St. Elmo's Coffee Pub — Restaurant in Alexandria

Edit: this place is so frustrating. I’m taking away two stars from my previous review, because this location is just never staffed enough. Today I ordered at the counter to prevent the chaos of their online ordering process (see below) And after 20 minutes of not getting my order, I went to the counter and they told me they were out of the bread option I chose. I should not have had to approach to give them my second option. They must not have been making anything because it was another 20 minutes before receiving my breakfast sandwich. —————————————————— We get coffees (and sometimes breakfast sandwiches) from this location every Sunday. And for the most part our experience is always great. BUT if you are ordering ahead it’s not well organized. There’s nowhere to go to for “online pick up”.

Scenario 1 is you go to the regular pick up counter but there’s only ever a person there if they are giving a coffee to someone else so you have to jump in and tell them your name before they run off again.

Scenario 2 is you go to the register to tell them you have an online order but there’s always a long line to order so defeats the purpose of ordering on line.

I’ve asked them the best way to pick up and they just say to wave anyone down but when it’s busy (weekends) that’s easier said than done.

St. Elmo’s should add a location on the side of the regular pick up counter for...

I absolutely love this place. Great coffee, great vibe, delicious pastries! I’ve gone every Sunday for about 3 years. I’ve brought so many people with me who have now also become regular patrons.

My only critique is from something that occurred today. I walked in without a mask (truly not thinking because every place I’ve been to in Alexandria/Arlington has not required them- I was not trying to be rude or disobedient or anything!) and there was no visible sign asking for masks (I checked later to see if I missed it). The girl who checked me out was sooo rude about it. I understand it is staff’s job to enforce mask wearing, etc. as I, too, work in the restaurant industry. I’ve never been rude or mean to people for forgetting a mask or something similar. NEVER.

I immediately put my mask on when she asked me to. When I went back in to grab my coffee she placed a paper mask in between my two coffee orders and told me not to come back without a proper mask (?) next time, in a very rude and condemning tone.

It’s disappointing to me because this is the only time I’ve been greeted with hostility at St. Elmo’s. It makes me very sad and I don’t want to come back. I...

Coffe was good. Burrito was not and definitely not made fresh. Cheese was not melted (cannot melt if not hot, which burrito was not), some turkey sausage pieces were cold (again, lukewarm to cold burrito and precut pieces), egg definitely pre-made in mass quantity then cut up in cubes to be used in different dishes, spinach was fresh, red peppers tasted like from a jar and too watery (likely from jar). I ate it because I was hungry, in the process of moving in and cannot cook at home. They need to microwave their premade burritos longer so cheese melts, sausage and egg pieces are hot through out, and then burrito can fake being fresh.

Service....young lady taking order was warm and welcoming. Young guy making coffees was not. He did not appear to be happy having to be at work. Also, I asked for more cream in their jug.....he removes cap of the jug and places it down on the dirty counter. Part that goes into jug was laying on counter. 🤦🏼‍♀️ I picked it up, wiped the counter now with cream then wiped cap. He looks up and mumbles oh thanks. 🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️

Come for coffee, but eat elsewhere. Also.....please remove your croissants...