Cafe Rumba — Restaurant in Bellingham

Having never had the chance to go to a Peruvian cafe before, I was excited to try this place, and everything was as delicious as I hoped it would be! They have a unique menu of Peruvian sandwiches, light meals, desserts, and drinks. I'm vegetarian but liked the sound of the apple slaw which is a topping on some of the meat sanguches but not the vegetarian one, but they told me I could get yam in place of the meat on any of the sandguches. So I got a "Pollo" with this modification, and also a bread pudding and a chicha morada. I don't think I've ever had a sandwich like this! All the textures and flavours from the different components worked together very well and made a really unique and tasty sandwich. Very saucy and a little messy but not to the point where it was drowned in sauce. The side salad that came with the sandwich had a delicious vinaigrette. I also loved the bread pudding - the bread mixture was not too sweet, so the dulce de leche on top wasn't overkill. And the chicha morada was a very interesting drink! It was more fruity than I expected, but the spices gave it a lot of depth. The cafe was much smaller than I imagined it, and they've clearly tried to fit as much seating as possible into this small space, so it's kind of cramped inside which combined with the loud music could be overstimulating. Lots of character though, and the outdoor seating was quieter. I was there around 7 on a Friday and maybe they were just hitting a particularly busy time, but it took my sandwich about 20 minutes to come out, so be prepared to wait. I was starting to get anxious about when my food would come out, but it was well...

NOT ACCESSIBLE As a person with a service dog, I am severely disappointed in how this establishment handled me with my medically trained service dog. I walk in with my SD and boyfriend, we see a friend so we say hello and I walk up to the counter and before I got a word out, the worker runs to the register from the back and says that they don’t allow dogs. I tell her that she’s a service dog and she said “no. We don’t allow dogs”. I repeat a few times saying she’s a service dog, she’s a service dog, why can’t I have my service dog, and say that she is a service dog. The worker just said we don’t allow dogs each time and that it’s against policy. I had repeated for the final time, she is a service dog and the worker just chuckles and says “okay.” As a person who is able-bodied it is understandable for people to not understand why I have a service dog, but to not only laugh but not even try to get clarity on the situation was upsetting as the discrimination towards SD handlers is common. My dog had a vest and leash- there was no reason to deny her for being within the establishment. It’s illegal to deny persons with service animals entry even if a restaurant has the policy of no pets. My service dog is not a pet, she is medical equipment, the same as an oxygen tank.

If the worker had even asked “is she a service dog with a trained task?” That would have been acceptable and I would think nothing of it.

I do love the food, but the discrimination and disrespect was too much for me. I tried to call later that evening but no one picked...

I visit Cafe Rumba frequently, the sandwiches are my favorite in town!

Unfortunately, I was very disappointed by my visit today. I was not greeted or even acknowledged upon walking in, despite the lack of activity and numerous staff members chatting in the corner. When I paid for my order, a tip was automatically chosen by the cashier for 20% which I was not aware of. I was surprised my total was so high as I specifically came for the $10.99 sandwich deal on Thursday (which I think is a great deal). I even asked the cashier if the price was accurate for my order as it seemed quite high, and she told me it was. I paid and was slightly confused when there was no prompt to select a tip.

I always tip regardless of service and I am happy to, but to have the option selected for me was frustrating and to not have it disclosed after asking was deceptive. My receipt that I had to ask for reflected the tip I did not select, nor have the chance to select.

Additionally, the sandwiches were wrapped poorly and spilled all over the bag on my way home.

I really like coming here and want to continue to do so, because the sandwiches are my favorite. However, I was very disappointed by the service from the staff at my visit today, enough to write this review, which is not something...