Russell’s on Macklind

My wife and I have been here a handful of times and have had a great experience every time. The staff is friendly and very helpful; we took my parents there a couple of weeks ago and they raved about it. We love the fact that they use a lot of local ingredients in their dishes. And my mom enjoyed it so much that we actually went their for breakfast within a week of her visit!
I, honestly, enjoy their dinner more than their breakfast.
For dinner– the burger is unbeatable along with the meatloaf.
Great little spot in St. Louis ! Hidden gem for sure! Get there soon and enjoy the ambiance and the food!

I have been really excited to stop by Russell’s for the first time. I wanted to wait for upstairs construction to be finished.
Pros:
I will start by saying our treats were amazing. I loved the décor. A man I believe was an owner or manager was mingling with guests. I got a peanut butter cookie covered in chocolate, it was everything I hoped it to be. My daughter got a fudge brownie and loved it.
Con:
I also ordered a caramel latte. 20 mins later, other guests that arrived later have their coffee, a woman comes up and mentions my lack of latte. She says she will check on it. She walks by numerous times but never updates us. 10 minutes later I have my latte. It was delicious but not worth a 30 minute wait with a mumbled apology. People make mistakes but explain what is occurring when fixing it.

We love coming here for brunch, lunch, or dinner. Their menu is on the small side which is why they are great at everything they make. You can also just come here for a drink and dessert which is always amazing. Great environment and feel as well.

Had Sunday brunch here. Parking is a problem, but once you are inside it’s a really neat place. Sat upstairs, server was very good and kept our drinks full. I would have given 5 stars but our breakfast came out 5 min before our sons Mac n cheese. I think someone forgot to make it or put order in.
Food was the best part. I had the Southwest breakfast wrap, plenty of flavor and nice portion. Wife had the cinnamon eggs strata, which is huge and good. Was almost like a big coffee cake.
Watch going on busy times if you don’t like waiting.
I’ll try them again.

My first visit to Russell’s we were shoulder to shoulder waiting for a table. The staff did a suburb job of clearing tables and turning them over quickly. Not all of the patrons were so generous– some held tables for thirty to forty minutes after they were finished eating.
The food is worth the wait. Once you bite into this food you will see why there are people lining the walls. The breakfast flatbread is insane. It has two eggs atop a large flatbread, topped with tossed greens. The bread on the sandwiches is a crunchy delight. I loved how toasted the bread was. I would recommend the Sunrise on Sunset and the Roast Beef Sandwiches. The flavors on the sandwiches were spot on.
This is a place I would call a three season eatery. I would not return in the middle of winter on one of the coldest days of the year. I would return Spring, Summer, or Fall. On days were people can dine in the back covered porch and outside would be much more enjoyable. Also if the people waiting for tables could stand outside, that would help a great deal. Russell’s did have a fire pit going outside for those brave enough to wait by the fire for a table.

My boyfriend and I had such a terrible experience trying to eat at this place today. We would have gone back at a different time had the service not been so incredibly rude.
We are in town from NYC while he does a show, and he had an early dinner break, so we decided to try Russell’s because he heard the food was good. We entered the restaurant at about 4:45PM and were greeted by a middle-​aged blonde lady who said hi and promptly walked away, so we figured we were supposed to seat ourselves and did. After about 5 minutes of waiting and us trying to figure out what was happening, a nice guy brought us some water. 5 minutes later, the blonde lady came back without menus to tell us that they didn’t start serving dinner until 5, but that we could get pastries from the front (which, by the by, it looks like they have more than pastries up on that chalkboard). Then she also asked us if we would be willing to sit at another table after 5 due to reservations coming in (the place was basically empty when we showed up) but after stating this, checked the system and there were no reservations at our table until 6. Ooookay. You made us seat ourselves so… okay lady? After she walked away, she leaned over the counter to speak to some guy (manager, likely, who should fire this lady cause she’s super rude) and fully pointed at us, then she spoke to a couple of other people who all looked over at us like we were on display at the MoMA and finally brought us menus. We decided waiting until the dinner started would probably take too long since getting water and menus took forever, and he had to get back to rehearsal, so we went up to the front to check stuff out. The signs on the pastries were all messed up, so we couldn’t figure out what was what and were clearly curious but NO ONE asked us if we needed help or had any questions. The entire staff was behind the counter two feet from their customers drinking tea, talking to each other, and ignoring us. Really? We turned to each other, clearly both feeling this awkward and rude vibe, grabbed our stuff, and walked out.
Now, I guess this place is hot shît here in STL (?? I don’t know, is it?), but I’ve never been treated so rudely. I’ve been to some Michelin Star restaurants where they could easily treat their customers terribly but instead treat them with respect. I don’t care if I’m in a deli in the worst part of town, at the french laundry, or wherever the hell I am, LEARN TO BE A NICE HUMAN.
It’s a shame. Heard the food was good.

Come for the burger and stay for the burger! This place has one of the best burgers I’ve ever had. The space is really cute and the service is fast too! I will 100% be back!

Exceptional setting. Exceptional food. Exceptional service. One of the best meals I’ve had in St. Louis in a long time. I got the roast for dinner with the excellent carrots and garlic mashed potatoes. The meal took a little while to get out to us (but we sat at the bar and didn’t notice cause we were drinking), and the bartender still felt so bad that she bought me a beer. Truly excellent, and I’ll be back.

We came here for breakfast while I was visiting my best friend in St. Louis. I ordered the cheddar and egg sandwich. Never have I tasted a toasted sandwich so perfectly toasted with just the right amount of crunch creating a whirlwind of flavor paired with the bacon, cheddar, and egg. The fruit dish that accompanied the dish was impeccable and included fresh fruit such as kiwi, grapefruit, and other non-​typical fruit cup choices. I only wish I hadn’t been too full to order a pastry/​bakery item for dessert. While we visited they had just finished the upstairs seating area equipped with a bar, I loved the overall vibe and our service was great!

I want to like this place, but I had a nightmare of an experience that is hard to get past. My group of 4 came in here & were seated upstairs on a busy Saturday night. It is a really nice setting and a great place to share a meal. I feel bad for the servers having to march up & down the steep stairs to drop off the food from the kitchen.
My gf and I decided to split the cheeseburger and the sweet potatoes for a side. We ordered the BBQ shrimp & grits as an app. While it was a hectic, crowded night, we waited and waited until receiving our app a split second from our main course. I will say the shrimp & grits were mind blowing good, but after waiting for close to an hour, they better have come straight off a private plane from the Gulf of Mexico. It was nice for our waiter to remove that from our bill.
Once our split course came out, we found out that the sweet potatoes weren’t even on the menu, & they replaced it with fingerling potatoes. The cheeseburger had a sharp cheddar cheese that was so sharp it was so one dimensional it took away from the meat. So to sum up our slow as heck service for a shared meal, we got an appetizer served basically with our entrees, a subpar cheeseburger, and a side we didn’t even order. We weren’t the only people having issues either. The lady behind us had something go wrong where her whole dinner was comped. We all have bad days, but this was one for the books.

I met a friend for dinner at Russell’s last week and am still scratching my head on why I had never been before because the food was simply amazing. Food was 5-​stars, hostess/​wait staff brought it down to 4.
It was a busy Friday evening around 5:30 with a big group nearby for a holiday party. Glad we arrived early because we were able to get a table right away, but it was a bit cramped due to the large party behind us — the hostess shoved an extra table onto their already multi-​table configuration and kept adding more chairs throughout the time I was there. It was very uncomfortable as the woman behind me and I were practically on top of each other. The service was slow, waitress was nice but never checked in after our plates were delivered until she brought the check. I didn’t mind much as my friend and I were catching up, but otherwise I would’ve said something.
Lots of good choices on the beer/​wine list and the menu was simple but full of choices. The braised beef stroganoff was even better than I had expected — tender, buttery beef atop what appeared to be homemade pasta with a creamy flavorful sauce complete with so many big chunks of delicious mushrooms. Oh, my I can’t wait to go back! Large portions were great to be able to take leftovers home to enjoy the next day. I’m kicking myself that I didn’t order a dessert to take home but I guess I was just too full from dinner — will need to try something sweet on my next visit.

My great friend and I were headed to Andre’s November 27, but they were closed for the holiday — the day after Thanksgiving.
Next option, ’cause my great friend knows the neighborhood, was Russell’s.
It is a cramped joint. Tables too close together. I’ve got a coat that has its own ZIP code, as does my purse. It didn’t work well. I was bumpin’ into everything. Just forget about my hips. .. don’t count those. They’re their own country.
You order at the counter. They give you a number. Find your own seat. They bring out the food. Nothing more said. Nobody asks if you liked the food or the service (which was negligible).
As it turned out, my great friend and I got the same sandwich: roast beef with sharp cheddar ($ 10.71). It was a $ 6 sandwich.
It came with chips. Had I known that, I would have declined. No one mentioned chips.
My sandwich was not made well. Quite sideways. One side was OK. One side was mostly bread.
And the bread hurt me. It was so crispy, it bruised that place in the front palate where you can get burned from pizza.
And I had to fetch a to-​go vessel for my great friend, ’cause nobody else was offering.
Boo-​Hiss!
Be done.
That’s all. Go on your way.

Imagine stepping back in time when every restaurant was a mom-​n-​pop style eatery…
That’s what you feel like when driving past the gingerbread houses to get to Russell’s on Macklind. An outdoor fire-​pit with free coffee is greeting you before you even step foot inside. Then enter to an indoor fireplace crackling away and filling the place with cozy smells. There’s a fancy coffee machine making delicious mochas and lattes. The wait staff is casually dressed in jeans and black shirts, happily milling about with a sense of urgency and purpose. The gourmet sandwiches and wraps arrive on individual dark-​wood cutting boards. A side of fresh fruit, home made chips, or a cup of soup accompanies every meal. There’s even a large indoor/​outdoor back patio with space heaters for more seating.
If you’re ever in the area, you MUST eat at Russell’s!

After reading all of the positive reviews about Russell’s on Macklind, I was so excited to try this place! Unfortunately, it was a huge let-​down.
My sister and I arrived yesterday afternoon to SUCH a cute place. They have fresh flowers on every table. The place is just so sleek and I especially loved the fireplace in the middle of the room. I think they also have outdoor seating, but my sister and I decided to sit inside and have dinner.
I ordered a sandwich that came with pork, brie, and some delicious sauces (wish I could remember the name of the sandwich). My sister ordered the S.S.P. (Smelly, Sticky Pig), which comes with Bacon, Bleu Cheese, and Honey. Our total bill for the two sandwiches and chips was $ 20, which I thought was a little steep. Furthermore, the sandwiches did not live up to the price. I thought mine was pretty good, but my sister’s was just two pieces of bread with a lot of bacon on it. Furthermore, the bread was SO hard. I would warn anyone who has recently had dental work to avoid the bread at all costs. It felt like I was going to chip a tooth at times.
The thing that really spoiled this place for me was the service. We ordered rather quickly and the person who served us said that our food would be out in 10 – 15 minutes. After about 20 minutes, we still did not have our food. The place was practically empty and it just doesn’t seem that difficult to make 2 sandwiches. They had tons of wait staff, but yet not one of them came over to check on us or see what was up with our order. After waiting over 20 minutes, our food finally came out and it was WRONG. They blamed it on the kitchen, didn’t apologize, and then my sister had to wait another 5 minutes for her sandwich.
In sum, EXTREMELY disappointed and I won’t be back.

The pork tenderloin sandwich with cheese and apricot preserve was delicious. The bread and flavor was to die for. Side farmers salad was delicious too. My husband likes his tuna melt. Gooey butter cake is delicious. Chocolate chip cookie was fantastic says my husband. I like soft and chewy and not crunchy and hard so it wasn’t my type.
The sangria was tempting but I managed to resist. Meaning I’ll be back.

Indoor seating is often cramped and the conversations are very loud. But who cares when the food is so good?
I had the special flatbread of the night with ricotta, cream cheese, chicken, sweet potatoes, corn, and topped with a lightly-​dressed arugula salad. Everything worked just right– sweet and savory. I also had the «float trip» cocktail made with lemonade, vodka, and Schlafly Summer Lager beer. Delicious!
My husband ordered a burger. He was able to get a side of fruit instead of a side of fries– I love healthy options like that. Way to go, Russell’s.
It really is hard to say no to the cases full of pastries and cakes. Really, it’s a visual assault. But, I have yet to try any of the desserts. The portions walking by our table look huge– so assume you will get your money’s worth.
Parking close can be difficult, but nothing a few laps around the block won’t solve. This is must-​go in south city.

This place is cute!
The place has good food and lots of charm!
My husband and I had dinner there last night.
I had the strip steak special and he had a ricotta dish (can’t remember it’s name) both where outstanding. My dish came with fingerling potatoes and they where good also.
They have lots for dessert, but we where to full. We saw lots of people just come in for dessert and lattes, so we should try them next time, because we will be back!

I really would need more than two hands to count the ways I love this place.
I recently met a friend of mine at Russell’s for lunch on a rainy Friday, and we couldn’t have been happier with our experience. The indoor area is pretty tiny, but we found a seat by the window. It was almost painful not to be able to sit on the adorable patio, but we’ll do that next time.
You order at the counter and they bring it out to your table. I was happy to see you could do half and half of any of the salads and sandwiches, and immediately had my eye on two things: the kitchen sink salad and the summer grilled cheese. The grilled cheese is made with aged sharp white cheddar, tomato, red onion, and bacon, and the salad is loaded with mixed greens, veggies, shredded parmesan, garlic croutons, dried cranberries, roasted chicken, and balsamic vinaigrette. Yum, right? When I was ready to pay, the guy at the register asked me «will that be with a glass of white wine sangria?» How do you say no to that? Sangria it was!
Everything tasted incredible, including the sangria (shocker, I know.) The owner stopped by to see how we were doing, and every single employee we encountered during this visit was over-​the-​top friendly. I can’t wait to come back soon and enjoy the cute patio!

Since my last review I have visited 2 additional time (each for dessert)! After dinner at the Mack I thought it would be the perfect idea to stop by to pick up some mini-​cupcakes. I walked in and noticed how classy the inside looked. People were enjoying wine and dinner menu items. I looked at the pastry case and saw just what I wanted; chocolate cupcakes! Some had regular icing and others had ganache. I opted for 4 mini-​cupcakes (and a chocolate walnut cookie) since I knew I would have to share! I also noticed they had sangria so I asked for a sample; now I know I need to go back to enjoy a full glass! When I got home to eat my dessert the cupcakes tasted so delicious and were very fresh; the pasty chef is amazing. Each cupcake had a different topping which gave it personality!
The second visit I was just driving in the area and couldn’t resist stopping in for dessert. I walked in and saw this coconut looking cake and knew that I just had to have a slice! It was lemon and coconut all in one; yes please! I asked for a slice to go. The service behind the counter is always so friendly and fast!
Each time I have been here the owner (or manager) has always welcomed me and he seems to be very active in the restaurant. I can tell he loves what he does.
I am so lucky to live close to Russell’s on Macklind; I can’t wait to visit again!

Congratulations, Russell’s: you rank as one of my favorite brunch spots EVER. I think you won me over when I saw three kinds of gooey butter cake nestled between the equally enticing bear claws and cinnamon rolls in the pastry case. HAVE MERCY! You must get a square of this gooey-​sugary-​buttery-​shortbread-​bar from the dessert gods to share while you wait for your food.
Speaking of wait, there’s a good chance that you will do a lot of that if you come for brunch on a Sunday morning. Do not let the long line scare you away. Grab a paper menu from the counter and contemplate over whether or not you’re ordering the quiche or a grilled breakfast sandwich. My recommendation is to go with the ½ and ½ grilled breakfast sandwich, because then you get to freak out over TWO magnificent choices. My Bistro Grill (pear, herbed goat cheese, honey, walnuts) and SSP (bacon, bleu cheese, honey) were perfect. Throw in a side of fresh fruit and a cup of Kaldi’s Coffee and I’m the happiest bruncher in STL.