Saint Charles Coffee House

I have visited this coffee shop about a half dozen times now in the last 2 years. I have never been particularly pleased with my experience. I usually like their coffee, though, and there isn’t any other good option for me really close by, so I keep coming back. I have had the same problems with less-​than-​pleasant barristas that the other reviewers have mentioned. The barristas do seem to dislike standing in the front of the shop when there are no customers in the main seating area, b/​c when I arrived on this Tuesday night around 7:30pm, there was no employee to be seen. When the barrista did come out front (after only a minute), she at least was rather pleasant – definitely the most pleasant one I’ve had. I had a piece of cheesecake with strawberries on top and an iced chai latte. The latte was fine, but the cheesecake tasted as though it had been sitting next to (and rubbing shoulders with) an onion. Ick. Too bad, b/​c the strawberries were pretty good. I could have gotten over that, but the barrista announced to the half dozen or so customers in the front dining area that the shop closed at 9:00. Well then why does the website say it closes at 10:00? My friend and I had specifically checked before deciding to meet at this business, because of their posted closing time! To be fair, the barrista was pleasant about it, and she waited until about 5 minutes after to inform us.
One tip for people who have an iPhone and try to use the wifi: if you have used their wifi on your phone in the past, you may have trouble logging on to their network. (They have a new wifi password every day, maybe even more frequently than that.) (I had this problem at my last visit. The woman working at the counter on that day obviously DGAS that I was having trouble, b/​c when I told her about it, she just said that no one else had been having trouble with the wifi – and she made zero attempt to investigate the problem, to see if it was something on their end.) Anyway, my phone was not letting me even enter the password, it just kept saying I could not connect to the network. Another customer at the store solved the problem for me: he told me to go into my settings and choose «forget network.» Apparently, the iPhone’s default setting is to be «helpful» and try logging in with the old password, and got stuck in a loop. So to sum up: Go into your settings and choose «forget network,» then try to log on to the wifi again, and it should let you enter the password.

I wish this place was awesome! Instead it is lacking. I stood at the counter waiting and waiting while the only person working was in the back or something. Then when the older lady finally came out she made no apologies. She just had a bad air about her. I thought, well maybe she’s just having a bad day. But then my last visit was much the same. They certainly are not welcoming.
My doctor’s office is right across the street and it would be so great to meet friends for lunch there. But I will not return unless there’s new management.

I love having a nice coffee house, that offers so much, close to home. It’s a convenient place to stop for an Americano and a pleasant conversation with the regulars and the employees. The architecture is a pleasing train station look. Ample space and wifi makes it a relaxing place to get online while enjoying a cup of coffee. Live music and other entertainment on some nights.

So after a few days, apparently my review is no longer visible to the public. So much for fairness. I am not related to the owners, nor do I work there, nor is the business in any ‘network’ of mine. I’m just a customer. Why make my review unreadable? thanks Unilocal

My wife and I visited Sunday morning; I ordered my usual quad-​espresso macchiato — employee was a bit perplexed, no problem, I explained it is 4-​shots espresso with a marking of foam. She acknowledged. And proceeded to make me the milkiest-​wateriest concoction ever known. I did not enjoy my supposed «quad-​machiato» (I got a weak latte, at best).
I can be picky, but when I actually explain the components of one of the italian original drinks, I do expect them to come close ®.
My wife’s «regular» macchiato and our breakfast burritos were ok.

I understand other reviewers and what they have said about the lack of good customer service in this place. There are a couple of employees that aren’t nessecarily unfriendly but I would call them unprofessional. The environment is very much a coffee house environment, they play smooth jazz which is. Ice but it’s hard to hear with the employees hooping and hallering. The older lady that people refer to, I see what they are saying but I just think it is a part of a crass personality. The major plus that makes me like this place a lots that they offer bottomless mango iced tea and bottomless coffee. Now that is a reason to come back for a second try, in my book.

If I could give this place no stars I would. The owner is the WORST business man I have ever seen. The baristas are not trained in coffee and are very rude. Going there you will be over charged for food and drink. You MUST buy something to get the code to the wifi. It’s almost worth going in just to see how bad it is. I love small businesses but this can hardly be called a business.

A very disappointing experience…
From what I was told by staff…
It would seem the Jack the owner, from I am told runs this place with no concept of hospitality. You are asked to leave if you don’t purchase something in 15 minutes of arriving. Also you are banned from using the Internet until you purchase something. They are very rude about this towards customers. Very unwise indeed considering how empty the place is… And sad considering how large it is. Might I also add that if they are going to be so rude to patrons they might ought to remove the bible and religious crap from public view.
I had scheduled a business meeting there along with a late lunch and had been waiting patiently for my appointment to arrive to join me. It is rude after all to offer lunch and then proceed with out them. This was not acceptable by the staff who attempted to force me to purchase something before I was ready to.
Unfortunate… Clearly the gift of hospitality and social skills are not bestowed upon the place. Too bad… It’s a great space and interesting potentially relaxing environment.
The lady’s who work there look like scared slaves which saids a lot about the owner. I am sad for them to have to work in such conditions.
My conclusion… Don’t waste your time going to the Saint Charles coffeehouse until the management learns some better hospitality skills and practices what the bibles laying around preaches…

Good coffee but barista’s knowledge was lacking. The girl had difficulty working cash register and making coffees. Customer behind me had even more issues trying to order an iced tea. The flavor of the coffee/​espresso was a good quality so if you keep your order simple you will get a decent cup of joe and the décor/​design is great for relaxing and chatting with friends

Quaint little place. quiet, and does have live music, and an open mic night.

I wanted so badly to like this place… I’m a hardcore coffee drinker and I LOVE local coffee shops. Also, I’m usually not one to complain unless there is really a reason to do so.
So, the very first time I went in there the staff wasn’t overly friendly and forgot half our order (2 sandwiches and 2 sodas with NO other customers at all…) because they were too busy talking to each other. Thats cool. They don’t advertise as a 5 star joint, so I moved on and tried it a few months later hoping for the best. Worst experience of my life.
I walked up to the counter (again just me and a friend were the only customers in the whole place) and looked over the menu. As I did so, the woman behind the counter (who is apparently the wife of the owner) rolled her eyes and tore herself away from her conversation with the other server, threw her dirty towel on the counter and said «What? What do you want?» I noticed that they had favored iced coffee. The Menu told me specifically to ask about their flavors… so I did. the woman replied, visibly annoyed, «What are you talking about? we have coffee and we have soda. What do you want. Coffee?» Then, when I pointed to the sign where it specified flavors and began to explain what I was reading, she cut me off and shouted «Mocha is a flavor of coffee! Do you want mocha? I don’t know what you mean ‘flavors’». And rolled her eyes again. This is when I excused my self and left… as I turned to leave I heard her say «Whatever. Fine. How am I supposed to know what the hell she’s talking about? Jesus.»
The staff at this place is so incredibly rude and HATES working with the public, apparently. I read a few other reviews on here that noted their rudeness, so this isn’t just a one time deal. One mentioned that he was non-​white… I have visible tattoos… maybe she just doesn’t like «our kind» in their shop. No worries, I know neither me nor anyone I know will ever go there again.

Been there lots of times, great place, I drink mostly French Roast which I love, my wife drinks the ice tea. Had most of the food there, all very good. They also have a Deck nice on pleasant days. Smoking is available on the deck for us nicotine people. Owners are very nice once you get to know them…

I’ve been to St. Charles Coffee House before and was never really impressed with it. Its a place that simply exists. I had some time and really wanted some coffee the other day so I decided I would get a cup from here. As others have noticed, the place has got amazing décor. Its got a nice cottage-​y feel on the outside and the inside is very inviting. \
From there, things went downhill. I’ve read other reviews on this place, so I sense a theme of being ignored by the people behind the counters… There was a young lady in front of me who hadn’t yet decided what she wanted and moved aside so I could order. Unfortunately, I had to wait around 5 minutes before I was actually spoken to. It wasn’t even a «Hi! How may I help you?», more of a «Do you know what you want?» If you were aiming to be unlike Starbucks, you just failed miserably.
I finally ordered a small hazelnut latte, one of go to drinks for a new coffee house. It was out way too fast, less than one minute. Having worked in several coffee houses, this kind of thing sends up a huge red flag. My latte was café au lait with hazelnut syrup added. The drink wasn’t quite hot enough, the espresso was a lower quality than I was expecting, and there was way too much syrup in my drink.
I’m still trying to figure out how this place stays open. There must be A LOT of money behind it. Stay away if you like good coffee and good service.

Good coffee, great place to write (including a backroom) Only real drawback– the wi-​fi feels like it’s getting pumped out by a 14.4 modem.
Found the ownership pleasant.

I went to the St. Charles Coffee House when I had to wait for my car to get finished. I walked in and really loved the atmosphere, it’s really a very nice place. I’m a tea drinker so I asked what kind of tea… from there the atmosphere went down hill.
The older lady at the counter (who I’ve been told is the wife of the owner) will be the downturn to this business.
She was rude, spoke as if I was an idiot and when I returned later to order some food I stood at the counter for over 5 minutes while she paid absolutely no attention to me or the girl standing behind me.
As I read the reviews I’ve seen others have had a run in with this «lady» and maybe she needs to step aside and do billing or ordering, something that keeps her away from people… just a suggest…
Oh and the tea. they offer one type. it was mango black tea (she did not know what it was) but it was pretty good!

Meh. I’ve had lots better.
Coffee was mediocre. Friendliness… wait, what friendliness?
Since when do cafes close so early anyways?
Fox News on the TV? Really?!

Great place to just hang out.

I just moved from St. Peters. This was the place to go and relax with a nice cup of Java. It was nice because no matter which Barista I had they all knew their coffee. I can’t say that about most the other coffee houses.

I’ve been scouring the St. Charles area for a good Coffee spot since I moved here and I think this won me over today. I went here on a whim on the way to drop off my dry cleaning and saw this place and just had to go in. What can I say I’m a sucker for a business with slick architecture.
The first thing I noticed when I walked in is the atmosphere. They managed to capture a very relaxed artsy feel without all of the stuffy pretentious baggage that is usually associated with coffee places like this.
At first the place looks a little small but a quick trip to the back opens up another giant seating area prepared for open mic/​poetry readings. Now I’m not one for poetry readings or most open mic events but really all I have to do is NOT go there on certain days and I don’t have to deal with some college student whining about some bullshit that millions of people have already been through and dealt with. /​rant
After I walked in and surveyed my surroundings I was ready to order but not quite sure what I wanted. With no one but my roommate behind me in line I felt obliged to shoot the shit with the barista to try and figure out exactly what I was in the mood for. The staff was knowledgeable and very friendly. This just might be the coffee house I have been searching for. As long as I can manage to avoid the open mic nights…

There seems to be a running theme with me where St. Peters is concerned. I can’t seem to find any of the conveniences I had when I was living in Clayton! At first it was a good yoga studio, then it became a great coffee house with wireless. I’m new to the area and it all seems so sprawled out. And, to be fair, it’s certainly not as cosmopolitan as the city. You can’t find a bohemian vegetarian coffee house like Kaldi’s just by driving down the road. Mostly you’ve got chains. For wireless I was always forced to choose between Bread Co. and the library.
Finally, though, I found a darling haven off Jungermann, called Saint Charles Coffee House. Yes, funnier still that it’s not even in St. Charles, but St. Peters. The place is really inviting, though. It is basically a little house that reminds me of a thatched cottage in the woods.
The best part is, the beverages are cheap! They have food, but it didn’t really grab me, so I’m just going to stick with the drinks.
I love that they have poetry readings every Tuesday (open mic) at 7:30 p.m. and on Fridays and Saturdays they have live music ranging from acoustic guitar to string quartets.
St. Peters has really come a long way and I’m starting to change my tune just a bit… at least where yoga and coffee are concerned.