Sometimes we get a request for espresso "to go." We just pour it into a heated 8 oz paper cup, since that is the smallest size cup we carry. However, the presentation of espresso to go in an 8 oz cup is not very attractive. We don't encourage espresso to go at all, but when a customer wants it this way, what is the best way to present it visually? Does anyone have any suggestions in an attractive "to go" espresso cup?

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I've seen people do strange things with Espresso "to go"

Like pour cold milk in half of the paper cup(along with sugar)


Strange I know. I've only caught a few customers do this.

Ha
hehehehe thank you four that comic
Frankly I believe there's no point in being a snob about this. Yes, we all believe espresso to be necter of the gods and should only be served in an appropriate vessel, but that doesn't mean we should force it on customers - they don't want an argument or a lecture, they just want their bloody coffee in served to them in the manner to which they prefer.
Sure, perhaps it's your store policy to piss people off and waste time arguing with them about how they should enjoy THEIR drink, but maybe you should put yourself in their shoes on this issue.
Thank you all for your thoughts and advice on disclaimers for spro to go. We let the customer know we do not have to go cups for espresso and then use the 6oz cappuccino paper cup. We pre heat the paper cup with a blast of hot water before the extraction.
FLIPPIN BRILLIANT!!!

Ryan Knapp said:
Alex said:
Frankly I believe there's no point in being a snob about this. Yes, we all believe espresso to be necter of the gods and should only be served in an appropriate vessel, but that doesn't mean we should force it on customers - they don't want an argument or a lecture, they just want their bloody coffee in served to them in the manner to which they prefer.
Sure, perhaps it's your store policy to piss people off and waste time arguing with them about how they should enjoy THEIR drink, but maybe you should put yourself in their shoes on this issue.

To be quite honest sir, you cannot know this. For every person who just wants their caffeine fix, there is another who enjoys learning about what they are consuming. As a consumer, I personally want to know everything I can to get the best out of everything I purchase, especially since money has been tight recently. Really, the amount of volume I've received from repeat customers who like the care and preparation put into a drink vs. competitors who will whatever the customer wants to make a quick buck is far greater than the one every few months who leaves because there is no espresso to go.
Anyone remember the best way to kill a zombie?
Nice!

Ryan Knapp said:
The best response I've seen to keeping customers from ordering spro-to-go is a picture I saw on flickr. On the companies menu board it lists a double espresso as $2.00 and below that it list a double espresso "to go" as $10.00. Creative way to keep espresso in ceramic. If I find the picture I'll post it.
When they pay for what they order THEN it is their drink...until then it is ours.
If you give them what they want and all of a sudden you get concerned about coffee quality and pull the rug out from under them...then you deserve the hot water you will find yourself in.
Be as giving as you want or as elitist as you want...be please just be consistent! Your customers will love you.

Alex said:
Frankly I believe there's no point in being a snob about this. Yes, we all believe espresso to be necter of the gods and should only be served in an appropriate vessel, but that doesn't mean we should force it on customers - they don't want an argument or a lecture, they just want their bloody coffee in served to them in the manner to which they prefer.
Sure, perhaps it's your store policy to piss people off and waste time arguing with them about how they should enjoy THEIR drink, but maybe you should put yourself in their shoes on this issue.
Our menu just says right below espresso: "Not available iced or to-go." Solved all our problems. When someone asks for espresso to go we just let them know it's only available for here. If they get all huffy, we just smile knowing that we don't have to deal with "ghetto lattes" happening and that our espresso doesn't have to be had straight out of a paper cup. Then we let them know it's just our policy. "It's really small, and really delicious. You'll probably finish it before you make it to the door if you walk kinda slow" (*points at dishtub by door*) is something I say a lot to an espresso to-go order. Works for us, but our customers are also generally pretty cool and chill...

-bry

Deferio said:
Nice!

Ryan Knapp said:
The best response I've seen to keeping customers from ordering spro-to-go is a picture I saw on flickr. On the companies menu board it lists a double espresso as $2.00 and below that it list a double espresso "to go" as $10.00. Creative way to keep espresso in ceramic. If I find the picture I'll post it.
The last coffee shop I worked at had 4oz paper cups. We used them for espresso, macchiato, and samples. We didn't have lids for these cups which upset some customers. If you consider these, you need to double cup them.
I have the unique benefit of 95% of my customers working in the same building that my shop is in. So even if they get a shot "to go" it's gonna be in a demi anyways. 'Cause it's only a 30 second walk back to their desk. It's a nice situation. I've also worked in places though where the owner was a real believer in "the customer is always right" he had us serve espresso to go in an 8 oz. cup. I can't tell you how many ghetto breve's I watched walk out the door.

I think the 10.00 'spro to go is a great idea. They even get to keep the demi! Good stuff.

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