Petite Rouge Cafe & Coffee Truck — Restaurant in New Orleans

I have gone to this coffee shop several times over the years and spent plenty of money here. Although the atmosphere is great, and the staff all are nice, I have always felt uneasy about the owner due to her interactions with the staff and patrons. This was the one visit that proved my intuition to be right. The owner was extremely rude and confrontational not only to my party but to several others. After her first altercation with some guests who were BUYING coffee, she made post-confrontational rounds asking if everyone was “happy here” dragging everyone into the tension. The patrons, including myself, were looking around clearly uncomfortable. After sitting for less than ten minutes waiting for my boyfriend, I watch him enter and go directly to the counter to ask about the food. He told them “I’m going to ask my girlfriend what she wants” which is when the owner started questioning him about who his girlfriend was (which is so weird to ask someone) and FOLLOWED him to our table. She then loudly harassed us about loitering and not spending any money yet. Mind you we had been there for less than 10 minutes and had every intention to give her some of our precious money. As we were attempting to explain that to her, we couldn’t get a sentence out because she kept interrupting us with questions. She passive aggressively told me to get up and follow her to the counter to buy something or leave. So we left and had a wonderful experience at another local coffee shop where we spent the money we intended to spend from the start. This place has a cool atmosphere so it’s a shame that the owner gets off on weird power trips and...

I have never committed to a neighborhood coffee shop in the way that I'm committed to Petite Rouge. I came close with Gracious Bakery when they were in the Woodward Bakery, but then that location closed, and the Magazine St location is like... 7 minutes away... which may as well be in a different multiverse.

I begrudging accepted, initially, that Petite Rouge would be my new occasional coffee splurge, but that darned coffee shop -- with its wonderful baristas, its curious decor, its extra spicy (IN THE ABSOLUTE BEST WAY) owner, its whimsy, and its excellent coffee -- won me over. And now I'm there every. single. day. Damn.

But here's the thing -- I wouldn't be there every single day if it weren't for all of the amazing people who show up every morning and bring their whole selves to work. Julie, the owner, is a riot. She's funny and warm and candid and friendly. She knows all of her customers, and the baristas bring their A-game -- coffee-wise and conversation-wise -- every morning too. My morning really doesn't feel complete without a baby 8 oz. cappucino from Petite Rouge.

I heart you guys. Y'all da bestest of...

I've lived in the neighborhood for a while and been to Petite Rouge more than enough times to decide that after my last visit , I will not be returning. Other reviews have mentioned the nightmare that is the owner. On multiple occasions I've witnessed her say rude or inappropriate things to customers and staff alike, and my most recent visit was the final straw. There were only two people ahead of me, and the girls working the counter were doing a more than fine job of getting through a morning rush - in comes the owner. She started to berate these poor girls doing their jobs - getting in their face, causing a tense environment, and eventually her anger was directed at me and another customer. The coffee and the pastries are good, and it's a nice time when she's not around, but I feel sorry for the workers here as they seem to be the ones holding the place together! There are other coffee shops nearby , I'd recommend supporting a business with a good environment where workers are respected and there's no fear of a scary monster barging in...