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Ratings and reviews

RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere

Details

CUISINES
American, Cafe, Soups
Special Diets
Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options
Meals
Lunch
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Reviews (262)
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262 results
Traveller rating
186
65
7
2
2
Traveller type
Time of year
LanguageEnglish
Traveller rating
186
65
7
2
2
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Reviewed 5 days ago

Supporting independent booksellers should be the job of all of us. Fortunately, the tactile pleasure of books over digital formats has returned and this spot seems to be thriving. The adjacent cafe is small but cozy. Nothing fancy here with soup of the day, salads...and sandwiches but if you pull out a book to read while dining, no one looks at you twice. Weather permitting, there is a pleasant patio, and you are steps from the main street of town and the Fox River.More

Date of visit: March 2024
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 17 December 2023 via mobile

What a wonderful experience! A charming cafe to have a wonderful lunch. A must visit restaurant! They open at 11 am…I would suggest arriving close to opening for a short wait time for a table.

Date of visit: December 2023
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Reviewed 10 December 2023

Small, intimate place attached to a bookstore, and slightly off the beaten path of Downtown St. Charles. Maybe a dozen tables, at most. Therefore, expect to wait, especially during peak times.... But, it's definitely worth the wait. Very cozy and great tasting food at a...reasonable price. The entire staff was friendly and attentive. And the bathrooms were spotless. Definitely recommend the Town House Cafe.More

Date of visit: December 2023
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Reviewed 14 December 2022 via mobile

I have been to this restaurant a couple times and it was good. The sandwiches are large and tasty. They give you a good portion of veggie chips. Today met a friend there, she ordered soup and a sandwich. I ordered quiche and soup. We...were annoyed by this tiny fly that kept landing on our food. I looked around our table, then on the wall next to it were several flies all over the wall. Clearly a bug problem and I hope it gets taken care of asap.More

Date of visit: December 2022
Helpful?1  
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Reviewed 3 September 2022

No matter what I order it is delish! Salads, soups, sandwiches, all fantastic. The wait staff is very pleasant and the baked goods are a great treat. Then visit the book store and you have had a fabulous experience.

Date of visit: August 2022
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Reviewed 29 July 2022

We have been going for our birthday lunch for several years but this year the background echoing noise of patrons talking was so loud we could not hear each other. The food is still as good as ever and the parking still difficult but unless...they add some sound absorbing material, we will go elsewhere.More

Date of visit: July 2022
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Reviewed 8 August 2021 via mobile

This is a long time family favorite. The soups and desserts change daily. We haven’t tried one we didn’t love yet. Enjoy their wonderful peach iced tea while sitting outside on their back patio or a warm cup of coffee inside their cozy dining area....You’ll be back for more, I promis!More

Date of visit: May 2021
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Reviewed 21 February 2021 via mobile

Fantastic sandwiches and deserts. Everything is homemade. Definitely my favorite place to have lunch in the tri-cities.

Date of visit: February 2021
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Reviewed 19 June 2020

I missed this place so much! Had curbside today for lunch in our office, from the phone call to order, to the kitchen, and to the person who brought my order to my car, THANK YOU, IT WAS AWESOME

Date of visit: June 2020
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Reviewed 19 May 2020

Always enjoyed eating here. Very near to a gorgeous park, and also the Fox River. Food is very good... I'm giving 2 points for 1 and only reason. The last time I was there I was with my Chinese girlfriend. We are both Asians. We...were made to wait to be seated, but 2 other couples were seated first. Then service was slow, and seem annoyed that she had to serve Asians... I noticed the treatment, and so did my girlfriend... We never went back there again... I hope the Waitress with the bad attitude is gone.More

Date of visit: June 2019
Helpful?1  
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Reviewed 6 March 2020 via mobile

If you are anywhere in the general area, go find the Town House Books and Cafe! It’s a bit off the beaten track so we more or less stumbled upon this find. What a gem! The cafe has a good menu of generous, delicious food...with homemade soups and desserts. We had yummy sandwiches (corned beef and chicken). Our server was friendly and inviting. We did some shopping in St. Charles and then wandered back into the cafe for mid-afternoon tea and dessert . The pecan pie (a favorite) was one of the best I have had. It was not “hurt my teeth sweet” - just plain delicious. The book store could eat up a whole afternoon with several little rooms of books of all sorts. Love the staff recommendations notes on the shelves. We don’t get to the St. Charles area often but this place is a reason to ramp up our frequency.More

Date of visit: March 2020
Helpful?2  
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Reviewed 6 March 2020

The food at Town House Books and Cafe is very consistent. They make a selection of homeade soups daily and delicious homeade desserts are not to be missed.

Date of visit: February 2020
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Reviewed 12 February 2020

charming atmosphere, good food and service and a book store . yahoo good selection of contemporary and traditional sandwiches

Date of visit: October 2019
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Reviewed 29 December 2019

Stopped for lunch, it is busy and prepare to wait but browse the book store is a nice way to wait. We had the clubhouse and rueben with side salads and the food was plentiful and tasty. Prices are more than fair. Service was extraordinary....Love the old style decor and the building is quaint. We also had one of the desserts which was very tastyMore

Date of visit: July 2019
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Reviewed 27 December 2019

This is my favorite restaurant in St Charles. Love the Signature salad and the quiches and soups. Very friendly staff and owner.

Date of visit: December 2019
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Questions & Answers
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Catherine L
28 April 2022|
Answer
Response from thbc60174 | Property representative |
Yes, high chairs and booster seats are available. Strollers are not permitted in the dining room however.
1
Vote
jodesforte
16 March 2020|
AnswerShow all 2 answers
Response from 111ruthk | Reviewed this property |
Place is too small for pets to have any place to sit indoors. Even outside patio is really tight with tables and narrow walkway. So I would say not pet friendly.
1
Vote
Talkinghands22
9 May 2017|
AnswerShow all 6 answers
Response from mjohnston12 | Reviewed this property |
They do not take reservations. You can call ahead if you have a large party I do believe.
0
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Town House Books and Cafe, Saint Charles - Menu, Prices & Restaurant Reviews - Tripadvisor

Frequently Asked Questions about Town House Books and Cafe

Yes, Town House Books and Cafe offers takeaway services.

Yes, Town House Books and Cafe is taking precautions against COVID-19. A full list is available within the "safety precautions" section of this page.

Town House Books and Cafe is rated accordingly in the following categories by Tripadvisor travellers:
  • Food: 4.5
  • Service: 4.5
  • Value: 4.5
  • Atmosphere: 4.5