04/03/26 Saturday…read more Friend helped me order a First Bump (which has black sesame during this season). It surprisingly blend really well with the coffee and milk. It was really creamy and nutty. Pleasantly surprised and now a new favorite! I will say, for the size, $7 is a little steep, but it can be an occassional treat. I will say, I appreciated how to cup has a snap on drinking hole cover instead of the flimsy ones that don't fully close.

Cute little shop. They do have different types of black coffee if you prefer straight black. got…read morethe jasmine one and the cloud one to try. The cloud one tasted buttery? Was interesting. I did like the jasmine coffee though but it didnt have a strong coffee taste. Id probably come back to try their mont blac. That one looked like a cream foam on top of black coffee. Parking in the back on moore st. They have a daylight pairing that is dine it only. It looks pretty yummy.

We came here on Memorial Day around 9 am and there was already a steady flow of traffic but not too…read morelong of a line to order. We were greeted as soon as we walked in! We waited in line about 5 minutes which gave me time to check out their main menu and a cute customer favorites menu. I also appreciated the art on the walls, the sticker fridge, and the bookshelf with books of all types and games. I ordered the April iced: quad shot latte, 1 pump honey, cinnamon, and oat milk. J ordered a large cold brew. The April is good, the espresso is very present but not overwhelming and I knew what to expect. The cold brew could be stronger but it tastes good.

This has become my new favorite local coffee spot. I stop by before work all the time, and it's…read morenice seeing a small community coffee shop getting more popular. It's conveniently right off the 60 freeway, with both indoor and outdoor seating and a welcoming local feel. The service is quick and efficient, and I appreciate supporting places like this over big corporate chains. I've tried the turkey & cheese croissant, spinach & ricotta croissant, everything bagel, and chocolate chip cookie, all really good. I also like that they heat everything in a toaster oven instead of a microwave. The coffee is consistently good, and I'll definitely keep coming back. Worth checking out if you're in the area.

Dangerously good! Honestly, this may be a new favorite spot for me!…read more The drink itself (Smokin Spaniard) was a lovely mix of sweet and rich, it'd be hard for me to order something different the next time I'm there bc of how good it was! Lots of seating, some tables and chairs, some bench tables. Free WiFi and several outlets make it a great spot to get work done. There's a bathroom for customers as well. I went midday and it wasn't very busy on a weekday, but I'm sure it's popular on the weekend. I got my drink very fast as well. Really enjoyed it!

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!

This is such a cool spot. It looks like a bookstore reading section by the window. I found parking…read morepretty quickly on the street and it is one hour parking. The customer service is super friendly and I was trying to choose between the toffee nut latte or cinnamon latte. The barista helped me and I chose the toffee nut latte. It is subtle and a good way to start the day. It was perfectly sweet and the coffee cake was auper moist ans a good pairing. The ambiance is super cool and there were playing spanish music. I wish I would have started working here on my laptop. I definitely want to come back and do that and try other items too.

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 had actually been waiting for this place to open and somehow didn't realize it had already been…read moreopen for a while. It's a great addition to Montebello, and I love seeing more independent coffee shops come to the area, especially when they're this good. Now I'm genuinely torn because I already have two local favorites that I visit minimum three to four times a week, and this one has officially joined the rotation, looking forward to trying the other options they offer. One thing that surprised me was the space. From the outside, it looks fairly small, but once you step inside, it's bright, open, and much more spacious than expected. There were already several people ahead of me in line, which is always a great sign. The service was quick and efficient. While it wasn't overly personal, it fit the atmosphere well. This feels more like the kind of café where people come to study, work, or catch up with friends... I also appreciate the quality ingredients that they use. Many of their offerings feature organic ingredients, they make their cream foam in-house, and even use grass-fed butter in one of their specialty coffee drinks. This is definitely a new addition, try this spot out.

Coffee is fantastic, but it's very expensive. 10 bucks for a large coffee. They charge you on…read moreeverything, obviously milk alternatives but light ice as well. I ordered light ice on purpose because they fill it up to the rim with ice. Medium and large have the same amount of espresso...shots? I've never heard of that. Good music and good workers though.

Picaresca is hands down my favorite coffee shop in Boyle Heights! It's Mexican owned and you can…read moretruly feel the passion they put into everything they do. The owners are always welcoming, friendly, and genuinely make every customer feel at home. Their customer service is exceptional and one of the main reasons my family and I keep coming back. The food is amazing! Their chicharrón burrito is the best I've had, and the chilaquiles are always fresh, flavorful, and satisfying. Their coffee is just as impressive--they roast their own beans, make their own café de olla syrup, and you can even buy their coffee beans to enjoy at home. Every cup tastes fresh, rich, and authentic. I also love the atmosphere. The artwork throughout the shop is beautiful and gives the space so much personality. It's the kind of place where you want to sit, relax, and enjoy your coffee. Another thing I appreciate is that their prices are more affordable than many other coffee shops, especially considering the quality of the food, coffee, and service. My kids absolutely love coming here, and it's become one of our favorite family spots. If you're in Boyle Heights and looking for incredible coffee, delicious food, beautiful local art, fair prices, and some of the kindest people you'll ever meet, Picaresca is a must-visit. I can't recommend them enough!

Been coming here for a year. Normally I try and few things before I really make a review. Let's…read morestart with the staff, only one of the staff members is really kind and bless her heart. It varies who you get, alot of attitude, eye rolls for no reason. Oddly enough, unless you're someone well known they will go over the moon for you. Saw it the other day bring them water salsa while their other customers have to get everything but, i digress. The mulato breakfast sandwich, its flavorful! I do recommend trying it if its your first time and want something not so heavy. I like the chilaquiles, its better when you add a fried egg. Soo yummy, savory, and flavorful! As for the coffee, if you like a pick me up... and a coffee that isn't sweet but strong. I suggest a refresher drink (tonics). The coffee is sugary and you unfortunately cant taste some of the coffee. If that's your preference, we'll i recommend. Besides that, the environment is lovely and art they have. Though its a hit or miss with staff especially if you like friendly service.

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.

I was in need of a pick me up and HGC&T was nearby…read more Very interesting interior with local artist items. The iced horchata latte was nice and light. Good flavors and thick. The guy taking orders and making the coffee was nice. Street parking