A Chia-Tea-Espresso Disaster at Art & Joe's…read more I approached Art & Joe's Expresso Bar and Art Showcase with the anticipation only a true aficionado of the "Dirty Chia" could muster. This drink, a harmonious blend of spicy chai tea and the divine elixir of espresso, is more than a beverage; it's an indulgence that elevates any day into something special. On this crisp fall day, I ordered my beloved Dirty Chia, expecting to savor its wonderfully warm, spicy notes, perfectly complemented by a robust espresso shot. However, what I received was an affront to every sensory expectation: - The Aroma: Instead of the anticipated spicy chai and rich espresso, my senses were met with... nothing. No inviting scent to prepare my palate. - The Taste: That first sip was a shock. What should have been a symphony of flavors was a cacophony of blandness. It was as if someone had diluted table tea with Folgers, stripping away all character and warmth. - The Aftermath: My heart, once full of hope, now ached for my beloved St. Louis gem, Kaldi's coffee, whose reputation was besmirched by association with this debacle. With a heavy heart, I turned away from the counter, my steps slow and deliberate, as if mourning the loss of a cherished memory. Out on the quaint Main Street, where nostalgia typically hangs in the air, I found myself discarding what should have been a moment of joy into the nearest trash bin. Rating: No stars. This was not just a missed mark; it was a misrepresentation of everything a Dirty Chia stands for. I am left baffled that Art & Joe's, a supposed staple in this charming hometown, could serve such a travesty. For those who cherish the magic of a well-made Dirty Chia, steer clear until they reconsider their approach to this sacred blend. to complete the post I was forced to award a star, so this is the token star.

These are the best frappes in the area. If you're a coffee person like my husband and I are, then…read morethis is where to get your coffee. It's high quality ingredients and consistent every time. The owner is always nice and pleasant and accommodating. I suggest the Cardinal Mocha and regular Mocha frappes, but there are lots of options and all are great. There's also lots of art for sale and various types and mediums. Books written by local authors, including the owner, are available to read or purchase. And there's free WiFi.

Solid local coffee shop in the middle of Steelville, a very interesting historic town. Made a great…read moretop-shelf vanilla latte. Loved how the place is a showcase for local artists and writers. Very comfortable. Service was friendly too!

This is an awesome little coffee shop in a small Missouri town!!! They feature local artwork and an…read moreeclectic collection of knick-knacks. Don't know what you want? Roll the dice at the counter for a random coffee order! Mint mocha was delicious!

I like really coffee, fresh and strong with a dollop of cream to mellow it out. Perfect is hard to…read morefind, but Cuba Coffee Company has made it easy ... So mellow and delicious! Unbeatable! I'm not usually one for sweetened drinks, but I must say, their chocolate covered strawberry frappe is scrumptious! I have to try hard and resist them (more sugar than I'm allowed), but I've got my grandson hooked on them Such friendly service I find myself wanting to stop in and share my coffee with them!

So I'm torn on my review, because this place sells really, really good coffee. I normally order a…read more16 oz hot vanilla breve, and it was seriously amazing! However...their prices are kind of insane. Which I assume is why they aren't listed on the board when you drive up; I definitely don't love that. My husband and I both ordered the same thing, not knowing how much we were going to pay for it...it rang up at over $18!?!? I recognize that half and half is normally an upcharge, as is a flavoring, so we were expecting to pay maybe $6-$7 apiece, but $9 apiece is really over the top, even for excellent tasting coffee. I really think that the prices should be clearly listed on the drive up sign, so people don't have total sticker shock at checkout; or better yet, drop the prices a bit! ;) Overall, it's worth a stop if you're looking for some good coffee and willing to splurge big time.

Bourbon Café and Coffee Saloon is a charming little local café with an inviting, homey atmosphere…read morethat makes you feel welcome the moment you walk in. It's the kind of place you instantly know you'll want to return to. This was our first time here and we were go glad we made the little trip down to Bourbon, MO! We ordered the bacon and egg panini, and it was cooked perfectly. Whatever homemade seasoned butter they use deserves special recognition--it added so much flavor and made an already great sandwich even better. Of course, the dessert case was impossible to ignore. Everything looked incredible, and choosing was no easy task. We finally settled on a pecan brownie and a sea-salt chocolate chip gooey butter cake slice. Both were fantastic, but the gooey butter cake completely stole the show. Hands-down, it was the absolute best gooey butter cake I have ever had--and I've tried many from plenty of bakers over the years. This single slice may have changed my outlook on life. They've set the bar so high that I honestly don't know how anyone else could top it. Warmed up just as the owner suggested, it was melt-in-your-mouth perfection with a tender, flaky crust and incredible flavor. Absolutely phenomenal. We will definitely be back again--and you should go too!

Best place in town for a wonderful relaxing, friendly quaint setting! The owner makes you feel so…read morewelcome! The staff is also very helpful with food and drink choices. Which their many different coffee drinks cold or hot!

This is a non-profit after school business. It runs off of student and adult volunteers. The goal…read moreis to give students a safe and welcoming place to be after school. They have great and very affordable priced food and drink. If you are not a student and are an adult looking for a great place to grab a latte or a healthier sandwich this is the place! There are so many things to choose from. They have vegetarian options, pastries, dairy-free options, lattes, iced coffee, smoothies, and shakes All for incredibly affordable prices! How to order: When you come in there are menus on the main counter to the right. You'll order there and then they will call for your name when the food is ready. Their hours are from 3-6 every weekday. Please be patient with the workers, for many this is their first time have a job. The adult volunteers are doing their best to give these students real-life job skills.

My friend Terry, a retired teacher, and I just happened to ask Siri for a coffee shop yesterday…read morewhile we were in St. James. We were directed to FIREHOUSE COFFEE. What a concept and interesting place. Across from the school, student lead and operated under the direction of the schools' Art Teacher. Student ARTWORK hanging on the walls was wonderful. Thank you to all who have made this place a safe place to learn valuable work skills. The students who served us were so friendly and warm smiles greeted us. Sue Metcalfe

My favorite friendly local coffee house located in Benton Square is absolutely lovely. I love the…read moreambience, Service, and location. and the coffee is the best I've found in town.

Saw this recommendation on Reddit, and the coffee was great! It wasn't something I'd go out of my…read moreway for, but great little place in town that's not a gas station. There's some seating, but the staff gave us the vibe that.. they wanted us to take it to go. They even sell their blend in bulk!

I tried their roasted rosemary chicken dinner juicy and flavorful this past week ... It was so…read moreflavorful and juicy! The carrots and potatoes were equally delicious. I also ordered their lunch special for the following day's lunch.... Smoked turkey with bacon, avocado, lettuce and tomato on their homemade sourdough bun. I had it the next day as planned and it was so delicious that I went down later in the week and order another! I can't wait to see what their serving this week!

Poor customer service / Lack of products…read more Anytime I visit this business they are always out of something. They forget items in your order. They are overpriced. Placed an order for pick up a 11:15 AM. The order was placed an hour in advanced; they didn't have the order ready till almost 11:40 AM. I like to support small businesses, but I'm not going to visit anymore due to the consistent lack of quality.

We stopped into this hidden gem, and I'm so glad we did! I got a cinnamon roll, and let me tell…read moreyou--it was the best cinnamon roll I've ever had. My husband had an iced chai latte, and I went with a hot London Fog--both were absolutely divine. The service was quick and friendly, and every employee had such great energy. The place itself is adorable, with the perfect cozy, aesthetic vibe. We're definitely coming back!

The homemade biscuits and gravy are the best I've ever had as are the sassy pancake choices and the…read moreomelets. You can get real butter if you ask and they don't serve icky "plastic" tasting cheese for their cheese choices. Fresh real food. No freezer to oven stuff. They also try to use organic and non-gmo as much as possible. They use filtered water for their drinks (espresso, coffee, tea) for better health and flavor. The atmosphere is eclectic and charming with mismatched everything and there's always something interesting to look at in their small flea market and gift shop. It's a wonderful special place with really yummy home cooked food!

This was a great experience. The staff were friendly and the food was very good. We were seated…read morequickly even though it was lunch time on a Saturday. The place was quite clean including the restrooms. Just a great place.

Tasty food here! Initially declined sitting outside on the patio because I figured road noise from…read morethe interstate would be horrible, but found out it was laid out well and we enjoyed our food and drinks on the patio. The service was very good. A friend and I shared some tacos and an order of wings (which were tastier than the tacos). Makes for a nice stop before heading away from the interstate where restaurants are fewer and farther between. Reasonably priced.

This was my second trip here. The first it was the destination, the second was a side quest. I…read moredidn't realize how close it is from Elephant Rocks State Park and Johnson Shut-ins!! The store is so cute! The mix of nostalgic candy, rare finds, antiques, ice cream, coffee, and bulk items can be overwelming, but in a positive way. It is almost like a candy / treat store and a museum all in one. On this trip, I got some coffee sample packets for my husband's Easter basket, a frappe for each of us, and a couple of candies for the household. The shop is bursting with products, so the aisles are a bit tight for passing people stopped to check out the fun products. Caledonia is a charming little village with shops, eats, and several outdoor adventures in the area.

Step back in time when you step into this mercantile. It's one of those places you just have to…read morestop at if you're in the area. There's so much to see here. When we visited, it was decorated for Christmas, giving it a cozy, vintage holiday vibe. The shelves were filled with childhood candies (even candy cigarettes). They also have an impressive selection of coffees from around the world -- and the prices are refreshingly reasonable. The handmade ice cream bar is a must-try. We ordered an ice cream flight with five samples, perfect for sharing since we couldn't decide on just one of the many delicious flavors. The assortment of chocolates looked amazing too. Upstairs, you can stroll through a collection of antiques that add even more charm to the place. We really enjoyed our visit -- it's a place that makes you slow down, take it all in, and maybe leave with a few extra treats you didn't plan on.