I was already familiar with Upshot Coffee's game from a visit to their Clayton location a few weeks…read moreago. I tried the breakfast burrito, and it honestly changed my life. I was able to get off drugs and reconnect with my family as the result of eating a burrito. You can imagine my excitement, then, when it was announced that a group I run with was meeting at this Tower Grove South location. I wasn't crazy about getting up early the day after America's 250th birthday, and there was the slight possibility that I'd barf during my run around Tower Grove Park (people might think I was back on drugs), but I was willing to risk it for the, erm, burrito. Actually, it occurred to me that I might try something else, for the sake of citizen food journalism. Then my decision was made for me when I saw that they carry a bagel with lox. I've eaten literally a million bagels with lox, going back to the 1980s, but only either at home or at places that aren't very good, like Einstein Bros. Alas, I was informed that the bagel with lox was currently unavailable, because they were out of lox. Which struck me as odd, given that lox is not served fresh. It's not like they had to go pull it out of the water that morning or have it flown in from Alaska, packed in ice. Was there a run on the lox due to a nearby media-industry convention? Did they accidentally leave it sitting out overnight? I imagine that would smell crazy. I went with the Everything, which may have been the better choice anyway. Named after the famous bagel seasoning, it's essentially a bacon, egg and cheese on a bagel with cream cheese and a tomato. But describing it that way doesn't really do it justice. You have to attempt to wrap your lips around it in order to truly appreciate it. No Diddy. It's the bagel-sandwich equivalent of their legendary burrito, and it might be just as good. The bacon and egg are perfectly cooked, with the egg just slightly underdone and the bacon nice and crisp but still with a little bit of chew. The helping of cream cheese is weirdly generous, to the point where just the cream cheese on a bagel would be a fairly substantial sandwich. The tomato, which was a little bit tart, made for a nice accent. It comes wrapped in one of those diapers they used to use on some of the bigger burgers at Hardee's, to keep it from falling apart the moment you try to bite into it. You'd still eat all the individual elements using your fingers, because you're a savage and because they're that good, but it wouldn't be the same. It's a testament to the thoughtfulness and the ingenuity of the kitchen staff at Upshot that they thought to do that.

Quality of Beverage & Service Absolutely sucks!…read more Just ordered a Baked Pumpkin Latte and I waited 25-30 minutes this morning. Customers were livid! The Barista should be fired immediately. You don't socialize with co-workers and leave for anything when customers are stacking three deep. She has no phucking idea what she's doing. Finally, I was served a lukewarm Latte. Shitty Service & Absolutely an inferior product not fit for human consumption. Shame on Upshot Coffee for not having the managerial understanding of what running a coffee is about. I'll never be back or recommend this establishment.

Great coffee, friendly staff, fast service and a lovely corner spot with beautiful plants and…read moredecor. It's definitely a spot to order coffee and take some time to chill, sip and savor. My friend is a super fan of their chai tea latte so I ordered an iced dirty chai with oat milk. Definitely the best chai latte I've had. They mix brown sugar into the drink and it's heavenly!

No brownies. The menu of desserts change. But they will have a gf v item. At least one…read more While we couldn't partake the service was great. Place was clean.

Stepped into this local coffee shop and it was everything great! The staff were super friendly and…read morekept things moving efficiently, even with a steady stream of customers. I grabbed a bacon, egg, and cheese on an everything bagel with avocado... a classic, but it was perfectly made and absolutely hit the spot. Enjoyed every bite out on their lovely patio in the back. Definitely a good spot!

This is my second time visiting this neighborhood coffee shop in a residential area of Tower Grove…read moresouth. It is LGBT friendly and affirming. It's definitely a safe place. There is a one person unisex bathroom. They have an entrance with a few steps or a full ramp to enter. It is street parking only and I've always been able to get a close parking spot as many residents in the neighborhood walk there. There are scattered tables throughout the restaurant. There are plants in the front window, local artists artwork on the wall for sale and a glass case full of goodies. You order at the counter and they bring your order to the table when it's ready. On this visit, I ordered a breakfast bowl that had potatoes, eggs, cheese, spinach and tomatoes, with a side of toast. I also ordered a black pepper & rosemary scone, and a cold brew coffee. Everything was absolutely delicious. Besides this establishment having a wonderful and welcoming vibe, the staff is top-tier. They were so incredibly kind, friendly and patient. Absolutely love them!

I never thought I could love a cafe more than this place, but they took it to the next level this…read moreweekend!! Not only do they have a great wine selection, but they also play Disney musicals all night long. The Sound of Music, Aladdin...all of your favorite classics. I had to buy two bottles of wine so I could celebrate. I will be coming back here weekly and will be telling everyone I know about this magical place!!

I have been wanting to visit Protagonist for quite some time now. We always pass by it and have…read morevisited their sister cafe (Antagonist) several times. We had a wonderful visit! As soon as we walked in, we were greeted by the baristas. I received a compliment on the shirt I was wearing and then we placed our order. He immediately asked if Kylie would like a pup cup which she happily accepted. The layout of the space reminds me of an online library - rows of books, couches, board games, etc. they even had a kids library area which was so cute! Their menu offers more than just coffee too, which was awesome! They also have specialty lattes available. Kylie made herself at home and got tons of attention from all the sweet customers. Can't wait to go back!

Great coffee, calming atmosphere, healthy veg…read more Salads here are excellent and have some good sources of plant protein including garbanzo beans and egg. Croutons are especially standout, chewy and delicious. But note the menu is limited so don't expect food other than pastries and salad. The foot traffic inside is managed through seating customers as they order which does make the setting less chaotic. Nice atmosphere and decor, I will be back!

Food and drink are fine, often good. Patio is lovely. Unfortunately, an outdoor, motion-activated…read morecamera at this business flashes lights at a high frequency in alternating colors without any warning. This caused me to have an absence seizure and subsequent migraine. Edit: Hi Darcy, I am aware of the need for exterior cameras in any place of business. I do believe you will see that I was clearly on the sidewalk, not on cafe property, when your camera began flashing. There was no audio warning, I rounded the corner and the flashing lights started. To reiterate, because you seem to have not actually read my review before assuming my complaint: there was NO audio warning before the camera began strobing. I am not exaggerating when I say this camera caused me to have a medical event. Please consider motion-activated flood lights and an exterior camera that does not flash a light to secure your building. Your security theatre causes safety problems for those of us just trying to go for a walk in the neighborhood after work. Also, to keep this review fair and balanced, I have had your coffee and it is quite good. I am just as upset to have had this experience as you apparently are to receive this feedback. Personally, if I was informed that I caused this issue for someone, I would demonstrate a bit of concern for their wellbeing. Again, I understand the need for cameras. This is not a review complaining that you have cameras. This is a review to let you know that the specific camera you use is hazardous to people with disabilities, in hopes that you may find the empathy to adjust your CCTV setup. Thanks for responding and please reconsider your specific camera system. In the meantime, I will be sure to direct my photosensitive friends away from The Fiddlehead Fern.

There is a lot of road construction right now in that area so it may be a bit challenging to get…read morethere and park, but it's worth it. There is street parking and a private lot behind the building. There are 2 entrances, one is directly into the cafe and the other is into the market. There is very limited seating inside. Most seating is outside on their flower-laden patio. Service was friendly, warm and helpful. I felt like a valued customer. Unfortunately the drink I wanted to try was the tahini date steamer but it wasn't available today as they were out of dates. I chose the herbal hibiscus elixir iced. It tastes like you are drinking a flower because you are, and it's full of antioxidants. The market has a lot of "foodie" finds like wine, special sauces, specialty cheese, smoked fish and house-made Mediterranean spreads. I'm interested in trying the canned cocktails. They are 24% ABV and cost $7. I will be back!

I visit here weekly. I love taking a long walk on the weekend as the weather allows and making this…read moremy destination. I always come through the shoppe side, see what new food stuffs and nibbles they have here; they even have gluten free pastas and sauces available; in addition to their wide assortment of meats, cheeses, sauces, wines, liquors, drinks, cigars and the list goes on. Being an iced coffee fan I can drink theirs without any added sugar, it's that smooth! I picked up a hunk of the carrot cake they had there for my mom and dad as a treat and they almost fought over the last bite! The entire neighborhood around this place is coming up-- you have to stop by here at least once. You won't regret it.

A SOLID coffee spot in the grove. It's a great spot to grab an empanada and a coffee at, still…read morethinking about the empanadas tbh. The coffee was so good; I got the speciality banana boat, and the barista drew a boat on it. We love special touch like that. The empanadas were fresh and delicious with some mouth watering dipping sauce. The space is great to get some work done, and it's super aesthetic and cute. If you haven't gone yet, go!

Really great coffee shop to visit! Plenty of seating, lots of unique drinks, and a super friendly…read morestaff! I really enjoyed the uniqueness and quirky vibes of this coffee shop. It really brings character to this neighborhood. The Honey Pistachio Latte was super on point, with just the right balance of sweet and nutty. Great job and keep up the good work! :)

Mokabe's has quickly become one of my favorite cafés in the area. The atmosphere is exactly what…read moreyou'd expect from a coffee shop on Grand--welcoming, eclectic, and full of character. The staff is always friendly and helpful, the food comes out quickly, and the shaded patio is a great place to sit and enjoy your meal. The espresso shake was absolutely delicious, but the Lou Melt was the standout of my visit. The bread had the perfect crunch on the outside while staying soft on the inside, and unlike many steak burgers , it wasn't greasy at all. The French Dip was just okay. It could have used a bit more flavor, and I wish there had been more meat on the sandwich. The bread, however, was fresh, airy, and incredibly soft, which helped make it enjoyable. The Caesar salad was another highlight. The kale was massaged just enough to make it tender while still keeping a nice crunch, and every bite left me wanting more. The Greek salad wasn't quite as memorable. The dressing tasted mostly like oil with only a slight hint of vinegar, so it felt like it was missing the bold, tangy flavors I was expecting. I also ordered an iced vanilla latte, which was excellent. It was smooth, not overly sweet, and didn't have the bitter taste that some coffee drinks can have. Overall, Mokabe's offers a warm, inviting atmosphere, consistently friendly service, and a menu with several standout items. While a couple of dishes could use a little more seasoning, I'd happily come back for the Lou Melt, Caesar salad, coffee, and the overall experience.

I got the iced Vietnamese coffee. It was delicious and so smooth! It's a great source of caffiene…read moreif you need an extra kick. I love the atmosphere and the bullentin board with community resources. I recommend everyone check it out! Thanks to the baristas who were so kind and quick!

Great place! So much decor to look at, take the time to look at each piece and how it all has a…read morestory. It's big in here! If you need a place to chill and get some work done without it being super busy, this is the place to be. They also have a kid play area. The maple pecan plait was amazing! Love that it was warmed up. Only knocking down to 4/5 because on their website and from a friend I was told they had breakfast sandwiches and they didn't unfortunately at the time. And their menu wasn't updated so they only had a few pastries and I came in wanting the sandwich. I also heard they have open mic nights too! Can't wait to check that out. Black owned!

This community coffeehouse is located in the South City neighborhood walking distance from "The…read moreGrand Strip" as I'd like to call it. Parking is limited to only street parking which is also near residential areas. I was meeting a friend there and it was his recommendation and near his home. He raved about it and upon entry, I understood why. When you walk up the stairs to this coffeehouse, it is like walking into a place of refuge. You are hit in the face immediately with the lovely smells of incense and you are greeted by every single worker there with "Welcome Home, Family!" You will not get those vibes at Starbucks or any other local coffee shop. I have yet to be greeted like that, ever! My friend is posted on the couches which let me tell you are SUPER DUPER comfy. I don't know what this place used to be, but it gave me furniture storeroom vibes but with the comfort of home, community, culture and belonging. I felt every piece of this coffeehouse spoke to anyone who entered. The art on the walls seemed carefully curated to create a vibe while creating an unspoken message. I felt safe here. I felt seen here. I fell deep into conversation with my friend and was checked on several times by the cook Big Ash to make sure I was good and if I needed anything. Rae, was working the register with a smile and Lil Ash, the barista helped me choose a great latte. I chose the Sunset Latte, a seasonal flavor of theirs after seeing my friend down his coffee. I also ordered a breakfast sandwich to go after getting whiffs of his meal. We talked for probably 2 hours before going our separate ways but Big Ash, the cook showed me around the coffeehouse first since it was my first time there. They have a library room with banned books and sections that pay homage to Asian and Latin culture as well. I felt like I was in a literal history book while indulging in lovely conversation over an iced latte for the summer day. I was so bummed to step outside. I felt like a vampire exposed to the sun. It was cozy inside with natural light and relaxing overhead and lamp lights inside. When I got home and ate my breakfast sandwich, it was like having a Denver omelet tucked beautifully between a butter croissant. The sauteed onions and bell peppers were just the right balance. I think that is probably my first time having something like it and it won't be my last!

This was absolutely delightful and I was worried we wouldn't be seated with how busy it looked, but…read morewe must have missed the morning rush! We were pretty seated right away (party of 2.5) next to their beautiful plants and bar. Parking in the area can be a headache, but Songbird does have a small parking lot next door and can be worth trying. Our service was very welcoming and nice! The menu is a bit smaller than most, but I really enjoyed what we ordered. We started off Vanilla Iced Latte, an Iced Hibiscus Tea supplied by the London Tea Room, and waters. They gave my toddler his water in a to-go coffee cup which delighted me because in passing... a small child having his morning coffee lol Our food was great, filling, and delicious: a breakfast sandwich with aged white cheddar, applewood smoked bacon, and fried egg, huevos rancheros with housemade chorizo, and a farm toast (french toast with peaches) Lovely breakfast date - I highly recommend!

Songbird is the Dolly Parton of St. Louis breakfast: bigger stage, brighter lights, same voice…read more I've followed this operation since it was a sandwich pop-up at the Tower Grove Farmers' Market, through the brick-and-mortar in The Grove, and now into its larger home in Tower Grove South. The quality has not wavered once. I ordered what I always order: The Combo (fried eggs, maplewood smoked bacon, cheese, brioche toast), extra egg, extra bacon. Most kitchens treat a fried egg as binary (runny or ruined). Songbird has mastered the middle register: lacy edges with a yolk that stays glossy and intact right up until the first bite. I ordered them over hard, and they came out a bit closer to over medium, but they were just as good as I wanted them to be. The bacon carries real smoke. This is a decadent sandwich, big enough that half of it would make a light breakfast; I wasn't remotely hungry after one, the second half was indulgent. The service made the move too. The hostess still recognizes returning customers, and the bigger room finally lets the dining experience breathe. The service at the table could have been a little warmer as we've had it the past, but it is still professional. I was there with two close college buddies, one of whom declared his latte excellent. I keep meaning to get adventurous with the menu, but it is genuinely hard to find a bacon, egg, and cheese toasted this perfectly, and I'd go twice in one day if given the opportunity. 4.8 A full five arrives the day when I can arrive first thing on a Saturday without a 30 minute wait, honestly, it's hard to get a reservation here because of its popularity. Good for them. Cheers to you, Songbird. Dolly would be proud