Coffee Cartel
(314) 454-0000
2 Maryland Plz
St Louis,
MO
63108
38.6447
-90.2617
Neighborhood: Central West End
What People Are Saying About Coffee Cartel
The Editor
Contributor
Citysearch
The Scene
The large outdoor seating area really sets this coffeehouse apart from the competition: The bustling intersection of Maryland and Euclid avenues is a great place to people-watch. It's also smoker-friendly, although smokers may prefer to sit outside during the summer (and nonsmokers may prefer that they do), as the smoking section inside can get a bit gamy. Coffee Cartel's best asset, however, is that it never closes. Desperate caffeine addicts, graveyard shift workers, insomniacs and anybody studying for a final all have someplace nice to hang out.
The Food
Drinks include the usual selection of mochas, lattes and cappuccinos as well as a wide assortment of teas. But what really makes it a great after-dinner spot or late-night sugar craving solution is the large dessert counter, which brims with cheesecakes, carrot cake and Edy's ice cream.
User Reviews
Blacklisted
June 17, 2009
I took my family to Coffee Cartel last weekend, as part of our Central West End Art Fair and Taste experience. After a long wait and a lack of service by the staff, I made a constructive suggestion (to fix the problem) and was confronted by the owner "Dennis" who told us (me, wife, child, in-laws) to take our business elsewhere. If you're a Seinfeld fan, think "Soup Nxzi". The poor service, which I've encountered before at this place but not to this degree, and intolerance to (polite, constructive) feedback is sad. If you want to be a continuing customer, don't think of complaining, unless you want to be banned by Dennis Gorg -- aka the "Coffee Dictator". Details: We waited over 10 minutes in line, though the place was not yet too busy. There were plenty of staff, but they didn't seem to notice the line of waiting customers. One staff person sauntered by talking on a cell phone, in a personal conversation: holding the cell phone to her ear with one hand while trying to cut a mini-pizza with the other. A family behind ours finally gives up and leaves. At last a staff person tells me (and the rest of the waiting people) to come to the cashier, as they don't take orders from the counter at which we were all gathered. This counter is where you naturally arrive when entering the restaurant from the main entrance, and has the ice cream -- which many customers were wanting on this hot day. So I suggest (calmly, mind you, no shouting or offensive content) to the staff person that the staff should be checking the line at the counter, to avoid backlog, customers leaving the restaurant, etc. She seems to brush this off. I get our food, we are eating and this casually dressed man approaches our table saying, "I'm Dennis, what's your name?" As I don't know him, but suspect he's a salesman, I tell him my name is "unlisted." This clearly annoys him: "so you're not going to tell me your name?" In the ensuing conversation, I learn he is the store owner, I tell him what I've observed. I notice at some point he has a staff person with him, and he ultimately makes clear that what he's doing is showing her how to tell problem customers to get lost. As he is doing so, more customers enter the store, and wait awhile at the counter. And...then turn around and walk out! He seems oblivious to this event, even though I had just told him about the same situation earlier. My guess is that he is more interested in being the boss/owner, and doing what he pleases, than about running a cafe/restaurant. This is not uncommon with small business owners, but is hardly a boon for the Central West End.
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Anonymous
November 25, 2008
I love this cafe. Its located in the heart of the CWE and has a great atmosphere. I loved going here for late night studying while I was in college, though the environment seems to be more conducive to talking than studying. The iced chai latte is great here, and they also have good foods and sandwiches.
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starbucksloverSTL
November 20, 2008
The Coffee Cartel has its ups and downs - its a good place to hang out and get food and drink, socialize and pass the time - the staff is quarky and fun - the store is fairly well maintained for a 24 hour establishment - although i think it ran better when that younger, hotter manager was working there - i'm an STARBUCKS fan myself, but i'll still frequest the place for a good time - bring back the studly manager!
read full reviewThe Details on Coffee Cartel
Know Before You Go:
The music here is not Top 40. Expect something off the wall.
The Extras:
You can also buy your favorite high-quality coffee beans and jars of tea.
Category:
Coffee & Tea Shops, Grocery Stores, Restaurants
Payment Methods:
American Express, Visa, MasterCard
