CannonBelles Coffee & Ice Cream — Restaurant in Cannon Falls

High Hopes, High Prices at CannonBells Coffee

Staying nearby at Lake Byllesby Regional Park without my usual coffee stash, I went searching for the closest, best-rated coffee shop. CannonBells Coffee and Ice Cream popped up just six minutes away. I tried ordering online, but the system wouldn’t work, so I headed in to order in person.

The young man at the register seemed new but did a good job taking my order—friendly enough, though a little unsure. Based on the glowing reviews (and the prices), I was expecting a warm, welcoming vibe. Instead, the woman who seemed to be the owner or manager, while efficient, never smiled once as she made drinks and called out orders. To be fair, it was busy.

The shop has a cozy, small-town feel, the kind of place where regulars greet each other by name. On this Thursday morning it was bustling, and while I could tell people noticed I wasn’t from around here, I didn’t feel uncomfortable.

I ordered a croissant breakfast sandwich (upcharged) with sausage, egg, and cheese, plus a 20 oz cappuccino with oat milk and a pump of brown sugar cinnamon syrup. Each item was about $7.50, bringing the total to just over $15 before tip. For that price, I was hoping for something that would blow me away. The sandwich was small but flavorful, and the cappuccino was fine, but neither truly wowed me. I also picked up a bag of “Grandma Edna’s Camo Corn” — caramel corn with chocolate — which was less expensive than either breakfast item and absolutely delicious enjoyed later by my campfire.

Overall, it’s a decent stop if you’re in the area, but I wouldn’t be able to afford or justify going there every day. If the prices were lower, I’d likely visit more often—though I’m not sure what the local...

Sadly very typical for this city (Cannon Falls)😵 I am pretty sure.. no, I'm positive others will have better experiences; I strive to.. try real hard not to dislike or hate (which it says a two & one star is), I've been really wanting to only give 3-4-5 stars from now on, which is 3 stars =ok, 4 =Liked, & 5 stars =Loved. So I'd give them 3 stars ...even though to me, it often feels like they dislike or even hate me, almost every visit. So I just stop going. Please Read on for more details...

I Walked in on a Thursday afternoon Jan. 16th, 2020 , one of the owners and one local customer who left when I got there + two employees/staff with one customer for a small takeout order. So, not at all busy - I was the only customer in there for 5-10 minutes. Not one hi or hello, customer service there, and many other places in this town I've noticed and have been told by many (lots) others are just as terrible.. very sad (because it would be so easy.. very simple to be terrific.. but terrible is what it is or how they're trained or I guess other factors..gets busy, not enough amiable staff, Please do not take this the wrong way(s)!! I'm sure the employees are wonderful, happy, friendly kids/mature adults of working age & many different.. a variety, on the ego spectrum)), maybe it's just me (that's what they would all tell me).

I realize you go up to the counter to order.. but no one/the staff in there didn't even acknowledged my presence. Not even a welcome, thanks for stopping in, or "hello customer.. how's the weather" nothing, never once did they even make any eye contact. I can't understand... Left after 10 minutes, me-nothing/zero Cannon Belles Coffee + $0.00 =...

All things we consumed from this cafe were delicious.. the kombucha, the iced peach tea, the hot tea, two bowls of broccoli soups, two grilled chicken pesto sandwiches, and a ferndale gobbler.

WANT to give 5stars, but it was such an odd experience. I’m happy to spend $50 on lunch for three, except the meals were so tiny… the lukewarm delicious bowl of cream of broccoli soup was the largest part.

It’s an hour later (and the food was fabulous ingredients and quality) and I’m still trying to wrap my head around how the food menu is priced this way. No other food/drink/ice cream seems to be priced in this way. I even asked for clarification prior to ordering and I was met with confusion. Then prior to paying I asked for more understanding on the invoice on screen… the employees tried to call their boss (I managed cafes for tens year, did not intend on them calling their boss).

The food was served, and the sandwiches were maybe what 140 calories of just bread alone? Thats how small it was.. one slice of tomato covered the entire sandwich. And I spent $18.72 (or maybe 16.98, idk there was some confusion of that) for that and a bowl of soup.

So, if I’m guessing right and all the ingredients are locally sourced, there needs to be some better negotiation on price for the quality you are desiring.

I would love to see an adjustment to the expectation of what a $10-$15 sandwich looks like prior to paying.

It’s done with the ice cream, which I’d love to try one day.

And the only reason I didn’t go ask for the soup to be reheated was because of the line of people who came in after us...