We stumbled up Yahaira's today and it was a pleasant surprise. Very small place with only a few seats. The menu is full of tortas, fresh salads, tacos, tostadas, and quesadillas. I would highly recommend the chicken adobado. The chicken was tender and had tons of flavor. Staff is awesome too! read more

Our hunt for food in Pasadena quickly came to an end the moment we found parking in front of Yahaira's Cafe. The initial plan was to walk around to look for something to eat, but after seeing what people were eating from that Cafe, I insisted we try it! It was quit busy during lunch time so we were seated at the bar. Usually not our thing, but we got to see all the action AND our food was served to us in a jiffy - let that be a tip to y'all. My fiancé ordered the Torta de Adobado and I ordered the Bacon Panini. We shared, having a half of the other's sandwiches. I have to say I was kindof disappointed with my panini - not very exciting. BUT - I was so glad we shared bc that Torta de Adobado was AMAZING! That is the reason to come back - tender, flavorful meat in a soft melt-in-your-mouth bun. My goodness I wanna try them all now! Nice, casual ambiance - great service - awesome food. Go. p.s. Once I try their other tortas, I'll most likely come back with a 5-star update. I just know it! read more

Very hard not to adore this place! Great feel - outdoor alley seating, indoor seating in a small, clean, warm, and inviting small room w/ open cooking area and counter seating. Loved my breakfast omelet here. Small, but packed w/ spinach, peppers, mushrooms, and just the right amount of cheese. Dinner here is good as well, had a pork chop special before that i have very fond memories of. Their spinach tortillas are a nice touch as well. Very clean-tasting New-style Mexican fare. Prices aren't ridiculous but not a value either. read more

The coffee here is the best I ever had !! Definitely have to try the half coffee half hot chocolate. Great atmosphere with nice and energetic music but not too loud. read more

I've been here twice: once for lunch, once for dinner. Overall, there's a lot to like about this place. For our most recent dinner, my wife ordered a vegetarian burrito, and I got some sort of chorizo + ham hamburger. Both were excellent, although the latter was a weekly special, so it probably won't be there by the time you read this. (I can say their 'special' was very good, though.) Pros: * Very good food * Reasonable prices * Great, helpful service * Wide variety of options (a number of 'fusion' options) * They're part of the Rewards Network (if you like earning miles for eating, or some such thing. :) Cons: * None found. So, it's 5 stars IMO. :) read more

Yahaira's Cafe - Chorizo burger with a side salad. Chompers! - Mexican Near Me - Pasadena, California

I was expecting Mexican food after looking at the menu; its different from Mexican food and sooo much better. I got the Pasilla Chilli and first time here. After this, I will be back to try the other items on the menu. Thanks Eric for the recommendation, great service, and hospitality!!! read more

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

We come here often for dinner and have always had a good experience, though it fills up quickly on weekends and in the evenings with the Playhouse crowd. Sometimes there's only one waiter for 10 tables! The food is worth the wait, though. The grilled snapper tacos are delicious. The salads are big and fresh. Get a glass of sangria; it's very refreshing. There's another Mexican restaurant down the alley owned by the same folks (El Portal), but this is where you want to be! read more

I love breakfast and I love this place. Yahaira's is completely unassuming, making the surprise even bigger. It would be easy to write it off as "just another place", as it looks a little tired as it keeping it's place in the retail line on Colorado Blvd, across from Vroman's. Yahaira's is the definition of "great food" as much as it defines "unpretentious". On any one of the many beautiful Pasadena days, there is no better start than sitting outside and having breakfast here. Upon sitting down, one of the things that will surprise you is that the second thing that nearly everyone is asked by the servers if they want "the usual" (the first thing that's said is always a warm "hello"). The fact is, that this place has it's own very large set of "regulars", an eclectic group that comes in all shapes and sizes. Always a sign that there's something more than meets the eye. Their coffee is usually magnificent (yes, I said "magnificent" and I meant it). Riccardo, the owner, brews it the traditional Mexican way with a bit of cinnamon. While the cinnamon rounds the edges, it's still strong enough to remind that us that it's coffee. Really good coffee. (As an aside, we'll argue that the occasional pot doesn't meet standards, but it rarely happens and it's nice to have something to give him a hard time about.) I am not a foodie. But I like good food, I know what I like and there's plenty here. That said, as a regular, I am the Mexican Omelet (extra chorizo) featuring chorizo (I like extra), avocado, black beans, Mexican cheese, all topped with fresh salsa. This has been my "go to" choice for the last year or so, since I've coming here. Not to be a one trick pony, my second favorite are the Pancakes. It sounds crazy that a staple like Pancakes would stand out, but they do. They're fluffy without being doughy or having a floury aftertaste. Just consistently good. Riccardo also serves good syrup, the real kind. While you get a choice, I go "bacon" (see, I'm not crazy). It is thick, tasty and never over cooked. Yesterday I brought friends, in part because I like them, but primarily so I could see a bit more of the menu being served. The Eggs Lomita (that's wrong, but "Lomita" was definitely in the name) was loved by Amy. Tommy, her beau, had something else that's testimony could only be expressed by him licking the plate. What I've learned is that Riccardo is a bit of an artist when it comes to the menu. He tries things that have been handed down in his family. The food is definitively Mexican, but it so wonderful in it's presentation and amazing in it's taste, there's never a risk. It's all wonderful. The staff is as nice as the day is long and it's a happy place. Again, I'm breakfast guy. In truth, I've never gone here for another meal. While I worry that you can get too much of a good thing, one day I will. read more

Very yummy, we went for breakfast with friends. Service was great. We sat outside drank mimosas.

I can't review El Portal in the back without reviewing Yahaira's in the front. They are both owned by the same person, and the experience in the same... Great. The main difference is one is a leisurely place to relax and dine.. and the other is a fast paced dinner experience. I found this place on Colorado when exploring the area. Yes, parking can be challenging... but if you can't park right in front, or on Oak Knoll, just venture into the parking garage on oak Knoll, it is free and for those shops. I usually get a Chicken Torta... yum.... and have also had the breakfast burrito. Don't like burritos? They will fix you eggs how you want, bacon, pancakes.. there are options. It is very small on the inside, and nice atmosphere on the outside. They cook the food right in front of you, so you can feel good about it being fresh. The entire team is friendly and attentive. Sorry to see the review where they were ignored, I am inclined to think SOMETHING was wrong there... as I have come in and sat at the counter and just watched them work. Try it... you'll like it. I think they are closed on Monday afternoons.... read more

Although I have been a customer of Yahaira's for several years, I have hesitated to contribute to their Yelp portfolio for completely justified (albeit selfish) reasons: there are only a handful of tables in Yahaira's and to spread the word is to place my own ability to land a table on a weekend morning in great peril! The hell with it. Yahaira's is proof positive that an eatery can excel at a comparatively slim menu rather than offer a hardback of choices as others in the area do and merely be competent at them. Here, quality reins over quantity. The hardest part, as a customer, is getting too attached to my favorite dishes because my loyalty and enjoyment of them often prohibits me from trying some of the other menu items. Despite what you have undoubtedly heard about Marston's, Yahaira's is the uncrowned Pancake Champion in these here parts. Large enough to share but delicious enough to horde, they have just the right balance of density, fluffyness, and butteryness. But don't tell anyone you heard that here, because I would hate see Marston's weekend lines migrate to Yahaira's. The breakfast burrito is another delicious option. Again, nothing groundbreaking in its contents, but the ingredients are fresh and of good quality, and the homemade roasted salsa that comes with it is the ideal topping for it. The Yahaira's boys are pretty flexible with modifying their dishes and the burrito is probably where I take advantage of this service the most. Speaking of service, you can always count on friendly service at Yahaira's. The boys like to chatter it up a bit as the day goes on, be it with customers or amongst themselves, but it keeps the place lively and goes well with the overall 'home' vibe of the cafe. Other recommendations include Huevos Yucatan and their tortas (lunch) and fish tacos (lunch), but that's just between us. read more

Left Pasadena and miss this place miserably!!! It used to be my EVERY WEEKEND breakfast addiction. Best breakfasts: - Pork Lomitas - juicy, flavorful shredded pork in scrambled eggs served with home-style potatoes, black beans, tortillas, and salsa (upon request). - Huevos Yucatan - similar to huevos rancheros but black beans and ham and a different, yummy sauce. My husband and I would order these two and then split their delicious pancakes for "breakfast dessert". Their lunch and dinner menus are also really great. The pork chop dinner and the sole dinner are delicious. The salads are fresh and tasty. Even if it may not go with your meal... ORDER THEIR FRENCH FRIES!!! They are the best I've ever had! read more

After going through the various reviews for breakfast in Pasadena, I chose Yahaira's based on the coffee with cinnamon and the excellent pancakes. Came here on a Tuesday morning with a friend. The place was busy but there was no wait. Yahaira's Cafe wants your return business. From the moment you are greeted and to the thanks and please come again, you can feel the owner really is interested in providing a good experience. Between us we had a California Omelet, minus the cheese, pancakes, and we both had the coffee. I don't normally drink coffee, but was intrigued by what they offered and ended up having two cups. It was a notch above what restaurants/diners normally serve and the addition of the cinnamon made it stand out even more. The server, who seemed to also be an owner, grinds the cinnamon by hand to create the special brew. Love that. Also, he adds a special touch and/or makes things by hand where ever possible. The salsa that came with the omelet, for example, was very good - smokey flavored and a good amount of heat, went great with the omelet and the sliced avocado on top. The home potatoes were hot and well prepared, nice and chunky. And the pancakes were delicious - chewy and moist and went well with the coffee. I also liked that the whipped butter was at room temperature and it tasted ilke it had a bit of sugar in it, but couldn't be sure. Nice little touches like that made this place special. They serve Odwalla orange juice and it seemed their ingredients, while not local and organic, were good quality. The space is energetic and had a nice feeling, with art on the walls for sale and pretty colors. Nice vibe. Lots of regulars as you would expect, and good seating options outside in the sun or in the shade. read more

Wow! Always so fresh and pleasantly surprising. That darn chicken Adobado is so good! I love their asada (when feeling carnivorous) sandwiches and salads as well. Oh.. and yes those fries though not at all healthy are super yummy- so throw caution to the wind why don't you. A great place to grab a quick yummy bight before seeing a film, a show or to remedy a very long episode of book shopping across the street at *swoon* Vroman's. read more

It has become my regular place to go for Sunday breakfast. The coffee has a hint of cinnamon and something I look forward to. All of the wait staff and cooks attend to your request. read more

This place did not live up to the hype. The flavors we average. Not rushing to go back

Friend recommended this place. Glad he did! Trekked out to Designer Con at the Pasadena Convention Center. The line: Too long. Me: Hungry. Arrived 9:10 am on a Sat. at the cafe. Limited seating. Patio chairs were set up in the front but not on the side. Fortunately, I was there early enough to snag a seat inside. My friend said the steak & eggs are da bomb. And they are! A little pricey for a breakfast meal. It was worth it. :-) NOTE: Ask for salsa. Let 'em know how you want the steak cooked. They didn't ask me and it arrived well done. May not be your preference, but it was fine for me. read more

I went for a breakfast meeting on a Saturday morning. Nice outside seating, and warm inside seating was fairly crowded. I saw most ordered some form of an omelet, so I got the chorizo one. Very good. Nice sides, just enough tortillas, the coffee had a good kick (from a local roaster and shoppe). Staff was friendly, attentive and kept the cups filled. I will be back to try other plates, looks like they won't disappoint. read more

LOVE this place. Great service, great food. Coffee and the El Vampiro juice (beets, oranges, apple, carrots) is really fantastic. I always get their breakfast burrito with guac but I have had bites of their other breakfasts. They're always good. TRY THE FRENCH TOAST! Also, they're pet friendly and have outdoor heat lamps. One Sunday they even had an amazing guitarist playing. LOVE Yahaira's! read more

Colorado Springs is a dead town for foodies and as a New Yorker in exile I suffer greatly. Thankfully I am in LA for a week and once again enjoying good food. We used to live in Pasadena and it's always good to return. Yahaira's is a mixed bag for me. Their French fries for whatever reason, are amazing. I don't know if they sprinkle pixy dust on them or what but I'm deeply committed. Problem for me is everything else is just so so. Every time in the past that we've been there it's been the same. I ordered the breakfast croissant which has tomato, scrambled eggs, bacon and avocado. No seasoning, no mayo, aoli or sauce, just bland central. Croissant, deftly hidden as it was on the bottom, was burnt. Total fail. Another order at our table was the burger which was overcooked and forgettable. 2 stars for amazing fries and great service. Next time, if there is a next time I'll just order two sides of fries for my meal and call it done. read more

Awful parking lot. Thank God I wasn't driving. (Being a featherweight, I wouldn't drive when I knew I was going to drink anyway...) You actually have to pay because they only offer free validated parking for about an hour. Excuse me but who could finish dinner in an hour? Fish tacos. Fish tacos. Fish tacos. Yummmmmm. The fries on the side were delightfully prepared. Good margaritas. It's interesting because we didn't see that on the menu and were wondering if we had to head back to El Portal for drinks. When we asked the server, he told us, "Of course we have margaritas!" OK! Nice view if you sit by the window. It's much smaller and not as loud as El Portal. All good! read more

my go to restaurant for a quick lunch bite. they have sandwiches, burgers, salads, while it doesn't sound special all the ingredients are fresh and the portions are more than decent price. they serve all 3 meals but their breakfasts are unique serving some mexican dishes i've never seen at any other restaurant. less adventuresome: get the yahaira burger: bacon avocado lettuce tomato with a side of their super awesomely seasoned every batch is fresh for you fries. read more

This was our first time eating here and will be our last. Today they had a "steak and eggs" breakfast special and the steak was one step away from being rancid. We were shocked considering that it's owned by the same owners as El Portal and their meals are pretty good. I guess we'll stick to El Portal. read more

What a great little place this is, great food fresh ingredients, I had the Snapper & Wifey had the rajas tacos & we had some sangrias along with some great relaxing music being strung out on the guitara by a very nice gentleman. Will definitely be back to try breakfast. read more

Want to try a completely different kind of breakfast? Try the Huevos Yucatan - it is amazing. Be sure to ask for a side of their salsa, made fresh there of course. Service was extremely snappy for me - I had my food in under 5 minutes after I ordered. I definitely would come again. read more

I was hoping to find some more substantial offerings on their lunch menu but I recall seeing mostly tortas and tacos -- neither of which I was REALLY in the mood for. Nonetheless, what I ordered, in the end, was the torta clasica which turned out very tasty. I wasn't so satisfied with the sides they offered with the tortas (potato salad, fries, or mixed greens) as I was hoping for a side dish with more cultural flare and not something that sounded so standard and... "blanquito." Maybe it's the Venezuelan in me, but I would've hoped for something more like yuca fries, or tostones, or rice n beans, or something else along the lines of the Hispanic palette. The steak torta itself was marinated very well but its minimal portions -- along with the side of fries -- left me feeling uninspired. I would come back to try something different since the TASTE of their steak torta was delicious. I hope that when I do, I should be inspired to return with an eager crave. Service was very good and tentative, the decor of the restaurant is charming yet small, and the atmosphere is pretty warm and welcoming. I would recommend this place to try. It's definitely not a restaurant slacking on taste. read more

This place has a problem with African Americans they ignore us when coming there as patrons or delivery people. I would never go there ever again!!! It takes forever for their staff to acknowledge us as humans. read more

Great casual atmosphere, prompt and friendly service. Breakfast omelets are never a disappointment, personal fav is Mexican Omelet. Lunch time Burritos are the lightest I have ever had, and the chicken is so flavorful. This little place has a great location close to the Play House and is walkable to much of Pasadena. I have never been disappointed! read more

Breakfast Burrito - Great. Read other reviews for more info on this. Lomitos Scrambled - Delicious. Read other reviews about this. What I want to talk about are their pancakes. Talk about unique, their pancakes have this spongy quality to it with a slight "bite" that keeps me going back for more. I dream about these pancakes. I scour google for recipes on how to make these pancakes at home. I freaking love these pancakes. read more

Now I will say their breakfast burrito was good, especially since they used a spinach tortilla. (It was a bit small for $7 though.) However, I am disappointed that I had to pay an additional dollar for guacamole, which I didn't even receive in my to-go order!! The waiter even repeated my order back and said there was guacamole in my order. read more

Good food and good prices, good service too. Quaint little spot in old Pasadena. I had the Mexican omelette, egg with chorizo and black beans and avocado folded in. Was tasty but needed salt and salsa to kick it up a notch. Tortilla were store bought corn and they only give you 2. read more

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

The only reason I am NOT giving this place 5 stars is their slow service. The food is amazingly fresh. The have very authenticly Mex dishes, and good value for the quality. If you don't mind waiting a bit and feeling a little cramped (it is "cozy"), the place is worth it. This is my new Saturday/Sunday brunch hangout. Care to join me? read more

Walked in on a Saturday night after a movie across the street at Laemmle's. Nice, small menu so not as daunting as it's sister-store El Portal. Greeted enthusiastically as soon as we stepped inside and chose our table. Food was tasty and freshly prepared in their open kitchen. Prices are fair and I wouldn't mind helping a nice small business such as this one when they exhibit such kindness towards their customers. A smaller-type of place so if you're looking for a quick bite to eat before/after the movies, be sure to check them out! read more

Man, why write your own review when somebody else has already done it? Check out Mike R.'s review from 8/10. Spot on. In summary: Decent food, almost agonizingly slow service. I'd probably give it 2.5 stars if I could, but bumping up to a 3 would be misleading, especially given all the inconceivable 5 stars this joint's got. I can understand folks liking the food/aura so much they go to a 4 -- it's fine and all, and to each his own -- but, dude... what are your standards if you give Yahaira a 5? Tsk tsk. :-P read more

Very friendly staff. Best Breakfast Burrito known to me.

Atmosphere: intimate, romantic little restaurant. Some outdoor seating. Order Style: sit & order, there is also a counter to sit at where you can watch them prepare the food. Service: very friendly What I've Had: Special Tostada, Portabello Mushroom & Grilled Shrimp Quesadilla, Fish Tacos My Recommendation: Everything. Anything you order will be great. The meats are so juicy and tender. The shrimp is jumbo and sautéed perfectly. Other Notes: They always have interesting specials. Also on certain nights they have live music which is wonderful. read more

LOVED! I have never had great food come out so fast! I had the Mexican Scramble and Vampire Juice - excellent and authentic. I totally recommend it! Hidden gem in Pasadena. My new go to place for authentic Mexican :-) read more

Don't come here my girlfriend had the shrimp tacos and got food poisoning clearly whatever they got going on in the kitchen ain't right

Based on all the reviews here on yelp I was looking forward to trying this place, but was disappointed. The food was tasty, but the two stars are based on sloooooow service from the waiter and small portions. After being told to sit anywhere, I think it was about 10 minutes before someone offered me a menu and asked me if I wanted something to drink - and that person was not the waiter; maybe the cook or dishwasher - it was hard to tell. I ordered a torta made with ham and shredded pork, (from the nice waiter - finally) and I did get my food pretty quickly. Like I said, the sandwich was tasty but it only had one measly thin slice of deli style ham and a meager teaspoon of shredded pork. The bread was good but it was a very thin sandwich for the price I paid. When it came time to get my check and pay the bill, the waiter was nowhere in sight. Again, I waited about 10 minutes before he showed up with the bill, then another 10 for him to come back and take my money. read more

5 stars for breakfast! Great prices, usually around 10 bucks. So far, I have only gone there for breakfast. I'm hooked on the El Gallo omelette--generously stuffed with spinach and jack cheese. Very flavorful, and not greasy. I always pronounce it wrong--and the waiter politely corrects me when I say "El Gallo"...he says, "El Guy-O?" The coffee is really good, and they come around often to refill your cup. Multi-colored tarracotta and turquoise coffee cups are a nice touch. The cafe is super clean, colorful, comfortable chairs, positive energy. read more