Mercantile on 25th street is a locally-owned boutique cafe in the historic Union Bus Depot building on historic 25th street in Ogden, Utah, and is just a few blocks from the iconic Union Station.
Brought to you from the folks behind Roosters Brewing Co, Beehive Cheese and Kaffe Mercantile, this new cafe that offers much more than your average coffee shop with its quaint, trendy atmosphere and simple yet extensive menu offerings.
Here at Taste Test Tribe, we always offer 100% honest reviews that aren't sponsored or biased, sharing only what we truly love (and shedding some light on the things we don't).
Watch our video on Instagram (and also this one) and read on for our thoughts on The Mercantile on 25th street!
First Impressions
The Mercantile on 25th occupies a corner lot on Ogden's historic 25th street and Grant Avenue. Street parking is available, and there is also a small, free lot directly behind the building. We've always been able to find a parking spot as long as there aren't any events such as the farmer's market.
As soon as you walk through the double-doors, you'll feel right at home! The Mercantile is spacious, trendy, and homey all at once.
The seating offering is diverse with small tables, bar-style seating in an extended row to the right with charging stations and a street-view window, and even a cozy sitting-room style area with a couch and plus chairs.
On your way to the counter, you'll find an island with local favorites such as raspberry jalapeno jam and local, handmade teas (both favorites of ours); walk a little farther and you'll find a refrigerated bin with many offerings from Beehive Cheese company.
We love that the local products are featured in menu items and also available for purchase!
The staff is friendly and attentive, always ready with menu recommendations and allergy information. They've been well-trained on celiac protocols and food allergies, and can readily tell you which menu items are or can be made gluten-free.
This might seem completely silly, but we enjoyed the gold glasses available for water. It's sometimes the little things that set a restaurant apart from others, and The Mercantile's attention to detail definitely does that for us!
The Menu and What We Ordered
The full menu is available on the walls behind the cashier counter, but they don't include prices and can be difficult to see because of the hanging signs in front.
There are laminated menus available on the island that include prices and might be easier to order from, and you can also find a current menu on TheMercantile25.com
We love that the menu boasts ordinary cafe-style offerings as well as locally-sourced, seasonal, and unique plates such as the O-Town avocado toast (read more on that below-it's our fav!)
We've now been to The Mercantile on 25th a few times, and here's what we've ordered so far:
- O-Town Toast
- Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup
- French Dip Sandwich
- Hummus Board
- Depot Breakfast Sandwich
- Merc's Mountain Medley Herbal Tea
Taste Test: Our Honest Thoughts
In addition to its charming vibe, The Mercantile pulls us in every time with dishes we can't get anywhere else, like the O-Town toast piled with generous helpings of fresh, local, cream cheese, raspberry jalapeno jam, and fresh avocados and sliced tomatoes.
The O-Town is probably our favorite menu item and we can't resist ordering one every single time we go (and insisting all our friends taste it too)
The Mercantile's grilled cheese sandwich very well might be the best sandwich we've ever put in our mouths. Two slices of bread filled to overflowing with gooey, fresh, local Beehive cheese with a crisp crust of cheese all around the edges. Seriously delish.
The tomato soup was also great, combine the two and it's the ultimate comfort food any time of year.
Of the ones we've tried, the only sandwich we didn't care for is the French dip, which isn't on the menu but was available one time we went. The meat wasn't as tender as we're used to and it just didn't measure up to the other sandwiches available at The Mercantile.
When you visit, don't discount a fun, shareable charcuterie boards like the hummus board. We found the house-made hummus to be perfectly flavored, and the vegetables were incredibly fresh and crisp.
We even ordered it gluten-free when we went with some celiac friends and they subbed gluten-free crackers and toast, which were both delightful!
Breakfast is available all day at The Mercantile on 25th, so we decided to indulge in the Depot Breakfast Sandwich on one occasion.
Easily one of the best brekky sandwiches we've tasted, with perfectly cooked eggs aplenty and some delightful toppings like cheese and tomatoes all packed in.
We aren't coffee drinkers, but we've heard The Mercantile has great coffee. Our favorite non-caffeinated beverage to order is locally-sourced herbal tea from Wild Meraki.
We highly recommend the Merc's Mountain Medley, which you can order hot or iced; it's a fruity tea featuring rose, cacao, cinnamon, hibiscus, honey-bush, and elderflower.
We also have our eyes on the Kaffe Salad, Sunrise Toast, and Chunky Reuben with rye bread...and maybe every other item on the menu, haha!
Gluten-Free Options
We were pleased to learn during our first visit that the kitchen staff at The Mercantile is well-trained in food allergies and dietary restrictions.
They can readily tell you which menu items will be safe, and have a plethora of options, in addition to safe kitchen practices.
You can sub gluten-free bread (which is some of the best we've had anywhere) in all toasts or sandwiches.
We've even spotted some lunch lady style gluten-free peanut butter bars and homemade gluten-free coffee cake a few times!
Restaurant policies and menus change all the time, so always ask questions when you go to be sure your specific needs will be met and this is a safe location for you.
Final Verdict: Would We Return?
As foodies, we definitely have opinions about the food we order from restaurants and The Mercantile on 25th has quickly become one of our favorite local spots.
From the location on historic 25th street in Weber County to the modern-cozy vibes and local food perfectly prepared, you really won't be disappointed if you go!
We felt the pricing was on par with other local restaurants, with some higher ticket items and other less expensive options.
Keep in mind that the portions are good-sized, but you might not be taking home leftovers. We felt the portion sizes were just right, filling us up without being too much.
Whether you're a tourist looking to immerse yourself in the Ogden food scene or a local meeting friends for lunch, we think you'll love this delightful caffe on Grant Ave. and historic 25th street with its cozy modern vibe and unforgettable food.
While you're there, grab something to take home from one of my many local businesses such as a wedge of Beehive Cheese or some jalapeno raspberry jam!
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