5/5 -- A Must-Visit in Whittier!
Visiting California from…read moreanother large state and city, I've been exploring beyond LA and getting to know some of the surrounding communities. This was my first visit to Whittier and my first visit to Cassidy's Corner Cafe of Whittier, so I came in with no previous experience or expectations -- and I left thoroughly impressed.
First impressions matter, and the customer service was excellent. I was immediately and warmly greeted by one of the owner's moms, who is also the wizard behind their various house-made cream cheese selections. She made me feel welcome before both of my feet had even made it through the door! Her big smile genuinely brightened the room, and the warm greetings continued with the rest of the employees as they welcomed me, my friend, and the other patrons coming in behind us.
Customer service is something I'm always "clocking" first and foremost, and this team absolutely got it right.
They have 15 different bagel varieties, so there is plenty to choose from. If you're anything like me and have a hard time deciding, I recommend looking at the menu ahead of time and going earlier in the day if you have your heart set on a particular bagel -- because some options can sell out!
In our case, we were actually arriving close to closing, so we called ahead to place our order. Owner, Natali, answered the phone, thoroughly answered our questions, went above and beyond to verify additional details for us, and even offered to take our order over the phone, which wasn't originally what we called for. Bonus points for the convenience!
Parking was also much easier than I expected. I've seen some reviews mention parking being challenging, but that wasn't my experience at all. There are a few FREE curbside spaces directly in front of the building, which is super convenient, plus plenty of FREE street parking behind the building -- just a short walk away.
Coming from a large city out of state, where parking can range from plentiful to an absolute headache depending on where you are, this parking situation in Whittier was a TREAT.
Our order was ready when we arrived, and paying was a breeze. Although the outdoor seating was nicely shaded, we chose to sit inside because the atmosphere -- and the AC! -- was great.
Speaking of atmosphere, the vibes were immaculate. The music playlist was right up my alley, the volume was perfect, and people could actually have normal-volume conversations without having to compete with the music. The space was clean, comfortable, and had some really cool ORIGINAL ARTwork, logos, and signage specific to the company and the owners of this particular location.
One wall features the chain's famous bagel wall, showcasing the different varieties they offer -- definitely a fun photo spot. The other large wall has a custom mural incorporating elements of the owners, powerful women, their families, and their culture. It's beautiful, meaningful, and gives this location its own personality. It also makes for a great backdrop/photo feature.
I unfortunately missed their updated fall decorations/ art by ONE DAY, but based on the pictures and videos I've seen on social media, they looked so good!
And finally... THE FOOD.
I ordered the Desi on an Everything Bagel along with an iced Spanish Latte, and... no notes. *Chef's kiss*
The jalapeño cream cheese was delicious, and the lemon pepper cream cheese was an addition I didn't know I needed. Both were SO good.
And the Spanish latte? Also a win. It was a nice reminder that apparently it is fall, even though none of us have really felt it yet -- ha! Adding cinnamon to coffee just elevates the whole experience, IMO.
I've also been on a personal mission this year to try Spanish and Mexican lattes wherever I travel, so naturally I had to try CCC-Whittier's version -- and they did not disappoint.
Por la señora quien prepara el queso crema: ¡gracias! Dios bendiga tus manos.
Shoutout to Natali, her mom, and the entire team for such a great experience. From the warm welcome to the convenient parking, cool atmosphere, thoughtful details, friendly service, and -- most importantly -- delicious food and coffee, this was an easy 5/5 for me.
I highly recommend Cassidy's Corner Cafe of Whittier and will definitely be back on my next trip!
If you're in the area, go support this local, Latina-owned establishment. You won't regret it!
@cassidyscornercafe_whittier (Instagram)