Latte’s Revenge: When “Extra Hot” Customers Get Burned by Their Own Demands
Picture this: you’re hustling behind the counter at a bustling Starbucks in Union Square, NYC. The espresso machine is hissing, your mind’s on autopilot, and suddenly, in walks Mr. “I’m Too Important To Be Here.” He scowls, orders a latte “very hot—180 degrees,” and then, with the air of a man who’d rather be anywhere else, sneers, “This is not hot enough.”
Most of us would sigh, roll our eyes internally, and remake the latte. But if you’ve spent any time in food service, you know the urge for a little creative payback is real. And for one Redditor—u/AppropriateTax6525—this petty revenge came piping hot. Literally.
Steaming Up: The Art and Science of “Extra Hot” Orders
Let’s set the scene. This isn’t just a story about a latte; it’s about the age-old clash between customer entitlement and the silent strength of the service worker. The original post on r/PettyRevenge recounts how OP, a seasoned barista, made a latte at the requested 180°F—verified by thermometer. But the customer, nose wrinkled in disdain, insisted it wasn’t hot enough.
In the world of coffee, 180°F is already pushing the limits of safe, enjoyable milk. As several commenters pointed out, milk that hot is “pretty piping”—and anything above that risks scalding both the milk and the drinker. Yet, as u/Sea-Ad9057 shared, these “it’s not hot enough” types are a universal pain: “I hate those people. They are a pain in the ass.”
But OP was undeterred. Armed with a thermometer and a devilish sense of justice, they steamed the next batch of milk to a tongue-melting 220°F. The result? One shocked customer—and a barista with a story for the ages.
The Community Boils Over: Tales from the Trenches
It turns out, this wasn’t an isolated incident. The comments section quickly became a confessional for food service veterans everywhere. From the world of burgers, u/Jalapeno_tickles recounted the saga of the “never enough pickles” customer—eventually receiving a burger so overloaded with pickles it dripped juice everywhere. “He walked away and never came back to this destination 😂.”
Others, like u/poptarmistic, shared how customers at old folks’ homes expect heat bordering on magma: “I had a lady complain about the soup not being hot enough and then… asked, ‘did you not put your finger in it to test it?’” Apparently, some people want their food served with a side of burnt taste buds—and questionable hygiene.
Multiple commenters, including u/DameofDames, pointed out a fascinating fact: as people age, their perception of heat can dull. “Older people lose that perception of heat. My dad microwaves coffee right from the Keurig.” Maybe, for some, 180°F just doesn’t register as “hot” anymore.
The Science of Scalding: Is “220 Degrees” Even Possible?
The most upvoted responses dove into the science behind the story. “How did you get it past the boiling point? Isn’t 212°F boiling?” asked u/WumpusFails. Turns out, while water boils at 212°F, milk’s boiling point is slightly higher—around 213°F. And with a commercial steamer, the pressure and direct contact with steam can superheat the liquid even further, at least in the short term.
As u/Educational_Clock269 (a barista for 13 years) chimed in, “You can steam milk to 220. I specifically had a customer who wanted it at exactly 218.” The magic of milk is that it foams and scalds before actually boiling, so that 220°F latte didn’t just burn the customer’s tongue—it probably ruined the flavor, too.
Yet, the customer, faced with a cup hotter than the sun, “thought better of complaining again.” Sometimes, the best revenge is simply giving someone exactly what they asked for.
Hotter Isn’t Always Better: The Great Coffee Debate
Why do some people crave drinks hotter than a volcano? A few, like u/ChronoTriggerGod, theorized it’s a learned habit: “My grandma had to drink her Sanka like it came from the core of the earth.” Others, like u/Just_a_guy_94, blamed family: “My dad is that kind of person… he’ll throw his fork down after the first bite saying it’s ice cold.”
But as many coffee aficionados in the comments pointed out, higher temperatures can actually spoil the taste of coffee and milk alike. “People bitch and moan about coffee tasting bitter… it’s usually the people who burn their coffee,” noted u/RavenBlueEyes84.
On the flip side, some like their drinks on the cooler side. “I remember doing the opposite, asking for a drink around 110 degrees to avoid burning my tongue!” shared u/TypeAwithAdhd. There’s no accounting for taste—but there is a limit to how much heat the average human mouth can take.
Conclusion: The Sweet Taste of Petty Justice
In the end, this little cup of revenge served up more than just steamed milk—it’s a reminder that sometimes, the customer isn’t always right. Sometimes, they’re just asking for a scorched tongue and a life lesson, delivered with a polite barista smile.
So, the next time you’re tempted to demand your drink “extra hot,” remember: the people behind the counter have both the thermometers—and the power. And if you ever feel inspired to share your own tales from the trenches, drop a comment below. How hot is hot enough for you?
Your stories might just be the next to go viral—served up extra spicy for the internet to enjoy.
Original Reddit Post: Hot Enough For Ya?