Jeff B.
Yelp
(Tookout 10/07/2023 SA @ 5:00pm): In many ways, creativity was lacking from the literal name of this restaurant located at the corner of 23rd St. and Portland St.!
A gifted soon-to-be-expired Groupon ($15.00 worth of food for $8.80) brought me to 23rd Street Cafe on this lazy Saturday evening as I had nothing to eat in my place. Their fusion of American, Indian, and Mexican cuisines certainly sounded appealing and odd at the same time, but it wasn't the first time I've eaten such a collaboration (I was fond of the late Cowboys & Turbans in Silver Lake). I loved all three of these types of cuisines, so was it worth the cost of admission to drive out to this unfamiliar part of town for this neighborhood cafe!?
PURCHASE
Mango Lassi 12floz Cup ($5.00): I loved all-things mango, and I always ordered this whenever I dined at an Indian restaurant. It lacked the familiar fragrances of mango and saffron, it was more watery than the thicker consistency I was used to, and generally it lacked much flavor with only hints of mango at best. A truly disappointing drink. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=rK-bz0-8XSF71p1lmJLcvg&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw
2pc Lamb Samosa ($5.99): Large deep-fried orbs of ground lamb, I enjoyed the crispy wrapping, but the lamb, although plentiful, lacked much flavor which I had to resort to using the provided condiments. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=4MSZJB9KCc9R0btsnLoYCw&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw Another disappointment (sorry, I forgot to take a picture of this dish).
Chicken Tikka Burrito ($11.99): I was impressed by the size of this two-hander! https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=2mWqxbmEK7FYGTui4kZ5IA&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw Once I sliced it open to reveal its innards, I was dismayed to see that it was more filler (seasoned beans and rice) than thriller (actual chicken). Again, the meat lacked flavor, so the condiments were usual again. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=S0dda4NXe6FhHSdD-Zi6ew&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw
Paneer Tikka Masala Quesadilla ($11.99): This large greasy thing with plenty of melted cheese was easy to tear into. As with everything I've tried, it also lacked flavor and certainly wasn't spicy as you'd expect it to be. Such a total fail. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=UvPUosSDm__NBuV-7tZJ7Q&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw
SERVICE
There was little to be desired during my visit. The place was completely empty of customers. I encountered two gentlemen at the front who didn't speak nor understood any English when I tried to present my Groupon, one of which then led me to woman who sat in a car in the back parking lot who then led me back inside only to crudely state, "We canceled our Groupons; we can't take that!" Well, fuck me! Since I was already inconvenienced to no end, I still decided to order food which took nearly 30 minutes before it was done... with no customers or online orders - ultimate failure!
PARKING (FREE)
They had a tiny private lot in the back that held less than ten spots. Otherwise, there appeared to be plenty of parking along the main drag of 23rd St. and all surrounding side streets - "nuff said.
ATMOSPHERE, DÉCOR, AMBIENCE
A corner eatery on a somewhat busy street, this somewhat long structure really struck me with its avocado green painted walls https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=wbtqtVAMsJr1AkbrsilO7Q&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw and empty food heating trays behind the counter. There were plenty of chairs & tables throughout as well as a small outdoor patio in the back. Random framed pictures hung on the walls, and the place honestly looked like it was either closed or a front for something else. Plenty of natural lighting came in through the many windows and doorways while various hanging ceiling lights filled in the rest. There was one TV with a paused program while I couldn't recall if there was any background music.
ATTIRE
Totally casual, so I would normally be in a t-shirt, boardshorts, and flip-flops.
OVERALL
23rd Street Cafe was a dumpster fire from beginning to end with absolutely no plans ever to return. The food was awful, the prices would be comparable if the food was remotely decent, and the service was horrendous (which still gave them too much credit). I found nothing redeemable about this place regardless if it was a small mom & pop business which I usually liked to support. I found no value based on the prices, service, and experience noted above (TOTAL paid experience was around $38.00 BEFORE any discounts and/or tip). And, they accepted my credit card of choice... AMEX! 1.0 STARS