Hidden hole in the wall Filipino desert cafe. Offering drinks like halo-halo, Sago at gulaman and much more. Grace was very helpful and knowledgeable. She recommended the Coco Mocha, and glad she did. I would best describe it as a lighter version of halo halo, without all the beans and heavier toppings. And made coconut milk which add another layer of flavor. Plus it helps with lactose issues. Definitely a great alternative for halo-halo. They also have savory snacks like empanadas and siopao. You can also pre-order desserts too. Will be back to try other things. read more

Coated Cafe - Menu - Bakeries Near Me - National City, California

I found this place through Yelp and decided to stop by since I was in the area. It's a small little cafe, mom and pops own typa shop. I heard they were known for their empanadas so I got 1 chicken and 1 beef. Unc's notice it was my first time there and swear they are delicious. Well HE SURE AS HELL WASN'T LYING. These are the best empanadas I've had by far! It was $2.25 a piece. They are delicious!!!! Please come by and support this cafe! You won't be disappointed! read more

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My dad and I stumbled upon this place in maybe May or June 2020 when we were picking up halo halo from Erlinda's. I saw a sign for ube cheese pan de sal and just had to try some. While I thoroughly enjoyed the Ube cheese pan de sal, what's kept my family coming back are the chicken empanadas - something about the dough and the filling hits just right. They have become a constant for family gatherings or whenever we're craving them. When my grandmother passed in February 2021, we wanted to find a way to feed funeral guests while still taking into consideration Covid safety protocols. I called Coated Cafe and asked for an order of 4 dozen empanadas. When I mentioned that they were for to go food bags for a funeral, they offered to individually wrap them as seen in my second photo. This was so helpful- it lightened the burden during a difficult time. When Coated Cafe was temporarily closed, the family group text was so sad. My family and I love Coated Cafe and were overjoyed when they reopened. I have since move to LA, but as soon as I get to my parents' house, they have a box of chicken empanadas waiting for me. Nothing but love for the team at Coated Cafe. read more

Coated Cafe - Chicken empanadas individually wrapped - Bakeries Near Me - National City, California

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I only come for the Filipino style chicken and beef empenandas. I will drive clear across town for them. But always call ahead -- because I, apparently, am not the only person in San Diego County who is hooked on this place. It has happened more than once that I have driven 20 minutes whilst nurturing a craving for Coated Cafe only to arrive that they have been for hours sold of of the thing I absolutely need. The owners are caring and absolutely dedicated to their craft. That alone is a draw. And you can taste the love in their food (all desserts with a few savory options). Here, you can find ube items, pan de sal, cheese garlic bread, cakes (sometimes chocolate cakes), mango fruit cups and drinks like passion fruit tea. Lots of other items, including soda to go. There is ample parking and indoor seating for a few people, though I have never seen a person stay. Everyone seems anxious to get their orders and run. Coated is a great spot to grab a bulk buy for the family or the office. Or, if you are like me, just get 6-8 empendads and enjoy them over the next several days. Tips: The cafe is closed on Sundays and Mondays. You can call in your oder in advance, or even call to ask them to hold inventory for you (they will hold for an hour), which is something I have done frequently. read more

Wow, this family makes excellent Filipino food. I had the bulalugaw which is rice porridge with beef. It was savory and Filipino comfort food. I also had the chicken empanadas, The stuffing and the pastry were perfect. Lastly, I had the egg pie which was creamy and not too sweet. This is a small, unassuming cafe in a less busy part of National City so it can be overlooked. They aren't into mass production with lots of food products and their menu is limited, but what I ate was some of the best Filipino food I've had. The woman at the front counter was genuinely kind, very nice and welcoming. I'll be back! read more

Been coming here for the past six months now but haven't posted it's deserving review till now. I've always support small businesses/Veteran owned like Coated Cafe, especially they provide great customer service and delicious desserts. We keep coming back for their empanadas and egg pie. Generously loaded with meat fillings in a thin and crispy crust the way I like it. Best empanadas ever!, even better that my in-laws recipe. They have special menus during the week so I recommend to call the store first and check. Highly recommended if you're looking for some Filipino treats in the National City area. read more

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They have THE BEST empanada! The crust is perfect to begin with, light but crusty, with very light buttery taste. And the filling either beef or chicken , were both amazing . The arroz bulalo - taste fantastic! The maja mais - taste great! Next time I come back , I will have to try their ube pandesal and egg pie- but will definitely buy more empanada- which my son described as "elegant"- not sure why he said that- but my family loved everything I bought from that bakery. read more

This is an amazing hole-in-the-wall Cafe. It's run by mom and pop with amazing and tasty pastries. I'm a big fan of their empanadas. They come in beef and chicken. Soooooo yummy and flavorful! The kind lady that runs this Cafe is so so sweet and so welcoming. I've only went twice so far because I was craving empanadas and the place I usually go to ran out, and the kind lady remembered me from just meeting me once. She's so sweet. And everything else is just as amazing. So instead of the other place I usually went to, I'm only going here from now on!!! read more

Coated Cafe - Bakeries Near Me - National City, California

The bulalugaw available on Saturdays is soooooo good. This quaint little bakery cafe has really good bread and desserts. Definitely going to be a weekly thing. The staff is super friendly, and the place is kept clean. Not many chairs for dine in but definitely worth coming to bring all the goodies home. read more

Coated Cafe - Tamarind iced tea - Bakeries Near Me - National City, California

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Best empanadas in my opinion. Sad that they are no longer in this location, hopefully they open a location soon Mx

I stumbled upon this charming small cafe yesterday and was greeted by a lovely lady with the most welcoming smile. She informed me about their daily special, "bulalugaw" (yes, it's bulalo meat in lugaw), which sounded delectable so I ordered one to take home with a couple of empanadas. I immediately had the combo when I got home, and wished I had ordered more; I will definitely come back to try more specials! read more

Amazing looking and amazing tasting. It's rare to have both. The empanadas are the best.

A little hidden gem. The staff here was very friendly and happy to give recommendations. I wanted to try out the siopao but they only have it on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. We ended up getting the Ube bread, Nutella cheesecake and the Maja blanca. All were delicious. Will be back to try out their other items. read more

First time here and will definitely be coming back! Workers were very friendly and greeted me right away. I wasn't too sure what I wanted to get when I first walked into the store, but right away they informed me with everything they had and it all looked very tasty! The lady recommended me these Korean cream cheese garlic bread. It was only $3.25 so I went ahead and gave it a try. And omg.. after I tasted it I had to buy more!! it was soo good and I highly recommend it. As for the environment, it was small and cute. Just like a mini cafe. 5 stars overall for the food and service!! read more

Coated Cafe - Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Bread - Bakeries Near Me - National City, California

I love this little spot by jujo on 8th. Been going here ever since they open. They really have good empanadas which I order a bunch for a party The lady (I forgot her name)that owned and worked there she was really nice. When I went there yesterday September 13th , 12pm noon they were gone, closed. I know and recognized the place but it seems like they got replaced. But when I search them Google and Yelp it said they were open. I don't know why they didn't say online they closed down. They should update that info. That's a bummer I like this place too. I guess I will be trying to find a better empanadas somewhere else. I'm am really picky about good homemade empanadas! read more

I try to get to this part of town at least twice a month because I'm an East beast, El Cajon way. There's a new bakery in town I stopped in for some pan de sal,To my surprise they were loaded with all kinds of treats empanadas incredibly delicious. Pan De Sal stuffed with mango apple peaches etc. This one's new to me and definitely on my twice a month list. I recommend this place highly. You'll be pleasantly surprised; stay up, everyone! read more

Coated Cafe - Bakeries Near Me - National City, California

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The lady that helped us was so sweet. Got the ube cheese pandesal and the chicharon. Both taste really good! Excited to visit again and try their other items! read more

Coated Cafe - Ube Cheese Pandesal - Bakeries Near Me - National City, California

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I give this place high recommendation if you are around national city. Everything they have is scrumptious! The owner is so friendly and helpful. Pease come by and try this little gem read more

The best Philippine empanada I have ever tasted. Not oily and baked and the filling is just right with all the ingredients of peas, carrots , ground meat or chicken and some raisins. Easy to eat and no crumbs left and it's the best Pasalubong ( surprise gift) and Regalo ( Christmas) gift to your love ones and the best thing is the affordable price!!! read more

The owner Grace took over from Erlinda's over the summer. She's very sweet and friendly and her empanadas are so tasty! We also ordered a dozen pandesol and they were really good too! I would definitely come back to try her other treats if I'm in the area. read more

Coated Cafe - Pandesol - Bakeries Near Me - National City, California

I was in that shopping area and saw pastries so I went in and wow. I bought a slice of tiramisu and it's hands down the best one if I ever tasted. The people there were extremely nice and friendly it's also priced well. For the taste I wouldn't mind paying more! read more

Coated Cafe - Tiramisu - Bakeries Near Me - National City, California

The best ube pandesal I've ever tasted. I have tried their ube halaya, too and it's so good. They have some other desserts that look delicious so I must try them next time. I recommend this cafe- good food, clean place, good customer service . read more

I gave it 5 because of the friendliness of the owner...and the nice baked goods available on hand. Had I known they had spaghetti cooking before I went next door best believe I would've ordered read more

Staff is great and the best empanadas I've tried in San Diego. I would mark down a star because hours can be sporadic which I forgive because they are family owned. read more

I really love the empanadas we ordered 100 pcs for my uncle viewing and since then I always buy empanadas. The chicken empanadas are so good I just wish they offer pork empanadas too. read more

My sister bought some empanadas here for my baby shower, and they were delicious! Crispy outside and yummy inside. We live in North San Diego so it's quite a drive for, but planning on visiting this cafe if we're down in South SD. Highly recommend their empanadas, even the day after, all you have to do is warm them up for 15 seconds, and they're good all over again :p read more

I love the freshly baked pastries, namely, Empanadas, Tiramisu, Custard Tarts and Cake with Leche Flan! Yummy! Customer service is excellent! read more

The sweetest owner!! Definitely recommend the custard tart. It's got a lecheflan filling with pastry tart crust, SO addicting.

I would have posted a picture of the empanada I bought but it didnt last long enough.

This new place is awesome. Both the food and the desserts were delicious and the prices are super reasonable. Can't recommend this place enough. They are currently cash only but they said they'll be doing card in the future. I never review places but this one is worth it. read more