Ok, I missed my bus 2 other times this week and came back here for the wi-fi. On the 2nd visit, I decided to try the hot chocolate - small for $2 and it was good. With wi-fi, time flew. Third time today, hot chocolate again but it was not nearly as tasty nor hot. It's definitely a place where locals frequent...something must be good here, I think it's the sandwiches. read more

I've stopped by here once. But I wouldn't go back. Service wasn't the best... there was only person working and it was slow service. They didn't have any pastries. And the place looks kind of dirty.! Coffee was Good. read more

I love this place!! Elvia and Efren make a great team! The BLT and Chicken Pesto + Chicken Bacon Panini are delicious!!

For those coming here expecting a fast food restaurant, one word: don't. It's not Subway. And it's not Barrone. But it is really good, their soups are pretty delicious, their sandwiches(must get on dutch crunch) are simple tasty, they seem to offer a rather generous amount of meat and the service is consistent. If you're not an arrogant a-hole to them, that is, And I've seen it happen. I can't seem to understand why people think it's OK to be rude to the person preparing their lunch. Been here a couple times and it's definitely not typical Menlo, which is probably why I dig it. A few tables outside where you can work away and nobody will bother you and you won't hear boring business meetings like at neighboring joints with free wifi. Ya, I'm referring to you, SBux. 4.5 starts rounded up because the girl who works there is very sweet! She works her butt off. Cut slack and ignore stupid (a-hole) Marissa G's comment. read more

I called in order in for a turkey club sandwich with avocado and it was pretty okay. I like that when you order a sandwich it comes with chips or a drink. The woman working there was very nice and prompt. I definitely want to try to waffles next time I come here. read more

I will never go there again. I am feeling really unwell after they sad tuna sandwich and I am hoping I will not have to report food poising to the Health Department. It felt mealy and stale and I could not finish it. I asked for bread to be toasted but it was not done. The staff is dour face. I get it that is sucks to work on the week end but that is life. The cafe was out of soup, sourdough, and oranges because "It is Sunday". I have never heard that sort of excuse in any cafe before. Do not put fresh OJ on your menu if you run out of oranges in California out of all places. The tea was served in large cups which is good but it was lukewarm and weak. Why not leave the tea bag in and let me the customer decide how strong I want my tea to be? While other place on Santa Cruz were busy this one was pretty empty. I am not surpsized. read more

The food was alright but the coffee was not. I ordered a cappuccino, but it came as a latte with almost no foam and entirely too hot. You can see my rant on foam and temperature on my Prolific Oven review (http://www.yelp.com/biz/prolific-oven-palo-alto#hrid:GUiKWj-7Ns5Ls_ZSLAxMUQ). I was really hoping more from a small coffee shop in the middle of downtown Menlo Park. If you're a serious espresso drinker, skip this place and hit up Cafe Borrone instead. read more

This place only has daytime hours so I'd passed it many times before being able to actually go in. The smell of baked goods is pretty intoxicating when you walk in. On a rainy soaking day, I stepped in for a chai to go. Decent quality not too sweet. Will have to try some baked goods next time when I've had less to eat for lunch. 3.5 stars read more

Have you ever ordered a breakfast sandwich from little take out coffee joint, and then proceed to watch the lady bust out a frying pan? NEVER. I was so excited to see that when i ordered a croissant breakfast sammy, that the homegirl behind the counter was actually going to cook up a real egg. That's how much modern day restaurants have disappointed me. I get excited when someone uses a real egg for my egg sandwich. I also devoured my curried chicken salad sandiwich that I had ordered the day before for lunch. This place has an awesome menu for breakfast and for lunch. I think I will be a regular here from now on. read more

The President was just leaving the Bay while I received my HOT Caramel White Mocha with Steaming Hot Whipped Creme with great customer service asking what kind of milk I wanted and not to mention their killer location I felt like the El Presidente getting a briefing fresh out of bed at the White House! read more

Menlo Cafe - Caramel White Mocha with Whipped Creme! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Menlo Park, California

This is for a 1.5 review. The prices are great, and well, that's a major plus. There were a lot of things lacking though. Service! I walked in and one person was on the phone for 5-7 minutes. The other person behind the counter was making coffee and said nothing. I'm not looking for people to drop everything, but say, I'll be right with you, and acknowledge our presence. There were dirty dishes piled up everywhere, covered in food. The water station was empty, and there was no milk or cream to add to the coffee. The chai was very weak and luke-warm, and the cappuccino wasn't much better. That being said, the food looked much better than the coffee tasted, but I don't know if I'd want it. The cooking space wasn't clean, and was a little more ghetto-rigged than I was comfortable with. 2 toaster ovens stacked on top of each other was little too sketchy for my taste. If you're going to do that, at least hide it, so I don't know. Sometimes, I don't want to know how my food is cooked. read more

Ordered a triple cappuccino extra dry, non fat milk - got exactly what I order. Piece of advice - stick to a single. I was buzzing! Nice, neighborhood cafe decor, good service (they'll bring the drinks (+food) to your table). Much better than Starbuck's! read more

Very kind workers and the food is of good quality! I always buy a Madeline and mocha! I have tried their banana split waffle and it is so delicious. A great treat for a cold day. Their spinach salad is also very, very good! I don't get it with bacon but the cut artichokes makes up for it! I definitely recommend just stopping by-- it looks small but once you walk in you will be pleasantly surprised! read more

Menlo Cafe - Spinach salad - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Menlo Park, California

3/2/19 3:45pm Went 15 minutes before closing. Employee was cleaning and ignored me. I asked a question about menu - she said only to go items are available - adding, so that means they need to be eaten out of the store because we are closing. I took that as a strong suggestion I should go elsewhere for a meal. Went to Left Bank across the street ... read more

I ordered through DoorDash a Veggie Melt and a Latte. Both were SO good. It was the best veggie melt I ever had with fresh ingredients. I bet if I ate there everything would have been even better but for delivery everything was awesome, sandwich still warm and coffee delicious. I will definitely go to the cafe itself. read more

I only recently discovered Menlo Cafe and it was certainly a pleasant surprise. You may be able to tell that I hold great disdain for Starbucks by reading my other reviews, so when I discovered an independent coffeeshop that also brews Fair Trade Coffee, I was estatic! Menlo Cafe entices passerbys with its pictures of cheesy goodness in form of breakfast burritos and sandwiches and a sign proudly proclaiming that they do, indeed, have "FREE WI-FI!" With much joy, I tied my dog to one of the street benches outside and skipped happily through the charming sliding door they keep open on hot days. "Hello!" I say sunnily. Not in an obnoxious or overbearing way... just in a nice "Thank God you're not Starbucks" way. ...... nothing ....... Is it just me or does a greeting usually warrant a response from at least ONE of FOUR employees? After a minute of standing there awkwardly, one of the girls finally turns around and responds, bursting at the seams with enthusiasm with, "What do you want?" Now, I'm not one for dancing, juggling baristas who want to kiss my ass and stir my coffee. But good lord! A simple, "Hi, what can I get you" would have been nice. My second trip was definitely more pleasant, but still had that blank-stared first approach, which was made up for when the barista saw that I had my dog with me and very sweetly offered to bring my soy latte out to me. My soy latte and chai teas were both delicious. First impressions... were not so much. read more

This place is great for a fast/to go lunch. The chinese chicken salad was pretty good- the chicken wasn't the best I've ever had but the dressing was good and made up for that. The serving was hefty- I was definitely full by the end of the meal. I also had an iced coffee which was pretty standard. The paninis looked fantastic- maybe I'll go back for a paleo cheat day =]. My dad comes here almost every day and the staff treats him well and they were friendly with my sister and me. read more

They were slow and disorganized, even with almost no customers in the restaurant. The panini that I eventually got was decent. read more

I've been going to this cafe for years and seen it change ownership at least once. All the owners have been very friendly and the food served has always been wonderful. When I was first introduced to the Wild and Nutty Turkey sandwich I was hooked and the Menlo Cafe quickly became one of my favorite restaurants. I have only had good experiences with both the food and the staff. P.S. The waffles are also quite good. read more

This cafe is a favorite neighborhood spot for us. Nice, laid back atmosphere with attentive table service once you've ordered at the counter. Their waffles are great with fresh fruit and served hot off the griddle. Prices are very reasonable. Espresso drinks are better at Cafe Borrone and Peet's but really it's all about the food and neighborly-ness of the place. Go there for a quick bite or take your time and enjoy the free wifi. (Agree that pastry options are nil) read more

Asked for soft bacon--gave me crispy dry bacon. Asked for over easy eggs--gave me over well. Menlo waffle was dry--overcooked. Pricey for low quality. read more

The breakfast croissant was ok but the coffee was not brewed correctly. I also had a club sandwich here. It was pretty good but not spectacular and didn't really live up to the name since it was not a double-decker like most clubs. The wifi is free and the staff is friendly. read more

First time visiting this place because my friends and I wanted to try something new for lunch. Very nice people, helpful at explaining things on the menu. The place is small, definitely a place to get orders to go. The food was ok, not much to write home about tho. I had the prosciutto salami panini which was very tiny and there wasn't hardly any prosciutto. For the price of almost $9 there wasn't much to it. The bread was not panini bread IMO, more like a sandwich thin you can get at safeway. I don't think i'll ever get a panini again from there, if I come back. It's just not worth the money for something I can get at another deli which is more filling and better tasting. UPDATE 01/01/2014: So I decided to give this place another try with a coworker who was out of town when we went last. This time I had a simple roast beef sandwich and chips. The sandwich was very tasty and had plenty of beef inside; very well made indeed. I do think the price is still a bit too high, but it's nothing that I wont miss. I think if I add this place to my lunchtime list, I'll stick with the traditional sandwiches. However, one can still make the exact same thing for less at the office or at home. read more

If I had one meal left on this earth, it would be a wild nutty turkey sandwich on toasted sourdough roll, hold the mayo from Menlo Cafe. I LOVE this cafe. Grew up going to it weekly and it's still the best. read more

Menlo Cafe - Wild nutty on toasted sourdough roll. Greatest sandwich of all time - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Menlo Park, California

It's amazing the costumer service they are avale to provide even during the pandemic. The Iced Chai Tea and their Portabella Panini are my go to but anything I try hits the spot. read more

Delicious pesto panini!! Definitely be coming back! I love the variety of sandwiches and the service. The prices are so reasonable.

Breakfast sandwiches here are so fresh and delicious. Staff is fast and amazing. My go to when I need a hot breakfast

The food is very tasty, but it was a little pricey. I tried it to support a local business but as a student, I have only check it out once. I'd go again for better prices for sandwiches but in the meantime, I'll have to hold off. read more

Amazing customer service! They're is not a thing on the menu that isn't delicious! But I especially highly recommend their sandwiches. Thank you for providing us with your services even in tough times like this, we really appreciate it ! read more

I absolutely love this place. I usually get the chicken pesto panini with bacon and it is to die for. The woman who owns the store is incredibly kind and friendly, and quickly learned my name. Whenever I go in the service is fast and everything I've tried has been delicious!! I definitely recommend stopping in and eating here. :) read more

The cafe mocha is actually pretty decent - I wouldn't be opposed to giving it 8 out of 10. This, unfortunately, is the only saving grace for Menlo Cafe. And maybe the free wi-fi. But not the 20-minute wait time for a bloody chicken pesto sandwich when no one was even around, nor the mediocrity of the said bloody chicken pesto sandwich, nor the sucky parking situation in downtown Menlo Park (we had to move our car when, unknowingly, we parked at the nearby Bank of America lot and a burly she-man of a security guard immediately rushed from her seat and rudely and condescendingly told us that she is going to 'call someone' - and yes, she was being very vague about who she was going to call. Maybe her sex-change surgeon). read more

I find this little cafe to be very tasty and a pretty good bang for your buck.. I mean, where else can you find non-chain-restaurant sandwiches between $4-6 anymore around Menlo? I am very partial to the Chicken Salad, which has apples and a little curry flavor. I like it either in a sandwich, or on top of a greek salad, which they dub a "deluxe" salad. I've had a very nice iced coffee from here, as well as a good cappuccino. read more

The coffee is absolutely terrible. It's like Folders threw up into your mug. The setting is terrible for more than 1 person a table. The wifi wasn't working (per the lady working). The lady working is also not personable - at all. She might very well hate her job. I'm heading back to Palo Alto for my morning cafe/breakfast/work. read more

THE BEST SANDWICH IN THE WORLD... I've traveled around searching for a sandwich to beat out the Wild N' Nutty on toasted sourdough or dutch crunch and I still haven't found something that compares... The closest (2nd place in my book)- and this is not a turkey salad sandwich only list - is the turkey sandwich at the Village Cheese House at town and country village in palo alto... then there's the chicken sandwich at the bar in Harrods in London... There you go... try it and fall in love like I did 7 years ago. read more

The Wild & Nutty Turkey Salad Sandwich is the reason to come back. Prices are reasonable and portions are ample. Free Wi-Fi is a plus.

Always a good choice for downtown Menlo Park lunch! The nutty turkey salad sandwich & chicken pesto Panini are amazing & made with fresh, good quality ingredients. Very quick to go, works for us when we need a fast lunch. Very friendly staff. read more

Had a taste for a sausage and a waffle; so I thought, Hmmm, let me try this spot. Waffle took a little time to be served. I was thinking it was going to be one of those big fluffy belgian waffles. I guess. Not. Waffle was delivered warm. It did not taste fresh at all. Service was not the greatest. I'll pass on returning. read more

A good place to sit and work. Free wireless is a plus (no outlets is a serious minus. Friendly staff, yummy sandwiches, great salads. Good croissants too. read more

Happened to walk by and stopped in for a plain waffle. LOVED IT! A lotof people flock to Stacks which is next door but it's always crowded and always a wait. Forget that! This is place to come. The waffle was perfectly done. read more

This place is really surprisingly nice. I originally wanted to go to Borrone but saw a line snaking around Kepler's and decided to pass. Same story at Stacks. Turns out Menlo Cafe makes pretty good waffles (not quite as good as Borrone, but definitely better than Stacks) and lattes, and has a little outdoor seating area that allowed my twins to watch the usual array of BMWs, Land Rovers, and Lexus SUVs moving slowly down Santa Cruz Ave. en route to Stanford Shopping Center or Google headquarters. After our pleasant meal, we, alas, returned home in our Volvo station wagon. read more