due focacceria — Restaurant in Saint Paul

Oh man, this one is tough. As a foccacia lover, I REALLY want to love this place. Unfortunately, this it just isn't it. I don't usually write long reviews, but I just can't stop thinking about my experience here, I just have to get it down.

Based on how busy it was I'm sure I'm in the minority here!

At the end of the day, I paid for $45 for two sandwiches and a round of foccacia, which took 45 minutes to produce.

I want to start by saying the staff was super friendly before I get to the less pleasant parts of my experience.

The Food:

It was pretty good. But if I'm being honest: for a place that self-labels "Foccaria" I was hoping their foccacia would bring more game. It was overly salty and a bit chewy. Especially for sandwiches that feature salty meats, you need the bread to bring more balance. If anything, I am overly fond of salty food, but this was a bit overpowering even for me. I also got a plain loaf to go, which was very salty/chewy. I personally enjoy this plain, but it was nearly unpalletable to my wife, who is no stranger to salty food.

The Experience:

Put plainly: this place is a logistical nightmare. With a workflow so chaotic, there is almost poetry in its herky jerky motion.

My experience begins walking up to a window that says "take out and curbside" above it. I wait here for a few minutes. I can see people on the other side working, but they never really acknowledge the window, so I figure I'm probably in the wrong place and head inside.

Once inside, I see an ordering kiosk, similar to Panera Bread. I head over to try my luck. The kiosk isn't working, so I just get in line to order at the cashier.

There are 6-8 in front of me. The way things are set up, we are essentially taking up most of the free space in the restaurant. It didn't take long to get to the front, though. Once my order was placed, i sit back and enjoy the show. From the time I ordered, it took me 45 minutes to get 2 cold cut sandwiches.

First thing i notice: this place is critically understaffed. There appear to be 4-6 employees to cover more than a dozen tables + prepping food orders + making coffee drinks + taking orders. This being my first visit, there is no saying if this is an ongoing problem, or a one-off issue. But for the lunch rush on one of the first good weather Saturdays of the year, they really need double what they have. This is doubly true for the way they have things set up.

They have two employees, I'll say... lovingly prepping the sandwiches. Once they finish, they bring the order back to the cashier. The cashier then has to stop taking orders, WALK BACK BEHIND the people making sandwiches, snake through the line of people waiting to order (in the middle of the restaurant), find the table who ordered, and then go back to taking orders. Insanity.

To top it off, my order gets called, I go to leave, and on my way out I see people ordering at the window! Just an odd experience.

This place feels pulled in too many directions. Sandwich spot, coffee shop, wine bar, restaurant - with no clear lines to delineate between them. It's all smashed together, which creates a confusing experience.

I would completely tear down their ordering/service process and start from scratch.

Compare this to places carry similar offerings, like Broders and Marty's Deli. Both of which see more traffic, yet offer a better experience.

Marty's does this by knowing what it is: a sandwich shop. Get in, get out, enjoy your sandwich. I've waited in 40+ person line here and gotten a sandwich, quicker, and cheaper.

Broders does this with a refined ordering process and a logical work flow. The line does not snake through the dining area. You order at the counter, pay at the register, everyone picks up their order.

Anyway I'm sure this place will succeed, because it offers what people want and has a great location. I just think they could do...

Review of Due Facacceria: A Friendly Italian Delight

If you're looking for an authentic Italian experience with a warm and friendly vibe, look no further than Due Facacceria. This hidden gem tucked away in a quaint corner of the city is a delightful haven for food enthusiasts seeking traditional Italian flavors and a welcoming atmosphere.

From the moment you step inside Due Facacceria, you are greeted with a warm, homely ambiance that instantly transports you to the heart of Italy. The decor is charmingly rustic, featuring vintage photographs of Italian landscapes and traditional wooden furnishings, creating an inviting and comfortable setting.

However, it's the food at Due Facacceria that truly steals the show. One of their standout offerings is their seasonal focaccia, which is nothing short of outstanding. As soon as it arrived at our table, we knew we were in for a treat. The aroma of freshly baked bread and the tantalizing combination of herbs and olive oil whetted our appetites.

As we took our first bites, it was evident that this focaccia was something special. The texture was perfect—pillowy soft on the inside, with just the right amount of crustiness on the outside. The toppings, a medley of seasonal vegetables and herbs, added a burst of flavors that danced harmoniously on our taste buds. Each bite was a delightful journey through the essence of Italian cuisine.

The quality of the ingredients used in the focaccia was apparent, and you could taste the care and passion that went into creating it. The attention to detail was remarkable, and it was evident that Due Facacceria takes pride in delivering an exceptional culinary experience to its patrons.

To our surprise (and delight), we found ourselves devouring the entire loaf in one sitting! It was that irresistible. We couldn't help but order more to take home for later, as we knew we couldn't find anything quite like it elsewhere.

The service at Due Facacceria was equally impressive. The staff was friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable about the menu. They were more than happy to offer recommendations and suggestions, ensuring that each guest felt well taken care of.

Overall, Due Facacceria exceeded our expectations in every aspect. The friendly and Italian ambiance, combined with the outstanding seasonal focaccia, made it an unforgettable dining experience. Whether you're a local resident or a visitor to the city, Due Facacceria is an absolute must-visit for anyone who appreciates the beauty and richness of authentic Italian cuisine. Just be warned: you may find it hard to resist eating the entire loaf of...

We did takeout for Christmas and it was very disappointing. First, takeout had to be picked up on the 23rd, so I was worried the bread wouldn’t be good by the 25th, and of course it wasn’t. I will say that after putting it in the oven, it marginally improved, but the crust was still very tough. The takeout lasagna is said to feed 3-5 but I can’t see how, unless they are assuming you’ve eaten so much bread and so many appetizers that you just aren’t hungry by then. The lasagna also seemed to be mostly cheese—I thought there was supposed to be meat in it but maybe we got a vegetarian one somehow. Either way it was underseasoned and tasted mostly like cheese. The arancini were actually good and the take and bake instructions resulted in perfectly heated through arancini, but they were a little dry. The star of what we ordered was the romanesco spread. Well seasoned and great texture. Our cannoli looked under filled and improperly cooked. I alerted the restaurant to this and they said they would “take care of us” next time we came in. That still left us without a dessert for the holiday though. Overall, I was not impressed for a place that seems to be well-liked. I would try the sandwiches, which I’ve heard are good, but the lasagna and cannoli are probably off our list...