Amazing place! Would 1000000% recommend, you won't regret it! The service and the food were phenomenal

Came here for dinner and had a very pleasant experience. My friend and I ordered the mac n cheese sampler, a salad, and the Parmesan truffle fries. Everything was so delicious and food came out so quickly. I highly recommend the Mac n cheese sampler. To drink I had a blood orange mint marg which was also great. Between the food and being able to sit outside and take in the nice weather in Chelsea was so relaxing, especially after a long day at work. Our server (I think his name was Jason), was fantastic. So friendly and so astute - I definitely want to give my praise. read more

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I hadn't been to Cafeteria in years. It's become a neighborhood gem, open late and very popular with a mixed crowd after 11:00 on a Saturday night. My friend and I have been frustrated in our efforts to find something to eat in the Flatiron/Chelsea in the weekends after 10:00 since the Malibu Diner closed. There doesn't seem to be anything on 6th Avenue and not a lot on 7th either. Fortunately the management at Cafeteria understands there's a need. I think the place was open 24 hours until the pandemic. I hope like Veselka that they resume all-night dining at least on the weekends. The staff is very friendly and attentive (it might have taken a little longer to get our good since it was busy). My friend had a burger (pretty good, thick fries). I wanted some comfort food and chose the shrimp risotto. It was a pretty good size (it could have maybe been a little bigger for $30 and included more than 6 shrimp and perhaps a sprinkling of vegetables to be more substantive). I don't often go for risotto because it can be kind of bland, but this hit the spot: cheesy, buttery and not too heavy for a late night bite). I look forward to going back for a full dinner now that Cafeteria is on my radar again. read more

Cafeteria is such a vibe! The ambiance is completely on point--stylish, lively, and perfect for a brunch outing. The food came out fast, hot, and exactly what you want when you're craving the perfect brunch. Everything was fresh, flavorful, and hit the spot. But the best part of the experience was Nicholas. He was incredibly accommodating, so sweet, and genuinely personable--it made the whole visit feel extra special. Honestly, I'd go back just to see him again. If you're looking for great food, great energy, and standout service, Cafeteria is definitely worth it. read more

Cafeteria - New American Near Me - New York, New York

Had this place saved for a while. It is a bit of a tight space and a long wait. The tall slinky man with glasses said it'll be about a 20-25 minute wait. And it sure was a 45 min wait. Bar area was congested and standing by the entrance was not sufficient (as it was very cold outside). When finally seated I ordered the BLAT - bacon, lettuce, fried green tomato, and avocado. Chef Ali surely elevated the BLT with the green tomato, as I mentioned when he came over to our table...which was nice. I've never had a BLT with green tomato so it was very memorable. It was an amazing size and loved how it was seasoned along with the sauce ratio. Maybe another piece of bacon or two would've done it justice for the proportion. The bread was spot on, not just your average piece. It was light and slightly crunchy, with great texture and none of that dry, crumbly feel. Chefs kiss to the sauce on it. The fries were soooo goood. I am a stickler for truffle fries done right and it indeed surpassed my expectations. On another note, Waiter David was such a pleasure to have serving us, loved his connectedness!!! Music was cool too. A different mix of genres but liked the nostalgic touch to it. Fatou was also a cool vibe at the front after replacing the tall man when his shift was over. read more

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I love this place! Stopped by for brunch, requested patio and it was accommodated no problem. Tables are perfectly spaced, and service is friendly. Cocktails, while pricy, were delicious - a lot of thought put into each on for fun and new flavors. The food menu was vast, offering a little bit of everything you could want. I loved sitting outside with the semi covered and heated patio - the blankets on the chairs were a fun and thoughtful touch. read more

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I had such a great experience at Cafeteria. We found parking right out front which already felt like a small miracle in New York. We were seated right away and the space had a nice welcoming energy. We ordered the Crispy Rock Shrimp, the Truffled Eggs, and the Eggs Benedict along with a Rude Margarita and a Blood Orange Margarita . Everything was delicious, but the Crispy Rock Shrimp was the clear standout. Perfectly seasoned, crispy, and one of the best versions of that dish I have ever had. The brunch dishes were fresh and flavorful and the cocktails were strong and well made. Our experience with service started out a little rocky. The first server seemed annoyed when we politely declined water service and mentioned that the napkins on the table were stained. Thankfully, our next server, Gino, completely turned things around. He was amazing from start to finish. Warm, attentive, and genuinely pleasant. His service made a real difference and helped the entire visit end on a very high note. Cafeteria completely won me over with great food and thoughtful service. Despite the small hiccup at the beginning, everything that followed more than made up for it. I would absolutely return the next time I am in the city. read more

Cafeteria - Eggs Benedict - New American Near Me - New York, New York

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Incredible! Everything was absolutely delicious. From the ambiance to the food. Starting off, the host and waiters were so friendly and welcoming. We sat down right away and they gave us menus and constantly refilled our water. The Mac and cheese was mouth watering, I loved all three styles. I ordered the grilled chicken and my friend ordered the beef pasta. It was quite pricey but definitely worth it since portions are huge. read more

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Okay, so let me start this off by saying I am an OG Cafeteria girl. Like, back in the day when Cafeteria was 24 hours, this was my spot. Many late nights, early mornings, and everything in between have happened here. I've been loyal for years. Yes, COVID changed things and they now close around midnight or 1 a.m., but honestly? That still works for me. I love this place. This review is... embarrassingly overdue (July 11th, to be exact), but here we are. Better late than never, and Cafeteria deserves her flowers. So, I went for a good late dinner with my brother--my eating partner, my foodie partner-in-crime. I think I ordered the ginger iced tea (this is what I get for waiting so long), but I'm 99% sure that's what it was. Either way, it was excellent, really refreshing, not sweet, and the ginger comes through beautifully. Their teas are generally a win. Now, because it was summer and we were trying to be cute and seasonal, we tried the watermelon "salad." And... yeah, no. That was not it. It was literally a huge watermelon "steak" with feta and microgreens sprinkled on top. No dressing, no seasoning, no zhuzh, no nothing. The watermelon itself wasn't sweet enough, and the entire dish just felt flat. A little salt and pepper helped, but honestly? I wouldn't recommend it. When you hear "watermelon feta salad," you picture something completely different than what arrived. Now onto the good stuff. The steak entrée? Always a hit. Always. It comes with this delicious butter sauce that brings everything together. I did mine with a side salad. My brother did the same plus sweet potato fries, which--listen--Cafeteria's sweet potato fries are top tier. They're crisp, perfectly seasoned, and just everything you want from a sweet potato fry. Dessert time! My brother ordered the key lime pie, which he loves. It tastes more like a cheesecake-style key lime--which works. He let me try it, and it was good. I went for the citrus sorbet, which came with grapefruit, orange segments, and the whole vibe. Light, refreshing, perfect after a heavier meal. I loved it. Now... let's talk about the espresso martinis because our server hyped them up. Apparently, the bartender on that night "makes the best espresso martini." And listen, one thing about me: I love a good espresso martini, but I am VERY particular about them because they can go wrong fast. And this one? Awful. Absolutely not. The flavor was off, the mix wasn't balanced, it just... wasn't good. Would not recommend. At all. But overall, Cafeteria is still one of my favorite restaurants ever. The classics always hold it down. The seasonal items can be hit or miss, and the espresso martini (for me) was a miss, but the food? Consistently solid. The vibe? Always great. The nostalgia? Heavy. I'll always be a Cafeteria OG. read more

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Cons: $16 for a mocktail. Locks on downstairs bathrooms didn't work. Pros: very good food, good service, lots of space read more

Cafeteria - Lavender lemon spritz - New American Near Me - New York, New York

Took my partner here for a nice birthday lunch. States right away, not outdoors, but by the open door leading to the outdoor seating. Perfect views and fresh air. Served came over right away, he was super pleasant and attentive. For appetizers, we had the mushroom crispy tacos (delicious and flavorful) cornmeal calamari, also delicious and flavorful. My partner had a late breakfast, brioche French toast, scrambled eggs and smoked salmon. He likes it all. I had the ginger salmon with broccolini. Didn't like it much. The salmon was nice and tender, but very salty and the broccolini had a weird after taste. We each had a mocktail, a watermelon cooler I had a ginger beverage, both good. Overall great lunch. read more

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I had no idea they were still opened. Used to come here back in my college days lol. Very loud on a Friday night but the music was good and so was the food. To start We had the ceviche which I would get again and the salmon tartare which I would skip next time. My salmon entree was delicious with the most perfect crispy skin and my man enjoyed his pork chop and risotto. The star of the show of course is their Mac and cheese. We did the bacon and Gouda. Could've ate the whole thing by myself! Watermelon spritz was good but very light but I expected that. We couldn't find out server by the end of the meal but someone else was able to get us the bill. read more

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Delicious, great lunch spot. They have cozy outdoor and indoor seating. It looks like they also have seasonal menus. I ordered the grits, and my friend the BLAT. Both were satisfying and flavorful. I didn't feel greasy or bloated after finishing my grits. Service was friendly and fast. They still seated me even though my full party didn't arrive yet. They were also very attentive with refilling our drinks. read more

Cafeteria - Grits Bowl - New American Near Me - New York, New York

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It had been a while since I dined at Cafeteria, and boy.. it did not disappoint! The food was delicious, fresh, and well-portioned. My sister and I had a beautiful time. Nick, the lead server, along with Nicholas, made us feel like family. Our waiter was accommodating and attentive. The ambiance is enjoyable, bright and fun- making it perfect for a daytime lunch or a nighttime bite at the bar. If you haven't visited in a while, this is your sign to run down to cafeteria- 10/10 read more

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Met a friend for lunch here on her recommendation. She dined here frequently since it was near where she worked. The food was pretty good and the place was pretty busy. I had the Mac and cheese flight which was pretty good. I mean who wouldn't want three different varieties of Mac and cheese??? read more

Cafeteria - Sauteed Broccoli Rabe Crispy Calamari Salad - New American Near Me - New York, New York

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I was surprised that the place only had 3.5 stars! We enjoyed our food it was delicious. The Mac and cheese... my mouths watering thinking about it right now. Our drinks were made perfect and the ambiance was intimate. Our waiter was attentive and not only him but the runners as well! I would come back here and with a date next time. read more

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We had brunch at Cafeteria on Valentine's Day. What a fun experience! Dyllan, our waiter, was the star of the trip! He was hilarious but also really attentive and efficient! He made great suggestions and made sure we had everything we needed throughout the meal. The food was excellent! My husband had an omelet - which came with potatoes, toast and greens and he ordered a side waffle. I had the Cobb Salad with grilled chicken and it was delicious! My daughter had a salad, with grilled shrimp. The iced tea was perfect and the espresso martini was delish! The support staff was amazing too - keeping our water glasses full the entire time - even AFTER we paid the check! We went on a Saturday in the winter so parked in a nearby garage. Very convenient. Overall, we loved everything about our experience! read more

We celebrated an engagement party here and our party rented a private room in the back. The amount of food we were served! I wish I did not eat for an entire week. The food kept coming and coming. This was the perfect place for an intimate central location gathering. The service was top tier. They went above and beyond to make all of the bride's wants come to life. read more

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DJ Lina makes Friday nights at Cafeteria beyond special. Thank you to Chris my favorite bartender, he always makes the absolute best drinks. Nick Rocks absolutely rocks in every way. Thank you for making all of my experiences so fun and special. Congrats on your promotion. The truffle Mac & cheese, the artichoke, the Brussels sprouts, the salmon entree; I would eat it all every time I went if I could fit it all in my tummy. They're that delicious. The ambiance is fabulous. A true New York iconic establishment! read more

I've been going to Cafeteria for nearly 20 years, dating back to when it first opened. Over the years, it has consistently been a place with great energy--often filled with artists, creatives, and celebrities very much in their natural habitat. The Wildberry Mojito favorite, the gouda and bacon mac & cheese and truffle fries have always been a few of my favorite standout.  On this most recent visit, we had two to three drinks each, an order of green beans, a mushroom toast with a fried cheese topping, and two entrées (I had the  ginger salmon; my guest had Branzino. The total came to about $222 with tax and tip.. Normally, this place never disappoints, and everyone I've ever brought here has been impressed. This visit--on a quieter Saturday right after a snowstorm--didn't quite meet the standard I'm used to. It wasn't bad, just not the kind of experience I would rave about the way I usually do. That said, based on years of consistently strong experiences, Cafeteria remains a very solid spot and one I'd still recommend without hesitation. read more

My friends and I always have a great time here. But what has made this place even more fun is the service and treatment we get from the staff. But there is one specific one that I want to call out, Nicholas in management, he has become to us the face of Cafeteria and always greeting us with a smile making this place feel even more special. read more

Cafeteria is one of those classic downtown restaurants that to my teenage Indie sleaze, new to the city era self felt like the glamorous NYC as portrayed in TV and Movies. An oldie, but goodie. Back in those days, Cafeteria was open 24/7 and was THE place to people watch after the Meatpacking/ Chelsea clubs and bars shut down. To walk down memory lane, this was a time before everything moved to Bushwick and the Tao group was at the height of its popularity. Although the cool clubs have mostly moved to the outer boroughs and places like Cafeteria and Veselka are no longer 24 hours, The food and drinks remain great. Go here on a nice weekend afternoon, have a cosmo and order some Mac and cheese. Order almost anything, you won't regret it. read more

Cafeteria - Cosmo and Mashed Garlic Whipped Potatoes - New American Near Me - New York, New York

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Great dependable spot. Have only been for dinner but have never had to wait, outside heaters make the patio lovely, and service is always great. So many food options here that span a wide variety, my fave. The bao buns and rock shrimp are top choices. I'm not a huge fan of broccolini but theirs was pretty well crisped. Fries are delicious and fried Oreos are so good I never need them in my life again lol Always good service and quick turnaround on food. Not too loud but I usually eat outside, love this spot as it's such a great reliable quick decision. read more

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I love this place, amazing food, amazing service, and great cocktails. Our server, Isaiah, made our experience SO much better. He knows the menu very well, and has amazing recommendations. He was not only attentive but has an amazing personality. I will definitely come back. read more

Only heard of Cafeteria before (never been), and it wasn't initially on my list of places to visit. I'm so glad I changed my mind last-minute. After checking into my new hotel, Monday evening was a fend for myself kind of night and I had the city at my disposal. After finding many things I'd like to try on their menu from their risotto to their 'Mac Attack' and crispy avocado street tacos, I made my way over a little after 10p. The metro was an easy stop close by, and once I saw the outdoor seating I knew I had made it. Walking in to a dimly lit restaurant, the host asked if I wanted the bar or a table. Normally one for the bar, this time I chose a table near the open door to the patio. Even when the door opened frequently since there were a few people on the patio, thankfully there was no chill or heavy wind from outside. Although I had an idea of what I wanted, I went over the menu once more before going with the Meyer lemon risotto for $26. I believe this may be seasonal; as I've seen different risottos on here but this one appealed to me due to the simplicity of lemon, buffalo butter and grana padano. It was also kind of a chilly night out so this seemed like the ideal choice. A warm biscuit with honey butter was brought out, a perfect start to this late dinner. Looking around, this was exactly where I needed to be. The atmosphere was perfect from the low lighting to the amazing playlist that makes me think of this place when I listen to it now. As the night progressed, the dining area went from a few parties to more, but not where it was obnoxiously loud. I also noticed the playlist seemed to become more upbeat as business picked up. As for the food, this was a perfect portion, it was delicious, and there was no rush to finish. As others have notated, the steps to the bathrooms are quite steep, so if you're in heels-or not sober-good luck. Service by Alex was great, and the host helped direct me back to the subway. Overall, Cafeteria is a place I will be returning to on my next trip to enjoy something new since I had such a great first time! read more

Cafeteria - Milk chocolate tipped matches. - New American Near Me - New York, New York

We decided to walk over from Penn Station to grab brunch at Cafeteria without having a reservation at noon. We were greeted by a host who had such a great demeanor and seated us quickly. Gino was our waiter who was polite, professional and didn't rush us while deciding on what we wanted to eat. I really enjoyed the Cafeteria and look forward to visiting again when I'm in town. Food was fabulous! Service impeccable. read more

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Cafeteria never disappoints! I go frequently as it is nearby and has a splendidly diverse menu with something for almost everyone. What's also terrific, and not as common as you'd think in the hospitality industry, is how warm and welcoming the staff is. Here, I should give a shout out to Nick and Haven who took fantastic care of us on Wednesday! Every dish I've had is scrumptious-- fresh ingredients, inventive and well prepared-- but I indulged in the pork chop most recently and an order of the charred Brussels Sprouts. Both really hit the spot. I only wish the Brussels stayed on the menu year round, as they are probably my favorite vegetable and deliver tremendous flavor here. My other favorites are the chicken paillard, broccolini, crispy calamari salad, the bronzino, and the burger (both turkey and regular). My companions also have enjoyed the pastas and chicken parmigiana (a frequent special). Cafeteria is always a great call. It's stylish and hip while being welcoming to everyone and serving delicious food. read more

Twenty-six (yes, 26 years later) Cafeteria is still going strong in the chic chic environs of Chelsea. Our party of ten (cousins altogether who traveled from all over) were in town for brunch (and more) on a sultry July Sunday morning. At 10:30am we were seated at a long outdoor table, where a plethora of entrees were ordered: - Grits Bowl - sunny eggs, tomatoes, sausage crumble, shishitos - Green pesto chevre fluffy eggs with Ham and biscuit - Omelet of spinach & Swiss with toast + hash browns - Bistro burger, tomato, lettuce on brioche bun with fries - Crispy Fried chicken, pickles on Brioche bun with fries - Lemon Ricotta pancakes, blueberries, Vermont maple syrup - Crunchy croissant French toast with berry compote + + + Cappuccino, coffee, tea and + + + Green juice of granny smith apple, parsley, cucumber, kale, spinach, lemon and ginger (Yummy!) A family Funday Sunday filled with laughter & love & legacy was enjoyed by all! ** Good people watching too** Until next time ...Thank you! :) read more

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The food was okay, and the place was decent overall. Nothing really stood out as amazing, but it wasn't bad either. Service was okay, sometimes the host is talking on the phone or the server forgot about you, but I had served in the past, and that was good too its depends on the days you go. The atmosphere was comfortable enough. Good spot if you just want something simple and convenient. read more

I love visiting NYC from our farm in Maine and I always include a dinner at Cafeteria! My twin sister and I both love the atmosphere and the many gluten free options on the menu. Our server, Nick R., could not be more warm and friendly. He always has great suggestions and made us feel really special. The floor manager, Louie, ran everything so smoothly and even sat and talked with our party. I'll definitely be back on our next trip and will continue to recommend it to friends visiting the city. read more

Decent food and decent drinks. Good service. My friends wanted to come here and try it out! I didn't know that this restaurant is famous because it's come out on Sex and The City! I really enjoyed the Mac n cheese sampler! It was delicious! Be careful going down to the restroom. The stairs might be a little too steep for some. read more

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I used to be a cafeteria groupie and forgot how fabulous this place is. Cannot wait till the warmer weather, this is definitely going to be my summer go to place! Shoutout to Dyllan for the amazing service and Nick the manager who is a party of one his vibe is amazing so friendly and so attentive. I've missed this place ! read more

Presentations for food are pretty as pictures shown. Taste fine while it is not like wow. We ordered ricotta lemon pancake which I really wanted to love but it was mediocre. Avocado toast was pretty and tasted good but a bit hard to eat as toast was a little stiff. Ice cream (vanilla) was not impressive at all for 2 scoops at $8. Very noisy and I could not hear my friend's voice 100%. The check came with the electric machine starting only 20% tip. You are shown the machine at the front of you and you have no time to think and will only tap 20% at lowest. Yeah it is NYC. It was an okay experience. read more

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We love Cafeteria and go there frequently! We want to recognize our waiter who was there tonight! Frank was exceptionally nice And accommodating! read more

Neighborhood spot for me and an excellent one at that. Originally went because I saw an episode of Sex & The City with them eating here and I got influenced. The food and the ambiance on a weekday evening is electric. Highly recommend the risotto, excellent portion size and very good for leftovers. I would also try their tuna crudo, it's so fresh and an excellent appetizer to balance the heaviness of the mains! read more

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celebrated my birthday with friends and had an awesome time. The waitress/hostess Atrice was amazing. Very attentive and knowledgable about the menu and the specials of the day. She was sure to introduce the waiter covering for her while on break. The manager Louie the nicest sweetest ever. Was. Sure to come and introduce Himself to us. Even took the time to wish me a happy birthday. Will definitely be back. Very special birthday at Cafeteria!! read more

Had a nice last minute dinner here with friends. The Strawberry Rhubarb Spritz is delicious but could be a lighter. Maybe a bit more soda water to get it slightly more refreshing. The frozen cosmo is perfect. We had a smattering of apps that were all excellent. Beet salad with grapefruit? Genius. I never would have put those things together. One of the best burratas I've ever had, it's so creamy and again, the addition of strawberry is unexpected but excellent. Mac attack is a staple. Add the spicy pepper from the deviled eggs on top before you bite so you can get some good heat on it. My turkey burger was the tiniest bit dry but delicious. My friends raved about their meals, a burger with a fried egg and the Cobb salad. The lighting outside was a bit dim, anytime we tried to move the tiny lamp to make room, we couldn't really see our food but easily fixable. read more

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I loved this place I only went once but we had a hilarious server named Nick rocks or rocz I don't really know but he was so funny! the menu is really great and had a lot of my favorite foods. we went at night but they still found a seat for us even though it was busy! read more

This is just a cocktail review as I didn't eat. I wanted a seat at the bar, but it was full so the manager graciously let me sit at a table for a drink. I ordered the Purple Rain, which was really tasty and well balanced. I recommend! read more

Cafeteria - Purple rain - New American Near Me - New York, New York

First, I'd like to say that having lived in the West Village for 50+ Years, I enjoy finding a restaurant that serves me well, both in price and menu and CAFETERIA is in my opinion, The Gold Standard for breakfast, lunch and dinner! Upon entering the restaurant you are welcomed by THE most enthusiastic host who immediately makes you feel at home. And he has assembled a wait staff that meets your every need, be it an explanation of a dish, or serving you that "may I top off your coffee" request. You never have to worry about seeing the bottom of your coffee cup as the servers are that attentive in providing you what I consider the BEST coffee in the West Village. Nothing is rushed so you can enjoy leisurely dining with a friend who needs that extra time to go into details of last night's date. Breakfast has been one of my personal delights at Cafeteria; the Green Eggs and Ham (a nice tip of the hat to Dr. Seuss) is perhaps my favorite, but don't miss out on the Lemon Ricotta Pancakes: three hearty pancakes are prepared with whipped marscapone, lemon zest, blueberries and real maple syrup. If you want something less filling, I'd recommend the Steel cut Oatmeal with raw honey, shaved almonds and blueberries. If you're coming for breakfast, I'd recommend getting here early, ca. 9:30 - 10:30 as Cafeteria fills up quickly. Yes, it's popular and why? Because IT'S THAT GOOD! read more