(Snacked 01/28/17 SA @ 4:30pm): Come on...get happy!
The "3rd Annual Night On Broadway" event that celebrated the revitalization of the old Broadway Theater District in Downtown Los Angeles brought me to Happy Day Café. As a volunteer at the event, I was stationed at the "Kids Stage" on 6th St. and was in a middle of a lull, so I decided to explore it just to pass the time. Was there enough intrigue for a happy ending to warrant a return visit!?
AriZona Mucho Mango Iced Tea ($1.25) - It irked me for a few minutes when the can itself read "$0.99" but paid more than that - c'est la vie. Moving on...I've been a fan of AriZona's entire product line for as long as I could remember, and far and away my favorite was their Mucho Mango. I loved all-things mango, there was a lot of flavor involved (although not 100% juice), and it simply quenched my thirst. I would drink this every day if not for the high sugar content https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=zUdaLZ5h9pGn-SR5oOlHrg&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw.
Service - As I made my way through a pack of kids with their parents while they crowded around the cooler filled with ice cream treats right next to the front entrance, I wasn't greeted by the woman behind the counter, nor the male sitting at a dining chair, nor the woman in the kitchen located at the very end of the café. I wasn't concerned since I honestly didn't need any help because I was killing time. But when I went to pay for my drink, I was given warm salutations as I paid and left. I only hoped the service was more amicable toward those who decided to order real food.
Parking (Varied; FREE this instance) - Located in busy Downtown Los Angeles, you had your choice of timed meter parking along the main drag of Broadway St. and all surrounding streets, the multitude of parking garages with various rates, or in my case I went Metro and took the Red Line to Pershing Square and walked the rest of the way.
Atmosphere, décor, ambience - There appeared to be an identity crisis with a convenient store and sandwich/snack shop feel in the front while a restaurant and kitchen anchored the back. A couple refrigerated drink https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=EExQLrwOg35biSenWuIjhQ&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw and the aforementioned ice cream treats coolers along with a menu board https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=KvwwM-CPoYHndAw41FpSDw&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw on the wall behind the counter covered the front; whereas, a slew of white patio chairs and tables filled a small rectangular space with a slight look into the kitchen covered the back part of the floorplan. The walls were kept mostly clear of unnecessary clutter except for a collection of winning lottery tickets and food posters in the front section. Although electric ceiling lights reigned supreme, some natural lighting came in through the front glass door and windows. There were no TVs nor background music. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=8V1Zhd4Tv1IooyLS3N3h9Q&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw
Attire - Totally casual, so I would normally be in a t-shirt, boardshorts, and flip-flops.
Overall, I found Happy Day Café serviceable for what I was or wasn't looking for on this particular day. Surely, I wouldn't have know this place was here, but I'm certain the neighborhood found it useful. For curiosity sake, I would like to try some real food here since the prices seemed more than reasonable. However, the menu mix was odd at best highlighted by breakfast sandwiches, Mexican food, and a couple Japanese dishes. Needless to say, I wouldn't go out of my way to return, but I always had a soft spot for mom-and-pop shops. I found good value based on the prices, service, and experience noted above (TOTAL paid experience was around $1.00 BEFORE any discounts and tip). And, this was a cash-only establishment which meant they didn't accept my credit card (or any others) of choice...AMEX! 3.0 STARS read more