Soo S.
Yelp
So moved was I by my experience here today that I felt compelled, finally, to write a review for this place. But context is important.
I've been working in the area for 11 years now. I used to go to Cafe Zoe a lot more back when my work was in Menlo Park and a jaunt to this humble little strip mall was in the single-digit commute times. Now it's just far enough to be a little bit of a hassle but sometimes, like today, you get blessed with an opportunity to meander through the neighborhood. For me, that was getting my blood drawn which, as we all know, is an absolutely riveting experience. Anyway, it's the Thursday before a 3-day weekend, I've just had my blood drawn and the guy actually missed the first time so now I've got, like, two bandages on my arms and the one he missed on is achey so needless to say, things are not ideal and my mood is reflective of that. Also, I'd been craving chai for like, the entire week. I'm sort of hanging on by a string.
I go to Cafe Zoe for a little treat, as one does when they've been subject to minor discomforts like getting stabbed twice. I came for the chai, but figured a sandwich wouldn't hurt either. I've suffered one more tiny stab wound than I planned for today so I need this.
In the face of this, then, you can imagine how delighted I was that not only was the chai perfect, exactly as it has been for like the last 10 years, but the sandwich was great, the recent renovations make the space airy and nice and it's just so freakin nice to have a community cafe that's been quaint and cozy and well lit and delicious for the last 10, 15 or so years, especially in Silicon Valley where VCs and techbros are rampantly trying to spitball stupid changes constantly about everything which no one ever asks for. I took a risk on the Spicy Chicken sandwich and it was delicious. The Ham, Pear, and Brie sandwich is also killer- it was what they were famous for back in the day and probably still is. Did I mention the chai was great? I don't care if it's instant packaged stuff or whatever if Cafe Zoe is selling it I'm going to gaslight myself into think that it's extra special because to me it is.
Anyway. Love you, Cafe Zoe, thank you for being there for me in my time of minor duress.