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Man whatever they put in the cafe quesillo (Venezuelan flan latte) is crack. That latte made me think about it for days and of course I had to come back a couple days later. I had gotten the niña fresca the first time I came and it was just ok. It was good but I've had better strawberry matchas. My friend got the cafe quesillo and wow it was so good. I wanted to order one but by the time I tried to they were closing up shop. So disappointed, I came back the next day and ordered one. That's how much I was thinking about it. It is on the sweeter side. I felt like I had to brush my teeth after because it felt like sugar was on my teeth. But if you're looking for a sweet treat look no further. We also tried the ice box pie and it was so refreshing. It's all street parking so it can be hard highly looking at the neighborhoods for parking.
Was super excited to check out Chainsaw after seeing glowing recommendations online. It's a trendy, cute, and small cafe with a charming vibe and decorations. Seating is limited to a couple seats indoors and few seats outdoors as well. The service was warm and welcoming and the food was all so good - definitely on the pricey end for the size of the arepas though. - Carne mechada arepa - such a burst of flavors - from the warm arepa to the tender and flavorful meat and green sauce - Jamon y queso arepa - this one wasn't on the menu but after having seen photos of it on Yelp, I asked about it and they happened to be able to make it for us! Soo delicious - Passionfruit lime icebox pie - passionfruit lime custard topped with crema and a tangy citrus sugar - this was SO good and lived up to the hype! It was so light with a creamy texture and a perfect balance of sweet and tangy - Iced strawberry matcha latte - I had high hopes for this one since they use Rocky's matcha - the matcha had such a beautiful deep green color but unfortunately the taste did not live up and the matcha flavor lacked depth and richness Parking is limited to street parking - the area can be quite busy so allot extra time to find parking in case!
Beautifully decorated spot filled with vibrant colors. Ordered an iced quesillo latte with espresso which is their version of a flan/caramel flavor. SOO delicious! I was initially worried that the drink would be too sweet/milky when it came out but the espresso came through well! I did not have to adjust anything. You could also order this drink with matcha as well. Service was not memorable, didn't seem like the cashier was interested in taking people's order. Space is tight to eat in. Only had enough room to fit ~5 people inside with little wiggle room. They so had a couple chairs outside. Parking: street/metered parking only. it's in a very busy location.
Every time we passed by this Venezuelan cafe, we'd always seen pretty long line out the door so we're completely intrigued. The place gave that cute boho vibe, making it perfect spot for rest and relax. Limited seats including those in front by the curbside, but given what they served it's quick turnaround. What I loved from the space was all the attendants were so cheerful, just transferring that positive vibes and looking like they're really enjoying what they're doing. We arrived by noon and around half of the food on the menu were already sold out (deep frowned). We ended up picking their Asada Arepa and Lime Icebox Pie from the remaining left. If you had big appetite, the size of each was probably more on the smaller size; and despite I admitted the price was relatively high for the portion, I wouldn't think twice to pay another visit. The mix of well-seasoned shredded beef with black beans and cheese on that corn-based wrap was simply delectable. We did have fun trying out different hot sauce served on the table including the ghost pepper one. As everyone said, you'd regret skipping the lime pie and I had to agree. Wonderful mix of sweet and tangy refreshing flavors, perfected with the graham crackers base. We walked out getting their Cafe Quesillo, or what they called as Venezuelan Flan Latte, one with espresso and another with matcha. They're creamy and more on the thick side, but the coffee and matcha were surprisingly still got their solid spotlight. PS, stir your drink well as you certainly didn't wanna miss their spoilingly YUM house caramel sauce
Small shop with a few seats inside and outside. You order at the counter, and they bring the food to your table. We ordered the carne mechada, milanesa, papas fritas, and the passion fruit lime icebox pie. The carne mechada was good, though it wasn't my favorite dish of the meal. The fries were your typical fries, but the tamarind BBQ sauce served alongside them was excellent. The same sauce also comes with the milanesa, and honestly, I'd come back just for the sauce. The passion fruit lime icebox pie was AMAZING. It's light, refreshing, and perfectly balanced, the passion fruit complements the lime really well without overpowering it.
Finally visited Chainsaw this past weekend and it is such a nice space in an otherwise average LA neighborhood. I for one felt transported to a different city even if just for the half hour I was there. The drinks are delicious. I got their quesillo 'flan' latte and my son got their limeade, both really good. The arepas were pretty pricey for what they are and I will say I wish they were served on a plate instead of cardboard boat. I don't think I would get food here but definitely drinks and I want to try their sweets next time!
Such a cute quaint cafe! Parking is a little difficult as only street parking was available but wasn't too hard to find on a Monday afternoon. The place was a lot smaller than I thought more suitable for to go orders especially on weekends when I assume is busier. Tried their iced matcha latte (they use Rocky's Matcha! ) and empanada and both were delicious but a little small for the price. Service is really friendly and I definitely want to come back to try their lime pie and arupa!
Love finding gems like this in my own neighborhood. Chainsaw cafe is a Venezuelan spot right here in Melrose hill and it's already becoming one of my go to spots. The space is cozy and super inviting. Everything we ordered was incredibly delicious. The arepas, coffee, matcha, and the ice box pie are an absolute must. Service was very friendly and welcoming which makes the experience here better. Parking can be a bit tricky, but I'd recommend finding a spot in the nearby residential streets and walking over. Already love this spot and see myself returning very soon.
Incredible!!!! I keep coming back to try all the dishes. So far, the strawberry matcha and key lime pie is a must every visit!!! Anything with the black beans...yum!! Can't wait to come and try more!!
I drive by this place all the time, but there's usually a line out the door. I finally stopped in on a Wednesday morning, walked right in, and ordered without a wait. I had the carne mechada arepa with avocado, which was delicious. It was packed with flavor, though definitely messy. I sat outside on the sidewalk, and while they brought my food out, they forgot napkins, which made things a little awkward. I also ordered the cafe quesillo latte, which tasted like flan and dulce de leche in the best way. So good. Overall, a really nice breakfast/lunch spot with great food. I'll definitely be back.
Had the passionfruit lime pie. Delicious! Perfect treat for a hot day. Small space. Service was sufficient.
21 days ago
Checked out Chainsaw in LA and loved everything we tried. The iced matcha with strawberry and flan latte were both delicious, and the matcha was especially refreshing. We shared the chicken milanesa, which was flavorful and really satisfying. We ended with the icebox pie, which was the perfect way to finish the meal. My only wish is that Chainsaw stayed open later than 3 PM. I'd love to come back for dinner and enjoy the pie for dessert afterward! Definitely a spot I'd return to for both the drinks and the food. read more
8.5/10 Hate to say it and I had my doubts but this $11 slice of passion fruit icebox pie was soooo delicious and a 9/10 Cafe quesillo latte (Venezuelan flan latte)- 8.5/10 super yum X-Tina (espresso, orange juice and orange honey) - 8/10 read more
Man whatever they put in the cafe quesillo (Venezuelan flan latte) is crack. That latte made me think about it for days and of course I had to come back a couple days later. I had gotten the niña fresca the first time I came and it was just ok. It was good but I've had better strawberry matchas. My friend got the cafe quesillo and wow it was so good. I wanted to order one but by the time I tried to they were closing up shop. So disappointed, I came back the next day and ordered one. That's how much I was thinking about it. It is on the sweeter side. I felt like I had to brush my teeth after because it felt like sugar was on my teeth. But if you're looking for a sweet treat look no further. We also tried the ice box pie and it was so refreshing. It's all street parking so it can be hard highly looking at the neighborhoods for parking. read more
2 months ago
Was super excited to check out Chainsaw after seeing glowing recommendations online. It's a trendy, cute, and small cafe with a charming vibe and decorations. Seating is limited to a couple seats indoors and few seats outdoors as well. The service was warm and welcoming and the food was all so good - definitely on the pricey end for the size of the arepas though. - Carne mechada arepa - such a burst of flavors - from the warm arepa to the tender and flavorful meat and green sauce - Jamon y queso arepa - this one wasn't on the menu but after having seen photos of it on Yelp, I asked about it and they happened to be able to make it for us! Soo delicious - Passionfruit lime icebox pie - passionfruit lime custard topped with crema and a tangy citrus sugar - this was SO good and lived up to the hype! It was so light with a creamy texture and a perfect balance of sweet and tangy - Iced strawberry matcha latte - I had high hopes for this one since they use Rocky's matcha - the matcha had such a beautiful deep green color but unfortunately the taste did not live up and the matcha flavor lacked depth and richness Parking is limited to street parking - the area can be quite busy so allot extra time to find parking in case! read more
Beautifully decorated spot filled with vibrant colors. Ordered an iced quesillo latte with espresso which is their version of a flan/caramel flavor. SOO delicious! I was initially worried that the drink would be too sweet/milky when it came out but the espresso came through well! I did not have to adjust anything. You could also order this drink with matcha as well. Service was not memorable, didn't seem like the cashier was interested in taking people's order. Space is tight to eat in. Only had enough room to fit ~5 people inside with little wiggle room. They so had a couple chairs outside. Parking: street/metered parking only. it's in a very busy location. read more
4 months ago
Every time we passed by this Venezuelan cafe, we'd always seen pretty long line out the door so we're completely intrigued. The place gave that cute boho vibe, making it perfect spot for rest and relax. Limited seats including those in front by the curbside, but given what they served it's quick turnaround. What I loved from the space was all the attendants were so cheerful, just transferring that positive vibes and looking like they're really enjoying what they're doing. We arrived by noon and around half of the food on the menu were already sold out (deep frowned). We ended up picking their Asada Arepa and Lime Icebox Pie from the remaining left. If you had big appetite, the size of each was probably more on the smaller size; and despite I admitted the price was relatively high for the portion, I wouldn't think twice to pay another visit. The mix of well-seasoned shredded beef with black beans and cheese on that corn-based wrap was simply delectable. We did have fun trying out different hot sauce served on the table including the ghost pepper one. As everyone said, you'd regret skipping the lime pie and I had to agree. Wonderful mix of sweet and tangy refreshing flavors, perfected with the graham crackers base. We walked out getting their Cafe Quesillo, or what they called as Venezuelan Flan Latte, one with espresso and another with matcha. They're creamy and more on the thick side, but the coffee and matcha were surprisingly still got their solid spotlight. PS, stir your drink well as you certainly didn't wanna miss their spoilingly YUM house caramel sauce read more
Small shop with a few seats inside and outside. You order at the counter, and they bring the food to your table. We ordered the carne mechada, milanesa, papas fritas, and the passion fruit lime icebox pie. The carne mechada was good, though it wasn't my favorite dish of the meal. The fries were your typical fries, but the tamarind BBQ sauce served alongside them was excellent. The same sauce also comes with the milanesa, and honestly, I'd come back just for the sauce. The passion fruit lime icebox pie was AMAZING. It's light, refreshing, and perfectly balanced, the passion fruit complements the lime really well without overpowering it. read more
Finally visited Chainsaw this past weekend and it is such a nice space in an otherwise average LA neighborhood. I for one felt transported to a different city even if just for the half hour I was there. The drinks are delicious. I got their quesillo 'flan' latte and my son got their limeade, both really good. The arepas were pretty pricey for what they are and I will say I wish they were served on a plate instead of cardboard boat. I don't think I would get food here but definitely drinks and I want to try their sweets next time! read more
Such a cute quaint cafe! Parking is a little difficult as only street parking was available but wasn't too hard to find on a Monday afternoon. The place was a lot smaller than I thought more suitable for to go orders especially on weekends when I assume is busier. Tried their iced matcha latte (they use Rocky's Matcha! ) and empanada and both were delicious but a little small for the price. Service is really friendly and I definitely want to come back to try their lime pie and arupa! read more
25 days ago
is very delicious, but charging $11 (+tax) for a tiny sliver is preposterous. It seems even smaller than I remember it last. Service is giving - can't be bothered read more
Love finding gems like this in my own neighborhood. Chainsaw cafe is a Venezuelan spot right here in Melrose hill and it's already becoming one of my go to spots. The space is cozy and super inviting. Everything we ordered was incredibly delicious. The arepas, coffee, matcha, and the ice box pie are an absolute must. Service was very friendly and welcoming which makes the experience here better. Parking can be a bit tricky, but I'd recommend finding a spot in the nearby residential streets and walking over. Already love this spot and see myself returning very soon. read more
19 days ago
Food and drinks were so good we ordered a second round! You can taste the passion and love in each item! Chainsaw is a full experience and I can't wait for the restaurant to open! read more
1 month ago
Incredible!!!! I keep coming back to try all the dishes. So far, the strawberry matcha and key lime pie is a must every visit!!! Anything with the black beans...yum!! Can't wait to come and try more!! read more
3 months ago
I drive by this place all the time, but there's usually a line out the door. I finally stopped in on a Wednesday morning, walked right in, and ordered without a wait. I had the carne mechada arepa with avocado, which was delicious. It was packed with flavor, though definitely messy. I sat outside on the sidewalk, and while they brought my food out, they forgot napkins, which made things a little awkward. I also ordered the cafe quesillo latte, which tasted like flan and dulce de leche in the best way. So good. Overall, a really nice breakfast/lunch spot with great food. I'll definitely be back. read more
2 months ago
I checked out Chainsaw on a Saturday morning for coffee, and it is such a lovely spot. The café sits right on a busy street, which makes it the absolute perfect place to sit back and people watch. I know they serve food here, and everything on the menu looks incredible, so I really want to try that next time. For this visit, I just grabbed their Spanish latte. The absolute best part of the experience is the ambiance and the energy of the space. The whole setup feels very welcoming and has a great buzz to it. I will definitely be back to grab a bite and hang out longer. read more
The Chainsaw videos on TikTok do a really good job of hyping up the place. Unfortunately, this is one of the places that does not live up to the hype. I would give some points to the uniqueness of a Venezuelan cafe but the portions are extremely small considering the price. An arepa is $14 (before tip) and a small slice of pie was $11 - this was the only item that was enjoyable. Usually there are some sides or bigger portion sides but I felt disappointed after waiting for 40 minutes in line. I would have been even more disappointed if I had to find parking but luckily I was nearby and able to walk over. The food looked good but didn't have a strong flavor profile. The arepas were ok but you can find better arepas in LA for a more affordable price. The hotdog they had was beautiful but didn't taste much different from a hot dog with cilantro on it. Might as well go to Costco for a hotdog. I arrived at noon and they had already run out of strawberry matcha and the strawberry tres leches. The matcha tasted just like milk and was mostly ice. There is are a few small seats inside but most people order to go, stand outside or sit on the street. Really wanted to like this place but sadly felt like a waste of time and money. I understand the costs of running a business but the price they charge didn't seem to justify the value and experience. read more
Have been following them for a while and never got a chance to go to one of the popup events, so I visited their new brick and mortar cafe last weekend! It's a very small and cozy space. The decor is rustic and cute, and the seating is limited. Ordering was weird because the mirror menu was on the opposite side of the counter (behind you if you're facing the register) and it was really hard to read at an angle. I would recommend them moving that mirror to the side of the counter at least or having printed menus. We got a dominó arepa ($11) and a jamón y queso arepa ($13) as well slices of the passion fruit lime icebox pie ($11) and marquesa de chocolate pie ($12). All the food was really delicious. Arepa fillings were very tasty - I loved the tomatoes in the jamón y queso and the cilantro cream in the dominó was fresh and punchy. The arepas themselves were soft and moist on the inside and lightly crispy on the outside. Definitely some of the best I've had. The slices of pie were also incredible. The passion fruit lime was delightfully tangy and refreshing. The marquesa de chocolate was rich and velvety, sweet and a little salty. However, I think the prices were a bit high for the amount/portion size of food. The arepas were size of my palm and the slices of pie were also pretty small to be $11 slices. I know the cost of running a business these days is not cheap, but still. Maybe throw in some plantain chips or just give more generous sizes. Overall, I did enjoy it - I'm not sure I would go out of my way to visit, but I might be back if I'm in the area again! read more
Didn't have the chance to try the food but all seems very delicious! I had their iced flan latte which was a 10/10. Parking is difficult and note that the coffee shop is very small ideal for to go orders as opposed to eating there. There are only two small tables inside and the rest of the seating is in the sidewalk which isn't the greatest area to dine in. read more
2 months ago
1 month ago
absolutely love chainsaw! have been following karla & her amazing food for some time & am so happy to finally have a brick & mortar to pop into regularly. i've been at least 3 or 4 times since opening & they never miss! incredible arepas, coffee drinks & of course the icebox pie which my family still raves about from a couple thanksgivings ago. the space is super warm & welcoming with limited seating, though i always seem to get lucky! street parking can also be tough depending on when you're there but so worth it. read more
5 months ago
Such a fun place to get coffee and sit down outside! Staff were super friendly accommodating. I got a drink and asked for it to be sweetened further after receiving it, to which the barista upfront had no issue doing for me. I got the flan latte and strawberry matcha. The flan latte was so divine and amazing, I will absolutely come back to get it. The strawberry matcha however was so mid unfortunately. Very sour strawberry puree, which i needed sweetened more, to which was still not enough to mask the sourness. Which is totally alright, the barista warned us the drink wasn't sweet, it wasn't my personal cup of tea but I can see it being someone else's. read more
This place was pretty good! It's perfect for a quick lunch even by yourself. The inside was cute but it'd very small there's basically only one table inside with a few bar seats and outside aren't normal tables and it's a weird area but I would still go back. Their fries are really good too! We also got their coconut pie which is like a frozen pie and I loved it. read more
Really good arepas and pie but really strange place to be eating such delicious food. There were tons of people when my friend and I went so we ate outside sitting at these tiny tables with milk cartons as our chairs. To be spending so much $$ on a few delicious items I wish the location had better seating. It did feel really authentic and sweet inside but we didn't feel as comfy eating there! read more
1 month ago
Finally made it to Chainsaw to try the infamous Passionfruit Lime IceBox Pie. It was very similar to Keylime Pie and was Deelish. I'll need to come back to try all the other dishes. Street Parking so it can be challenging but worth it. They do accept Cards, staff was so nice! read more
Amazing, local spot! The owner, Karla, has done such a beautiful job with this place. From the decor/design to the intentional ingredients in all the dishes and drinks, this spot is a must stop when in Melrose Hill. And all of the staff members are so welcoming and genuinely happy to be there. It really feels like you're just stepping into an old friend's house to pick up a snack. Faves right now are the cafe quesillo, carne arepa, and passionfruit lime icebox pie!! 100/10 read more
2 months ago
5 months ago
Both of the arepas were really tasty ~ the ham and cheese one had a delicious hint of spice in the filling and the carne mechada (shredded meat) had black beans, a little bit of cheese and cooked veggies under a delicious green sauce. The arepas were nice and crispy on the exterior and flavorful. They were small though! If you are hungry you probably should get two per person. The service was okay, not very friendly or welcoming (and we said it was our first time visiting!). The counter seating was a bit crammed but at least we got a little spot! It was super warm inside (in April!) so I can't imagine how it will be in the summer - they should think of something before then because it was pretty uncomfortable as is and since they keep the door open it was easy for flys to come in. We had one circling our area the whole time we were inside and it doesn't make for the greatest dining experience if you are constantly swatting to protect your food - perhaps keeping a fan on could help this? I thought the passionfruit lime icebox pie was good but again, they give a really small slice for the price. I would like to try their coffee next time and hopefully they will make some improvements inside and have happier staff by then! read more
5 months ago
10/10! Had heard great things about this place. The moment we walked in we were greeted and treated so well by the staff. We're given great recommendations to try and everything was delicious. The location is small and seats outside the restaurant but that is what makes it special! So proud of this Latina owned business and excited to see it thrive some more! Will definitely be back to try more food! Loved it! Highly recommend:) read more
2 months ago
5 months ago
cute small cafe. Had the arepas and the cafe quesillo. Both were delicious. The arepas texture was so perfectly good. Love that its a small quaint menu and executed so well. Cant wait to come back to try other items. Also had two ice box pies which my fav had to be the milk toffee one. So good. Service was fine and quick. Will definitely visit again soon. read more
8 months ago
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