Grass Valley, CA — North Bloomfield resident Don Vaca got into a spat Wednesday with Carolines Coffee Barista, May Judenfruit when he insisted on ordering a Venti Caramel Macchiatoâ„¢ only sold at Starbucks.
“I was in Carolines in Grass Valley, ” Mr. Vaca told The Fazzler in a phone interview, “and I like to shop local since I started my own home business. I had my buddy Don from the Ridge with me. I can’t believe they don’t know how to make a Venti Caramel Macchiatoâ„¢. It’s my favorite.”
According to patrons in the coffee shop, Mr. Vaca became irritated that Ms. Judenfruit didn’t know how to make the Venti Caramel Macchiatoâ„¢, and then he became somewhat belligerent when she offered alternative drinks.
“I get people coming in here all the time asking for Starbucks and Peets specialty drinks,” said a confident Ms. Judenfruit. “I do my best to offer a comparable Carolines drink. Usually we can get pretty close. But all this guy wanted the Starbucks drink.”
Corporate restaurants dominate the local landscape and often customers unwittingly attempt to order an item from one corporate chain at another chain.
“I can’t tell you how many times people come through here asking for a Quarter Pounder, ” said Rahim Bijarani from the Burger King drive thru window. “I mean, did they even look at the menu? Some people insist on a Big Mac or Chicken McNuggets. We do our best to politely offer something else.”
According to shop manager, eventually they did find Mr. Vaca a suitable replacement for the Venti Caramel Macchiato®, but not before a fight almost broke out with other patrons.
