Great relaxed atmosphere. The food was spot on and the coffee was wonderful. I had breakfast tacos. I will definitely visit this place whenever I am in town.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Christine Gallon
It is very lovely in here. The location is situated in a cozy spot near the train tracks downtown Belleville. It’s very convenient. The coffee is wonderful, and the staff is very friendly. This was my first time here.
This place is great. How are there so few reviews? Anyways, all the food is fabulous, the coffee is great. Lovely location and ambiance.
Stephen Merritt
No decaf espresso. Sorry. If you’re a coffee shop that specializes in coffees you should have decaf espresso for your customers that need it.So for that I’m giving it a 1 star.
Jeremy Dao
Long Story is a nice coffee spot outside of the city with decent espresso. They have beans, and canned cold brew ready to take home. Try to visit outside of peak weekend breakfast hours to get the best coffee/service, they have a small crew behind the bar so they get overloaded during that time. I went during peak breakfast time and waited 20 minutes for a cortado, and a latte for takeout. The cortado was over extracted and was a little burnt, but I could attribute that to the breakfast rush.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Bret Huber
Love going here and getting a great coffee. So many to choose from. Love the atmosphere as well. Thank you all for making such a a great coffee shop.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Katy G P
Coffee is delicious and presentation is outstanding. My espresso was served with a sparkling mineral water and it's the perfect balance to the flavorful, concentrated brew. There are gluten free menu options at in-house Clara B's Kitchen Table. I'll have to bring my appetite next time!Dietary restrictions: There are gluten free wraps and buns available at Clara B's.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Some Coffee. Some Thoughts.
I’ve been here on several occasions with very consistent experiences from the friendliness of the staff to quality of our iced lattes & chais to the tastiness of their pastries.
Enjoy the space with a variety of seating options - bar seating, tables & chairs and comfy seating. All within the quaintness of a repurposed train depot.
A favorite coffee stop when in Belleville…. Monthly!
Jon S.
This place was amazing! The service, ambience, coffee, and food were all fantastic. The coffee and chai tea late were so so good! You can 100% taste the quality of the coffee!! Also we ordered food from Clara B's. I had the chorizo breakfast burrito - SO GOOD! If you're a chorizo fan this is perfect, it's not sweet (in case you've found that some places have sweet and some have more savory chorizo). My wife had the potato quiche and it was also fantastic. The fresh greens on the side were excellent. Can't say enough about this experience. Will be back for sure!
Before Longstory existed, Balance Coffee was a simple retrofit of an old train station that gave Belleville its first taste of a quality coffee shop. When it closed, it felt like a void could not be filled by any of the other shops in the area. They all had coffee, but they were not on the same level. The plan was for someone new to take over, and while not a smooth transition, Longstory was eventually established in the same space as the previous tenant. But that is where the similarities end. Longstory was a complete overhaul of the inside space to allow for all the usable space to be not only accessible but inviting. The copious space that was present before was filled with tables and couches, creating meeting areas out of nothing. There was also a new coffee bar setup, catering to the laptop crowd needing outlets or single visitors not wanting to take up an entire table. The coffee choice started simple, but the longer you were around, the more ambition you could sense. Erik, the owner, started a barrel-aged coffee program that produced something unique that I have yet to see anywhere else in the area. From here came new exotic coffee strains for those who want a purist coffee experience. But that was coupled with a new weekly latte flavor that dropped every Saturday. These syrupy delights hit all the right notes for those who need a sweet experience. Flavor profiles such as Gas station coffee (Vanilla, Chocolate, & Hazelnut) and chocolate-covered strawberries were interspersed between candy bar-inspired drinks (Snickers and Butterfinger lattes). In addition to all of this, several taps on the wall deliver nitro coffee that is like a naturally creamy cold brew. Food options started as the usual cafe fare, like muffins, scones, and an occasional quiche, but then renovation began on a new addition to the business, Clara B's. While a separate entity worthy of its review, it offered Longstory a real food option to bring in the breakfast and lunch crowd. Since this addition, both businesses have grown exponentially, with Clara B's transformation from just a weekend offering to now six days a week. Meanwhile, Longstory has added options to their menu, including limited alcohol. While the coffee is the show's star, the staff is excellent. Each barista brings their flare to the shift. Some come to this place with experience, while others are new to the coffee world, but the faults are few and far between. I know when we are there, the service will be above and beyond, whether excellent service or banter with the customers, many of whom are regulars. It's not the only place to get coffee on the Illinois side of the river, but it certainly is the best. I look forward to seeing what innovations Erik and his team develop in the coming years.
Tony A.
What a pleasant surprise! My daughter, asked me if I ever been and I said no. The next day with temperatures below zero and my wife out of town, I decided to drive over and check it out. The first thing I noticed was the atmospher. It was warm, welcoming and charming. The second was the friendly staff at the barista station and Clara's kitchen. The sandwich from Clara's was the largest breakfast sand I ever had and it was delicious. I didn't order a fancy coffee, just a medium-blend black coffee and it was up to the task for giving me a morning jolt. They also have free refills, which I took advantage of. I was so impressed that I immediately invited my daughter's family and my wife for a brunch. I will be a regular customer and Belleville is fortunate to have this fine coffee shop.
Ellie Gibson
First time coming this morning. The coffee was excellent! Husband had a scone as well. I had a Mocha and he had the Cortado. Definitely some of the best coffee we've had around here. The atmosphere is lovely. We definitely will be back soon!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Paul Jr
First time going here. It was fantastic. Had the cortado and it was the best I have ever had. Cranberry scone was super as well.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Don Long
My coffee was brewed and balanced well (Café Latte), and the presentation was appealing. The atmosphere of the shop is inviting, comfortable, and has that familiar feel. The service was a little slow, but it was later in the day, and it seemed they were short staffed. Overall, LongStory is a great place to get a good cup of coffee.
Great relaxed atmosphere. The food was spot on and the coffee was wonderful. I had breakfast tacos. I will definitely visit this place whenever I am in town.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
It is very lovely in here. The location is situated in a cozy spot near the train tracks downtown Belleville. It’s very convenient. The coffee is wonderful, and the staff is very friendly. This was my first time here.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Wonderful coffee ☕️ ? place. Great atmosphere. Delicious food. Kind staff.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chocolate Milk - 8oz, Iced Caramel Latte, Breakfast Sandwich, Grits
This place is great. How are there so few reviews? Anyways, all the food is fabulous, the coffee is great. Lovely location and ambiance.
No decaf espresso. Sorry. If you’re a coffee shop that specializes in coffees you should have decaf espresso for your customers that need it.So for that I’m giving it a 1 star.
Long Story is a nice coffee spot outside of the city with decent espresso. They have beans, and canned cold brew ready to take home. Try to visit outside of peak weekend breakfast hours to get the best coffee/service, they have a small crew behind the bar so they get overloaded during that time. I went during peak breakfast time and waited 20 minutes for a cortado, and a latte for takeout. The cortado was over extracted and was a little burnt, but I could attribute that to the breakfast rush.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Love going here and getting a great coffee. So many to choose from. Love the atmosphere as well. Thank you all for making such a a great coffee shop.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Coffee is delicious and presentation is outstanding. My espresso was served with a sparkling mineral water and it's the perfect balance to the flavorful, concentrated brew. There are gluten free menu options at in-house Clara B's Kitchen Table. I'll have to bring my appetite next time!Dietary restrictions: There are gluten free wraps and buns available at Clara B's.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
I’ve been here on several occasions with very consistent experiences from the friendliness of the staff to quality of our iced lattes & chais to the tastiness of their pastries. Enjoy the space with a variety of seating options - bar seating, tables & chairs and comfy seating. All within the quaintness of a repurposed train depot. A favorite coffee stop when in Belleville…. Monthly!
This place was amazing! The service, ambience, coffee, and food were all fantastic. The coffee and chai tea late were so so good! You can 100% taste the quality of the coffee!! Also we ordered food from Clara B's. I had the chorizo breakfast burrito - SO GOOD! If you're a chorizo fan this is perfect, it's not sweet (in case you've found that some places have sweet and some have more savory chorizo). My wife had the potato quiche and it was also fantastic. The fresh greens on the side were excellent. Can't say enough about this experience. Will be back for sure!
Restaurantji Recommends
Before Longstory existed, Balance Coffee was a simple retrofit of an old train station that gave Belleville its first taste of a quality coffee shop. When it closed, it felt like a void could not be filled by any of the other shops in the area. They all had coffee, but they were not on the same level. The plan was for someone new to take over, and while not a smooth transition, Longstory was eventually established in the same space as the previous tenant. But that is where the similarities end. Longstory was a complete overhaul of the inside space to allow for all the usable space to be not only accessible but inviting. The copious space that was present before was filled with tables and couches, creating meeting areas out of nothing. There was also a new coffee bar setup, catering to the laptop crowd needing outlets or single visitors not wanting to take up an entire table. The coffee choice started simple, but the longer you were around, the more ambition you could sense. Erik, the owner, started a barrel-aged coffee program that produced something unique that I have yet to see anywhere else in the area. From here came new exotic coffee strains for those who want a purist coffee experience. But that was coupled with a new weekly latte flavor that dropped every Saturday. These syrupy delights hit all the right notes for those who need a sweet experience. Flavor profiles such as Gas station coffee (Vanilla, Chocolate, & Hazelnut) and chocolate-covered strawberries were interspersed between candy bar-inspired drinks (Snickers and Butterfinger lattes). In addition to all of this, several taps on the wall deliver nitro coffee that is like a naturally creamy cold brew. Food options started as the usual cafe fare, like muffins, scones, and an occasional quiche, but then renovation began on a new addition to the business, Clara B's. While a separate entity worthy of its review, it offered Longstory a real food option to bring in the breakfast and lunch crowd. Since this addition, both businesses have grown exponentially, with Clara B's transformation from just a weekend offering to now six days a week. Meanwhile, Longstory has added options to their menu, including limited alcohol. While the coffee is the show's star, the staff is excellent. Each barista brings their flare to the shift. Some come to this place with experience, while others are new to the coffee world, but the faults are few and far between. I know when we are there, the service will be above and beyond, whether excellent service or banter with the customers, many of whom are regulars. It's not the only place to get coffee on the Illinois side of the river, but it certainly is the best. I look forward to seeing what innovations Erik and his team develop in the coming years.
What a pleasant surprise! My daughter, asked me if I ever been and I said no. The next day with temperatures below zero and my wife out of town, I decided to drive over and check it out. The first thing I noticed was the atmospher. It was warm, welcoming and charming. The second was the friendly staff at the barista station and Clara's kitchen. The sandwich from Clara's was the largest breakfast sand I ever had and it was delicious. I didn't order a fancy coffee, just a medium-blend black coffee and it was up to the task for giving me a morning jolt. They also have free refills, which I took advantage of. I was so impressed that I immediately invited my daughter's family and my wife for a brunch. I will be a regular customer and Belleville is fortunate to have this fine coffee shop.
First time coming this morning. The coffee was excellent! Husband had a scone as well. I had a Mocha and he had the Cortado. Definitely some of the best coffee we've had around here. The atmosphere is lovely. We definitely will be back soon!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
First time going here. It was fantastic. Had the cortado and it was the best I have ever had. Cranberry scone was super as well.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My coffee was brewed and balanced well (Café Latte), and the presentation was appealing. The atmosphere of the shop is inviting, comfortable, and has that familiar feel. The service was a little slow, but it was later in the day, and it seemed they were short staffed. Overall, LongStory is a great place to get a good cup of coffee.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4