Like the previous reviewer I am forced to use Coffee Union at Princes Parade.
I guess that the previous writer was one of the lucky ones. Being a creature of habit I tend to opt for the jacket potato and a latte frappe but this is because the choice of sandwiches is dismal and certainly unappetising.
Breaking the experience into 3 categories, lets start with staff.
The current 'acting' manager is certainly living up to her title - ACTING - because she certainly cannot organise or manage what goes on around her (but she is pleasant which is a plus). First thing in the morning, if you fancy a piece of toast, you can wait anything upto 15 minutes and that is with only 2 or 3 other customers in the shop. Lunch-times and total bedlam reigns - there is/was supposed to be a new system where you gave your name when you ordered and then they would call out your name when your order was ready. Now, maybe they have renamed me cheese jacket - but.......... During this holiday period (Aug 2008) there was a young lady that stood in for the acting manager - certainly a vast improvement - what a joy to go in, get served and receive the order all in the same lunch hour - bring her back I say. Certainly it would be nice if at least one staff member knew what was going on. Enough of that, let's move onto food....
Sandwiches - lucky I like cheese, but that is the problem - sometimes it is difficult to find the cheese in the cheese sandwich. Baguettes, toasties, panini, etc, much the same - no dates to give you an idea as to how long they have languished on the shelves. Give them a miss I say. The jacket potatoes are ok, but no actual size guidance - you can received anything from golf ball to tennis ball size (but the price is the same). If you want cheese on it, then please ask for extra cheese (you will have to pay for this option though) as the cheese does not last for more than half the potato, no matter what size. Watch out for the salad as well, it is very organic as I frequently find part of the field still attached.
Lastly lets talk about drinks.....my latte frappe to be precise. The definition of 'Frappe' is beverages chilled: chilled or poured over crushed ice. Well, sometimes it is and sometimes it isn't. Dependant on who is doing them or whether they need a chat the frappe comes in 2 main distinct types - Thick and icy (a-la Starbucks - who ALWAYS get it right) which is perfect, or runny and vaguely warm. Infact the best offering was today when I was given a greyish beverage that tasted similar to warm yaks milk (forgive the poetic licence). Upon bringing this up with the maker of the drink, I was told that they no longer put the shot of coffee in the latte although she did assure me it had ice in it (obviously global warming did for my ice whilst it was being handed to me). They did agree to put in the shot of coffe but told me in future it would be the powder only (don't mind if there is enough of the stuff in the drink) but if I wanted the shot there would be the obligitory additional charge. Needless to say, looks like I will now forego my pleasurable lunch-time pick-me-up.
Overall the Coffe Union gives the impression that as you are somewhat stranded and reliant on them for food (especially in bad weather) it does not matter what service/provisions they give you. There are rumours of another food provider opening up a stone's throw away from this shop - so please - can this happen now - maybe some competition will make them offer a decent service and quality of food.