09/19/08

Heat wave

by jan23

I'm sorry the diner listed below had such a bad experience. Looking at the date mentioned, I realized Seattle was in the midst of a "heat wave" which wouldn't seem hot to someone from outside the area. When the temps there are in the low 90's, unairconditioned spaces can seem unbearable. The Crumpet Shop has, and usually needs little or no air conditioning. It is tiny and the bakers work in a glassed area that holds the heat from the ovens so on a normal day it would be quite warm for them.

Sorry you had such a bad experience. The crumpets are really wonderful and I'm sure if you went back on a more normal day, you would find the atmosphere exactly as others have described. I have always looked forward to lunch there instead of inside the noisy market when I visit.

08/28/08

when the cats away...the staff do play (owner/manager...where are you?)

by PhyllisfromSeattle

My last experience with the Crumpet Shop was an incredible disappointment. On Saturday, 7/12/08, my husband, son and myself drove into the market, with the express purpose of having their delicious crumpets with hazelnut topping. It was shortly after 2:00, and they are reportedly open until 4:00. In a bizarre twist, we were refused anything warm from behind the counter...because the folks assembling food said it was "too hot" to cook. Really? In Seattle? Just for comparison, all of the other food stalls and service areas were open. The market was really humming.

Extra concerning was the absence of the owner (an English woman who provides a lot of character and is terrific in her service and treatment of customers). Is the staff quite so heat sensitive when the owner is present? And did she know why sales dropped off suddenly on what should have been one of her best business days?

Alongside the absence of available food, the shop was out of the lime beverage they usually stock in the cooler, and ran out of Earl Gray Tea, as well. What is going on here???

07/24/08

Best Crumpets Ever!

by deandrea1

I have not ever been to the Crumpet Shop personally but I have friends that go there frequently. Once I tasted the crumpets I couldn't believe how wonderful they were. They are the best I have ever tasted. Now every time they are there they have to bring me some home. You must try it!

• Pros: Best crumpets in the world!
• Cons: Not sure. Never been there.

07/21/08

yum

by sparkleanne

I popped in to the crumpet shop just to see what it was like. I found the people friendly, converstaional and overall very helpful. They took my order, chatted with me and my boyfriend as we waited for our jam-topped crumpets and gave us a few helpful hints while we were out and about in Seattle. The crumpets were tasty and warm...

I would guess that the reason the people in Portland received some questionable glances as they walked in the store after closing was that it was after closing. If the shop still has the sign out, they haven't had a chance to reverse it. Closed means closed. There are any number of reasons they cannot serve you one of them may be that they had already shut down their register.

I'd highly recommend this place to ANYONE looking for a tasty treat and not in the way of all the tourists.

• Pros: the crumpets are delicious
• Cons: not much seating

06/13/08

Denied

by peopleinportland

It was shortly after closing time. We had walked almost two miles to get to the Crumpet shop before returning to Portland. One bag for now, and a couple for the freezer. The sign read "open" and we walked through the door. "We're closed," came the greeting. I gazed at the shelf of crumpets in front of me. My husband had cash in hand and I was sure they would still let us buy, but no. Even though we pressed for a simple sale we were told "no." We couldn't believe the lack of service. Afterall, crumpets don't keep well and there were plenty left on the shelf. They would be day old tomorrow. We muttered all the way down the hill and declared we would never be back. Misery loves company and so at home we went on line and were amazed to find stories of the Crumpet Shop worse than our own experience. We also had a good laugh as we read the other stories and, at the end of the day, we can live quite well without their crumpets.

08/18/07

Rude and inefficient

by raggleromf

I used to go into the Crumpet Shop three times daily for tea and once for lunch. At first they were friendly and convenient, but somewhere along the line they hired all these sassy "students", and trying to get a cup of tea and a piece of toast has become like entering the ninth circle of hell. Two weeks ago, while one employee very slowly completed latte orders and another, the "crumpet toaster", just stood there, I waited over six minutes for someone to ring me up for tea (all they do is hand you a cup, and you fill it yourself from a big thermos). Had I not just given up and left, who knows how long I would have had to wait! The next week, I paid the girl at the till for tea, and, rather than give me the cup (which was on her side of the counter) she gave me an impassive stare and said, "Get it yourself." And don't assume that I'd been some sort of shady customer. I always tipped at least three dollars every day, and this was after spending only six!

Yesterday, a coworker of mine, who's had an equally turbulent relationship with the Crumpet Shop, announced that the camel's back had finally broken, and she was "breaking up" with them forever. Apparently she'd also been noticing the gradual decline in service and, after being charged the "toast and soup" price for soup not accompanied by toast because they "didn't have any bread", finally just ended it.

These people are weirdos. They have no concept of customer service, no manners, and for some reason they don't even bother to make any of the non-crumpet items on their menu anymore (although they're all still on the menu). You would be well advised to steer clear of this place altogether until the management catches on to what's happening and hires some people who understand what retail is.

• Pros: Relatively inexpensive, quality ingredients and tea
• Cons: Employees are rude, service is terrible and inconsistent, menu items often unavailable, portions inconsistent

08/18/07

Disappointed Once Again

by paperplate

I have now decided never to return to The Crumpet Shop. I have been a customer of theirs for many years and have always enjoyed their fine product and service until the last three times I have been there.

I always buy several bags of crumpets to bring home to Vancouver BC. The last couple of times I have been to The Crumpet Shop they complained I am buying too many bags (3 bags). They tried to deter me by telling me their product doesn't have a long shelf life.

On my recent trip August 16, 2007 I patiently waited in a very long line up and only to discover they wouldn't even sell me one bag. This was at noon and they had plenty of crumpets in their glass case. I was extremely disappointed and decided to never return. It is very obvious they really aren't interested in their business.

07/18/07

Endless cup of tea

by princessonya

I've been to the crumpet shop several times and each time I am reminded why I like it so much. The service is great, a little slow during it's busier time, however very friendly. The crumpet can be prepared in a variety of ways, so there are endless combination. I like the smoked salmon with egg, and tomatoe. I LOVE their never ending cup of tea, and recommend their "house blend", you will not be disappointed!!

• Pros: Great Tea, Service
• Cons: A bit slow when busy

04/06/07

one of my favorite little spots in seattle

by photogrl

you must make a stop at the crumpet shop when by the pike place market. whether sweet or savory, the crumpets are DIVINE. not to mention their house-made chai. the staff is so lovely! this place is an absolute treasure and i will forever return when in the city.

• Pros: food, staff
• Cons: they don't ship their crumpets!

11/19/06

Best crumpets anywhere

by cshjimi

I just wish we could order them online to be shipped to us in So California! We lived in Seattle over 20 years ago, working in downtown Seattle. I went there at least 3x a week getting packs of crumpets. Still, if we know someone is going to Seattle, we beg them to pick us up multiple packs of crumpets and bring them back for us!

• Pros: We visited after almost 15 years and she remembered us!!! Great market area
• Cons: no online ordering or shipment!!!! we love those crumpets