Myke's Cafe — Restaurant in Los Angeles

Myke's Cafe has been on my radar for years but it took ABC 7 news showing a story about it to get me into the place. The first thing I need to say is that Myke's lives up to the hype. The food and service were first rate. Myke's is known for having an off-the-wall menu with combinations you won't find elsewhere. My wife and I both ordered what we saw on TV - Snickers burgers - but vowed to try other items next time. The host, Felix, did a great job of recommending other dishes. The burgers we got were delicious and photogenic. They had Snickers and bacon grilled into the meat and were topped with cheeses, slices of green apple, lettuce, more bacon, and aioli sauce. Each bite was an event in flavor combinations. The burger as a whole has a sweet taste and is not as savory or salty as a burger usually is, but it works. The fries and onion rings were both great as well. It's worth noting that they served carbonated beverages from cans and bottles, and not from a fountain.

We were in the restaurant on the first Saturday after the news ran the story and the place was packed. Even with a full house, the service was excellent. We were seated without delay, had an attentive server, got our food quickly, and even received a visit from the chef himself. I couldn't have enjoyed myself more.

The physical layout of the cafe is that of a hole-in-the-wall. It's long and lean with mismatched tables and chairs (they actually have airplane seats at a table in the back). They have a mix of art on the walls, with painted canvases, framed photos, and small murals; it's very much a match for the neighborhood. There's a small parking lot in the rear with four spaces and a backdoor to the place. I think technically they're wheelchair accessible, but if the place has a few diners on the aisle it will be hard maneuvering.

Myke's Cafe isn't a hipster restaurant because it's too deep into Pacoima to allow it, but it has all the trappings that hipsters and Instagrammers seek. The food is so good that I can see it becoming a destination restaurant if it gets just a bit...

Update to my previous positive review:

4/23/2023. Although we got sat down right away, our server was slow, and forgetful. She appeared to serve others faster than some. But she was slow for our group of 4. It took a while for us to even get our order in. The food took more than 25 - 30 minutes (I get it. Sometimes kitchen is short-staffed) but no indication from our server or she didn't even ask if we wanted a refill, and she didn't even check on us at all. I felt maybe she forgot about us, outright.

After flagging her down for a refill, she came by, finally took our order, and we waited for about 20 more minutes (while still waiting for our food arrival). I literally had to go ask the drink area people if I could order 3 coffees for the adults (which they didn't seem very happy about me approaching this area), while the server kept walking back and forth serving refills of Mimosas or some other type of alcoholic drink to the other groups and forgetting our drink refill order. Just wow. We should've walked out in dissapoinment.

The topping of it all... With my order, I had a side of rice and black beans, one of my fave there. However, there was a small rock, (pic included), in the beans that actually cracked a tooth. Luckily it did not break my most recent crown.

As many times as I have given this establishment a chance, the more I feel the love is not returned. I can handle being hungry and waiting. But it's another thing when our 4th person is a small child. No bueno. Highly disappointed Myke's Cafe. How can this be made right? Should we stop going there? Do...

Myke’s Cafe

It’s been a while since I have been here. The last time I was here, the service was beyond horrible. In summary, the kitchen lost our ticket and an hour later they took our order again. No apology, no visit from the manager, and no discount for the inconvenience.

This time, we joined the waitlist on the way in to save time. We got here and checked in and according to the list, we were next. Well we waited, and waited. Maximum wait time was supposed to be 13 minutes but after 35 minutes, we came in to check on why we hadn’t been seated. We watched other parties who arrived after us be seated and yet nothing for us. The hostess, without apology for apparently forgetting we were there, said she would take us now.

Once we ordered, I watched our waitress put chairs on table tops instead of bringing us drinks, even though I saw her drop off drinks at other tables.

My wife ordered the Boo Boo but changed her mind to the OG Chilaquiles which were good, although a bit spicier than expected. The rice and black beans that accompanied the OG Chilaquiles were delicious. For her beverage, my wife ordered the Hibiscus Pineapple, which was ok. When she finished that drink, she ordered the Watermelon Cucumber Mint Lemonade, which she loved!

Once our food arrived I can honestly say that I enjoyed my Chorizo Benedict, but I already told my wife that this is the last time we will come here. I would totally order food to go but, as for dining in, I will not...