The girlfriend and I came here last Thursday for dinner. I don't live too far so I wish I had known about this place earlier. Had no problem getting a table without a reservation. I forget the waiter's name but he was cool and attentive even though it seemed like he had a lot of tables. Huuuuge beer list with all the crafts you could imagine. I need to find the recipe for the cajun bread and butter. Stuff's delicious, could eat ten pounds of it. I started off with the blackened alligator. Comes drizzled with creole honey mustard. My God, unbelievably good. For entrees, girlfriend had Etoufee with chicken and I had some sort of linguine with shrimp, crawfish, and calamari. Amazing. Portions are huge too so I had the rest for lunch the next day. Definitely coming back here very soon.
(5)
James J.
My wife wanted to try this place, we walked in early just as they were opening and we were immediately greeted by a hostess with a very pleasant demeanor. She escorted us to the bar even though it was only a few feet and made us feel very welcome. The bartender came out and it was possible that she was even more pleasant. She gave us a list of drinks that was incredibly long and detailed, if you're looking for mainstream beer you're not going to find it bit you will find everything else. The bartender was outstanding at her job she never seemed to rush nor be slow. The same great hostess escorted us to a table of our choice where our server and first male employee came to introduce himself. This man was the epitome of professionalism. He was very warm and welcoming. The bread came next, it was well spiced and amazing. The food was high prices but the portions and flavor were outstanding. The food is spicy (it is Creole) but every bite was delicious. The place itself was very calm considering it was in a college town. I spent more than I usually like to but got much more than my money's worth.
(5)
Tom E.
I love everything about New Orleans,but I especially love the food. So I was thrilled to hear there was a West Chester Restaurant cooking "creole fusion" not far from the college. I decided to join a dinner event our group was having last night to visit the Vudu/High Street Cafe and sample the delights offered by this well reviewed spot. Happy hour was pretty good. Had a nice micro-brewed lager beer for $3 ( so thankful it wasn't Yuengling) from a nice selection of draft beers. Enjoyed a bowl of their shrimp,pulled pork and andouille sausage gumbo for $5. The soup was great with a nice dark roux and was delicious with an authentic,slow cooked gumbo taste. We then moved to our table for dinner and here is where things began to go downhill as far as service. Took some time for our waitress to take our order. I did not do the Price Fixe Menu,however, my girlfriend decided to go that route. She ordered the calamari as her first course ( way too salty), the chicken and shrimp jambalaya for her second course ( a huge portion over rice that she enjoyed) and key lime pie as desert. All that for $35. I had voodoo shrimp as an appetizer (it was smoking hot but its supposed to be). It was good but nowhere near as amazing as Dickey B's famous version in NOLA. I also had the shrimp and chicken jambalaya which I also thought was just OK. If you want a better version in this area head down to the closest thing I ever found to New Orleans at Cajun Kates at the Booth Farmers Market in Glen Mills. Service was extremely disappointing. There were numerous times our waitress was nowhere to be found (smoke breaks?) I got my check before I got my coffee. We never were offered bread with their famous cajun butter. I didn't know they had bread until we were leaving. I liked the ambiance of the restuarant-very cool vibe.
(3)
Bruce K.
What an interesting little find, thanks to the Yelp Talk threads who mentioned this hidden gem. Cajun, with a big NOLA vibe to the place. I loved the very long beer list and managed to find a couple that I'd not seen before. Good stuff. I opted to skip the appetizer and go right to the main course. Jambalaya, with added shrimp and crawfish. Very tasty and a little spicy, with a good amount of shellfish in there and lots of rings of squid, I believe. A good sized portion, I ended up only managing to eat half of it. And while the dessert list looked good, nothing jumped out and said eat me. Consider bringing a small flashlight or the light app on your phone. It's dark in there! Street parking.
(4)
Izzat A.
Saw the Yelp reviews and stopped by. I wasn't expecting to have one of the best sandwiches of my life in West Chester, PA but that is exactly what happened. I got the crab cake sandwich and it was out of this world amazing. The Voodoo sauce that I requested was just the perfect thing to put on here. I can handle my spice but this sauce had some serious kick to it. The cajun fries were home made and pretty good too. Service was super friendly and to top it all of, the meal was $9! How can you possibly beat that? Absolutely awesome place.
(5)
Jenna B.
I'm originally from Florida and have had trouble finding a place with gator tail -- This place actually has it!! AND --- ITS AMAZING!! I love everything they have to offer. Great drinks and fantastic food with a kick! If you haven't checked this place out yet, you need to. I promise, you wont regret it
(5)
Nicole S.
I decided to try this place after driving by it every day to work. The first time was for my birthday with a friend so I made reservations since it was a friday night I ordered the Cajun popcorn thinking it would be a good starter and my friend had the coconut shrimp. We were in for a surprise when the portions came out so large. We didn't even have to order a main dish. The honey mustard sauce they use for the crawfish is simply what makes it! The second time I came was on a nice date with my boyfriend and this place didn't disappoint! We got the popcorn again and my boyfriend said that was the best part of the meal. This time I saved up room for the entree and ordered the voo doo fra Diablo. Now I have never had southern New Orleans inspired dishes before but this was out of this world. So many flavors and I had plenty to take home! Atmosphere wise the crowd was a lot older than us but sometimes it's nice to get away from the college town feel (neither of us go to WC). It's a little close quarters but dark enough to not feel like there's people all around. Good beer selection is always a nice plus!
(5)
D K.
Perhaps I came on an off day....I hadn't been to High Street Cafe in years. In the past, it was always excellent. Went for lunch (Last week of July 2015), ordered chicken etoufee. I always love this dish, but unfortunately not this time. The chicken was very rubbery and tasteless. I tried several pieces of the chicken, it was all the same-unfortunately not good. The saucy rice of the etoufee was ok, but I have had better (even there!). Though hungry, I could not eat the dish, the chicken turned me off. Again, perhaps it was an off day. The service was slow (took 40 min to receive dish after ordering at a late lunch time), but the server was friendly. Sadly, disappointing.
(2)
Carolyn H.
Cajun at it's best in West Chester! I have been here several times and never been disappointed. Food - From the start the complimentary table bread with their special cajun butter is original and tasty. The Voodoo Fra Diablo and Cashew Chicken & Shrimp Bourbon Orleans are must try entrees - original house recipes with perfect spice and flavor! Also of note the jambalaya salad, smoked alligator sausage and calamari with mango chili sauce. Portions are plentiful. You won't leave hungry. Service - I've always had good service here. The staff is friendly, attentive and knowledgeable about the menu. Order turnaround is usually quick, even on weekends. Price - Entrees are worth every penny! Great for special occasions. Parking - They have limited parking on the side of their building (by Burger King). Street parking is free at night.
Simply Amazing!!! Having booked a trip later this fall to NOLA, we decided to look for a restaurant to help get us in the mood. Who would have known that it exists in our town! It was amazing, from the craw fish app to the jambalaya main course. It was really incredible. Don't wait as long as we did to try this place. We will be back soon and often!
Never disappoints! I've been here several times and it is always delicious. I ordered the Catfish and it was amazing! A must-stop place if you're in West Chester
(5)
Derek T.
A fun place with lots of energy, great for drinks or hanging out. But really tight for dinner. The dining area is jammed and really awkward to get around when you first are seated and if you need to get up to use the restroom. Since its a jammed dining area, the noise levels are really high as well. A dinner conversation is strained to hear the other members in your party. The food, is OK. Not over the top "Oh My God" I have to have that Cajun food. But it is good Cajun and if you are looking to appease your need for blackened or rue then High Street Caffe is the place. The food is a bit pricey for what you get but it's in the range of other West Chester restaurants. If you have never been to New Orleans then this is likely a 4-star restaurant, but I'm biased as I have been and this is close but not quite there for me. I will be giving the restaurant another try and I am hopeful they have improved since my last foray.
(3)
Ainsley A.
Foodies and newbies alike can frolic to this festive restaurant to channel their inner southern hospitality they never knew they had. By mixing traditional cajun cuisine with new wave southern, owner Don Syracuse creates a menu that appeals to every taste bud. The assortment of appetizers and entrees will leave you not only full, but will satiate your Fat Tuesday craving. If you are not familiar with Nahlin's (New Orleans) cuisine, this is the perfect introduction. The seafood specialties are terrific and fresh, like the Drunken PEI Mussels with Andouille Sausage or the Etoufee with your choice of crawfish, shrimp, scallops or chicken. Don also customizes his dishes to create new wave cajun like their flatbread complete with Alligator sausage, creole sauce and goat cheese. This restaurant is definitely one to adventure to if you are in West Chester. Mardi Gras is everyday at High Street Caffe and Vudu Lounge. Party on!
(4)
Liz W.
This might be my favorite restaurant in West Chester. I've been here three times and each time the food was amazing and the service was great. The atmosphere is so much fun. I highly recommend High Street Caffe besides being delicious it's different from any other place around.
(4)
Jessica K.
High Street is by far my favorite restaurant in West Chester. And dare I say ... maybe even ever! The service is always friendly, quick and knows their stuff. This is a great help when it comes to selections. The creole flavors are amazing, anything blackened is by far my favorite. From the ahi tuna to blackened chicken, scallops and shrimp to the lobster ravioli - it's all just as good as the next. Two things not to skip: wine list, appetizers & dessert. It may sound weird, but the alligator sausage is amazing. As is the wildflower marscapone cheesecake. To. Die. For. I recommend it to anyone that lives in or is traveling to West Chester. One thing to note: it is small and kind of cramped. To me, it adds to the experience but I know a lot of people do not like that. Be sure to make a reservation or you'll never get a table. Lastly, I believe during the week it's even BYO a few nights! Big plus.
(5)
Austin U.
It's a little bit of a mission to get to from Newark, Delaware. Took the scenic route cuz we missed our exit. The ambience here is great, jazzy like, lots of culture. The food is Amazing!
(4)
Hue K.
3.5 stars Food was excellent! - Complimentary bread: It was OK.. Unlike other yelpers said, bread or butter wasn't that great to be honest.. - Voodoo shrimp: This was over the top hot/spicy. I can handle very spicy food pretty well but after this voodoo shrimp, I was afraid of eating anything spicy for a while. I don't recommend this unless you can eat a handful of thai pepper or jalapeno. - Vegan Etouffe: This was made by request. We asked for something vegan and the chef created vegan Etouffe. It was delicious!! It tastes like very flavorful thai curry. - Pecan shrimp bourbon orleans over rice: This was creamy but very flavorful. I really liked this dish. I didn't want chicken so the chef made it with just shrimp. - Banana foster: This was one of the best banana foster I've had. Caramel was perfectly sweet and blended well with banana. Highly recommended. The restaurant is small and kinda dark. Only two servers were working in the entire restaurant to take the order, deliver food and take care of the bill. so even if there were some runners helping with refilling water and clearing up plates, it lacks the efficiency and attention.
I do enjoy Cajun food, unfortunately the pickings in this area are rather slim. That being said I really enjoyed my meal at High Street. It's a very casual place with excellent food. I had the Voodoo Shrimp, loved the heat and the Country Jambalaya which was excellent as well. GF had the Ahi-Tuna which she very much enjoyed. I am not a Banana eater so I passed on the Banana's Foster but the Chocolate Bread Pudding was a winner.
(5)
Yasmin C.
Relaxed, bar-like atmosphere with friendly service and food that was good, but not great. I was a bit surprised at how casual this place was, given the type of food, but I rolled with it. My husband and I had made a last-minute reservation and popped in on a weeknight for some hot comfort food. The gumbo was warm and satisfying, though almost too thick/creamy for my liking. We also enjoyed an order of alligator sausage, which I found savory and delicious. Probably my fave part of the meal! As for my cajun seafood linguine entree, it was just okay. No flavors really stood out, and the seafood was not necessarily mind-blowing (though my standards are maybe a bit high coming from San Diego). For dessert, it was a bananas foster that leaned toward the overly syrupy side. Weird, because everyone else seems to be raving about it. I left feeling neutral though a bit surprised at the many great reviews of this place. I'm no expert on Cajun/Creole but feel that I've easily had better at restaurants in California and for less money. Perhaps it was an off night??
(3)
Heather L.
We were really disappointed. We have enjoyed Cajun cuisine at Crawdaddy's (before it closed!) and Cajun Kate's. This food was expensive but much poorer in quality. The seafood jambalaya did not blend well as a cohesive dish. The voodoo fra diabolo had no spice to it. The smoked alligator sausage was mediocre. The homemade bread did not taste fresh and the cajun-spice butter had less flavor to it than regular salted butter. We also ordered a ginger-pear puree martini that we had to send back (twice!) because we could only taste the vodka. We never send food back and we write mostly positive reviews, so this is a really unusual review for us.
(2)
Scott K.
Decor is nice. Service is nice. Food is rather boring. Prices are pretty high for entrees. Even if the prices were reduced it isn't worth coming here for the food. Go here for drinks but eat elsewhere.
(2)
Braden B.
Feel like I am back in New Orleans. A staple in West Chester. Great food, service and atmosphere. Every dish that I have ever had at this place is good. Since they added a Bar a few years ago it's made the space even tighter but it just adds to the charm.
(5)
Thomas S.
Had heard about this little Cajun place in West Chester and decided to give it a try as it was halfway between for my dinner partner and me. Had reservations for 6:30 on a recent Thursday night and it wasn't at all crowded. Could see how it might be noisy when full. Service very good, food exceptional. Alligator sausage fantastic and the calamari the best ever. Cajun lobster ravioli worth a trip by itself. Will definitely go back. Maybe later in the evening for some live music. Also, noted some nights early in the week are BYOB.
(4)
Biff P.
It's called Vudu Lounge now Nice food. Decor is a little cheap, but the food is worth it.
(4)
Cory S.
Love the atmosphere and the food is even better. Went with a large group and everyone enjoyed the Dumplings. Salmon BLT was a great combo and the salmon was done perfectly. Most of our party went Jambalaya and everyone enjoyed
(5)
M. M.
The Cajun food here is a decent four-star taste experience especially if you're in the local area. Not sure if I'd do a long drive just to eat here; if you do, make a reservation because this is a little place and it fills up. It's refreshingly short on attitude though - when we showed up casually dressed in the middle of a crowded weekend dinner hour, we were shown immediately to one of the couple of tables available. Although this is a tiny room with small tables, the noise level was not oppressive - believe me, I've heard worse - so I figured all the wood and hangy-danglys in the place absorbed some of it. The decor is sort of like a gypsy's decorated shack in the swamp (complete with fake alligator), more funky than fancy. Food is Cajun fusion, with some spicy items but also many sweet flavors and not-so-spicy things available. I went for the less spicy and had a crab stuffed mushroom appetizer and a slightly blackened salmon entree. Husband went for the more spicy and got jambalaya and bisque. The house bread is a heavy homemade loaf with a slightly spicy butter. Everything tasted very good and the portions were huge, to the point where the plates barely fit on our tiny table. Minor nits - my stuffed mushroom had such a huge, albeit tasty, crab cake sitting on it that the blackened, thin portabella underneath was almost non-existent/ buried, and the salmon entree was served with the vegetable sides completely covering the salmon - fried green tomatoes on top and the whipped corn and peppers on the side. Not sure why you would want to completely hide main elements of the meal when presenting the plate, though it was easy enough to rearrange the food, and it certainly didn't affect how tasty it was. The servers (likely students from the local college) were pleasant and enthusiastic, although not quite as pro as you'd expect for a pricey place - setting an entree plate down with it leaning partly on an appetizer plate at an angle, taking an initial drink order and then coming back to take the food order without bringing the drinks, interrupting a deep moment of conversation with a sudden appearance and "How's everything?" and having conversations between themselves about work, etc. where customers could hear. They did an OK job, but when the entrees are 25-30 dollars a pop you expect a little more. A word about parking: if you are local you know this, but be very careful about parking anyplace that's labeled as "permit parking" or is not specifically labeled as parking for High Street Caffe. The business shares a lot with another restaurant and the lot is not very big. There is also street parking but during certain hours (excludes weekends and late evenings) it is permit only and West Chester is ticket happy. I would eat here again but would prefer going for lunch as the value for money is a little better. The dinner bill for the two of us each having an appetizer, entree and beer (no dessert) came to about 100 dollars with tip. They have a prix fixe menu and certain nights are BYO with a "corkage fee", if you're into that.
(4)
Bonnie P.
The wait staff was exceptionally gracious. The flavors of the dishes chosen, Coconut shrimp, blackened chicken tacos and the Voodoo Crawfish blended into a lunch to die for! We drove over 80 miles to once again enjoy the atmosphere and fusion cuisine of the High Street Cafe!
(5)
Stephanie G.
Pecan Chicken Bourbon Orleans was fantastic! Great sauce and chicken and shrimp. Crawfish Etouffe and Blackened Scallops and Dirty Rice were enjoyed as well. Great beer and wine selection. Will return!
Good gumbo and fantastic crawfish jambalaya. Plenty of nice menu options and they also offered about 8 lunch specials. Our order was taken right away and the food came out quickly. The staff was very friendly and drinks were kept filled throughout the meal. Prices were very reasonable. Glad I finally tried here and I will be back again.
(4)
Kerri L.
The food was yummy - but I don't know if that excuses the poor service. We waited 1.5 hrs - and it just seemed so disorganized. Ambiance was ok (3 stars) and I'd definitely go back if it was during an OFF time with no wait. Was it worth waiting around for? NO. And I'm a person who has no problem waiting 1.5 hrs in line at Mama's in SF for breakfast... but this place doesn't come close.
(3)
Magali T.
Dissapointing! I came back to this restaurant after a 3 year absence and I feel like the food is nowhere near as good as I recalled. I ordered the Chicken Cuza and basically got all of 2oz of chicken, if that, in 10lbs of penne. I had to hunt for the little squares of chicken and this greasy bowl of carb overload. Super disappointing. They serve a mean martini however, huge kudos to the bar tender. Don't bother coming for the food or the cramped room but do come for a happy hour!
(2)
Peter B.
I had heard a lot good things about HSC, so I went there with high expectations. Unfortunately, the hype was more than what was delivered. I ordered Chicken etouffie, and I am not sure what happened in translation, but what I had was not even close what I was used to. My meal was not that great and overpriced.
(2)
Eileen K.
I ordered blackened scallop , shrimp and chicken, the seafood was delicious the chicken was shoe leather. We will try it again, another chance. Service was very good.
(3)
Roseanne F.
Are all you four and five star-ers HIGH? Friends of the owners? In West Chester for dinner a couple of weeks ago, I found this place on Yelp. I was excited about the cuisine, but woe was me. When we walked in, we were greeted with indifference. My "spicy" bloody mary was tomato juice and vodka, no spice, no fun, no garnishes, no nothing. Should have been my first clue. A cajun place with bland bloody marys? Especially since it looked like primarily a bar. The food was utterly bland and forgettable. And the young staff seemingly could not wait to get rid of us (it was only 8:30), and seemed confused when we asked for water, or another beer. But the real insult? Prices. You'd think you were at Emeril's. Avoid.
(1)
Nicole L.
High Street Caffe is by far one of my favourite restaurants to go to, whether it's for a special occasion or just a "let's not cook tonight" weekend meal. I can't decide if it's the spectacular service, the distinctive Cajun decor, or the live guitarist strumming happily away in the corner. Maybe it's the food. Hell, it IS the food. They rock the spice in everything. Bad thing? Hell no. Let's start with the hot bread basket that comes out after you order your meal. Oh lord. Whatever they use to bake these delicious, fluffy rolls has got to be illegal in several states -- and the herbed butter they leave for you is equally addictive. Then there are the appetizers. They aren't kidding about the heat level on the blasphemously spicy voodoo shrimp, nor do you expect such a mild kick from the simmered artichokes. Seafood bisque is creamy, delightful, with plenty chunks of crab and shrimp. Salads are fresh and nicely dressed without saturating the leaves. Seriously, if you haven't stuffed your face by this point, you've got a lot more control than I do. Don't hate yourself for takin' your entree home, because portions are substantially huge when it comes to the etouffees or jambalayas. My personal favourite is the seared tuna with wasabi potatoes -- get it rare, then swoon at the spice crust, the contrasting flavours and the crunchy carrot slaw. Did you make it to dessert? Thank yourself for it, because they have a sinful chocolate torte which will make you sing and dance on their pretty tables. If you're not a cocoa person, their key lime pie is equally amazing -- tart, not overly sweet, crumbly crust. High Street Caffe also offers incredibly affordable prix-fixe meals on the weekends, and certain days are BYOB (can't remember if they have a corkage fee). This place fills up fast on the weekends, so be sure to call ahead for a reservation.
(5)
Alli V.
This is my third trip here... And my last. The atmosphere is eclectic and unique and the food is maybe 3-4 stars. But each time the service was worse. This last dinner date I had there was about 2 hours... And when we told the waitress we wanted dessert but decided against it since everything took so painfully long she just said "I'm sorry but in doing the best I can". No kidding but how does that help 2 paying customers? No offer of comp dessert or a manager we may speak to. It doesn't matter we are not returning.
(2)
Angela B.
First time visiting High Street Caffe and I must say that I was blown away! As a West Chester University Graduate I remember walking past this spot time and time again but finally decided to give it a chance after reading the reviews. My mom and I shared the Alligator Sausage and Fried Crawfish tail appetizers and they were GREAT!! For our meals she had a Salmon special with mashed potatoes and green beans while I had the Chicken and Shrimp Alfredo. The meal was delicious! I had a good portion to take home with me while my mom ate all her food in delight. I would definetly visit again! I would go on Tuesday when I can participate in the 5 course meal for $35 and bring my on wine.
(4)
Lauren K.
So delicious! One of WC's top 3 for sure. I love the hangar steak, the ahi tuna, perogies, flatbreads, flourless chocolate torte, bananas foster... I come here for every special occasion or celebration I can think up. The prix fixe is a great deal if you want to eat out on a week night. This place really considers and cares for their guests. LOVE IT!
(5)
Tom W.
Great food and live music in the heart of West Chester. Have eaten here numerous times, food is always excellent, wait staff is polite and responsive, and it's byob on Sundays. Could you ask for more?
(5)
Scott B.
I am not sure where to begin. If you haven't been here, you really don't know what you are missing! High Street Cafe has the most unique menu selections guaranteed to delight most cajun/creole fans. With the addition of the most imaginative drink menu in town the High Street Caffe is perfect for the stop in casual drink, fun dinner experience or late night drinks with friends. I must say that I have rarely ordered from the regular dinner menu, except the appetizers, since every night the specials are always a treat. It is a must to save room for the bananas foster dessert, enough to satisfy a table of four!
(5)
Amanda N.
Awesome beer selection. the flatbreads are delicious and a great choice if you want a more inexpensive dish. My favorite is the chicken jambalaya flatbread. We love our waitress here!
(5)
Steve B.
Everyone has that sweatshirt in their closet that is the most comfortable article of clothing they own. Sure, it has a small hole in the back and it never gets the attention it deserves coming out of the wash, but you put it on and you just remember how awesome it is. I just realized following dinner last night at High Street Caffe that I haven't written a review yet for it - HSC is my culinary sweatshirt. Simply put, if you have not been here yet, live in the West Chester area, and prefer food over pretense... This should be your next OpenTable signup. This is not a place you find by the exterior signage and look. Its in an unassuming corner store across the street from a Burger King parking lot. This place gets its crowds from word of mouth, not by random driveby. Once you walk in, however, you are transported to a New Orleans bar. The lighting is dim, just as previous posters said. Its decked in blacks and purples, which also adds to the darkness somewhat. Most of the lighting in the restaurant comes from wall sconces and a TV at the bar (while it was not playing sound, it may have distracted me; If you are here for a romantic meal I'd recommend sitting with your back to it). The music was perfect as far as volume goes: Loud enough to filter out table's conversations nearby, but soft enough you could hold a normal conversation at your table. But hey, like I said in paragraph one, we're not here for pretense. Our last visit was on Valentine's Day, and they had a special menu. I had the gumbo as an appetizer, which is on the regular menu. Absolutely fantastic. The broth (and I use that term loosely, it has actual texture) melded with the vegetables, chicken, and andouille sausage wonderfully. It took a little bit to come out, but when it did it was still hot; Therefore, the delay was due to the V-Day crowd, not inattention by the chef or server IMHO. For my entree, I has the Country Jambalaya; I've had their regular jambalaya and that's fantastic in its own right. This jambalaya replaces the shrimp with short rib and their fantastic vudu pork. I'm calling meat-and-rice heaven in the middle of Chester County, people. Enough spice that you know where it comes from, but not so much you're reaching for a beverage after each bite. Portions are big, but not embarrassingly so. As previous reviewers have said... If you haven't had their bananas foster, that is the way to go as a High Street neophyte. I decided to try the Double-Chocolate Bread Pudding, knowing as I went in that I would be jealous of my wife's lack of variety (she took the foster). I'm happy to say that my jealousy was only slight - The warm bread pudding was fantastic. The chocolate was semi-sweet, so it wasn't overly sugary when added with the vanilla ice cream that came along with it. For anyone wanting to try something other than the bananas foster, your homework assignment is to try the wildflower honey and marscapone cheesecake; This was almost my dessert, and looked fantastic as it went to another table. Also, and this is worth noting: What they actually ran out of was tiramisu. Now, I love coffee-soaked lady fingers and marscapone as much as anyone, but I wouldn't have thought italian dessert with cajun. However, you don't run out if its bad, so that may be worth your attention. Simply put, High Street Caffe is worth your time and dollar for food that will take you to New Orleans without breaking the bank getting there.
(5)
Martin B.
High street cafe is a great lunch option in WC. The creole style food is excellent!
(3)
Andrew M.
Even though I think it's expensive the food is amazing. Only annoying thing is from time to time when you call and ask a question the answers you get depend on the person who answers.
(4)
Jaime H.
This place is now called Vudu Cafe and Lounge. I dined here on a Saturday night with 5 friends. We were seated promptly as we had a reservation prior to the dinner rush. Kevin was our server and he was very knowledgeable and offered great suggestions. The menu offers several enticing dishes, and it was hard for us to decide. A good problem to have. We did drinks, appetizers and entrees. They provide you with bread and some cajuny butter that is quite delightful. The appetizers our group had were the stuffed mushroom (crab cake on top of a grilled portobello - yumz), fiery shrimp (sneaky hotness, loved by all), and blackened scallops. Three of us had the shrimp and crawfish etouffee in a peanut roux with the holy trinity. Another had blackened shrimp, scallops and rice, and another entree was the alligator sausage and boar with mashed potatoes and asparagus. The food was really good. The mashed potatoes were the only thing that struck me as better than good. I wasn't wow-ed by anything in particular, but it was good. And even though I had the Panty Dropper cocktail (sorry, Mom), I keep describing the food as 'good.' Good? Good. I do believe they are a bit overpriced, and the decor reminds me of high school prom. The tables are what my friend described as 'tailgating tables' covered by purple table clothes. I can get over the decor, and enjoy the good food, but what really bothered our group was the vulture-esque attention from the staff when it came to clearing plates and urging us to 'box' our food (not our server, Kevin). They were all too eager to move us on out the door. I cannot count the times we had to explain that we were still working on our appetizers and entrees - good food, good drink, and great company are not to be rushed. I was literally three bites into my entree the first time I was asked if I wanted to box my food. No joke. They had our table of 6 in and out the door in less than an hour. Really.
(3)
Brenda W.
The blackened alligator bites appetizer was a bit disappointing; very small pieces of gator. It was tasty though. Calamari was good, but not outstanding. The restaurant is very cramped; I was constantly jostled by waitresses and the people at the table behind us whenever they stood up. The icebreaker drink was quite tasty, but overpriced at $10. We were in West Chester, not the city. I had the shrimp and crawfish etouffee, which was quite good, and a large enough serving that I had leftovers. Plenty of shrimp and crawfish in it. The hangar steak was surprisingly good, nice and tender with a complementary blue cheese topping. The gumbo was great; nice and flavorful and a bit spicy. The jambalaya was good, but a bit too similar to the gumbo in taste, which is typical. The Pecan Chicken & Shrimp Bourbon Orleans was a nice change from the flavors of everything else. Overall, a bit pricey and crowded, but I would go back.
(4)
Jean C.
This place is a gem in West Chester. It's a lot different then the other restaurants in West Chester which is perfect. Great scenery and it is definitely an older crowd. Went here on a date a few weeks ago and have to give this place a 4/5. For our appetizer we ordered the vudu shrimp and the calamari. BEWARE OF THE VUDU SHRIMP. IT IS SO SPICY. I love spicy and I understand the concept of cajin food having a little kick to it. But oh man.... these shrimps were out of the world spicy. It came on top of a bed of rice and also alot of sour cream. I'm pretty sure they accompany this dish with sour cream because of the spice level of the shrimp. So delicious but SO hot. For entrees we ordered the jambalaya with chicken and the fettuccine Alfredo jambalaya. The jambalaya was the BEST jambalaya I have ever had. High Street Caffe is a must try if you are in the area. Will 100% be returning.
(4)
Sharda D.
Amazing as usual although I was slightly disappointed that the duck wasn't on the menu - hopefully next time nevertheless, always an awesome meal
(5)
Matthew F.
Ok, first things first. I was really looking forward to this place. Maybe there in lies the disappointing two stars. West Chester is about a 45 minute drive for us. On the good side, it was easy to find, the place has a cool vibe, the ceviche was very good, the service was great. So why only two stars? Two of the three entres were just ok. Nothing special. With all the good I mentioned, and a great beer selection I will be back to give the food another try. With some drinks the bill was $140 plus tip. Hope this helps. Here's what we had: Ceviche - loved it. Should have gotten two of them. Cajun popcorn - ok, lie calamari Jambalaya (standard) Iwas really hoping this would have been special. Maybe next time ill try one there other jambalayas. Chicken Cuza - again, just ok. Pecan chicken and shrimp- this was the stand out of the three. If all three entrees were this special it would have been an easy five star recommendation.
(2)
Jess R.
I went here for lunch and the place was empty. There were two waitresses working and we had the only table. The food was delicious. The service, however, was terrible. Our waitress didn't introduce herself, she just said 'are you ready?' it also took a really long time to get our food, and we had simple meals, (soup and salad). Eventually the waitress brought two of our meals and my salad didn't come for another five minutes. Like I said, the food here is great, but the service was so slow and frustrating that I will not return.
(2)
Joanne M.
Reservations are needed especially on the weekends. We waited a bit but it was worth it. The food is delish... try the chicken and waffles SO good!
(4)
Kit-N-Debbie W.
It's hard to give a 5 star because every aspect of your experience should be perfect. We are long time customers of Vudu Lounge/High Street Caffe. Virtually have never had a bad meal, great environment, feels like you are in New Orleans. The staff is awesome. The owner, Donny Syracuse, who bartends much of the time, is a local celebrity for his musical accomplishments, not to mention his unbelievable personality. The reason for this 5 star Yelp is his new part time bartender, Erin. She is something special. Can you imagine while we were deep in conversation with our second martini being about halfway done, she asked if we wanted them reshaken. Now that's service.
(5)
Zoe S.
4 of us recently visited High Street Caffe with high expectations, and they were definitely met! The food was delicious, drinks were great, and service was friendly. We started off with the coconut beer battered shrimp which were excellent. Our table also enjoyed the chicken etouffee, chicken & shrimp jambalaya, goat cheese salad, and chicken cuza. All were delicious--the jambalaya and etoufee were highlights. I just wish the lighting had been a little better--my parents had a difficult time reading the menu; the room was also pretty loud.
(4)
TK W.
Love the decor and live Jazz. Food was ok. They have private parking lot at the back.
(3)
Lazlo K.
The High Street Caffe is one of my all-time favorite places to eat in WC. True hidden gem for those of you who are seeking a special suprise. It's not on the "Strip" in WC, so you have to look for it. the Menu is KILLER - I hear it was designed by Dan Funk, the chef that used to own the New Orleans Cafe in Media/Delco. The owner is an older fella, straigh outa the 80s - very cool dude. Love the vibe here.
(5)
Jenna L.
Good Cajun food but REALLY heavy as to be expected. The Seafood bisque is excellent - you have to get it. The Jambalaya is okay - it has so much sauce that it's hard to taste the food. The chicken creole looked really good. The bananas foster was awesome. The prix fixe menu for $30 was a really good deal. The ambiance is cool, you definitely feel like you are in New Orleans and the service was really good.
(4)
Jenna C.
I stand corrected - While High Street used to be closed on Mondays last summer, it is now open on Mondays. Happy day! More chances to enjoy the fabulous-ness that is High Street Caffe.
(5)
J S.
Service was questionable, long wait even though tables were open. Food came out half hot half cold. probably wouldn't come back
(2)
Jay N.
Being Cajun myself, hailing from Lafayette, LA, it was a no-brainer for a friend of mine to bring me here recently to try the food. I'm no professional food critic of course but like almost all non-Cajun 'Cajun' restaurants, (i.e. those outside of Acadiana, Louisiana) High Street misses the mark on extremely flavorful Cajun cuisine. I don't blame them however; I found the food to be a great substitute for the real thing. Portions are generous and they have Cajun favorites such as chicken, crawfish or shrimp etouffe', though the crawfish were a bit tough and no doubt Chinese crawfish. (there is a distinct difference between domestic/Louisiana-grown crawfish tail meat and its Chinese counterpart; the domestic generally tasting fresher, less tough and less like its been frozen for a long period of time). On a very quiet Saturday night in West Chester, this place was hopping, a testament to the owner and his choice of opening a Cajun restaurant in the most yankee of locations. The ambiance was okay though the place is a bit crowded, an obvious attempt is made to get as many folks into the main dining area as possible with the result giving the feel of a cafeteria setting as opposed to a quaint, boutique cafe. High marks for the food, good marks for the service and a bit lower on the atmosphere and feel. I'd definitely recommend it if you're in the mood for Cajun-esque food; but please, try to visit south Louisiana at least once in your life for the real thing!
(5)
Michael F.
If you are looking for authentic cajun/creole, I would not call High Street Caffe your destination. Having been to New Orleans many times, and having tried to reproduce my own favorites (red beans n rice, jambalaya) I was hoping High Street Caffe would bring back some memories of my trips. This is not the case. The food might be better described as West Chester Continental with a Cajun/Creole twist. On one visit, I had a seafood Po Boy. Is was a real mess. Open face, so much "sauce" it was impossible to eat it the conventional way. I would have appreciated a better description or warning from my waiter before ordering it. I left dreaming of a Mother's Shrimp Po Boy, which this was far from. So, you'll wind up getting a fun cajun/creole inspired meal here, but just don't expect to think you are in New Orleans at any point. Two stars might be tough, but I've never been the same since that messy "Po Boy".
One of the best places in West Chester. I have been there dozens of times now and every meal has been quality. Wednesday nights are a perfect time to go. Great food and Jazz.
(4)
Jeff C.
Great food and great decor! The food is very flavorful and there is a good selection of creative dishes. I would recommend the voodoo shrimp, blacked alligator, Cajun popcorn, county jambalaya, or any of there specials! Somewhat mild for a cajun restaurant, but just ask for some hot sauce to add the kick it needs. Bottom line- I would and do return and would recommend it to friends.
(4)
Kate D.
I LOVE High Street! Been coming here for a few years and I still get really excited when we decide to go! The spicy flavors are enough to raise your eyebrow, but not overwhelming. And the chef will customize your dish to your preferred degree of heat. One visit, my hubby was having a difficult time deciding between two entrees so the waiter disappeared and returned to tell us "the chef will take care of it." As our food was brought to us, the chef had created a personalized dish for hubby that incorporated the flavors and meats of both main dishes. It was exciting, and really amazing. Great personal touch. My favorite is the pecan bourbon chicken and shrimp in a Cajun cream sauce - and I can't leave until I have dessert. Donny knows how do end a meal right. Yeah bananas foster!!!
(5)
Geoff G.
JAMBALAYA! I tried their 'catfish imperiale' or something like that...a nice grilled catfish with jumbo lump crab on top, delicious. Over the past few years we go at least annually for a Cajun refresher. I think it's more a cajun restaurant than one pretending to be. Good flavor / never had a bad meal there. Nice menu / reliable favorites Parking can be a pain
(4)
Elizabeth D.
Kitschy New Orleans style decor, crowded bar, very lively crowd. The beer list is great but a little pricey. Our party enjoyed the jambalaya, Etouffee, Chicken Cuva, Voodoo Shrimp, Gumbo, and Grilled Portabello Salad. The portions here are huge - I had enough for lunch the next day! It's a fun spot for dinner, but be prepared to wait on a weekend. Parking can be interesting, but the side streets are usually pretty empty.
(4)
Douglas S.
Simply, the food is awesome Cajun...spicy, flavorful, diverse...never a disappointment. Wine complements the menu well and is fair priced. Only thing that comes up short is the ambience. More of an Orlean's night club, better viewed after sunset as cleanliness is not a strong suit.
(3)
Jean R.
I've eaten at High Street on a regular basis since first trying there about 7 years ago. It is seriously some of the best food in the entire world! I order the blackened scallops (only scallops) just about every time I go there and they never disappoint. The seating is tight (the place needs to be about double the size that it is) and it gets loud, especially when they have someone playing live music, but the food is worth it all. They have a bar now but you can still bring your own. It's fun to go with a group of friends or even with just one other person. You can usually find parking on Gay Street or one of the nearby side streets so that's not really a problem either. If you like spicy and you like Cajun, this is a great local place to try!
(5)
Rob m.
Without of doubt one of the Greatest eateries in the USA! Chef Jay Wenner puts out these wonderful dishes. In over three years eating there on a monthly basis, I HAVE NEVER had a bad meal!!!!! Service is wonderful. The wait staff is next NONE! Kevin is the man, Best Waiter east of Chicago!!!!! The owner, Donnie Syracuse, an 80s Big Hair rocker, has transformed a mild coffee shop into one of the coolest places in the world to eat or just hang out at the bar. ( If you are lucky you willl hear him and others play after the dinner hours!) And dont forget to order Bananas Foster for dessert! You won't be dissapointed!
(5)
Taylor O.
This was our escape from our extended stay hotel on the side of the highway in Malvern! Help: boredom alarm. We wanted to spice things up, so that we did. As I read here on Yelp the appetizers being the best part we reeled in some blackened gator in a mustard sauce which was the highlight of the evening. The voodoo crawfish (allegedly the spiciest thing on the menu) was also great but the sauce was a bit too thick, somewhat near motor oil in viscosity. The selection of beers was interesting and we tried a few and one brave soul (read: me) tried the jalapeno infused vodka based Vudu martini. Oh, it was spicy. I take it they received a license and it's no longer BYOB as mentioned in the other review. The service was slow and the crowd was weird, but it is West Chester and we experienced that at each establishment. The portions were fine but not huge like the other review implies. I went for the mustard fried catfish which was excellent, other got crab cakes, touffee, etc., but nothing could quite beat the appetizers.
(4)
Dave H.
This BYOB minds its own business next to a Burger King. I've had dinner here twice and noticed it's one popular spot, as it was crowded both times (Tuesday and Friday). From appetizers to entrees to desserts, High Street Caffe delivers gourmet Cajun, creole, and "exotic" cuisine in healthy portions: - Their complimentary sugarbread (heavenly!) and butter/sour cream mix (smooth and rich) is made in-house. - My favorite appetizer is their voodoo crawfish ($9), made with a triple-XXX barbecue paste and served with rice and sour cream - I never found out what was in it, except for habaneros. When it was brought out, I was warned not to dig in right away, though the suffocating smell alone was warning enough! When I finally bit into the crawfish, I experienced pain and pleasure fused together. (At one point I was sobbing. I drank so much water it was unhealthy, and yes, I will order it again. Thank god for the sour cream in it.) - Their blackened crocodile tail appetizer ($10) is covered with an exciting creole mustard sauce. The tender small bits of meat (cooked in Cajun spices) melted in our mouths. - The fried shrimp wenner ($11) is great, just like the crawfish. Creole-fried shrimp sauteed with Andouille, onions and tomatoes in a sweet and spicy habanero sauce, with rice. Unlike the crawfish, the wenner is bearable and finger-licking good (but don't eat them with your hands). - The pan seared duck appetizer (~$10) which was sweet and moist (mmmm fatty) thanks to a bourbon apricot glaze. Sadly it was only a special for that day... Entrees I've had were so-so: - The mesquite pepper ostrich isn't bad. I had it cooked medium rare and it tasted practically raw. Perhaps the crawfish destroyed my tastebuds, but there didn't seem to be any taste to the ostrich (also don't see it on the menu now). - Their lamb tenderloins ($24) were tasty and tender but the next time I go to High Street, I think I'll stick to the small plates! More bang for my buck, thank you. The shining service and AMAZING appetizers alone make it easy for me to overlook the entrees and give this High Street Caffe my highest recommendation. This place rocks my world and it'll rock yours too. Reservations recommended.
Ever since I happened upon Cajun Kate's ( yelp.com/biz/cajun-kates… ) I'm always a bit grumbly when I have to pay High prices here, but I shouldn't be: the price reflects the purpose, and each restaurant serves it's purpose very well. At High Street Caffe, you're paying of course for the haute cuisine spin on creole cooking, but also for the luxury of sitting in a chair. High Street is where you take your friends in West Chester if you want to have a delicious high-class dinner in a dimmed, richly hued hip atmosphere. Cajun Kate's is where you go if you want to wear sweats and shove your way onto one of the 6 hotly contested stools to shovel down the best authentic cajun food from here to Nawlins. Different purposes, as you can see, but I love each one equally. High Street Caffe is my favorite restaurant in West Chester, hands down. It's flavors and style really assert themselves, and I've never, ever had a bad meal here. The service is friendly, even the mild roar you encounter on the weekends when it's completely full has a convivial charm to it. High St's 3-courses-for-30-bucks prix fixe menu is the best deal; most of the entrees featured on the prix fixe menu hover in the 25 dollar range, so you'll make out like a bandit (albeit one who's bitten off more than he can chew, quite literally: the portion sizes are very generous). The blackened red snapper, lobster ravioli, alligator sausage, lamb, etouffee offerings, bananas foster...these are all fantastic dishes. Just make sure to get extra bread- it's sublime.
(5)
Len B.
I cannot believe how good the food and beer were. Never even made it to entrees. Ordered 6 appetizers and all were tremendous! Have to be ready for tight quarters and full house but it adds to the experience.
(5)
Xtine H.
I had heard about this place from a friend who knew I was trying to track down pumpkin martinis, and boy am I ever glad I visited. I liked it so much that after my first visit (for aps and drinks), I went back 3 days later (for dinner). The drink menu highlights-Blood Orange Sangria (!!!) "Voodoo" Old Fashioned, and a nice selection of beers. Its a BYOB ($5 cork fee) and you can buy a bottle as well! best of both worlds! cute lil purple place, cool decor, cozy space and the menu choices are fantastic. From the huge cups of soup, to crawfish, I cannot recommend this place enough. You definitely need reservations for Fridays and Saturdays the 3 course Prix-Fix menu is a great way to try a few dishes. I would like to try lunch on a weekday sometime
(5)
Sabrina L.
They have great customer service! The first time I came here for dinner our waiter gave us a complimentary appetizer. The food is sooooo good! I would highly recommend the jambalaya pasta! If you go for lunch the johnny cash burger is delicious! I am definitely a fan!
(4)
Stephen W.
A very nice venue with great blues background. I would call this a Cajun restaurant for folks who don't care much for Cajun food. The menu us creative and mild. Real Cajun is better sought at Cajun Kate's. Also the nearby Crawdaddy has a more flavor intensive menu. But High Street is pleasant enough for more mainstream tastes. Many people will have folks in their part who do not like foods with intense flavors, which makes this a good choice for some. You might want to ask for some hot sauce (tellingly, this is the only 'cajun' bistro in the area that does not have this condiment on the table..!)
(2)
Shreekant P.
They must have added like a gazzilion more tables to an already cramped space and the seating by the bar. I was constantly bumped by servers, and guests alike. Boy was it noisy on Friday night! I have not accounted for these nuisances in my rating as the food quality and presentation is excellent. Everything we got was above par. Our favorites: Voodoo shrimp, blackened alligator for appetizers, blackened red fish, the cajun linguini, and Etouffe. Finally, dear wait staff--please lighten up. We have come to have a nice time!!
(3)
Ruth Y.
This place is a great "bang for your buck." It has great cajun/creole cooking, especially seafood. And I am saying this as a "non-seafood person." The lobster ravioli is especially wonderful; it literally melts in your mouth. My humble suggestion is to get an extra order of their wonderful warm bread to sop up the creamy, heavenly sauce. Other favorites of mine/my friends (since I always request to be taken to this place for my birthday) is the alligator sausage, which is flavored perfectly, and, of course, their banana's foster. I find that most of the appetizers are delicious. Another favorite of my friends is the after dinner show where I proceed to lick the banana foster bowl clean. Hey! There is no pride where my banana's foster is concerned! If you are into alcohol (sorry, I am not, so I can not say much regarding this), they have obtained a liquor license and serve alcohol. This happened after some of the earlier reviews, so I am just updating. Sometimes it gets a bit loud Friday nights (and possibly other weekend nights?) when they have live music playing. However, this may be a plus in some people's eyes as it adds to the ambiance. The place is on the dark side decorated in dark purple, which gives it a romantic feeling. They also take their reservations pretty seriously, if you are more than 10-15 minutes late, your reservation is gone! Reservations recommended.
(5)
Michaela H.
Hands down our favorite restaurant in the West Chester/Main Line area-- actually, maybe one of our most favorite restaurants, period. This jewel serves up top notch cajun dishes (we loved the blackened alligator appetizer, especially) amidst a jovial NOLA atmosphere. The cocktail (you gotta go for the Hurricane!) and beer selections are always great. But best of all is the bananas foster. Oh. My. God. When I die, I want to buried in this stuff. It is OUT OF THIS WORLD. A great place to bring visitors, family, etc. We have never had less than a fabulous experience every time we've gone!
(5)
Scott L.
good solid restaurant. we got jumbalaya for each of our entrees and we got the cajun popcorn (basically fried crawfish tails) for an app. jumbalaya was good. mine would of not been worth the portion size, but i was pretty full from the app so it was fine. my gf's was bigger (i guess cuz she didn't get the one on special?). it had good spice and good ingredients. my gf ordered chicken and shrimp, and it only had about 2 peices of shrimp in it, albeit big, only 2 of them =/ mine had everything it said it did, and a lot of it, so that part was good, just wish i woulda had more on the plate. cajun popcorn app was real good, and so was the sauce that came underneath it. very nawleans. :) also, the bread they give you before the meal and the BUTTER, OMG THE BUTTER. it's like a cajun spiced compound butter. it's probably the best butter i have ever tasted. incredible - by far the best thing about the meal lol. we each got a beer (or two). meal was kinda pricey. i think it was like $70 something, but i don't remember exactly. Around $15-$20 for the entrees, and like $10 or so for the app, plus beers/tax/tip, service was a little slow, but they were very nice, so that was fine. if you want something a lil different, and don't mind kicking some extra cash out - go for it. very cool environment (if you like the whole southern "soul" feel), nice people, and a pretty cool crowd. you'll also eat pretty well.
(3)
Michael L.
We were on our way home to Villanova from Baltimore. 95 was a nightmare, so we decided to get off at 202 and head to West Chester for dinner. Once there, we literally asked a man on the street for a recommendation. He suggested High Street Cafe, "if you can get a table." This was around 6PM on a Tuesday in mid-June. Turned out that getting a table was not a problem. Everything fell into place, and we enjoyed a very good meal, with good service. The pear salad was fresh and appropriately dressed. Cocktails were just a tad watery. My salmon was perfect, but the side of greens was over spiced. My special lady friend's blackened red snapper was also a bit over spiced [mind you, we have no aversion to some kick; we just like the flavor to be complimented and not over-powered]. Both fish were fresh and cooked to perfection. There's a cool atmosphere here, but perhaps a bit out of sync with the caliber of food. Turn the lights up a little, get the wait staff in sync with the kitchen, use a little less unnecessary spice [and a little less ice in the cocktails] -this place goes from 4 to 5 stars.
(4)
Frank H.
Great Cajun food and the owner Donny is a great guy who plays the Patio sometimes on Weekends at Barnaby's.
(5)
Diego U.
Absolutely one of my favorite restaurants in philly and its suburbs. My family and i frequent it and are yet to be disappointed. The food is wonderful and BYOB makes it easy on the wallet, (although it is now only on certain notes). The staff is friendly and the ambiance is great with low lighting and live music playing most nights. Appetizers and desserts are just as good as the entrees. I cant reccommend enough!
(5)
phaedra g.
I was pleasantly surprised by the menu selection. I usually do not eat shellfish, so i wasn't sure if i would be able to find anything to my liking. There is something for everyone! The food was delicious and the portions were large. I even took some food home (which i rarely do). the wait staff was nice and they have great drinks and a nice selection of wines! go!
(5)
TJ S.
My favorite restaurant in West Chester!!! Can't get enough of the seafood etouffee!!! I wouldn't be afraid to try anything on the menu!
(5)
Rick D.
Meh. Maybe I've become a Cajun snob, but for me - High Street misses the mark. The blackening seasoning was surprisingly bland. Dessert and cappuccino were by far the highlight of the meal, and the service was excellent. Y'all looking for a taste of 'Nawlins? Catch the next flight to MSY. Who dat!
(3)
Bob H.
Best restaurant in all of West Chester. They have it all, great food, ambiance, decor, and service. The food is dynamite, huge selection from alligator to filet. The feel of High Street is like you just stepped off of bourbon st and into one of their fabulous caffes in New Orleans. Also the servers are very attentive and will go out of their way if you have any questions about the menu. They have a full liquor license now but they still accept BYOB
(5)
Nicole C.
How do you make one of the best spots in West Chester better? Add a bar! To compliment High Street's always on point delicious cajun food, they now have tons of fun beers from local selections to imports and exciting New Orleans inspired cocktails. Happy Hour from 4:30-6:30 Monday thru Friday includes drink discounts and $5 appetizers and flatbreads. If you're going for dinner, don't miss the Pecan Bourbon Chicken and Shrimp. I'd go with the Veggie flatbread for something lighter if your just snacking. Oh, and they have awesome Jazz on Wednesday nights. If you were into the Thursday night jazz when Vincents was still around you'll see and hear some of the same cats at High Street now, a day sooner in the week and right on time.
(5)
A W.
Good food. Good beer. Excellent wait staff. Good vibe. This is a great spot for a good dinner. Jambalaya is great, as is the steak and fish. Haven't had a bad meal here yet.
(5)
Dave R.
After eating at this West Chester legend about a dozen times over the past 4 or so years, I have to say that High Street Caffe is one of my all-time favorites. It is intimate dining at its best and the New Orleans menu offers their twist on the staples and a long list of daily specials that are equally succulent. Try the blackened catfish or crabcakes, they are both excellent. Also, their alligator dishes are superb. Chef Wenner has become somewhat of a local hero for good reason- his food tastes wonderful. I've dined here with friends and family and with my lady and every one always has a great time and a good meal. Now with a full bar, the vibe has changed slightly but maybe for the better. Imagine a packed house on a Saturday night for a Phillies playoff game. Fine dining food plus baseball and a huge Hurricane makes Dave a happy boy. Great service. Waiters don't seem to leave this place and they are very good at what they do. One of the best restaurants in the area from the delicious bread to the Bananas Foster. But bring your appetite, your wallet, and preferably, a designated driver.
(5)
Robyn K.
OMG! I LOOOOOVE this restaurant! I went there for the first time today and was super impressed with everything! The ambience, the friendliness of the staff and the food...oh my the food was to die for. I dont think you can go wrong with anything. Even the bread rolls they give you at first is yummy. Hubby and I had chicken tenders and the alligator sausage flat bread for apps. To die for!! Did I mention the portions are huge. By the time entree came we were so full and had to take to-go...we noticed everyone had a to-go bag too. For entree, i had the blackened cat fish...oh gosh, the taste, AMAZING!!!!
(5)
Bethany B.
Amazing food. Warm, welcoming staff. Nothing was able to satisfy my pregnancy-induced spicy cravings like their Voodoo Crawfish.
(5)
Dave J.
Voodoo crawfish!!! Don't you dare put sour cream on these things either, man up! Best crawfish in the area. Great beer selection as well. Good menu and good prices. If you dont like tight places, dont go at common hours. Parking can be tough but it's West Chester, find the garage on High Street and you're golden.
(5)
Elise K.
This is the best restaurant I've eaten at in West Chester (even better than its neighbor Avalon)! It's dark and a bit dingy in there, but you can count on friendly staff, interesting characters hanging at the bar and new and exciting specials on the menu (one time, this amazing buffalo steak and another time, oyster stew with the best broth I've ever had). Not that there's anything wrong with the regular menu - try the Voodoo shrimp if you're in the mood for spicy that'll have you sweating and tearing up. The smoky Portobello and mozzarella salad is delicious if you're looking for something small; entrees are large, authentic (as far as I can tell!) and creative. It's a bit pricier than many of the restaurants in WC, but you can't beat the flavors, and the wine list has some good quality selections at great prices (Mark West Pinot Noir for just $28). There's garage parking across from Barnaby's on High Street, and when you walk back to your car, you can choose from two ice cream/yogurt shops if you don't pig out like we do on the to-die-for caramel-laden bananas Foster.
(5)
Brian M.
Haven't been there for a while, but used to go often. I always had a great experience. The food was very good. But I think it is more creole-esque, but certainly not cajun. I usually have seafood or fish when I go and never have been served less than a delicious meal. It has been around for many years and remains very popular. Actually, writing this, I need to go visit soon. BYOB and full bar-I know strange, but it works. Can get really loud.
(4)
Jonathan D.
Have only been here a few times but this place is great... real nice menu... If you're looking for cajun/creole this is the place to go to. Also, not sure if they still have it...but get the Bananas Foster for dessert...AMAZING!!
(5)
Casey L.
oh my gosh, this dinner goes on my top ten list. we went for my sister in laws birthday - had a reservation but still waited a good 25 minutes for a table, which was totally worth it. It is BYOWine, but they have a full liquor bar. we ordered from their martini menu and others with us drank the wine we brought (corking fee). we had soups and salads to start - crab bisque for me, but I tried the salads too and they were phenomenal too. Sometimes I crave a salad and so many restaurants fall short. anyway, dinner was excellent all around, we all had seafood (most of the menu is fish) not one of our party of 5 was dissatisfied, my father in law lived in New Orleans for years and he was totally impressed. the only down side was it was noisy, a little too noisy for conversation amongst a group and there was a man playing guitar, but it was really just one very long continuous song. in short, definitely make a reservation, try something new and bring a jacket - they keep the front door open and some seats are right in front of it. they also do catering and discounts for west chester U students
(5)
Melanie T.
Does anyone know if they are still BYOB??????
(5)
Sally f.
incredible food. im so excited i got to try alligator! and it was fantastic! the bisque soup was also a highlight. service was a little slow but we didnt mind too much. our server was very nice. live music was a plus. although it was a bit cramped and the chairs werent too nice. but we left very full and very happy. we actually wished we had split an entree because they were huge.
(4)
Christopher P.
I've gone to High Street Cafe, now known as the Vudu Lounge, about 10 times over the past 7 years and the food is generally excellent. If you are an oyster fan, definitely get the fried oyster appetizer (they use fresh oysters). If it is still on the menu, stay away from the Hanger steak, which was much too fatty when I had it during my last visit. Anticipating a "hanger steak is supposed to be fatty" comment, the steak did not have edible texture for a hanger steak, which suggested too little marinating and improper grilling technique.
(4)
Cate W.
High Street Cafe is one of my favorite restaurants in West Chester. The food has been consistently great over the many years of my patronage, and the servers are really on top of their game. They have recently gotten their liquor license and have a variety of fun cocktails, but you can still bring in your own wine. I would always recommend High Street Cafe to friends!
(5)
Bob A.
Our family has held all of our annual celebrations at High Street for the past 3 years. The past few times we have noticed that the establishment has strayed off-mark. Service has become unbearable (it had always been relaxed, but almost a 25 minutes for drink refills, 1.5 hours for our meal, and another 30 minutes for our check after we refused desert) and after concluding our Mother's Day dinner with a slightly heated conversation with the owner I will make sure to not only share how disappointed we were, but to also make you aware of how arrogant the owner of this place really is. It was Mother's Day and like every other Mother's Day for the past three years it was assumed where we would go. Only this time it was with a slight hesitation. Our last trip to High Street Cafe a few months back was very disappointing, from the messed up reservation, the poor service and the guitar player who insisted on playing one notch higher than anyone trying to enjoy a conversation with their party. As familiar this place has become to our typical family gatherings, we said nothing and just felt it was an off night for everyone. So feeling that our last trip was just an off-night we decided to move forward with our plans for Mother's Day.Upon arriving, we were greeted at the door by an employee. I told them my name and than was told our table was right in front of us, in the middle of the restaurant, as you first walked into the door. Because of our last issue with the sound and my family unable to hear each other I made sure over the phone for the reservations that we would receive a table along the wall. I explained why and explained the importance of this seating arrangement. The person over the phone went a step further to say, "Well how about I put you on one of the side tables in front of the window?" I agreed and ended our conversation. When I brought this up to the employee she said in a very ignorant tone, "Well that's not going to happen! Those tables just sat down." We waited for about twenty minutes and finally got a table along the side. Hoping to keep our mom happy we kindly thanked them for accommodating us and hope to move on from this little episode. From this point is where everything really went downhill. It took over twenty minutes to even get a drink list, than another twenty minutes to get our drinks ordered. By the time we got our appetizers ordered our drinks were half gone and by the time we received them they were basically empty. We waited a little more than twenty minutes for the server to even come over to ask if we needed refills. By now the appetizers were gone. We finally got our refills and about 30 minutes later our food finally came out. My mom's jambalaya was cold. It was cold to the touch and taste. When we told our server she said, "Well I can take it back and warm it up real fast." When you pay 23 dollars for a plate of rice and chicken, the last thing you want is for it to be "nuked". We continued to have issues with things all night and asked to speak to the owner who because of the size of his establishment serves as the manager. After we received our check and the server swipe the card we decided to ask when the owner would be over. We were told he is busy and would be right out. We knew that he was simply hiding behind the bar wall waiting for us to leave. As we got up to leave my father and I decided to approach him and question our importance as satisfied customers. His response was the most ridiculous thing I had ever heard. He told us well we don't understand things. He just got back Cuba where he "threw little poor kids guitar strings and money because that's the type of person I am." and "they just appreciate to get food on their plates" and "You wouldn't understand since you wouldn't be able to go there." I responded with that has nothing to do with how horrible everything was and your lack of concern for our situation. He continued to ramble on with cocky and arrogant comments telling us that we should just be happy that he allowed us to eat in his establishment because we are not as worthy of humans as he is, and we as part of the normal crowd don't deserve good service or fresh food. I kid you not; he really spoke of himself so highly. Finally after all of his insults my dad decided to throw an insult his way by saying, "The food sucked!" He got so mad that my dad had the nerve to criticize his food after he had no problem with attacking our characters and labeling us as "not good enough". This is where the conversation escalated to the point where we said "Thank you and we will never be back" and left. It was now after ten. It took three whole hours for appetizers and dinner. This man needs to be brought back to earth and shown he is as human as any of us. I understand that many of you may go and enjoy your time, but just remember about how the owner views you, and that is that you are lucky to have the privilege to dine in his establishment. I could have a
(1)
Andrew M.
Even though I think it's expensive the food is amazing. Only annoying thing is from time to time when you call and ask a question the answers you get depend on the person who answers.
(4)
Angela B.
First time visiting High Street Caffe and I must say that I was blown away! As a West Chester University Graduate I remember walking past this spot time and time again but finally decided to give it a chance after reading the reviews. My mom and I shared the Alligator Sausage and Fried Crawfish tail appetizers and they were GREAT!! For our meals she had a Salmon special with mashed potatoes and green beans while I had the Chicken and Shrimp Alfredo. The meal was delicious! I had a good portion to take home with me while my mom ate all her food in delight. I would definetly visit again! I would go on Tuesday when I can participate in the 5 course meal for $35 and bring my on wine.
(4)
Lauren K.
So delicious! One of WC's top 3 for sure. I love the hangar steak, the ahi tuna, perogies, flatbreads, flourless chocolate torte, bananas foster... I come here for every special occasion or celebration I can think up. The prix fixe is a great deal if you want to eat out on a week night. This place really considers and cares for their guests. LOVE IT!
(5)
Tom W.
Great food and live music in the heart of West Chester. Have eaten here numerous times, food is always excellent, wait staff is polite and responsive, and it's byob on Sundays. Could you ask for more?
(5)
Scott B.
I am not sure where to begin. If you haven't been here, you really don't know what you are missing! High Street Cafe has the most unique menu selections guaranteed to delight most cajun/creole fans. With the addition of the most imaginative drink menu in town the High Street Caffe is perfect for the stop in casual drink, fun dinner experience or late night drinks with friends. I must say that I have rarely ordered from the regular dinner menu, except the appetizers, since every night the specials are always a treat. It is a must to save room for the bananas foster dessert, enough to satisfy a table of four!
(5)
Amanda N.
Awesome beer selection. the flatbreads are delicious and a great choice if you want a more inexpensive dish. My favorite is the chicken jambalaya flatbread. We love our waitress here!
(5)
Steve B.
Everyone has that sweatshirt in their closet that is the most comfortable article of clothing they own. Sure, it has a small hole in the back and it never gets the attention it deserves coming out of the wash, but you put it on and you just remember how awesome it is. I just realized following dinner last night at High Street Caffe that I haven't written a review yet for it - HSC is my culinary sweatshirt. Simply put, if you have not been here yet, live in the West Chester area, and prefer food over pretense... This should be your next OpenTable signup. This is not a place you find by the exterior signage and look. Its in an unassuming corner store across the street from a Burger King parking lot. This place gets its crowds from word of mouth, not by random driveby. Once you walk in, however, you are transported to a New Orleans bar. The lighting is dim, just as previous posters said. Its decked in blacks and purples, which also adds to the darkness somewhat. Most of the lighting in the restaurant comes from wall sconces and a TV at the bar (while it was not playing sound, it may have distracted me; If you are here for a romantic meal I'd recommend sitting with your back to it). The music was perfect as far as volume goes: Loud enough to filter out table's conversations nearby, but soft enough you could hold a normal conversation at your table. But hey, like I said in paragraph one, we're not here for pretense. Our last visit was on Valentine's Day, and they had a special menu. I had the gumbo as an appetizer, which is on the regular menu. Absolutely fantastic. The broth (and I use that term loosely, it has actual texture) melded with the vegetables, chicken, and andouille sausage wonderfully. It took a little bit to come out, but when it did it was still hot; Therefore, the delay was due to the V-Day crowd, not inattention by the chef or server IMHO. For my entree, I has the Country Jambalaya; I've had their regular jambalaya and that's fantastic in its own right. This jambalaya replaces the shrimp with short rib and their fantastic vudu pork. I'm calling meat-and-rice heaven in the middle of Chester County, people. Enough spice that you know where it comes from, but not so much you're reaching for a beverage after each bite. Portions are big, but not embarrassingly so. As previous reviewers have said... If you haven't had their bananas foster, that is the way to go as a High Street neophyte. I decided to try the Double-Chocolate Bread Pudding, knowing as I went in that I would be jealous of my wife's lack of variety (she took the foster). I'm happy to say that my jealousy was only slight - The warm bread pudding was fantastic. The chocolate was semi-sweet, so it wasn't overly sugary when added with the vanilla ice cream that came along with it. For anyone wanting to try something other than the bananas foster, your homework assignment is to try the wildflower honey and marscapone cheesecake; This was almost my dessert, and looked fantastic as it went to another table. Also, and this is worth noting: What they actually ran out of was tiramisu. Now, I love coffee-soaked lady fingers and marscapone as much as anyone, but I wouldn't have thought italian dessert with cajun. However, you don't run out if its bad, so that may be worth your attention. Simply put, High Street Caffe is worth your time and dollar for food that will take you to New Orleans without breaking the bank getting there.
(5)
Martin B.
High street cafe is a great lunch option in WC. The creole style food is excellent!
(3)
Jaime H.
This place is now called Vudu Cafe and Lounge. I dined here on a Saturday night with 5 friends. We were seated promptly as we had a reservation prior to the dinner rush. Kevin was our server and he was very knowledgeable and offered great suggestions. The menu offers several enticing dishes, and it was hard for us to decide. A good problem to have. We did drinks, appetizers and entrees. They provide you with bread and some cajuny butter that is quite delightful. The appetizers our group had were the stuffed mushroom (crab cake on top of a grilled portobello - yumz), fiery shrimp (sneaky hotness, loved by all), and blackened scallops. Three of us had the shrimp and crawfish etouffee in a peanut roux with the holy trinity. Another had blackened shrimp, scallops and rice, and another entree was the alligator sausage and boar with mashed potatoes and asparagus. The food was really good. The mashed potatoes were the only thing that struck me as better than good. I wasn't wow-ed by anything in particular, but it was good. And even though I had the Panty Dropper cocktail (sorry, Mom), I keep describing the food as 'good.' Good? Good. I do believe they are a bit overpriced, and the decor reminds me of high school prom. The tables are what my friend described as 'tailgating tables' covered by purple table clothes. I can get over the decor, and enjoy the good food, but what really bothered our group was the vulture-esque attention from the staff when it came to clearing plates and urging us to 'box' our food (not our server, Kevin). They were all too eager to move us on out the door. I cannot count the times we had to explain that we were still working on our appetizers and entrees - good food, good drink, and great company are not to be rushed. I was literally three bites into my entree the first time I was asked if I wanted to box my food. No joke. They had our table of 6 in and out the door in less than an hour. Really.
(3)
Brenda W.
The blackened alligator bites appetizer was a bit disappointing; very small pieces of gator. It was tasty though. Calamari was good, but not outstanding. The restaurant is very cramped; I was constantly jostled by waitresses and the people at the table behind us whenever they stood up. The icebreaker drink was quite tasty, but overpriced at $10. We were in West Chester, not the city. I had the shrimp and crawfish etouffee, which was quite good, and a large enough serving that I had leftovers. Plenty of shrimp and crawfish in it. The hangar steak was surprisingly good, nice and tender with a complementary blue cheese topping. The gumbo was great; nice and flavorful and a bit spicy. The jambalaya was good, but a bit too similar to the gumbo in taste, which is typical. The Pecan Chicken & Shrimp Bourbon Orleans was a nice change from the flavors of everything else. Overall, a bit pricey and crowded, but I would go back.
(4)
J S.
Service was questionable, long wait even though tables were open. Food came out half hot half cold. probably wouldn't come back
(2)
Jean C.
This place is a gem in West Chester. It's a lot different then the other restaurants in West Chester which is perfect. Great scenery and it is definitely an older crowd. Went here on a date a few weeks ago and have to give this place a 4/5. For our appetizer we ordered the vudu shrimp and the calamari. BEWARE OF THE VUDU SHRIMP. IT IS SO SPICY. I love spicy and I understand the concept of cajin food having a little kick to it. But oh man.... these shrimps were out of the world spicy. It came on top of a bed of rice and also alot of sour cream. I'm pretty sure they accompany this dish with sour cream because of the spice level of the shrimp. So delicious but SO hot. For entrees we ordered the jambalaya with chicken and the fettuccine Alfredo jambalaya. The jambalaya was the BEST jambalaya I have ever had. High Street Caffe is a must try if you are in the area. Will 100% be returning.
(4)
Sharda D.
Amazing as usual although I was slightly disappointed that the duck wasn't on the menu - hopefully next time nevertheless, always an awesome meal
(5)
Matthew F.
Ok, first things first. I was really looking forward to this place. Maybe there in lies the disappointing two stars. West Chester is about a 45 minute drive for us. On the good side, it was easy to find, the place has a cool vibe, the ceviche was very good, the service was great. So why only two stars? Two of the three entres were just ok. Nothing special. With all the good I mentioned, and a great beer selection I will be back to give the food another try. With some drinks the bill was $140 plus tip. Hope this helps. Here's what we had: Ceviche - loved it. Should have gotten two of them. Cajun popcorn - ok, lie calamari Jambalaya (standard) Iwas really hoping this would have been special. Maybe next time ill try one there other jambalayas. Chicken Cuza - again, just ok. Pecan chicken and shrimp- this was the stand out of the three. If all three entrees were this special it would have been an easy five star recommendation.
(2)
Jess R.
I went here for lunch and the place was empty. There were two waitresses working and we had the only table. The food was delicious. The service, however, was terrible. Our waitress didn't introduce herself, she just said 'are you ready?' it also took a really long time to get our food, and we had simple meals, (soup and salad). Eventually the waitress brought two of our meals and my salad didn't come for another five minutes. Like I said, the food here is great, but the service was so slow and frustrating that I will not return.
(2)
Joanne M.
Reservations are needed especially on the weekends. We waited a bit but it was worth it. The food is delish... try the chicken and waffles SO good!
(4)
Kit-N-Debbie W.
It's hard to give a 5 star because every aspect of your experience should be perfect. We are long time customers of Vudu Lounge/High Street Caffe. Virtually have never had a bad meal, great environment, feels like you are in New Orleans. The staff is awesome. The owner, Donny Syracuse, who bartends much of the time, is a local celebrity for his musical accomplishments, not to mention his unbelievable personality. The reason for this 5 star Yelp is his new part time bartender, Erin. She is something special. Can you imagine while we were deep in conversation with our second martini being about halfway done, she asked if we wanted them reshaken. Now that's service.
(5)
Zoe S.
4 of us recently visited High Street Caffe with high expectations, and they were definitely met! The food was delicious, drinks were great, and service was friendly. We started off with the coconut beer battered shrimp which were excellent. Our table also enjoyed the chicken etouffee, chicken & shrimp jambalaya, goat cheese salad, and chicken cuza. All were delicious--the jambalaya and etoufee were highlights. I just wish the lighting had been a little better--my parents had a difficult time reading the menu; the room was also pretty loud.
(4)
TK W.
Love the decor and live Jazz. Food was ok. They have private parking lot at the back.
(3)
Lazlo K.
The High Street Caffe is one of my all-time favorite places to eat in WC. True hidden gem for those of you who are seeking a special suprise. It's not on the "Strip" in WC, so you have to look for it. the Menu is KILLER - I hear it was designed by Dan Funk, the chef that used to own the New Orleans Cafe in Media/Delco. The owner is an older fella, straigh outa the 80s - very cool dude. Love the vibe here.
(5)
Jenna L.
Good Cajun food but REALLY heavy as to be expected. The Seafood bisque is excellent - you have to get it. The Jambalaya is okay - it has so much sauce that it's hard to taste the food. The chicken creole looked really good. The bananas foster was awesome. The prix fixe menu for $30 was a really good deal. The ambiance is cool, you definitely feel like you are in New Orleans and the service was really good.
(4)
Jenna C.
I stand corrected - While High Street used to be closed on Mondays last summer, it is now open on Mondays. Happy day! More chances to enjoy the fabulous-ness that is High Street Caffe.
(5)
Jay N.
Being Cajun myself, hailing from Lafayette, LA, it was a no-brainer for a friend of mine to bring me here recently to try the food. I'm no professional food critic of course but like almost all non-Cajun 'Cajun' restaurants, (i.e. those outside of Acadiana, Louisiana) High Street misses the mark on extremely flavorful Cajun cuisine. I don't blame them however; I found the food to be a great substitute for the real thing. Portions are generous and they have Cajun favorites such as chicken, crawfish or shrimp etouffe', though the crawfish were a bit tough and no doubt Chinese crawfish. (there is a distinct difference between domestic/Louisiana-grown crawfish tail meat and its Chinese counterpart; the domestic generally tasting fresher, less tough and less like its been frozen for a long period of time). On a very quiet Saturday night in West Chester, this place was hopping, a testament to the owner and his choice of opening a Cajun restaurant in the most yankee of locations. The ambiance was okay though the place is a bit crowded, an obvious attempt is made to get as many folks into the main dining area as possible with the result giving the feel of a cafeteria setting as opposed to a quaint, boutique cafe. High marks for the food, good marks for the service and a bit lower on the atmosphere and feel. I'd definitely recommend it if you're in the mood for Cajun-esque food; but please, try to visit south Louisiana at least once in your life for the real thing!
(5)
Michael F.
If you are looking for authentic cajun/creole, I would not call High Street Caffe your destination. Having been to New Orleans many times, and having tried to reproduce my own favorites (red beans n rice, jambalaya) I was hoping High Street Caffe would bring back some memories of my trips. This is not the case. The food might be better described as West Chester Continental with a Cajun/Creole twist. On one visit, I had a seafood Po Boy. Is was a real mess. Open face, so much "sauce" it was impossible to eat it the conventional way. I would have appreciated a better description or warning from my waiter before ordering it. I left dreaming of a Mother's Shrimp Po Boy, which this was far from. So, you'll wind up getting a fun cajun/creole inspired meal here, but just don't expect to think you are in New Orleans at any point. Two stars might be tough, but I've never been the same since that messy "Po Boy".
One of the best places in West Chester. I have been there dozens of times now and every meal has been quality. Wednesday nights are a perfect time to go. Great food and Jazz.
(4)
Jeff C.
Great food and great decor! The food is very flavorful and there is a good selection of creative dishes. I would recommend the voodoo shrimp, blacked alligator, Cajun popcorn, county jambalaya, or any of there specials! Somewhat mild for a cajun restaurant, but just ask for some hot sauce to add the kick it needs. Bottom line- I would and do return and would recommend it to friends.
(4)
Kate D.
I LOVE High Street! Been coming here for a few years and I still get really excited when we decide to go! The spicy flavors are enough to raise your eyebrow, but not overwhelming. And the chef will customize your dish to your preferred degree of heat. One visit, my hubby was having a difficult time deciding between two entrees so the waiter disappeared and returned to tell us "the chef will take care of it." As our food was brought to us, the chef had created a personalized dish for hubby that incorporated the flavors and meats of both main dishes. It was exciting, and really amazing. Great personal touch. My favorite is the pecan bourbon chicken and shrimp in a Cajun cream sauce - and I can't leave until I have dessert. Donny knows how do end a meal right. Yeah bananas foster!!!
(5)
Geoff G.
JAMBALAYA! I tried their 'catfish imperiale' or something like that...a nice grilled catfish with jumbo lump crab on top, delicious. Over the past few years we go at least annually for a Cajun refresher. I think it's more a cajun restaurant than one pretending to be. Good flavor / never had a bad meal there. Nice menu / reliable favorites Parking can be a pain
(4)
Elizabeth D.
Kitschy New Orleans style decor, crowded bar, very lively crowd. The beer list is great but a little pricey. Our party enjoyed the jambalaya, Etouffee, Chicken Cuva, Voodoo Shrimp, Gumbo, and Grilled Portabello Salad. The portions here are huge - I had enough for lunch the next day! It's a fun spot for dinner, but be prepared to wait on a weekend. Parking can be interesting, but the side streets are usually pretty empty.
(4)
Izzat A.
Saw the Yelp reviews and stopped by. I wasn't expecting to have one of the best sandwiches of my life in West Chester, PA but that is exactly what happened. I got the crab cake sandwich and it was out of this world amazing. The Voodoo sauce that I requested was just the perfect thing to put on here. I can handle my spice but this sauce had some serious kick to it. The cajun fries were home made and pretty good too. Service was super friendly and to top it all of, the meal was $9! How can you possibly beat that? Absolutely awesome place.
(5)
Jenna B.
I'm originally from Florida and have had trouble finding a place with gator tail -- This place actually has it!! AND --- ITS AMAZING!! I love everything they have to offer. Great drinks and fantastic food with a kick! If you haven't checked this place out yet, you need to. I promise, you wont regret it
(5)
Pat J.
The girlfriend and I came here last Thursday for dinner. I don't live too far so I wish I had known about this place earlier. Had no problem getting a table without a reservation. I forget the waiter's name but he was cool and attentive even though it seemed like he had a lot of tables. Huuuuge beer list with all the crafts you could imagine. I need to find the recipe for the cajun bread and butter. Stuff's delicious, could eat ten pounds of it. I started off with the blackened alligator. Comes drizzled with creole honey mustard. My God, unbelievably good. For entrees, girlfriend had Etoufee with chicken and I had some sort of linguine with shrimp, crawfish, and calamari. Amazing. Portions are huge too so I had the rest for lunch the next day. Definitely coming back here very soon.
(5)
James J.
My wife wanted to try this place, we walked in early just as they were opening and we were immediately greeted by a hostess with a very pleasant demeanor. She escorted us to the bar even though it was only a few feet and made us feel very welcome. The bartender came out and it was possible that she was even more pleasant. She gave us a list of drinks that was incredibly long and detailed, if you're looking for mainstream beer you're not going to find it bit you will find everything else. The bartender was outstanding at her job she never seemed to rush nor be slow. The same great hostess escorted us to a table of our choice where our server and first male employee came to introduce himself. This man was the epitome of professionalism. He was very warm and welcoming. The bread came next, it was well spiced and amazing. The food was high prices but the portions and flavor were outstanding. The food is spicy (it is Creole) but every bite was delicious. The place itself was very calm considering it was in a college town. I spent more than I usually like to but got much more than my money's worth.
(5)
Tom E.
I love everything about New Orleans,but I especially love the food. So I was thrilled to hear there was a West Chester Restaurant cooking "creole fusion" not far from the college. I decided to join a dinner event our group was having last night to visit the Vudu/High Street Cafe and sample the delights offered by this well reviewed spot. Happy hour was pretty good. Had a nice micro-brewed lager beer for $3 ( so thankful it wasn't Yuengling) from a nice selection of draft beers. Enjoyed a bowl of their shrimp,pulled pork and andouille sausage gumbo for $5. The soup was great with a nice dark roux and was delicious with an authentic,slow cooked gumbo taste. We then moved to our table for dinner and here is where things began to go downhill as far as service. Took some time for our waitress to take our order. I did not do the Price Fixe Menu,however, my girlfriend decided to go that route. She ordered the calamari as her first course ( way too salty), the chicken and shrimp jambalaya for her second course ( a huge portion over rice that she enjoyed) and key lime pie as desert. All that for $35. I had voodoo shrimp as an appetizer (it was smoking hot but its supposed to be). It was good but nowhere near as amazing as Dickey B's famous version in NOLA. I also had the shrimp and chicken jambalaya which I also thought was just OK. If you want a better version in this area head down to the closest thing I ever found to New Orleans at Cajun Kates at the Booth Farmers Market in Glen Mills. Service was extremely disappointing. There were numerous times our waitress was nowhere to be found (smoke breaks?) I got my check before I got my coffee. We never were offered bread with their famous cajun butter. I didn't know they had bread until we were leaving. I liked the ambiance of the restuarant-very cool vibe.
(3)
Bruce K.
What an interesting little find, thanks to the Yelp Talk threads who mentioned this hidden gem. Cajun, with a big NOLA vibe to the place. I loved the very long beer list and managed to find a couple that I'd not seen before. Good stuff. I opted to skip the appetizer and go right to the main course. Jambalaya, with added shrimp and crawfish. Very tasty and a little spicy, with a good amount of shellfish in there and lots of rings of squid, I believe. A good sized portion, I ended up only managing to eat half of it. And while the dessert list looked good, nothing jumped out and said eat me. Consider bringing a small flashlight or the light app on your phone. It's dark in there! Street parking.
(4)
Nicole S.
I decided to try this place after driving by it every day to work. The first time was for my birthday with a friend so I made reservations since it was a friday night I ordered the Cajun popcorn thinking it would be a good starter and my friend had the coconut shrimp. We were in for a surprise when the portions came out so large. We didn't even have to order a main dish. The honey mustard sauce they use for the crawfish is simply what makes it! The second time I came was on a nice date with my boyfriend and this place didn't disappoint! We got the popcorn again and my boyfriend said that was the best part of the meal. This time I saved up room for the entree and ordered the voo doo fra Diablo. Now I have never had southern New Orleans inspired dishes before but this was out of this world. So many flavors and I had plenty to take home! Atmosphere wise the crowd was a lot older than us but sometimes it's nice to get away from the college town feel (neither of us go to WC). It's a little close quarters but dark enough to not feel like there's people all around. Good beer selection is always a nice plus!
(5)
D K.
Perhaps I came on an off day....I hadn't been to High Street Cafe in years. In the past, it was always excellent. Went for lunch (Last week of July 2015), ordered chicken etoufee. I always love this dish, but unfortunately not this time. The chicken was very rubbery and tasteless. I tried several pieces of the chicken, it was all the same-unfortunately not good. The saucy rice of the etoufee was ok, but I have had better (even there!). Though hungry, I could not eat the dish, the chicken turned me off. Again, perhaps it was an off day. The service was slow (took 40 min to receive dish after ordering at a late lunch time), but the server was friendly. Sadly, disappointing.
(2)
Carolyn H.
Cajun at it's best in West Chester! I have been here several times and never been disappointed. Food - From the start the complimentary table bread with their special cajun butter is original and tasty. The Voodoo Fra Diablo and Cashew Chicken & Shrimp Bourbon Orleans are must try entrees - original house recipes with perfect spice and flavor! Also of note the jambalaya salad, smoked alligator sausage and calamari with mango chili sauce. Portions are plentiful. You won't leave hungry. Service - I've always had good service here. The staff is friendly, attentive and knowledgeable about the menu. Order turnaround is usually quick, even on weekends. Price - Entrees are worth every penny! Great for special occasions. Parking - They have limited parking on the side of their building (by Burger King). Street parking is free at night.
Simply Amazing!!! Having booked a trip later this fall to NOLA, we decided to look for a restaurant to help get us in the mood. Who would have known that it exists in our town! It was amazing, from the craw fish app to the jambalaya main course. It was really incredible. Don't wait as long as we did to try this place. We will be back soon and often!
Never disappoints! I've been here several times and it is always delicious. I ordered the Catfish and it was amazing! A must-stop place if you're in West Chester
(5)
Derek T.
A fun place with lots of energy, great for drinks or hanging out. But really tight for dinner. The dining area is jammed and really awkward to get around when you first are seated and if you need to get up to use the restroom. Since its a jammed dining area, the noise levels are really high as well. A dinner conversation is strained to hear the other members in your party. The food, is OK. Not over the top "Oh My God" I have to have that Cajun food. But it is good Cajun and if you are looking to appease your need for blackened or rue then High Street Caffe is the place. The food is a bit pricey for what you get but it's in the range of other West Chester restaurants. If you have never been to New Orleans then this is likely a 4-star restaurant, but I'm biased as I have been and this is close but not quite there for me. I will be giving the restaurant another try and I am hopeful they have improved since my last foray.
(3)
Ainsley A.
Foodies and newbies alike can frolic to this festive restaurant to channel their inner southern hospitality they never knew they had. By mixing traditional cajun cuisine with new wave southern, owner Don Syracuse creates a menu that appeals to every taste bud. The assortment of appetizers and entrees will leave you not only full, but will satiate your Fat Tuesday craving. If you are not familiar with Nahlin's (New Orleans) cuisine, this is the perfect introduction. The seafood specialties are terrific and fresh, like the Drunken PEI Mussels with Andouille Sausage or the Etoufee with your choice of crawfish, shrimp, scallops or chicken. Don also customizes his dishes to create new wave cajun like their flatbread complete with Alligator sausage, creole sauce and goat cheese. This restaurant is definitely one to adventure to if you are in West Chester. Mardi Gras is everyday at High Street Caffe and Vudu Lounge. Party on!
(4)
Bob M.
I do enjoy Cajun food, unfortunately the pickings in this area are rather slim. That being said I really enjoyed my meal at High Street. It's a very casual place with excellent food. I had the Voodoo Shrimp, loved the heat and the Country Jambalaya which was excellent as well. GF had the Ahi-Tuna which she very much enjoyed. I am not a Banana eater so I passed on the Banana's Foster but the Chocolate Bread Pudding was a winner.
(5)
Jessica K.
High Street is by far my favorite restaurant in West Chester. And dare I say ... maybe even ever! The service is always friendly, quick and knows their stuff. This is a great help when it comes to selections. The creole flavors are amazing, anything blackened is by far my favorite. From the ahi tuna to blackened chicken, scallops and shrimp to the lobster ravioli - it's all just as good as the next. Two things not to skip: wine list, appetizers & dessert. It may sound weird, but the alligator sausage is amazing. As is the wildflower marscapone cheesecake. To. Die. For. I recommend it to anyone that lives in or is traveling to West Chester. One thing to note: it is small and kind of cramped. To me, it adds to the experience but I know a lot of people do not like that. Be sure to make a reservation or you'll never get a table. Lastly, I believe during the week it's even BYO a few nights! Big plus.
(5)
Austin U.
It's a little bit of a mission to get to from Newark, Delaware. Took the scenic route cuz we missed our exit. The ambience here is great, jazzy like, lots of culture. The food is Amazing!
(4)
Hue K.
3.5 stars Food was excellent! - Complimentary bread: It was OK.. Unlike other yelpers said, bread or butter wasn't that great to be honest.. - Voodoo shrimp: This was over the top hot/spicy. I can handle very spicy food pretty well but after this voodoo shrimp, I was afraid of eating anything spicy for a while. I don't recommend this unless you can eat a handful of thai pepper or jalapeno. - Vegan Etouffe: This was made by request. We asked for something vegan and the chef created vegan Etouffe. It was delicious!! It tastes like very flavorful thai curry. - Pecan shrimp bourbon orleans over rice: This was creamy but very flavorful. I really liked this dish. I didn't want chicken so the chef made it with just shrimp. - Banana foster: This was one of the best banana foster I've had. Caramel was perfectly sweet and blended well with banana. Highly recommended. The restaurant is small and kinda dark. Only two servers were working in the entire restaurant to take the order, deliver food and take care of the bill. so even if there were some runners helping with refilling water and clearing up plates, it lacks the efficiency and attention.
This might be my favorite restaurant in West Chester. I've been here three times and each time the food was amazing and the service was great. The atmosphere is so much fun. I highly recommend High Street Caffe besides being delicious it's different from any other place around.
(4)
Yasmin C.
Relaxed, bar-like atmosphere with friendly service and food that was good, but not great. I was a bit surprised at how casual this place was, given the type of food, but I rolled with it. My husband and I had made a last-minute reservation and popped in on a weeknight for some hot comfort food. The gumbo was warm and satisfying, though almost too thick/creamy for my liking. We also enjoyed an order of alligator sausage, which I found savory and delicious. Probably my fave part of the meal! As for my cajun seafood linguine entree, it was just okay. No flavors really stood out, and the seafood was not necessarily mind-blowing (though my standards are maybe a bit high coming from San Diego). For dessert, it was a bananas foster that leaned toward the overly syrupy side. Weird, because everyone else seems to be raving about it. I left feeling neutral though a bit surprised at the many great reviews of this place. I'm no expert on Cajun/Creole but feel that I've easily had better at restaurants in California and for less money. Perhaps it was an off night??
(3)
Heather L.
We were really disappointed. We have enjoyed Cajun cuisine at Crawdaddy's (before it closed!) and Cajun Kate's. This food was expensive but much poorer in quality. The seafood jambalaya did not blend well as a cohesive dish. The voodoo fra diabolo had no spice to it. The smoked alligator sausage was mediocre. The homemade bread did not taste fresh and the cajun-spice butter had less flavor to it than regular salted butter. We also ordered a ginger-pear puree martini that we had to send back (twice!) because we could only taste the vodka. We never send food back and we write mostly positive reviews, so this is a really unusual review for us.
(2)
Scott K.
Decor is nice. Service is nice. Food is rather boring. Prices are pretty high for entrees. Even if the prices were reduced it isn't worth coming here for the food. Go here for drinks but eat elsewhere.
(2)
Braden B.
Feel like I am back in New Orleans. A staple in West Chester. Great food, service and atmosphere. Every dish that I have ever had at this place is good. Since they added a Bar a few years ago it's made the space even tighter but it just adds to the charm.
(5)
Thomas S.
Had heard about this little Cajun place in West Chester and decided to give it a try as it was halfway between for my dinner partner and me. Had reservations for 6:30 on a recent Thursday night and it wasn't at all crowded. Could see how it might be noisy when full. Service very good, food exceptional. Alligator sausage fantastic and the calamari the best ever. Cajun lobster ravioli worth a trip by itself. Will definitely go back. Maybe later in the evening for some live music. Also, noted some nights early in the week are BYOB.
(4)
Biff P.
It's called Vudu Lounge now Nice food. Decor is a little cheap, but the food is worth it.
(4)
Cory S.
Love the atmosphere and the food is even better. Went with a large group and everyone enjoyed the Dumplings. Salmon BLT was a great combo and the salmon was done perfectly. Most of our party went Jambalaya and everyone enjoyed
(5)
M. M.
The Cajun food here is a decent four-star taste experience especially if you're in the local area. Not sure if I'd do a long drive just to eat here; if you do, make a reservation because this is a little place and it fills up. It's refreshingly short on attitude though - when we showed up casually dressed in the middle of a crowded weekend dinner hour, we were shown immediately to one of the couple of tables available. Although this is a tiny room with small tables, the noise level was not oppressive - believe me, I've heard worse - so I figured all the wood and hangy-danglys in the place absorbed some of it. The decor is sort of like a gypsy's decorated shack in the swamp (complete with fake alligator), more funky than fancy. Food is Cajun fusion, with some spicy items but also many sweet flavors and not-so-spicy things available. I went for the less spicy and had a crab stuffed mushroom appetizer and a slightly blackened salmon entree. Husband went for the more spicy and got jambalaya and bisque. The house bread is a heavy homemade loaf with a slightly spicy butter. Everything tasted very good and the portions were huge, to the point where the plates barely fit on our tiny table. Minor nits - my stuffed mushroom had such a huge, albeit tasty, crab cake sitting on it that the blackened, thin portabella underneath was almost non-existent/ buried, and the salmon entree was served with the vegetable sides completely covering the salmon - fried green tomatoes on top and the whipped corn and peppers on the side. Not sure why you would want to completely hide main elements of the meal when presenting the plate, though it was easy enough to rearrange the food, and it certainly didn't affect how tasty it was. The servers (likely students from the local college) were pleasant and enthusiastic, although not quite as pro as you'd expect for a pricey place - setting an entree plate down with it leaning partly on an appetizer plate at an angle, taking an initial drink order and then coming back to take the food order without bringing the drinks, interrupting a deep moment of conversation with a sudden appearance and "How's everything?" and having conversations between themselves about work, etc. where customers could hear. They did an OK job, but when the entrees are 25-30 dollars a pop you expect a little more. A word about parking: if you are local you know this, but be very careful about parking anyplace that's labeled as "permit parking" or is not specifically labeled as parking for High Street Caffe. The business shares a lot with another restaurant and the lot is not very big. There is also street parking but during certain hours (excludes weekends and late evenings) it is permit only and West Chester is ticket happy. I would eat here again but would prefer going for lunch as the value for money is a little better. The dinner bill for the two of us each having an appetizer, entree and beer (no dessert) came to about 100 dollars with tip. They have a prix fixe menu and certain nights are BYO with a "corkage fee", if you're into that.
(4)
Bonnie P.
The wait staff was exceptionally gracious. The flavors of the dishes chosen, Coconut shrimp, blackened chicken tacos and the Voodoo Crawfish blended into a lunch to die for! We drove over 80 miles to once again enjoy the atmosphere and fusion cuisine of the High Street Cafe!
(5)
Stephanie G.
Pecan Chicken Bourbon Orleans was fantastic! Great sauce and chicken and shrimp. Crawfish Etouffe and Blackened Scallops and Dirty Rice were enjoyed as well. Great beer and wine selection. Will return!
Good gumbo and fantastic crawfish jambalaya. Plenty of nice menu options and they also offered about 8 lunch specials. Our order was taken right away and the food came out quickly. The staff was very friendly and drinks were kept filled throughout the meal. Prices were very reasonable. Glad I finally tried here and I will be back again.
(4)
Kerri L.
The food was yummy - but I don't know if that excuses the poor service. We waited 1.5 hrs - and it just seemed so disorganized. Ambiance was ok (3 stars) and I'd definitely go back if it was during an OFF time with no wait. Was it worth waiting around for? NO. And I'm a person who has no problem waiting 1.5 hrs in line at Mama's in SF for breakfast... but this place doesn't come close.
(3)
Magali T.
Dissapointing! I came back to this restaurant after a 3 year absence and I feel like the food is nowhere near as good as I recalled. I ordered the Chicken Cuza and basically got all of 2oz of chicken, if that, in 10lbs of penne. I had to hunt for the little squares of chicken and this greasy bowl of carb overload. Super disappointing. They serve a mean martini however, huge kudos to the bar tender. Don't bother coming for the food or the cramped room but do come for a happy hour!
(2)
Peter B.
I had heard a lot good things about HSC, so I went there with high expectations. Unfortunately, the hype was more than what was delivered. I ordered Chicken etouffie, and I am not sure what happened in translation, but what I had was not even close what I was used to. My meal was not that great and overpriced.
(2)
Eileen K.
I ordered blackened scallop , shrimp and chicken, the seafood was delicious the chicken was shoe leather. We will try it again, another chance. Service was very good.
(3)
Roseanne F.
Are all you four and five star-ers HIGH? Friends of the owners? In West Chester for dinner a couple of weeks ago, I found this place on Yelp. I was excited about the cuisine, but woe was me. When we walked in, we were greeted with indifference. My "spicy" bloody mary was tomato juice and vodka, no spice, no fun, no garnishes, no nothing. Should have been my first clue. A cajun place with bland bloody marys? Especially since it looked like primarily a bar. The food was utterly bland and forgettable. And the young staff seemingly could not wait to get rid of us (it was only 8:30), and seemed confused when we asked for water, or another beer. But the real insult? Prices. You'd think you were at Emeril's. Avoid.
(1)
Nicole L.
High Street Caffe is by far one of my favourite restaurants to go to, whether it's for a special occasion or just a "let's not cook tonight" weekend meal. I can't decide if it's the spectacular service, the distinctive Cajun decor, or the live guitarist strumming happily away in the corner. Maybe it's the food. Hell, it IS the food. They rock the spice in everything. Bad thing? Hell no. Let's start with the hot bread basket that comes out after you order your meal. Oh lord. Whatever they use to bake these delicious, fluffy rolls has got to be illegal in several states -- and the herbed butter they leave for you is equally addictive. Then there are the appetizers. They aren't kidding about the heat level on the blasphemously spicy voodoo shrimp, nor do you expect such a mild kick from the simmered artichokes. Seafood bisque is creamy, delightful, with plenty chunks of crab and shrimp. Salads are fresh and nicely dressed without saturating the leaves. Seriously, if you haven't stuffed your face by this point, you've got a lot more control than I do. Don't hate yourself for takin' your entree home, because portions are substantially huge when it comes to the etouffees or jambalayas. My personal favourite is the seared tuna with wasabi potatoes -- get it rare, then swoon at the spice crust, the contrasting flavours and the crunchy carrot slaw. Did you make it to dessert? Thank yourself for it, because they have a sinful chocolate torte which will make you sing and dance on their pretty tables. If you're not a cocoa person, their key lime pie is equally amazing -- tart, not overly sweet, crumbly crust. High Street Caffe also offers incredibly affordable prix-fixe meals on the weekends, and certain days are BYOB (can't remember if they have a corkage fee). This place fills up fast on the weekends, so be sure to call ahead for a reservation.
(5)
Alli V.
This is my third trip here... And my last. The atmosphere is eclectic and unique and the food is maybe 3-4 stars. But each time the service was worse. This last dinner date I had there was about 2 hours... And when we told the waitress we wanted dessert but decided against it since everything took so painfully long she just said "I'm sorry but in doing the best I can". No kidding but how does that help 2 paying customers? No offer of comp dessert or a manager we may speak to. It doesn't matter we are not returning.
(2)
Douglas S.
Simply, the food is awesome Cajun...spicy, flavorful, diverse...never a disappointment. Wine complements the menu well and is fair priced. Only thing that comes up short is the ambience. More of an Orlean's night club, better viewed after sunset as cleanliness is not a strong suit.
(3)
Jean R.
I've eaten at High Street on a regular basis since first trying there about 7 years ago. It is seriously some of the best food in the entire world! I order the blackened scallops (only scallops) just about every time I go there and they never disappoint. The seating is tight (the place needs to be about double the size that it is) and it gets loud, especially when they have someone playing live music, but the food is worth it all. They have a bar now but you can still bring your own. It's fun to go with a group of friends or even with just one other person. You can usually find parking on Gay Street or one of the nearby side streets so that's not really a problem either. If you like spicy and you like Cajun, this is a great local place to try!
(5)
Rob m.
Without of doubt one of the Greatest eateries in the USA! Chef Jay Wenner puts out these wonderful dishes. In over three years eating there on a monthly basis, I HAVE NEVER had a bad meal!!!!! Service is wonderful. The wait staff is next NONE! Kevin is the man, Best Waiter east of Chicago!!!!! The owner, Donnie Syracuse, an 80s Big Hair rocker, has transformed a mild coffee shop into one of the coolest places in the world to eat or just hang out at the bar. ( If you are lucky you willl hear him and others play after the dinner hours!) And dont forget to order Bananas Foster for dessert! You won't be dissapointed!
(5)
Taylor O.
This was our escape from our extended stay hotel on the side of the highway in Malvern! Help: boredom alarm. We wanted to spice things up, so that we did. As I read here on Yelp the appetizers being the best part we reeled in some blackened gator in a mustard sauce which was the highlight of the evening. The voodoo crawfish (allegedly the spiciest thing on the menu) was also great but the sauce was a bit too thick, somewhat near motor oil in viscosity. The selection of beers was interesting and we tried a few and one brave soul (read: me) tried the jalapeno infused vodka based Vudu martini. Oh, it was spicy. I take it they received a license and it's no longer BYOB as mentioned in the other review. The service was slow and the crowd was weird, but it is West Chester and we experienced that at each establishment. The portions were fine but not huge like the other review implies. I went for the mustard fried catfish which was excellent, other got crab cakes, touffee, etc., but nothing could quite beat the appetizers.
(4)
Dave H.
This BYOB minds its own business next to a Burger King. I've had dinner here twice and noticed it's one popular spot, as it was crowded both times (Tuesday and Friday). From appetizers to entrees to desserts, High Street Caffe delivers gourmet Cajun, creole, and "exotic" cuisine in healthy portions: - Their complimentary sugarbread (heavenly!) and butter/sour cream mix (smooth and rich) is made in-house. - My favorite appetizer is their voodoo crawfish ($9), made with a triple-XXX barbecue paste and served with rice and sour cream - I never found out what was in it, except for habaneros. When it was brought out, I was warned not to dig in right away, though the suffocating smell alone was warning enough! When I finally bit into the crawfish, I experienced pain and pleasure fused together. (At one point I was sobbing. I drank so much water it was unhealthy, and yes, I will order it again. Thank god for the sour cream in it.) - Their blackened crocodile tail appetizer ($10) is covered with an exciting creole mustard sauce. The tender small bits of meat (cooked in Cajun spices) melted in our mouths. - The fried shrimp wenner ($11) is great, just like the crawfish. Creole-fried shrimp sauteed with Andouille, onions and tomatoes in a sweet and spicy habanero sauce, with rice. Unlike the crawfish, the wenner is bearable and finger-licking good (but don't eat them with your hands). - The pan seared duck appetizer (~$10) which was sweet and moist (mmmm fatty) thanks to a bourbon apricot glaze. Sadly it was only a special for that day... Entrees I've had were so-so: - The mesquite pepper ostrich isn't bad. I had it cooked medium rare and it tasted practically raw. Perhaps the crawfish destroyed my tastebuds, but there didn't seem to be any taste to the ostrich (also don't see it on the menu now). - Their lamb tenderloins ($24) were tasty and tender but the next time I go to High Street, I think I'll stick to the small plates! More bang for my buck, thank you. The shining service and AMAZING appetizers alone make it easy for me to overlook the entrees and give this High Street Caffe my highest recommendation. This place rocks my world and it'll rock yours too. Reservations recommended.
Ever since I happened upon Cajun Kate's ( yelp.com/biz/cajun-kates… ) I'm always a bit grumbly when I have to pay High prices here, but I shouldn't be: the price reflects the purpose, and each restaurant serves it's purpose very well. At High Street Caffe, you're paying of course for the haute cuisine spin on creole cooking, but also for the luxury of sitting in a chair. High Street is where you take your friends in West Chester if you want to have a delicious high-class dinner in a dimmed, richly hued hip atmosphere. Cajun Kate's is where you go if you want to wear sweats and shove your way onto one of the 6 hotly contested stools to shovel down the best authentic cajun food from here to Nawlins. Different purposes, as you can see, but I love each one equally. High Street Caffe is my favorite restaurant in West Chester, hands down. It's flavors and style really assert themselves, and I've never, ever had a bad meal here. The service is friendly, even the mild roar you encounter on the weekends when it's completely full has a convivial charm to it. High St's 3-courses-for-30-bucks prix fixe menu is the best deal; most of the entrees featured on the prix fixe menu hover in the 25 dollar range, so you'll make out like a bandit (albeit one who's bitten off more than he can chew, quite literally: the portion sizes are very generous). The blackened red snapper, lobster ravioli, alligator sausage, lamb, etouffee offerings, bananas foster...these are all fantastic dishes. Just make sure to get extra bread- it's sublime.
(5)
Len B.
I cannot believe how good the food and beer were. Never even made it to entrees. Ordered 6 appetizers and all were tremendous! Have to be ready for tight quarters and full house but it adds to the experience.
(5)
Xtine H.
I had heard about this place from a friend who knew I was trying to track down pumpkin martinis, and boy am I ever glad I visited. I liked it so much that after my first visit (for aps and drinks), I went back 3 days later (for dinner). The drink menu highlights-Blood Orange Sangria (!!!) "Voodoo" Old Fashioned, and a nice selection of beers. Its a BYOB ($5 cork fee) and you can buy a bottle as well! best of both worlds! cute lil purple place, cool decor, cozy space and the menu choices are fantastic. From the huge cups of soup, to crawfish, I cannot recommend this place enough. You definitely need reservations for Fridays and Saturdays the 3 course Prix-Fix menu is a great way to try a few dishes. I would like to try lunch on a weekday sometime
(5)
Sabrina L.
They have great customer service! The first time I came here for dinner our waiter gave us a complimentary appetizer. The food is sooooo good! I would highly recommend the jambalaya pasta! If you go for lunch the johnny cash burger is delicious! I am definitely a fan!
(4)
Stephen W.
A very nice venue with great blues background. I would call this a Cajun restaurant for folks who don't care much for Cajun food. The menu us creative and mild. Real Cajun is better sought at Cajun Kate's. Also the nearby Crawdaddy has a more flavor intensive menu. But High Street is pleasant enough for more mainstream tastes. Many people will have folks in their part who do not like foods with intense flavors, which makes this a good choice for some. You might want to ask for some hot sauce (tellingly, this is the only 'cajun' bistro in the area that does not have this condiment on the table..!)
(2)
Ruth Y.
This place is a great "bang for your buck." It has great cajun/creole cooking, especially seafood. And I am saying this as a "non-seafood person." The lobster ravioli is especially wonderful; it literally melts in your mouth. My humble suggestion is to get an extra order of their wonderful warm bread to sop up the creamy, heavenly sauce. Other favorites of mine/my friends (since I always request to be taken to this place for my birthday) is the alligator sausage, which is flavored perfectly, and, of course, their banana's foster. I find that most of the appetizers are delicious. Another favorite of my friends is the after dinner show where I proceed to lick the banana foster bowl clean. Hey! There is no pride where my banana's foster is concerned! If you are into alcohol (sorry, I am not, so I can not say much regarding this), they have obtained a liquor license and serve alcohol. This happened after some of the earlier reviews, so I am just updating. Sometimes it gets a bit loud Friday nights (and possibly other weekend nights?) when they have live music playing. However, this may be a plus in some people's eyes as it adds to the ambiance. The place is on the dark side decorated in dark purple, which gives it a romantic feeling. They also take their reservations pretty seriously, if you are more than 10-15 minutes late, your reservation is gone! Reservations recommended.
(5)
Michaela H.
Hands down our favorite restaurant in the West Chester/Main Line area-- actually, maybe one of our most favorite restaurants, period. This jewel serves up top notch cajun dishes (we loved the blackened alligator appetizer, especially) amidst a jovial NOLA atmosphere. The cocktail (you gotta go for the Hurricane!) and beer selections are always great. But best of all is the bananas foster. Oh. My. God. When I die, I want to buried in this stuff. It is OUT OF THIS WORLD. A great place to bring visitors, family, etc. We have never had less than a fabulous experience every time we've gone!
(5)
Scott L.
good solid restaurant. we got jumbalaya for each of our entrees and we got the cajun popcorn (basically fried crawfish tails) for an app. jumbalaya was good. mine would of not been worth the portion size, but i was pretty full from the app so it was fine. my gf's was bigger (i guess cuz she didn't get the one on special?). it had good spice and good ingredients. my gf ordered chicken and shrimp, and it only had about 2 peices of shrimp in it, albeit big, only 2 of them =/ mine had everything it said it did, and a lot of it, so that part was good, just wish i woulda had more on the plate. cajun popcorn app was real good, and so was the sauce that came underneath it. very nawleans. :) also, the bread they give you before the meal and the BUTTER, OMG THE BUTTER. it's like a cajun spiced compound butter. it's probably the best butter i have ever tasted. incredible - by far the best thing about the meal lol. we each got a beer (or two). meal was kinda pricey. i think it was like $70 something, but i don't remember exactly. Around $15-$20 for the entrees, and like $10 or so for the app, plus beers/tax/tip, service was a little slow, but they were very nice, so that was fine. if you want something a lil different, and don't mind kicking some extra cash out - go for it. very cool environment (if you like the whole southern "soul" feel), nice people, and a pretty cool crowd. you'll also eat pretty well.
(3)
Shreekant P.
They must have added like a gazzilion more tables to an already cramped space and the seating by the bar. I was constantly bumped by servers, and guests alike. Boy was it noisy on Friday night! I have not accounted for these nuisances in my rating as the food quality and presentation is excellent. Everything we got was above par. Our favorites: Voodoo shrimp, blackened alligator for appetizers, blackened red fish, the cajun linguini, and Etouffe. Finally, dear wait staff--please lighten up. We have come to have a nice time!!
(3)
Sally f.
incredible food. im so excited i got to try alligator! and it was fantastic! the bisque soup was also a highlight. service was a little slow but we didnt mind too much. our server was very nice. live music was a plus. although it was a bit cramped and the chairs werent too nice. but we left very full and very happy. we actually wished we had split an entree because they were huge.
(4)
Michael L.
We were on our way home to Villanova from Baltimore. 95 was a nightmare, so we decided to get off at 202 and head to West Chester for dinner. Once there, we literally asked a man on the street for a recommendation. He suggested High Street Cafe, "if you can get a table." This was around 6PM on a Tuesday in mid-June. Turned out that getting a table was not a problem. Everything fell into place, and we enjoyed a very good meal, with good service. The pear salad was fresh and appropriately dressed. Cocktails were just a tad watery. My salmon was perfect, but the side of greens was over spiced. My special lady friend's blackened red snapper was also a bit over spiced [mind you, we have no aversion to some kick; we just like the flavor to be complimented and not over-powered]. Both fish were fresh and cooked to perfection. There's a cool atmosphere here, but perhaps a bit out of sync with the caliber of food. Turn the lights up a little, get the wait staff in sync with the kitchen, use a little less unnecessary spice [and a little less ice in the cocktails] -this place goes from 4 to 5 stars.
(4)
Frank H.
Great Cajun food and the owner Donny is a great guy who plays the Patio sometimes on Weekends at Barnaby's.
(5)
Diego U.
Absolutely one of my favorite restaurants in philly and its suburbs. My family and i frequent it and are yet to be disappointed. The food is wonderful and BYOB makes it easy on the wallet, (although it is now only on certain notes). The staff is friendly and the ambiance is great with low lighting and live music playing most nights. Appetizers and desserts are just as good as the entrees. I cant reccommend enough!
(5)
phaedra g.
I was pleasantly surprised by the menu selection. I usually do not eat shellfish, so i wasn't sure if i would be able to find anything to my liking. There is something for everyone! The food was delicious and the portions were large. I even took some food home (which i rarely do). the wait staff was nice and they have great drinks and a nice selection of wines! go!
(5)
TJ S.
My favorite restaurant in West Chester!!! Can't get enough of the seafood etouffee!!! I wouldn't be afraid to try anything on the menu!
(5)
Rick D.
Meh. Maybe I've become a Cajun snob, but for me - High Street misses the mark. The blackening seasoning was surprisingly bland. Dessert and cappuccino were by far the highlight of the meal, and the service was excellent. Y'all looking for a taste of 'Nawlins? Catch the next flight to MSY. Who dat!
(3)
Bob H.
Best restaurant in all of West Chester. They have it all, great food, ambiance, decor, and service. The food is dynamite, huge selection from alligator to filet. The feel of High Street is like you just stepped off of bourbon st and into one of their fabulous caffes in New Orleans. Also the servers are very attentive and will go out of their way if you have any questions about the menu. They have a full liquor license now but they still accept BYOB
(5)
Nicole C.
How do you make one of the best spots in West Chester better? Add a bar! To compliment High Street's always on point delicious cajun food, they now have tons of fun beers from local selections to imports and exciting New Orleans inspired cocktails. Happy Hour from 4:30-6:30 Monday thru Friday includes drink discounts and $5 appetizers and flatbreads. If you're going for dinner, don't miss the Pecan Bourbon Chicken and Shrimp. I'd go with the Veggie flatbread for something lighter if your just snacking. Oh, and they have awesome Jazz on Wednesday nights. If you were into the Thursday night jazz when Vincents was still around you'll see and hear some of the same cats at High Street now, a day sooner in the week and right on time.
(5)
A W.
Good food. Good beer. Excellent wait staff. Good vibe. This is a great spot for a good dinner. Jambalaya is great, as is the steak and fish. Haven't had a bad meal here yet.
(5)
Dave R.
After eating at this West Chester legend about a dozen times over the past 4 or so years, I have to say that High Street Caffe is one of my all-time favorites. It is intimate dining at its best and the New Orleans menu offers their twist on the staples and a long list of daily specials that are equally succulent. Try the blackened catfish or crabcakes, they are both excellent. Also, their alligator dishes are superb. Chef Wenner has become somewhat of a local hero for good reason- his food tastes wonderful. I've dined here with friends and family and with my lady and every one always has a great time and a good meal. Now with a full bar, the vibe has changed slightly but maybe for the better. Imagine a packed house on a Saturday night for a Phillies playoff game. Fine dining food plus baseball and a huge Hurricane makes Dave a happy boy. Great service. Waiters don't seem to leave this place and they are very good at what they do. One of the best restaurants in the area from the delicious bread to the Bananas Foster. But bring your appetite, your wallet, and preferably, a designated driver.
(5)
Robyn K.
OMG! I LOOOOOVE this restaurant! I went there for the first time today and was super impressed with everything! The ambience, the friendliness of the staff and the food...oh my the food was to die for. I dont think you can go wrong with anything. Even the bread rolls they give you at first is yummy. Hubby and I had chicken tenders and the alligator sausage flat bread for apps. To die for!! Did I mention the portions are huge. By the time entree came we were so full and had to take to-go...we noticed everyone had a to-go bag too. For entree, i had the blackened cat fish...oh gosh, the taste, AMAZING!!!!
(5)
Bethany B.
Amazing food. Warm, welcoming staff. Nothing was able to satisfy my pregnancy-induced spicy cravings like their Voodoo Crawfish.
(5)
Dave J.
Voodoo crawfish!!! Don't you dare put sour cream on these things either, man up! Best crawfish in the area. Great beer selection as well. Good menu and good prices. If you dont like tight places, dont go at common hours. Parking can be tough but it's West Chester, find the garage on High Street and you're golden.
(5)
Elise K.
This is the best restaurant I've eaten at in West Chester (even better than its neighbor Avalon)! It's dark and a bit dingy in there, but you can count on friendly staff, interesting characters hanging at the bar and new and exciting specials on the menu (one time, this amazing buffalo steak and another time, oyster stew with the best broth I've ever had). Not that there's anything wrong with the regular menu - try the Voodoo shrimp if you're in the mood for spicy that'll have you sweating and tearing up. The smoky Portobello and mozzarella salad is delicious if you're looking for something small; entrees are large, authentic (as far as I can tell!) and creative. It's a bit pricier than many of the restaurants in WC, but you can't beat the flavors, and the wine list has some good quality selections at great prices (Mark West Pinot Noir for just $28). There's garage parking across from Barnaby's on High Street, and when you walk back to your car, you can choose from two ice cream/yogurt shops if you don't pig out like we do on the to-die-for caramel-laden bananas Foster.
(5)
Brian M.
Haven't been there for a while, but used to go often. I always had a great experience. The food was very good. But I think it is more creole-esque, but certainly not cajun. I usually have seafood or fish when I go and never have been served less than a delicious meal. It has been around for many years and remains very popular. Actually, writing this, I need to go visit soon. BYOB and full bar-I know strange, but it works. Can get really loud.
(4)
Jonathan D.
Have only been here a few times but this place is great... real nice menu... If you're looking for cajun/creole this is the place to go to. Also, not sure if they still have it...but get the Bananas Foster for dessert...AMAZING!!
(5)
Casey L.
oh my gosh, this dinner goes on my top ten list. we went for my sister in laws birthday - had a reservation but still waited a good 25 minutes for a table, which was totally worth it. It is BYOWine, but they have a full liquor bar. we ordered from their martini menu and others with us drank the wine we brought (corking fee). we had soups and salads to start - crab bisque for me, but I tried the salads too and they were phenomenal too. Sometimes I crave a salad and so many restaurants fall short. anyway, dinner was excellent all around, we all had seafood (most of the menu is fish) not one of our party of 5 was dissatisfied, my father in law lived in New Orleans for years and he was totally impressed. the only down side was it was noisy, a little too noisy for conversation amongst a group and there was a man playing guitar, but it was really just one very long continuous song. in short, definitely make a reservation, try something new and bring a jacket - they keep the front door open and some seats are right in front of it. they also do catering and discounts for west chester U students
(5)
Melanie T.
Does anyone know if they are still BYOB??????
(5)
Christopher P.
I've gone to High Street Cafe, now known as the Vudu Lounge, about 10 times over the past 7 years and the food is generally excellent. If you are an oyster fan, definitely get the fried oyster appetizer (they use fresh oysters). If it is still on the menu, stay away from the Hanger steak, which was much too fatty when I had it during my last visit. Anticipating a "hanger steak is supposed to be fatty" comment, the steak did not have edible texture for a hanger steak, which suggested too little marinating and improper grilling technique.
(4)
Cate W.
High Street Cafe is one of my favorite restaurants in West Chester. The food has been consistently great over the many years of my patronage, and the servers are really on top of their game. They have recently gotten their liquor license and have a variety of fun cocktails, but you can still bring in your own wine. I would always recommend High Street Cafe to friends!
(5)
Bob A.
Our family has held all of our annual celebrations at High Street for the past 3 years. The past few times we have noticed that the establishment has strayed off-mark. Service has become unbearable (it had always been relaxed, but almost a 25 minutes for drink refills, 1.5 hours for our meal, and another 30 minutes for our check after we refused desert) and after concluding our Mother's Day dinner with a slightly heated conversation with the owner I will make sure to not only share how disappointed we were, but to also make you aware of how arrogant the owner of this place really is. It was Mother's Day and like every other Mother's Day for the past three years it was assumed where we would go. Only this time it was with a slight hesitation. Our last trip to High Street Cafe a few months back was very disappointing, from the messed up reservation, the poor service and the guitar player who insisted on playing one notch higher than anyone trying to enjoy a conversation with their party. As familiar this place has become to our typical family gatherings, we said nothing and just felt it was an off night for everyone. So feeling that our last trip was just an off-night we decided to move forward with our plans for Mother's Day.Upon arriving, we were greeted at the door by an employee. I told them my name and than was told our table was right in front of us, in the middle of the restaurant, as you first walked into the door. Because of our last issue with the sound and my family unable to hear each other I made sure over the phone for the reservations that we would receive a table along the wall. I explained why and explained the importance of this seating arrangement. The person over the phone went a step further to say, "Well how about I put you on one of the side tables in front of the window?" I agreed and ended our conversation. When I brought this up to the employee she said in a very ignorant tone, "Well that's not going to happen! Those tables just sat down." We waited for about twenty minutes and finally got a table along the side. Hoping to keep our mom happy we kindly thanked them for accommodating us and hope to move on from this little episode. From this point is where everything really went downhill. It took over twenty minutes to even get a drink list, than another twenty minutes to get our drinks ordered. By the time we got our appetizers ordered our drinks were half gone and by the time we received them they were basically empty. We waited a little more than twenty minutes for the server to even come over to ask if we needed refills. By now the appetizers were gone. We finally got our refills and about 30 minutes later our food finally came out. My mom's jambalaya was cold. It was cold to the touch and taste. When we told our server she said, "Well I can take it back and warm it up real fast." When you pay 23 dollars for a plate of rice and chicken, the last thing you want is for it to be "nuked". We continued to have issues with things all night and asked to speak to the owner who because of the size of his establishment serves as the manager. After we received our check and the server swipe the card we decided to ask when the owner would be over. We were told he is busy and would be right out. We knew that he was simply hiding behind the bar wall waiting for us to leave. As we got up to leave my father and I decided to approach him and question our importance as satisfied customers. His response was the most ridiculous thing I had ever heard. He told us well we don't understand things. He just got back Cuba where he "threw little poor kids guitar strings and money because that's the type of person I am." and "they just appreciate to get food on their plates" and "You wouldn't understand since you wouldn't be able to go there." I responded with that has nothing to do with how horrible everything was and your lack of concern for our situation. He continued to ramble on with cocky and arrogant comments telling us that we should just be happy that he allowed us to eat in his establishment because we are not as worthy of humans as he is, and we as part of the normal crowd don't deserve good service or fresh food. I kid you not; he really spoke of himself so highly. Finally after all of his insults my dad decided to throw an insult his way by saying, "The food sucked!" He got so mad that my dad had the nerve to criticize his food after he had no problem with attacking our characters and labeling us as "not good enough". This is where the conversation escalated to the point where we said "Thank you and we will never be back" and left. It was now after ten. It took three whole hours for appetizers and dinner. This man needs to be brought back to earth and shown he is as human as any of us. I understand that many of you may go and enjoy your time, but just remember about how the owner views you, and that is that you are lucky to have the privilege to dine in his establishment. I could have a
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Hipster, Intimate Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Pat J.
The girlfriend and I came here last Thursday for dinner. I don't live too far so I wish I had known about this place earlier. Had no problem getting a table without a reservation. I forget the waiter's name but he was cool and attentive even though it seemed like he had a lot of tables. Huuuuge beer list with all the crafts you could imagine. I need to find the recipe for the cajun bread and butter. Stuff's delicious, could eat ten pounds of it. I started off with the blackened alligator. Comes drizzled with creole honey mustard. My God, unbelievably good. For entrees, girlfriend had Etoufee with chicken and I had some sort of linguine with shrimp, crawfish, and calamari. Amazing. Portions are huge too so I had the rest for lunch the next day. Definitely coming back here very soon.
(5)James J.
My wife wanted to try this place, we walked in early just as they were opening and we were immediately greeted by a hostess with a very pleasant demeanor. She escorted us to the bar even though it was only a few feet and made us feel very welcome. The bartender came out and it was possible that she was even more pleasant. She gave us a list of drinks that was incredibly long and detailed, if you're looking for mainstream beer you're not going to find it bit you will find everything else. The bartender was outstanding at her job she never seemed to rush nor be slow. The same great hostess escorted us to a table of our choice where our server and first male employee came to introduce himself. This man was the epitome of professionalism. He was very warm and welcoming. The bread came next, it was well spiced and amazing. The food was high prices but the portions and flavor were outstanding. The food is spicy (it is Creole) but every bite was delicious. The place itself was very calm considering it was in a college town. I spent more than I usually like to but got much more than my money's worth.
(5)Tom E.
I love everything about New Orleans,but I especially love the food. So I was thrilled to hear there was a West Chester Restaurant cooking "creole fusion" not far from the college. I decided to join a dinner event our group was having last night to visit the Vudu/High Street Cafe and sample the delights offered by this well reviewed spot. Happy hour was pretty good. Had a nice micro-brewed lager beer for $3 ( so thankful it wasn't Yuengling) from a nice selection of draft beers. Enjoyed a bowl of their shrimp,pulled pork and andouille sausage gumbo for $5. The soup was great with a nice dark roux and was delicious with an authentic,slow cooked gumbo taste. We then moved to our table for dinner and here is where things began to go downhill as far as service. Took some time for our waitress to take our order. I did not do the Price Fixe Menu,however, my girlfriend decided to go that route. She ordered the calamari as her first course ( way too salty), the chicken and shrimp jambalaya for her second course ( a huge portion over rice that she enjoyed) and key lime pie as desert. All that for $35. I had voodoo shrimp as an appetizer (it was smoking hot but its supposed to be). It was good but nowhere near as amazing as Dickey B's famous version in NOLA. I also had the shrimp and chicken jambalaya which I also thought was just OK. If you want a better version in this area head down to the closest thing I ever found to New Orleans at Cajun Kates at the Booth Farmers Market in Glen Mills. Service was extremely disappointing. There were numerous times our waitress was nowhere to be found (smoke breaks?) I got my check before I got my coffee. We never were offered bread with their famous cajun butter. I didn't know they had bread until we were leaving. I liked the ambiance of the restuarant-very cool vibe.
(3)Bruce K.
What an interesting little find, thanks to the Yelp Talk threads who mentioned this hidden gem. Cajun, with a big NOLA vibe to the place. I loved the very long beer list and managed to find a couple that I'd not seen before. Good stuff. I opted to skip the appetizer and go right to the main course. Jambalaya, with added shrimp and crawfish. Very tasty and a little spicy, with a good amount of shellfish in there and lots of rings of squid, I believe. A good sized portion, I ended up only managing to eat half of it. And while the dessert list looked good, nothing jumped out and said eat me. Consider bringing a small flashlight or the light app on your phone. It's dark in there! Street parking.
(4)Izzat A.
Saw the Yelp reviews and stopped by. I wasn't expecting to have one of the best sandwiches of my life in West Chester, PA but that is exactly what happened. I got the crab cake sandwich and it was out of this world amazing. The Voodoo sauce that I requested was just the perfect thing to put on here. I can handle my spice but this sauce had some serious kick to it. The cajun fries were home made and pretty good too. Service was super friendly and to top it all of, the meal was $9! How can you possibly beat that? Absolutely awesome place.
(5)Jenna B.
I'm originally from Florida and have had trouble finding a place with gator tail -- This place actually has it!! AND --- ITS AMAZING!! I love everything they have to offer. Great drinks and fantastic food with a kick! If you haven't checked this place out yet, you need to. I promise, you wont regret it
(5)Nicole S.
I decided to try this place after driving by it every day to work. The first time was for my birthday with a friend so I made reservations since it was a friday night I ordered the Cajun popcorn thinking it would be a good starter and my friend had the coconut shrimp. We were in for a surprise when the portions came out so large. We didn't even have to order a main dish. The honey mustard sauce they use for the crawfish is simply what makes it! The second time I came was on a nice date with my boyfriend and this place didn't disappoint! We got the popcorn again and my boyfriend said that was the best part of the meal. This time I saved up room for the entree and ordered the voo doo fra Diablo. Now I have never had southern New Orleans inspired dishes before but this was out of this world. So many flavors and I had plenty to take home! Atmosphere wise the crowd was a lot older than us but sometimes it's nice to get away from the college town feel (neither of us go to WC). It's a little close quarters but dark enough to not feel like there's people all around. Good beer selection is always a nice plus!
(5)D K.
Perhaps I came on an off day....I hadn't been to High Street Cafe in years. In the past, it was always excellent. Went for lunch (Last week of July 2015), ordered chicken etoufee. I always love this dish, but unfortunately not this time. The chicken was very rubbery and tasteless. I tried several pieces of the chicken, it was all the same-unfortunately not good. The saucy rice of the etoufee was ok, but I have had better (even there!). Though hungry, I could not eat the dish, the chicken turned me off. Again, perhaps it was an off day. The service was slow (took 40 min to receive dish after ordering at a late lunch time), but the server was friendly. Sadly, disappointing.
(2)Carolyn H.
Cajun at it's best in West Chester! I have been here several times and never been disappointed. Food - From the start the complimentary table bread with their special cajun butter is original and tasty. The Voodoo Fra Diablo and Cashew Chicken & Shrimp Bourbon Orleans are must try entrees - original house recipes with perfect spice and flavor! Also of note the jambalaya salad, smoked alligator sausage and calamari with mango chili sauce. Portions are plentiful. You won't leave hungry. Service - I've always had good service here. The staff is friendly, attentive and knowledgeable about the menu. Order turnaround is usually quick, even on weekends. Price - Entrees are worth every penny! Great for special occasions. Parking - They have limited parking on the side of their building (by Burger King). Street parking is free at night.
(5)Guy B.
Absolutely love everything about this place. Great wine selection, great atmosphere, great décor, the staff is outstanding... oh and there's the food. I dream of voodoo shrimp... oh how I love and fear you, my dearest voodoo. It will get your attention, but if you enjoy spicy food I dare you to stop eating it halfway through. The etouffee is outstanding also!
(5)William S.
Simply Amazing!!! Having booked a trip later this fall to NOLA, we decided to look for a restaurant to help get us in the mood. Who would have known that it exists in our town! It was amazing, from the craw fish app to the jambalaya main course. It was really incredible. Don't wait as long as we did to try this place. We will be back soon and often!
(5)Sophie W.
If you want Cajun food in Pennsylvania THIS is where you go. The étouffée is out of this world (better than anywhere I went to in New Orleans) and the special I had was amazing. The staff is treating and you can tell they love to have you there, telling you they will tell the chef how great you said their meal was. Fried alligator?? NO...blackened alligator with the mustard sauce appetizer is AMAZING. YOU WILL NOT REGRET GOING HERE. I felt like I was on freemont street and the. Walked outside and was still in wonderful west Chester and wondered why I still didn't live here.
(5)Nikki K.
Never disappoints! I've been here several times and it is always delicious. I ordered the Catfish and it was amazing! A must-stop place if you're in West Chester
(5)Derek T.
A fun place with lots of energy, great for drinks or hanging out. But really tight for dinner. The dining area is jammed and really awkward to get around when you first are seated and if you need to get up to use the restroom. Since its a jammed dining area, the noise levels are really high as well. A dinner conversation is strained to hear the other members in your party. The food, is OK. Not over the top "Oh My God" I have to have that Cajun food. But it is good Cajun and if you are looking to appease your need for blackened or rue then High Street Caffe is the place. The food is a bit pricey for what you get but it's in the range of other West Chester restaurants. If you have never been to New Orleans then this is likely a 4-star restaurant, but I'm biased as I have been and this is close but not quite there for me. I will be giving the restaurant another try and I am hopeful they have improved since my last foray.
(3)Ainsley A.
Foodies and newbies alike can frolic to this festive restaurant to channel their inner southern hospitality they never knew they had. By mixing traditional cajun cuisine with new wave southern, owner Don Syracuse creates a menu that appeals to every taste bud. The assortment of appetizers and entrees will leave you not only full, but will satiate your Fat Tuesday craving. If you are not familiar with Nahlin's (New Orleans) cuisine, this is the perfect introduction. The seafood specialties are terrific and fresh, like the Drunken PEI Mussels with Andouille Sausage or the Etoufee with your choice of crawfish, shrimp, scallops or chicken. Don also customizes his dishes to create new wave cajun like their flatbread complete with Alligator sausage, creole sauce and goat cheese. This restaurant is definitely one to adventure to if you are in West Chester. Mardi Gras is everyday at High Street Caffe and Vudu Lounge. Party on!
(4)Liz W.
This might be my favorite restaurant in West Chester. I've been here three times and each time the food was amazing and the service was great. The atmosphere is so much fun. I highly recommend High Street Caffe besides being delicious it's different from any other place around.
(4)Jessica K.
High Street is by far my favorite restaurant in West Chester. And dare I say ... maybe even ever! The service is always friendly, quick and knows their stuff. This is a great help when it comes to selections. The creole flavors are amazing, anything blackened is by far my favorite. From the ahi tuna to blackened chicken, scallops and shrimp to the lobster ravioli - it's all just as good as the next. Two things not to skip: wine list, appetizers & dessert. It may sound weird, but the alligator sausage is amazing. As is the wildflower marscapone cheesecake. To. Die. For. I recommend it to anyone that lives in or is traveling to West Chester. One thing to note: it is small and kind of cramped. To me, it adds to the experience but I know a lot of people do not like that. Be sure to make a reservation or you'll never get a table. Lastly, I believe during the week it's even BYO a few nights! Big plus.
(5)Austin U.
It's a little bit of a mission to get to from Newark, Delaware. Took the scenic route cuz we missed our exit. The ambience here is great, jazzy like, lots of culture. The food is Amazing!
(4)Hue K.
3.5 stars Food was excellent! - Complimentary bread: It was OK.. Unlike other yelpers said, bread or butter wasn't that great to be honest.. - Voodoo shrimp: This was over the top hot/spicy. I can handle very spicy food pretty well but after this voodoo shrimp, I was afraid of eating anything spicy for a while. I don't recommend this unless you can eat a handful of thai pepper or jalapeno. - Vegan Etouffe: This was made by request. We asked for something vegan and the chef created vegan Etouffe. It was delicious!! It tastes like very flavorful thai curry. - Pecan shrimp bourbon orleans over rice: This was creamy but very flavorful. I really liked this dish. I didn't want chicken so the chef made it with just shrimp. - Banana foster: This was one of the best banana foster I've had. Caramel was perfectly sweet and blended well with banana. Highly recommended. The restaurant is small and kinda dark. Only two servers were working in the entire restaurant to take the order, deliver food and take care of the bill. so even if there were some runners helping with refilling water and clearing up plates, it lacks the efficiency and attention.
(3)Lauren O.
I've been to High Street Café 4 times and will return. Food is excellent. I recommend the Cajun popcorn and any dish with crawfish if you like seafood. Dinner is on the pricier side, but the lunch menu is more reasonably priced given the quality of the food, atmosphere and service. I recommend you try it, but make a reservation.
(5)Bob M.
I do enjoy Cajun food, unfortunately the pickings in this area are rather slim. That being said I really enjoyed my meal at High Street. It's a very casual place with excellent food. I had the Voodoo Shrimp, loved the heat and the Country Jambalaya which was excellent as well. GF had the Ahi-Tuna which she very much enjoyed. I am not a Banana eater so I passed on the Banana's Foster but the Chocolate Bread Pudding was a winner.
(5)Yasmin C.
Relaxed, bar-like atmosphere with friendly service and food that was good, but not great. I was a bit surprised at how casual this place was, given the type of food, but I rolled with it. My husband and I had made a last-minute reservation and popped in on a weeknight for some hot comfort food. The gumbo was warm and satisfying, though almost too thick/creamy for my liking. We also enjoyed an order of alligator sausage, which I found savory and delicious. Probably my fave part of the meal! As for my cajun seafood linguine entree, it was just okay. No flavors really stood out, and the seafood was not necessarily mind-blowing (though my standards are maybe a bit high coming from San Diego). For dessert, it was a bananas foster that leaned toward the overly syrupy side. Weird, because everyone else seems to be raving about it. I left feeling neutral though a bit surprised at the many great reviews of this place. I'm no expert on Cajun/Creole but feel that I've easily had better at restaurants in California and for less money. Perhaps it was an off night??
(3)Heather L.
We were really disappointed. We have enjoyed Cajun cuisine at Crawdaddy's (before it closed!) and Cajun Kate's. This food was expensive but much poorer in quality. The seafood jambalaya did not blend well as a cohesive dish. The voodoo fra diabolo had no spice to it. The smoked alligator sausage was mediocre. The homemade bread did not taste fresh and the cajun-spice butter had less flavor to it than regular salted butter. We also ordered a ginger-pear puree martini that we had to send back (twice!) because we could only taste the vodka. We never send food back and we write mostly positive reviews, so this is a really unusual review for us.
(2)Scott K.
Decor is nice. Service is nice. Food is rather boring. Prices are pretty high for entrees. Even if the prices were reduced it isn't worth coming here for the food. Go here for drinks but eat elsewhere.
(2)Braden B.
Feel like I am back in New Orleans. A staple in West Chester. Great food, service and atmosphere. Every dish that I have ever had at this place is good. Since they added a Bar a few years ago it's made the space even tighter but it just adds to the charm.
(5)Thomas S.
Had heard about this little Cajun place in West Chester and decided to give it a try as it was halfway between for my dinner partner and me. Had reservations for 6:30 on a recent Thursday night and it wasn't at all crowded. Could see how it might be noisy when full. Service very good, food exceptional. Alligator sausage fantastic and the calamari the best ever. Cajun lobster ravioli worth a trip by itself. Will definitely go back. Maybe later in the evening for some live music. Also, noted some nights early in the week are BYOB.
(4)Biff P.
It's called Vudu Lounge now Nice food. Decor is a little cheap, but the food is worth it.
(4)Cory S.
Love the atmosphere and the food is even better. Went with a large group and everyone enjoyed the Dumplings. Salmon BLT was a great combo and the salmon was done perfectly. Most of our party went Jambalaya and everyone enjoyed
(5)M. M.
The Cajun food here is a decent four-star taste experience especially if you're in the local area. Not sure if I'd do a long drive just to eat here; if you do, make a reservation because this is a little place and it fills up. It's refreshingly short on attitude though - when we showed up casually dressed in the middle of a crowded weekend dinner hour, we were shown immediately to one of the couple of tables available. Although this is a tiny room with small tables, the noise level was not oppressive - believe me, I've heard worse - so I figured all the wood and hangy-danglys in the place absorbed some of it. The decor is sort of like a gypsy's decorated shack in the swamp (complete with fake alligator), more funky than fancy. Food is Cajun fusion, with some spicy items but also many sweet flavors and not-so-spicy things available. I went for the less spicy and had a crab stuffed mushroom appetizer and a slightly blackened salmon entree. Husband went for the more spicy and got jambalaya and bisque. The house bread is a heavy homemade loaf with a slightly spicy butter. Everything tasted very good and the portions were huge, to the point where the plates barely fit on our tiny table. Minor nits - my stuffed mushroom had such a huge, albeit tasty, crab cake sitting on it that the blackened, thin portabella underneath was almost non-existent/ buried, and the salmon entree was served with the vegetable sides completely covering the salmon - fried green tomatoes on top and the whipped corn and peppers on the side. Not sure why you would want to completely hide main elements of the meal when presenting the plate, though it was easy enough to rearrange the food, and it certainly didn't affect how tasty it was. The servers (likely students from the local college) were pleasant and enthusiastic, although not quite as pro as you'd expect for a pricey place - setting an entree plate down with it leaning partly on an appetizer plate at an angle, taking an initial drink order and then coming back to take the food order without bringing the drinks, interrupting a deep moment of conversation with a sudden appearance and "How's everything?" and having conversations between themselves about work, etc. where customers could hear. They did an OK job, but when the entrees are 25-30 dollars a pop you expect a little more. A word about parking: if you are local you know this, but be very careful about parking anyplace that's labeled as "permit parking" or is not specifically labeled as parking for High Street Caffe. The business shares a lot with another restaurant and the lot is not very big. There is also street parking but during certain hours (excludes weekends and late evenings) it is permit only and West Chester is ticket happy. I would eat here again but would prefer going for lunch as the value for money is a little better. The dinner bill for the two of us each having an appetizer, entree and beer (no dessert) came to about 100 dollars with tip. They have a prix fixe menu and certain nights are BYO with a "corkage fee", if you're into that.
(4)Bonnie P.
The wait staff was exceptionally gracious. The flavors of the dishes chosen, Coconut shrimp, blackened chicken tacos and the Voodoo Crawfish blended into a lunch to die for! We drove over 80 miles to once again enjoy the atmosphere and fusion cuisine of the High Street Cafe!
(5)Stephanie G.
Pecan Chicken Bourbon Orleans was fantastic! Great sauce and chicken and shrimp. Crawfish Etouffe and Blackened Scallops and Dirty Rice were enjoyed as well. Great beer and wine selection. Will return!
(5)Esther H.
My absolute favorite restaurant in West Chester! My husband and I have eaten there multiple times and have shared this gem with many of our friends. We are yet to be disappointed. Friendly staff, amazing food, and lengthy beer selection. Must haves: Chef Wenner's Shrimp Vudu Shrimp (extremely spicy so beware) Seafood Bisque Watermelon Crab Salad COUNTRY JAMBALAYA! The entrée portions are pretty hefty and taste delicious as left overs the next day also. Bonus: I believe Sundays and Mondays are byo with a small corkage fee but please double check. Occasionally there is a great guitarist playing live sets also.
(5)Jeff G.
Good gumbo and fantastic crawfish jambalaya. Plenty of nice menu options and they also offered about 8 lunch specials. Our order was taken right away and the food came out quickly. The staff was very friendly and drinks were kept filled throughout the meal. Prices were very reasonable. Glad I finally tried here and I will be back again.
(4)Kerri L.
The food was yummy - but I don't know if that excuses the poor service. We waited 1.5 hrs - and it just seemed so disorganized. Ambiance was ok (3 stars) and I'd definitely go back if it was during an OFF time with no wait. Was it worth waiting around for? NO. And I'm a person who has no problem waiting 1.5 hrs in line at Mama's in SF for breakfast... but this place doesn't come close.
(3)Magali T.
Dissapointing! I came back to this restaurant after a 3 year absence and I feel like the food is nowhere near as good as I recalled. I ordered the Chicken Cuza and basically got all of 2oz of chicken, if that, in 10lbs of penne. I had to hunt for the little squares of chicken and this greasy bowl of carb overload. Super disappointing. They serve a mean martini however, huge kudos to the bar tender. Don't bother coming for the food or the cramped room but do come for a happy hour!
(2)Peter B.
I had heard a lot good things about HSC, so I went there with high expectations. Unfortunately, the hype was more than what was delivered. I ordered Chicken etouffie, and I am not sure what happened in translation, but what I had was not even close what I was used to. My meal was not that great and overpriced.
(2)Eileen K.
I ordered blackened scallop , shrimp and chicken, the seafood was delicious the chicken was shoe leather. We will try it again, another chance. Service was very good.
(3)Roseanne F.
Are all you four and five star-ers HIGH? Friends of the owners? In West Chester for dinner a couple of weeks ago, I found this place on Yelp. I was excited about the cuisine, but woe was me. When we walked in, we were greeted with indifference. My "spicy" bloody mary was tomato juice and vodka, no spice, no fun, no garnishes, no nothing. Should have been my first clue. A cajun place with bland bloody marys? Especially since it looked like primarily a bar. The food was utterly bland and forgettable. And the young staff seemingly could not wait to get rid of us (it was only 8:30), and seemed confused when we asked for water, or another beer. But the real insult? Prices. You'd think you were at Emeril's. Avoid.
(1)Nicole L.
High Street Caffe is by far one of my favourite restaurants to go to, whether it's for a special occasion or just a "let's not cook tonight" weekend meal. I can't decide if it's the spectacular service, the distinctive Cajun decor, or the live guitarist strumming happily away in the corner. Maybe it's the food. Hell, it IS the food. They rock the spice in everything. Bad thing? Hell no. Let's start with the hot bread basket that comes out after you order your meal. Oh lord. Whatever they use to bake these delicious, fluffy rolls has got to be illegal in several states -- and the herbed butter they leave for you is equally addictive. Then there are the appetizers. They aren't kidding about the heat level on the blasphemously spicy voodoo shrimp, nor do you expect such a mild kick from the simmered artichokes. Seafood bisque is creamy, delightful, with plenty chunks of crab and shrimp. Salads are fresh and nicely dressed without saturating the leaves. Seriously, if you haven't stuffed your face by this point, you've got a lot more control than I do. Don't hate yourself for takin' your entree home, because portions are substantially huge when it comes to the etouffees or jambalayas. My personal favourite is the seared tuna with wasabi potatoes -- get it rare, then swoon at the spice crust, the contrasting flavours and the crunchy carrot slaw. Did you make it to dessert? Thank yourself for it, because they have a sinful chocolate torte which will make you sing and dance on their pretty tables. If you're not a cocoa person, their key lime pie is equally amazing -- tart, not overly sweet, crumbly crust. High Street Caffe also offers incredibly affordable prix-fixe meals on the weekends, and certain days are BYOB (can't remember if they have a corkage fee). This place fills up fast on the weekends, so be sure to call ahead for a reservation.
(5)Alli V.
This is my third trip here... And my last. The atmosphere is eclectic and unique and the food is maybe 3-4 stars. But each time the service was worse. This last dinner date I had there was about 2 hours... And when we told the waitress we wanted dessert but decided against it since everything took so painfully long she just said "I'm sorry but in doing the best I can". No kidding but how does that help 2 paying customers? No offer of comp dessert or a manager we may speak to. It doesn't matter we are not returning.
(2)Angela B.
First time visiting High Street Caffe and I must say that I was blown away! As a West Chester University Graduate I remember walking past this spot time and time again but finally decided to give it a chance after reading the reviews. My mom and I shared the Alligator Sausage and Fried Crawfish tail appetizers and they were GREAT!! For our meals she had a Salmon special with mashed potatoes and green beans while I had the Chicken and Shrimp Alfredo. The meal was delicious! I had a good portion to take home with me while my mom ate all her food in delight. I would definetly visit again! I would go on Tuesday when I can participate in the 5 course meal for $35 and bring my on wine.
(4)Lauren K.
So delicious! One of WC's top 3 for sure. I love the hangar steak, the ahi tuna, perogies, flatbreads, flourless chocolate torte, bananas foster... I come here for every special occasion or celebration I can think up. The prix fixe is a great deal if you want to eat out on a week night. This place really considers and cares for their guests. LOVE IT!
(5)Tom W.
Great food and live music in the heart of West Chester. Have eaten here numerous times, food is always excellent, wait staff is polite and responsive, and it's byob on Sundays. Could you ask for more?
(5)Scott B.
I am not sure where to begin. If you haven't been here, you really don't know what you are missing! High Street Cafe has the most unique menu selections guaranteed to delight most cajun/creole fans. With the addition of the most imaginative drink menu in town the High Street Caffe is perfect for the stop in casual drink, fun dinner experience or late night drinks with friends. I must say that I have rarely ordered from the regular dinner menu, except the appetizers, since every night the specials are always a treat. It is a must to save room for the bananas foster dessert, enough to satisfy a table of four!
(5)Amanda N.
Awesome beer selection. the flatbreads are delicious and a great choice if you want a more inexpensive dish. My favorite is the chicken jambalaya flatbread. We love our waitress here!
(5)Steve B.
Everyone has that sweatshirt in their closet that is the most comfortable article of clothing they own. Sure, it has a small hole in the back and it never gets the attention it deserves coming out of the wash, but you put it on and you just remember how awesome it is. I just realized following dinner last night at High Street Caffe that I haven't written a review yet for it - HSC is my culinary sweatshirt. Simply put, if you have not been here yet, live in the West Chester area, and prefer food over pretense... This should be your next OpenTable signup. This is not a place you find by the exterior signage and look. Its in an unassuming corner store across the street from a Burger King parking lot. This place gets its crowds from word of mouth, not by random driveby. Once you walk in, however, you are transported to a New Orleans bar. The lighting is dim, just as previous posters said. Its decked in blacks and purples, which also adds to the darkness somewhat. Most of the lighting in the restaurant comes from wall sconces and a TV at the bar (while it was not playing sound, it may have distracted me; If you are here for a romantic meal I'd recommend sitting with your back to it). The music was perfect as far as volume goes: Loud enough to filter out table's conversations nearby, but soft enough you could hold a normal conversation at your table. But hey, like I said in paragraph one, we're not here for pretense. Our last visit was on Valentine's Day, and they had a special menu. I had the gumbo as an appetizer, which is on the regular menu. Absolutely fantastic. The broth (and I use that term loosely, it has actual texture) melded with the vegetables, chicken, and andouille sausage wonderfully. It took a little bit to come out, but when it did it was still hot; Therefore, the delay was due to the V-Day crowd, not inattention by the chef or server IMHO. For my entree, I has the Country Jambalaya; I've had their regular jambalaya and that's fantastic in its own right. This jambalaya replaces the shrimp with short rib and their fantastic vudu pork. I'm calling meat-and-rice heaven in the middle of Chester County, people. Enough spice that you know where it comes from, but not so much you're reaching for a beverage after each bite. Portions are big, but not embarrassingly so. As previous reviewers have said... If you haven't had their bananas foster, that is the way to go as a High Street neophyte. I decided to try the Double-Chocolate Bread Pudding, knowing as I went in that I would be jealous of my wife's lack of variety (she took the foster). I'm happy to say that my jealousy was only slight - The warm bread pudding was fantastic. The chocolate was semi-sweet, so it wasn't overly sugary when added with the vanilla ice cream that came along with it. For anyone wanting to try something other than the bananas foster, your homework assignment is to try the wildflower honey and marscapone cheesecake; This was almost my dessert, and looked fantastic as it went to another table. Also, and this is worth noting: What they actually ran out of was tiramisu. Now, I love coffee-soaked lady fingers and marscapone as much as anyone, but I wouldn't have thought italian dessert with cajun. However, you don't run out if its bad, so that may be worth your attention. Simply put, High Street Caffe is worth your time and dollar for food that will take you to New Orleans without breaking the bank getting there.
(5)Martin B.
High street cafe is a great lunch option in WC. The creole style food is excellent!
(3)Andrew M.
Even though I think it's expensive the food is amazing. Only annoying thing is from time to time when you call and ask a question the answers you get depend on the person who answers.
(4)Jaime H.
This place is now called Vudu Cafe and Lounge. I dined here on a Saturday night with 5 friends. We were seated promptly as we had a reservation prior to the dinner rush. Kevin was our server and he was very knowledgeable and offered great suggestions. The menu offers several enticing dishes, and it was hard for us to decide. A good problem to have. We did drinks, appetizers and entrees. They provide you with bread and some cajuny butter that is quite delightful. The appetizers our group had were the stuffed mushroom (crab cake on top of a grilled portobello - yumz), fiery shrimp (sneaky hotness, loved by all), and blackened scallops. Three of us had the shrimp and crawfish etouffee in a peanut roux with the holy trinity. Another had blackened shrimp, scallops and rice, and another entree was the alligator sausage and boar with mashed potatoes and asparagus. The food was really good. The mashed potatoes were the only thing that struck me as better than good. I wasn't wow-ed by anything in particular, but it was good. And even though I had the Panty Dropper cocktail (sorry, Mom), I keep describing the food as 'good.' Good? Good. I do believe they are a bit overpriced, and the decor reminds me of high school prom. The tables are what my friend described as 'tailgating tables' covered by purple table clothes. I can get over the decor, and enjoy the good food, but what really bothered our group was the vulture-esque attention from the staff when it came to clearing plates and urging us to 'box' our food (not our server, Kevin). They were all too eager to move us on out the door. I cannot count the times we had to explain that we were still working on our appetizers and entrees - good food, good drink, and great company are not to be rushed. I was literally three bites into my entree the first time I was asked if I wanted to box my food. No joke. They had our table of 6 in and out the door in less than an hour. Really.
(3)Brenda W.
The blackened alligator bites appetizer was a bit disappointing; very small pieces of gator. It was tasty though. Calamari was good, but not outstanding. The restaurant is very cramped; I was constantly jostled by waitresses and the people at the table behind us whenever they stood up. The icebreaker drink was quite tasty, but overpriced at $10. We were in West Chester, not the city. I had the shrimp and crawfish etouffee, which was quite good, and a large enough serving that I had leftovers. Plenty of shrimp and crawfish in it. The hangar steak was surprisingly good, nice and tender with a complementary blue cheese topping. The gumbo was great; nice and flavorful and a bit spicy. The jambalaya was good, but a bit too similar to the gumbo in taste, which is typical. The Pecan Chicken & Shrimp Bourbon Orleans was a nice change from the flavors of everything else. Overall, a bit pricey and crowded, but I would go back.
(4)Jean C.
This place is a gem in West Chester. It's a lot different then the other restaurants in West Chester which is perfect. Great scenery and it is definitely an older crowd. Went here on a date a few weeks ago and have to give this place a 4/5. For our appetizer we ordered the vudu shrimp and the calamari. BEWARE OF THE VUDU SHRIMP. IT IS SO SPICY. I love spicy and I understand the concept of cajin food having a little kick to it. But oh man.... these shrimps were out of the world spicy. It came on top of a bed of rice and also alot of sour cream. I'm pretty sure they accompany this dish with sour cream because of the spice level of the shrimp. So delicious but SO hot. For entrees we ordered the jambalaya with chicken and the fettuccine Alfredo jambalaya. The jambalaya was the BEST jambalaya I have ever had. High Street Caffe is a must try if you are in the area. Will 100% be returning.
(4)Sharda D.
Amazing as usual although I was slightly disappointed that the duck wasn't on the menu - hopefully next time nevertheless, always an awesome meal
(5)Matthew F.
Ok, first things first. I was really looking forward to this place. Maybe there in lies the disappointing two stars. West Chester is about a 45 minute drive for us. On the good side, it was easy to find, the place has a cool vibe, the ceviche was very good, the service was great. So why only two stars? Two of the three entres were just ok. Nothing special. With all the good I mentioned, and a great beer selection I will be back to give the food another try. With some drinks the bill was $140 plus tip. Hope this helps. Here's what we had: Ceviche - loved it. Should have gotten two of them. Cajun popcorn - ok, lie calamari Jambalaya (standard) Iwas really hoping this would have been special. Maybe next time ill try one there other jambalayas. Chicken Cuza - again, just ok. Pecan chicken and shrimp- this was the stand out of the three. If all three entrees were this special it would have been an easy five star recommendation.
(2)Jess R.
I went here for lunch and the place was empty. There were two waitresses working and we had the only table. The food was delicious. The service, however, was terrible. Our waitress didn't introduce herself, she just said 'are you ready?' it also took a really long time to get our food, and we had simple meals, (soup and salad). Eventually the waitress brought two of our meals and my salad didn't come for another five minutes. Like I said, the food here is great, but the service was so slow and frustrating that I will not return.
(2)Joanne M.
Reservations are needed especially on the weekends. We waited a bit but it was worth it. The food is delish... try the chicken and waffles SO good!
(4)Kit-N-Debbie W.
It's hard to give a 5 star because every aspect of your experience should be perfect. We are long time customers of Vudu Lounge/High Street Caffe. Virtually have never had a bad meal, great environment, feels like you are in New Orleans. The staff is awesome. The owner, Donny Syracuse, who bartends much of the time, is a local celebrity for his musical accomplishments, not to mention his unbelievable personality. The reason for this 5 star Yelp is his new part time bartender, Erin. She is something special. Can you imagine while we were deep in conversation with our second martini being about halfway done, she asked if we wanted them reshaken. Now that's service.
(5)Zoe S.
4 of us recently visited High Street Caffe with high expectations, and they were definitely met! The food was delicious, drinks were great, and service was friendly. We started off with the coconut beer battered shrimp which were excellent. Our table also enjoyed the chicken etouffee, chicken & shrimp jambalaya, goat cheese salad, and chicken cuza. All were delicious--the jambalaya and etoufee were highlights. I just wish the lighting had been a little better--my parents had a difficult time reading the menu; the room was also pretty loud.
(4)TK W.
Love the decor and live Jazz. Food was ok. They have private parking lot at the back.
(3)Lazlo K.
The High Street Caffe is one of my all-time favorite places to eat in WC. True hidden gem for those of you who are seeking a special suprise. It's not on the "Strip" in WC, so you have to look for it. the Menu is KILLER - I hear it was designed by Dan Funk, the chef that used to own the New Orleans Cafe in Media/Delco. The owner is an older fella, straigh outa the 80s - very cool dude. Love the vibe here.
(5)Jenna L.
Good Cajun food but REALLY heavy as to be expected. The Seafood bisque is excellent - you have to get it. The Jambalaya is okay - it has so much sauce that it's hard to taste the food. The chicken creole looked really good. The bananas foster was awesome. The prix fixe menu for $30 was a really good deal. The ambiance is cool, you definitely feel like you are in New Orleans and the service was really good.
(4)Jenna C.
I stand corrected - While High Street used to be closed on Mondays last summer, it is now open on Mondays. Happy day! More chances to enjoy the fabulous-ness that is High Street Caffe.
(5)J S.
Service was questionable, long wait even though tables were open. Food came out half hot half cold. probably wouldn't come back
(2)Jay N.
Being Cajun myself, hailing from Lafayette, LA, it was a no-brainer for a friend of mine to bring me here recently to try the food. I'm no professional food critic of course but like almost all non-Cajun 'Cajun' restaurants, (i.e. those outside of Acadiana, Louisiana) High Street misses the mark on extremely flavorful Cajun cuisine. I don't blame them however; I found the food to be a great substitute for the real thing. Portions are generous and they have Cajun favorites such as chicken, crawfish or shrimp etouffe', though the crawfish were a bit tough and no doubt Chinese crawfish. (there is a distinct difference between domestic/Louisiana-grown crawfish tail meat and its Chinese counterpart; the domestic generally tasting fresher, less tough and less like its been frozen for a long period of time). On a very quiet Saturday night in West Chester, this place was hopping, a testament to the owner and his choice of opening a Cajun restaurant in the most yankee of locations. The ambiance was okay though the place is a bit crowded, an obvious attempt is made to get as many folks into the main dining area as possible with the result giving the feel of a cafeteria setting as opposed to a quaint, boutique cafe. High marks for the food, good marks for the service and a bit lower on the atmosphere and feel. I'd definitely recommend it if you're in the mood for Cajun-esque food; but please, try to visit south Louisiana at least once in your life for the real thing!
(5)Michael F.
If you are looking for authentic cajun/creole, I would not call High Street Caffe your destination. Having been to New Orleans many times, and having tried to reproduce my own favorites (red beans n rice, jambalaya) I was hoping High Street Caffe would bring back some memories of my trips. This is not the case. The food might be better described as West Chester Continental with a Cajun/Creole twist. On one visit, I had a seafood Po Boy. Is was a real mess. Open face, so much "sauce" it was impossible to eat it the conventional way. I would have appreciated a better description or warning from my waiter before ordering it. I left dreaming of a Mother's Shrimp Po Boy, which this was far from. So, you'll wind up getting a fun cajun/creole inspired meal here, but just don't expect to think you are in New Orleans at any point. Two stars might be tough, but I've never been the same since that messy "Po Boy".
(2)Deborah R.
The Étouffée was so remarkable that I forgot to "Check-in" with yelp* during my dining experience on Saturday at the High Street Caffe! Did i mention that purple is my favorite color?
(4)Brendan S.
One of the best places in West Chester. I have been there dozens of times now and every meal has been quality. Wednesday nights are a perfect time to go. Great food and Jazz.
(4)Jeff C.
Great food and great decor! The food is very flavorful and there is a good selection of creative dishes. I would recommend the voodoo shrimp, blacked alligator, Cajun popcorn, county jambalaya, or any of there specials! Somewhat mild for a cajun restaurant, but just ask for some hot sauce to add the kick it needs. Bottom line- I would and do return and would recommend it to friends.
(4)Kate D.
I LOVE High Street! Been coming here for a few years and I still get really excited when we decide to go! The spicy flavors are enough to raise your eyebrow, but not overwhelming. And the chef will customize your dish to your preferred degree of heat. One visit, my hubby was having a difficult time deciding between two entrees so the waiter disappeared and returned to tell us "the chef will take care of it." As our food was brought to us, the chef had created a personalized dish for hubby that incorporated the flavors and meats of both main dishes. It was exciting, and really amazing. Great personal touch. My favorite is the pecan bourbon chicken and shrimp in a Cajun cream sauce - and I can't leave until I have dessert. Donny knows how do end a meal right. Yeah bananas foster!!!
(5)Geoff G.
JAMBALAYA! I tried their 'catfish imperiale' or something like that...a nice grilled catfish with jumbo lump crab on top, delicious. Over the past few years we go at least annually for a Cajun refresher. I think it's more a cajun restaurant than one pretending to be. Good flavor / never had a bad meal there. Nice menu / reliable favorites Parking can be a pain
(4)Elizabeth D.
Kitschy New Orleans style decor, crowded bar, very lively crowd. The beer list is great but a little pricey. Our party enjoyed the jambalaya, Etouffee, Chicken Cuva, Voodoo Shrimp, Gumbo, and Grilled Portabello Salad. The portions here are huge - I had enough for lunch the next day! It's a fun spot for dinner, but be prepared to wait on a weekend. Parking can be interesting, but the side streets are usually pretty empty.
(4)Douglas S.
Simply, the food is awesome Cajun...spicy, flavorful, diverse...never a disappointment. Wine complements the menu well and is fair priced. Only thing that comes up short is the ambience. More of an Orlean's night club, better viewed after sunset as cleanliness is not a strong suit.
(3)Jean R.
I've eaten at High Street on a regular basis since first trying there about 7 years ago. It is seriously some of the best food in the entire world! I order the blackened scallops (only scallops) just about every time I go there and they never disappoint. The seating is tight (the place needs to be about double the size that it is) and it gets loud, especially when they have someone playing live music, but the food is worth it all. They have a bar now but you can still bring your own. It's fun to go with a group of friends or even with just one other person. You can usually find parking on Gay Street or one of the nearby side streets so that's not really a problem either. If you like spicy and you like Cajun, this is a great local place to try!
(5)Rob m.
Without of doubt one of the Greatest eateries in the USA! Chef Jay Wenner puts out these wonderful dishes. In over three years eating there on a monthly basis, I HAVE NEVER had a bad meal!!!!! Service is wonderful. The wait staff is next NONE! Kevin is the man, Best Waiter east of Chicago!!!!! The owner, Donnie Syracuse, an 80s Big Hair rocker, has transformed a mild coffee shop into one of the coolest places in the world to eat or just hang out at the bar. ( If you are lucky you willl hear him and others play after the dinner hours!) And dont forget to order Bananas Foster for dessert! You won't be dissapointed!
(5)Taylor O.
This was our escape from our extended stay hotel on the side of the highway in Malvern! Help: boredom alarm. We wanted to spice things up, so that we did. As I read here on Yelp the appetizers being the best part we reeled in some blackened gator in a mustard sauce which was the highlight of the evening. The voodoo crawfish (allegedly the spiciest thing on the menu) was also great but the sauce was a bit too thick, somewhat near motor oil in viscosity. The selection of beers was interesting and we tried a few and one brave soul (read: me) tried the jalapeno infused vodka based Vudu martini. Oh, it was spicy. I take it they received a license and it's no longer BYOB as mentioned in the other review. The service was slow and the crowd was weird, but it is West Chester and we experienced that at each establishment. The portions were fine but not huge like the other review implies. I went for the mustard fried catfish which was excellent, other got crab cakes, touffee, etc., but nothing could quite beat the appetizers.
(4)Dave H.
This BYOB minds its own business next to a Burger King. I've had dinner here twice and noticed it's one popular spot, as it was crowded both times (Tuesday and Friday). From appetizers to entrees to desserts, High Street Caffe delivers gourmet Cajun, creole, and "exotic" cuisine in healthy portions: - Their complimentary sugarbread (heavenly!) and butter/sour cream mix (smooth and rich) is made in-house. - My favorite appetizer is their voodoo crawfish ($9), made with a triple-XXX barbecue paste and served with rice and sour cream - I never found out what was in it, except for habaneros. When it was brought out, I was warned not to dig in right away, though the suffocating smell alone was warning enough! When I finally bit into the crawfish, I experienced pain and pleasure fused together. (At one point I was sobbing. I drank so much water it was unhealthy, and yes, I will order it again. Thank god for the sour cream in it.) - Their blackened crocodile tail appetizer ($10) is covered with an exciting creole mustard sauce. The tender small bits of meat (cooked in Cajun spices) melted in our mouths. - The fried shrimp wenner ($11) is great, just like the crawfish. Creole-fried shrimp sauteed with Andouille, onions and tomatoes in a sweet and spicy habanero sauce, with rice. Unlike the crawfish, the wenner is bearable and finger-licking good (but don't eat them with your hands). - The pan seared duck appetizer (~$10) which was sweet and moist (mmmm fatty) thanks to a bourbon apricot glaze. Sadly it was only a special for that day... Entrees I've had were so-so: - The mesquite pepper ostrich isn't bad. I had it cooked medium rare and it tasted practically raw. Perhaps the crawfish destroyed my tastebuds, but there didn't seem to be any taste to the ostrich (also don't see it on the menu now). - Their lamb tenderloins ($24) were tasty and tender but the next time I go to High Street, I think I'll stick to the small plates! More bang for my buck, thank you. The shining service and AMAZING appetizers alone make it easy for me to overlook the entrees and give this High Street Caffe my highest recommendation. This place rocks my world and it'll rock yours too. Reservations recommended.
(5)Larry W.
Great place- highly recommend if you like Cajun or creole food and you can't get to New Orleans anytime soon. I had the crawfish étouffée and it was excellent. My friend had a po boy that was huge and looked great. Will be going back again soon!!!
(5)Lisa Q.
Ever since I happened upon Cajun Kate's ( yelp.com/biz/cajun-kates… ) I'm always a bit grumbly when I have to pay High prices here, but I shouldn't be: the price reflects the purpose, and each restaurant serves it's purpose very well. At High Street Caffe, you're paying of course for the haute cuisine spin on creole cooking, but also for the luxury of sitting in a chair. High Street is where you take your friends in West Chester if you want to have a delicious high-class dinner in a dimmed, richly hued hip atmosphere. Cajun Kate's is where you go if you want to wear sweats and shove your way onto one of the 6 hotly contested stools to shovel down the best authentic cajun food from here to Nawlins. Different purposes, as you can see, but I love each one equally. High Street Caffe is my favorite restaurant in West Chester, hands down. It's flavors and style really assert themselves, and I've never, ever had a bad meal here. The service is friendly, even the mild roar you encounter on the weekends when it's completely full has a convivial charm to it. High St's 3-courses-for-30-bucks prix fixe menu is the best deal; most of the entrees featured on the prix fixe menu hover in the 25 dollar range, so you'll make out like a bandit (albeit one who's bitten off more than he can chew, quite literally: the portion sizes are very generous). The blackened red snapper, lobster ravioli, alligator sausage, lamb, etouffee offerings, bananas foster...these are all fantastic dishes. Just make sure to get extra bread- it's sublime.
(5)Len B.
I cannot believe how good the food and beer were. Never even made it to entrees. Ordered 6 appetizers and all were tremendous! Have to be ready for tight quarters and full house but it adds to the experience.
(5)Xtine H.
I had heard about this place from a friend who knew I was trying to track down pumpkin martinis, and boy am I ever glad I visited. I liked it so much that after my first visit (for aps and drinks), I went back 3 days later (for dinner). The drink menu highlights-Blood Orange Sangria (!!!) "Voodoo" Old Fashioned, and a nice selection of beers. Its a BYOB ($5 cork fee) and you can buy a bottle as well! best of both worlds! cute lil purple place, cool decor, cozy space and the menu choices are fantastic. From the huge cups of soup, to crawfish, I cannot recommend this place enough. You definitely need reservations for Fridays and Saturdays the 3 course Prix-Fix menu is a great way to try a few dishes. I would like to try lunch on a weekday sometime
(5)Sabrina L.
They have great customer service! The first time I came here for dinner our waiter gave us a complimentary appetizer. The food is sooooo good! I would highly recommend the jambalaya pasta! If you go for lunch the johnny cash burger is delicious! I am definitely a fan!
(4)Stephen W.
A very nice venue with great blues background. I would call this a Cajun restaurant for folks who don't care much for Cajun food. The menu us creative and mild. Real Cajun is better sought at Cajun Kate's. Also the nearby Crawdaddy has a more flavor intensive menu. But High Street is pleasant enough for more mainstream tastes. Many people will have folks in their part who do not like foods with intense flavors, which makes this a good choice for some. You might want to ask for some hot sauce (tellingly, this is the only 'cajun' bistro in the area that does not have this condiment on the table..!)
(2)Shreekant P.
They must have added like a gazzilion more tables to an already cramped space and the seating by the bar. I was constantly bumped by servers, and guests alike. Boy was it noisy on Friday night! I have not accounted for these nuisances in my rating as the food quality and presentation is excellent. Everything we got was above par. Our favorites: Voodoo shrimp, blackened alligator for appetizers, blackened red fish, the cajun linguini, and Etouffe. Finally, dear wait staff--please lighten up. We have come to have a nice time!!
(3)Ruth Y.
This place is a great "bang for your buck." It has great cajun/creole cooking, especially seafood. And I am saying this as a "non-seafood person." The lobster ravioli is especially wonderful; it literally melts in your mouth. My humble suggestion is to get an extra order of their wonderful warm bread to sop up the creamy, heavenly sauce. Other favorites of mine/my friends (since I always request to be taken to this place for my birthday) is the alligator sausage, which is flavored perfectly, and, of course, their banana's foster. I find that most of the appetizers are delicious. Another favorite of my friends is the after dinner show where I proceed to lick the banana foster bowl clean. Hey! There is no pride where my banana's foster is concerned! If you are into alcohol (sorry, I am not, so I can not say much regarding this), they have obtained a liquor license and serve alcohol. This happened after some of the earlier reviews, so I am just updating. Sometimes it gets a bit loud Friday nights (and possibly other weekend nights?) when they have live music playing. However, this may be a plus in some people's eyes as it adds to the ambiance. The place is on the dark side decorated in dark purple, which gives it a romantic feeling. They also take their reservations pretty seriously, if you are more than 10-15 minutes late, your reservation is gone! Reservations recommended.
(5)Michaela H.
Hands down our favorite restaurant in the West Chester/Main Line area-- actually, maybe one of our most favorite restaurants, period. This jewel serves up top notch cajun dishes (we loved the blackened alligator appetizer, especially) amidst a jovial NOLA atmosphere. The cocktail (you gotta go for the Hurricane!) and beer selections are always great. But best of all is the bananas foster. Oh. My. God. When I die, I want to buried in this stuff. It is OUT OF THIS WORLD. A great place to bring visitors, family, etc. We have never had less than a fabulous experience every time we've gone!
(5)Scott L.
good solid restaurant. we got jumbalaya for each of our entrees and we got the cajun popcorn (basically fried crawfish tails) for an app. jumbalaya was good. mine would of not been worth the portion size, but i was pretty full from the app so it was fine. my gf's was bigger (i guess cuz she didn't get the one on special?). it had good spice and good ingredients. my gf ordered chicken and shrimp, and it only had about 2 peices of shrimp in it, albeit big, only 2 of them =/ mine had everything it said it did, and a lot of it, so that part was good, just wish i woulda had more on the plate. cajun popcorn app was real good, and so was the sauce that came underneath it. very nawleans. :) also, the bread they give you before the meal and the BUTTER, OMG THE BUTTER. it's like a cajun spiced compound butter. it's probably the best butter i have ever tasted. incredible - by far the best thing about the meal lol. we each got a beer (or two). meal was kinda pricey. i think it was like $70 something, but i don't remember exactly. Around $15-$20 for the entrees, and like $10 or so for the app, plus beers/tax/tip, service was a little slow, but they were very nice, so that was fine. if you want something a lil different, and don't mind kicking some extra cash out - go for it. very cool environment (if you like the whole southern "soul" feel), nice people, and a pretty cool crowd. you'll also eat pretty well.
(3)Michael L.
We were on our way home to Villanova from Baltimore. 95 was a nightmare, so we decided to get off at 202 and head to West Chester for dinner. Once there, we literally asked a man on the street for a recommendation. He suggested High Street Cafe, "if you can get a table." This was around 6PM on a Tuesday in mid-June. Turned out that getting a table was not a problem. Everything fell into place, and we enjoyed a very good meal, with good service. The pear salad was fresh and appropriately dressed. Cocktails were just a tad watery. My salmon was perfect, but the side of greens was over spiced. My special lady friend's blackened red snapper was also a bit over spiced [mind you, we have no aversion to some kick; we just like the flavor to be complimented and not over-powered]. Both fish were fresh and cooked to perfection. There's a cool atmosphere here, but perhaps a bit out of sync with the caliber of food. Turn the lights up a little, get the wait staff in sync with the kitchen, use a little less unnecessary spice [and a little less ice in the cocktails] -this place goes from 4 to 5 stars.
(4)Frank H.
Great Cajun food and the owner Donny is a great guy who plays the Patio sometimes on Weekends at Barnaby's.
(5)Diego U.
Absolutely one of my favorite restaurants in philly and its suburbs. My family and i frequent it and are yet to be disappointed. The food is wonderful and BYOB makes it easy on the wallet, (although it is now only on certain notes). The staff is friendly and the ambiance is great with low lighting and live music playing most nights. Appetizers and desserts are just as good as the entrees. I cant reccommend enough!
(5)phaedra g.
I was pleasantly surprised by the menu selection. I usually do not eat shellfish, so i wasn't sure if i would be able to find anything to my liking. There is something for everyone! The food was delicious and the portions were large. I even took some food home (which i rarely do). the wait staff was nice and they have great drinks and a nice selection of wines! go!
(5)TJ S.
My favorite restaurant in West Chester!!! Can't get enough of the seafood etouffee!!! I wouldn't be afraid to try anything on the menu!
(5)Rick D.
Meh. Maybe I've become a Cajun snob, but for me - High Street misses the mark. The blackening seasoning was surprisingly bland. Dessert and cappuccino were by far the highlight of the meal, and the service was excellent. Y'all looking for a taste of 'Nawlins? Catch the next flight to MSY. Who dat!
(3)Bob H.
Best restaurant in all of West Chester. They have it all, great food, ambiance, decor, and service. The food is dynamite, huge selection from alligator to filet. The feel of High Street is like you just stepped off of bourbon st and into one of their fabulous caffes in New Orleans. Also the servers are very attentive and will go out of their way if you have any questions about the menu. They have a full liquor license now but they still accept BYOB
(5)Nicole C.
How do you make one of the best spots in West Chester better? Add a bar! To compliment High Street's always on point delicious cajun food, they now have tons of fun beers from local selections to imports and exciting New Orleans inspired cocktails. Happy Hour from 4:30-6:30 Monday thru Friday includes drink discounts and $5 appetizers and flatbreads. If you're going for dinner, don't miss the Pecan Bourbon Chicken and Shrimp. I'd go with the Veggie flatbread for something lighter if your just snacking. Oh, and they have awesome Jazz on Wednesday nights. If you were into the Thursday night jazz when Vincents was still around you'll see and hear some of the same cats at High Street now, a day sooner in the week and right on time.
(5)A W.
Good food. Good beer. Excellent wait staff. Good vibe. This is a great spot for a good dinner. Jambalaya is great, as is the steak and fish. Haven't had a bad meal here yet.
(5)Dave R.
After eating at this West Chester legend about a dozen times over the past 4 or so years, I have to say that High Street Caffe is one of my all-time favorites. It is intimate dining at its best and the New Orleans menu offers their twist on the staples and a long list of daily specials that are equally succulent. Try the blackened catfish or crabcakes, they are both excellent. Also, their alligator dishes are superb. Chef Wenner has become somewhat of a local hero for good reason- his food tastes wonderful. I've dined here with friends and family and with my lady and every one always has a great time and a good meal. Now with a full bar, the vibe has changed slightly but maybe for the better. Imagine a packed house on a Saturday night for a Phillies playoff game. Fine dining food plus baseball and a huge Hurricane makes Dave a happy boy. Great service. Waiters don't seem to leave this place and they are very good at what they do. One of the best restaurants in the area from the delicious bread to the Bananas Foster. But bring your appetite, your wallet, and preferably, a designated driver.
(5)Robyn K.
OMG! I LOOOOOVE this restaurant! I went there for the first time today and was super impressed with everything! The ambience, the friendliness of the staff and the food...oh my the food was to die for. I dont think you can go wrong with anything. Even the bread rolls they give you at first is yummy. Hubby and I had chicken tenders and the alligator sausage flat bread for apps. To die for!! Did I mention the portions are huge. By the time entree came we were so full and had to take to-go...we noticed everyone had a to-go bag too. For entree, i had the blackened cat fish...oh gosh, the taste, AMAZING!!!!
(5)Bethany B.
Amazing food. Warm, welcoming staff. Nothing was able to satisfy my pregnancy-induced spicy cravings like their Voodoo Crawfish.
(5)Dave J.
Voodoo crawfish!!! Don't you dare put sour cream on these things either, man up! Best crawfish in the area. Great beer selection as well. Good menu and good prices. If you dont like tight places, dont go at common hours. Parking can be tough but it's West Chester, find the garage on High Street and you're golden.
(5)Elise K.
This is the best restaurant I've eaten at in West Chester (even better than its neighbor Avalon)! It's dark and a bit dingy in there, but you can count on friendly staff, interesting characters hanging at the bar and new and exciting specials on the menu (one time, this amazing buffalo steak and another time, oyster stew with the best broth I've ever had). Not that there's anything wrong with the regular menu - try the Voodoo shrimp if you're in the mood for spicy that'll have you sweating and tearing up. The smoky Portobello and mozzarella salad is delicious if you're looking for something small; entrees are large, authentic (as far as I can tell!) and creative. It's a bit pricier than many of the restaurants in WC, but you can't beat the flavors, and the wine list has some good quality selections at great prices (Mark West Pinot Noir for just $28). There's garage parking across from Barnaby's on High Street, and when you walk back to your car, you can choose from two ice cream/yogurt shops if you don't pig out like we do on the to-die-for caramel-laden bananas Foster.
(5)Brian M.
Haven't been there for a while, but used to go often. I always had a great experience. The food was very good. But I think it is more creole-esque, but certainly not cajun. I usually have seafood or fish when I go and never have been served less than a delicious meal. It has been around for many years and remains very popular. Actually, writing this, I need to go visit soon. BYOB and full bar-I know strange, but it works. Can get really loud.
(4)Jonathan D.
Have only been here a few times but this place is great... real nice menu... If you're looking for cajun/creole this is the place to go to. Also, not sure if they still have it...but get the Bananas Foster for dessert...AMAZING!!
(5)Casey L.
oh my gosh, this dinner goes on my top ten list. we went for my sister in laws birthday - had a reservation but still waited a good 25 minutes for a table, which was totally worth it. It is BYOWine, but they have a full liquor bar. we ordered from their martini menu and others with us drank the wine we brought (corking fee). we had soups and salads to start - crab bisque for me, but I tried the salads too and they were phenomenal too. Sometimes I crave a salad and so many restaurants fall short. anyway, dinner was excellent all around, we all had seafood (most of the menu is fish) not one of our party of 5 was dissatisfied, my father in law lived in New Orleans for years and he was totally impressed. the only down side was it was noisy, a little too noisy for conversation amongst a group and there was a man playing guitar, but it was really just one very long continuous song. in short, definitely make a reservation, try something new and bring a jacket - they keep the front door open and some seats are right in front of it. they also do catering and discounts for west chester U students
(5)Melanie T.
Does anyone know if they are still BYOB??????
(5)Sally f.
incredible food. im so excited i got to try alligator! and it was fantastic! the bisque soup was also a highlight. service was a little slow but we didnt mind too much. our server was very nice. live music was a plus. although it was a bit cramped and the chairs werent too nice. but we left very full and very happy. we actually wished we had split an entree because they were huge.
(4)Christopher P.
I've gone to High Street Cafe, now known as the Vudu Lounge, about 10 times over the past 7 years and the food is generally excellent. If you are an oyster fan, definitely get the fried oyster appetizer (they use fresh oysters). If it is still on the menu, stay away from the Hanger steak, which was much too fatty when I had it during my last visit. Anticipating a "hanger steak is supposed to be fatty" comment, the steak did not have edible texture for a hanger steak, which suggested too little marinating and improper grilling technique.
(4)Cate W.
High Street Cafe is one of my favorite restaurants in West Chester. The food has been consistently great over the many years of my patronage, and the servers are really on top of their game. They have recently gotten their liquor license and have a variety of fun cocktails, but you can still bring in your own wine. I would always recommend High Street Cafe to friends!
(5)Bob A.
Our family has held all of our annual celebrations at High Street for the past 3 years. The past few times we have noticed that the establishment has strayed off-mark. Service has become unbearable (it had always been relaxed, but almost a 25 minutes for drink refills, 1.5 hours for our meal, and another 30 minutes for our check after we refused desert) and after concluding our Mother's Day dinner with a slightly heated conversation with the owner I will make sure to not only share how disappointed we were, but to also make you aware of how arrogant the owner of this place really is. It was Mother's Day and like every other Mother's Day for the past three years it was assumed where we would go. Only this time it was with a slight hesitation. Our last trip to High Street Cafe a few months back was very disappointing, from the messed up reservation, the poor service and the guitar player who insisted on playing one notch higher than anyone trying to enjoy a conversation with their party. As familiar this place has become to our typical family gatherings, we said nothing and just felt it was an off night for everyone. So feeling that our last trip was just an off-night we decided to move forward with our plans for Mother's Day.Upon arriving, we were greeted at the door by an employee. I told them my name and than was told our table was right in front of us, in the middle of the restaurant, as you first walked into the door. Because of our last issue with the sound and my family unable to hear each other I made sure over the phone for the reservations that we would receive a table along the wall. I explained why and explained the importance of this seating arrangement. The person over the phone went a step further to say, "Well how about I put you on one of the side tables in front of the window?" I agreed and ended our conversation. When I brought this up to the employee she said in a very ignorant tone, "Well that's not going to happen! Those tables just sat down." We waited for about twenty minutes and finally got a table along the side. Hoping to keep our mom happy we kindly thanked them for accommodating us and hope to move on from this little episode. From this point is where everything really went downhill. It took over twenty minutes to even get a drink list, than another twenty minutes to get our drinks ordered. By the time we got our appetizers ordered our drinks were half gone and by the time we received them they were basically empty. We waited a little more than twenty minutes for the server to even come over to ask if we needed refills. By now the appetizers were gone. We finally got our refills and about 30 minutes later our food finally came out. My mom's jambalaya was cold. It was cold to the touch and taste. When we told our server she said, "Well I can take it back and warm it up real fast." When you pay 23 dollars for a plate of rice and chicken, the last thing you want is for it to be "nuked". We continued to have issues with things all night and asked to speak to the owner who because of the size of his establishment serves as the manager. After we received our check and the server swipe the card we decided to ask when the owner would be over. We were told he is busy and would be right out. We knew that he was simply hiding behind the bar wall waiting for us to leave. As we got up to leave my father and I decided to approach him and question our importance as satisfied customers. His response was the most ridiculous thing I had ever heard. He told us well we don't understand things. He just got back Cuba where he "threw little poor kids guitar strings and money because that's the type of person I am." and "they just appreciate to get food on their plates" and "You wouldn't understand since you wouldn't be able to go there." I responded with that has nothing to do with how horrible everything was and your lack of concern for our situation. He continued to ramble on with cocky and arrogant comments telling us that we should just be happy that he allowed us to eat in his establishment because we are not as worthy of humans as he is, and we as part of the normal crowd don't deserve good service or fresh food. I kid you not; he really spoke of himself so highly. Finally after all of his insults my dad decided to throw an insult his way by saying, "The food sucked!" He got so mad that my dad had the nerve to criticize his food after he had no problem with attacking our characters and labeling us as "not good enough". This is where the conversation escalated to the point where we said "Thank you and we will never be back" and left. It was now after ten. It took three whole hours for appetizers and dinner. This man needs to be brought back to earth and shown he is as human as any of us. I understand that many of you may go and enjoy your time, but just remember about how the owner views you, and that is that you are lucky to have the privilege to dine in his establishment. I could have a
(1)Andrew M.
Even though I think it's expensive the food is amazing. Only annoying thing is from time to time when you call and ask a question the answers you get depend on the person who answers.
(4)Angela B.
First time visiting High Street Caffe and I must say that I was blown away! As a West Chester University Graduate I remember walking past this spot time and time again but finally decided to give it a chance after reading the reviews. My mom and I shared the Alligator Sausage and Fried Crawfish tail appetizers and they were GREAT!! For our meals she had a Salmon special with mashed potatoes and green beans while I had the Chicken and Shrimp Alfredo. The meal was delicious! I had a good portion to take home with me while my mom ate all her food in delight. I would definetly visit again! I would go on Tuesday when I can participate in the 5 course meal for $35 and bring my on wine.
(4)Lauren K.
So delicious! One of WC's top 3 for sure. I love the hangar steak, the ahi tuna, perogies, flatbreads, flourless chocolate torte, bananas foster... I come here for every special occasion or celebration I can think up. The prix fixe is a great deal if you want to eat out on a week night. This place really considers and cares for their guests. LOVE IT!
(5)Tom W.
Great food and live music in the heart of West Chester. Have eaten here numerous times, food is always excellent, wait staff is polite and responsive, and it's byob on Sundays. Could you ask for more?
(5)Scott B.
I am not sure where to begin. If you haven't been here, you really don't know what you are missing! High Street Cafe has the most unique menu selections guaranteed to delight most cajun/creole fans. With the addition of the most imaginative drink menu in town the High Street Caffe is perfect for the stop in casual drink, fun dinner experience or late night drinks with friends. I must say that I have rarely ordered from the regular dinner menu, except the appetizers, since every night the specials are always a treat. It is a must to save room for the bananas foster dessert, enough to satisfy a table of four!
(5)Amanda N.
Awesome beer selection. the flatbreads are delicious and a great choice if you want a more inexpensive dish. My favorite is the chicken jambalaya flatbread. We love our waitress here!
(5)Steve B.
Everyone has that sweatshirt in their closet that is the most comfortable article of clothing they own. Sure, it has a small hole in the back and it never gets the attention it deserves coming out of the wash, but you put it on and you just remember how awesome it is. I just realized following dinner last night at High Street Caffe that I haven't written a review yet for it - HSC is my culinary sweatshirt. Simply put, if you have not been here yet, live in the West Chester area, and prefer food over pretense... This should be your next OpenTable signup. This is not a place you find by the exterior signage and look. Its in an unassuming corner store across the street from a Burger King parking lot. This place gets its crowds from word of mouth, not by random driveby. Once you walk in, however, you are transported to a New Orleans bar. The lighting is dim, just as previous posters said. Its decked in blacks and purples, which also adds to the darkness somewhat. Most of the lighting in the restaurant comes from wall sconces and a TV at the bar (while it was not playing sound, it may have distracted me; If you are here for a romantic meal I'd recommend sitting with your back to it). The music was perfect as far as volume goes: Loud enough to filter out table's conversations nearby, but soft enough you could hold a normal conversation at your table. But hey, like I said in paragraph one, we're not here for pretense. Our last visit was on Valentine's Day, and they had a special menu. I had the gumbo as an appetizer, which is on the regular menu. Absolutely fantastic. The broth (and I use that term loosely, it has actual texture) melded with the vegetables, chicken, and andouille sausage wonderfully. It took a little bit to come out, but when it did it was still hot; Therefore, the delay was due to the V-Day crowd, not inattention by the chef or server IMHO. For my entree, I has the Country Jambalaya; I've had their regular jambalaya and that's fantastic in its own right. This jambalaya replaces the shrimp with short rib and their fantastic vudu pork. I'm calling meat-and-rice heaven in the middle of Chester County, people. Enough spice that you know where it comes from, but not so much you're reaching for a beverage after each bite. Portions are big, but not embarrassingly so. As previous reviewers have said... If you haven't had their bananas foster, that is the way to go as a High Street neophyte. I decided to try the Double-Chocolate Bread Pudding, knowing as I went in that I would be jealous of my wife's lack of variety (she took the foster). I'm happy to say that my jealousy was only slight - The warm bread pudding was fantastic. The chocolate was semi-sweet, so it wasn't overly sugary when added with the vanilla ice cream that came along with it. For anyone wanting to try something other than the bananas foster, your homework assignment is to try the wildflower honey and marscapone cheesecake; This was almost my dessert, and looked fantastic as it went to another table. Also, and this is worth noting: What they actually ran out of was tiramisu. Now, I love coffee-soaked lady fingers and marscapone as much as anyone, but I wouldn't have thought italian dessert with cajun. However, you don't run out if its bad, so that may be worth your attention. Simply put, High Street Caffe is worth your time and dollar for food that will take you to New Orleans without breaking the bank getting there.
(5)Martin B.
High street cafe is a great lunch option in WC. The creole style food is excellent!
(3)Jaime H.
This place is now called Vudu Cafe and Lounge. I dined here on a Saturday night with 5 friends. We were seated promptly as we had a reservation prior to the dinner rush. Kevin was our server and he was very knowledgeable and offered great suggestions. The menu offers several enticing dishes, and it was hard for us to decide. A good problem to have. We did drinks, appetizers and entrees. They provide you with bread and some cajuny butter that is quite delightful. The appetizers our group had were the stuffed mushroom (crab cake on top of a grilled portobello - yumz), fiery shrimp (sneaky hotness, loved by all), and blackened scallops. Three of us had the shrimp and crawfish etouffee in a peanut roux with the holy trinity. Another had blackened shrimp, scallops and rice, and another entree was the alligator sausage and boar with mashed potatoes and asparagus. The food was really good. The mashed potatoes were the only thing that struck me as better than good. I wasn't wow-ed by anything in particular, but it was good. And even though I had the Panty Dropper cocktail (sorry, Mom), I keep describing the food as 'good.' Good? Good. I do believe they are a bit overpriced, and the decor reminds me of high school prom. The tables are what my friend described as 'tailgating tables' covered by purple table clothes. I can get over the decor, and enjoy the good food, but what really bothered our group was the vulture-esque attention from the staff when it came to clearing plates and urging us to 'box' our food (not our server, Kevin). They were all too eager to move us on out the door. I cannot count the times we had to explain that we were still working on our appetizers and entrees - good food, good drink, and great company are not to be rushed. I was literally three bites into my entree the first time I was asked if I wanted to box my food. No joke. They had our table of 6 in and out the door in less than an hour. Really.
(3)Brenda W.
The blackened alligator bites appetizer was a bit disappointing; very small pieces of gator. It was tasty though. Calamari was good, but not outstanding. The restaurant is very cramped; I was constantly jostled by waitresses and the people at the table behind us whenever they stood up. The icebreaker drink was quite tasty, but overpriced at $10. We were in West Chester, not the city. I had the shrimp and crawfish etouffee, which was quite good, and a large enough serving that I had leftovers. Plenty of shrimp and crawfish in it. The hangar steak was surprisingly good, nice and tender with a complementary blue cheese topping. The gumbo was great; nice and flavorful and a bit spicy. The jambalaya was good, but a bit too similar to the gumbo in taste, which is typical. The Pecan Chicken & Shrimp Bourbon Orleans was a nice change from the flavors of everything else. Overall, a bit pricey and crowded, but I would go back.
(4)J S.
Service was questionable, long wait even though tables were open. Food came out half hot half cold. probably wouldn't come back
(2)Jean C.
This place is a gem in West Chester. It's a lot different then the other restaurants in West Chester which is perfect. Great scenery and it is definitely an older crowd. Went here on a date a few weeks ago and have to give this place a 4/5. For our appetizer we ordered the vudu shrimp and the calamari. BEWARE OF THE VUDU SHRIMP. IT IS SO SPICY. I love spicy and I understand the concept of cajin food having a little kick to it. But oh man.... these shrimps were out of the world spicy. It came on top of a bed of rice and also alot of sour cream. I'm pretty sure they accompany this dish with sour cream because of the spice level of the shrimp. So delicious but SO hot. For entrees we ordered the jambalaya with chicken and the fettuccine Alfredo jambalaya. The jambalaya was the BEST jambalaya I have ever had. High Street Caffe is a must try if you are in the area. Will 100% be returning.
(4)Sharda D.
Amazing as usual although I was slightly disappointed that the duck wasn't on the menu - hopefully next time nevertheless, always an awesome meal
(5)Matthew F.
Ok, first things first. I was really looking forward to this place. Maybe there in lies the disappointing two stars. West Chester is about a 45 minute drive for us. On the good side, it was easy to find, the place has a cool vibe, the ceviche was very good, the service was great. So why only two stars? Two of the three entres were just ok. Nothing special. With all the good I mentioned, and a great beer selection I will be back to give the food another try. With some drinks the bill was $140 plus tip. Hope this helps. Here's what we had: Ceviche - loved it. Should have gotten two of them. Cajun popcorn - ok, lie calamari Jambalaya (standard) Iwas really hoping this would have been special. Maybe next time ill try one there other jambalayas. Chicken Cuza - again, just ok. Pecan chicken and shrimp- this was the stand out of the three. If all three entrees were this special it would have been an easy five star recommendation.
(2)Jess R.
I went here for lunch and the place was empty. There were two waitresses working and we had the only table. The food was delicious. The service, however, was terrible. Our waitress didn't introduce herself, she just said 'are you ready?' it also took a really long time to get our food, and we had simple meals, (soup and salad). Eventually the waitress brought two of our meals and my salad didn't come for another five minutes. Like I said, the food here is great, but the service was so slow and frustrating that I will not return.
(2)Joanne M.
Reservations are needed especially on the weekends. We waited a bit but it was worth it. The food is delish... try the chicken and waffles SO good!
(4)Kit-N-Debbie W.
It's hard to give a 5 star because every aspect of your experience should be perfect. We are long time customers of Vudu Lounge/High Street Caffe. Virtually have never had a bad meal, great environment, feels like you are in New Orleans. The staff is awesome. The owner, Donny Syracuse, who bartends much of the time, is a local celebrity for his musical accomplishments, not to mention his unbelievable personality. The reason for this 5 star Yelp is his new part time bartender, Erin. She is something special. Can you imagine while we were deep in conversation with our second martini being about halfway done, she asked if we wanted them reshaken. Now that's service.
(5)Zoe S.
4 of us recently visited High Street Caffe with high expectations, and they were definitely met! The food was delicious, drinks were great, and service was friendly. We started off with the coconut beer battered shrimp which were excellent. Our table also enjoyed the chicken etouffee, chicken & shrimp jambalaya, goat cheese salad, and chicken cuza. All were delicious--the jambalaya and etoufee were highlights. I just wish the lighting had been a little better--my parents had a difficult time reading the menu; the room was also pretty loud.
(4)TK W.
Love the decor and live Jazz. Food was ok. They have private parking lot at the back.
(3)Lazlo K.
The High Street Caffe is one of my all-time favorite places to eat in WC. True hidden gem for those of you who are seeking a special suprise. It's not on the "Strip" in WC, so you have to look for it. the Menu is KILLER - I hear it was designed by Dan Funk, the chef that used to own the New Orleans Cafe in Media/Delco. The owner is an older fella, straigh outa the 80s - very cool dude. Love the vibe here.
(5)Jenna L.
Good Cajun food but REALLY heavy as to be expected. The Seafood bisque is excellent - you have to get it. The Jambalaya is okay - it has so much sauce that it's hard to taste the food. The chicken creole looked really good. The bananas foster was awesome. The prix fixe menu for $30 was a really good deal. The ambiance is cool, you definitely feel like you are in New Orleans and the service was really good.
(4)Jenna C.
I stand corrected - While High Street used to be closed on Mondays last summer, it is now open on Mondays. Happy day! More chances to enjoy the fabulous-ness that is High Street Caffe.
(5)Jay N.
Being Cajun myself, hailing from Lafayette, LA, it was a no-brainer for a friend of mine to bring me here recently to try the food. I'm no professional food critic of course but like almost all non-Cajun 'Cajun' restaurants, (i.e. those outside of Acadiana, Louisiana) High Street misses the mark on extremely flavorful Cajun cuisine. I don't blame them however; I found the food to be a great substitute for the real thing. Portions are generous and they have Cajun favorites such as chicken, crawfish or shrimp etouffe', though the crawfish were a bit tough and no doubt Chinese crawfish. (there is a distinct difference between domestic/Louisiana-grown crawfish tail meat and its Chinese counterpart; the domestic generally tasting fresher, less tough and less like its been frozen for a long period of time). On a very quiet Saturday night in West Chester, this place was hopping, a testament to the owner and his choice of opening a Cajun restaurant in the most yankee of locations. The ambiance was okay though the place is a bit crowded, an obvious attempt is made to get as many folks into the main dining area as possible with the result giving the feel of a cafeteria setting as opposed to a quaint, boutique cafe. High marks for the food, good marks for the service and a bit lower on the atmosphere and feel. I'd definitely recommend it if you're in the mood for Cajun-esque food; but please, try to visit south Louisiana at least once in your life for the real thing!
(5)Michael F.
If you are looking for authentic cajun/creole, I would not call High Street Caffe your destination. Having been to New Orleans many times, and having tried to reproduce my own favorites (red beans n rice, jambalaya) I was hoping High Street Caffe would bring back some memories of my trips. This is not the case. The food might be better described as West Chester Continental with a Cajun/Creole twist. On one visit, I had a seafood Po Boy. Is was a real mess. Open face, so much "sauce" it was impossible to eat it the conventional way. I would have appreciated a better description or warning from my waiter before ordering it. I left dreaming of a Mother's Shrimp Po Boy, which this was far from. So, you'll wind up getting a fun cajun/creole inspired meal here, but just don't expect to think you are in New Orleans at any point. Two stars might be tough, but I've never been the same since that messy "Po Boy".
(2)Deborah R.
The Étouffée was so remarkable that I forgot to "Check-in" with yelp* during my dining experience on Saturday at the High Street Caffe! Did i mention that purple is my favorite color?
(4)Brendan S.
One of the best places in West Chester. I have been there dozens of times now and every meal has been quality. Wednesday nights are a perfect time to go. Great food and Jazz.
(4)Jeff C.
Great food and great decor! The food is very flavorful and there is a good selection of creative dishes. I would recommend the voodoo shrimp, blacked alligator, Cajun popcorn, county jambalaya, or any of there specials! Somewhat mild for a cajun restaurant, but just ask for some hot sauce to add the kick it needs. Bottom line- I would and do return and would recommend it to friends.
(4)Kate D.
I LOVE High Street! Been coming here for a few years and I still get really excited when we decide to go! The spicy flavors are enough to raise your eyebrow, but not overwhelming. And the chef will customize your dish to your preferred degree of heat. One visit, my hubby was having a difficult time deciding between two entrees so the waiter disappeared and returned to tell us "the chef will take care of it." As our food was brought to us, the chef had created a personalized dish for hubby that incorporated the flavors and meats of both main dishes. It was exciting, and really amazing. Great personal touch. My favorite is the pecan bourbon chicken and shrimp in a Cajun cream sauce - and I can't leave until I have dessert. Donny knows how do end a meal right. Yeah bananas foster!!!
(5)Geoff G.
JAMBALAYA! I tried their 'catfish imperiale' or something like that...a nice grilled catfish with jumbo lump crab on top, delicious. Over the past few years we go at least annually for a Cajun refresher. I think it's more a cajun restaurant than one pretending to be. Good flavor / never had a bad meal there. Nice menu / reliable favorites Parking can be a pain
(4)Elizabeth D.
Kitschy New Orleans style decor, crowded bar, very lively crowd. The beer list is great but a little pricey. Our party enjoyed the jambalaya, Etouffee, Chicken Cuva, Voodoo Shrimp, Gumbo, and Grilled Portabello Salad. The portions here are huge - I had enough for lunch the next day! It's a fun spot for dinner, but be prepared to wait on a weekend. Parking can be interesting, but the side streets are usually pretty empty.
(4)Izzat A.
Saw the Yelp reviews and stopped by. I wasn't expecting to have one of the best sandwiches of my life in West Chester, PA but that is exactly what happened. I got the crab cake sandwich and it was out of this world amazing. The Voodoo sauce that I requested was just the perfect thing to put on here. I can handle my spice but this sauce had some serious kick to it. The cajun fries were home made and pretty good too. Service was super friendly and to top it all of, the meal was $9! How can you possibly beat that? Absolutely awesome place.
(5)Jenna B.
I'm originally from Florida and have had trouble finding a place with gator tail -- This place actually has it!! AND --- ITS AMAZING!! I love everything they have to offer. Great drinks and fantastic food with a kick! If you haven't checked this place out yet, you need to. I promise, you wont regret it
(5)Pat J.
The girlfriend and I came here last Thursday for dinner. I don't live too far so I wish I had known about this place earlier. Had no problem getting a table without a reservation. I forget the waiter's name but he was cool and attentive even though it seemed like he had a lot of tables. Huuuuge beer list with all the crafts you could imagine. I need to find the recipe for the cajun bread and butter. Stuff's delicious, could eat ten pounds of it. I started off with the blackened alligator. Comes drizzled with creole honey mustard. My God, unbelievably good. For entrees, girlfriend had Etoufee with chicken and I had some sort of linguine with shrimp, crawfish, and calamari. Amazing. Portions are huge too so I had the rest for lunch the next day. Definitely coming back here very soon.
(5)James J.
My wife wanted to try this place, we walked in early just as they were opening and we were immediately greeted by a hostess with a very pleasant demeanor. She escorted us to the bar even though it was only a few feet and made us feel very welcome. The bartender came out and it was possible that she was even more pleasant. She gave us a list of drinks that was incredibly long and detailed, if you're looking for mainstream beer you're not going to find it bit you will find everything else. The bartender was outstanding at her job she never seemed to rush nor be slow. The same great hostess escorted us to a table of our choice where our server and first male employee came to introduce himself. This man was the epitome of professionalism. He was very warm and welcoming. The bread came next, it was well spiced and amazing. The food was high prices but the portions and flavor were outstanding. The food is spicy (it is Creole) but every bite was delicious. The place itself was very calm considering it was in a college town. I spent more than I usually like to but got much more than my money's worth.
(5)Tom E.
I love everything about New Orleans,but I especially love the food. So I was thrilled to hear there was a West Chester Restaurant cooking "creole fusion" not far from the college. I decided to join a dinner event our group was having last night to visit the Vudu/High Street Cafe and sample the delights offered by this well reviewed spot. Happy hour was pretty good. Had a nice micro-brewed lager beer for $3 ( so thankful it wasn't Yuengling) from a nice selection of draft beers. Enjoyed a bowl of their shrimp,pulled pork and andouille sausage gumbo for $5. The soup was great with a nice dark roux and was delicious with an authentic,slow cooked gumbo taste. We then moved to our table for dinner and here is where things began to go downhill as far as service. Took some time for our waitress to take our order. I did not do the Price Fixe Menu,however, my girlfriend decided to go that route. She ordered the calamari as her first course ( way too salty), the chicken and shrimp jambalaya for her second course ( a huge portion over rice that she enjoyed) and key lime pie as desert. All that for $35. I had voodoo shrimp as an appetizer (it was smoking hot but its supposed to be). It was good but nowhere near as amazing as Dickey B's famous version in NOLA. I also had the shrimp and chicken jambalaya which I also thought was just OK. If you want a better version in this area head down to the closest thing I ever found to New Orleans at Cajun Kates at the Booth Farmers Market in Glen Mills. Service was extremely disappointing. There were numerous times our waitress was nowhere to be found (smoke breaks?) I got my check before I got my coffee. We never were offered bread with their famous cajun butter. I didn't know they had bread until we were leaving. I liked the ambiance of the restuarant-very cool vibe.
(3)Bruce K.
What an interesting little find, thanks to the Yelp Talk threads who mentioned this hidden gem. Cajun, with a big NOLA vibe to the place. I loved the very long beer list and managed to find a couple that I'd not seen before. Good stuff. I opted to skip the appetizer and go right to the main course. Jambalaya, with added shrimp and crawfish. Very tasty and a little spicy, with a good amount of shellfish in there and lots of rings of squid, I believe. A good sized portion, I ended up only managing to eat half of it. And while the dessert list looked good, nothing jumped out and said eat me. Consider bringing a small flashlight or the light app on your phone. It's dark in there! Street parking.
(4)Nicole S.
I decided to try this place after driving by it every day to work. The first time was for my birthday with a friend so I made reservations since it was a friday night I ordered the Cajun popcorn thinking it would be a good starter and my friend had the coconut shrimp. We were in for a surprise when the portions came out so large. We didn't even have to order a main dish. The honey mustard sauce they use for the crawfish is simply what makes it! The second time I came was on a nice date with my boyfriend and this place didn't disappoint! We got the popcorn again and my boyfriend said that was the best part of the meal. This time I saved up room for the entree and ordered the voo doo fra Diablo. Now I have never had southern New Orleans inspired dishes before but this was out of this world. So many flavors and I had plenty to take home! Atmosphere wise the crowd was a lot older than us but sometimes it's nice to get away from the college town feel (neither of us go to WC). It's a little close quarters but dark enough to not feel like there's people all around. Good beer selection is always a nice plus!
(5)D K.
Perhaps I came on an off day....I hadn't been to High Street Cafe in years. In the past, it was always excellent. Went for lunch (Last week of July 2015), ordered chicken etoufee. I always love this dish, but unfortunately not this time. The chicken was very rubbery and tasteless. I tried several pieces of the chicken, it was all the same-unfortunately not good. The saucy rice of the etoufee was ok, but I have had better (even there!). Though hungry, I could not eat the dish, the chicken turned me off. Again, perhaps it was an off day. The service was slow (took 40 min to receive dish after ordering at a late lunch time), but the server was friendly. Sadly, disappointing.
(2)Carolyn H.
Cajun at it's best in West Chester! I have been here several times and never been disappointed. Food - From the start the complimentary table bread with their special cajun butter is original and tasty. The Voodoo Fra Diablo and Cashew Chicken & Shrimp Bourbon Orleans are must try entrees - original house recipes with perfect spice and flavor! Also of note the jambalaya salad, smoked alligator sausage and calamari with mango chili sauce. Portions are plentiful. You won't leave hungry. Service - I've always had good service here. The staff is friendly, attentive and knowledgeable about the menu. Order turnaround is usually quick, even on weekends. Price - Entrees are worth every penny! Great for special occasions. Parking - They have limited parking on the side of their building (by Burger King). Street parking is free at night.
(5)Guy B.
Absolutely love everything about this place. Great wine selection, great atmosphere, great décor, the staff is outstanding... oh and there's the food. I dream of voodoo shrimp... oh how I love and fear you, my dearest voodoo. It will get your attention, but if you enjoy spicy food I dare you to stop eating it halfway through. The etouffee is outstanding also!
(5)William S.
Simply Amazing!!! Having booked a trip later this fall to NOLA, we decided to look for a restaurant to help get us in the mood. Who would have known that it exists in our town! It was amazing, from the craw fish app to the jambalaya main course. It was really incredible. Don't wait as long as we did to try this place. We will be back soon and often!
(5)Sophie W.
If you want Cajun food in Pennsylvania THIS is where you go. The étouffée is out of this world (better than anywhere I went to in New Orleans) and the special I had was amazing. The staff is treating and you can tell they love to have you there, telling you they will tell the chef how great you said their meal was. Fried alligator?? NO...blackened alligator with the mustard sauce appetizer is AMAZING. YOU WILL NOT REGRET GOING HERE. I felt like I was on freemont street and the. Walked outside and was still in wonderful west Chester and wondered why I still didn't live here.
(5)Nikki K.
Never disappoints! I've been here several times and it is always delicious. I ordered the Catfish and it was amazing! A must-stop place if you're in West Chester
(5)Derek T.
A fun place with lots of energy, great for drinks or hanging out. But really tight for dinner. The dining area is jammed and really awkward to get around when you first are seated and if you need to get up to use the restroom. Since its a jammed dining area, the noise levels are really high as well. A dinner conversation is strained to hear the other members in your party. The food, is OK. Not over the top "Oh My God" I have to have that Cajun food. But it is good Cajun and if you are looking to appease your need for blackened or rue then High Street Caffe is the place. The food is a bit pricey for what you get but it's in the range of other West Chester restaurants. If you have never been to New Orleans then this is likely a 4-star restaurant, but I'm biased as I have been and this is close but not quite there for me. I will be giving the restaurant another try and I am hopeful they have improved since my last foray.
(3)Ainsley A.
Foodies and newbies alike can frolic to this festive restaurant to channel their inner southern hospitality they never knew they had. By mixing traditional cajun cuisine with new wave southern, owner Don Syracuse creates a menu that appeals to every taste bud. The assortment of appetizers and entrees will leave you not only full, but will satiate your Fat Tuesday craving. If you are not familiar with Nahlin's (New Orleans) cuisine, this is the perfect introduction. The seafood specialties are terrific and fresh, like the Drunken PEI Mussels with Andouille Sausage or the Etoufee with your choice of crawfish, shrimp, scallops or chicken. Don also customizes his dishes to create new wave cajun like their flatbread complete with Alligator sausage, creole sauce and goat cheese. This restaurant is definitely one to adventure to if you are in West Chester. Mardi Gras is everyday at High Street Caffe and Vudu Lounge. Party on!
(4)Bob M.
I do enjoy Cajun food, unfortunately the pickings in this area are rather slim. That being said I really enjoyed my meal at High Street. It's a very casual place with excellent food. I had the Voodoo Shrimp, loved the heat and the Country Jambalaya which was excellent as well. GF had the Ahi-Tuna which she very much enjoyed. I am not a Banana eater so I passed on the Banana's Foster but the Chocolate Bread Pudding was a winner.
(5)Jessica K.
High Street is by far my favorite restaurant in West Chester. And dare I say ... maybe even ever! The service is always friendly, quick and knows their stuff. This is a great help when it comes to selections. The creole flavors are amazing, anything blackened is by far my favorite. From the ahi tuna to blackened chicken, scallops and shrimp to the lobster ravioli - it's all just as good as the next. Two things not to skip: wine list, appetizers & dessert. It may sound weird, but the alligator sausage is amazing. As is the wildflower marscapone cheesecake. To. Die. For. I recommend it to anyone that lives in or is traveling to West Chester. One thing to note: it is small and kind of cramped. To me, it adds to the experience but I know a lot of people do not like that. Be sure to make a reservation or you'll never get a table. Lastly, I believe during the week it's even BYO a few nights! Big plus.
(5)Austin U.
It's a little bit of a mission to get to from Newark, Delaware. Took the scenic route cuz we missed our exit. The ambience here is great, jazzy like, lots of culture. The food is Amazing!
(4)Hue K.
3.5 stars Food was excellent! - Complimentary bread: It was OK.. Unlike other yelpers said, bread or butter wasn't that great to be honest.. - Voodoo shrimp: This was over the top hot/spicy. I can handle very spicy food pretty well but after this voodoo shrimp, I was afraid of eating anything spicy for a while. I don't recommend this unless you can eat a handful of thai pepper or jalapeno. - Vegan Etouffe: This was made by request. We asked for something vegan and the chef created vegan Etouffe. It was delicious!! It tastes like very flavorful thai curry. - Pecan shrimp bourbon orleans over rice: This was creamy but very flavorful. I really liked this dish. I didn't want chicken so the chef made it with just shrimp. - Banana foster: This was one of the best banana foster I've had. Caramel was perfectly sweet and blended well with banana. Highly recommended. The restaurant is small and kinda dark. Only two servers were working in the entire restaurant to take the order, deliver food and take care of the bill. so even if there were some runners helping with refilling water and clearing up plates, it lacks the efficiency and attention.
(3)Lauren O.
I've been to High Street Café 4 times and will return. Food is excellent. I recommend the Cajun popcorn and any dish with crawfish if you like seafood. Dinner is on the pricier side, but the lunch menu is more reasonably priced given the quality of the food, atmosphere and service. I recommend you try it, but make a reservation.
(5)Liz W.
This might be my favorite restaurant in West Chester. I've been here three times and each time the food was amazing and the service was great. The atmosphere is so much fun. I highly recommend High Street Caffe besides being delicious it's different from any other place around.
(4)Yasmin C.
Relaxed, bar-like atmosphere with friendly service and food that was good, but not great. I was a bit surprised at how casual this place was, given the type of food, but I rolled with it. My husband and I had made a last-minute reservation and popped in on a weeknight for some hot comfort food. The gumbo was warm and satisfying, though almost too thick/creamy for my liking. We also enjoyed an order of alligator sausage, which I found savory and delicious. Probably my fave part of the meal! As for my cajun seafood linguine entree, it was just okay. No flavors really stood out, and the seafood was not necessarily mind-blowing (though my standards are maybe a bit high coming from San Diego). For dessert, it was a bananas foster that leaned toward the overly syrupy side. Weird, because everyone else seems to be raving about it. I left feeling neutral though a bit surprised at the many great reviews of this place. I'm no expert on Cajun/Creole but feel that I've easily had better at restaurants in California and for less money. Perhaps it was an off night??
(3)Heather L.
We were really disappointed. We have enjoyed Cajun cuisine at Crawdaddy's (before it closed!) and Cajun Kate's. This food was expensive but much poorer in quality. The seafood jambalaya did not blend well as a cohesive dish. The voodoo fra diabolo had no spice to it. The smoked alligator sausage was mediocre. The homemade bread did not taste fresh and the cajun-spice butter had less flavor to it than regular salted butter. We also ordered a ginger-pear puree martini that we had to send back (twice!) because we could only taste the vodka. We never send food back and we write mostly positive reviews, so this is a really unusual review for us.
(2)Scott K.
Decor is nice. Service is nice. Food is rather boring. Prices are pretty high for entrees. Even if the prices were reduced it isn't worth coming here for the food. Go here for drinks but eat elsewhere.
(2)Braden B.
Feel like I am back in New Orleans. A staple in West Chester. Great food, service and atmosphere. Every dish that I have ever had at this place is good. Since they added a Bar a few years ago it's made the space even tighter but it just adds to the charm.
(5)Thomas S.
Had heard about this little Cajun place in West Chester and decided to give it a try as it was halfway between for my dinner partner and me. Had reservations for 6:30 on a recent Thursday night and it wasn't at all crowded. Could see how it might be noisy when full. Service very good, food exceptional. Alligator sausage fantastic and the calamari the best ever. Cajun lobster ravioli worth a trip by itself. Will definitely go back. Maybe later in the evening for some live music. Also, noted some nights early in the week are BYOB.
(4)Biff P.
It's called Vudu Lounge now Nice food. Decor is a little cheap, but the food is worth it.
(4)Cory S.
Love the atmosphere and the food is even better. Went with a large group and everyone enjoyed the Dumplings. Salmon BLT was a great combo and the salmon was done perfectly. Most of our party went Jambalaya and everyone enjoyed
(5)M. M.
The Cajun food here is a decent four-star taste experience especially if you're in the local area. Not sure if I'd do a long drive just to eat here; if you do, make a reservation because this is a little place and it fills up. It's refreshingly short on attitude though - when we showed up casually dressed in the middle of a crowded weekend dinner hour, we were shown immediately to one of the couple of tables available. Although this is a tiny room with small tables, the noise level was not oppressive - believe me, I've heard worse - so I figured all the wood and hangy-danglys in the place absorbed some of it. The decor is sort of like a gypsy's decorated shack in the swamp (complete with fake alligator), more funky than fancy. Food is Cajun fusion, with some spicy items but also many sweet flavors and not-so-spicy things available. I went for the less spicy and had a crab stuffed mushroom appetizer and a slightly blackened salmon entree. Husband went for the more spicy and got jambalaya and bisque. The house bread is a heavy homemade loaf with a slightly spicy butter. Everything tasted very good and the portions were huge, to the point where the plates barely fit on our tiny table. Minor nits - my stuffed mushroom had such a huge, albeit tasty, crab cake sitting on it that the blackened, thin portabella underneath was almost non-existent/ buried, and the salmon entree was served with the vegetable sides completely covering the salmon - fried green tomatoes on top and the whipped corn and peppers on the side. Not sure why you would want to completely hide main elements of the meal when presenting the plate, though it was easy enough to rearrange the food, and it certainly didn't affect how tasty it was. The servers (likely students from the local college) were pleasant and enthusiastic, although not quite as pro as you'd expect for a pricey place - setting an entree plate down with it leaning partly on an appetizer plate at an angle, taking an initial drink order and then coming back to take the food order without bringing the drinks, interrupting a deep moment of conversation with a sudden appearance and "How's everything?" and having conversations between themselves about work, etc. where customers could hear. They did an OK job, but when the entrees are 25-30 dollars a pop you expect a little more. A word about parking: if you are local you know this, but be very careful about parking anyplace that's labeled as "permit parking" or is not specifically labeled as parking for High Street Caffe. The business shares a lot with another restaurant and the lot is not very big. There is also street parking but during certain hours (excludes weekends and late evenings) it is permit only and West Chester is ticket happy. I would eat here again but would prefer going for lunch as the value for money is a little better. The dinner bill for the two of us each having an appetizer, entree and beer (no dessert) came to about 100 dollars with tip. They have a prix fixe menu and certain nights are BYO with a "corkage fee", if you're into that.
(4)Bonnie P.
The wait staff was exceptionally gracious. The flavors of the dishes chosen, Coconut shrimp, blackened chicken tacos and the Voodoo Crawfish blended into a lunch to die for! We drove over 80 miles to once again enjoy the atmosphere and fusion cuisine of the High Street Cafe!
(5)Stephanie G.
Pecan Chicken Bourbon Orleans was fantastic! Great sauce and chicken and shrimp. Crawfish Etouffe and Blackened Scallops and Dirty Rice were enjoyed as well. Great beer and wine selection. Will return!
(5)Esther H.
My absolute favorite restaurant in West Chester! My husband and I have eaten there multiple times and have shared this gem with many of our friends. We are yet to be disappointed. Friendly staff, amazing food, and lengthy beer selection. Must haves: Chef Wenner's Shrimp Vudu Shrimp (extremely spicy so beware) Seafood Bisque Watermelon Crab Salad COUNTRY JAMBALAYA! The entrée portions are pretty hefty and taste delicious as left overs the next day also. Bonus: I believe Sundays and Mondays are byo with a small corkage fee but please double check. Occasionally there is a great guitarist playing live sets also.
(5)Jeff G.
Good gumbo and fantastic crawfish jambalaya. Plenty of nice menu options and they also offered about 8 lunch specials. Our order was taken right away and the food came out quickly. The staff was very friendly and drinks were kept filled throughout the meal. Prices were very reasonable. Glad I finally tried here and I will be back again.
(4)Kerri L.
The food was yummy - but I don't know if that excuses the poor service. We waited 1.5 hrs - and it just seemed so disorganized. Ambiance was ok (3 stars) and I'd definitely go back if it was during an OFF time with no wait. Was it worth waiting around for? NO. And I'm a person who has no problem waiting 1.5 hrs in line at Mama's in SF for breakfast... but this place doesn't come close.
(3)Magali T.
Dissapointing! I came back to this restaurant after a 3 year absence and I feel like the food is nowhere near as good as I recalled. I ordered the Chicken Cuza and basically got all of 2oz of chicken, if that, in 10lbs of penne. I had to hunt for the little squares of chicken and this greasy bowl of carb overload. Super disappointing. They serve a mean martini however, huge kudos to the bar tender. Don't bother coming for the food or the cramped room but do come for a happy hour!
(2)Peter B.
I had heard a lot good things about HSC, so I went there with high expectations. Unfortunately, the hype was more than what was delivered. I ordered Chicken etouffie, and I am not sure what happened in translation, but what I had was not even close what I was used to. My meal was not that great and overpriced.
(2)Eileen K.
I ordered blackened scallop , shrimp and chicken, the seafood was delicious the chicken was shoe leather. We will try it again, another chance. Service was very good.
(3)Roseanne F.
Are all you four and five star-ers HIGH? Friends of the owners? In West Chester for dinner a couple of weeks ago, I found this place on Yelp. I was excited about the cuisine, but woe was me. When we walked in, we were greeted with indifference. My "spicy" bloody mary was tomato juice and vodka, no spice, no fun, no garnishes, no nothing. Should have been my first clue. A cajun place with bland bloody marys? Especially since it looked like primarily a bar. The food was utterly bland and forgettable. And the young staff seemingly could not wait to get rid of us (it was only 8:30), and seemed confused when we asked for water, or another beer. But the real insult? Prices. You'd think you were at Emeril's. Avoid.
(1)Nicole L.
High Street Caffe is by far one of my favourite restaurants to go to, whether it's for a special occasion or just a "let's not cook tonight" weekend meal. I can't decide if it's the spectacular service, the distinctive Cajun decor, or the live guitarist strumming happily away in the corner. Maybe it's the food. Hell, it IS the food. They rock the spice in everything. Bad thing? Hell no. Let's start with the hot bread basket that comes out after you order your meal. Oh lord. Whatever they use to bake these delicious, fluffy rolls has got to be illegal in several states -- and the herbed butter they leave for you is equally addictive. Then there are the appetizers. They aren't kidding about the heat level on the blasphemously spicy voodoo shrimp, nor do you expect such a mild kick from the simmered artichokes. Seafood bisque is creamy, delightful, with plenty chunks of crab and shrimp. Salads are fresh and nicely dressed without saturating the leaves. Seriously, if you haven't stuffed your face by this point, you've got a lot more control than I do. Don't hate yourself for takin' your entree home, because portions are substantially huge when it comes to the etouffees or jambalayas. My personal favourite is the seared tuna with wasabi potatoes -- get it rare, then swoon at the spice crust, the contrasting flavours and the crunchy carrot slaw. Did you make it to dessert? Thank yourself for it, because they have a sinful chocolate torte which will make you sing and dance on their pretty tables. If you're not a cocoa person, their key lime pie is equally amazing -- tart, not overly sweet, crumbly crust. High Street Caffe also offers incredibly affordable prix-fixe meals on the weekends, and certain days are BYOB (can't remember if they have a corkage fee). This place fills up fast on the weekends, so be sure to call ahead for a reservation.
(5)Alli V.
This is my third trip here... And my last. The atmosphere is eclectic and unique and the food is maybe 3-4 stars. But each time the service was worse. This last dinner date I had there was about 2 hours... And when we told the waitress we wanted dessert but decided against it since everything took so painfully long she just said "I'm sorry but in doing the best I can". No kidding but how does that help 2 paying customers? No offer of comp dessert or a manager we may speak to. It doesn't matter we are not returning.
(2)Douglas S.
Simply, the food is awesome Cajun...spicy, flavorful, diverse...never a disappointment. Wine complements the menu well and is fair priced. Only thing that comes up short is the ambience. More of an Orlean's night club, better viewed after sunset as cleanliness is not a strong suit.
(3)Jean R.
I've eaten at High Street on a regular basis since first trying there about 7 years ago. It is seriously some of the best food in the entire world! I order the blackened scallops (only scallops) just about every time I go there and they never disappoint. The seating is tight (the place needs to be about double the size that it is) and it gets loud, especially when they have someone playing live music, but the food is worth it all. They have a bar now but you can still bring your own. It's fun to go with a group of friends or even with just one other person. You can usually find parking on Gay Street or one of the nearby side streets so that's not really a problem either. If you like spicy and you like Cajun, this is a great local place to try!
(5)Rob m.
Without of doubt one of the Greatest eateries in the USA! Chef Jay Wenner puts out these wonderful dishes. In over three years eating there on a monthly basis, I HAVE NEVER had a bad meal!!!!! Service is wonderful. The wait staff is next NONE! Kevin is the man, Best Waiter east of Chicago!!!!! The owner, Donnie Syracuse, an 80s Big Hair rocker, has transformed a mild coffee shop into one of the coolest places in the world to eat or just hang out at the bar. ( If you are lucky you willl hear him and others play after the dinner hours!) And dont forget to order Bananas Foster for dessert! You won't be dissapointed!
(5)Taylor O.
This was our escape from our extended stay hotel on the side of the highway in Malvern! Help: boredom alarm. We wanted to spice things up, so that we did. As I read here on Yelp the appetizers being the best part we reeled in some blackened gator in a mustard sauce which was the highlight of the evening. The voodoo crawfish (allegedly the spiciest thing on the menu) was also great but the sauce was a bit too thick, somewhat near motor oil in viscosity. The selection of beers was interesting and we tried a few and one brave soul (read: me) tried the jalapeno infused vodka based Vudu martini. Oh, it was spicy. I take it they received a license and it's no longer BYOB as mentioned in the other review. The service was slow and the crowd was weird, but it is West Chester and we experienced that at each establishment. The portions were fine but not huge like the other review implies. I went for the mustard fried catfish which was excellent, other got crab cakes, touffee, etc., but nothing could quite beat the appetizers.
(4)Dave H.
This BYOB minds its own business next to a Burger King. I've had dinner here twice and noticed it's one popular spot, as it was crowded both times (Tuesday and Friday). From appetizers to entrees to desserts, High Street Caffe delivers gourmet Cajun, creole, and "exotic" cuisine in healthy portions: - Their complimentary sugarbread (heavenly!) and butter/sour cream mix (smooth and rich) is made in-house. - My favorite appetizer is their voodoo crawfish ($9), made with a triple-XXX barbecue paste and served with rice and sour cream - I never found out what was in it, except for habaneros. When it was brought out, I was warned not to dig in right away, though the suffocating smell alone was warning enough! When I finally bit into the crawfish, I experienced pain and pleasure fused together. (At one point I was sobbing. I drank so much water it was unhealthy, and yes, I will order it again. Thank god for the sour cream in it.) - Their blackened crocodile tail appetizer ($10) is covered with an exciting creole mustard sauce. The tender small bits of meat (cooked in Cajun spices) melted in our mouths. - The fried shrimp wenner ($11) is great, just like the crawfish. Creole-fried shrimp sauteed with Andouille, onions and tomatoes in a sweet and spicy habanero sauce, with rice. Unlike the crawfish, the wenner is bearable and finger-licking good (but don't eat them with your hands). - The pan seared duck appetizer (~$10) which was sweet and moist (mmmm fatty) thanks to a bourbon apricot glaze. Sadly it was only a special for that day... Entrees I've had were so-so: - The mesquite pepper ostrich isn't bad. I had it cooked medium rare and it tasted practically raw. Perhaps the crawfish destroyed my tastebuds, but there didn't seem to be any taste to the ostrich (also don't see it on the menu now). - Their lamb tenderloins ($24) were tasty and tender but the next time I go to High Street, I think I'll stick to the small plates! More bang for my buck, thank you. The shining service and AMAZING appetizers alone make it easy for me to overlook the entrees and give this High Street Caffe my highest recommendation. This place rocks my world and it'll rock yours too. Reservations recommended.
(5)Larry W.
Great place- highly recommend if you like Cajun or creole food and you can't get to New Orleans anytime soon. I had the crawfish étouffée and it was excellent. My friend had a po boy that was huge and looked great. Will be going back again soon!!!
(5)Lisa Q.
Ever since I happened upon Cajun Kate's ( yelp.com/biz/cajun-kates… ) I'm always a bit grumbly when I have to pay High prices here, but I shouldn't be: the price reflects the purpose, and each restaurant serves it's purpose very well. At High Street Caffe, you're paying of course for the haute cuisine spin on creole cooking, but also for the luxury of sitting in a chair. High Street is where you take your friends in West Chester if you want to have a delicious high-class dinner in a dimmed, richly hued hip atmosphere. Cajun Kate's is where you go if you want to wear sweats and shove your way onto one of the 6 hotly contested stools to shovel down the best authentic cajun food from here to Nawlins. Different purposes, as you can see, but I love each one equally. High Street Caffe is my favorite restaurant in West Chester, hands down. It's flavors and style really assert themselves, and I've never, ever had a bad meal here. The service is friendly, even the mild roar you encounter on the weekends when it's completely full has a convivial charm to it. High St's 3-courses-for-30-bucks prix fixe menu is the best deal; most of the entrees featured on the prix fixe menu hover in the 25 dollar range, so you'll make out like a bandit (albeit one who's bitten off more than he can chew, quite literally: the portion sizes are very generous). The blackened red snapper, lobster ravioli, alligator sausage, lamb, etouffee offerings, bananas foster...these are all fantastic dishes. Just make sure to get extra bread- it's sublime.
(5)Len B.
I cannot believe how good the food and beer were. Never even made it to entrees. Ordered 6 appetizers and all were tremendous! Have to be ready for tight quarters and full house but it adds to the experience.
(5)Xtine H.
I had heard about this place from a friend who knew I was trying to track down pumpkin martinis, and boy am I ever glad I visited. I liked it so much that after my first visit (for aps and drinks), I went back 3 days later (for dinner). The drink menu highlights-Blood Orange Sangria (!!!) "Voodoo" Old Fashioned, and a nice selection of beers. Its a BYOB ($5 cork fee) and you can buy a bottle as well! best of both worlds! cute lil purple place, cool decor, cozy space and the menu choices are fantastic. From the huge cups of soup, to crawfish, I cannot recommend this place enough. You definitely need reservations for Fridays and Saturdays the 3 course Prix-Fix menu is a great way to try a few dishes. I would like to try lunch on a weekday sometime
(5)Sabrina L.
They have great customer service! The first time I came here for dinner our waiter gave us a complimentary appetizer. The food is sooooo good! I would highly recommend the jambalaya pasta! If you go for lunch the johnny cash burger is delicious! I am definitely a fan!
(4)Stephen W.
A very nice venue with great blues background. I would call this a Cajun restaurant for folks who don't care much for Cajun food. The menu us creative and mild. Real Cajun is better sought at Cajun Kate's. Also the nearby Crawdaddy has a more flavor intensive menu. But High Street is pleasant enough for more mainstream tastes. Many people will have folks in their part who do not like foods with intense flavors, which makes this a good choice for some. You might want to ask for some hot sauce (tellingly, this is the only 'cajun' bistro in the area that does not have this condiment on the table..!)
(2)Ruth Y.
This place is a great "bang for your buck." It has great cajun/creole cooking, especially seafood. And I am saying this as a "non-seafood person." The lobster ravioli is especially wonderful; it literally melts in your mouth. My humble suggestion is to get an extra order of their wonderful warm bread to sop up the creamy, heavenly sauce. Other favorites of mine/my friends (since I always request to be taken to this place for my birthday) is the alligator sausage, which is flavored perfectly, and, of course, their banana's foster. I find that most of the appetizers are delicious. Another favorite of my friends is the after dinner show where I proceed to lick the banana foster bowl clean. Hey! There is no pride where my banana's foster is concerned! If you are into alcohol (sorry, I am not, so I can not say much regarding this), they have obtained a liquor license and serve alcohol. This happened after some of the earlier reviews, so I am just updating. Sometimes it gets a bit loud Friday nights (and possibly other weekend nights?) when they have live music playing. However, this may be a plus in some people's eyes as it adds to the ambiance. The place is on the dark side decorated in dark purple, which gives it a romantic feeling. They also take their reservations pretty seriously, if you are more than 10-15 minutes late, your reservation is gone! Reservations recommended.
(5)Michaela H.
Hands down our favorite restaurant in the West Chester/Main Line area-- actually, maybe one of our most favorite restaurants, period. This jewel serves up top notch cajun dishes (we loved the blackened alligator appetizer, especially) amidst a jovial NOLA atmosphere. The cocktail (you gotta go for the Hurricane!) and beer selections are always great. But best of all is the bananas foster. Oh. My. God. When I die, I want to buried in this stuff. It is OUT OF THIS WORLD. A great place to bring visitors, family, etc. We have never had less than a fabulous experience every time we've gone!
(5)Scott L.
good solid restaurant. we got jumbalaya for each of our entrees and we got the cajun popcorn (basically fried crawfish tails) for an app. jumbalaya was good. mine would of not been worth the portion size, but i was pretty full from the app so it was fine. my gf's was bigger (i guess cuz she didn't get the one on special?). it had good spice and good ingredients. my gf ordered chicken and shrimp, and it only had about 2 peices of shrimp in it, albeit big, only 2 of them =/ mine had everything it said it did, and a lot of it, so that part was good, just wish i woulda had more on the plate. cajun popcorn app was real good, and so was the sauce that came underneath it. very nawleans. :) also, the bread they give you before the meal and the BUTTER, OMG THE BUTTER. it's like a cajun spiced compound butter. it's probably the best butter i have ever tasted. incredible - by far the best thing about the meal lol. we each got a beer (or two). meal was kinda pricey. i think it was like $70 something, but i don't remember exactly. Around $15-$20 for the entrees, and like $10 or so for the app, plus beers/tax/tip, service was a little slow, but they were very nice, so that was fine. if you want something a lil different, and don't mind kicking some extra cash out - go for it. very cool environment (if you like the whole southern "soul" feel), nice people, and a pretty cool crowd. you'll also eat pretty well.
(3)Shreekant P.
They must have added like a gazzilion more tables to an already cramped space and the seating by the bar. I was constantly bumped by servers, and guests alike. Boy was it noisy on Friday night! I have not accounted for these nuisances in my rating as the food quality and presentation is excellent. Everything we got was above par. Our favorites: Voodoo shrimp, blackened alligator for appetizers, blackened red fish, the cajun linguini, and Etouffe. Finally, dear wait staff--please lighten up. We have come to have a nice time!!
(3)Sally f.
incredible food. im so excited i got to try alligator! and it was fantastic! the bisque soup was also a highlight. service was a little slow but we didnt mind too much. our server was very nice. live music was a plus. although it was a bit cramped and the chairs werent too nice. but we left very full and very happy. we actually wished we had split an entree because they were huge.
(4)Michael L.
We were on our way home to Villanova from Baltimore. 95 was a nightmare, so we decided to get off at 202 and head to West Chester for dinner. Once there, we literally asked a man on the street for a recommendation. He suggested High Street Cafe, "if you can get a table." This was around 6PM on a Tuesday in mid-June. Turned out that getting a table was not a problem. Everything fell into place, and we enjoyed a very good meal, with good service. The pear salad was fresh and appropriately dressed. Cocktails were just a tad watery. My salmon was perfect, but the side of greens was over spiced. My special lady friend's blackened red snapper was also a bit over spiced [mind you, we have no aversion to some kick; we just like the flavor to be complimented and not over-powered]. Both fish were fresh and cooked to perfection. There's a cool atmosphere here, but perhaps a bit out of sync with the caliber of food. Turn the lights up a little, get the wait staff in sync with the kitchen, use a little less unnecessary spice [and a little less ice in the cocktails] -this place goes from 4 to 5 stars.
(4)Frank H.
Great Cajun food and the owner Donny is a great guy who plays the Patio sometimes on Weekends at Barnaby's.
(5)Diego U.
Absolutely one of my favorite restaurants in philly and its suburbs. My family and i frequent it and are yet to be disappointed. The food is wonderful and BYOB makes it easy on the wallet, (although it is now only on certain notes). The staff is friendly and the ambiance is great with low lighting and live music playing most nights. Appetizers and desserts are just as good as the entrees. I cant reccommend enough!
(5)phaedra g.
I was pleasantly surprised by the menu selection. I usually do not eat shellfish, so i wasn't sure if i would be able to find anything to my liking. There is something for everyone! The food was delicious and the portions were large. I even took some food home (which i rarely do). the wait staff was nice and they have great drinks and a nice selection of wines! go!
(5)TJ S.
My favorite restaurant in West Chester!!! Can't get enough of the seafood etouffee!!! I wouldn't be afraid to try anything on the menu!
(5)Rick D.
Meh. Maybe I've become a Cajun snob, but for me - High Street misses the mark. The blackening seasoning was surprisingly bland. Dessert and cappuccino were by far the highlight of the meal, and the service was excellent. Y'all looking for a taste of 'Nawlins? Catch the next flight to MSY. Who dat!
(3)Bob H.
Best restaurant in all of West Chester. They have it all, great food, ambiance, decor, and service. The food is dynamite, huge selection from alligator to filet. The feel of High Street is like you just stepped off of bourbon st and into one of their fabulous caffes in New Orleans. Also the servers are very attentive and will go out of their way if you have any questions about the menu. They have a full liquor license now but they still accept BYOB
(5)Nicole C.
How do you make one of the best spots in West Chester better? Add a bar! To compliment High Street's always on point delicious cajun food, they now have tons of fun beers from local selections to imports and exciting New Orleans inspired cocktails. Happy Hour from 4:30-6:30 Monday thru Friday includes drink discounts and $5 appetizers and flatbreads. If you're going for dinner, don't miss the Pecan Bourbon Chicken and Shrimp. I'd go with the Veggie flatbread for something lighter if your just snacking. Oh, and they have awesome Jazz on Wednesday nights. If you were into the Thursday night jazz when Vincents was still around you'll see and hear some of the same cats at High Street now, a day sooner in the week and right on time.
(5)A W.
Good food. Good beer. Excellent wait staff. Good vibe. This is a great spot for a good dinner. Jambalaya is great, as is the steak and fish. Haven't had a bad meal here yet.
(5)Dave R.
After eating at this West Chester legend about a dozen times over the past 4 or so years, I have to say that High Street Caffe is one of my all-time favorites. It is intimate dining at its best and the New Orleans menu offers their twist on the staples and a long list of daily specials that are equally succulent. Try the blackened catfish or crabcakes, they are both excellent. Also, their alligator dishes are superb. Chef Wenner has become somewhat of a local hero for good reason- his food tastes wonderful. I've dined here with friends and family and with my lady and every one always has a great time and a good meal. Now with a full bar, the vibe has changed slightly but maybe for the better. Imagine a packed house on a Saturday night for a Phillies playoff game. Fine dining food plus baseball and a huge Hurricane makes Dave a happy boy. Great service. Waiters don't seem to leave this place and they are very good at what they do. One of the best restaurants in the area from the delicious bread to the Bananas Foster. But bring your appetite, your wallet, and preferably, a designated driver.
(5)Robyn K.
OMG! I LOOOOOVE this restaurant! I went there for the first time today and was super impressed with everything! The ambience, the friendliness of the staff and the food...oh my the food was to die for. I dont think you can go wrong with anything. Even the bread rolls they give you at first is yummy. Hubby and I had chicken tenders and the alligator sausage flat bread for apps. To die for!! Did I mention the portions are huge. By the time entree came we were so full and had to take to-go...we noticed everyone had a to-go bag too. For entree, i had the blackened cat fish...oh gosh, the taste, AMAZING!!!!
(5)Bethany B.
Amazing food. Warm, welcoming staff. Nothing was able to satisfy my pregnancy-induced spicy cravings like their Voodoo Crawfish.
(5)Dave J.
Voodoo crawfish!!! Don't you dare put sour cream on these things either, man up! Best crawfish in the area. Great beer selection as well. Good menu and good prices. If you dont like tight places, dont go at common hours. Parking can be tough but it's West Chester, find the garage on High Street and you're golden.
(5)Elise K.
This is the best restaurant I've eaten at in West Chester (even better than its neighbor Avalon)! It's dark and a bit dingy in there, but you can count on friendly staff, interesting characters hanging at the bar and new and exciting specials on the menu (one time, this amazing buffalo steak and another time, oyster stew with the best broth I've ever had). Not that there's anything wrong with the regular menu - try the Voodoo shrimp if you're in the mood for spicy that'll have you sweating and tearing up. The smoky Portobello and mozzarella salad is delicious if you're looking for something small; entrees are large, authentic (as far as I can tell!) and creative. It's a bit pricier than many of the restaurants in WC, but you can't beat the flavors, and the wine list has some good quality selections at great prices (Mark West Pinot Noir for just $28). There's garage parking across from Barnaby's on High Street, and when you walk back to your car, you can choose from two ice cream/yogurt shops if you don't pig out like we do on the to-die-for caramel-laden bananas Foster.
(5)Brian M.
Haven't been there for a while, but used to go often. I always had a great experience. The food was very good. But I think it is more creole-esque, but certainly not cajun. I usually have seafood or fish when I go and never have been served less than a delicious meal. It has been around for many years and remains very popular. Actually, writing this, I need to go visit soon. BYOB and full bar-I know strange, but it works. Can get really loud.
(4)Jonathan D.
Have only been here a few times but this place is great... real nice menu... If you're looking for cajun/creole this is the place to go to. Also, not sure if they still have it...but get the Bananas Foster for dessert...AMAZING!!
(5)Casey L.
oh my gosh, this dinner goes on my top ten list. we went for my sister in laws birthday - had a reservation but still waited a good 25 minutes for a table, which was totally worth it. It is BYOWine, but they have a full liquor bar. we ordered from their martini menu and others with us drank the wine we brought (corking fee). we had soups and salads to start - crab bisque for me, but I tried the salads too and they were phenomenal too. Sometimes I crave a salad and so many restaurants fall short. anyway, dinner was excellent all around, we all had seafood (most of the menu is fish) not one of our party of 5 was dissatisfied, my father in law lived in New Orleans for years and he was totally impressed. the only down side was it was noisy, a little too noisy for conversation amongst a group and there was a man playing guitar, but it was really just one very long continuous song. in short, definitely make a reservation, try something new and bring a jacket - they keep the front door open and some seats are right in front of it. they also do catering and discounts for west chester U students
(5)Melanie T.
Does anyone know if they are still BYOB??????
(5)Christopher P.
I've gone to High Street Cafe, now known as the Vudu Lounge, about 10 times over the past 7 years and the food is generally excellent. If you are an oyster fan, definitely get the fried oyster appetizer (they use fresh oysters). If it is still on the menu, stay away from the Hanger steak, which was much too fatty when I had it during my last visit. Anticipating a "hanger steak is supposed to be fatty" comment, the steak did not have edible texture for a hanger steak, which suggested too little marinating and improper grilling technique.
(4)Cate W.
High Street Cafe is one of my favorite restaurants in West Chester. The food has been consistently great over the many years of my patronage, and the servers are really on top of their game. They have recently gotten their liquor license and have a variety of fun cocktails, but you can still bring in your own wine. I would always recommend High Street Cafe to friends!
(5)Bob A.
Our family has held all of our annual celebrations at High Street for the past 3 years. The past few times we have noticed that the establishment has strayed off-mark. Service has become unbearable (it had always been relaxed, but almost a 25 minutes for drink refills, 1.5 hours for our meal, and another 30 minutes for our check after we refused desert) and after concluding our Mother's Day dinner with a slightly heated conversation with the owner I will make sure to not only share how disappointed we were, but to also make you aware of how arrogant the owner of this place really is. It was Mother's Day and like every other Mother's Day for the past three years it was assumed where we would go. Only this time it was with a slight hesitation. Our last trip to High Street Cafe a few months back was very disappointing, from the messed up reservation, the poor service and the guitar player who insisted on playing one notch higher than anyone trying to enjoy a conversation with their party. As familiar this place has become to our typical family gatherings, we said nothing and just felt it was an off night for everyone. So feeling that our last trip was just an off-night we decided to move forward with our plans for Mother's Day.Upon arriving, we were greeted at the door by an employee. I told them my name and than was told our table was right in front of us, in the middle of the restaurant, as you first walked into the door. Because of our last issue with the sound and my family unable to hear each other I made sure over the phone for the reservations that we would receive a table along the wall. I explained why and explained the importance of this seating arrangement. The person over the phone went a step further to say, "Well how about I put you on one of the side tables in front of the window?" I agreed and ended our conversation. When I brought this up to the employee she said in a very ignorant tone, "Well that's not going to happen! Those tables just sat down." We waited for about twenty minutes and finally got a table along the side. Hoping to keep our mom happy we kindly thanked them for accommodating us and hope to move on from this little episode. From this point is where everything really went downhill. It took over twenty minutes to even get a drink list, than another twenty minutes to get our drinks ordered. By the time we got our appetizers ordered our drinks were half gone and by the time we received them they were basically empty. We waited a little more than twenty minutes for the server to even come over to ask if we needed refills. By now the appetizers were gone. We finally got our refills and about 30 minutes later our food finally came out. My mom's jambalaya was cold. It was cold to the touch and taste. When we told our server she said, "Well I can take it back and warm it up real fast." When you pay 23 dollars for a plate of rice and chicken, the last thing you want is for it to be "nuked". We continued to have issues with things all night and asked to speak to the owner who because of the size of his establishment serves as the manager. After we received our check and the server swipe the card we decided to ask when the owner would be over. We were told he is busy and would be right out. We knew that he was simply hiding behind the bar wall waiting for us to leave. As we got up to leave my father and I decided to approach him and question our importance as satisfied customers. His response was the most ridiculous thing I had ever heard. He told us well we don't understand things. He just got back Cuba where he "threw little poor kids guitar strings and money because that's the type of person I am." and "they just appreciate to get food on their plates" and "You wouldn't understand since you wouldn't be able to go there." I responded with that has nothing to do with how horrible everything was and your lack of concern for our situation. He continued to ramble on with cocky and arrogant comments telling us that we should just be happy that he allowed us to eat in his establishment because we are not as worthy of humans as he is, and we as part of the normal crowd don't deserve good service or fresh food. I kid you not; he really spoke of himself so highly. Finally after all of his insults my dad decided to throw an insult his way by saying, "The food sucked!" He got so mad that my dad had the nerve to criticize his food after he had no problem with attacking our characters and labeling us as "not good enough". This is where the conversation escalated to the point where we said "Thank you and we will never be back" and left. It was now after ten. It took three whole hours for appetizers and dinner. This man needs to be brought back to earth and shown he is as human as any of us. I understand that many of you may go and enjoy your time, but just remember about how the owner views you, and that is that you are lucky to have the privilege to dine in his establishment. I could have a
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