Went here on March 18th, which seemed name appropriate. The restaurant is located in charming downtown Excelsior, in the summer this is a fun town to walk around. The ambiance is very sunny, simple, and not too crowded. Food is also 5/5. I had the pear- blue cheese salad with added prosciutto, which I would recommend. Great dressing-green-goodies ratio and taste. Others at my table had a flatbread and turkey sandwich- both gave their meal 5/5 as well. I'll be coming back.
(5)
Anna H.
Never disappoints, great salads, sandwiches, good wine, lattes made to perfection ! Great for ladies night out or lunch/dinner with kids! Always friendly staff and pleasant atmosphere. Your perfect local small town establishment!!!
(5)
Sue S.
We stopped in one afternoon recently for a quick sit on the patio and a bite to eat. To be honest, I wasn't expecting a whole lot and it was better than I expected. Still, it wasn't perfect. I suspected we might be in trouble when our waitress knew pretty much nothing about the beer on tap. The beer list is not extensive -- there are maybe a half dozen tap beers. But she didn't know what the seasonals were, and the menu was printed in such a vague way "Indeed seasonal" that we were forced to ask. She could not answer a single beer question without running into the bar to ask. Foodwise, we got the pork nachos, which were light on the pork and one big glop of melted cheese. They were average I would say. My BLT was also pretty standard, and I was surprised that it was not even an option to order fries. Chips or bust. My husband got the beet salad, which was probably the best thing on the table. A nice generous portion of beets and a very tasty salad. In all, the food quality was better than I thought it would be, and the patio seating is lovely on a nice day. But service was lacking and the food was not memorable or craveable enough to spark a return visit any time soon.
(3)
Sasha W.
We went here for breakfast during the week a few weeks ago. I appreciate that they serve more than coffee and pastries given the location. The breakfast burrito was very good. The side of guacamole was worth it. The side of bacon was a strange crumbly mess, which may have been because they forgot it then hurried. Maybe it's a turkey bacon? I prefer a thick and hearty bacon - if you're going to indulge it better be delightful. Service was adequate and good for a leisurely morning. The ambiance is like a coffee shop without the noisy machines.
(3)
Traycee L.
This is a great place to meet someone for coffee, breakfast or lunch. I have been a few times and always have a good experience. The menu is small but good.
(4)
Meredith M.
Great ambiance. The outdoor patio is great for a relaxed evening. Love the selection of local items.
(5)
Nathan H.
Horrible service! Came in with my friend and his family they have two small children they ordered a breakfast sandwich and yogurt and granola for the kids as soon as we sat down. It still hadn't come after a half hour. When it came the sandwich had obviously been sitting for quite a while as it was cold. Other people came in well after us and received their food before us. When the adults food finally arrived my sandwich was also cold. Don't go here. The coffee cake was good.
(1)
Alissa A.
Great service! I always order the same thing. Turkey, Brie and pear (or is it apple?) sandwich. Consistent and hits the spot. Local craft beer on tap. Good to dine alone at the bar or with friends. Try their desserts, they never disappoint!
(4)
Stephanie D.
So, first let me say that I really messed up coming here because we were looking for something filling to eat. I misread the reviews on the place and mixed up two different restaurants. So we wound up coming here. The food was fresh, and I loved my craft root beer. We ate out on the patio and my only complaint about the patio was dealing with the amount of flies and wasps around the place. Besides for that our waitress was friendly and cordial. I saw that someone else had written a review and said that it wasn't expensive. Well, I am not wealthy so maybe my idea of expensive is different 3 sandwiches and three drinks along with 3 desserts came to $90.00 with the tip. I really felt bad about not leaving a bigger tip but I simply could not afford to spend over $100.00 on three sandwiches. Oh I forgot we also had the cheese sampler for an appetizer. Now again maybe my not being wealthy made this seem extravagant but sticker shock is all I can say. Looking back on it we could have bought a bottle of wine, went to Subways and got sandwiches and chips with a drink for less than $90 bucks. But that's just me. This is why I gave it only three stars though and forewarned is forearmed keep track of your spending here because you could easily wind up washing dishes or taking out a loan to afford your meal.
(3)
Joey C.
A haven in the cold for a delicate charcuterie, and some tunes from a local musician. Saucy young waitresses and the crackling fire finish the warm, welcoming atmosphere.
(4)
Amy G.
My review would've been five or nearly five stars one week ago but today, a lot has changed at 318. We have been regulars for a few years and love the people and food; the tacos are to-die-for (especially the pork) and the fresh guac is outstanding. We'd always found them much better than Lago Tacos down the street. Taco portions were always generous and you can't beat the happy hour prices. I am all for paying for quality food and did think 318 had a superb happy hour and likely needed to raise prices in the future. That said we arrived at 5 with happy hour ending at 6 only to be told rather rudely by a server we've had before that "we changed that. It's over- ended at five.' When did you change that? "Last week I think- oh, and prices went up a buck." Wow- okay! She said we could get one drink at happy hour price but that's all- great. When we went to order food at the same time, 'kitchens closed.' That was untrue and she likely misspoke as you could order the same items on the full price menu as were on the happy hour menu but it was the way she dismissed us. Clearly she sent a message that happy hour business is not wanted. When the tacos came- we were fine paying full price- there was a measly clump of pork inside and a big hunk of cheese as another diner mentioned. Within one week, they not only shortened happy hour, raised drink and food prices but reduced portions by roughly half as well! I'm not sure what we expected- maybe the recognition that we've been customers for years and a heads up that this was coming? Not necessary but definitely appreciated for loyal customers. We always ordered several drinks, tacos, apps, etc. So disappointing. We won't be back anytime soon. 318 you lost several long time customers that night. I give two stars because flavor is still there and atmosphere ( and location for locals) but that's about all now...
(2)
Shannon D.
The food at 318 is delicious. Dine in for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner! They've got yummy egg sandwiches, quiche, waffles, tacos, burritos, sandwiches galore, salads, flatbread, and many more great choices! Not to mention they've got a nice happy hour with great beers on tap and a good selection of wine. The live music is also a really nice touch to such a cute little cafe right on Water St. Plus the decor makes it feel warm and cozy and welcoming. The downside of 318 is the service. It just depends on the day you're there I guess, because once I was there with barely any customers and our breakfast took a long time, however, the last time I was there it was pretty packed and we got our food in a fair amount of time. So if you're willing to look past the waiting, then this is a great place to try!
(4)
Rob L.
A favorite of mine for coffee, food and music for years. Sometimes, a bit under staffed, service varies. Menu good, never had bad food. Was disappointed in March when they were no longer open at 7am for breakfast (now open at 8AM).. Great independent shop that fits right in with the character and charm of Excelsior. Quiet unless crowded then a bit noisy. Free WiFi. Recommend it for coffe, tea, breakfast and light meals. Don't forget music most evenings.
(5)
Kit B.
Delicious fresh lemonade and wonderful chocolate torte. The pork tacos are a treat! And that's putting it mildly. In the summertime, expect great glasses of sangria at bargain basement prices that provide a great break from the Excelsior shopping. The menu here isn't huge, but everything on it is substantial. And on certain weeknights, they have trivia night with pretty good prizes, too.
(5)
Dave Q.
Four of us were heading to The Old Log Theater, we wanted to try a new place I hadn't gone before. I called for RSVP's, Sat 6PM, it's a date. We got to 318 just before 6, checked in to find no RSVP, sorry not on the list. Thankfully, they weren't busy yet, so they sat us at a table by the door, then had us get up and move to another table right after we were seated, they needed the room for a disabled person, no problem. They moved us to the second table and unfortunately totally forgot about us. The "lets try a new place" wasn't going well so far. After talking to one of the staff they had a waitperson help us. We ordered wine and beer, things were looking up. The beer selection is focused on locals microbrews and the wine list had a good choices. We were running late now, so we had to skipped an appetizer. We ordered salad's and dinner. The salads aren't marked on the menu as available in a half sized, we were all glad half-sized orders were available and that's what we chose. We ordered the roasted beet, avocado, the pear, and the queso fresco salads. They were all very good. For dinner we ordered the roasted pork taco's, the roasted vegetables flatbread, the open-faced roasted vegetable sandwich and the chicken taco's. Again, they were all very good. After we ate dinner we were in a rush to get to the Old Log, we needed to go get our check from the server and head out. All-in-all, had the service not had a very rocky start it would have been an extremely pleasant "let's try a new place", sadly the service kind of mucked up the experience. Thankfully we made the play with seconds to spare.
(4)
Mar P.
We went here for Mother's Day brunch. They had a very limited menu. We ordered the French toast and it came out runny. We had to send it back. And we learned they don't have a stove there, just oven. So they can't make things like eggs, pancakes or something else. Their kids menu for breakfast was non-existent too.
(1)
Reg J.
I live very near to this spot and am appalled that I only went recently for the first time. I plead downtown work. Bad me! The food was far beyond the casual vibe. Great wines by the glass. Did not feel rushed at all and the place was packed. How could it have taken me so long? Such a cool place .
(4)
Lindsey W.
I went here on Saturday night to here Barbara Meyer play...she was great and this cafe is great! I love that they support local and live music, it is super fun for downtown Excelsior! I haven't tried the food so I can't comment on that. Stop by to check out the live music though!
(4)
Edie O.
Got a chicken salad and coffee. The salad was mediocre at best, dry and no flavor to speak of.
(2)
Jenn K.
We stopped in for lunch today with a restaurant.com gift certificate, and even at half price, I still have to give this restaurant a solid "meh." The ambiance is lovely, as in most of the cute little places in downtown Excelsior. Its very small and cozy, but not crowded. There is a fireplace in one corner that wasn't on (would have been so much better if it was) and a tiny stage in the other corner for the live music they have in the evenings. Like previous reviewers, I really wanted to like this place - I love the small town Main Street feel of this area, and there are so many other great restaurants around (Yumi Sushi and Biella, to name two). But unfortunately, it comes down to the food and it just wasn't anything extraordinary. We started with the truffle and gruyere popcorn, which I would say was the highlight of our meal. It was quite tasty and satisfying, although it did take at least 20 minutes from ordering it to get it on the table. They also serve root beer and cream soda from Spring Grove, MN, and that was also super delicious. After that, it was sorta downhill. I ordered a flatbread pizza with prosciutto, and ended up picking the prosciutto off and leaving the rest. The crust was neither soft nor crispy, it was just.... crust. The cheese mix on the pizza was way too creamy, and kinda sogged (yes, sogged - I am not a professional food critic) into the crust. I had two tiny pieces and brought the rest home for my husband, who will eat essentially anything. My lunch date ordered the beet salad and a half tuna melt. She said the salad was decent, but the tuna melt was really unremarkable. Although, I feel like it would be awfully difficult to make a tuna melt anything more than exactly what it is - so maybe we had unrealistic expectations? Regarding the service, I would agree with others who posted that it was a little on the slow side, and way on the inattentive side. Our waitress did the bare minimum required to wait a table - seated us, took our drink order, took our lunch order, brought our lunches, brought our check. We were never checked on in between, asked for refills on our beverages, asked how the meal tasted, thanked for stopping in, etc - all pretty standard restaurant courtesies. It was basically all business. I wouldn't go so far as to say she was "cold," but she was far from warm and welcoming, which is what I imagine the waitstaff at a cute, cozy Excelsior cafe to be. We also weren't offered a dessert menu, which is too bad because I now see in another review that they apparently have a red velvet cupcake?? Could've added a whole star to my review if I had finished off my meal with that.... Oh, well. Like I mentioned, it was half off. We won't go back.
(2)
K E.
I also live in the area and I know many people love this place. Honestly I don't love but i like it. The food is mediocre. Nothing special about the service. But nice enough. Might be better if you went with a group. Music can be great.
(3)
Tom D.
The 318 is a great coffees house, bar, restaurant, and live music room. It's anal, casual, and very welcoming. The food looks great; I was there to see and hear a great local musician perform. I am looking forward t going back for lunch, dinner, and more music. The 318 features a lot of local and national talent. It's a must for music fans.
(5)
Glen S.
Are you a music lover? Are you a food lover? If you said no to either of those, you might as well get out of America. Otherwise, take your time to visit 318 Cafe. This place will give you the experience that most places in the Twin Cities can't. It's the small town feel with the big name local musicians and great food. Unlike most places that try and turn over their tables, they understand that you might want to stick around for the music. That being said, they take their time and let you have a glass or two of wine before the main course. If you'd rather just eat and get out, this isn't the place for you. Check the music schedule before hand, because they do get some big names coming though there. Since the place is about 25 feet by 25 feet (including a stage) you might need to call ahead or make a reservation (which they are VERY good with). The food is all made from scratch and at times, seems like someone went to go buy your food fresh the second you ordered it. Simply an amazing find in the Twin Cities and highly suggested to the music and food lovers in the area.
(4)
Cheryl T.
Had high hopes but was not impressed. We stopped by for a late lunch and there were only about 3 tables occupied on the patio who were already served and we were the only ones inside. Asked for a beer recommendation as we're new to the area, and our waitress' response is, "I don't drink beer so I don't know." My husband politely suggested what were common sellers there and she then supplied two choices. We also ordered sandwiches, I got the half roast beef and my husband got the full El Cubano. We didn't keep track of how much time passed, but the waitresses were having a conversation with a friend who stopped by and another couple got to sit down, have several drinks AND get their food before I could wave down our waitress and ask her kindly where our food was. Again her response was a flat, "Oh it should be right out," because sandwiches take forever and a day to make when the other couple got cooked entrees and were already halfway done right? We finally got them and my half roast beef easily dwarfed my husband's full El Cubano. Each "half" piece was smaller than a playing card. We asked if that was the correct portion size for each sandwich and we got a flippant, "oh yeah." Trying to forget the service and just enjoy the food, we tuck in. The roast beef was rather rubbery like something you'd get out of packaged ziploc bag at the supermarket and I finished it in four bites and I'm not a fast eater by any means. My husband said the El Cubano tasted good for the few bites he got of it. We waved down for our check and promptly GTFO and went to the Patisserie across the street for something to ease our indignation.
(1)
Shawn S.
Food was good but it is sandwiches and salads. Went for the Billy McGlaughlin show- good music and small venue for good live music. Wines were so so - shout out for having Milk Stout on the menu.
(3)
John M.
It's a small, cozy little place and their tacos are magnificent. I really like the small outdoor patio and while it might be a little too small, it's still worth eating at for the food, which definitely has the best tacos in Excelsior.
(4)
Ronnie G.
First Victim. This place is the ish. Got the truffle oil cheesy popcorn and Guac. uber tasty and brilliant. Had the chorizo tacos. yum.
(5)
jeremy c.
I wanted to "really" like 318 Cafe. It came recommended from a local for a late lunch. The look and ambiance has charm enough to spare. The crowd seemed to be regulars. The food was fine--we ordered a pretty diverse selection and I heard no complaints. But the attitude and lack of urgency expressed by our waitress knocked this rating back from a solid four to barely a three. Worth a second visit (to check out the nightly live music at least), but I'm not expecting too much.
(3)
Jennifer L.
Stopped in here while out on Yarn Quest 2011. I ordered a grilled cheese with chips and a lemonade. The grilled cheese was a bit dry. No ketchup on the table and the waitress did not check back until I was finished eating. The chips were just chips. They were fine. Lemonade was fine. Really just an average experience. The bill pre-tip came to just over $10.00. I think I could have gotten a better lunch for that ten bucks elsewhere - but really the place was fine. Meh.
(3)
Becky L.
Very friendly staff. The beet salad was good and so was the pulled pork sandwich but the split pea soup was barely warm. According to my colleagues the red velvet cupcake was to die for.
(3)
Andrew C.
Cute place, but food is way overpriced for what you get and menu hasn't been updated in years. In Excelsior, your much better off heading to Dunn bros for live music, at least there's no cover when the music is mediocre. The sister venue, Aster cafe, has much better quality live music. Also, please, Please have the bathroom in the building fixed, no lie, the whole building smells like raw sewage when I walk in there.
(2)
Lauren M.
Nice relaxed and cozy atmosphere. Connected to cute gift shops too! We are going back to have a wine and cheese night for sure!
(4)
Julie M.
I just love the whole idea of this place! Warm atmosphere, friendly service, great kitchen, and love the coffee and wine/beer selection! In the summer enjoy the patio and watch the buzz moving into Excelsior over your latte or glass of wine. The food is fresh and delicious--I understand they just hired a new chef so I'll be looking for some new twists. They are part of the hot Twin Cities coffee shop music scene, so make sure you check on musicians--on weekends the music comes with a cover and the place is small so it fills quickly!
(5)
Brooks W.
Nice, concise menu. Decent tap list that features local brews. I can't say much else positive about the place. It's as close as we have for a local restaurant so I really want to like it more but the service is absurdly inattentive. I'm excited to see what the new crop of 2014 restaurants bring. Excelsior needs a new wave of restaurants to make the others compete.
(2)
Brent B.
Holidays now in the past, we tried again to experience the 318 Cafe. Glad we did! Service was very attentive without being intrusive. Our server was very congenial and knowledgeable about the menu items. We selected sandwiches: two chose Cubans and I chose the beef with tomatoes and Gorgonzola. Two of us had the field greens as a side, the other chips. Excellent experiences with everyone's dishes, including a cup of Tomato Lentil soup....which was very well seasoned and very tasty! Two enjoyed the house chardonnay at a very reasonable $6 per glass. The fine food, reasonable prices, and--now--attentive and personable staff have made this an experience to revisit. Now...let's check out the live music in the evenings!!! To be continued....
(4)
Emily S.
Chorizo tacos were fabulous and simple, the beet salad was big and had pretty much an entire beet and about a half pound of cheese (chevre I believe?).
(4)
Hale L.
Wifey and I decided to have a late lunch at the new cafe in Excelsior before we venture into Adele's Frozen Custard (see my review). I really wanted to like this place. It's a small restaurant away from the crowds in Excelsior. I had Cuban sandwich and Wifey had the turkey sandwich with brie. Simple dishes done well. However. We waited 25 minutes for both dishes. Seriously...sandwiches. I've watched enough Gordon Ramsay to know that pulled pork is cooked ahead of time. We didn't complain because we weren't in a hurry. Also, we noticed that there were only 2 other tables that were being served. Far from a packed house. A simple explanation of why sandwiches took so long to produce would've resulted in a 3 star review. If the server comped Wifey's iced tea, then another star would've been awarded.
(2)
Brandi A.
Came in about 6PM to try some place new around the lakes and there was nobody there. The atmosphere was cool but the tables were pretty crowded together (I'm usually dining with my 6'5 boyfriend who needs a little leg room). The house white wine was cheap but pretty bad. The food was nothing to write home about - I had the tacos and tried all three.. the best was the pork. The chicken taco had chicken strip meat that clearly came from one of those "ready-to-eat" packages. My boyfriend had the roast beef sandwich, I believe. He thought the meat was great but the bread was really hard. Maybe it was an off day for them, who knows. We probably won't go back.
(2)
Pat P.
I went there because I heard it had gluten free options. They do but not a lot and it is obvious that it is not a big priority with them. Having said that I had the grilled turkey with Brie sandwich on gluten free bread. It was so good. The turkey was on the grill just a tad too long but the cheese melted over it and was so tasty. The service is a little non committal, the servers seemed like they were bored to be there but I will continue to come back as it is one of the few places in Excelsior that offers GF sandwiches and other GF options.
(4)
Aaron S.
Great place for brunch! The breakfast burrito is pretty awesome. They have a great patio as well. Worth a weekend hit up!
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual, Trendy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : Yes Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes
Lauren B.
Went here on March 18th, which seemed name appropriate. The restaurant is located in charming downtown Excelsior, in the summer this is a fun town to walk around. The ambiance is very sunny, simple, and not too crowded. Food is also 5/5. I had the pear- blue cheese salad with added prosciutto, which I would recommend. Great dressing-green-goodies ratio and taste. Others at my table had a flatbread and turkey sandwich- both gave their meal 5/5 as well. I'll be coming back.
(5)Anna H.
Never disappoints, great salads, sandwiches, good wine, lattes made to perfection ! Great for ladies night out or lunch/dinner with kids! Always friendly staff and pleasant atmosphere. Your perfect local small town establishment!!!
(5)Sue S.
We stopped in one afternoon recently for a quick sit on the patio and a bite to eat. To be honest, I wasn't expecting a whole lot and it was better than I expected. Still, it wasn't perfect. I suspected we might be in trouble when our waitress knew pretty much nothing about the beer on tap. The beer list is not extensive -- there are maybe a half dozen tap beers. But she didn't know what the seasonals were, and the menu was printed in such a vague way "Indeed seasonal" that we were forced to ask. She could not answer a single beer question without running into the bar to ask. Foodwise, we got the pork nachos, which were light on the pork and one big glop of melted cheese. They were average I would say. My BLT was also pretty standard, and I was surprised that it was not even an option to order fries. Chips or bust. My husband got the beet salad, which was probably the best thing on the table. A nice generous portion of beets and a very tasty salad. In all, the food quality was better than I thought it would be, and the patio seating is lovely on a nice day. But service was lacking and the food was not memorable or craveable enough to spark a return visit any time soon.
(3)Sasha W.
We went here for breakfast during the week a few weeks ago. I appreciate that they serve more than coffee and pastries given the location. The breakfast burrito was very good. The side of guacamole was worth it. The side of bacon was a strange crumbly mess, which may have been because they forgot it then hurried. Maybe it's a turkey bacon? I prefer a thick and hearty bacon - if you're going to indulge it better be delightful. Service was adequate and good for a leisurely morning. The ambiance is like a coffee shop without the noisy machines.
(3)Traycee L.
This is a great place to meet someone for coffee, breakfast or lunch. I have been a few times and always have a good experience. The menu is small but good.
(4)Meredith M.
Great ambiance. The outdoor patio is great for a relaxed evening. Love the selection of local items.
(5)Nathan H.
Horrible service! Came in with my friend and his family they have two small children they ordered a breakfast sandwich and yogurt and granola for the kids as soon as we sat down. It still hadn't come after a half hour. When it came the sandwich had obviously been sitting for quite a while as it was cold. Other people came in well after us and received their food before us. When the adults food finally arrived my sandwich was also cold. Don't go here. The coffee cake was good.
(1)Alissa A.
Great service! I always order the same thing. Turkey, Brie and pear (or is it apple?) sandwich. Consistent and hits the spot. Local craft beer on tap. Good to dine alone at the bar or with friends. Try their desserts, they never disappoint!
(4)Stephanie D.
So, first let me say that I really messed up coming here because we were looking for something filling to eat. I misread the reviews on the place and mixed up two different restaurants. So we wound up coming here. The food was fresh, and I loved my craft root beer. We ate out on the patio and my only complaint about the patio was dealing with the amount of flies and wasps around the place. Besides for that our waitress was friendly and cordial. I saw that someone else had written a review and said that it wasn't expensive. Well, I am not wealthy so maybe my idea of expensive is different 3 sandwiches and three drinks along with 3 desserts came to $90.00 with the tip. I really felt bad about not leaving a bigger tip but I simply could not afford to spend over $100.00 on three sandwiches. Oh I forgot we also had the cheese sampler for an appetizer. Now again maybe my not being wealthy made this seem extravagant but sticker shock is all I can say. Looking back on it we could have bought a bottle of wine, went to Subways and got sandwiches and chips with a drink for less than $90 bucks. But that's just me. This is why I gave it only three stars though and forewarned is forearmed keep track of your spending here because you could easily wind up washing dishes or taking out a loan to afford your meal.
(3)Joey C.
A haven in the cold for a delicate charcuterie, and some tunes from a local musician. Saucy young waitresses and the crackling fire finish the warm, welcoming atmosphere.
(4)Amy G.
My review would've been five or nearly five stars one week ago but today, a lot has changed at 318. We have been regulars for a few years and love the people and food; the tacos are to-die-for (especially the pork) and the fresh guac is outstanding. We'd always found them much better than Lago Tacos down the street. Taco portions were always generous and you can't beat the happy hour prices. I am all for paying for quality food and did think 318 had a superb happy hour and likely needed to raise prices in the future. That said we arrived at 5 with happy hour ending at 6 only to be told rather rudely by a server we've had before that "we changed that. It's over- ended at five.' When did you change that? "Last week I think- oh, and prices went up a buck." Wow- okay! She said we could get one drink at happy hour price but that's all- great. When we went to order food at the same time, 'kitchens closed.' That was untrue and she likely misspoke as you could order the same items on the full price menu as were on the happy hour menu but it was the way she dismissed us. Clearly she sent a message that happy hour business is not wanted. When the tacos came- we were fine paying full price- there was a measly clump of pork inside and a big hunk of cheese as another diner mentioned. Within one week, they not only shortened happy hour, raised drink and food prices but reduced portions by roughly half as well! I'm not sure what we expected- maybe the recognition that we've been customers for years and a heads up that this was coming? Not necessary but definitely appreciated for loyal customers. We always ordered several drinks, tacos, apps, etc. So disappointing. We won't be back anytime soon. 318 you lost several long time customers that night. I give two stars because flavor is still there and atmosphere ( and location for locals) but that's about all now...
(2)Shannon D.
The food at 318 is delicious. Dine in for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner! They've got yummy egg sandwiches, quiche, waffles, tacos, burritos, sandwiches galore, salads, flatbread, and many more great choices! Not to mention they've got a nice happy hour with great beers on tap and a good selection of wine. The live music is also a really nice touch to such a cute little cafe right on Water St. Plus the decor makes it feel warm and cozy and welcoming. The downside of 318 is the service. It just depends on the day you're there I guess, because once I was there with barely any customers and our breakfast took a long time, however, the last time I was there it was pretty packed and we got our food in a fair amount of time. So if you're willing to look past the waiting, then this is a great place to try!
(4)Rob L.
A favorite of mine for coffee, food and music for years. Sometimes, a bit under staffed, service varies. Menu good, never had bad food. Was disappointed in March when they were no longer open at 7am for breakfast (now open at 8AM).. Great independent shop that fits right in with the character and charm of Excelsior. Quiet unless crowded then a bit noisy. Free WiFi. Recommend it for coffe, tea, breakfast and light meals. Don't forget music most evenings.
(5)Kit B.
Delicious fresh lemonade and wonderful chocolate torte. The pork tacos are a treat! And that's putting it mildly. In the summertime, expect great glasses of sangria at bargain basement prices that provide a great break from the Excelsior shopping. The menu here isn't huge, but everything on it is substantial. And on certain weeknights, they have trivia night with pretty good prizes, too.
(5)Dave Q.
Four of us were heading to The Old Log Theater, we wanted to try a new place I hadn't gone before. I called for RSVP's, Sat 6PM, it's a date. We got to 318 just before 6, checked in to find no RSVP, sorry not on the list. Thankfully, they weren't busy yet, so they sat us at a table by the door, then had us get up and move to another table right after we were seated, they needed the room for a disabled person, no problem. They moved us to the second table and unfortunately totally forgot about us. The "lets try a new place" wasn't going well so far. After talking to one of the staff they had a waitperson help us. We ordered wine and beer, things were looking up. The beer selection is focused on locals microbrews and the wine list had a good choices. We were running late now, so we had to skipped an appetizer. We ordered salad's and dinner. The salads aren't marked on the menu as available in a half sized, we were all glad half-sized orders were available and that's what we chose. We ordered the roasted beet, avocado, the pear, and the queso fresco salads. They were all very good. For dinner we ordered the roasted pork taco's, the roasted vegetables flatbread, the open-faced roasted vegetable sandwich and the chicken taco's. Again, they were all very good. After we ate dinner we were in a rush to get to the Old Log, we needed to go get our check from the server and head out. All-in-all, had the service not had a very rocky start it would have been an extremely pleasant "let's try a new place", sadly the service kind of mucked up the experience. Thankfully we made the play with seconds to spare.
(4)Mar P.
We went here for Mother's Day brunch. They had a very limited menu. We ordered the French toast and it came out runny. We had to send it back. And we learned they don't have a stove there, just oven. So they can't make things like eggs, pancakes or something else. Their kids menu for breakfast was non-existent too.
(1)Reg J.
I live very near to this spot and am appalled that I only went recently for the first time. I plead downtown work. Bad me! The food was far beyond the casual vibe. Great wines by the glass. Did not feel rushed at all and the place was packed. How could it have taken me so long? Such a cool place .
(4)Lindsey W.
I went here on Saturday night to here Barbara Meyer play...she was great and this cafe is great! I love that they support local and live music, it is super fun for downtown Excelsior! I haven't tried the food so I can't comment on that. Stop by to check out the live music though!
(4)Edie O.
Got a chicken salad and coffee. The salad was mediocre at best, dry and no flavor to speak of.
(2)Jenn K.
We stopped in for lunch today with a restaurant.com gift certificate, and even at half price, I still have to give this restaurant a solid "meh." The ambiance is lovely, as in most of the cute little places in downtown Excelsior. Its very small and cozy, but not crowded. There is a fireplace in one corner that wasn't on (would have been so much better if it was) and a tiny stage in the other corner for the live music they have in the evenings. Like previous reviewers, I really wanted to like this place - I love the small town Main Street feel of this area, and there are so many other great restaurants around (Yumi Sushi and Biella, to name two). But unfortunately, it comes down to the food and it just wasn't anything extraordinary. We started with the truffle and gruyere popcorn, which I would say was the highlight of our meal. It was quite tasty and satisfying, although it did take at least 20 minutes from ordering it to get it on the table. They also serve root beer and cream soda from Spring Grove, MN, and that was also super delicious. After that, it was sorta downhill. I ordered a flatbread pizza with prosciutto, and ended up picking the prosciutto off and leaving the rest. The crust was neither soft nor crispy, it was just.... crust. The cheese mix on the pizza was way too creamy, and kinda sogged (yes, sogged - I am not a professional food critic) into the crust. I had two tiny pieces and brought the rest home for my husband, who will eat essentially anything. My lunch date ordered the beet salad and a half tuna melt. She said the salad was decent, but the tuna melt was really unremarkable. Although, I feel like it would be awfully difficult to make a tuna melt anything more than exactly what it is - so maybe we had unrealistic expectations? Regarding the service, I would agree with others who posted that it was a little on the slow side, and way on the inattentive side. Our waitress did the bare minimum required to wait a table - seated us, took our drink order, took our lunch order, brought our lunches, brought our check. We were never checked on in between, asked for refills on our beverages, asked how the meal tasted, thanked for stopping in, etc - all pretty standard restaurant courtesies. It was basically all business. I wouldn't go so far as to say she was "cold," but she was far from warm and welcoming, which is what I imagine the waitstaff at a cute, cozy Excelsior cafe to be. We also weren't offered a dessert menu, which is too bad because I now see in another review that they apparently have a red velvet cupcake?? Could've added a whole star to my review if I had finished off my meal with that.... Oh, well. Like I mentioned, it was half off. We won't go back.
(2)K E.
I also live in the area and I know many people love this place. Honestly I don't love but i like it. The food is mediocre. Nothing special about the service. But nice enough. Might be better if you went with a group. Music can be great.
(3)Tom D.
The 318 is a great coffees house, bar, restaurant, and live music room. It's anal, casual, and very welcoming. The food looks great; I was there to see and hear a great local musician perform. I am looking forward t going back for lunch, dinner, and more music. The 318 features a lot of local and national talent. It's a must for music fans.
(5)Glen S.
Are you a music lover? Are you a food lover? If you said no to either of those, you might as well get out of America. Otherwise, take your time to visit 318 Cafe. This place will give you the experience that most places in the Twin Cities can't. It's the small town feel with the big name local musicians and great food. Unlike most places that try and turn over their tables, they understand that you might want to stick around for the music. That being said, they take their time and let you have a glass or two of wine before the main course. If you'd rather just eat and get out, this isn't the place for you. Check the music schedule before hand, because they do get some big names coming though there. Since the place is about 25 feet by 25 feet (including a stage) you might need to call ahead or make a reservation (which they are VERY good with). The food is all made from scratch and at times, seems like someone went to go buy your food fresh the second you ordered it. Simply an amazing find in the Twin Cities and highly suggested to the music and food lovers in the area.
(4)Cheryl T.
Had high hopes but was not impressed. We stopped by for a late lunch and there were only about 3 tables occupied on the patio who were already served and we were the only ones inside. Asked for a beer recommendation as we're new to the area, and our waitress' response is, "I don't drink beer so I don't know." My husband politely suggested what were common sellers there and she then supplied two choices. We also ordered sandwiches, I got the half roast beef and my husband got the full El Cubano. We didn't keep track of how much time passed, but the waitresses were having a conversation with a friend who stopped by and another couple got to sit down, have several drinks AND get their food before I could wave down our waitress and ask her kindly where our food was. Again her response was a flat, "Oh it should be right out," because sandwiches take forever and a day to make when the other couple got cooked entrees and were already halfway done right? We finally got them and my half roast beef easily dwarfed my husband's full El Cubano. Each "half" piece was smaller than a playing card. We asked if that was the correct portion size for each sandwich and we got a flippant, "oh yeah." Trying to forget the service and just enjoy the food, we tuck in. The roast beef was rather rubbery like something you'd get out of packaged ziploc bag at the supermarket and I finished it in four bites and I'm not a fast eater by any means. My husband said the El Cubano tasted good for the few bites he got of it. We waved down for our check and promptly GTFO and went to the Patisserie across the street for something to ease our indignation.
(1)Shawn S.
Food was good but it is sandwiches and salads. Went for the Billy McGlaughlin show- good music and small venue for good live music. Wines were so so - shout out for having Milk Stout on the menu.
(3)John M.
It's a small, cozy little place and their tacos are magnificent. I really like the small outdoor patio and while it might be a little too small, it's still worth eating at for the food, which definitely has the best tacos in Excelsior.
(4)Ronnie G.
First Victim. This place is the ish. Got the truffle oil cheesy popcorn and Guac. uber tasty and brilliant. Had the chorizo tacos. yum.
(5)jeremy c.
I wanted to "really" like 318 Cafe. It came recommended from a local for a late lunch. The look and ambiance has charm enough to spare. The crowd seemed to be regulars. The food was fine--we ordered a pretty diverse selection and I heard no complaints. But the attitude and lack of urgency expressed by our waitress knocked this rating back from a solid four to barely a three. Worth a second visit (to check out the nightly live music at least), but I'm not expecting too much.
(3)Jennifer L.
Stopped in here while out on Yarn Quest 2011. I ordered a grilled cheese with chips and a lemonade. The grilled cheese was a bit dry. No ketchup on the table and the waitress did not check back until I was finished eating. The chips were just chips. They were fine. Lemonade was fine. Really just an average experience. The bill pre-tip came to just over $10.00. I think I could have gotten a better lunch for that ten bucks elsewhere - but really the place was fine. Meh.
(3)Becky L.
Very friendly staff. The beet salad was good and so was the pulled pork sandwich but the split pea soup was barely warm. According to my colleagues the red velvet cupcake was to die for.
(3)Andrew C.
Cute place, but food is way overpriced for what you get and menu hasn't been updated in years. In Excelsior, your much better off heading to Dunn bros for live music, at least there's no cover when the music is mediocre. The sister venue, Aster cafe, has much better quality live music. Also, please, Please have the bathroom in the building fixed, no lie, the whole building smells like raw sewage when I walk in there.
(2)Lauren M.
Nice relaxed and cozy atmosphere. Connected to cute gift shops too! We are going back to have a wine and cheese night for sure!
(4)Julie M.
I just love the whole idea of this place! Warm atmosphere, friendly service, great kitchen, and love the coffee and wine/beer selection! In the summer enjoy the patio and watch the buzz moving into Excelsior over your latte or glass of wine. The food is fresh and delicious--I understand they just hired a new chef so I'll be looking for some new twists. They are part of the hot Twin Cities coffee shop music scene, so make sure you check on musicians--on weekends the music comes with a cover and the place is small so it fills quickly!
(5)Brooks W.
Nice, concise menu. Decent tap list that features local brews. I can't say much else positive about the place. It's as close as we have for a local restaurant so I really want to like it more but the service is absurdly inattentive. I'm excited to see what the new crop of 2014 restaurants bring. Excelsior needs a new wave of restaurants to make the others compete.
(2)Brent B.
Holidays now in the past, we tried again to experience the 318 Cafe. Glad we did! Service was very attentive without being intrusive. Our server was very congenial and knowledgeable about the menu items. We selected sandwiches: two chose Cubans and I chose the beef with tomatoes and Gorgonzola. Two of us had the field greens as a side, the other chips. Excellent experiences with everyone's dishes, including a cup of Tomato Lentil soup....which was very well seasoned and very tasty! Two enjoyed the house chardonnay at a very reasonable $6 per glass. The fine food, reasonable prices, and--now--attentive and personable staff have made this an experience to revisit. Now...let's check out the live music in the evenings!!! To be continued....
(4)Emily S.
Chorizo tacos were fabulous and simple, the beet salad was big and had pretty much an entire beet and about a half pound of cheese (chevre I believe?).
(4)Hale L.
Wifey and I decided to have a late lunch at the new cafe in Excelsior before we venture into Adele's Frozen Custard (see my review). I really wanted to like this place. It's a small restaurant away from the crowds in Excelsior. I had Cuban sandwich and Wifey had the turkey sandwich with brie. Simple dishes done well. However. We waited 25 minutes for both dishes. Seriously...sandwiches. I've watched enough Gordon Ramsay to know that pulled pork is cooked ahead of time. We didn't complain because we weren't in a hurry. Also, we noticed that there were only 2 other tables that were being served. Far from a packed house. A simple explanation of why sandwiches took so long to produce would've resulted in a 3 star review. If the server comped Wifey's iced tea, then another star would've been awarded.
(2)Brandi A.
Came in about 6PM to try some place new around the lakes and there was nobody there. The atmosphere was cool but the tables were pretty crowded together (I'm usually dining with my 6'5 boyfriend who needs a little leg room). The house white wine was cheap but pretty bad. The food was nothing to write home about - I had the tacos and tried all three.. the best was the pork. The chicken taco had chicken strip meat that clearly came from one of those "ready-to-eat" packages. My boyfriend had the roast beef sandwich, I believe. He thought the meat was great but the bread was really hard. Maybe it was an off day for them, who knows. We probably won't go back.
(2)Pat P.
I went there because I heard it had gluten free options. They do but not a lot and it is obvious that it is not a big priority with them. Having said that I had the grilled turkey with Brie sandwich on gluten free bread. It was so good. The turkey was on the grill just a tad too long but the cheese melted over it and was so tasty. The service is a little non committal, the servers seemed like they were bored to be there but I will continue to come back as it is one of the few places in Excelsior that offers GF sandwiches and other GF options.
(4)Aaron S.
Great place for brunch! The breakfast burrito is pretty awesome. They have a great patio as well. Worth a weekend hit up!
(4)