Cafe de olla — Restaurant in New York

As I was walking to the subway this morning, I noticed this new Mexican bakery/coffee shop/taco joint that just opened. It looks like they took over where La Chonas used to be (another Mexican restaurant).

The interior is very cute and makes good use of the space. It’s mostly a wide-open area in the front with a couple of shelves full of traditional earthen clay pots, clay mugs, molcajete and tortilla pressers for sale. By the door, there were two freezer cases of paletas (Mexican frozen treats). There were also lots of Mexican pastries, breads, snacks, coffee beans, brown & cane sugar bundles for sale near the counter. It was quite fun perusing all the items while I waited for my order.

Above the takeout counter there is a chalkboard listing the taco menu and the breakfast menu. You can also view the menu on your phone by scanning the barcode by the register. From their breakfast menu, I ordered a sausage, egg, and cheese on a roll. It was quite good, very large and filling. The best part was it was only $3.75! Actually, most of their menu is very reasonably priced. Tacos are $3 each or you can get three tacos for $8. I ended up coming back after work and got the three taco combo (Al pastor, bistec and chorizo) along with guacamole and chips. The tacos were pretty good. The chorizo was my favorite of the three.

I’m already planning on coming back tomorrow to try some of the pastries. ...

Been here twice - yesterday (friday 12th) and today (Saturday 13th) and had such polar opposite experiences. Yesterday there was an older man working who was really nice. I couldn’t believe it when he said it was only $4 for a large coffee and a pan dulce. I was so impressed I went back today.

The young people (teenage girl?) were incredibly slow and not friendly. Seemed more interested in judging customers than serving them. I ordered chilaquiles and let’s just say they were as painful coming out as they were going in :-/ lol.

As other people have mentioned the service is incredibly slow. I was in a rush as I was in the middle of moving apartment and for one coffee and chilaquiles I waited about 20 minutes. I got tired of waiting so I approached the teenage guy and the teenage girl pipes up and says that my order has been sitting on the counter for the last 5 minutes. Ummm… then why didn’t you tell me!?

I’m sure the other food is good like other people have mentioned and for the price it’s great for New York prices. However I’d suggest going mid-week when the friendlier older staff...

So i had the weirdest experience here. I walked in and went to the counter, 2 staff members where at the back. One was preparing food and the other was not. I said “buenas” is a type of hello. No response nor acknowledgement. They were mid conversation which is normal, but they saw me. I was looking at the candy stuff and pick up an item. I said “buenas” again. 🦗🦗Then a girl came up to front mid conversation talking side eye me, grabbed something and went to the back again. As she came to the close to the counter I said “hola”, again no acknowledgment. Then, the guy preparing food came up a little to grab some sauces closer to the counter where I was standing and I said “buenas” again he didn’t look up, but he was earshot and saw me when he walked over. Then the other guy came up front and side eye me. No acknowledgment again. I just left since I was obviously being ignored. I have never experienced anything like...