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    El Cafetazo

    3.5 (104 reviews)
    Closed 5:00 am - 12:00 pm

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    EL CAFETAZO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

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    Ed U.

    When you climb out of the 16th Street BART station and walk toward Valencia Street, you probably notice all the bustling businesses to your left as you attempt to maneuver around hipsters singularly focused on their texting, places like Pancho Villa, Alhamra, and Panchita's. However, there is one that's always relatively empty, which you would think would be reason enough to avoid. However, they have a little sandwich board on the sidewalk that says the magic words: "We have every day Menudo con Pata". Menudo not on a weekend? How is this possible? Most all of my favorite Mission spots give me a solemn shake of the head if I ask them if they serve menudo on, say, a Wednesday evening. The reaction here is different as the woman repeats back to me in disbelief, "Menudo?", probably because this Asian face is not a common match with the dish she serves. But for $9.50, I needed to try it. What's odd about this place is that they serve no other Mexican food except caldo de res (beef soup), champurrado (hot chocolate), and a variety of pre-made tamales in a warmer on the counter. It's a one-woman operation, and I admire her for dealing with the variety of life that require her attention from club-hopping bathroom seekers to vagrants with superhero capes looking for an excuse to provide endless chatter. My order arrived, a large tray with the bowl of menudo, chopped cilantro and red onion on the side, and a stack of hot tortillas in foil (photo: http://bit.ly/2e2KZxJ). I had no idea what the "con Pata" meant until I saw a large pig's foot, skin intact, in the middle of the broth. Plenty of bones with meat, a medium amount of tripe and no hominy (photo: http://bit.ly/2dVbmkg). It was pretty good though a tad watery and the amount of red broth was small considering the number of ingredients. Good thing I ordered a $3.50 Pork Tamale, which was obviously sitting in the warmer for a while (photo: http://bit.ly/2e0fWiy). Still it was satisfying. Honestly the best part of my meal was the 16-ounce $4.25 Pineapple Passion Smoothie which she does make in front of you, so you know the fruit is fresh-frozen before it hits the whirling blender (photo: http://bit.ly/2e2K0gW). A weekday menudo and a smoothie make this a worthwhile stop, the guy in the cape not so much. FOOD - 3 stars...that's a real pig's foot in their menudo, and the smoothies are good AMBIANCE - 2 stars...well, it's kinda random in here SERVICE - 3.5 stars...she works hard for the money TOTAL - 3 stars...a true oddball tamale/smoothie/ice cream hodgepodge Mission cafe

    Now this is what you call fresh squeezed orange juice!
    Traci H.

    Fresh and refreshing juice/smoothies!!!!! It's more of a fruit smoothie vs an ice cream/yogurt smoothie, so if you're in the mood for something heavier, head to your ice cream place, but if you want a thick but yet fruity and healthy tasting (i have no idea if it's healthy or not, since it's so tasty, I'm afraid of the sugar content...sigh). I love the TANGY TART smoothie (big size!!!) and the HAPPY HAWAIIAN smoothies. Super super super fresh and tasty. I don't feel full afterwards, I just feel happy and satisfied. Oh, and their FRESH SQUEEZED ORANGE JUICE. That is what you call fresh, sweet, and so refreshing. Sometimes I swear I run into small pieces of orange, but I like that because I like my orange juice to taste like oranges. not like that from concentrate stuff. This is a guilt-free (or at least feels like it) way to refresh with juice! I also like the tamales. I prefer the pork because it's super flavorful but the chicken is good too. Just a little lighter. Really reasonably priced too. YUM!

    Melanie P.

    This place looks really awesome, I was really tempted to buy more than just tea there - but I resisted. They have an extensive smoothie and fresh squeezed juice menu with great prices and combinations. They also have tons of breakfast pastries, fruit, bagels, and assorted delectable, edible goods all set out for you to drool over. And their coffee/espresso drinks are so elitist that even I, a long-time various-locations cafe/barista worker, am not familiar with them all. It looks like they're still working on a lunch and dinner menu, but I'd say they're off to a great start! What a little gem inside the ghetto part of the mission. I guess it also helps that they gave me a slight discount on my chai tea. But I can't wait to come back and try something else here! Even if it is just that double rainbow ice cream.

    Mission Raspberry and Soy Latte
    Nic Z.

    Great soy latte! The cashier/barista was also lovely. He was friendly and genuinely wanted to make my drink perfect. The interior is cute and colorful, although not very comfortable; however, with good company, you won't even notice that. Their food looked nice, and my friend enjoyed her fruit smoothie. I'll have a bit to eat next time!

    Tuna and avocado sandwich. Made in front of you; $5.50
    Yves L.

    I got a tuna & avocado sandwich ($5.50). It was cheap and tasty, but the atmosphere feels like an extension of 16th & Mission--which isn't a compliment. The cashier was really friendly though, and it's a decent spot for a quick bite.

    Fresh-made carrot, apple, beet, and celery for under $7. And an unamused boyfriend, half off.
    Jenna S.

    So much yes for their juices! Fresh apples, carrots, beets, celery, cucumber, ginger - made as you order it, served in a biodegradable cup, with a full 20 ounces for $6.95. Better than the sit-on-a-shelf-in-a-plastic-bottle-for-days $10-plus juice places that are replacing all the great OG juice spots. The staff are friendly and quick. The space is very "old Mission" - not quite an accolade coming from 16th and Misson vibes, but as long as the right people are around it can have it's charm. Want to try some of their sandwiches and tamales that everyone seems to get, so will update on any good finds there

    Pastries area
    Sabina S.

    I stopped at El Cafetazo early in the morning post workout, before the usual juice shops are open, to order one of their fresh juices. It's a very casual, unassuming, and friendly neighborhood spot! I ordered the apple, beet, celery, cucumber juice and loved it! It was incredibly refreshing and fresh! I'd definitely recommend this place for fresh juices. I'll be back to try their breakfast options and coffee. :)

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    Awesome spot! Closes at 4pm not 9pm during the week though. Genuine down to earth people! Delicious juices. Lots of space

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    Stonemill Matcha - 2024 Christmas Strawberry Matcha Cream Pie (sliced) (12/2024)

    Stonemill Matcha

    4.2(1.7k reviews)
    0.1 miMission
    $$

    Came here to try the Japanese breakfast! They only offer it on weekdays for dine in only and they…read morehave a limited quantity, so be sure to come early. Our group came around 1pm and was able to grab the last 3 sets. Our party of 6 was able to share the 3 sets and feel relatively full. There was a range of dishes, of the selection the tempura and the silky eat was quite delicious. We found the Napa to be a bit floral for our taste but a perfect palette cleanser. The staff were the sweetest and combined tables together to let our party sit together. They even put a candle in the matcha tart for my birthday!

    Came for matcha and was disappointed. Busy dine in area and line outside. Ordered for take out and…read morethe drink comes out quick. ~2 minutes. Option to mobile order as well. I got the strawberry matcha and the seasonal lavender matcha. Both drinks were bitter and tasted watered down. Default sweetness was not too sweet but the matcha didn't have the creaminess even with regular milk. Strawberry puree was good but not enough to carry the diluted matcha. The matcha cream pie was solid. Soft matcha filling with very crispy edge. Whipped cream on top was also tasty. Would not come back here for the matcha. Maybe their food is better. With matcha coming out that quick feels like it wasn't prepared well and lost its quality. Street parking here or parking garage next street over.

    Photos
    Stonemill Matcha - Interior

    Interior

    Stonemill Matcha - TO Hojicha Pumpkin Pie

    TO Hojicha Pumpkin Pie

    Stonemill Matcha - Strawberry Yuzu-ade, tamago sando (w/ pork katsu on the side (that i sliced and put in myself)) (02/2026)

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    Strawberry Yuzu-ade, tamago sando (w/ pork katsu on the side (that i sliced and put in myself)) (02/2026)

    Maruwu Seicha - mango matcha latte (10/2024)

    Maruwu Seicha

    4.3(700 reviews)
    1.5 miJapantown, Lower Pacific Heights
    $$
    Women-owned & operated
    Certified professionals

    - Menu: tons of options, drinks/baked goods/soft serve -…read moreDrink adjustability: can adjust any drink - Seating: open food hall style seating in Japan Center Mall - Crowd: pretty empty at 10a on a Monday - Parking: parking garage, metered - Water is scarce in the Mall, but restrooms are widely available (albeit old) My Bay Area friend swore Maruwu Seicha is THE place to go for quality matcha. Turns out she was right. I had a matcha latte half sweet, and it was delicious- high quality matcha, not too strong or sweet. We did wait about 10min for our order, service is kind but busy. This is a stand nestled in the middle of the Japan Center Mall, so recommend grabbing a sip here and wandering around. Just heads up that many stores don't allow outside drink.

    Wow this place is good. I stopped by during the first weekend of the Cherry Blossom festival and…read morethe line was long as usual. Surprisingly, I only waited about 10mins to order and another 5-10mins to get my drink. I ordered a Hojicha Latte + Snow Top for myself and Hokkaido Milk Soft Serve for my hubby and baby to share. The Hojicha Latte was delicious, I finished it all in one sitting (which is rare for me). The soft serve was creamy and delicious. Worth the hype IMO,, I'll be stopping by every time we go to Japantown from now on.

    Photos
    Maruwu Seicha - Hōjicha Latte Cheese Foam, 1/2 sweet ($6.30)

    Hōjicha Latte Cheese Foam, 1/2 sweet ($6.30)

    Maruwu Seicha - Matcha + Hokkaido Milk Swirl Soft Serve and Matcha Tea with Snow Top

    Matcha + Hokkaido Milk Swirl Soft Serve and Matcha Tea with Snow Top

    Maruwu Seicha - Hokkaido Latte with Snow Foam

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    Hokkaido Latte with Snow Foam

    El Cafetazo - coffee - Updated May 2026

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