Longbranch Cafe and Bakery

Category:	Vegetarian Restaurant
Address:	100 E Jackson St, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA
Phone:	+1 618-529-4488
Site:	longbranchcafeandbakery.com
Rating:	4.6
Working:	7:30AM–8PM 7:30AM–8PM 7:30AM–8PM 7:30AM–8PM 7:30AM–9PM 7:30AM–9PM 7:30AM–8PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 9

A Private User

Usually we would pop into this place for a coffee and every once in awhile some food. After this morning we will not be going back. The place was busy, but most places are. What was aggravating was how when we sat down, finally, we were asked to move to another table so they could save that table for a party of four that might come in. Okay, I can understand that. After watching a lady repeatedly ask people to move tables a party of three come and sit down at the table that we and others were asked to move from. The lady again came over and asked them to move. Now there arent many tables that seat just three. The party just left with angry faces and I do not blame them. After awhile another party came in, which by appearances must have been this ladys friends because they sat down and were served quickly. When a waiter finally came to see us, the coffee was horrible! We orders a Wills Cuban and it tasted like watered coffee with milk...no Cuban about it. We waiting an hour for our food, in which during that time we had to go to the counter if we wanted anything to drink. However, the ladys friends did not have to wait long for their food. So after scarfing down the food because we were famished, we both had terrible heartburn. This was a heartbreaking experience in which we witnessed an atmosphere that did not attend to customers.

A Private User

Ive found that in Carbondale, a lot of people will "join the bandwagon" and say they love a place just because everyone else says the same thing. People swear by the biscuits and gravy like its the best thing theyve ever eaten, but I wonder if theyve been anywhere else. Biscuits are as hard as rocks, and the gravy is like water. Very runny and made with Soysage and sage. Its a vegan place, so unless you are vegan your taste buds will revolt. The desserts, however, are terrific. But I never could get into eating tiny portions, wheat germ stuff, and alfalfa sprouts. Ive tried almost everything they make over the years, but I still never found anything truly delicious. There is no internet, the seats are sooo uncomfortable, and there is nowhere to lay back and relax. The atmosphere is more like an "eat-n-run" diner than a coffee shop or cafe. The tiny metal chairs always make me want to leave and go somewhere with cozy chairs and a better atmosphere.

A Private User

Id like to start by stating that smoking is prohibited now in IL everywhere, so the complaints about smoke no longer apply. Even so, I find myself going to other coffee houses more often than this one, mainly because the coffee they brew here is so amazingly weak. It is decent quality and tastes good, but if you are actually expecting the caffeine fix that a normal cup of coffee would give you, you wont get it. Same story with the espresso: they dont give you quite enough, unfortunately. The service is usually good, but not always. There are one or two employees that I see making people wait while they chat with somebody they know, which is pretty irritating. Those are the exception, though. The atmosphere is very pleasant, the place is decorated well, and theres always local art on the walls. Its a great place for a casual, healthy lunch. But not the best it youre serious about coffee. They do have a nice dessert selection as well.

A Private User

Ive lived close to Longbranch for years and I love everything about it! Once I ordered food and a frozen coffee, while I was waiting for the food, I went out to my car to change my babys diaper. I set the coffee on the car and the wind knocked it over! Needless to say, I was disappointed! When I went back in to pick up the food, I casually joked about what had happened, not expecting anything, and the barista replaced my lost coffee! I could never find that kind of customer service at a Starbucks! The food, especially dessert from the case, has always been wonderful, and its a very cozy atmosphere. Very local and homey, unlike the cold atmoshphere youd feel at your local chain coffee place. You can feel really good about this place, especially since it is supporting a local business!!!

Jasmine Davila

Delicious food and great Cafe atmosphere! They have homemade cream soda with various flavors that I recommend trying. They also have outdoor seating that is lovely when its nice out. I tried my second ever veggie burger there after having decided long ago that I didnt like them and my whole view on them changed when I tried theirs. Simply delicious. Everything is vegetarian from what I saw on the menu. The pricing is reasonable for the amount of food you get, too. The parking in the area is by parking meter only so that should be taken into consideration if you want to park close by. We went during a time when the place wasnt too busy, so we had a nice quiet dinner. It is a spacious cafe so it can seat a lot of patrons however. All in all would recommend to a friend!

ofcourseIcan214

This might bet the most awful restaurant experience I have ever had. We went there with my son and soon-to-be daughter-in-law. The food was fine (not great but fine). But there was the MOST atrocious child that I have ever encountered in a restaurant, screaming, shrieking and running around (so much that she nearly mowed over an elderly woman). Despite numerous looks and requests to both the parents and the staff, nothing was done. We were all SO glad to be out of there. BTW, I have had two children of my own -- who were mostly wonderfully behaved. But when there were not, I took them out and did not ruin the experience of every other diner.

A Private User

I liked the atmosphere of Longbranch before they remodeled and such. The "new" look came with a different atmosphere--and not in a good way. The staff now kick you out for just hanging out, even if you are ordering food. They dont seem to want to interact with you now. I dont know what happened. The atmosphere was what was going for Longbranch, if you ask me. The food is not astounding, but not bad either. The great thing is that everything is vegetarian and you know if you go there you are supporting local. Its different and that is why so many people swear by it.

Cassidy Rennison

I go to the Longbranch Café several times a month to meet with business colleagues. The staff is friendly and able to make suggestions for the best items on the menu. The bakery items are delicious, I like knowing I can trust in quality of the ingredients, the space is quiet, and I am confident in inviting my colleagues to meet me there. The only "negative" suggestion I would make to the public is to not go here if you are wanting a big steak. You wont find any meat on the menu here, but what you will find can satisfy your sweet tooth and appetite just as well.

Kate Poulos

This is a great vegetarian place to eat! Food is excellent and made with care and attention to detail. The coffee is always hot and delicious. The staff consists of people who have been there a long time and they provide very good service. The review reporting bad service does not reflect a typical visit to the Longbranch. Dont pass up the desserts!! They are all locally made by some wonderful bakers who use only the best ingredients. This is one of the best places in Carbondale!