We've been coming here since 2010, and always look forward to their breakfast. While we don't live in Pasadena anymore, we always make a point to stop here for at least one meal whenever we're in town. It's been consistently good over the years and the service is just as good as the food. read more

Excellent food that tasted homemade and prompt service. Recommend omelets and pancakes. Nice outdoor seating too.

A cute storefront in the playhouse district seemed promising for a Sunday brunch; we found easy street parking and didn't have to wait at all for a two top outside.Service was very prompt, if a little hover-y while we were deciding. Nothing on the menu really caught my attention--a lot of things I saw seemed like things I could make myself at home. I decided to go with the classic pancakes plate after skimming some reviews, and my dining companion got the thing pictured (unsure what it was called but the waiter said it was very good and popular.) I think maybe the Yelpers who loved the pancakes have just never had pancakes from Krusteaz mix before. My pancakes had that unusually sweet and ultra-high-gluten chewiness I LOVED as a kid who didn't frequently have junk food at home, but don't really enjoy as an adult. My eggs were fluffy but nothing spectacular, and the bacon was extremely crispy to the point of instant crumbling. The other dish was also pretty lackluster. The ham looked and tasted (according to my companion) like deli ham, and the salsa was very bland. Maybe if they had something other than Tobasco and ketchup available, we could have improved the flavors. When I had some bites of the tortilla and bean purée with avocado and my scrambled eggs, the effect was okay--definitely an improvement on the soggy ham and fried egg. The potatoes were the only real winner on the table--nice and crisp and a good mix of piece sizes so you get different textures in every bite. Would really not recommend this place, at least not the food we got, unfortunately. This meal reminded me of the thing I miss least about living in the Midwest -- the overpriced (albeit still affordable/reasonable) and bland Mexican food. Plus, it's always disappointing to pay for food you know you could make better yourself. read more

Yahaira's Cafe - Pancake plate--looks better than it tasted. - Mexican Near Me - Pasadena, California

See all

Been waiting to stop and try this place. So glad I did! Que ricisimo! The coffee, with a hint of cinnamon and the Mexican omelet, AMAZING... you need to stop and visit, you will not be disapponted. The servers are the best and make sure you're being taken care of. read more

Yahaira's Cafe - Cafecito - Mexican Near Me - Pasadena, California

I ordered on their website the French Toast Breakfast. It had the option of adding berries for a little extra so I thought why not. I also ordered a half chocolate half coffee. On both food orders I put that 'lactose intolerance' so if there is any conflict with the food they'll know to call. I went for curbside pickup. I parked, and nobody is there with the food. Ok, sure, I'll call the restaurant. Wait what? The number on the yelp page is listed as a grubhub number...? Whatever, I'll just go inside and get the food. Everyone surrounding the cafe is not wearing masks and are eating and talking, and I'm just going to pick up food and get out. Keep in mind I'm very pro-mask and this time was the 1% I didn't go back to get mine at home because I thought they'd be bringing the food to me in the car in the first place. I go in, and the first thing I'm greeted with is a rude tone (and trust me it was rude, I'm not miffed that I was asked this but the tone was unnecessary) "Where's your mask?". I speak loudly (because the kitchen is loud) that I ordered curbside and am here to pick up, I didn't intend to come in in the first place. He says something, I say I cannot hear him. Instead of even trying to repeat or make any gesture, he just turns around and walks away without trying to repeat himself (what??). At some point another waiter comes, and I explain to him that I ordered curbside. He goes to get my food. He brings me my food, and then says "Hey why did you order berries? I don't know why you ordered berries, we don't have berries". Why am I being treated like it's my fault for something that was ON THEIR WEBSITE? I explain that it was an option that was provided with the ordering, I had no idea they didn't have berries. He goes oh, ok, that's weird. Then he goes on to tell me that they only have regular milk and no alternatives. This fact by itself is fine. But he looks at me with the drink, he doesn't offer to replace it, and once again the sense that I am being held at fault for something I didn't know and wasn't written on their website is there. He's standing there expecting me to just take the coffee and leave. There has been no offer at this point to replace or refund me for the berries, or the drink. I point out "I wrote that there is lactose intolerance on the order twice". He responds with "Well it goes straight to the kitchen, we didn't see it." I said "Then why didn't the kitchen talk to you about my order, or why didn't they call me to let me know that there was a conflict so I could change it? Nobody told me, how was I supposed to know, and why did no one call?" *(you are asked to give your phone number with your order) Finally the man looks resigned and asks if I would like to replace the drink and get fresh fruit in exchange for the berries. It was a fucking four dollar coffee, yes, I would like to exchange the drink. I chose orange juice (they didn't offer a menu or tell me what other things they had until I had to prompt that too. nor did they say what fruit I would get. At this point I just want to leave). The fruit they gave me was five slices of cantaloupe (poor exchange for what they offered as fresh berries). I understand Quarantine is a confusing and difficult time for places, but they handled a basic situation very very poorly and made for a terrible experience. The food itself (the french toast breakfast) was mediocre, at best average. I would recommend going to Millie's Cafe if you want good quality french toast for a good price. It's worth going out of the way for. Yahaira's isn't worth the three minute drive for that kind of service and treatment. I appreciate the last waiter offering to exchange my items, but it only came after I pointed out that they were at fault for not informing me when there was a problem. They did not make any effort to improve the situation until then, and it seemed like they were even actively trying to put blame on me for it. I like recommending hole in the wall places to my friends and family, to bring more business and support. But Yahaira's will not be getting that from me. I'm sure they won't miss us as we weren't regulars. But I want to warn other people that the food is not worth the price (at least the french toast breakfast) and their ability and attitude in dealing with basic things is poor. This place gets one star because well, at least they gave me food. read more

Labeled as a Mexican restaurant but don't come here expecting traditional Mexican food. Definitely has it's own spin on it but the food is quite good. I've been here twice and was impressed both times. Their shrimp burrito is by far my favorite. Kind of meh about the green tortilla but it's still awesome The chips and guacamole are some of the best in Pasadena. If that means anything. Homemade well seasoned chips are a triple and the guacamole brings it home. I've been here for breakfast as well. Good omelettes. read more

Have been coming here for many years Never disappointed & always happy Great food & extra clean RauL gave My daughter free fruits on the house Which was awesome of him Thank you for the kind service read more

I was soooooo skeptical when I saw the slice of tomato in my green tortilla wrapped breakfast burrito. What a classic fool I was Amazing breakfast burritos, which while not as big as Lucky Boy's, go toe-to-toe with them pound for pound and quality. I don't even get why I was skeptical, I always like some salsa on my BB and that's basically a tomato Fresh OJ too!! read more

I came here on a Saturday morning with my family. It was a great change to the typical spots we eat out at. I very much liked the location and the set up of the cafe. We sat outside just adjacent of the other restaurant and got a great experience nonetheless. The menu came up a bit short. I saw people order things that weren't on the menu so I came on here to find the delicious chicken tostada. Which I highly recommend. The breakfast burrito looks amazing too. Prices for food are fair. It was a busy morning but we got sat down quickly. Food was delicious and came out quick. Loved the guacamole and hot sauce. Great place to come. Parking is around the corner. read more

I love Yahaira's. In the past I've had nice dinners there. Since the pandemic they are open for breakfast and lunch. On weekends you can get a Vampiro to drink--carrot juice with beet juice giving it a bloody look and delicious. There a number of good breakfast and lunch items but I love the Quesadilla Especial--spinach tortilla with scrambled eggs, Ortega chiles and chorizo with a guacamole topping. Yummy. It's small but with very good and pleasant service. read more

This review is long overdue Been here many times Breakfast is always on point Ask for their specials Friendly staff read more

Yahaira's Cafe - Mexican Near Me - Pasadena, California

Come here regularly. Food consistently good, but there is a recurring problem with the soft drinks. There is a definite soapy taste to the drink. I suspect they are not putting enough water on the glasses after they clean with soap. read more

The food was fresh and delicious. Great to try a different style of Mexican breakfast. We would return and try out more dishes. I had the Yucatán eggs. Coffee was good too. read more

Didn't get to take a picture of the food bc I was HUNGRY and it was DELICIOUS! Picture- the half Cafe half chocolate, bomb, just the way my mom makes it Also ordered Huevos Yucatan + avocado, it hit the spot! Full of flavor, the potatoes were perfect too My friend ordered an omelette and we both left our plates nice and clean, like you should! Very satisfying meal, ambiance was chill, we parked on the block south of Colorado for free *1hr, we were in a rush so it felt like the server was a bit slow to take our order/ bring the drinks. It was Saturday morning...so he seemed a little swamped, but the food came out really hot and fast once we ordered. Definitely will return and order this again! read more

Yahaira's Cafe - HALF COFFEE HALF CHOCOLATE - Mexican Near Me - Pasadena, California

This place was good but not exactly what I was looking for or expecting. I had higher hopes for it but then again I only tried the breakfast. It's a cute little restaurant in the heart of Pasadena my favorite city. Plenty of parking nearby if you can find a spot or pay for parking. I ordered the Mexican panini with chicken chorizo yes chicken chorizo... it was yummy just a little too messy if you ask me. It came with a side of assorted fruits. Not sure if I think these two options complemented each other. But I'll be back to try maybe a lunch option as well. I also had a mimosa with my breakfast and it was obviously yummy. Can't go wrong with mimosas. read more

Yahaira's Cafe - Breakfast time - Mexican Near Me - Pasadena, California

See all

I'm a long time fan of Yahaira's. The chef has created some of the best traditional dishes without all the overcooked , cheesy, gunk you so typically find. It is always freshly made with an emphasis on flavors unique to each dish, and not overloaded with carbs. I'm sorry it's not open evenings now but I highly recommend it for breakfast, lunch and take out. read more

I've been to this restaurants a few times and honestly my experiences have been mixed. My first time here I didn't really feel the food is anything better than other places. Second time, slightly better. And today, I can say I'm liking the place. The difference? Today I came for breakfast instead of dinner. This place consistently gets a good crowd on weekends for breakfast. Since I was by myself, I opted to sit at the bar, which proves to be a great decision. The menu isn't too big. And almost all the meat on their breakfast menu are pork, whether it be bacon, chorizo, sausage or ham. The only non-pork meat on the breakfast menu is the steak and eggs. The prices are very reasonable, around $10-15 per dish. I opted for the California omelette which is 3 eggs with diced veggies and cheese, topped with avocado slices, all for $10.75. I opted to substitute the potatoes with fresh fruits for an additional $1.75. The portion is generous and everything was fresh. I especially appreciate them lathering ample amount of butter on my toast. I also ordered their house coffee. It's not your regular house coffee. There is something cinnamony in it, but I don't know enough about the culture to know what it is. I love it! I really enjoyed my visit today. I highly recommend sitting at the bar. Watching them cook while I eat was entertaining. These guys are super efficient and attentive. I would definitely come back more often for the breakfast. I just wish their other meals are as good as their breakfast. read more

Yahaira's Cafe - California omelette $10.75 with fresh fruits instead of potatoes (extra $1.75) Really hit the spot after a workout. - Mexican Near Me - Pasadena, California

See all

As much as I was unimpressed by my quesadilla, I still cannot help but love this little café. A 4.5 star rating is appropriate for today's experience. It has many great things going for it: * Charming location in Old Town Pasadena. * An interesting menu that explores the complexities and creativity of better Mexican cuisine. * Dog friendly. They offer dining on the sidewalk and in the breeze-way , so our Lilly pup was very welcome and very happy. * Chips are not complimentary here, but still, a nice starter. They are the freshest of fresh, crispy hot tortilla chips sprinkled with a zesty salty seasoning, and comes with a dish of great, ground chile salsa. Mr. B consumed two dishes of salsa alone, he put it on everything! * Great guacamole. Freshly made, it was chunky with tomatoes, onion, cilantro, and a hint of lime juice. Very homemade tasting. * Good coffee, with that itty bitty pinch of cinnamon that makes it delightfully different. * Great, freshly squeezed orange juice. * Nicely done proteins - My grilled shrimp was perfectly cooked. The Lomitos (tender pork marinated then sautéed in tomatoes and onion) was yummy. Mr. B had the Lomitos in a scramble. That would be definitely a repeater! * Well seasoned black beans (oh, I could eat that all day!). * Great, friendly service and quick turnaround. Now, down to the one disappointment: *The quesadilla was awfully plain. Simply a folded green spinach tortilla and white cheese cut into four slices. The cheese, while good tasting and completely melted, was not enough to fill the entire half side of the tortilla, so nearly a fourth of it was just softened tortilla, nothing else. They made it into their signature "grilled shrimp" quesadilla by strategically placing about 6 good sized, nicely grilled and seasoned shrimp on top with a scoop of guacamole. I guess I was looking for something with a little more, je ne sais pas. Attractive, but overall, not at all exciting. I would skip this one and go for shrimp in a different presentation. Just so you know... the inside is quite snug, with only about 5 tables and a handful of stools that provide counter seating. The outdoor seating is more than double what the inside can offer, and is mostly well sheltered from the sun and rain, but they cannot offer air conditioning. They do have outdoor heaters however for cold weather. And parking seems to be a challenge. There is limited parking on the street, and it is all metered. There are parking lots, but expect to pay, no freebies. The nearest parking lot is located to the rear of their building that houses many other hidden little boutique stores and several small restaurants. This place is a keeper. I would not hesitate to return. I am thrilled that they serve breakfast, lunch and dinner and will keep them in mind when passing through Pasadena. read more

See all

I'm not the biggest fan of yuppie Mexican food restaurants, but the food and service here was very good. I ordered the Scrambled Mexican plate which is a close equivalent of Huevos a la Mexicana. The flavor and amount of food was good and reasonably priced. I requested the hottest chili salsa on the side and it wasn't hot and spicy the way I like it. If you like gringo Mexican food then you will enjoy eating here. read more

Yahaira's Cafe - Breakfast time - Mexican Near Me - Pasadena, California

This breakfast burrito was going through an identity crisis...who the hell put this in a green tortilla!? This was obviously a "wrap" disguised as a breakfast burrito. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/yahairas-caf%C3%A9-pasadena-2?select=Dy7hhIdr6AWvhp_gHTQ8ng#Dy7hhIdr6AWvhp_gHTQ8ng But pretty damn good with the salsa, nonetheless...so all is forgiven. read more

See all

After the wonderful time I had at Cafe Verde........................... We ended up here at Yahaira's, it's been a long while since we've been here, service was friendly even though I just ordered ice water to drink though the wife did have coffee that was delicious!, and food was ready in no time. Omelette Bacon - http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/X40WQo60E-7MU8Ua_Xnrzg?select=7kax5RfJhlmNq6I4fHc2Cw Omelette was cooked nicely and had a good amount of bacon, I also liked the potato's they had a nice little crunch to the outside, but the two corn tortillas were stuck together and when separated fell apart. 4-Stars Lomitos Scrambled - http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/X40WQo60E-7MU8Ua_Xnrzg?select=YRF4xUX5qElZN07ARQMdmA Tender pork stewed in tomato and garlic, scrambled into eggs and topped with jack cheese, with home fried potato's, guacamole and corn tortillas. I was hoping the pork had a little more flavor but it was still a very good dish, the eggs were nice the cheese was just the right amount and with the added salsa it's a winner, my only complaint again is the tortillas. 4.5-Stars Salsa - http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/X40WQo60E-7MU8Ua_Xnrzg?select=9dkpKFMcmnaJCSYQ7taP7Q Medium heat but great flavor! read more

See all

Came here on New Years Day - wanted to go to Urth Cafe but they were so packed we didn't want to wait around for a table. This place was not to far so we decided to check it out and they had plenty of seats so we decided to give a try. Sat at the counter - watched them cook and put everything together - it wasn't very appealing since I felt like they were kind of dirty...putting together burritos and salad with their un-glove hands...definitely wasn't a super appetizing thing to see. But hey at least I know food didn't drop and put back onto the plate. I ordered a Mexican Scramble and it was okay ... though the portions were pretty small for 10 bucks... especially the potatoes - it was very little. My boyfriend had their Fish Tacos and those were pretty good and the portions were a little better than my scramble. The service was alright. Overall, the portions were a little too small for the price and I just don't really think the place is all that super clean. read more

Yahaira's Cafe - Fish Tacos with black beans and guacamole - Mexican Near Me - Pasadena, California

See all

Pretty damn fresh, not at all funky, and all Mexican fresca. Holla! So next door to Yahaira's is some Japanese restaurant and I'm thinking "why the hell are there TWO Japanese restaurants like 10 feet away from each other?" Unlike 99% of all other Mexican food Yahaira's tostadas and burritos will leave you feeling like you took a shower. Okay maybe not a shower, but probably healthy...that kidding-myself-thinking-it's-healthy healthy feeling. The greens they use here aren't all iceberg cheap ish...not even in their tostadas! It had arugula and a bunch of other stuff. I think that says a lot. The service at high noon was superb and it wasn't at all crowded. Lunch with a coke (and a smile) will cost you about $10. I am definitely going back to try the rest of the items on their menu. They get a 5 because of decent pricing, good service, and excellent food. read more

See all

3.5 stars. This is a little modern latin food cafe. The reason we gave it a try was because we were told they will deliver to Madport Wine Lounge which is right next door. Perfect. We were starved, but wanted to relax with some wine. We called in our order from Madport. I expected them to deliver our food in to-go boxes, but they treated us as if we were patrons seated in their restaurant. The waiter brought cloth napkins and flatware and our entrees in real plates. He brought appetizers first, then came with the entrees, checked on us a couple times, then brought the dessert menu and our bill. Ha! This was great! And now the food. Hit and miss. You have to pay for chips and salsa. Meh, alright. But they won't let you order just chips and salsa, you only have the guacamole and chips option. Bummer, I most often just want chips and salsa, no guac. Probably won't get that often then. The Empanadas de la Noche was good. Ground turkey, chorizo, and potato filling with a red tomatillo sauce. Moist filling with super crunchy shell. The Pasilla Chile was okay. Stuffed w/ black beans, grilled chicken, and veggies. My friend said she didn't like all the corn in it because it reminded her of TexMex food. It's not something I would order again, but I didn't hate it, just thought it was a bit bland. De Lomitos pork taco was good. Tender pork with tomato garlic sauce and refried beans to make it moist and leave your fingers wet. Yum. Grilled chicken taco. No. It was all white meat. No. My family would use that WHOLE chicken when they cooked. There was no taking skin off or only using the breast. And for good reason. DRY!!! This was the driest taco. Didn't even finish it. The tacos came in a combo plate, but you only get one side. So no rice and beans. I picked potato salad. Potato salad was pretty good. Not as good as mine (hehe), but good and creamy. We will most likely be calling Yahaira's again while we wine away the hours at the wine bar because the service was great and very convenient. read more

See all

I live nearby have come here countless times. Favorite place for brunch hands down. Great outdoor seating and extremely friendly staff

Not as authentic as I was expecting. The food was just ok. Yahaira's is more of a place for those health nuts. I ordered a shrimp quesadilla and I was expecting rice and beans with my dish because it cost around $10. When I get my food I just see a quesadilla cut into 4 pieces with some shrimp placed on top. The quesadilla was lacking a bit of flavor, but my girlfriends chicken quesadilla was a little better. Can't say anything negative about the service because the owner or the person I believe was the owner was really nice and welcoming. For those of you craving organic Mexican food, this would be a decent place to try. It was a little too pricey for my taste, without having much taste. read more

Yahaira's Cafe - Shrimp quesadilla - Mexican Near Me - Pasadena, California

See all

Decided not to go with our Happy Hour plans since we couldn't figure out where to park and circling Old Pasadena isn't as fun when people are constantly crossing when they're not supposed to.... So we ended up here, thanks to the Yelp app! Loved their sangria. It might have taken a while for the guy to make it but it was definitely worth the wait since he was waiting on fresh fruit. He sent somebody to go buy some. The complimentary bread with dip also alleviated our wait. I ordered a green chicken burrito. The chicken was flavorful and was even better with the sauce it came with. Definitely a nice find in Pasadena :) read more

See all

I haven't ordered anything I don't like here. Ok I admit that most of the time I ordered the Green Burrito with Steak or Pork. Still, friends ordered something else and I tasted their orders too, and those are equally delizh. If you're watching your carb intake, go for the green burrito. No rice. Just mounds of veggie. I usually ordered mine without cheese. The Steak and Pork (lumitos) are recommended, although my husband swears by the steak adobado. Either is juicy and the meat soft and tasty. If you're not watching your calories or carb, ORDER THE FRIES! Ask for light seasonings or no salt if you have sensitive taste buds. Health freak or not, order the red drink, Vampiri is the name I think. The color is as beautiful as it is refreshingly good! Tips: ALWAYS ASK FOR THE DAY SPECIAL. I had their pumpkin omelet for brunch last Fall and have been thinking about it every time I go there ever since. read more

See all

My new favorite breakfast place! I no longer need to drive a few cities over for some good breakfast! To make it even better, it's with a nice mexican twist, which means more flavor and spice! The people are so friendly. It's a small spot, almost easy to miss, but there's outside and indoor seating including bar seating. You can also have a beer with your breakfast. We ordered the Bacon, spinach and sausage omelet as well as the traditional breakfast. The portions are pretty generous too and they serve breakfast until 2pm. The also have another branch nearby that's supposed to be larger, El Portal Restaurant. We'll most likely give that place a try next time. read more

See all

Yahaira's Cafe is one of our favorite breakfast place. We like the food here. These three we ordered are our favorite. read more

See all

Breakfast burrito 10/10. I ordered this burrito plus I added some guacamole and black beans and it was so good! Next time I'll try it without meat but overall it was a great experience. I'm glad i stumbled upon this place on yelp. The restaurant was so cute, I loved everything about it. They also had free WiFi so I did some homework while I ate. read more

Yahaira's Cafe - Breakfast burrito + guac & black beans - Mexican Near Me - Pasadena, California

Fresh and fast food. Nice street side vibe. Great tasting Mexican panini! Staff is wonderful! Super place to stop, eat, and hang out.

Okay, in preparing to write this I took a look at the menu to find the name of my favorite dish and it's not there! I have been ordering this for years. Could it be true that I'm ordering something that is not even on the menu and they just continue to make it for me w/o saying anything, or is this like the "secret" In'n'Out menu, you can order it but it's not listed? Okay, so the order is Stuffed Poblano Peppers. They are spicy and packed with rice, chicken, and veggies, with crema drizzled on top and red sauce surrounding. I love this dish so much that I even order it at El Portal (since it's all in the family) a few restaurants down and they go pick it up at Yahaira's. Now that's great service! Today I went for lunch and had Yahaira's Tuna Sandwich (w/tomatoes and cilantro). Wish I would have known to ask them about the mystery of the missing dish. Although I try not to eat fries during the week (gotta cut back sometimes), I can never pass up fries at Yahaira's. They are the best in town if you like a crunchy fry. Since even the side portion tends to be huge, I usually ask if they will do half salad-half fry and they always say it's no problem. Again, great service! And I like whoever it is in the back that sings Mexican songs while he works. I love to hear people sing when they work. Also, try the Mexican hot chocolate for dessert. Yum-me! read more

Love Yahaira's. You can't beat their breakfasts or the shrimp burrito! It's one of our go to places for relaxed brunch!

This place really exudes a contemporary yet authentic Mexican breakfast. The decor is very contemporary Spanish. It's very lively with Spanish music playing. The service was great even though it was a bit busy. The food came out right away and the crowd was fun. We had California omelette and el gallo omelette with a side order of sausage and guacamole. The omelette a were delicious and came with potatoes and a side of toast. The California omelette was the best of the two. My only complaint was that the sausage was over cooked. Other than that the Experiance was great. Will definitely recommend. read more

See all

The breakfast here is amazing even the standard pancake was amazing very well made. Cute interior too

Tried the shrimp tostada and the results are (drumroll) ..... GOOD !!! I like that there is a lot of salad and the meal was light and not too heavy. Overall good ! Not very spicy so you may want to ask for hot sauce to jazz it up. With that being said, I still like the breakfast a bit more. But still it very nice, the waiters are really friendly too. This place is cool. read more

What not to like. The food is always delicious. Writing this review makes me think of what I want next time I am back. I love the fact that when I order desserts, they just run over to El Portal to get them. It's a good thing they are related. Thank you very much for always provide the yummy food. read more

We stopped in for a quick lunch, and sat on patio ( see photo), which is nice. Service could have been better. Food was pretty good. We probably won't return. Waitstaff not very friendly or attentive. read more

Small place. Very well kept. I was originally walking to Tender Greens until I smelled their food from outside. That was it for me. I wanted their food. I ordered the salmon burrito which the tortilla is spinach. My burrito taste so good. OMGOSH.. Can you say the BOMB.com!! Best burrito ever! Definitely will come here again. So fresh and uber good! read more