I'm one of those "I don't smoke unless I'm 3-4 drinks in" types of smokers, so more times than I can count have I been in Westport and needed to make a nicotine run. Thankfully Fidel's has always been there for me, so I don't have to go slogging down Broadway to one of the sketch gas stations.
Well, they haven't ALWAYS been there for me. Years ago this place was more of a "specialty" tobacco shop, and would sneer at me for asking for a regular brand of smokes. Thankfully, something has changed. The snobbery is gone, and the Parliaments have arrived - though I'm willing to bet this has more to do with economic realities than it does a change of heart. Still, the people I've interacted with here over the past couple of years are friendly, funny and helpful. Nice folks.
Bonus points for being reasonably priced smack in the middle of a bar district.
Oh and kids: smoking kills. Don't even start, because it's a bitch to quit.
I don't smoke. I especially don't smoke cigars. Â I don't even LIKE cigars. Â
So, why, pray tell, do I even review Fidel's, let along give it four stars? Â To put it simply, having been in there with people who don't share my personal stance on tobacco, Â it's a nicely run, classy joint. Â The staff who work there are so nice and knowledgeable, the atmosphere is lovely, and it's just an interesting place. Â I was last in there on the same day as the Kentucky Derby, and it was kinda fun to chill on leather chairs in the back (nicely ventilated, for my delicate Scarlett O'Hara sensibilities, hah) while my companion puffed on a celebratory stogie after a minor triumph at work, watching the race day festivities, and enjoying the other patrons, cool and classy dudes and ladies. Â
If a smoke shop can get four stars out of a gal past whose lips tobacco vapors have ne'er once passed, you know it's gotta be pretty decent.
Walked into Fidel's looking to buy a few cigars for a friend's birthday. I know nothing about cigars, but the staff was so helpful in explaining the flavors by comparing the cigars to dark beers and so on. They made some great recommendations as well.
Prices seemed reasonable and I'd definitely go back.
I picked up a new pipe last week, and realized I had nothing to put in it. A quick search on Yelp later, and I found myself in front of Fidel's. You can SMELL the tobacco from outside, which is not a bad thing. this place is almost wall to wall cigars. Unfortunately, I was there for pipe tobacco, so a cigar review will have to come later.
As for their loose tobacco, I was motioned to 8-10 large jars in the back by their smoking area (which is quite nice, though small). Â They have a selection of house blends in large jars, as well as an assortment of tins from different companies. I went for the house blends. The first thing I stuck my nose in was the Blackstone cherry. Amazing. It smells (and to a point, tastes) like cherry cola. Among the over flavors are some chocolate and truffle, as well as some nice smooth dark blends. I picked up an ounce of the Blackstone Cherry and the Estate blend. So far, everyone to try the cherry has loved it. Truly a great smoke. The Estate has a nice smoke plume to it, and a rich dark tobacco flavor. I'll definitely be coming back here when it's time to refill.
Aside from that, they have the obligatory selection of cigar cutters and punches, pipes, humidors, etc.
Oh, and their prices were very reasonable. I paid under $4 for each ounce of tobacco I purchased.
I was really looking forward to visiting Fidel's. Â It was NYE and a couple buddies were in from out of town, one across state and another from Texas. Â We decided cigars would be a fun way to bring in 2012. Â Enter Fidel's.
It wasn't the only cigar place that was open at the time, and it wasn't the closest. Â I was drawn there by a Yelp! offer for a couple cheap cigars that I was going to bring as extras for friends at a house party that might want to have a cigar, but hadn't thought to bring one. Â It was perfect! Â We drove over there, and found some parking nearby (somehow!) and went inside. Â
The shop itself is great! Â Good selection in the front, and a nice ventilated lounge in the back where people were smoking. Â The first gentlemen we spoke with was very outgoing, and asked us what we wanted to take a look at. Â I showed him the Yelp! offer and he went over to the counter, where another worker was sitting on a stool by the cash register. Â The stooled employee proceeded to say the offer was expired, and that they were out of the cigars. Â I asked if maybe he had an alternative/replacement cigar, so we could reach a compromise, and he told me that the deal actually shouldn't even be on there, and looked at my phone very carefully, as if I was an iPhone magician capable of conjuring deals. Â Then, he sat behind the desk as each of us was waited on individually (we each had unique price/type preferences) by the other salesman over a period of about fifteen minutes. Â C'mon mannnn! Â
Long story longer, they informed a Yelp rep they WERE honoring the coupon when they investigated. Â I really wasn't irritated that night - just take the expired coupon down, or put up a new one you're actually going to honor when people drive across town, and we'll be perfect. Â However, this is not the way to win customers. Â It's really too bad, I was in a great mood and would've been very easy to please if someone had made an effort. Â The shop is still probably really great for most visitors, but I can't justify more than a "meh" based on my experience.
UPDATE (1/10/2012):
Dear Tom,
Please don't try to explain coupon concepts to me. Â I know what they are, but apparently you do not. Â There is a difference between a current offer, and an expired coupon. Â So: if you post a Yelp! offer without an expiration date and I come into your establishment and show it to you, actively on your Yelp page... honor it. Â Don't make up something about how you're out of stock, or how it should be expired, etc., and then tell Yelp the next day that you are still honoring the coupon. Â
And your attitude in this comment section is very similar to the attitude I received upon arriving at your shop. Â Anyone considering visiting Fidels, notice below how he makes fun of me for wanting to purchase "$3 cigars" for my friends, instead of trying to offer good customer service or any sort of remedy. Â He offers "10% off" of these cheap cigars as a way to chide me: this is the type of service you can expect at Fidel's. Â A bunch of old snobs who don't care enough about new business to get their asses off their stool. Â For the record, we still each spent many times more than that $13 package price on each of our smokes. Â
A simple apology would have gone a long way in changing my opinion about you, and your business. Â After all, it is only a couple cheap cigars. Â Instead, your sarcastic comments and general disregard for customer service offer me the perfect opportunity to strengthen my case against your establishment, and lower my review to one star. Â Below is Tom's response.
Tom F.
Unfortunately, we cannot honor expired or passed offers! Â That is why offers are only valid for a certain time frame and usually do expire! Â I would love for a grocery store to honor my old coupons but unfortunately they do not.
I appreciate you stopping into Fidel's as you can see we have nothing but five star awards for a reason. Â We were recently awarded best smokeshop in Kansas City due to our customer service selection and late hours, that no other cigar shop offers! Â
I would be happy to give you 10% off the three dollar cigars that you were looking to buy?
My party and I almost always end up here at least once during our quests of the Port. Â It's a great spot to grab smokes and cigars. Â They have a vanilla cigarillo that is to die for! Â
The staff is always helpful and friendly. Â As for the prices, I'm not sure how or where to compare them too. Â However, for a couple of those delish vanilla delights, it ends up around $6.
Fidel's beckons to you when you walk out of Korma Sutra, stuffed with good food. Â It whispers - come and get a lovely smoke to complement that great meal.
It doesn't always work, but it's rare that I don't at least walk into Fidel's and take a smell and walk, if I don't necessarily buy a cigar or tobacco for my pipes. Â Staff is knowledgeable and super-laid-back. Â Get "take out" or sit and enjoy your smoke right there in some comfortable leather chairs.
I'd been coming to Fidel's for quite some time for cigars and, later, rolling tobacco, papers and filters. I've purchased a number of accessories, but had a bad experience once when trying to exchange a cigarette roller that I had purchased not minutes before.
Once the owner, Tom, learned about it, he was very quick to correct the mistake and exchange the cigarette roller for one that fit the papers that I preferred. This is the kind of fantastic customer service that one hopes for when shopping at a locally owned shop. From now on, they're my go-to for tobacco and accessories. :)
A reliable cigar shop with a friendly and knowledgeable staff.
Since they are in the heart of Westport I can't go to a bar without stopping there first. Their prices are moderate to high, but its to be expected, because of their location. I'm also willing to pay a little more for the great customer service. The humidor is well maintained and I've never had a bad cigar from there. They have a newly renovated lounge which is great for rainy days or during the winter. If its a nice day I recommend getting a cigar and going next door to Harry's where you can enjoy your smoke outside.
I searched for years for a "cigar home" in Kansas City. Â There are many good shops in KC, but nothing really felt right. Â Two years ago I walked into Fidel's and started a conversation with the owner, Tom. Â I haven't spent a dollar in another KC cigar shop since. Â The selection is good and Tom is always working to make it better. Â The prices are as good as anywhere I've been and there are good deals at the event. Â The events are a blast. Â There are humidors that can be rented very reasonably. Â Most importantly, as a regular, you feel like family. Â I have made life-long friends at Fidel's and Tom works to make sure the environment facilitates that kind of personal interaction. Â Truly a gem.
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