Lovely Venezuelan cafe in Melrose Hill!! The restaurant, staff, and food all feel very true to who they are, which I appreciate. I loved the food and the overall experience so much that I've come back several times, brought friends and family, & can confidently say this is one of my new go-to spots in LA. - Flan latte: So addicting! If you like your lattes on the sweeter side, you'll definitely enjoy it. I've also heard good things about their strawberry matcha, although I haven't tried it myself yet. - Carne mechada arepa: Tender meat, lots of flavor, and very satisfying. - Papas fritas: Hot, smoky fries. I really enjoyed the sauce on the side. - Venezuelan hot dog: This one is my favorite. Might be a seasonal item, so definitely get it if you can. It's like a Costco hot dog, but better (& I mean that as a compliment). The sausage is juicy and pairs really well with the crunchy potato sticks and cabbage. This is a small place with limited seating inside and a few tables out front by the curb. Fortunately, I've never had any trouble getting a table right away. Parking in the area can be challenging, but def manageable. 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

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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

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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

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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

Chainsaw - interior - Venezuelan Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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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

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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

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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

Chainsaw - Venezuelan Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Such a fun place. Beautifully decorated, went for coffee, there was a line but moved quickly. Parking and seating can be difficult. Don't go if you're in a rush. read more

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

Chainsaw - Venezuelan Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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

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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

Chainsaw - Cafe quesillo latte and carne mechada arepa with avocado - Venezuelan Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Really good Venezuelan style tacos. Not a sit down so make sure to either plan to eat in your car or back at home. There is outside seating but it's first come first serve kind of deal. read more

Had the passionfruit lime pie. Delicious! Perfect treat for a hot day. Small space. Service was sufficient. read more

Chainsaw - Passionfruit lime icebox pie - Venezuelan Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Food was tasty. It's expensive. Yep. I know prices are higher now on everything. I know how expensive it is to operate a restaurant. Everything we ordered was flavorful and fresh with nice ingredients. We paid over $80 (with tip) for two people for two arepas, fries, two iced coffee drinks and one slice of the Key Lime pie. The restaurant space is tiny and though it's decorated in a charming way, there's not much seating inside or outside, so plan to get your order to-go. The staff is less than customer service oriented. If they were doctors, patients would say they have no bedside manner. Street parking is difficult. Doable, but not easy to find. read more

I paid $75 'with tip' for 2 appetizer sized arepa's, an underwhelming matcha, an ok at best latte, frozen solid piece of pie and a sample sized tres leches. I'm not sure what's worse here, the prices or the portions. I should also mention that the seating is horrible. read more

I stopped by Chainsaw over the weekend while hella craving an iced latte and lucked out with street parking almost immediately (arrived a little after 9:30a!) As soon as I crossed the street, I was surprised to see how lively it already was! Plenty of people enjoying their drinks and arepas. The interior instantly won me over :) warm, stylish, and thoughtfully designed. This Venezuelan café definitely passes the vibe check when it comes to decor and ambiance. I ended up ordering the strawberry matcha after noticing they use real strawberries instead of syrup, and honestly... that alone made me forget all about my coffee craving. Matcha will do that to me every time. The arepa was filling and hit the spot during my morning errand run. While I've had standout arepas elsewhere, this one satisfied the craving and paired well with the drink. I'm already eyeing their desserts and will absolutely be back to try more next time. 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

Chainsaw - Venezuelan Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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

Chainsaw - Flan latte iced - Venezuelan Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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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

Chainsaw - x-tina! so bomb. - Venezuelan Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Chainsaw is my favorite secret neighborhood spot in this area! I accidentally stumbled upon it on its opening day and I've been raving about it to my friends ever since. I love their lattes and the passion fruit icebox pie is probably the best pie I've ever had. I've chatted with the owner and some of her staff and they are all so friendly. They give amazing recommendations on what to order and honestly you can't go wrong with anything on the menu. This place feels like such a great community spot with lots of people from the area stoping by and tons of friends of the staff and owner. The interior is small but there is also seating outside where you can chat with other people trying it out. I need to add pictures the next time I go because I always end up devouring everything as soon as I get it. Cant wait to come back! 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

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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

Chainsaw - Flan Latte - Venezuelan Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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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

Chainsaw - Jamon y queso and carne mechada arepas - Venezuelan Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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

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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

Chainsaw - arepas and pie! - Venezuelan Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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

Chainsaw - Venezuelan Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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I saw a post raving about one of Chainsaw's pies, so I was excited to try it. The cafe's decor provides a colorful and warm environment, and while it took me a moment to figure out you can find the menu located on mirrors near the door. Outside of pie they also offer savory items including arepas and empanadas, and you can also get espresso-based drinks. During both of my visits, I've enjoyed the cortados that I ordered and thought they were well-crafted. The carne mechada arepa came with a hefty filling of chopped beef, and it was an oily yet tasty bite. I liked the passionfruit lime icebox pie though I realized on the second try that it benefits from additional thaw time to get the whipped cream tender. The overall experience felt pricey given the sizes of the pie slices and the arepa though I appreciated the flavors and would revisit. read more

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

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Probably the best key lime pie I have ever tried (if you don't mind the addition of passionfruit). Everything from the cream layers to the graham cracker crust is so well executed + perfectly flavored. I also enjoyed the Milanesa (salad was a nice touch) and Tres Leches (today had the chocolate cake). The cheese empanada looked nice with the blue corn but lacked flavor and would have preferred a gooier filling. The sauce also was just average -- would have expected the green sauce to be spicier or punchier (maybe garlic or acid?). Very limited small tables (1-3 people per table) so takeaway might be best. It was crowded on a Sunday morning but the wait for the food itself was very reasonable. Overall spent $50 for 4 items. read more

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

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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

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Wow! Tremendous experience. My cortado was perfect and the meat on my arepa was ridiculously tender. Top quality. Kudos to Chainsaw for being a pillar of light in the community. Thank you for caring and it truly shows in your product and establishment. read more

Fantastic jamon y queso arepa. If I could've I would've married it but I don't think that's possible. Super cute spot and very nice people. Will return. read more

Chainsaw - Yum - Venezuelan Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Such a charming space! While small, Chainsaw leaves a big impression. Beautifully decorated but most of all a delectable menu. The carne mechada arepa was delicious- a toasty arepa, tender meat, black beans, and a lovely green sauce. The passionfruit lime icebox taste was refreshing on a warm day, reminds me of a tamer and lighter keylime pie. I washed my bites all down with a papelon con limon (venezuelan raw sugar limeade). I expected a clear lime juice however, I was presented with a dark brown and tart beverage. It tasted a bit like tamarind... perhaps the raw sugar is a bit thicker? Loved it. Service was friendly. I came around opening and it got busy fast as the space is small with limited seating inside and out. Street parking only. While a table and parking may be tough, I do think it's worth the visit if in the area! read more

This place has quickly become one of my favorite coffee shops. The latte was so good that after the first sip, I swear I felt the caffeine run straight down my spine. To me, that's the sign of a great coffee shop--when a simple latte with no add-ins, syrups, or modifications is still a standout. The coffee speaks for itself. The food is equally impressive. The arepas? Delicious. The milanesa? Delicious. Honestly, everything I've tried has been excellent. And the Icebox Passion Fruit Lime Pie? I can't stop thinking about it. I've had it three times already and somehow still crave it. I even bought a whole pie for a potluck because I needed my friends to experience it for themselves. The matcha is also top-tier. I've tried several different versions, and I love how bold and flavorful it is. What I appreciate most is that they let you control the sweetness. Most specialty drink shops have everything pre-mixed, which means a lot of the menu isn't an option for me. Here, everything feels intentionally crafted, giving you much more flexibility--and you can absolutely taste the difference. I also love supporting a woman-owned business that's so proud of its Venezuelan heritage. The space is full of color, plants, art, and personality. It feels warm, vibrant, and welcoming. Sitting outside with a coffee on a nice day feels like the perfect LA afternoon. Great coffee, great food, and great people. The kind of place that turns a first-time visit into a regular stop. read more

Chainsaw serves seriously delicious Venezuelan food! Everything we ordered was packed with flavor and tasted fresh. You can tell there's care in every dish. Definitely coming back for more. read more

Chainsaw - Parchita Tonic & cafe quesillo - Venezuelan Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Amazing coffee and ambiance! The flan latte iced is a MUST! I also tried the passionfruit icebox cake which was spectacular. read more

Chainsaw - Passionfruit icebox cake - Venezuelan Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Restaurant is super tiny, but such a good vibe and pretty decor. The flan latte and passionfruit pie is amazing, although they didn't have a lot of stuff on their menu! The man working register is god awful rude, literally tipped $0 bc of him. read more

I got the Arepa Carne Mechada and Cafe Quesillo (hot). Great flavor profiles. Wish I was hungrier so that I could try more and get some of the tarts because they're probably just as good. My arepa had a delicious green sauce on it which I could pour on anything that I eat at home. I came for the food not for the seating. Seating is less than ideal. Two tiny tables inside and a small bar area with the rest of the seating being really tiny tables on the sidewalk so if sidewalk seating is not your thing come prepared to take takeout. The food was really good and my latte was really tasty. so let's keep coming here so that they can keep selling food and eventually be able to afford to rent a larger space. I actually didn't know what the seating situation was going to be but when I was looking at the photos initially, I thought that this would be more of like a wider spaced Café. And all the photos that I saw it felt like a really beautiful ambience to be around, but unfortunately, that wasn't the case. I can totally see this café eventually expanding to a larger space where they have more seating either inside or something like a backyard space where they can really expand on the ambience that they're selling. read more

Chainsaw - Arepa Carne Mechada - Venezuelan Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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