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it was rly lovely going to the Primas pop-up! they sourced fig leaves from the MAKE farm & incorporated them into 2 pastries. one was a roasted pepper roll (structured like a cinnamon roll, but savory) topped with whipped ricotta & fig leaf oil. the other was a danish filled w lemon poppyseed cake & fresh fig slices, topped w fig leaf-infused flan & more figs we loved the flavor of the roasted peppers. Arely of Primas was rly enthusiastic abt the ricotta sourced from A Mano Cheese - it rly added a freshness, & the texture was like whipped cream but savory. the danish was the standout - the cake was rly moist, the figs were fresh, the flan was creamy, & the tartness of the lemon balanced the richness we rly love the seasonality of local ingredients & the sense of community in how these small businesses support each other. we also enjoyed walking through MAKE's garden & seeing all the amaranth, eggplant, squash, etc. the pastries ended up being a little pricier than usual, but we're happy to support a good cause :)
MAKE Cafe has moved locations over the years, but they have now settled into a permanent structure in the Normal Heights neighborhood. The concept was empowering immigrant and refugee women to staff the cafe operations. Parking in this area was all curbside as the business did not have an on-site lot. A large patio to the north of the building had several tables with canopies for seating. An outdoor bar was behind the patio where orders were taken and beverages were made. The menu was posted on a stand next to the sidewalk entrance to the patio. Hot and cold drinks made up the left side. The right side featured a list of ten food choices. I ordered a Strawberry Lemonade from the bar, but the worker said only a Peach variety was available. That fruit flavor wasn't even listed. For a lemonade, it had the appropriate ratio of tartness to sweetness I was seeking. I also purchased the Ginger Rice Congee for my order. It was a warm Asian rice porridge with mushroom XO sauce, scallion, and sesame chili crunch. A jammy egg was included and could be substituted with marinated tofu as a vegan option. I stuck with the soft-boiled egg that came as two halves within the bowl. The flavor from the XO sauce really livened up the porridge. My only concern was that for $12, the portion size should have been larger and served in a deeper vessel than the shallow bowl I received. I hope this nonprofit can succeed and also expand its food offerings. The layout with both inside and outside seating was optimal. I sat in one of the two dining rooms which were air conditioned to provide respite from the summer heat. Overall, I gave a four star rating for my weekend lunch at MAKE Cafe.
Service was good The food even better- beautifully made/ do see pics! Tasty! Decent prices and I absolutely love the non-profit cause. They are doing great work for refugees and immigrants. The garden is very beautiful, they use what they grow and wonderfully too! Cool area too- I hope they continue to do well! Go support this place - you'll like it!
EDITED TO ADD: This location just opened on June 28! They are open Thursday to Sunday and closed Monday to Wednesday in Normal Heights just off Adams Avenue. (their old place was on University Ave.) *** Amazing! This is the spot but please don't overrun it during their soft opening. It's a good cause: a nonprofit employing immigrant and refugee women in a café, using produce grown at their farm in Mission Valley next to Snapdragon. It's mostly vegetarian but they have some meat choices. But more importantly, it's an amazing space with fantastic creative food. The chef came from Mabel's Gone Fishing. I came with a big group so we could try a lot. It was hard for us to decide what was our favorite! We got: BANANA CREPE WITH ALMONDS: so delicious. MAKE BREAKFAST SANDWICH: cute little delicious egg sandwich on a potato roll with very delicious homemade chips. The green sauce on the side was the one thing I didn't like. (you can get this with an added chicken patty or vegetarian with the egg GINGER RICE congee with sesame seeds, XO sauce, and soft boiled egg. Super flavorful, comforting, umami bomb. LEMON BAR: I don't like lemon and didn't try this but the people who ate it like it. CRISPY LENTIL KOFTA BOWL: really delicious little salad with falafel type crispy lentil balls FRUIT BOWL: I wouldn't get this by itself, but it was very refreshing and we split it. And all of the drinks were super tasty. We got: --House chai -- house spiced coffee (cardamom etc.) -- strawberry lemonade: kid approved! -- cold brew All the women working here were super nice too. When we got here we were the first customers, but it filled up quickly afterwards. Consider making a reservation online to give them a heads up. anyway, 5+ stars for vibe. 5+ stars for the cause. 5 stars for service And the food is amazing! Other folks can try the dishes we didn't get to and tell us how they are.
This place is very chill but beautifully decorated inside and outside. Here's the workflow. You order from the counter then get your table. The staff will deliver your order to your table. You get your own silverware, napkins and water from this same station. The menu very simple, clean and healthy. There are plenty of seats outdoors and indoors. The decor is patio style seats outside with a few umbrellas for shade. The inside is clean spacious and presents a relaxed vibe. There is street metered parking so be prepared to walk this area is popular. I enjoyed my breakfast sandwich, the cheese was oweey and gooey, the sauce was not too overpowering and the brioche bun was fresh. This dish also comes with fried crispy chips. This was filling and hits the sport. I washed this down with the fresh homemade strawberry lemondae. This would pair well with tequilla but that is for a different conversation. My wife got the Crispy Lentil Kofre Bowl. Fresh, clean and flavorful. It enough for an adult. Fresh, clean and healthy. She washed this meal down with the Hibiscus Cooler, it was very refreshing. Our friend ordered the Spiced Cold Brew Latte, it was very good, not too overbearing and refreshing. I met the executive chef Anchi Mei on the way out. Anchi was very nice and wanted to get my feedback. I let Anchi know I was very impressed with the food experience, and that we will be back. This place is open from Thursday to Sunday. We'll be back. Executive Summary: Service: 5/5 Quality of Food: 5/5 Taste: 5/5 Parking: 3/5 Good for groups: 5/5 Drinks: Unique and healthy.
Visited MAKE Cafe over the weekend for breakfast. I had visited previously at their University Ave. location. This location is much more beautiful, the vibe flows a lot nicer with their concept. Offering both indoor and outdoor seating. Something about the space, location, and overall design gives you beach vibes. Cool. The service is great! The staff is very kind and professional. The food is fun! Different flavors, and textures. Nothing here is likely traditional to the items you are used to when you think of brunch or breakfast which is great! I mean they have the classics but with twist. I had one of their lemonades which was yummy. All in all a great place. I didn't see a single dog, so extra points from me on that end.
I ordered at a counter beautiful garden patio the banana smoothie was good I liked the peanut butter the lentil wrap was large tasty fresh vegetables very good. Very enjoyable experience
Such a good spot! I tried the MAKE breakfast sandwich with a chai, and the chicken bowl with the Botanical Sunrise. Everything was really good and flavorful, I especially love the drinks. Definitely enjoyed my visit and would come back to try more of the menu!
Second visit, March 2025 menu. 5/5 Crispy Chicken and Blue Corn Waffles: Scrumptious Masienda blue corn masa waffle topped with deliciously crispy fried chicken, chili butter and a sweet, spicy, temperature/hot, berbere-spiced maple syrup
Located in North Park, MAKE cafe offers a large and airy space with great food from various cuisines and the business supports women refugees and immigrants. We went here for brunch for the first time and we left stuffed and feeling good! Parking: Just like any other North Park establishment, expect to take time looking for street parking. Service/Ambiance: The place is huge and could accommodate larger groups. It has a rustic feel with high ceilings. You order at the cashier and they serve the food to your table. Our food came out very quickly. Food: Unfortunately we didn't have enough time to order a lot but many items on the menu looked inviting. We ended up order the MAKE Breakfast sandwich ($13) and added beef kofta sausage patty ($5). The flavor of patty was amazing and I really appreciated that the milk bread didn't crumble/get soggy-- big must for me. It was a well-made sandwich which I'd get again. Overall: I'd definitely come back to MAKE cafe to try out many other things on their menu!
I came here because this is a mission driven establishment and that really resonates with me. Also, the food was very tasty and really incorporates flavors from the countries where many of the refugees who work there hail from. I tried the trio of dips, chicken tacos and the breakfast sandwich. My favorite was the sandwich, the added beef patty was very well seasoned and the homemade brioche was pillowy. I love that everything is homemade and that many ingredients come from their local farm. Feels good to support an establishment that makes a positive impact in the community.
Great and airy place in the heart of North Park to meet up with friends for brunch. We had a large party and a dog, and they were more than happy to accommodate us on their patio outside. They are part of an organization that supports immigrant women and refugees. Plenty of seating even during peak hours (we came on a holiday weekend for brunch). The menu has so many fun items it was difficult to decide what to try. We ordered the beignets to share which came out so warm and soft. Ordered the shakshuka and it was a tad salty but very flavorful! Our waitresses seemed a little inexperienced and mixed up our party's drink orders multiple times, but everyone was friendly and warm. Wouldn't hesitate to recommend this place to others.
2 months ago
This is the perfect place to come for a coffee and light lunch. It's got an amazing cafe vibe with a lovely patio and plenty of indoor seating. You order at the patio counter. The flavors and produce quality are incomparable! The Crudité Plate had immaculate flavors. The babaganoush hummus dip with red bell peppers and carrots in splendid, as is the salad. It seems like they update the menu regularly as not all of the photos of the menu on yelp are accurate. The menu is simple and relatively small. read more
The mission in itself is enough to make it worth the stop. Make cafe supports immigrant women through training programs Their produce is fresh & I believe farm to table for the most part Their breakfast sandwich was yummy. I wish the sausage was a bit saltier but the homemade chips were a nice touch. The seasonal fruit salad with pandan was super refreshing and coffee was good! There's a nice outdoor patio and a garden that is super cute to eat by read more
it was rly lovely going to the Primas pop-up! they sourced fig leaves from the MAKE farm & incorporated them into 2 pastries. one was a roasted pepper roll (structured like a cinnamon roll, but savory) topped with whipped ricotta & fig leaf oil. the other was a danish filled w lemon poppyseed cake & fresh fig slices, topped w fig leaf-infused flan & more figs we loved the flavor of the roasted peppers. Arely of Primas was rly enthusiastic abt the ricotta sourced from A Mano Cheese - it rly added a freshness, & the texture was like whipped cream but savory. the danish was the standout - the cake was rly moist, the figs were fresh, the flan was creamy, & the tartness of the lemon balanced the richness we rly love the seasonality of local ingredients & the sense of community in how these small businesses support each other. we also enjoyed walking through MAKE's garden & seeing all the amaranth, eggplant, squash, etc. the pastries ended up being a little pricier than usual, but we're happy to support a good cause :) read more
MAKE Cafe has moved locations over the years, but they have now settled into a permanent structure in the Normal Heights neighborhood. The concept was empowering immigrant and refugee women to staff the cafe operations. Parking in this area was all curbside as the business did not have an on-site lot. A large patio to the north of the building had several tables with canopies for seating. An outdoor bar was behind the patio where orders were taken and beverages were made. The menu was posted on a stand next to the sidewalk entrance to the patio. Hot and cold drinks made up the left side. The right side featured a list of ten food choices. I ordered a Strawberry Lemonade from the bar, but the worker said only a Peach variety was available. That fruit flavor wasn't even listed. For a lemonade, it had the appropriate ratio of tartness to sweetness I was seeking. I also purchased the Ginger Rice Congee for my order. It was a warm Asian rice porridge with mushroom XO sauce, scallion, and sesame chili crunch. A jammy egg was included and could be substituted with marinated tofu as a vegan option. I stuck with the soft-boiled egg that came as two halves within the bowl. The flavor from the XO sauce really livened up the porridge. My only concern was that for $12, the portion size should have been larger and served in a deeper vessel than the shallow bowl I received. I hope this nonprofit can succeed and also expand its food offerings. The layout with both inside and outside seating was optimal. I sat in one of the two dining rooms which were air conditioned to provide respite from the summer heat. Overall, I gave a four star rating for my weekend lunch at MAKE Cafe. read more
Service was good The food even better- beautifully made/ do see pics! Tasty! Decent prices and I absolutely love the non-profit cause. They are doing great work for refugees and immigrants. The garden is very beautiful, they use what they grow and wonderfully too! Cool area too- I hope they continue to do well! Go support this place - you'll like it! read more
EDITED TO ADD: This location just opened on June 28! They are open Thursday to Sunday and closed Monday to Wednesday in Normal Heights just off Adams Avenue. (their old place was on University Ave.) *** Amazing! This is the spot but please don't overrun it during their soft opening. It's a good cause: a nonprofit employing immigrant and refugee women in a café, using produce grown at their farm in Mission Valley next to Snapdragon. It's mostly vegetarian but they have some meat choices. But more importantly, it's an amazing space with fantastic creative food. The chef came from Mabel's Gone Fishing. I came with a big group so we could try a lot. It was hard for us to decide what was our favorite! We got: BANANA CREPE WITH ALMONDS: so delicious. MAKE BREAKFAST SANDWICH: cute little delicious egg sandwich on a potato roll with very delicious homemade chips. The green sauce on the side was the one thing I didn't like. (you can get this with an added chicken patty or vegetarian with the egg GINGER RICE congee with sesame seeds, XO sauce, and soft boiled egg. Super flavorful, comforting, umami bomb. LEMON BAR: I don't like lemon and didn't try this but the people who ate it like it. CRISPY LENTIL KOFTA BOWL: really delicious little salad with falafel type crispy lentil balls FRUIT BOWL: I wouldn't get this by itself, but it was very refreshing and we split it. And all of the drinks were super tasty. We got: --House chai -- house spiced coffee (cardamom etc.) -- strawberry lemonade: kid approved! -- cold brew All the women working here were super nice too. When we got here we were the first customers, but it filled up quickly afterwards. Consider making a reservation online to give them a heads up. anyway, 5+ stars for vibe. 5+ stars for the cause. 5 stars for service And the food is amazing! Other folks can try the dishes we didn't get to and tell us how they are. read more
Business owner information
Make P.
Thank you, Alyssa!!! Our voicemail has been updated :)
This place is very chill but beautifully decorated inside and outside. Here's the workflow. You order from the counter then get your table. The staff will deliver your order to your table. You get your own silverware, napkins and water from this same station. The menu very simple, clean and healthy. There are plenty of seats outdoors and indoors. The decor is patio style seats outside with a few umbrellas for shade. The inside is clean spacious and presents a relaxed vibe. There is street metered parking so be prepared to walk this area is popular. I enjoyed my breakfast sandwich, the cheese was oweey and gooey, the sauce was not too overpowering and the brioche bun was fresh. This dish also comes with fried crispy chips. This was filling and hits the sport. I washed this down with the fresh homemade strawberry lemondae. This would pair well with tequilla but that is for a different conversation. My wife got the Crispy Lentil Kofre Bowl. Fresh, clean and flavorful. It enough for an adult. Fresh, clean and healthy. She washed this meal down with the Hibiscus Cooler, it was very refreshing. Our friend ordered the Spiced Cold Brew Latte, it was very good, not too overbearing and refreshing. I met the executive chef Anchi Mei on the way out. Anchi was very nice and wanted to get my feedback. I let Anchi know I was very impressed with the food experience, and that we will be back. This place is open from Thursday to Sunday. We'll be back. Executive Summary: Service: 5/5 Quality of Food: 5/5 Taste: 5/5 Parking: 3/5 Good for groups: 5/5 Drinks: Unique and healthy. read more
Business owner information
Make P.
Thank you so much for the review and feedback, Jim! For the world,…
4 months ago
Visited MAKE Cafe over the weekend for breakfast. I had visited previously at their University Ave. location. This location is much more beautiful, the vibe flows a lot nicer with their concept. Offering both indoor and outdoor seating. Something about the space, location, and overall design gives you beach vibes. Cool. The service is great! The staff is very kind and professional. The food is fun! Different flavors, and textures. Nothing here is likely traditional to the items you are used to when you think of brunch or breakfast which is great! I mean they have the classics but with twist. I had one of their lemonades which was yummy. All in all a great place. I didn't see a single dog, so extra points from me on that end. read more
Business owner information
Make P.
Thank you, Michelle!
2 months ago
I ordered at a counter beautiful garden patio the banana smoothie was good I liked the peanut butter the lentil wrap was large tasty fresh vegetables very good. Very enjoyable experience read more
2 months ago
Such a good spot! I tried the MAKE breakfast sandwich with a chai, and the chicken bowl with the Botanical Sunrise. Everything was really good and flavorful, I especially love the drinks. Definitely enjoyed my visit and would come back to try more of the menu! read more
2 years ago
Second visit, March 2025 menu. 5/5 Crispy Chicken and Blue Corn Waffles: Scrumptious Masienda blue corn masa waffle topped with deliciously crispy fried chicken, chili butter and a sweet, spicy, temperature/hot, berbere-spiced maple syrup read more
2 years ago
Located in North Park, MAKE cafe offers a large and airy space with great food from various cuisines and the business supports women refugees and immigrants. We went here for brunch for the first time and we left stuffed and feeling good! Parking: Just like any other North Park establishment, expect to take time looking for street parking. Service/Ambiance: The place is huge and could accommodate larger groups. It has a rustic feel with high ceilings. You order at the cashier and they serve the food to your table. Our food came out very quickly. Food: Unfortunately we didn't have enough time to order a lot but many items on the menu looked inviting. We ended up order the MAKE Breakfast sandwich ($13) and added beef kofta sausage patty ($5). The flavor of patty was amazing and I really appreciated that the milk bread didn't crumble/get soggy-- big must for me. It was a well-made sandwich which I'd get again. Overall: I'd definitely come back to MAKE cafe to try out many other things on their menu! read more
1 month ago
I came here because this is a mission driven establishment and that really resonates with me. Also, the food was very tasty and really incorporates flavors from the countries where many of the refugees who work there hail from. I tried the trio of dips, chicken tacos and the breakfast sandwich. My favorite was the sandwich, the added beef patty was very well seasoned and the homemade brioche was pillowy. I love that everything is homemade and that many ingredients come from their local farm. Feels good to support an establishment that makes a positive impact in the community. read more
2 years ago
Great and airy place in the heart of North Park to meet up with friends for brunch. We had a large party and a dog, and they were more than happy to accommodate us on their patio outside. They are part of an organization that supports immigrant women and refugees. Plenty of seating even during peak hours (we came on a holiday weekend for brunch). The menu has so many fun items it was difficult to decide what to try. We ordered the beignets to share which came out so warm and soft. Ordered the shakshuka and it was a tad salty but very flavorful! Our waitresses seemed a little inexperienced and mixed up our party's drink orders multiple times, but everyone was friendly and warm. Wouldn't hesitate to recommend this place to others. read more
2 years ago
Food: 4.5 Service: 5 Ambiance: 4 What an amazing restaurant with an amazing cause! I was going to be in the area and went looking for some good brunch spots and this place popped up! I'm glad it did! Upon entering I was greeted with friendly hellos and was promptly seated. I already knew what to order: spread trio and the shakshuka. I also ordered the strawberry/basil drink. The spread was so delicious and tasty. It was an explosion of flavors but not in an in-your-face type of way. It was subtle. The shakshuka came out piping hot and delicious well! The strawberry/basil drink was so refreshing and perfect on that hot day. Service was excellent and you can tell they care and are doing their best. Ambiance was good but it was really hot I visited and I'm not sure if there's AC. However this minor, as everything else outweighs this. I look forward to returning to try other items on the menu! read more
I have been here countless times. When I say I could eat their food daily, I really mean it. As a Somali, I really love their malawah. It's a staple of mine most times I'm here (not pictured unfortunately!), but I love their meals in general. I have had their coffee, tea, dinners (when they had it), breakfast, lunch. It never disappoints. I love this spot so much that it was the spot for my goodbye lunch when leaving a job. Truly the best! The service is amazing. The youth are lovely. The mission is incredible. It's all locally sourced. And incredibly creative + diverse meals. Not to mention very kid friendly! Love love love. read more
2 years ago
If you want to feel good about dining out, experience a warm-hearted ambiance, and have an affordable meal... this is a new restaurant to check out!! I am so glad my friends and I randomly walked by this place on the way to Saigon Coffee. Not only was there good food, but also a restaurant concept that I fully support in terms of social justice and awareness when it comes to the ingredients they use. This agricultural kitchen employs refugees and immigrant women and youth which warms my heart because I don't see many of these establishments in San Diego. The staff was super kind, timely, and the owner herself even greeted each table to make sure we had an enjoyable experience. The items we ordered were very potato heavy but the cilantro sauce that comes with the dishes helped balance out the potatoes which had good seasoning. The Shakshuka was my favorite dish! It was full of flavor and the tomatoes were not too sour--it had the rich and sweet flavor of ripe tomatoes. All the ingredients were really fresh and even the fruits were sweet! The interior is super spacious, airy, and clean. Prices are reasonable and I love how they have a specials menu that I think changes seasonally. read more
They have moved to a new location on University avenue and it's great! I love what they did with the space! The front patio is dog friendly which Cako appreciates! What I also love is that some of my students work here so I can be obnoxious and they have to be nice to me! LOL! I love how the menu changes depending on what's available. We tried the smashburger, seasonal vegetables, and some really delicious roasted dates! The chef sent us out some burrata cheese and bread...sooooo good! We also had the chicken skewers which were delicious! We passed on dessert because we were full! This is an amazing place to come to which gives young people and immigrants food service skills that they can take anywhere. Definitely worth going to for dinner or brunch!!! Cako Approves! read more
I loved the concept and the food! MAKE Project is true farm-to-table as their food comes from their own farm! Additionally, they help refugee and immigrant women by providing job training at this restaurant. After these women get experience, they help with resumes so they can move onto another job and Make Project can help more people. This restaurant itself is big and spacious. I made a reservation since we had a group of 5, but there were open seats as well, so you'd be fine to walk up. The food was SO good. Everyone loved their meals! Good food and a great concept! Nothing to lose!!! read more
A restaurant with a story "a hyperlocal urban farm, cafe, and social enterprise with a transformative impact. We provide a paid work experience and one-on-one coaching for low-income refugee and immigrant women with employment barriers..." from their website. Feel good about contributing to a valuable learning experience, while eating delicious food from all over the world. The staff is very friendly and happy to share their experiences and practice their English. The only negative is finding parking in this busy neighborhood. Best bet is the parking garage on North Park Way, one block south, North Park garage at $1 an hour. read more
2 years ago
Business owner information
Make P.
Hi Michael!…
What a gem! We saw this place weeks ago. Walked By one afternoon. Then one Thursday we finally made reservations (via Yelp!), and voila. We dined in this lovely place and I must say, the food was fantastic. Service was lovely as well and the ambiance felt like you were surrounded by nature. I guess is the feeling that their garden gives you. Dessert was yummy and there is so much behind this organization. I highly recommend this to you wheaten you are in the are or not. It is worth es to make a special trip just to try the whole experience. Special shout out to Samantha Forusz for being so kind and come to our table to explain the organization. Amazing experience!! read more
So many yummy flavors and such a good cause! I LOVE the mission and purpose of MAKE Projects. We got the spread trio, shakshuka, and Afghan chicken tacos and everything was delicious. I think my favorite spread was the laghataq. Everything was so delicious and nicely spiced, with very friendly service. The GM makes her way to every table to say hi and discuss the project too! :) read more
Really good food here and a place with a mission! We got the afghan chicken tacos & breakfast sandwich. Both were really good! I love the regional spice influences in the dishes and the sauces. The breakfast sandwich had this homemade bread (a milk bread maybe?) that had such a nice texture. Overall the food and service here is great. Love that they have a purpose behind what they're doing as well. read more
This place was really good! I highly recommend trying this place out! The service was great and I could talk to the owner for hours. She was nice and very helpful. I absolutely loved everything I ordered. Everything is locally sourced and made in house. I love supporting their mission, helping provide real work experience for low income refugees and immigrant women and youth. Their global menu is delicious and I'll definitely be back for dinner! read more
4 years ago
I finally got a chance to check out this cute location with fresh veggies and tried out a couple of light items - although as I watched other people's dishes come out, I had some great ideas for what to order during my next visit. All of the seating is outdoors which is great, and it's a small location which creates a fun intimate feel. All of the staff was great! Kind - and positive. I tried One of the specials - the Strawberry jam roll. It was really flavorful. The Avocado toast was my favorite - Flavor wise and visually. The coffee was great too - looking forward to trying a larger dish on my next visit! Coffee read more
When was the last time you dined at a nonprofit restaurant? Have you ever? I don't believe I had either, until I tried MAKE Projects (shout-out to Jennifer A. for the review that brought me here). The experience left me overjoyed and beyond excited to return; one could say that I was full, and fulfilled. Nonprofit restaurant??? Some of you may be asking, "How?" or "Why?". Well, this mostly sustainable restaurant, isn't just looking out for our planet in terms of growing their own produce, but they're also looking out for our people, and growing them too. You see, Make Projects has several very special missions in mind, when serving you these unique and delectable eats. "Make Projects merges agriculture, kitchens, and employment; it is their mission to empower refugee and immigrant women and youth with the job readiness skills to achieve their dreams". Their vision is "to see San Diegans cross social, racial, economic, and geographic lines as we gather over our love of food, flavors, and culture". With MP, it's more than just words. Once you dine here, you'll see this vision come to life, as you soak in the genuineness and kindness of the staff, and the flavors of the food. Now unfortunately, the restaurant is no longer in the garden next to the church. I wish I had dined here then, as I was really looking forward to dining in the garden setting. However, expanding to the new location on University has allowed them the ability to serve more guests, and empower more young women; it's a win-win in my eyes. The service: Although the hostess and the manager were both new in their roles, they both did a great job. The hostess was great at recommending several dishes that you could tell they really liked; their recommendations were spot-on. The manager did a great as well, answering all of my questions, as well as giving us insight into the restaurants future endeavors. I'd just say keep in mind that there is a lot of training, and care, that goes into the food and the service, so be kind. The staff were gentle, kind, and smiling ear to ear, we should be too. The food: Don't be afraid to try things you might not have heard of. We did just that, and I am thankful for that opportunity. The Afghan breakfast taco plate was full of fresh fare, and came with a fruit salad, crispy breakfast potatoes, a cucumber and tomato salad, and 3 well built tacos. This plate was not only delicious to eat, but all of the beautiful and vibrant colors made it a pleasure to look at; it looked so good I hesitated to dive in, but only momentarily as I was ready to get my grub on. We also enjoyed a sample of the beignet-like African Mandazi (Thanks Chef Andrew), a must if you're looking for something warm and slightly sweet. The homemade apple jam that accompanied the Mandazi was excellent; I would have loved to slather that all over a double cut Duroc pork chop. Lastly, we also had the smash burger, which wasn't much of an actual smash burger, but it was tasty nonetheless. I prefer the thickness of a robust burger over a smash burger, so I wasn't bothered by this at all. I would recommend the burger only as a third or fourth dish, as the plate wasn't as substantial as the taco plate, and the burger was pretty standard. Thank you to MAKE Projects for their wonderful mission of empowerment and inclusivity! Thank you to all of the wonderful staff for making this a dining experience to remember. We'll see you soon. read more
the employees were very sweet, and helped us out since it was our first time there. we ordered, then sat ourselves. there was a lot of seating, and i really liked the large windows! we got the north african shakshuka which was good, i personally wished it was a little more heavily seasoned. i loved the zatar bread it came with though. i also got the somali malwah, which i absolutely loved. it was like a crepe filled with egg, crispy cheese, hash browns. we also added afghan chicken which made it a bit more filling! i also LOVED the bizbaz sauce, i literally wanted to drink it. would definitely recommend!! read more
3 years ago
This is the most amazing non profit ever in Northpark please come and show support it helps out a lot of refugees transition, the food grown by Robbie and Created by Chef Andrew is just so magical what wonderful things that happen here, pls pls come out on Sat or Sun 9-2 for Brunch such a beautiful place :) read more
2 years ago
Brilliant idea, and brilliant food! I had the Homemade Lemonade with Lavender, bright, tangy and slightly sweet. I also ordered the East African Mandazi beignets with jam, light and crunchy, the jam was amazing and fresh, so perfect! The Seared Locally Caught Fish Sandwich was excellent, it featured a delicious lemon aoli sauce and a side of potatoes. My only criticism were the potatoes, they needed seasoning, they had zero flavor. I will be back to try some of the other delicious-looking dishes and to help a worthy cause! read more
Couldn't recommend this place enough... Besides all the excellent food we tried, this non-profit has their own farm, sources additional local ingredients, and helps youth and women immigrants and refugees get a job. Everything was fresh and tasty and the service was quick and attentive. The place was not as busy enough as it should've been for a Saturday afternoon so feel free to show up without a reservation. Big space for large groups too. The Somali Malawah was just like a hardy potoato egg and yummy cheese in a thin crepe with fresh sides. The bizbaz sauce it came with is what makes it so good tho. Not sure what was in it... maybe cilantro and yogurt among other things... but so good. Shakshuka was tasty. And the beignets aka Mandazi were really good... not greasy at all and the seasonal jam we had was an apple cinnamon. Looking forward to going back and trying more... especially their dinner read more
2 years ago
MAKE is in a beautiful new space now so we were excited to check it out! The food was yummy and the ambiance was open and airy but welcoming. Their cider sangria cocktail was unforgettable! read more
2 years ago
This was such a nice time. My friend and I both split a French toast with banana flambe or something similar to that and something with eggs and potatoes. I know its a terrible explanation but it was delicious and there were others I would have tried. Staff was friendly and it wasn't too busy even on Saturday. We were a few mins late for the reservation. There was indoor and outdoor seating and seemed plenty of it and it was good vibes. read more
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4712 Felton St
San Diego, CA 92116
Normal Heights
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(858) 633-6852
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5 years ago
MAKE Cafe - breakfast_brunch - Updated October 2026
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