Lindsey S.
Yelp
Whooooo. Okay. This one is a tough review to write-it's my first that's less than three stars. I know many businesses depend on good reviews and I do try to be generous (yet still honest) wherever I go. But this one just didn't deserve it.
I also know that this donut chain is beloved by many in Houston which makes it that much more sucky to write this. I drive by this particular location a lot, and was craving some donuts on this morning off. TGIF, am I right?
The building looks run down and at the very least needs some pressure washing and paint touch ups. By no means filthy, but definitely looks dirty and needs some TLC. But perhaps the worst part was the service. No smiles, rude, not happy to be there at all. I felt it when I first walked in. I could not understand the lady who bagged my donuts. I mean, she was literally unintelligible. I completely understand that some people do not speak English as a first language, and in most cases both parties will make an effort to be understood. No problem. But this lady did not.
"Wouldshulekeshpfishdty??" She asked me three times with an icy stare. Each time, I asked "excuse me?" And she'd just say the same thing again, no variation, no effort for me to understand. She became visibly frustrated. The third time I just awkwardly nodded and paid for my donuts. She slapped a receipt on the counter. She just kept staring at me with the look of death and said something like "herveurnurcde," and I walked out confused.
Apparently, her statement meant "would you like a plain donut with absolutely nothing on or in it?" Because I definitely did NOT order that, it wasn't in my receipt, but it was in my bag. It was gross. It tasted like cardboard. Maybe it was stale because nobody buys those, not anyone with a soul, at least. (I have also just realized I left it in the cup holder of my car. Not even shamed of this. It was that forgettable.)
This was, unfortunately, my first time at a Shipley's. I'm not from Houston; in fact I'm relatively new. I am from The Land of Krispy Kreme, that promised land of hot, gooey glazed donuts and free souvenir paper hats. I was hoping Houston would deliver something remotely comparable, but I am guessing very strongly right now that Shipley's is definitely not it.
I did give two stars for a couple things: they had a good variety of nice looking donuts, and the "creme filled" one I got was really delicious. I recommend it.
Would I go to another Shipley's? I do not know. I'm leaning on "no" right now. The guy in front of me was telling his friend this particular location looked and felt "nicer than the one in the Heights." YIKES.... no thank you!! If I can ask around and find one that seems to care and treat its customers right, I'll certainly try it again, and write a review on it. But for now, I'm not impressed by Shipley's. I've had better customer service-and, honestly, donuts-at other places.