Any baristas out there?

[StoatofDisarray]

I have noticed that my regular order in a coffee shop: black Americano with an extra shot - often seems to take much longer to prepare than other peoples' orders. Five people who ordered after me were given their orders before me this morning (tea with milk, cappucino, Americano, can't remember the others). It happens whether I'm in Starbucks, Pret, Costa, etc. Why is this? Would it be quicker if I ordered an espresso and a black Americano separately?

Strange, when I worked in this sector I would have loved someone to order an American with an extra shot, so much easier and quicker than anything involving milk or syrups.

I work in a cafe,an Americano is the quickest and easiest coffee to make,hot water in the cup,add the shot(s) of coffee and the job is done.

No idea why they'd make the other drinks first,I've always made them i n the order I get them.

I was a barista many moons ago and I can only think that they're trying not to waste the extra shot. Our machines (and I believe most) would pour 2 shots (one from each small spout) so if you're wanting an extra shot it makes a third. Therefore they could be waiting for another one-shot drink or single espresso order, to pour your extra shot and save that spare fourth shot from going to waste. I still wouldn't have left a customer waiting that long though and some wastage is expected. It makes me think that ordering your americano plus a single espresso wouldn't make a difference if that's the case.

Thanks, HoneyBee, that makes sense. Although it is galling!

Yes it would annoy me too! Nothing more frustrating than seeing other customers further back in the queue being served before you. It could be another reason but it's all I can think of, as other posters have said, an americano is a simple drink to make.

Could be several reasons, as your shot is running into the water they might be heating milk for another drink whilst having the coffee shot for that drink running, they are more likely to top the milk based drink up while they have the finished jug of milk in hand and then put the lid on yours once the other drinks handed over.

The coffee could be too fine which means it's running too slow.

Sometimes the crema on an americano breaks or doesn't form (usually from a crap tamp) and therefore would need to be remade or it tastes shit.

In costa at least, the extra shot shouldn't make the drink take any longer, a small with extra would be just be one 3 shot handle used, medium with extra would be 2x 2 shot handles and a large would be 1x 2 shot and 1x 3 shot handle used.

mrspotatohed: that is a level of info about Costa coffee machine heads that I wasn't expecting - thank you!

I do not miss working there