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Mel Dog's Cafe

4.1 (259 reviews)
Closed • 7:00 am - 3:00 pm

Mel Dog's Cafe Photos

Business Info

MEL DOG'S CAFE ATMOSPHERE

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

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French dip with freezer fries.
Ann L.

I waited a day just to digest my experience here. Pun intended. I can still say a day later - I just don't get it. With all of the great reviews I was expecting a pretty decent breakfast spot with some killer food and great service. Just not our experience. We were greeted and chose our spot. Menus were dropped. We've seen three different people at this point. Order taken and then the wait begins. There were 5 tables total in the place. Two have their food. Our food takes 30 minutes to arrive. The table after us is a 40 minute wait for food. Not what I expected at all. The food is freezer to fryer and I am doubting that anything is made in house. Also not what I expected for the reviews they are receiving. Definitely a been there done that experience for me and I am done.

California Omelette-Military Style
Ed S.

Another place I use to go to Mel Dog's Cafe 9766 Waterman Rd, Ste B, Elk Grove, CA 95624. It has been years so today I decided to check it out. This restaurant is in an industrial complex so a bit hard to find. I walked into a pretty full restaurant being served by one server. It was about 8:15 AM and I thought this was going to be slow service. Not at all! I was seated, drinks delivered and order taken pretty quick. The server seemed to know everyone. She was obviously very experienced so I went with her suggestion of a California Omelette. At 9:00 AM other servers showed and started helping her. This omelette was made military style, very thin egg wrap with fresh ingredients. Another thing I liked was the large mug for my tea, which was refilled as needed with hot water. The potatoes, pancakes and everything else was spectacular. The Chef in the back obviously took great care in its preparation. The home made salsa was incredible. The ambience is a very clean, well laid out restaurant. They have nice tables and chairs that were properly spaced. The only negative thing I have to add are the huge portions they give. A great place for breakfast or lunch that I HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

All Yum
Bobbie R.

First time here. I had the pancake breakfast. Saved 1 pancake & 1 bacon for breakfast tomorrow. Large portions. Great service. A homey dining room. Lots of parking. We will be back.

California scramble with sausage instead of bacon
Ray Y.

Great place to walk and have breakfast after your car is being worked on down the street! Awesome California scramble that hits the spot!

Side salad
Roya J.

Local food joint with a nice menu selection and attentive service. The decor is right up my alley with various signs and license plates hanging on the walls and behind the counter. Prices were good and food was average. Felt the portions were on the smaller side and the roast beef sandwich was a lighter on meat than what I like, but had good flavoring. Seemed popular with the locals.

1) Breakfast omelette meal and 2) Chicken nuggets and fries.

Fun oldies diner. Service is very friendly and attentive. The food was really good with large portions. Prices are reasonable. I will definitely be coming back.

Biscuits and Biscuits & Gravy Platter

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2 years ago

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1 year ago

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7 months ago

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1 year ago

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9 months ago

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7 months ago

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3 months ago

Good place for a good meal. They need to pay attention to their restrooms cuz they're kinda gross.

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1 year ago

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9 months ago

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3 years ago

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8 months ago

Parts of the restaurant was quite dark. Food was ok nothing special. Service is not bad. Won't be going back

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4 months ago

Hard to know as it is not open on Sunday or Monday. Please update hours in Yelp. Food and prices look amazing. Wish it was open.

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2 years ago

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9 months ago

Food, service, and culture was great! Definitely recommend and im coming back! Love the ambiance.

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9 months ago

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2 years ago

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1 year ago

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1 year ago

This place is always closed. They need to update yelps hours! 3rd time tryin to go and closed :(

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3 years ago

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4 years ago

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1 year ago

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2 years ago

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8 months ago

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4 years ago

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1 year ago

The food, ambience and people were nice. We will go back, I just didn't like the portion size of the food.

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11 months ago

Your basic run-of-the-mill breakfast place. Nothing really stood out to me, except the boxed pancake mix flavor.

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3 years ago

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2 years ago

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11 months ago

Very busy spot. Obviously regulars. Service is good. Food can be better. Just too rushed. Ok for kids, good parking.

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1 year ago

Good food good service good ambience. I had a small meal. Will try more food soon! I love that breakfast is served all day!

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1 year ago

Great service and huge portions at affordable prices! Our server was very attentive, despite how jam packed they were.

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1 year ago

The breakfast was amazing. You can't beat the prices they have. The staff is very friendly. I highly recommend this restaurant.

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2 years ago

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1 year ago

Good food. Made fresh always Served hot not warm. great service. Owners are wonderful.

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1 year ago

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3 years ago

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2 years ago

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3 years ago

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7 years ago

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Xulo Coffee Bar - Tortuga

Xulo Coffee Bar

4.3(319 reviews)
1.5 mi
•$$

Cute Mexican café scene in Elk Grove! This was my second visit since they opened during the…read morepandemic. They offer a great selection of coffee drinks and brunch items, including their Tortuga Conchas, which are the perfect size for kids. COFFEE Xulo Ceremonial Matcha - 5/5: Well-balanced and not overly sweet. Xulo Mojito - 5/5: My favorite drink of the visit! Dulce de Leche Latte - 4/5: Tasty, but not my personal favorite. Mexican Mocha - 4/5: Rich and enjoyable. This is a great spot for breakfast or lunch, with plenty of seating both indoors and outdoors. Service was quick, and the staff was welcoming and friendly.

We walked in with a positive attitude and were looking forward to trying this place for the first…read moretime. It was a VERY disappointing service. Our order included chilaquiles with extra avocado, avocado toast, two Mexican mochas, and pan de muerto. With tax and tip, we paid $64.32, so this was not a cheap breakfast. We paid at 11:21 a.m. My husband did not receive his chilaquiles until 12:07 p.m., and my avocado toast arrived at 12:10 p.m. (49 minutes later). While I was still waiting, the waiter said, "I'll be back with your waffles," even though I had ordered avocado toast with no egg. The chilaquiles and Mexican mochas were good. However, the avocado toast had absolutely no flavor, and the potatoes had no seasoning. I only ate them because I had paid for them. I understand that restaurants get busy, but at a minimum, staff should check in, acknowledge the delay, and reassure customers that they haven't been forgotten. Instead, we waited nearly 50 minutes with very little communication. The long wait, order confusion, lack of communication, and bland food made the overall experience disappointing, especially at this price. If you decide to go to Xulo, hold off on tip until after you receive your food and see how the service actually is on that day. Don't make the same mistake I made. For excellent chilaquiles and service, just go to Blue Agave!

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Xulo Coffee Bar - Adorable cafe

Adorable cafe

Xulo Coffee Bar - Banana Strawberry Waffle & Lattes

Banana Strawberry Waffle & Lattes

Xulo Coffee Bar - Dulce de Leche + Cajeta Lattes with oat milk

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Dulce de Leche + Cajeta Lattes with oat milk

Boulevard Bistro - The world's best bread pudding with apple crisp and caramel sauce.

Boulevard Bistro

4.6(922 reviews)
0.9 mi
•$$

I've been a long time since I came here, but I need to return very soon…read more I've been to this establishment multiple times, and never once had I wished that the food was better, the environment needed anything else, or that the service needed calibrating. The food is always phenomenal, the ambiance is always perfect (which is tough for smaller restaurants like this - they NAILED it), and the service is always impeccable. Thanks for the good memories, Boulevard Bistro - see you soon!

Had dinner here.. always so delicious! Restaurant is quite small and reservation is highly…read morerecommended. For a Thursday evening they were still very busy. Service is always so amazing! The staff is super attentive and ready to fill your cups or take away any finished dishes. Tonight I had the plum salad. Sounded a little on the wild side but it was amazing! So sweet and refreshing I ate every bit of it! Loved it! For my entree I picked the braised short ribs .. it was so tender! I was put off by the blue cheese mash beneath it a bit but it's ok because the short rib was so delicious. For dessert I had the berry crumb cobbler. The cobbler came with a dollop of vanilla ice cream on top. It was great! The berries were sweet and the crumb top was so buttery. Everything flowed deliciously. My husband had the filet mignon.. he said it was made medium rare just as he asked. And of course the crème brûlée is the reason why he keeps coming back lol My go to for fine dining in Elk Grove! Love the intimate scenery with great food!

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Boulevard Bistro - Elegantly Dining Area

Elegantly Dining Area

Boulevard Bistro - Deviled Eggs

Deviled Eggs

Boulevard Bistro

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Mimi's Cafe - Biscoff muffin

Mimi's Cafe

3.4(981 reviews)
2.9 mi
•$$

I attended a meeting at Mimi's, and we chose a selection of appetizers since it was mid afternoon…read more We had a platter that included chicken quesadillas, chicken strip and artichoke and spinach dip with corn chips, and the chicken wings, one habanero sauce and one buffalo. I liked the artichoke and spinach dip, and the rest of they appetizers were not bad, but were kinda dry. The chicken in the quesadillas were especially dry, and chicken strips were battered and fried well, but the chicken was also dry. The chicken wings are popular with our group, with both, very good flavor, and a little spicy kick, but they were hard to chew. The server was very efficient and nice, and checked on us frequently. My future visit to Mimi's will be for their great breakfasts, or for dinner, and maybe skip the appetizers next time.

Top-Notch Food & Service!…read more What an amazing way to end our night! After spending 8 hours on the Harley in 100-degree weather, we were hot, tired, and ready for a good meal--and this place absolutely delivered! I wish I had gotten our waitress's name because she was incredible. She was welcoming, attentive, and made us feel right at home. I had the braised beef over mashed potatoes, and it was absolutely delicious. I had to order a side of green beans because they're my favorite, and they did not disappoint! My meal also came with a side salad, and the house dressing was fantastic. We ordered dessert to go, and even though we haven't dug into it yet, it looks AMAZING! From the incredible service and delicious food to the welcoming atmosphere, everything was top-notch. Thank you for taking such great care of us and making us feel so welcome. It was the perfect ending to a very long, very HOT day on the bike! We will definitely be back!

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Mimi's Cafe
Mimi's Cafe - Chilaquiles

Chilaquiles

Mimi's Cafe - Avocado bacon omelette

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Avocado bacon omelette

Jamie's Cafe - Deep-Fried Strawberry French Toast Special

Jamie's Cafe

4.3(635 reviews)
6.5 mi
•$$

Ok, my co-worker kept telling me how good the deep fried strawberry French toast is, so of course,…read morethat's what I ordered. Served with eggs and choice of meat; I got the sausage links. Oh my, the French toast is a huge portion and beautifully presented with a side of whipped cream and strawberry compote on top. It's not as sweet as it looks (perfect for my taste) and the toast had crispy edges. Sausage was good but needed to be cooked just a bit longer, so you get that snap when you bite it. Scrambled eggs were good too. My husband got the chorizo burrito with tater tots on the side. He liked the burrito but said it did have little kick to it. The tots were fried to perfection and not oily. My brother ordered the "Dad's Mash Up," all kinds of stuff (breakfast meats and cheese) served on top of tots and covered in gravy. It was a pile of food, no complaints from my bro. Service was great and welcoming as soon as we walked in. No wait on a Wednesday morning, but I imagine there is on the weekends. I let our server know it was my brother's birthday, and after we were finishing up our meals, they brought him a complimentary small plate of the strawberry French toast! That was a fantastic way to end his celebratory breakfast. My only complaint, which is more of a suggestion, is to have flavored cream available besides half and half. The coffee is strong and delicious and our cups were never empty. Thank you, Jamie and staff, for a wonderful and yummy first visit. We'll be back!

We've been wanting to try Jamie's Cafe for a while now after coming across several reels on social…read moremedia that caught our attention, so we finally decided to give it a shot! Upon entering, we were immediately greeted by a very friendly gentleman behind the counter, which was a great first impression! Unfortunately, the service throughout the rest of our visit wasn't quite as welcoming or attentive. As far as the food goes, everything was pretty good! The country fried steak was a little on the tough side, but overall, the food was decent, especially considering the very reasonable prices. The atmosphere was definitely another positive! I really enjoyed the cozy environment, and everything appeared to be clean, well-maintained, and nicely organized, which made for a comfortable dining experience. Overall, I'm giving Jamie's Cafe 4 out of 5 stars. The food, prices, and atmosphere were all enjoyable, but I do feel the service could use some improvement. We weren't checked on during our meal or even asked if we wanted a refill on our water, which was a little disappointing. That being said, I wouldn't mind giving this place another shot! Hopefully, the service will be a little more attentive next time around.

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Jamie's Cafe - They are all decorated for the season!

They are all decorated for the season!

Jamie's Cafe - Eggs bacon tater tots and a biscuit.

Eggs bacon tater tots and a biscuit.

Jamie's Cafe - Deep-Fried Strawberry French Toast Special

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Deep-Fried Strawberry French Toast Special

Tule Coffeehouse - I got the "Italian Panini Sandwich" - 11/10

Tule Coffeehouse

4.5(345 reviews)
0.6 mi
•$$

Back in my hometown of Sacramento for a family visit and while in Elk Grove,I wanted to try Tule…read moreCoffeehouse. It is situated in the quaint old small downtown of Elk Grove, and it has a really cool vibe even on the outside. Once inside, I wanted to try one of their coffees and one of their breakfast sandwiches, which I had heard were terrific. I had a large hot latte which was very satisfying. Their roast is robust without being bitter or overpowering. Not the strongest cup of coffee I have ever had, but very good nonetheless. If you prefer more kicked, then I would have them add an extra shot. Off of their Panini menu, I tried a grilled cheese sandwich that I added bacon to. All of the ingredients on the inside of the Panini were terrific, but the star of the show is thick cut sourdough bread. When toasted up as part of being a grilled cheese, it is crunchy and flavorful. A tremendous sandwich. I look forward to returning to try something else on the menu. This is strictly a breakfast and lunch place. They close at 2 PM, however, it is worth making the drive and trying Tule. By the way, the team behind the counter was incredibly friendly, welcoming, and helpful. They all added to the experience.

I'm a big advocate on good matcha, and I love making my own as well as buying them. From the photos…read moreI've seen for Tule, it had a promising color to their matcha. That's the first thing I look at. Today I ordered: an iced oat matcha latte with light maple syrup. I get sweetener because if the matcha isn't good, then I'll be drinking sweet milk. Bacon breakfast sandwich and a chocolate banana bread. Location is in old Elk Grove, love the public parking next to the building. Small inside with seating and also has outdoor seating. It's a great place for people to meet up. Breakfast sandwich was good. Love the cheese pull. The banana bread was cold and stale. Only because they forgot about it (busy) and so they didn't warm it up and gave it to me as is. But it's ok. Matcha: Color: it was a good color. Not forest green but a nice green. Umami: none. It was ceremonial grade (as advertised) but a very weak matcha. Natural sweetness: none Balanced bitterness: towards the end of the drink, there's a hint of bitterness. Aftertaste: a hint of seaweed. Overall it's your everyday matcha. It was a good balance between matcha and oat milk. No flavor overpowering each other. And That's why I say it's a good everyday matcha. I'll always order a regular iced matcha latte because I prefer more matcha to dessert matcha .

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Tule Coffeehouse - Indoor seating and decor.

Indoor seating and decor.

Tule Coffeehouse - Mortadella Breakfast Sando

Mortadella Breakfast Sando

Tule Coffeehouse - Tule Fog and Banana Haze

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Tule Fog and Banana Haze

Original Mikes Diner

Original Mikes Diner

3.5(402 reviews)
2.7 mi
•$$

We dined at Original Mike's Diner on a Thursday evening to take advantage of their senior night…read morespecial, where regular menu items (excluding steak and the senior menu) are 50% off from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM when you order a beverage. It's a great deal and made it easy to justify trying one of their signature comfort-food plates. Here's what I got: 4pc Broaster Chicken The Broaster chicken dinner was the standout and easily my favorite part of the dinner. The four-piece meal is regularly priced at $19.99 and comes with a choice of side, plus garlic toast or cornbread, along with a salad. The chicken arrived golden, crispy, and exactly how broasted chicken should be--moist inside with a crunchy exterior that tasted fresh, not greasy. I chose the mashed potatoes as my side and they were creamy with chunks of potato whipped within. They were topped with country gravy, turning these spuds into full-on comfort food. The cornbread was a large, satisfying portion; the whipped butter and honey on top rounded it out nicely and made it feel like a classic diner treat. Vegetable and Salad The vegetable side was the one miss on the plate. The zucchini, broccoli, squash and carrots seemed to be steamed and were noticeably overcooked and sitting in water, which made them soggy. The side salad, on the other hand, was solid. I opted for blue cheese dressing, which tasted like it was made in-house and added a lot of flavor. There were a few pieces of lettuce with brown edges that I just removed, but overall the salad was fresh enough and a nice way to start the meal. Service was friendly from the moment we walked in. We were greeted right away, offered a choice of a booth or table, and seated quickly, even though it was senior night and the discount window can draw a crowd. The interior looks and feels like a classic diner: red accents, country-style decor on the walls, a TV with the news playing, and a front counter where you pay as you leave. Near the entrance there's a pie case showing off their desserts--in particular, an apple pie that looked very tempting and is on my list to try next time. Overall, Original Mike's Diner delivers satisfying diner food, warm service, and a straightforward, old-school atmosphere, with the Broaster chicken and sides carrying the experience. The overcooked veggies keep it from being a perfect visit, but the generous senior discount and friendly staff make this an easy 4-star spot I'm happy to return to--especially on Thursday nights. Simply Wonderful!!

Stopped here while I was working in the area and it was a great little spot with good customer…read moreservice and good food! The portion size was pretty big and the food had ok flavor. I had the chicken Fried steak but tasted like the frozen patties from Sam's or Costco that were just microwaved and put on a plate with gravy. While it was ok on flavor don't know how while I wouldn't eat here again unless I tried their breakfast. Maybe I will try that next time

Photos
Original Mikes Diner - Inside

Inside

Original Mikes Diner
Original Mikes Diner - I had cheeseburger n onion rings from Senior lunch menu.   Very tasty!  Jukebox at my table ...

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I had cheeseburger n onion rings from Senior lunch menu. Very tasty! Jukebox at my table ...

18 Grams Coffee & Tea - Iced white mocha & sea salt cream iced coffee

18 Grams Coffee & Tea

4.4(824 reviews)
1.7 mi
•$$

I love love love this place! One of my favorite things about coming here is how convenient and…read morequick everything is, especially when I'm trying to grab something before work. You can easily place your order on the touch screen, and they have it ready in no time! My go to order is always their matcha latte with oat milk and simple syrup, and it never disappoints. It's so good every single time! They also have a nice selection of pastries, and I have to give a special shoutout to their pandan cookie. It's seriously baked to perfection! Always super soft, moist, and full of flavor, just the way I like it. Definitely one of my favorite treats to pair with my matcha! Aside from the drinks and pastries, I really love the atmosphere here. The space is super spacious with high ceilings and a beautiful art wall that adds so much character to the place. It has such a nice, welcoming vibe whether you're stopping by for a quick drink or just want somewhere to sit and relax. The staff are always so friendly and welcoming, which makes every visit even better. I've had nothing but good experiences here, and it's definitely a spot I keep coming back to. Highly recommend checking this place out if you haven't already!

Seating: Indoor with AC…read more Parking: Free and plenty of space in the complex Vibe: Urban industrial feel with a large mural wall. It's noticeably smaller than their main Midtown location, but still comfortable. They offer a selection of snacks for purchase, including cookies (ube, pandan), muffins, burritos, and quiches. Quiches can be heated upon request. Popular drinks: "1987" (iced) and Vietnamese Hazelnut. I tried the 1987 drink. For my taste, it was a bit too creamy and on the sweeter side. Service: Quick and efficient. You can either use the self-serve station or order/pay directly at the counter.

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18 Grams Coffee & Tea - Wall mural

Wall mural

18 Grams Coffee & Tea - Ube latte iced

Ube latte iced

18 Grams Coffee & Tea - 1987 topped with Sea Salt Cream & Ibarra Chocolate

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1987 topped with Sea Salt Cream & Ibarra Chocolate

Mel Dog's Cafe - breakfast_brunch - Updated October 2026

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