Tribal Cafe — Restaurant in Los Angeles

This is by far one of my most favorite places to eat in historic Filipino town. This is the quintessential of when it comes to hole in the wall Eateries in hole in the wall communities. Historic Filipino town is adjacent to downtown Los Angeles, Highland Park, and even Koreatown. Tucked a way at the corner of Union and Temple Street is the Tribal Cafe. It advertises itself as the go to spot for healthy sandwiches, wraps, burritos, smoothies, and juices. They are not kidding!

Walking in feels like transported into another time. It is like it's namesake: tribal. Everything about that place feels scrappy, homemade and very. inviting. The wood decor is rough and of many colors. What's even better about the Senate is how everything is local everything is. The signs advertising outside are painted by local artists. There is local art all around the walls to be sold too.

But what really shines his food. The menu is over lists and lists in length. While a little overwhelming at first, every meal seems well worth the price. All of the names of the dishes are some topical social issue turns into a sandwich, burrito, or a wrap. They even have lists of juices and smoothies and you can choose from. Not only is there a lot of different kinds, but all of the food is healthy, tasty, and delicious. While it might take some time for you to get your food especially when it's busy, it's well worth the wait.

Check out Tribal Cafe the next time you are in Historic Filipinotown. Stop during the week for their occasional open mics and artist showcases. You...

I used to frequent Tribal Cafe around 2010 and I've been visiting again since I'm in the area. I can comment on the cozy, original murals and early "clean eating" vibe. But I'd like to comment on the soul of this local business, whom everyone will tend to run into if they stop by: Normandy. I've seen Normandy working there since 2010, and he's been there much before then when the cafe opened! An OG Filipino-Angeleno. He has been a constant, positive presence in the cafe. He is a really kind, humorous person to engage with. While so many wonderful people are involved with the business, I truly feel that Normandy has been the face of Tribal Cafe since its inception. There is SO much original soul here that can't be recreated by colorful shiny hip coffee shops, and Normandy contributes to that greatly. If he ever leaves, a big part of Tribal Cafe's soul would be gone - he truly makes the cafe what it is. Normandy is a huge asset and deserves long-term, sustainable bread and roses so that he can continue to take care of his family and continue to dance and sing and keep Tribal Cafe's soul alive. To every local, transplant, and tourist reading this: Please continue to support this business and make sure you leave a big tip so that Normandy can keep going! :) It's beyond hard living in LA these days - please support.

and sure, service can be slow. So what? Everything in this city is too fast anyway. Pause and take in...

I love this funky independent cafe. Food is good. You can get tasty stuff for vegetarians and yummy stuff for omnivores. The fresh raw juices and smoothies are divine. Sandwiches terrific. And the staff is just warm and always accommodating. If you don't want beets in your juice and want to substitute it the folks working there don't make a big stink about it. They really just want to make you happy. And they even have music and art events, and feature the work of local artists too. So often people think that LA is big and easy to get lost in, with so many huge businesses. And it is, however, this cafe will welcome you and remind you that LA also has a small town feel. And Tribal Cafe is one of those places where they will greet you sincerely when you enter, and will wave you off warmly when you leave feeling satisfied. This is a must eat at place, and my better half says it's the best place in all of the city for green smoothies. It's so close to Echo Park Lake that you could even do take out and hang out at the lake eating while watching birds, boaters, joggers, and artists painting the water lilies when in season. Make this you home away...