You can't go to New Orleans and not go to Cafe du Monde. Our last visit was on June 20, 2009, a Friday morning around 10:00. We were able to find a table fairly quickly, but had a great deal of difficulty getting someone to take our order. It appeared that others in our section sat even longer than we did (20 minutes or so) before we could place an order. It was really crazy that morning. Anyway, the beignets were as good as always. It's a great, inexpensive breakfast or snack if you go later in the day. I just wonder if there's a time when they are NOT busy! Be sure to wear light colored clothes as you are sure to get powdered sugar all over yourself. Also, be sure to wipe out your chair before you sit if your table has not yet been cleaned (and you usually will have to sit at a dirty table before it's cleared in order to get a table.)

Okay, it's hot and a little crazy because so many people go here, but it's worth a stop to check out the standards. It's pretty good and cheap. If you are anticipating a cozy atmosphere, lower your standards and just go with it. Recommend.

My wife is a native of New Orleans and we travel back frequently for visits. As a non- native I had always thought CDM was the place to be but it is not. As another reveiwer stated it ais a tourist trap. My wifes family NEVER eats a beignet from CDM. They go to Morning Call which is open 24 hours the beignets are always fresh and you get your moneys worth.
On our most recent trip the service was almost non-existent. You had to fight for attention and then it was like they were irritated that you were bothering them. We had more than one server and none of them seemed to care. The powdered sugar was not on the beignets when they brought them out but in bags? Also the beignets were deflated, luke warm and not very fresh. My wife just laughed. She makes better beignets herself.
If you travel to New Orleans and the French Quarter, go to CDM just to say you have gone, but if you want real NOLA beignets and chicory coffee have someone direct you to Morning Call.

always consistent, entertaining and very inexpensive