Ambiance is 10 out if 10! Very authentic from decor to plates, etc. Food is good, the coffee is legit! Service was great, it's a family owned business and all hands are on deck. The only reason I slashed off a star is when it got dark there wasn't enough lights esp in the bathroom area. read more

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Food and the Ambience is good! But honestly the service sucks. How are you going to be working at a restaurant and not know how to have basic customer service for the customers. No one checks up on you, you need to always catch the servers attention for everything when we shouldn't even need to be doing that. I asked a server a question and she never came back to give me an answer but she was walking past me the entire time and using her phone. I won't be coming here anytime soon and you're just waiting there for 2 hours or more for your food to just leave 20 mins after. Hopefully all these negative yelp reviews help them improve or something. read more

I do not typically leave bad reviews, I usually like to highlight good experiences because I want waiters, cooks, and staff to get recognition, but after sitting with this experience I think others should know what to expect, go with caution and set your expectations, I hope they improve. We showed up at 8:40ish am on a Sunday right when they opened, excited to finally try this place after hearing good things. Parking was easy since we were some of the first customers there, and only two other tables were occupied. We walked in and stood around for a bit with no one greeting us. After waiting, someone finally told us to just sit wherever we wanted. We picked a table in the middle of the restaurant with a view of the kitchen, thinking it would help us stay visible so we would not get overlooked. Our party was five people. We started with coffees and waters. Just a heads up, the water is bottled Kirkland water so you will be paying for it, no tap water option. The cafe de olla was okay, but one person in our group had coffee grounds at the bottom. Also, that is the only coffee option, so if you need something without sugar, there is not really an alternative. We ordered menudo and chilaquiles, but when someone finally came to take our order, we were told they had run out of eggs. This was surprising since they had just opened. Service was slow even though the restaurant was not busy. When food started coming out, only two of the three chilaquiles arrived. After we got our chilaquiles, the menudo took another 25 to 30 minutes, so you will not be eating at the same time as everyone in your party, and that was only after we asked about it. When it finally came, it did not include the usual sides like onion, cilantro, oregano, or chiles. After a long time we asked the waiters for some sides and napkins too (never had any to start off), but nothing came. I eventually went up toward the kitchen because I kept seeing our waitress off to the side on her phone, not using the tablets for orders, so it was clear she was not busy. We kept checking in about the third chilaquiles dish and tried to be patient and polite about it. Eventually everyone else finished eating and that last plate still had not come out, so our fifth person just ate leftovers. When we asked for the bill, that missing chilaquiles dish suddenly showed up, well after we were done eating. We asked to cancel it since we no longer wanted it, but were told they could not take it off because the kitchen had already made it. To pay, you have to go up to the front instead of getting a bill at the table, and they ask you what table you sat at and what you ordered, which felt a bit confusing. After explaining everything, they did remove the charge without much argument, which we appreciated. While we were there, we noticed other tables having similar issues. One group waited a long time just to get menus, another had menus but no one came to take their order, and they eventually left. Another table also had to speak up about delays, though the staff did apologize. The food itself was good, but not good enough to make up for the overall experience. I really wanted to love this place, but the service needs a lot of work to match the quality of the food. read more

We have a bd experience with the food no taste at all too small portion of chilaquiles if you add 2 eggs will cost +$4 and the barbacoa was no taste not good food , coffee and conchas was ok the staff they don't know what tables order what they confiuse the orders in 3 diferet tables one of those was ours . Tables and chairs was dusty . The place got a nice look alittle hard to find the entrance theres no sings of the restaurant outside read more

Café Escondido - Barbacoa and coffee - Mexican Near Me - Sylmar, California

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I came here on Mother's Day and honestly loved the whole vibe of this place. The only thing I'd say is that the food did take a long while to come out, but considering how packed it was for Mother's Day, it was understandable. The atmosphere is SO welcoming. Right when you walk in, you can smell the authentic Mexican cheese and the firewood they use to cook, which gives it that cozy ranch smell that reminds me of Mexico. It seriously feels like you're hanging out in a ranch in Mexico. The place is inside a nursery, so there are plants and greenery everywhere which makes it feel super peaceful and unique. The food was super tasty and authentic, the pricing is good, and the staff was attentive and kind even during such a busy day. They also have tons of seating and an exposed kitchen which is really cool to see. To check out, you just pay at the front register which was easy and convenient. Totally recommend this place!!!! even if it's just to grab a cofecito and some conchas! read more

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The place is beautiful and has a great atmosphere, kind of like Rancho. The food is okay, but the service was disappointing. There was no sense of urgency at all. I waited around 40-50 minutes just to get a coffee, and the excuse I got was that it was still brewing. I understand places can get busy, but the long wait and lack of communication made the experience frustrating. I'd still give this place a second chance because it has potential, but the service definitely needs improvement. read more

Extremely disappointed with this restaurant. The food was horrible, the customer service was even worse, and the wait time was completely unacceptable. We waited almost 2 hours for our food and over 1 hour just to get our drinks. Staff seemed unorganized and unapologetic the entire time. Definitely not worth the time or money. I would not recommend this place to anyone. read more

This place is Fukn Horrible, wait time gets a 0, custom service 0, food 0, I could have gotten better everything off a food truck.. wanna go waste your money go ahead but like me you going to regret it! Read the rest of comments and they are true! Your gonna wait around like 2 hrs just to get cold food, or you gonna want to leave and they expect you to still pay for what you ordered. And they have the nerve to tell you "you just ordered like 1hr ago lol" fuk wtf is wrong with these people read more

What novel idea! A cafe/restaurant in the heart of a nursery! Who would have thought? But it somehow works. And I'm sure the two businesses have established a kind of synergy where they both tend to bring business to one another. We stopped in for the first time today, and the reviews that call it a "hidden gem" are correct. You might even find yourself driving past the place without realizing it! So definitely follow the Google maps guidance. Down to the nuts and bolts. We really enjoyed the setting. It's all outdoor seating, so be aware, you may have to contend with nature in her various forms (weather, insects, etc). But our visit was very pleasant and comfortable. Walking in we noticed some really pretty landscaping and ornamentation, which definitely added to its charm. The seating is rustic (pro tip: maybe don't wear white pants). But there's plenty of shade, and the views of the surrounding greenery are very pleasing. Our servers were kind and polite, and always responsive. Unfortunately, on the day we visited, they were out of many items, which is the main reason for the 3-star rating. They didn't have menudo, horchata, Jarrito, or any decent beer selection aside from Pacifico and Modelo (but not Negro). Our server was very apologetic, but we felt that there could have been some kind of concession in light of the substitutions. We ordered a quesadilla platter and a fiesta bowl. The quesadilla was pretty standard, and came with no sides. The fiesta bowl was very good. The beef, especially. We did order waters to start with, which were completely forgotten, which is unfortunate, as there were five employees we could see, and not many patrons at all. Our appetizer, the guacamole Chico, was also very tasty, but had some soggy, undercooked tortilla chips in the mix. All in all, we think Cafe Escondido has a great deal of potential, with some attention given to the above. But for now it's a 3-star. We do plan to come back again and see if maybe today was just a "one-off." read more

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The worst customer service experience. We came here super excited. As we were attempting to order a lot of the options were no available for the day. ( it was noon). We ordered food and waited over an hour for our coffee. I had to remind the server about our drink. He apologized and brought our cafe de olla. It came with cold coffee with no utensils available. We waited another 45 minutes and our food never came. People around us seemed disappointed that they had been waiting longer. Absolutely ruined our morning having to have waiters over two hours for service. Never coming here again. Never recommending this place to anyone. If they do not have the staff to serve people , don't sit them down. read more

Customer service is extremely bad definitely not recommended. After waiting for 2 1/2 hours they don't offer water or chips the food takes for ever ! DO NOT COME !!!!!! If you are hungry and love the customer service to be on point ! ! Bad experience ! read more

DONT COME! Terrible service. Waited 1 hour and a half for a table. Waited another hour and a half to be told they didn't have what we ordered so we had to get whatever was left. TOTAL BS. Workers need serious training. Unacceptable. -100/10. Once we got food, we got 3 napkins for 6 people no lemon, no salsa and missed 1 drink they nerve brought. And sassy attitude back from servers, very upsetting. I shouldn't even be marking a star but I have to. read more

A weekend only very hidden gem in a nursery with a flavorful menu and great friendly staff. Upon arriving you immediately smell the aromatic wood fire coming from the open kitchen. This is a must go to if you want a different experience in the valley. We saw a lot of large parties enjoying themselves and embracing the nature surrounding them. I will be back! read more

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We came across this restaurant on Instagram and instantly fell in love with the photos, videos, and overall vibe. Since we enjoy authentic Mexican food, we thought it would be the perfect spot for a Saturday morning outing. When we arrived, the ambiance was just as beautiful as advertised. Unfortunately, the experience quickly went downhill once we approached the check-in area. No one greeted us, and we had to ask where to sit. We were told to sit anywhere and that someone would come to us. The layout made it unclear how staff keeps track of guests, as some tables are tucked away and not easily visible. We found a table and waited 15-20 minutes with no service. One of us eventually had to go to the front to ask for help and grab menus ourselves. We tried to be understanding and patient. About 45 minutes later, a server finally came. We ordered drinks, an appetizer, chilaquiles, and a quesadilla. About 20-30 minutes later, an appetizer arrived--but it wasn't ours. Our drinks were also forgotten, and we had to remind the staff multiple times. Our correct appetizer eventually came, but still no drinks. After waiting another hour, we realized this wasn't just a delay--other tables around us were experiencing the same issue. After two hours, we decided to leave. We paid for the drinks and appetizers we received and canceled the rest of our order. When I asked the staff at the register if this wait time was typical, the response was disappointing. I was told, "We only took your order 1 hour and 7 minutes ago. We usually serve pozoles first, then dishes with meat." There was no apology or acknowledgment of the situation, which was the most frustrating part. There's simply no justification for waiting two hours without receiving proper service. We repeatedly had to track down our server and follow up on our order and drinks, which made the experience stressful and disappointing. Thankfully, we went to Black Cow in La Crescenta afterward, where we were seated promptly, served quickly, and enjoyed a great meal. Unfortunately, I cannot recommend Café Escondido unless you are prepared to wait several hours and remain extremely patient throughout the process. read more

Hidden gem! It's literally hidden from the road but once you enter, it's a lush paradise. The staff is super friendly & the food was fresh and delicious. Limited, small parking lot. Clean but septic tank bathroom (no toilet paper gets flushed). No hard alcohol or wine but they have bottled beer. read more

Café Escondido - Fiesta bowl - Mexican Near Me - Sylmar, California

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If you are hungry, this is not your place. Stale chips, long wait for service, and everything within the menu was not available, serving are small. We waited for service for a long time. read more

Coffee is good, food takes forever to come out 45 mins and still no food. Outdoor seating is nice

This place is amazing, the food was great, had alot of flavor, the coffee was FIRE. I got the carne asada and chicken plate, my wife and mom got the chilaquiles and both were delicious. Dont listen to the people writing bad reviews about this place for the lack of customer service. It looks to be a family owned place where even the kids are helping out. If you have the patience and dont mind waiting a little for your food, then youll love it here. read more

Café Escondido - Mexican Near Me - Sylmar, California

This was a nice quiet outdoors Restaraunt up in the hill. The ambiance was great . Took me back in time ... old Mexico . Staff we attentive food was authentic . Defiantly coming back . Parking was In the front look for signs or your will miss this hidden gem! read more

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We came here with high expectations based on an Instagram ad. Upon arriving, we realized that this is not only a restaurant but also a nursery business. Customer service is nonexistent. We arrived and were seated but the table was dirty. A teenager supposedly cleaned our table. We waited about 40 minutes to tan our order. It took another 40-50 minutes to get menudo and chilaquiles. The menudo did not arrive with condiments like onions, cilantro, oregano. The portion was small and the taste was bland. We asked the server about the condiments and he was unsure about them and suggested they might have parsley? What? Parsley? Regardless, the condiments never arrived. We received no napkins on our table. The chilaquiles were soggy and the sauce was too vinegary. No sour cream or cheese was placed on the chilaquiles. We ate and did not wait for the check. We approached the cashier to pay and received no apology for the long wait time. It seems like the whole family is working there and they have no notion of customer service. There was no attempt to get people served quickly. We will not return and will not recommend. The concept is awesome but the execution is poor. read more

The service here was horrible. I waited about 1 hour to be seated then the owner said she never wrote my name down. We arrived at 11 am and we left at 2 with nothing but guac and chips served. We sat at a dirty table but I still wanted to give this place a benefit of the doubt. Waiter only checked up about 2 times, i understand the place was busy especially on a weekend but this is not how costumers should ever be treated. I tried ordering about 4 different meals and they were "all out." I settled for a fiesta bowl which I never received. Not to mention the amount of alcohol that was being served to teens who are clearly underage. Once paying, the owner seemed cold and rude. Not sure how she can be pleased knowing costumers are leaving upset. Do not recommend. read more

Food is really good, staff is very friendly. very peaceful ambiance. Will definitely come back in the future. Thank you Cafe Escindido.

The stars are for atmosphere. Came in on a Saturday just before noon. They weren't really busy and we waited for someone to tell us whether to sit or not, well it's self seating. We were told we would have to wait two hours for our food, so I can't really rate the food. Cute idea but they lack organization read more

To start off I really wish this establishment well and hope they take constructive criticism well for growth. I went there 2 weeks ago, and first impression was great. However, the wait time that was given was 2-2:30hrs. It was a wait I pondered on decided to walk around and see if anything changed. The establishment is super cute. After a 30min wait I decided I would not be able to wait the 2 1/2hrs so asked to have my name taken my off the list and left. 5 min after I left, I get a call that my table was ready. Since I was not too far away I turned around. When I got there, there was no set table. The cashier gal looked around for an empty table and said we could take an empty one. We sat and didn't have to wait too long for the waitress. We knew what we wanted so we ordered our meals and drinks only to find out that they were out of aguas frescas, out of conchas, and out of eggs. It was only 11:30am. It's the basics and they were out. We had to find alternatives. When our drinks came out, one of our drinks was wrong (no biggie) so asked waitress to bring the correct one. That was the last time we had an interaction with our waitress. We never saw that waitress again at our table.. Our food was brought out by a little boy about 10-12yrs old (again no biggie). One item was incorrect. The chips for the guacamol were stale! This was disappointing. My chilaquiles were too salty and I ordered chicken on them (since they were out of eggs), but they brought me a mix of chicken and beef. The chicken felt like it was just the left over skins. Were they out of chicken too? Coffee was the best part. Later we saw they had brought in conchas but because we never saw our waitress again we didn't get a chance to order some. Oh, and napkins, we had to ask for napkins. We asked for creamer for our coffee from a different waiter, and it was never brought out. Luckily the coffee was delicious enough to drink black. All in all, food was mediocre, the ambiance was superb, but the service was worst. They need folks with experience on running a restaurant, at least waiters, so that this fiasco of poor table service can be avoided. They need to have a better flow and no more 2 1/2hr wait. Although, for us was only 30-40min, great for us, but made no darn sense at all. Also, need have a stock of the basics, like eggs. They seem like nice people, but need to make some serious changes. Best of luck. read more

Café Escondido - Mexican Near Me - Sylmar, California

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I was really looking forward to trying their food, but unfortunately we never received any service. We were told to have a seat and that someone would be with us shortly, but no server ever came to our table. The staff seemed completely absent. After waiting about 45 minutes without being acknowledged, we ended up leaving. It was a very disappointing experience. read more

We got there 11:00 am and took 2 :00 hours to get our food and place was not as busy at that time and to many flies. No one came to offer anything else while we waited for food. In my experience i would recommend it. read more

Food is authentic and great portions, service could use a little help... but the atmosphere is AMAZING!! It's all outdoor - Mexican ranch alfresco with an open kitchen and the wonderful smells of all types of bbq, soups, handmade tortillas, etc.... Only open Saturdays & Sundays but well worth the wait!! read more

Café Escondido - Ranchers having breakfast with their horses parked on the side... - Mexican Near Me - Sylmar, California

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This place is so cute and I wanted to love it BUT it took them about half n hour to bring us semi warm coffee. Then once we ordered food, it took them almost two hours to bring it out to us. The young kids who are working as servers, need a little more motivation to run this place. If this place had better service, it would be amazing!! I love that the bathroom is in an old horse trailer, loved all the trees and plants around it, cute place but the service is no bueno. read more

Very poor service and waiting on food is at least 2 hours. Too many flies on the food and many health food concerns! They also have minors serving alcoholic beverages which is illegal. This place needs new management or need to close down! read more

Really great ambience. Felt like I was back in Mexico. The cafe de la olla was delicious. We ordered the barbacoa plate, menuda and devoured the fresh guacamole. Everything was delicious. read more

Café Escondido - Tables outdoor. - Mexican Near Me - Sylmar, California

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The food was delicious! The service was great! The ambiance is amazing! I completely fell in love with the whole vibe if this place! It's a must! read more

Café Escondido - Mexican Near Me - Sylmar, California

If I could leave a zero I certainly would. Came here for mother's day after. Friend of ours recommended it and came to regret that decision real soon. When we arrived we were told rhe wait time was about 2 hrs but been mothers day we knew to expect that. What we weren't expecting was to also wait around for another hour and a half for our food to arrived. No one was taking care of our table u had to cause down the waiters to get something as simple as chips and salsa. And when the waiter finally came to our table it was to tell us a. They mixed orders , b. They were out of the dish I requested a d c. They were also out of pan dulce. How does a restaurant run out of food on mother's day I would never know . But next when our food came I had to once again go track my husband's order that was just sitting on the counter in front of 3 waiters. When it came time to pay they were trying to charge me for food that never made it to my table and had I not look at what was being charge carefully I would had paid for it . Overall horrible experience I mean horrible enough to write a yelp review. read more

As soon we get inside they said I hr wait to be served or food can out so 2 hrs after and wait for food, we need toask for clean the table which has been full of dishes from the other party for one hour after we sit there , when we ask for our order they said we still have to wait till 6 tables before us be served , so we decide to cancel our order and get out from there.... Terrible service read more

Very disappointed on this place. I came hoping for good food and good service. We waited 2 hours to be served and they only served two plates out of the 4 we ordered. The two plates that we got were not even good. I make better chilaquiles at home. I would give it a zero, needless to say, I'm not coming back. read more

The food was delicious, and we really loved the atmosphere. Maybe it's cause we went early, but it was very laid back.

Such a cute location, kinda hidden. The guacamole was my favorite. Also had the chilaquiles with the green sauce- really good and some tacos. The service was friendly and helpful. Definitely recommend! read more

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Cute little spot! Surrounded by greenery and if your lucky horses right by you while you're eating!

Very bad experience with this place , it was Sunday around 4 o'clock !! We have to ask them to take care of us , My husband ask for chicken plate and they said with don't have beans any more and we say is ok I ask for nachos with ranchera ? They just put the tortilla chip the meat and the cheese with out melting to dry ,it was horrible. Paying so much for nachos and chicken the we really don't enjoy, plus the waitress never come to ask if we need anything else, read more

Food was okay. Service lacked. Never got my coffee refill or salsa after asking more than twice. After being seated it took twenty minutes to be attended. read more

One word OMG! I lovedddd this place and I love that it is hidden and makes you feel so secluded from the world! The food is great and the place is sooooooooooo pretty so aesthetically pleasing and my son loved the plants and horses it was just perfect for my earthy baby! Can't wait to come back everything was 10/10 read more