Hola Cafecito — Restaurant in Merced

Hi there. First off I’d love to start off with my amazing all around experience with Hola Cafecito. I first tried the business in Hanford in July 2024 and was ABSOLUTELY in love with it! Ranging from its welcoming, mellow environment that allows the younger and older audience as well as different cultures coming together and relax, talk, hangout or even do some remote work. This business is really UNIQUE opposed to any business I’ve ever visited (Any way more worth & better than Starbucks) After some time with their opening in Merced and some changes I’ve noticed with staffing and issues that they may have had, this Merced (And Hanford team) really shows up for La Raza and everyone else hete! I can never complain on the customer service or prices as an understanding and happy customer knowing I can always count on a positive environment coming here, waiting even 15 minutes on a small order isn’t bothering by how welcoming and interactive that staff is with you. Recently with events going on with issues in the country surrounding immigration, people came to protest and some leaving some hurtful or bias (but their rightful opinions). Hola Cafecito recently (with an event posted MONTHS AHEAD) of “Coffee with a Cop”. In my personal opinion and firsthand experience going, this even DEFINITELY helped structure and strengthen some of the relationship between the great community off Merced and the law enforcement that protect and serve us every day. Seeing different cultures or ethnicities and people coming by today to support and talk with a cop.. EVEN Immigrants of our community that work hard everyday just enjoying a coffee with our fellow law enforcement speak volumes. I come from an Immigrant family and was happy to support and speak to Cops and other members at this event, knowing that they have NOTHING to do with it and still coming out and working so hard to strengthen ties with a damaged community. I ask those that read this that no matter the events in the real world, this business nor the police officers, sheriff deputies, state troopers etc attending have ANY involvement with what’s going on. Don’t judge on a uniform or brand, the same we don’t want to be judged for the color of our skin. God Bless America, God Bless Our Veterans & Law Enforcement y Que dios bendiga a los inmigrantes como mis papás que siempre he trabajado duro para un buen futuro, para ayudar construir mi futuro. VIVA MÉXICO Y...

We had a disappointing experience here around 10 a.m. today (6/12/25). When placing our order, we said “for here," as we planned to sit and enjoy our drinks. However, our coffees came in paper to-go cups. We initially let it go, but one of the drinks was a cappuccino, which is best served in a mug—so we asked for a remake, not just a cup switch, since the foam doesn’t hold up when poured.

At first, the staff member seemed fine with remaking it. But then another employee approached us and told us to “please mention next time” that we want our drinks for here. I clarified that we had said that. She seemed surprised and said she’d talk to the register person.

What’s confusing is that we had also ordered an avocado toast as part of the same order—and that was served on a “for here” plate. If we had said “to go,” the food would have been in a to-go container as well. That inconsistency made the situation even more frustrating.

We waited quite a while for the remakes—long enough that the other person in our group was halfway through their drink. One of the remade drinks was just sitting on the counter with no call-out... we did not say anything about the drink being left there and was cold at that point. And when we picked the drink up, another worker (later identified as the owner's mother) came out and scolded us for not saying “for here,” saying it was going to cost them $5 to remake. Again, I clarified that we did say it. She did not let it go, and kept insisting to tell them next time. It felt like we were actually arguing with so much push-back from her.

This whole situation was uncomfortable and unnecessary. We weren’t upset about the mix-up, but being approached twice and essentially accused of lying was disappointing and off-putting. We left feeling unwelcome and don’t plan to return. I hope they reflect on how they handle customer interactions—it really could have been addressed with more care and...

Went in today (8/12) around 3pm. I have been wanting to try this place and I was honestly disappointed in the customer service. Sadly, I won’t be back. I ordered a Marzipan and another drink. While I was waiting for my drink I started breastfeeding my daughter. My dad was with me and noticed one of the baristas looking at me like she was upset. Then she called my name again and I looked over and she was making some nasty faces. So I’m not sure if she was upset that I was breastfeeding or because I hadn’t gone up to grab my drink. I went up and realized that they made the wrong drink. I think the lady who took my order misunderstood me when I asked for a Marzipan because they made me a matcha. So I just told them nicely and I honestly wasn’t upset. It’s a simple misunderstanding. There were 3 girls back there. The one calling out drinks and making faces looked upset and looked at me like I was dumb. The cashier was also looking at me the same. The only one that didn’t judge me was the girl in between them making drinks. I honestly would have just taken the matcha if it wasn’t for all the face making and bad attitudes. The girl that was nice remade the drink so that was cool. Overall it was just a really bad experience with the workers. I won’t be back especially If they are going to be making faces just because I am breastfeeding my daughter or just because I’m not grabbing my drink right away. The girl that was making all these faces is a really tall Caucasian woman. Oh and it also wasn’t busy. I’ve worked at a coffee shop before and i understand feeling overwhelmed during peak but this wasn’t that. This girl just had a bad attitude. She honestly just...