Four Cafe — Restaurant in Los Angeles

I don't want to be a butthead here, but I won't be back. It's been a few weeks now and the disappointment still comes to mind each time I drive by (daily). I arrived a few minutes early for my pickup order of tortilla soup and brussels sprouts. I went directly to the pickup counter, told them I was here for a pickup for my name, and someone acknowledged me like they understood, but also did not bother to check if the order was ready, so I assumed that since I was early that it was not ready. Fine by me, I'm the one who's early.

I am a very patient person. I watched and waited intently for an order from the kitchen to make its way to the pickup area, just chillin', trying not to think about my short lunch break being consumed. I'm sitting directly across from the order and pickup area in clear view. I've made eye contact with both people more than once. It's 20 minutes after the estimated ready time for a taste of soup and 5 brussels. I sheepishly approach the counter and ask about my order. Person looked at me like "huh??", and went and looked for the order, which had been behind him since before I had arrived early. It had been sitting on the counter, obscured from my view (and I trusted that my food wasn't there when they told me that it was not there), since before I arrived 5 minutes earlier than the pickup time. JFC, what a waste of time, and a waste of money of cold food. Cold cooked brussels sprouts.. and soup. Of course, no "oops! My bad!", only "oh huh guess it's been ready, here's your cold hot foods."

It's a mixed bag here. Ingredients were top notch (except the veganaise, ugh, my condolences, vegans 🤮), brussels were well flavored and not poorly cooked, tortilla soup was nice, but absolutely tiny. Condiment cup style for.. far too much money. Even a larger cup with more room and a bit more broth would have softened the blow of each and every part of the meal being thoroughly cold, on a cold day. Because derp. Couldn't be bothered to provide any semblance of service to a polite lady just trying to get some lunch on my boss's recommendation. At least he...

Excellent meal, service was below average. Granted, you order at the register, and you get a number and find your own table. But considering there were maybe 3 or 4 others ahead of us, a breakfast/lunch took over 20+ minutes to get out to us. How are there over 6 workers behind the counter and less than half empty restaurant and food took so long to get? Pictures of the food below. When it did get out to us, we had to request things like syrup, condiments, etc, since none were brought out. Anyone eat pancakes plain? Once again, 3 or 4 tables besides us, and the server forgot. There were at least 3 different people bringing out food to 3-4 tables. They don't have to take orders which is why I find it strange that service is so subpar. So I had to go get it myself at the front counter. Back to the food. It was prepared perfectly. Flavors were fantastic, quality of food on par with Urban Plates or True Foods in Pasadena. Vegan options available. None for me thanks. Parking is streetside only. Plenty of meters up and down the street. Would visit again. 3 people, check came out to $52 with tip. Chicken panini was good, 2 eggs and bacon breakfast was great as the potato's were seasoned perfect, and the rustic sourdough toast with whipped butter were delicious. Meatloaf topped with an egg reminded me of a more hearty version of eggs Benedict. And the pancakes were crisp and light. Not too dense. Their fruit compote (not pictured ) was homemade possibly, but the actual fresh fruit came out Frozen in bits. Overall, still a 5 for food, 3 for service. 4...

DO NOT SUPPORT THIS BUSINESS!!! I was fired because I started asking about the way the food was handled, lack of sanitation, the work conditions and my incorrect pay. There is no first aid kit for the kitchen staff, the kitchen staff only speak Spanish even when related to work, often I would not know what to do or what is going on because they would not communicate with me. Several times I would hear racist Spanish terms used towards me. They serve food that was cooked over 5 days ago and think it's ok because the put it in a new container and label it "today's" date. They use the "today's" date to determine if the food is old and not the date it was cooked. Soup sits in hot water from open to close then not cooled properly before putting in fridge. They also don't sanitizer the work stations or change utensils throughout the day. Only once at night when closing. I was paid less hours than I worked and less hourly wage. I asked management about all this yesterday and I was fired today. I asked for a copy of my hours then a hour later I went to my purse in the office and saw the manager typing my termination papers. But they waited until it was time to take my lunch to call me in the office. The owner Corey, who I've never meet or spoken to told me over the phone I had "several verbal and written warnings" but as of today not one employee or manager has EVER had a conversation or given me a warning about my work performance. I tried to state this to him but he said I was lying and hung up the phone in my face. THEY STILL DID NOT PAY ME FOR HOURS...