For many locals, Delmar Boulevard is synonymous with the University City Loop, known as the home of popular places like the Tivoli Theatre, Blueberry Hill and Fitz's Root Beer. But if you only look on Delmar, you're bound to miss a few quality, hole-in-the-wall establishments — like Meshuggah Coffee House.

Even though it may not be as well known as a lot of the Delmar restaurants, Meshuggah (565 Mellville, 314-726-5662, just around the corner from Blueberry Hill) is well-known by students, Loop workers and locals as the place to go if you want a great cup of coffee.

Meshuggah makes their coffee Americano-style (adding hot water to espresso) rather than brewing it like most coffee shops. Although it's a bit stronger than brewed coffee, many avid coffee drinkers prefer it. In fact, so many people have complimented Meshuggah on their Americano that owner Patrick Laberto is no longer surprised when first time customers come in and say it is the best coffee in St. Louis.

The name Meshuggah is Yiddish for "crazy." This is more of an attitude than a description of the shop — it's a place you can go to be yourself and not worry about putting on an image. According to Laberto, “people who walk by holding Starbucks coffee cups use them less as a drink and more to complete their wardrobe.” This shop is definitely not for the shallow (or in Yiddish, “a piste kaylen,”) but rather for those who know a good cup of coffee when they taste it.

Customers will be seen studying, playing chess, reading the paper or enjoying a good conversation with both friends and friendly strangers (this is definitely a place where it is okay to talk to strangers). The staff knows about 85% of the customers who walk in the door, and with the 15% that they don’t know, just give them time. Don’t be surprised to find yourself in a conversation with a nearby table of regulars just a few short minutes after walking in the door.

In addition to making Americano coffee, they have a variety of creative cappuccinos, such as Vanilla Honey ($2.75). The non-coffee drinker can enjoy different herbal teas ($1.25), Power Shakes ($3.00) or Smoothies ($2.75). Although they don’t serve Chai, they have a drink similar called the Herbal Ambrosia ($2.25) which uses a lot of the same herbs and has a taste which some prefer. Because it uses soymilk, it is great for people who feel a cold coming on. If you’re looking for a friendly coffee shop with a laid-back atmosphere and quality coffee, try Meshuggah.

– Jenny Kehl