Super quick service, delicious latte and food!…read more I got a London Fog with Matcha and the turkey provolone croissant. The matcha in the London fog was a nice touch recommended to me by the cashier. It's a cute and quiet cafe with lots of chairs for waiting and a couple of tables for anyone wanting to sit down and study/ eat.

We went found this hidden gem tucked away by the East Los Angeles College area. The Plaza has…read moreplenty of different stores and cafes as well, but as a match connoisseur, I saw great reviews about their drinks and could not pass up. The drink that we got was called the Luxurious George, but if match is not your cup of tea then fear not, they also have a drink called the Furious George which is a coffee version. Drink: The drink itself was fine. We opted for the baseline of 100% sweetness, regular ice, and oat milk (regular 2% milk is preferred!). I was surprised to not have tasted much of the banana flavor as I hoped for. Maybe it was the oat milk overpowering the taste. The matcha itself had a light flavor, despite the color, it was not bold but palatable. Price: The Luxurious George was definitely a luxury because it costed around $8. So the total for two drinks were around $17 plus tax and tips. The price is definitely on a higher side but in exchange for quality matcha? Which one would you like? Service: The staff were really friendly. It was our first time here and we asked for recommendations. They took their time answering all of our questions and finished our orders really fast. Vibes: The overall cafe was really nice. I loved how there was a center for water, extra sweeteners, and other items for you to use. There were plenty of seating both indoors and outdoors. Their choice of music was also great! Parking: There are plenty of free parking around the plaza. However, there is also a free parking structure behind the plaza for more space.

I got the lychee tonic and it was exactly what I wanted on a hot summer day: super refreshing, easy…read moreto drink, and not bitter in the slightest. The only thing I would note is that the lychee flavor is not really there - I'd consider this a regular espresso tonic instead of a lychee-forward one. This didn't really bother me though, because I downed the whole drink My husband got the hojicha latte, which was smooth with a nice roasted flavor that didn't get lost under the milk. I also appreciated that they asked whether he wanted sugar at all rather than assuming a default sweetness level. It was actually his first time having a hojicha latte unsweetened, and he really enjoyed it. The space itself is pretty bare-bones, so I wouldn't necessarily come here for the super aesthetic cafe experience. But it's comfortable and functional - there's a row of bench seating with tables and chairs opposite it. The seats are actually padded, which makes it a nice spot to sit for a chat, or to get some work done. Street parking was plentiful when we went, and I believe there's also a small attached lot. There was also a baker set up on-site when we stopped by. They were selling things like salt bread and sandwiches, so of course we grabbed something to support them. I thought that was such a cute touch and would love to see more local cafes doing little collaborations like this.

A pretty solid spot if you're looking for somewhere to get some work done. There's WiFi, charging…read moreoutlets, and a bathroom. Service was great! The cashier asked what we wanted prior to making recommendations. Milk alternatives like oat, coconut, and almond are an extra $1, but I love that Lactaid 2% is free! Cloudy ($7) - Surprisingly, as someone who is not a big fan of americanos I loved how it balanced with the cream top. Definitely a unique take on an Americano! The red date and pear syrup was light, and not overwhelming. Jasmine Latte ($7.50) - If you like both jasmine milk tea and coffee, this is a fun combination. The coffee is not too strong. Overall, I'd come back if I'm in the area.

Good vibes, great coffee and a pastry case. Indoor and outdoor seating…read more Please come and create your own adventure

Got the vanilla cinnamon latte, and it was decent! I asked for it less sweet, which I really liked,…read morebut I forgot to ask for less cinnamon, so it ended up being a little too cinnamon-heavy for my taste. I really enjoyed the spinach ricotta pastry, though! The warmed-up bread was light, soft, and tasty. It was consistently busy on a Saturday morning but I didn't have to wait too long.

Glad to see another coffee shop in Monterey Park, and such a cute one! Its clean, modern, and…read morecomfortable for studying/working. There is a good amount of seating and outlets, but it can fill up because people tend to spend several hours doing work. I've had their Chai latte, americano, and some other drinks. All were really delicious! They also have pastries and sweets from the case. I've tried their new butter mochi and didn't care for it though. The staff here is friendly and helpful as well.

Smoking Tiger Coffee Lab is a decent cafe with plenty of seating, making it a comfortable spot to…read morerelax or get some work done. Coffee - 3/5. The coffee was well-made - it wasn't burnt, overly bitter, or sour, so the extraction seemed solid. However, the flavor felt flat and watered down. It lacked the aroma, body, and rich roasted notes that make a cup memorable. Nothing really stood out, leaving it tasting more diluted than satisfying. Also, I don't think the barista could froth the coffee well. Instead of a nice velvety, dense froth, the froth was a bubbly foam (see photo). Food - 3/5. I visited around 9 a.m., but the pastry selection was surprisingly limited (see photo). The pastries also didn't taste particularly fresh; they had more of the texture and flavor you'd expect from pastries sitting out later in the day rather than freshly baked items you'd hope to find early in the morning. The café has a modern, hip vibe and a warm, inviting atmosphere. It's spacious, with plenty of seating, making it a pleasant place to spend some time. Overall, Smoking Tiger Coffee Lab is a fine neighborhood café if you're looking for a comfortable place to sit and enjoy a coffee. Unfortunately, neither the coffee nor the food left much of an impression. Nothing was particularly bad, but nothing really stood out either. While the ambiance is probably its strongest point, the coffee is just average.

This place is such a gem! It's only a few…read moreblocks from my house, and I'm so happy I found it. I love supporting this woman-owned coffee shop, and the vibe is always so welcoming. Now, can we talk about the banana latte?! It is seriously the BEST I've ever had. It's smooth, perfectly sweet, and unlike anything else l've tried. If you're in the area, do yourself a favor and order one-you'll thank me later! Highly recommend supporting this amazing local business!

* toffee nut coffee * banana matcha latte…read more Studying spot? however it's quite inviting in here for a casual coffee spot to have sweet and savory conversation just like the coffee they have here! Service was great and the options! Definitely would come back to try all the other drinks! Toffee was a bit nutty but I didn't taste to toffee as much which was a great touch! Banana matcha tasted more like matcha and the banana flavoring wasn't really there but it was delicious nonetheless.

Tried the hojicha latte and it was delicious. Good balance of sweet and earthy roasted flavor with…read morethis tea. There is a lot of space and it has a very calming vibe. Plenty of places to sit and study/read/hang out. Lots of fun options on the menu but definitely have the basics. If you are not from around here, there really is one easy way(direction is heading south bound on Atlantic) to get into the plaza so keep your eyes peeled and don't miss the entrance. Otherwise I didn't find issues with parking or lines. Staff were nice. Would definitely come back to try this again when I'm in the area.

Nice vibe coffee shop in Monterey Park. Parking in the lot behind and streetside…read more They have a good assortment of coffees and teas. I went with their recommended Vietnamese coffee. It actually was quite strong as I desired when ordering Vietnamese coffee. But tasted more like a Viet coffee as a western latte, but did appreciate it with their almond milk as a lighter alternative. Staff were friendly. There's WiFi and a bathroom if you want to study, and water. They also have some pastries and small food items. Service is a bit slow, but expected given the mom and pop style.

I love this coffee shop Staff is always in a good mood…read more Very clean I would recommend to anyone who likes coffee

First timer here ! Outstanding coffee 5/5 Definitely need…read moreto try it out ! Great options to pick from . - Brown sugar shaken espresso 5/5 -Strawberry Matcha 5/5 -Teddy Grahm 5/5 -Buttery Cinnamon roll 5/5 -Chocolate milk 5/5 Great Service, welcoming , and very polite and nice ! Great energy to have for a coffee place that's always a PLUS ! Clean environment, very nice decorated New menu , Nice and bright inside Restrooms available Parking available Definitely recommended Friends and family ! I will be back soon for more .

First time coming to this place! My daughter had mentioned the chilaquiles were good! And yes it…read moredid not disappoint! Crispy, spicy and good taste! Customer service was great! Thanks Angel!!!! And everyone else for being so nice and welcoming

I can only give this place 3 stars, mostly for the presentation and ambiance, which were both…read morereally nice. I was genuinely excited to try this place, so unfortunately I left twice as disappointed not only by the rude service, but also because the flavors just weren't there. I've ordered takeout from here in the past and wasn't too impressed, but I gave them the benefit of the doubt and figured maybe the food didn't travel well or simply wasn't as good by the time it got to me. I was hoping dining in would be a completely different experience, but sadly, that wasn't the case. I don't enjoy leaving negative reviews, but I'm hoping this feedback reaches someone who can actually address some of these issues, especially the service, since I noticed similar comments in quite a few other reviews. We tried the chilaquiles enfrijoladas and the French toast, along with a cortado and a café de olla latte. The enfrijoladas were way too salty and really needed something to balance the dish. For fried tortilla chips covered in bean sauce with one sad sunny side up egg just felt incomplete. A little something on the side to complement the flavors maybe the onion could be pickled or a little more crema and definitely a much lighter hand with the salt would make a big difference. The French toast was mediocre at best. The café de olla latte was unnecessarily too sweet, and the cortado was okay, but nothing particularly memorable. Overall, the experience just didn't live up to the hype on social media. I really wanted to love this place because it has so much potential. The ambiance is beautiful and I loved all the art and cultural influences throughout the space, which is why it's disappointing that the food and service didn't match that same level of care. I'd still be willing to give it another try in the future, and I genuinely hope I can come back and update this with a much more positive review. When you're drawing so much inspiration from the culture, I just wish the food represented it with the same care and attention that went into the space.

6 bucks for a delicious 24oz iced oat latte…read more.. now that's a price Jesus would approve of

Underwhelmed. Had the signature breakfast sandwich and really "where's the beef" small barely…read moreanything there served with nothing else. Plates need to look and be attractive. Forgive me and this may have been one of but the servers have to look presentable. It flows thru the food and service you give. You may not have informs but dirty stained clothes don't inspire me that the operation is clean thru and thru. The ambience so cool and I want to hang there but if the food and coffee are not GREAT! Then pass.

Went to Vida Pura and got their breakfast burrito. It's been on my bucket list for a while, and…read moreneedless to say, it was definitely worth it. I'm glad I finally got around to trying it. I loved the avocado and hash brown combination, and the salsa that came with it paired really well, a little kick with it. The portion size was great and definitely filled me up. The service was fast, but seating is pretty limited since it's mainly outdoors. Parking can be a little rough because it's street parking only, and it was pretty full when I came on a Saturday morning. I would definitely come back. I also saw that they make coffee and matcha drinks, and they all looked really good, so I'd definitely come back to try that next time!

Vida Pura is a Latina-owned plant based cafe located in the heart of East LA. It was formerly a…read morevegan food truck and eventually became the current brick-and-mortar cafe. [Parking]: Free small public parking lot directly across from the shop. [Amenities]: This is a really small coffee shop with no indoor tables and only two small outdoor tables. No restroom is available. [Menu]: Yelp's top highlighted items are the Breakfast Burrito, Teddy Bear (double espresso, agave, housemade vanilla cold foam, Teddy Grahams), and Banana Nut. All drinks are made with oat milk. Please note that the kitchen closes at 1 PM on Monday - Tuesday and 2 PM on Wednesday- Sunday even though the cafe remains open for another 1 - 2 hours. Come early for anyone wanting to try kitchen items like breakfast burrito or breakfast sandwich. *** Banana nut (double espresso, house made vanilla cold foam, house made banana syrup - medium $7.50): It came with two banana chips. The cold foam was quite underrated and I could taste a hint of banana flavor. The drink wasn't as sweet as I had expected - I liked it. Breakfast burrito (Refried beans, soyrizo, tofu scramble, crispy hashbrowns and sliced avocado wrapped in a flour tortilla - $13.50): Portion wasn't huge, but it also wasn't small enough to finish in one sitting. It had one of the softest texture for breakfast burritos. The soyrizo was very flavorful. It also came with a side of salsa - quite spicy but flavorful at the same time. *** I probably still prefer meat-based breakfast burritos, but their soyrizo breakfast burrito is quite good and the coffee drink is excellent (4.5-star for both items). I would definitely recommend this small coffee shop for a quick grab-and-go.