Cristaudo's — Restaurant in Carbondale

So I’ve been procrastinating for months to write this review. I’ve just been really busy so here it is, I ordered a sheet cake and 12 carrot cupcakes back in August 11 for a birthday party. After talking to one of their employees I let them know we were having someone else pick up our order because we lived too far away and our friends live in Carbondale. Order was already paid for and the name of the person picking up was given as well so there really shouldn’t have been any mishaps but there was. When our friends went to pick up our order they only gave them half the order they forgot to give them our cupcakes. Bummer so I called and spoke with the same employee I placed the order with and after telling them that we lived so far away and and we didn’t want to inconvenience our friends I was offered a refund. Fast forward to my daughters birthday on Sep 6 I ordered a full sheet cake 24 carrot cupcakes and 6 golden cupcakes (huge order I know, but I ordered a month out like they told me to). So I spoke with them several times about my order and what I all wanted. So we paid when the money was due, now jumping to the party I had my sister pick up the cake because she was going through Carbondale. When she arrived at my house you wouldn’t believe what happened!! They gave her the sheet cake and forgot to give her all 30 cupcakes. Normally I would be a little upset but this was just an utter annoyance at this point because of the fact they had forgot half my order on another occasion. After calling the establishment they offered to drive the hour to deliver my cupcakes and I accepted. If I was rating this location on the cake alone I would rate it a 10 out of 5 because they’re really an amazing bakery, but I have to give them 3 stars. I’m giving 3 stars because I feel like as a business it’s your duty to go above and beyond to correct an issue if it was indeed your mistake. I believe on the second error they could have offered maybe some cash back for the error since in this case it happened twice to the same customer. But since they have good cake and I’m a cake person I will forgive them. Because after these mess ups the carrot cake cupcakes were to die for!! And the sheet cake was moist beyond comparison! I’m writing this review to give my honest opinion they are worth trying and I continue to refer people to them cause they really are the best...

Cristaudo's has always been one of my favorite restaurants, even when it was on the West side of town. In middle school, I used to ride my bike to the Life Community Center and swim, then ride to Cristaudo's and get sandwiches and treats with my friends after. I was so happy when they opened in the middle of town and I loved going to music events there, getting presents in the gift shop area, and eating their quiche and baklava. And I have always thought they had the best cake decorating game in the area.

The past few times I have gone in have been sour, though. I have tried to go in on many occasions with Cristaudo's being closed; disappointing, but as my favorite, I am understanding. Then I had heard some back and forth about only being open for certain things like cake orders, then take out, then back to orders.

I went in over the summer hoping for some breakfast, asked if they were serving breakfast and the person was so rude and demeaning to my friend and I for asking such a question--kind of like "why would you ask such a stupid question?" I didn't say this, but because the store is not really reliable on when it is open and what it offers. Turns out they only had drinks so we left and went elsewhere.

Today, another friend and I went in, hoping they might have quiche. I said "are you all serving food?" The worker seemed upset by me asking this and said something like "we are serving deli to go but you can eat it here" and I said that sounded contradictory. They clarified by speaking louder like one does when they think someone is dumb--there would be no service but I could eat the food wherever I wanted and then immediately turned their back to me. I decided I did not want to ask any further questions with this person and not to eat there. I just felt like any questions I had about the menu would be met with even more hostility.

I spoke to a couple friends about this and something similar happened to them over the summer when they went in to get ice cream sandwiches from Local Lore Ice Cream. The person they dealt with "acted like we were stupid when we asked about ice cream." And the worker was overall unfriendly and the food was dry.

I am not sure what kind of ambiance or space Cristaudo's is trying to create, but it has shown to be consistently uncomfortable...

Beautiful eclectic decor vegan/ vegetarian/ omnivore selections, unique coffees, soda, juice, single beer, cards, and gifts. Staff, laid back. Omelets, lunch, and frozen to go items. You can order and pay for frozen items a head for particulars. I picked up soups, and full for 6 lasagna, etc., frozen to go. All were wonderful, not cheap but reasonably priced. You can prepare at the Hilton if you have a kitchenette or take home in a cooler on the amtrack or bring it as a host gift to someone putting you up, or to accommodate your own special dietary needs.

Close to the train station, next door attached is an equally lovely vinyl record shop. Beyond that, a bar with a patio called "the celler." LOVE that Carbondale has owner occupied businesses. The kind of social capital that keeps communities strong and money LOCAL.

Big shout out to Carbondales tourism director Dena, who navigated me there in all my decrepitude past all the construction and "Off the rails" downtown festival...