Coffee Cartel

06/17/09

As Scary as It Sounds

by Blacklisted

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.

• Cons: Poor Service, Blacklisting Customers

11/20/08

It's a swell place to hang out

by starbucksloverSTL

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!

• Pros: Nice Patio, Big Selection, Lots of Ice Cream, Seasonal Menu
• Cons: The akward staff

07/02/08

can't beat the coffee

by lucyedwards1965

I love this place! you can't beat their coffee! They have saved me so many times when I needed a quick caffiene rush. The service is always friendly and fast. Keep up the good work guys!

• Pros: cost, coffee
• Cons: none thatt i know of