Rue De La Course

A friend and I, both second-year students at Tulane, have been dying to try this cozy, local, coffee-shop/study spot, Rue De La Cours, for some time now. To our dismay and embarrassment, the customer service is as awful as the building (on oak street) is beautiful. We usually spend study days lounging around PJ's or Starbucks, and when we do we always order plenty of coffee/snacks to show our appreciation. Likewise, as soon as I grabbed a table at Rue, I threw down my bag, grabbed my wallet, and went to the counter. ""Two con pannas, please."" I handed the barista my credit card, which was tucked behind only a Tulane ID and my Tennessee state license. She stared at me blankly and said, ""we dont accept this,"" as if I just tried to trade my family's sheep and cattle for some espresso. The barista noticed my confused gaze and said, ""there's an ATM right over there."" But to her misfortune and mine, I replied, ""sorry, this is a credit card. Oh well. Cancel those con pannas."" My friend and I proceeded to study for about twenty-five minutes. Then, the same barista that I just TRIED to order from waltzed over to our table and rudely said ""you need to leave if you aren't going to order somehting."" We were appalled. I thought to myself, maybe she didnt remember that I tried to order twenty minutes ago? So I said, ""we tried to order coffee but all we had was a credit card.."" Not good enough for Rue. ""Paying customers only."" She stood at our table with her arms crossed, hip out, and snoody, ""what the hell are you thinking?"" look on her face until my friend and I finished packing up our books and stormed out. On the way out we left a loud parting exchange: ""Want to go to Starbucks?"" more

A new location on St. Peter Street near Canal Place seems an unlikely choice but the essence of timelessness can coexist near an upscale shopping center. When you walk in it's like you've entered a quiet world far away from what's outside the door. No one will rush you to decide what you want, no one will hurriedly slam a mug of java at you and no one will try to get you out of the door quickly once you're through. Coffee here is fantastic, too. Pros: feels comfortable, books and games, good coffee & food more

I stopped by the Rue de la Course located at the corner of S. Carrollton & Oak on the way home from work. I ordered a LARGE latte. I was given my order in the second size of the 3 size cups this store uses. I told the server that I had ordered a large. She said she could ""upgrade"" my order. I told here that there should not be any upgrade, I paid for a large & was given a medium. She told me that they only serve medium, large & extra large, so I was given the correct size. When I opened the top to put sugar in, I noticed that the cup was over 1/3 filled with foam. Not a grat value. I threw the latte away before I left. Note: this store does not list sizes or prices...they only list what types of cofee they make/sell. Pros: Convienent Cons: Bad value, Bad service, Prices/sizes not list more

On a visit to New Orleans several years back, I spent several hours in rue de la course waiting for my friends to recover conciousness. It was an outstanding experience. I have enjoyed coffee in Vienna, Italy, Austin and Chicago. Each locale has its own distinct take on the concept of the coffeehouse, rue de la course is one of my all time favorites. I boosted one of their oversize mugs and, several years later and the owner of my own coffee bar, it is still the cup I pick most mornings. more

I managed to graduate from college because of Rue de la Course. Big tables and great coffee got me through hours of reading. Granitas and Fresh squeezed orange juice are two of my favorites, not to mention the coffee milk shake. Oh... and their iced chai is great too! I wish there were a ""Rue"" near me now! Pros: big tables, quiet Cons: prices a little high more