Companion

Companion is one of my go-​to places for lunch. It’s quick and runs like a well-​oiled machine. My favorites are their south of the border salad (it’s not always available) and grilled cheese on brioche. I also love the option of getting a sack lunch or a petite sack, or be able to pick two. Add a dessert like their delicious granola bars or a frosted cookie and you’re set! The café is a bit cramped so I usually carry out.
Companion also has the best bread — the french rolls and pretzel sticks are AMAZING.

I’ve enjoyed their food many times, too bad on my last visit they took it away from me. When I went to use the one restroom in that location, my drink, half of a sandwich and chips were missing when I returned to my table. I know they are trying to be efficient but it was not crowded they could have left it for me to eat! When I complained they apologized and laughed, it is not funny when you only have so much time to grab lunch. I got a return on my card and will not be returning again.

10:15, 6 guys standing around talking and they don’t have eggs. Lunch only the guy says. Havnt tried the food so I can’t comment on that.

Come along and ride on a fantastic voyage to 1993. Coolio was recording that song. The Saved by the Bell kids were graduating from high school. Robin Williams regaled us on screen by dressing as a female nanny from the United Kingdom. Beanie Babies were all the rage. Nirvana fans were dressing like lumberjacks. ;)
And 24-​year-​old Companion founder Josh Allen began baking bread for the St. Louis area. Starting with a line of six breads that were sold to local restaurants, Companion now has two restaurants of its own: one in Clayton and one in Ladue. Yes, someone read the company history on Companion’s website.
When I want to feel fancy, I like to head over to Ladue (which I pronounce in my head as «Lah-​dway»). On my most recent trip to Ladue, I stopped by Companion to pick up a to-​go order to have for dinner later that night. I’ve purchased their granola at the grocery store, but this was my first visit to one of their cafes. Unilocal says this location is open 6:00 — 5:00, but according to the Companion website, it is open 7:00 — 3:00 daily. If you want Companion for dinner, go early for takeout. If you want breakfast or lunch from them, you’re set.
I had a serious craving for cornbread, and that’s all I really wanted. However, I felt silly going there just for that. I decided to order cowboy chili, one of the soups of the day, as my cornbread’s. .. companion. (Sorry.)
After I ordered my cowboy chili, a lady in line behind me asked what kind of meat was in the chili. I think it would have been great if the employee had said «cowboy.» :D
To be honest, I don’t know what cowboy chili is. I don’t know exactly how it differs from regular chili. I googled it, and I still don’t know. Every online recipe was different. Chili originated in Texas, and some argue that chili should not contain beans. Maybe cowboy chili contains beans. (This one did.) Or, maybe it’s just a fun name.
I’ve never managed to take a flattering picture of chili, so I’ll just try to describe what I had from Companion. Looking at the chili, you could see a good amount of ground meat, beans, and what I believe was bell pepper. (I don’t think it was jalapeño, but perhaps some of it was.) The chili also contained tomato and onion. To me, it had a spicy yet slightly sweet taste. I could not identify what the sweet taste might be.
The chili was okay, and there wasn’t anything wrong with it all. It’s just not something I will crave. On the other hand, I loved the cornbread. It was love at first bite, or to continue with the ‘90s theme I had going at the beginning, this cornbread was da-​bomb-​dot-​com. I was given a nicely sized triangle of deliciously sweet cornbread. It hit the spot. I do not recall it containing any corn kernels. I know some people aren’t fans of that.
Overall, I enjoyed my first visit to Companion, and I look forward to going again sometime. They have a small breakfast menu, and for lunch, they’re a soup-​salad-​and-​sandwich kind of place. You can view their menu on their website, where they also list the daily soup selections. It would be difficult for me to get anything other than cornbread, but I have heard great things about their pretzel croissants.

I love this place! Freshest food is always worth the money! I’m a huge fan of the Fa La La La La-​roasted turkey, house made cranberry sauce, baby swiss, lettuce and tarragon mayo, and I get mine on the pretzel ciabatta. Mmmm! Salads are always heaped with tons of the good stuff-​greens, avocado, eggs, fruit, nuts… whatever it’s topped with, there’s always more than enough (in a good way!) And the tea there is absolutely fantastic! Always cold and refreshing! To wrap up your meal and satiate your sweet tooth-​huge chocolate chip cookies! Sometimes it gets a little crowded in the dining area, but in the restaurant biz, I guess that’s a good thing! I only don’t care for the awkwardness of sitting at the side tables near the windows; if someone is at the table next to you, it’s like sitting on their lap… yikes! but that’s the only complaint I have! Overall, love the atmosphere and the food is super!

It is very over priced for a bakery. I’m assuming it’s priced this way because of it’s location, but the food isn’t worth the price. The food is great! It shouldn’t be this expensive

This place is a friggin’ pain. Rule #1 of running a good business: don’t stress your customers out.
Regardless of which location I visit, the story is the same. Crowded and confusing. Even after being renovated, the place is still a total cluster.
To save myself a little stress, I thought it’d be a neat idea to use their online ordering system. That way, I could just pay in advance, walk in and grab my lunch. Right? Wrong. So wrong.
For «express orders» online, you place them at least 30 minutes in advance of your pickup. No prob. Then they give you a window, ie — your food will be ready for pickup from 12:40 — 1:00. Great.
Arrive at 12:40. Look around for ANY SIGNAGE about where to pick up my order. None is found. Wait in line like everyone else. Finally get up to the counter to be greeted by half a dozen confused looks from the staff. Get told to just jump the whole line basically and go to the cashier.
Cue another dozen dirty looks from the people who think I’m cutting in line. Cashier never even acknowledges me. I finally ask if I’m in the right place and she barks back that «it’ll be a minute». 12:55. Still waiting. They don’t even ask for my name. I ask again. She barks the same thing at me. This is really awesome since this place is TINY and everyone has to maneuver past me in the line and I feel like a huge jerk. Then she says they have UNTIL 1 pm to get my order ready. No. That’s not how it works. If you give me a window of 12:40 — 1:00, it needs to be ready at 12:40.
I can’t stand this place anymore. Hire some more competent staff. Maybe someone with people skills. There wasn’t a manager to be found. Dirty dishes stacked up everywhere. Totally inefficient ordering process.
You’re a sandwich place in Ladue. You should know how to handle a lunch rush by now.

I love this place. Whenever I’m in St. Louis I always make a point to stop here. My lunch favorite is the Fa La La La La sandwich. Ciabatta bread, turkey and cramberry. Always delicious.
Everything is really fresh. They let you sample the soups which often change based on the time of year and what ingredients are fresh.
Unbelievable cakes and cookies. If you need something for a special occasion this is your spot.
It can be a bit pricey but you get what you pay for– quality food and great service from people who have been working at this location since it opened.
One down side, this location is closed in Sundays.

After eating here for the 5^th time, I felt compelled to write a review. It’s a mixed review and I hope it doesn’t come off too snobby.
First, I love the eggs at breakfast. It is the only reason why I come back. I also really like the cranberry raisin toast but I almost always miss it because I come in the later part of the morning. You would think if they always run out, they would simply make more weekly to compensate.
The part I hate which reminds me why I don’t come back is the rude non-​English speaking staff. The owner must be the Harriet Tubman of the Hispanic population. I swear if I yelled «immigration» the place would clear out. The owner is the only person ever working whose first language is English.
I know that sounds horrible, but who in their right mind puts front facing customer service people on the food line when they can’t speak or understand English. It’s been this way for as far back as I can remember. And I am reminded why I don’t come back every time I try to place my order.
If I were in Mexican bakery on Cherokee Street this would be charming and expected but not a contemporary bakery in Ladue. I’ve been to those bakeries (and love them!) and they speak and understand English better than this place.
I forget about the staff and remember the food and then drive 30 minutes to get there. I see the staff, and remember why I haven’t been back in so long but figure I’ve driven all this way, I might as well stay. I then struggle with placing my order, and I get aggravated and promise to never come back. I’ll probably be back in 6 – 9 months when I crave the eggs again and forget why I was so angry the last time I went. I’ll see if I can bring a translator with me to get my order right next time.

After visiting Companion a few more times over the past few months I figured I would write a follow-​up review on my experiences and the food.
Each time I visit for lunch I am amazed at how friendly the people who work here are! They take the time to get your order right. I try to switch my order up every now and then and recently I got something other than the «Frenchie». I ordered the Fa La La La La… it’s a turkey sandwich with cranberry dressing, and cheese. It is now my new favorite and they make it so quickly. I also tried the Harvest salad once (instead of the Picnic Basket). Also, this was a great choice.
I love how they offer a «Lotto» which is a «pick 2» option. They also provide a side of bread for the lotto and even though I have had the french bread, the honey wheat bread, and the cornbread I have to admit that I don’t have a favorite. Their cornbread is pretty damn tasty though.
What do I really like about this place? I like how they have an outdoor seating area and while sitting outside one of the workers will come outside to check on people to make sure they don’t need anything! It’s so nice to have someone checking on you!
This last visit they even had samples of their chocolate cheesecake at the register! It was delicious. I don’t usually think to get dessert here, but I may just have to make an exception next time.
Overall, the service has always been great and the food is delicious. I can’t wait to make it through the entire menu 1 week at a time.

Without a doubt my favorite lunch spot! It is the one place that is ALWAYS on my «bucket list» when I come home from school. Great place to have a long lunch date with your Mommy :)
Great food! Amazing menu and daily soups are ALL delicious I swear.
If you’re there before 11AM… I promise you that the OATMEAL will change your life. One of a kind delicious stuff!!!

Nice bakery with heaps of vegetarian options that go beyond a heap of cheese replacement. I love their pretzel roll and they have a really nice french.
Companion does amazing specialty cakes and confections. I’ve always been impressed with my orders — they even pulled off a cute as Panda bear cake, sitting upright, with of course, marbled cake inside. :)
The staff is amazing, especially my go-​to person, Siena. I’ve even tried a few of their recipes posted online, like this crazy delish BLT using English Muff bread.

There are some things I love about this place, the ‘french toast’ which is more like a bread pudding and the granola bar are my favorite treat breakfasts. I love the cinnamon popovers, and the pretzel bread is outstanding.
I think the prices are a little too high for what you are getting. Also, the sugar cookies are hard and kind of tasteless. The service at the Clayton location varies. If you are a regular, you are good to go, but there are mornings i just stand there wondering if anyone is going to ask to help me when there is three un busy people behind the counter. Some mornings, not a problem at all.
I do love some of their goods, but I always feel like I have been a little ripped off afterwards when i go to the Clayton store. It isn’t THAT good for the price you are paying.
That being said, make sure to check out the ½ price goods at the bakery on gustine Saturday and Sunday until noon. Good products for good deals.

Pretty good food, staff is super friendly.
Cookie recipes need to be revamped, cute but tasteless. Wish the fosrting on the cakes didnt taste like straight butter.
Great bread and breakfast!

Once upon a time, Companion was my number one lunch spot in St. Louis. But since they closed their CWE location, I’m forced to drive to their Ladue location. And, let me tell you… it’s just not the same! The menu has changed (for the worse IMO), the service is consistently poor, the prices are in no way fair. Also, on multiple visits I have spotted a mouse trap in the main dining room (empty, but still unappetizing)…The iced tea, cornbread and variety of soups are the only things that keep me coming back… well, and the memory of Companion’s glory days in the CWE. So, Masochist’s: if you’re looking to choke down pretentious $ 13 salads and like eating at wobbly tables, Companion is your best bet!

Companion’s Ladue location buzzes at noontime with the chatter of ladies who lunch, and a hearty lunch it is. A rotating selection of rich soups, overflowing salads, sandwiches on homemade bread, and pastries almost too beautiful to eat make up the bulk of Companion’s offerings. Most meals come with a side; you can’t go wrong with the giant slice of fresh cornbread or homemade crusty roll. My one complaint: I find the cupcakes and cakes dry.

Great food, great staff. Quick picks are the oatmeal for breakfast and try the grilled cheese & tomato bisque for lunch.

Met a friend from high school here for our semi-​annual catch up lunch/​hot beverage date. I didn’t even know this place was here (I remember when it used to be Caroline’s), but I’m so glad she suggested it because it was a great pick!
I got half a grilled mozzarella/​tomato/​basil sandwich (mmm yum! and pretty big, too. I don’t think I could have made it through a whole one), a large bowl of fruit and a cookie (the *perfect* amount of gooey). I wasn’t disappointed in anything I got, was well satisfied for a healthy lunch, and it only cost me $ 7.26. My companion (haha) had their Mexican chowder, which looked quite tasty. Bottom line: good food, great value.
In terms of the place itself, I also really liked it. It’s large and airy. A lot of seating space, but not too much crammed in so that you’re sitting right on top of your neighbor. The staff were also very friendly. We ended up closing down the place, but they didn’t say anything rude to us or made us feel rushed or anything.
All in all, it’s a quality little breakfast/​lunch/​brunch place. I will definitely reprise in the future!

Yum! I don’t know if the soups, salads, or sandwiches are my favorite! Tomato bisque… amazing. The Frenchie… awesome, prom queen salad… mmm! Added bonus: cute names! Not a huge fan of the sweets though.