Cafe Du Monde
Address: 800 Decatur Street, New Orleans, La, 70116
Phone: (504) 587-0841
Website: www.cafedumonde.com
Known For: Coffee & Beignets
What I had: Coffee & Beignets
Price: $4.80
Rating: 7 out of 10 plates
This is an interesting place to me. I enjoy the building and the space but the staff really bring the atmosphere way down. It’s located in the French Quarter right across the street from Jackson Square. It certainly has the old New Orleans charm. I would love to sit here and sip coffee all morning long, seeing that it is a cafe. The odd thing about it is that the staff was so unfriendly and so unhelpful. They act as if it is a privilege for you to even be served by them, that you shouldn’t stay long and you shouldn’t expect anything beyond what they care to.
I was there at 6 AM and there was only a couple other patrons, the rest of the 300 or so chairs were empty. There were, however, a good 5 or 6 waitresses sitting at a table drinking their morning cups of coffee and chatting. I walked in and was told rudely by the counter person to find a seat. I had to search for a menu, which I found on the wall and on the napkin holders.
The menu really only consists of coffee and beignets (which come 3 to an order), honestly there isn’t much beyond that. Well that’s what I ordered. The coffee was actually really good, surprisingly so but that is what they’re known for so it makes sense. The beignets were good but really they’re just fried dough with a ton of powered sugar piled on top. Nothing more than your state fair funnel cake really. I haven’t had one recently but I bet they’re just as good. Dipped in the coffee though it was certainly a tasty way to start the day.
I really wish the staff were more pleasant, they really ruined the experience here. I had asked if I were to sit for awhile and read the newspaper if I’d be able to get a fill on my coffee and the answer was a stern no. I also had a huge problem getting water and when I did it was a tiny tiny glass that even still was only half full. Sadly this place has so much more potential. If they had a nicer staff and a larger menu it would be incredible. I would say get your coffee and beignets to go and take them over to the park to enjoy.
Beignets & Coffee
Beignets Closeup
Further reading:
www.roadfood.com/Restaurant/Reviews/121/cafe-du-monde
www.yelp.com/biz/cafe-du-monde-new-orleans
www.tripadvisor.com/Cafe_Du_Monde-New_Orleans_Louisiana.html
www.urbanspoon.com/Cafe-Du-Monde-New-Orleans
Sep 10, 2009 @ 6:00
#across the street from Jefferson Park#
Hey honey, that’s JACKSON Park. The rudeness is news to me, but it could just be you.
Yeah… I don’t know if it was just you or what, but that glass of water in your pic isn’t half full, its pretty darn full. No need to exaggerate. Also, if it took so long to get your water, why is your coffee still so full and the food untouched? You waited that long to dig in? Odd.
Maybe you’re too sensitive? I’ve read other posts where you were offended by the waitstaff’s attitude; perhaps just reviewing the food and ignoring any possible perceived rudeness?
Also, they don’t want to keep refilling your coffee if you’re just going to leave them a tip on the first cup plus food, its just not worth it to them. However, if you let them know you’ll be tipping on all cups served, of course, they’d be more than happy to oblige, I’m sure.
Just offering up constructive criticism, hope you can take it, as a journalist. I wouldn’t comment if I didn’t enjoy the posts in general.
Well I think the the Cafe Du Monde is perfect the way it is. It sits across from Jackson SQUARE between the river and the Cathedral. It is quintesential New Orelans and a must stop for locals and tourists alike. The menu is supposed to be simple – coffee, beignets, milk (chocolate if you get a wild hair). And given its simplicity, formal menus are not usually required even by the most uninformed of tourists. Cafe Du Monde is normally thronged at all times of day or night during all seasons of the year. What the interviewer perceived as rudeness is probably a policy born of turning over tables rapidly so that people who are waiting (the norm) can be seated more quickly. Many of the waitstaff do not speak English as their first language so that may have added to the perception of rudeness.
Adding to the menu would kill Cafe Du Monde. It is supposed to be simple and FAST and has been for many decades. If you want a full menu with attentive wait staff, New Orleans offers more options per square mile than most cities on the planet – many of them located in the French Quarter no more than a five minute walk from the CDU.
The Cafe du Monde staff is apathetic from throngs of tourists who plop their well-formed fannies in their chairs, day in and day out. The fact that they couldn’t be bothered should force you to put your hard-earned money where your (proverbial) mouth is and spend it elsewhere. The more they turn away people with their rudeness, the less patrons they will eventually have. The FQ has PLENTY of excellent cafes that will work for your business and, more importantly, appreciate it. Take a walk next time. Trust me, you’ll find a better place right around the corner.
Kelly nails it. The place isn’t designed for people to hang around, they take better care of locals on their way to work than tourists who want to take up tables watching the river, and there’s many more tourist-friendly spots around the Quarter and riverfront serving better food with better service. Off the top of my head, there’s Refuel, Oak Street Cafe and Betsy’s Pancakes off Canal Street. Maybe Cafe Fleur-de-Lis, and Sweet Gals’ on Magazine.
Cafe du Monde in Japan is great. Always full of smiles though sadly no free refills on coffee.
Seems like everyone who has commented here is sensitive to other peoples’ opinions, not ETR. Every time there is a bad review on here about some “NoLA” restaurant, you all come on here and act as if you have nothing better to do than cry and rage over this guy’s opinion. ETR visits restaurants all over the country and he likes to share his experiences with other people. No more, no less. He is not out to ruin anyone nor their businesses so you all really need to get over yourselves.
BTW, the glass is not half-empty because, just maybe, he asked for a new glass of water.