Rick’s Place

Hmmmm… well…this is an interesting environment. I can’t decide if the owner is flippant or just out of touch with the fact that he is in a college town and that there are lots of new people moving to Monmouth from all parts of the country who have traveled all over the world and experienced service in both large and small towns. This was my experience. I walked into Ricks for the first time and introduced myself. I stated that I was new in town and that it was my first time there. I asked if I should just take a table or did I need to order from the counter. The response? «Well you can take a table but i doubt you are strong enough to get it out of the door.» Ok… that was cute small town humor… no problem. I asked if the sandwiches posted on his chalk board were for lunch or if there were breakfast menu items. Rick replied by describing a pretty outdated breakfast menu filled with cinnamon rolls, bagels and an open faced ham and cheddar. No problem… then he gave me a menu and stated «but we are open so…» I ordered a BLT with two slices of bread instead of three. He «then you would have ordered …» Insert the name of whatever sandwich below. I showed him the error printed on his menu that clearly listed that the BLT had three slices of bread. He mumbled a bit about the printer making an error. I asked about decaf and was told some could be brewed. The tone in his voice implied that he would rather not. I ordered a decaf americano and a BLT. I found a table and the service was prompt and i did enjoy the americano as well as the sandwich. The bill was $ 9 and I left a $ 2 tip which I believed to be fair. It is true that the early morning crown is 95% is over 55… closer to 60. Yes they would rather you not be there. Yes they will watch you as you walk by as if you are prone to theft. It is true that the space does have wifi but the level is so low you will be lucky if your updated iPhone 6 or Note 6 will connect. The place could be a hit if the owner realized it was 2015 and put forth a little effort. I am considering settling here so All of this does not mean I will not go back… after all I did enjoy the coffee and the sandwich… but I am also going to give The newer place around the corner a try as well… just to see if the vibe is different… java something or other… don’t remember the name… i will also keep this post updated as well.

I’ve been here several time hoping that it would get better service wise. Every time I come in I feel like they are upset that I have walked in and ordered something. I don’t get this personal small town feeling from them at all. Maybe I need to be older to get this experience, as most of their clientele is over 50 when I have come in.
Their food is decent, though it is high priced for the quality/​quantity. I haven’t had the coffee, so I can’t comment on that. However, they do make a mean smoothie. Their sandwiches are delicious, but their lasagna feels like boxed lasagna.
I just feel like this place can’t decide if it wants to be a sit down place, or if it wants to be a gift shop. The atmosphere is a combination of postcards, knick-​knacks, local honey, and an assortment of prepackaged edibles.

I’m quite surprised by the service this time at Rick’s. I haven’t been here in quite a while and I walked in and asked for a decaf coffee. The owner, Rick, hesitated and explained he would have to brew it special for me. His tone made it clear this would be quite inconvenient so I said I would just get caffeinated coffee instead. He was otherwise friendly and checked to make sure I found what I needed in the self serve coffee area. He was also friendly with other customers. I was just quite surprised that asking for decaf coffee would be such an inconvenience. I can’t say I won’t be back based on this one incident, but I think I will wait a while before I try out his coffee shop again.

I don’t drink coffee, I came in here to get some for my sister. The man behind the counter (I think was the owner) wasn’t that friendly. When I asked about a drip coffee with cream he just pointed over at some containers on the counter. I think the only words out of his mouth was when I gave him a $ 20 and he asked if I had anything smaller. No hello, welcome, goodbye, have a good day.
Next time I will go to Dutch Bro’s down the road.

I eat at Ricks often and I have tried everything on his menu! My favorites are the BLT, quesadilla and his hot chocolate! The Rum Cake is awesome!

Rick’s Place is my favorite spot in Monmouth. Rick is so nice, he remembers your name and genuinely cares that you feel welcome in his establishment. That guy works really hard and does most of the work himself– I think that’s admirable. The café is full of local art and goods for sale; it’s really fun to look around at the photography, paintings, hair pieces, and wall hangings. He’s supportive of local artists and is always letting businesses, classes, and big groups of friends take up all the seating and have a great time. My friends and I go to Rick’s place at least once a week for coffee and pastries, and it’s always enjoyable. I love how low-​key it is in there, and you don’t need to deal with overly-​excited high school cheerleader barista types. Coffee is a little on the sweet side, but if you let Rick know you like your coffee a certain way, he is happy to oblige. Love this place.

The coffee is good and the atmosphere nice.

Okay, Monmouth is not your typical college town but COME ON! A decent coffee shop is a freaking must! This is as good as it apparently gets. Someone could make a killing here with proper service, a few tasty menu options and a decent cup of coffee.
This place is forgettable. Nothing special whatsoever. What I will remember is that it took forever to get service, the house coffee was weak (literally) and the menu left me settling for a blueberry muffin he certainly purchased somewhere and wrapped in his own cellophane.
So…
Dear Rick,
Hire some young, fun baristas to invite your customers to return. Put your time and effort into the food, it needs more heart and for Pete’s Sake PLEASE invest in some good and local coffee. Not in a self serve air pot. Have the aforementioned staff refill and chat with people so they are not left wondering where the staff is.
B.

In the past 9 years I have been to Rick’s countless times. There are a few things you can always count on:
1) Good humor
2) Good drinks (I don’t really ever drink coffee, so can’t vouch for that)
3) Good food (the quesadilla is a favorite)
4) Long waits
It’s a café, you cannot expect all food to be prepared from scratch. It’s a large space with a wonderful atmosphere and free wifi (yay!) and they don’t mind if you loiter for a good while after buying a drink or snack.
For those in a hurry and are local, call your food order in so it’ll be ready when you arrive. For me, the wait is part of the charm, it gives me an opportunity to slow down a bit.

Very personable! If you’re a local, they get to know you pretty quickly, and there’s usually a discount for students. It’s just one guy and his wife running it so it can be kind of slow.

This is not cookie cutter franchise. The atmosphere is relaxed and comfortable. You can sit in the comfy couches or sign on to the free wi-​fi. It is a great place to meet with friends. The food and the coffee are great but the one thing that Rick’s Place has that you won’t find anywhere else is Rick! He really cares about giving his best to everyone that walks in the door.

This place just begs to be better than it is. I mean 1. College town 2. Good location 3. Nice atmosphere… but in the end… it fails because the coffee ain’t great and the service can be slow. But don’t go to the Dutch Bros in town — ’cause the coffee sucks worse than Ricks. So basically in Monmouth… you’re kind of screwed for good coffee.

***2.5 STARS***
+2 Stars for the Ambience, as it’s got the sidewalk coffee café vibe and is in a Primo spot in town smack dab Main St. central, facing a pseudo-​quadlike park which in turn makes a direct beeline for the WOU (Western Oregon University) campus due north a mere few blocks away.
Unfortunately, it has sub-​par watery coffee, forgettable sammiches on non-​tasty food-​service quality bread, and the service is noticeably slow. which i don’t mind so much, passing thru town on vacay thus having been in the mood for moderate lounging– but this is beyond reasonably slow.
+0.5 Stars for Rick the owner re-​imbursing me for double charging my Credit Card, even tho when i passed on thru he told me in person that the CC machine would most definitely not double charge me.
Apparently Rick cannot or will not return credit the charge to your account. Instead, you get the dinero back the old fashioned way — and yes, this time, there is validity to the phrase ‘THE CHECK’S IN THE MAIL!’…
DONE.

Why this place is popular is beyond me.
If you’ve ever been to a Starbucks/​Coffee People/​Stumptown/​Dutch Bros, then you know that Rick cannot make any sort of coffee drink that tastes good. The shots are ALWAYS expired, the milk is always tepid, and the drinks are overly sweet. And he, um, gives some girls the creeps, although I’ve heard he’s really nice. And don’t expect to get out of here in less than 15 minutes.
What Rick’s Place does have going for it is the space for locals and students to spread out and chat or whatever. In fact, I decided to give him another chance a few years ago and hold an informal class here. I obviously felt obligated to purchase a beverage, and I figured that there was no way he could mess up hot chocolate.
WRONG.
So, lesson: Go to Rick’s if you want a place to sit down.
Avoid Rick’s if you do not want bad drinks and service.

Popular hangout for WOU students and locals. They serve great coffee drinks and café fare. The local guild of belly dancers perform there one night a week. Buy a drink, get a free show! Check their schedule. Make sure to go early if you want to get a good seat for the show!