews cannot be ignored. They highlight significant operational issues, from slow service and poor-quality products to highly unprofessional staff behavior. For a potential customer, this means a visit to BB’s comes with a degree of risk. You might get the five-star experience Maria described, or you could end up waiting in a long line for a lukewarm coffee like other disappointed patrons.
If you’re a regular who knows when to go and which baristas to count on, BB’s may remain a reliable stop. For a first-time visitor, it’s a gamble.
BB’s Coffee Shop Old Seward
11230 Old Seward Hwy, Anchorage, AK 99515, United States
