Joshua D.
Yelp
Review Visit: November 7th, 2018
A synonym is when two words have similar meaning. A synonym for coffee for example, would be mud or dirt or joe. So, having a place called The Mud House, while odd-sounding, is fitting. A delicious cup of whatever-you-want-to-call-it can be had anywhere. But, is The Mud House a home for delicious coffee?
After departing super early for a day of exploring St. Louis, I told myself I would hold off on coffee until I made it there. Checking my list of coffee shops to visit, I decided to try The Mud House as it had stellar reviews and tantalizing photos. So, I punched the address into my GPS and hit the road.
As I got into the city and was nearing my destination, the area started to look familiar. Come to realize, I had previously been here when I tried out Shameless Grounds a few years ago before a Dream Theater concert. Actually, right around the corner from Shameless is a really beautiful area and that is where The Mud House is. The combination of trees shedding their leaves and a historic area is a mix I can get behind.
Upon approaching, I could tell this place was a hit. There were a lot of people sitting outside, enjoying a warm drink on a cool autumn weather. As I neared the front door, I could hear the bustle of people inside and see through the front door that it was packed.
Luckily, I was hitting the tail-end of a lunch rush, so I was able to look over the menu without worrying about a line forming behind me and then also place an order at my leisure. While placing an order for an iced caramel latte, I started talking to the barista and mentioned I was in town to see Coheed and Cambria. He was surprised to hear that as his friend's band was opening for them. (That band is called 'Maps and Atlases', by the way.)
After placing an order, they gave me a 'human-faced/dog head' instead of a number and said they would bring my drink out to the table. It seems they use goofy animal heads for bringing out orders instead of numbers. I took some candid photos with it while sitting at my table. Speaking of sitting at a table, the place was still packed for lunch, so I had to sit down with a complete stranger, which thankfully they were ok with. I made small talk with them and the table next to us. I think it was all our first time there, because we kept joking about the animal heads and how goofy-fun it was that they used them.
Upon delivery of my drink, I moved quick to consume it as the afternoon crash was about to hit and I wanted to veer it off with some mud. My first sip was a shock. Very bitter and thick. The drink had a consistency of chocolate milk, which is a first for me, as these drinks tend to be more watery. But, after a few sips, it went from shocking bitter to delectably yummy. I ended up really liking the drink by the time I was halfway through. I just regret getting the normal size and not the large.
While I was sitting there, I watched them serve food to the tables around me. All those meals looked absolutely ravishing. I normally just get coffee at places like this, but I am starting to realize I need to try their food as well, as most places seem to have a delicious-looking menu. Not only that but this place, like many others, had a tantalizing array of baked goods, which you can see in a photo below. Someday I will cave in and devour one of those massive cookies at a coffee shop.
As for the feel of the coffee shop, it was cozy but eclectic. I didn't get a good feel for how the place was since it was packed with people, but it's definitely a unique place based on the random stuff they have hanging up.
While I am sure St. Louis has no shortages of coffee shops and I will eventually try them all, I can safely say that if I need a good cup of mud, I know where to go.