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I just met the lovely George and Lena, owners of Cafe Elena. We had a lovely conversation while George made my omelet fresh to order from fresh ingredients. It was tasty and filling. I just found my new breakfast spot for the Tuesday morning when I come to sf. Give them a try. The food is fresh and the prices are reasonable. Bonus is how nice and conversational the owners are. I look forward to getting to know more of their 27 year story here at One Market.
This review is based on the beverage only. I walk around often and usually frequent Pressed Juicery for my healthy drink options, but I wanted to try something different. Maybe the same but at a different shop is a better way of putting it. Inside Plates (food court) at the One Market Plaza building facing the Embarcadero, you can find Cafe Elena. Was going to get 16 oz but for only $.50 more, 20 oz for $6.99 was a no brained. Asked for the Vegetable Juice, but it wasn't available. :( Opted for the Green Juice (apple, spinach, celery, orange, lemon) since that wasn't available. I'd say it's not completely juice as it had noticeable bits and pieces of apple and spinach, and couldn't taste the celery at all. The apple had the hard core pieces, which got me spitting out. They are super friendly and courteous, and mom pop, but the juice wasn't what I was looking for but it did taste very good. Sweet, fresh tasting, and refreshing but I'll have to try the Veg Juice which is healthier next time.
Cafe Elena is the first (and only) place to reopen in the 1 Market food court, so come show this place some love! Was looking for a spot close by to grab lunch with a friend during a rare day in the office, and when we saw a sign advertising Cafe Elena out front we decided to give it a try. Neither of us had been inside 1 Market before and the food court was a little difficult to find as it's hidden away if you're coming from the MIssion St entrance: we walked all the way across to the Market St entrance and were about to give up, but spotted it in a corner on the left as we were walking back. The owner is very sweet and greeted us warmly. He recommended we try one of their lunch specials so I got the chicken shawarma plate, which came with a warm pita on the side. With the exception of the occasional extra-salty piece of chicken, it was a filling and healthy meal. The hidden location coupled with the fact that the employees in 1 Market haven't yet returned to office means that unfortunately this place doesn't get a lot of foot traffic. I recommend giving this place a shot if you're in the area; I already know I want to try their falafel wrap next when I find myself in the office again!
Best salad in downtown sf! I love their satoush salad. It comes with warm chicken breast, tabouli, pita chips, feta, and dressing. You can add hummus for $1 and it's totally worth it. Overall it has a mom and pop feel with lots of items to choose from. I would recommend if you work downtown.
Owner/operators are super friendly and nice but I'm here to review the food, which was not good. Ordered the lunch chicken kebab plate (their recommendation) and it contains the saddest salad with clearly too-old lettuce pieces and a watery sour hummus. The chicken was bone dry and I'm upset that I spent ~$20 on this. It's practically inedible. The bed of rice is the only thing that is ok, but it is still clumpy and bland.
It ain't art, but it's a solid, hearty lunch if you need one near One Market. One of several kiosks operating in the Plates food court, this one appears to be family-run since their dialogue seems straight out of "My Big Fat Greek Wedding". Of all the familiar and unfamiliar dishes on their menu, it was the $9.99 Low Carb Plate that drew my attention since the chicken breast appeared to be baked. It was broken into chunks and a tad dry, but I got to add their hummus and tabouli salad as my sides, which helped balance it out (photo: http://bit.ly/2VH8Jw1). Nothing memorable but it worked. FOOD - 3 stars...unadorned plates that are on the girthy side AMBIANCE - 3 stars...it's a food court albeit one of the better maintained ones SERVICE - 2.5 stars...move it along TOTAL - 3 stars...oom-pah with a small 'o' RELATED - Hanging around the Embarcadero? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: http://bit.ly/2IZHU03
This food court located right across Ferry building is a nice spacious place with five different eating places. I am glad I decided to eat at Cafe Elena Mediterranean food place . They have good choices for vegetarian options. Makloube turned out to be delicious, healthy, and filling. Black coffee good. Prices reasonable. Service polite and friendly. A great place to go in a group with family and friends when visiting pier 39, and fisherman's wharf. Hassle free, shareable, enjoyable eating option...
Breakfast and lunch! Cafe Elena is a small family owned business that has been in 1 Market Plaza for years. They serve breakfast and lunch. The owners are super friendly and, with the help of one more person at the register, do a good job of tag-teaming behind the counter to move the line. I like their food because it has a homie feel to it. I go there mostly for breakfast and sometimes for lunch. For breakfast I have one of their egg sandwiches or when hungry a plate. For lunch they offer a variety of choices in wraps or plates. More recently they have added two new plates that come with meat or chicken, rice, hummus and salad.
Gyro wrap, fresh watermelon drink and lemon chicken soup all great! Better though are the kind ow
wonderful service and great food. It is family friendly restaurant and my 2 little ones loved it, especially the surprise french fries they from the owner.
I have never had a Kefta kabob before, but decided to try it today. It's a ground beef kabob served with tumeric rice, hummus, and a salad. It was a generous portion and very filling.
Cafe Elena has become my go-to for a quick breakfast before work. Amidst all the fancy, scmancy, expensive restaurants on the Embarcadero, Cafe Elena remains as an inexpensive option for breakfast sandwiches and lunch sandwiches. The ham, egg, and cheese CROISSANT will set you back $7, while the ham egg and cheese BAGEL is only $5. It's not too bad for a quick bite. I also love the staff that work there! I never caught their names, but the older man and woman who run the place always have happy, friendly smiles on their faces which warms my heart in the morning. Despite it being so early in the morning, they're always cheerful with the customers! All in all, great service and great food. I'll be back.
A strong 3. Within the 1 Market food court, there are now three different restaurants: Osha Express (Thai), Cafe Elena (Mediterranean), and now a new poke place called Coast. I've only eaten at Osha up to this point as Cafe Elena never seemed to have a line and no one I knew reviewed it. So the wife and I gave it a go and we were more impressed by Cafe Elena than all of our times combined at Osha Express. What made Cafe Elena such a good experience was the freshness of their ingredients, especially the vegetables. We both ordered the same gyro sandwich. Now I knew going in that this wouldn't be fresh off the doner spit gyro meat, but it sounded like a good middle of the road choice as far as their wraps menu went. They stuff their wraps quite generously with what tasted like Greek yogurt, lettuce, tomatoes, and if I recall correctly, with onions. I ordered the gyro meat as spicy, so they seasoned it with some kind of spice blend. I found the wrap somewhat above average. As mentioned above, the veggies and the wrap itself were great while the gyro meat was not what I'd call spicy and just alright. Price was $7.99. We plan to visit more often. They have the shortest lines too amongst the three restaurants in this small food court. The owners are very genuine and appreciative of the business.
1 year ago
Lovely couple who has been working this corner of the financial district. Been seeing them for years. Then the pandemic happened and going to the office was history. It was good to see them again. Like an old friend while I was visiting in SF. Still, very good food. Their Secret ingredient was the love they built into their business, and the food was even more delightful as if it were my first visit. Sorry to leave as I am now back in Texas. Missing their food and friendship. If you haven't yet tried, Cafe Elena can be found on the first floor of 1 Market Plaza in the eatery. Plenty of room to spread out and enjoy a luncheon. Say hi for me next time you go For a visit and ask about his paintings. This man is an artist disguised as a businessman. read more
The Food Court tour continues in San Francisco and I am going to tell you one of the best and cleanest Food Court in San Francisco and it's on Market street ( no it's not the Westfield Mall) and they got a plate for you .The food court is called " Plates" at One Market. I was craving Cafe Elena's which has one of my favorite plates when it comes to Mediterranean food and the restaurant also comes with a juice bar. The best food court Mediterranean food when it comes to the chicken kebab plate in San Francisco. I like kebabs but this particular one does not come with a skewer. Once I started my order you get shown so much hospitality by the owners. They are good people providing me with words of encouragement. I ordered the chicken kebab plate which comes with pieces of the chicken breast that are so tender along with a soft yellow rice which is warm and it complemented the humus ( I ordered extra humus ) and it had my palate humming a Summer tune. I like to mix the hummus on the pieces of chicken so it gives it a yummy saucy tasty flavor. It also came with some veggies with a good drizzle on it. Then I wiped the saucy plate down with the pita. Since it was another hot Summer day in San Francisco I then ordered the Watermelon Juice from their Juice Bar menu. The Watermelon Juice has sliced pieces of watermelon that are put through the blender in a blender and the rest is history. Each sip of the Watermelon juice is so juicy and refreshing. It's the refresher to awaken my senses and recharged my batteries ( phone included). It's a good place to start or get a restart at the start of Market street at One Market. Get a kebab plate or Grab a juice from the juice bar from One Market to go because it's the antidote To enjoy a hot day in the city by the Embarcadero by the water to watch the boats as I let my mind float read more
Got the maklouba special at lunch. She said I wouldn't be able to stop eating it and she was not wrong. A huge portion of eggplant, potatoes and cauliflower on buttery rice, with creamy hummus and cucumber salad. Super friendly people and the dining area post Covid has plenty of seating. Delicious! read more
1 year ago
1 year ago
2 years ago
I just met the lovely George and Lena, owners of Cafe Elena. We had a lovely conversation while George made my omelet fresh to order from fresh ingredients. It was tasty and filling. I just found my new breakfast spot for the Tuesday morning when I come to sf. Give them a try. The food is fresh and the prices are reasonable. Bonus is how nice and conversational the owners are. I look forward to getting to know more of their 27 year story here at One Market. read more
This review is based on the beverage only. I walk around often and usually frequent Pressed Juicery for my healthy drink options, but I wanted to try something different. Maybe the same but at a different shop is a better way of putting it. Inside Plates (food court) at the One Market Plaza building facing the Embarcadero, you can find Cafe Elena. Was going to get 16 oz but for only $.50 more, 20 oz for $6.99 was a no brained. Asked for the Vegetable Juice, but it wasn't available. :( Opted for the Green Juice (apple, spinach, celery, orange, lemon) since that wasn't available. I'd say it's not completely juice as it had noticeable bits and pieces of apple and spinach, and couldn't taste the celery at all. The apple had the hard core pieces, which got me spitting out. They are super friendly and courteous, and mom pop, but the juice wasn't what I was looking for but it did taste very good. Sweet, fresh tasting, and refreshing but I'll have to try the Veg Juice which is healthier next time. read more
Cafe Elena is the first (and only) place to reopen in the 1 Market food court, so come show this place some love! Was looking for a spot close by to grab lunch with a friend during a rare day in the office, and when we saw a sign advertising Cafe Elena out front we decided to give it a try. Neither of us had been inside 1 Market before and the food court was a little difficult to find as it's hidden away if you're coming from the MIssion St entrance: we walked all the way across to the Market St entrance and were about to give up, but spotted it in a corner on the left as we were walking back. The owner is very sweet and greeted us warmly. He recommended we try one of their lunch specials so I got the chicken shawarma plate, which came with a warm pita on the side. With the exception of the occasional extra-salty piece of chicken, it was a filling and healthy meal. The hidden location coupled with the fact that the employees in 1 Market haven't yet returned to office means that unfortunately this place doesn't get a lot of foot traffic. I recommend giving this place a shot if you're in the area; I already know I want to try their falafel wrap next when I find myself in the office again! read more
Best salad in downtown sf! I love their satoush salad. It comes with warm chicken breast, tabouli, pita chips, feta, and dressing. You can add hummus for $1 and it's totally worth it. Overall it has a mom and pop feel with lots of items to choose from. I would recommend if you work downtown. read more
4 years ago
Owner/operators are super friendly and nice but I'm here to review the food, which was not good. Ordered the lunch chicken kebab plate (their recommendation) and it contains the saddest salad with clearly too-old lettuce pieces and a watery sour hummus. The chicken was bone dry and I'm upset that I spent ~$20 on this. It's practically inedible. The bed of rice is the only thing that is ok, but it is still clumpy and bland. read more
It ain't art, but it's a solid, hearty lunch if you need one near One Market. One of several kiosks operating in the Plates food court, this one appears to be family-run since their dialogue seems straight out of "My Big Fat Greek Wedding". Of all the familiar and unfamiliar dishes on their menu, it was the $9.99 Low Carb Plate that drew my attention since the chicken breast appeared to be baked. It was broken into chunks and a tad dry, but I got to add their hummus and tabouli salad as my sides, which helped balance it out (photo: http://bit.ly/2VH8Jw1). Nothing memorable but it worked. FOOD - 3 stars...unadorned plates that are on the girthy side AMBIANCE - 3 stars...it's a food court albeit one of the better maintained ones SERVICE - 2.5 stars...move it along TOTAL - 3 stars...oom-pah with a small 'o' RELATED - Hanging around the Embarcadero? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: http://bit.ly/2IZHU03 read more
3 years ago
This food court located right across Ferry building is a nice spacious place with five different eating places. I am glad I decided to eat at Cafe Elena Mediterranean food place . They have good choices for vegetarian options. Makloube turned out to be delicious, healthy, and filling. Black coffee good. Prices reasonable. Service polite and friendly. A great place to go in a group with family and friends when visiting pier 39, and fisherman's wharf. Hassle free, shareable, enjoyable eating option... read more
Breakfast and lunch! Cafe Elena is a small family owned business that has been in 1 Market Plaza for years. They serve breakfast and lunch. The owners are super friendly and, with the help of one more person at the register, do a good job of tag-teaming behind the counter to move the line. I like their food because it has a homie feel to it. I go there mostly for breakfast and sometimes for lunch. For breakfast I have one of their egg sandwiches or when hungry a plate. For lunch they offer a variety of choices in wraps or plates. More recently they have added two new plates that come with meat or chicken, rice, hummus and salad. read more
3 years ago
Gyro wrap, fresh watermelon drink and lemon chicken soup all great! Better though are the kind ow read more
4 years ago
wonderful service and great food. It is family friendly restaurant and my 2 little ones loved it, especially the surprise french fries they from the owner. read more
2 years ago
9 years ago
Cafe Elena has become my go-to for a quick breakfast before work. Amidst all the fancy, scmancy, expensive restaurants on the Embarcadero, Cafe Elena remains as an inexpensive option for breakfast sandwiches and lunch sandwiches. The ham, egg, and cheese CROISSANT will set you back $7, while the ham egg and cheese BAGEL is only $5. It's not too bad for a quick bite. I also love the staff that work there! I never caught their names, but the older man and woman who run the place always have happy, friendly smiles on their faces which warms my heart in the morning. Despite it being so early in the morning, they're always cheerful with the customers! All in all, great service and great food. I'll be back. read more
A strong 3. Within the 1 Market food court, there are now three different restaurants: Osha Express (Thai), Cafe Elena (Mediterranean), and now a new poke place called Coast. I've only eaten at Osha up to this point as Cafe Elena never seemed to have a line and no one I knew reviewed it. So the wife and I gave it a go and we were more impressed by Cafe Elena than all of our times combined at Osha Express. What made Cafe Elena such a good experience was the freshness of their ingredients, especially the vegetables. We both ordered the same gyro sandwich. Now I knew going in that this wouldn't be fresh off the doner spit gyro meat, but it sounded like a good middle of the road choice as far as their wraps menu went. They stuff their wraps quite generously with what tasted like Greek yogurt, lettuce, tomatoes, and if I recall correctly, with onions. I ordered the gyro meat as spicy, so they seasoned it with some kind of spice blend. I found the wrap somewhat above average. As mentioned above, the veggies and the wrap itself were great while the gyro meat was not what I'd call spicy and just alright. Price was $7.99. We plan to visit more often. They have the shortest lines too amongst the three restaurants in this small food court. The owners are very genuine and appreciative of the business. read more
13 years ago
Everyone CALM DOWN. This place is NOT as bad as everyone says it is. I will say that it is a bit pricey and that they are not upfront about just how expensive it is (do you want this? yes *adds $1, without me really understanding what means more money) BUT, besides that - I always go here for the Mujadarrah plate which consists of lentils and brown rice, roasted chicken, tabbouleh salad and I always add yogurt with extra spices. And it's extra delicious. The chicken is moist and is roasted with great spices, the yogurt is definitely homemade and is light and savory. The tabbouleh salad is fresh and the extra spices are a perfect addition. Overall flavor profile is BOMB.COM The cost of this before my 'additions'? $6.75, the price after (I think) I've added extra things outside the yogurt - $8.99, so yeah that part makes this not a place I frequent. Yet, I truly get so excited with this dish, I always have a weird urge to face plant in it (last time I did that I was 3 and eating spaghetti). Bottom line: Try it - at least once. But because of the $$$, don't make it a habit. read more
11 years ago
I used to go to Cafe Elena more frequently until I got molded toast. Just gross! Eggs were often undercooked and, last, I noticed last time Nina barely rinsed her hands. Georgen Nina are super friendly but with all the above, I'm boycotting them. read more
8 years ago
9 years ago
My go-to is the fattoush salad with chicken (AKA "the *insert company name* special"). It's not only the best tasting chicken on a salad in the area, it is also the most reasonably priced. If you're looking for a lunchtime meal under $12, you've come to the right place. You pretty much get a home cooked meal from the sweetest family. They're celebrating their 20th anniversary today and even handed out free baklava. Pretty rare thing to see in this economy, in my opinion. You truly get service with a smile at Cafe Elena. I highly recommend you try them out. There's something for everyone on the menu. read more
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More info about Cafe Elena
1 Market Plz
Ste 5
San Francisco, CA 94105
Financial District, SoMa
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(415) 543-8933
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