Trans Am Cafe

Very welcoming experience here! I tried the vegan blt and my bf the croissant egg sandwich, both were served with cut up tangerines which perfectly complemented the sandwiches, and were a healthier option than chips or something else! We were able to enjoy all the artwork and sip our ginger lemonade and mocha coffee while the food was being made, we even got to race each other in the old Mario kart on the Super Nintendo station! There wasn’t any awkward or cold vibe that I usually get from lowkey coffee shops, I felt as if I was at the owner’s home and being treated to a homemade lunch, it was an experience unlike any other. I’d definitely recommend this spot to someone that’s tired of going to soulless coffee shops or cafes to hang out or get a bite to eat, the Trans Am is the real deal!

This would be the perfect date coffee place! It's cute and artsy, not all corporate looking. Spent $17 for 2 coffees (Frappe & cappuccino) and 1 sandwich, which for me was a little pricy. The croissant was so deliciously flaky omg. Next time I'm just going to eat croissants 🤣 The staff is friendly. It's the kind of place that makes you feel comfortable to hang.

What an awesome little cafe. Upon entering, I was warmly greeted by Bradford (one of the owners) in which he helped me while I decided what to drink (ginger shot and cold brew, pics below.) I snapped a picture of the menu and sent it to my wife to find out what she wanted. While waiting for her response I found out from Bradford that this shop supports local artists, and he told me of all the different events they have done. They are very community driven, and it showed in all the regulars who would come and go as I sat there. I placed an order for some pizza. While waiting i found the music was calm and quiet, they seem to have a massive record collection and I’m sure full of many classics. It’s easy to hang out here and have a conversation. There’s an old tv playing classic movies at the end of the bar. The decor screams 80s kids, as there was ninja turtles, aliens and ghostbusters memorabilia on display. The main wall featured many pieces of art, with lots of diversity. Upon receiving my order Bradford thanked me for stopping by, introduced me to his family, and I was on my way. The cafe itself is fantastic, and I will be back. Having owners that are engaging, present and glad you’re there is the icing on the cake. If you’re in the area I highly recommend stopping here. It’s a gem.

Very cool hole in the wall type of place I just happened to discover when I was working in the area and needed to stop somewhere with free wifi. The vegan nachos are delicious, you can tell the ingredients are fresh. Very reasonable prices. Great atmosphere and customer service.

Amazing relaxing cafe, walking into the cafe you automatically are looking at all the different painting and pictures on the wall. Owner is super friendly and has a really chill vibe. Food is great had the chai tea and avocado n eggs Take card or cash

Great environment to chill with friends or catch up on some work. I had their chai tea latte and did not disappoint.

I always come here to recharge and for relief. One of my Favorite places to come for a delicious simple and healthy choice for breakfast. Avocado Toast with 2 eggs on top is my favorite! Always get a Double Ginger Lemonade which is Organic Lemonade with Fresh Ginger shots. It’s spicy this way but my favorite medicine!

Great little coffee shop, good successor to the Trunk Space. Neat art all over inside, air conditioning, and very helpful service. In addition to the coffee drinks (cortado is always one of my favorites) I'd recommend the very powerful ginger shot.

Great spot for a bite on Grand Avenue! There are tons of things to see and play with while waiting on your meal and it's a great music/art venue. They make their own almond milk in house and I highly recommend ANY or their smoothies. Their Sammy is my wife's favorite and I'm happy to pick up from Trans Am a few days a week because the atmosphere is funky and you never know what new friend you may make or old friend you may run in to there. Gabe + Bradford are the tits!

Stopped here for a caffeine cruise and it was our first stop! I absolutely loved all the art in here and we learned they open it up for first Friday too. My husband liked all the Alien memorabilia. They gave us cold brew which isn't my fave but my husband liked it and I like that they make their own almond milk. Also the food menu looked delicious, I'll need to come back and try some of their vegan options!

I love how spacious it is, there's comfortable chairs, the music is not loud which helps for studying/focusing, & the guy at the bar is friendly : )

Great time, great food, great environment! Came with a friend with both of our babies and there were high chairs for them to be able to use (I was worried there wouldn't be, so it was a pleasant surprise). Gabe was cool and kind, and we will definitely be back soon!

Artsy, eclectic and lots of natural light. There's a small parking lot, a good amount of table space, wifi, solid food options and a quirky atmosphere. 10/10 study spot - a hidden gem!

When I first moved to Roosevelt Row in 2013, it was commonplace to find spaces not unlike Trans Am. And in fact you can still find a number of coffee houses and cafes on Roosevelt Row that showcase local art on their walls and shelves. But rarely do you find one these days where the art gallery is the main draw. That said, I'd heard the food was a pretty good too. So on a Saturday around lunchtime, I made my way inside. Look for Trans AM next door to Bikini Lounge just north of the intersection of Grand Avenue & Roosevelt Street. It occupies what used to be the old Trunk Space. When you walk in you're immediately met by a spacious art gallery and cafe with a vast array of art work on the wall. There's also a fair number of books spread throughout the space to quench your literary thirst. Speaking of thirst, the cafe is towards the back of the space. Oddly, despite the relatively large footprint of the space, there isn't a huge amount of seating for cafe customers. Perhaps a nod to the fact this is a gallery first? At any rate, Gabe Hernandez and Brad Still are the owners running this place and today Gabe was in charge of making my meal. The menu is displayed at the counter in sections. One section gives you your food options, while the other displays your beverage choices. In addition to coffee and tea, there are fruit drinks and smoothies as well. I opted for a house lemonade to start. On the food end, I started by channeling my inner millennial with some avocado toast on multi grain bread. And for my main dish, a caprese sandwich. Gabe whipped up each of these for me himself. Total cost for everything including tax and tip came to $18. The lemonade was a pretty standard version you can probably get anywhere, but it was nevertheless a refreshing start to the meal. The avocado toast was served with some orange slices and the avocado topping itself had a slight citrusy kick as well. Bread was perfectly toasted and the portion of avocado on top was generous. The caprese sandwich was a solid finisher incorporating the mozzarella, tomato and lettuce and I believe some olive oil as well. Also served on perfectly toasted multi grain bread, by the way. The food here certainly got the job done. Though I will say the bigger reason to come here is the space itself. Check out (or maybe even buy) art on the wall, read one of the books on the shelves, or listen to some live music from local groups and individuals. Or do as so many other patrons did today and just hang out while working on your laptop. Chances are Gabe will engage with you in some friendly conversation and offer you a refreshment. Another cool spot you can add to the flourishing historic stretch of Grand Avenue. A space that invites you to slow down, kick back, and observe.

i love love love this place!! awesome vibe. board games. delicious coffee. cool art. nice people. lovely patio. if it were walking distance to my home i'd be in trouble!!

This review is conflicted. The place is very cool inside. The art collection wall you can see through the window, caught our eye to stop in. The coffee drinks that only come in one size, are reasonably price. The oat-milk latte was good and a bargain at $4 and some change. We did not try the food, but the options looked interesting and not too spendy. Where the review goes south was the owner's attitude. Too cool for school. Uh, you're really not. Cool is kind. Treat your customers, even the ones that don't meet your targeted demographics, like you want, not need, their business. Two words for him and hopefully he reads his YELP reviews. Chris Bianco. Actually 2 more, Craig DeMarco. Success is a bi-product of getting over yourself. I was in Arcadia Postino when it had been open for 2 weeks. Craig couldn't have been any nicer and we are still regular patrons almost 2 decades later. Had he been aloof and arrogant, he wouldn't be targeted for 55 restaurants by 2024. Say it slow, 55. Chris goes without any explanation. I was in his original Town and Country location in the late 1980's. Everyone knows he's the nicest guy in town and his recent James Beard award hasn't changed that. He's so grateful for everyone's business and he tells you so. Realizing that you nor your dream are that unique or special is the first step to entrepreneurial success. You can't swing a dead cat around Phoenix without hitting a coffee house. And many are just as hip, if not more, than Trans Am Cafe. Many, if not most have owners and employees that are nice and welcoming. We don't need any more coffee houses, but they do need customers. The business savvy ones recognize the competition and behave accordingly. And the owner, he wasn't just having a bad day. Although as a business owner, there is no such thing as a bad day to patrons. He was giving me one-word answers but was very friendly to the much younger 20 something female patron. Oddly he's not young, and she wasn't paying. I was. As a side bar, if you're in the neighborhood try Irma's Mexican Kitchen across the street. It's spotless but very bare bones decor and no "it" people in there. But the food is amazing, and they are so friendly to everyone, not just the "cool kids." We aren't in 7th grade anymore. Successful business 101. No charge.

Loving this coffee shop (with smoothies and food as well!). Grand Ave has needed a place of this caliber for some time, since Paisley Violin went away. Had a smoothie and coffee! Excellent ingredients! The owner was a great conversationalist. Wonderful ambience and great art! I hope Phoenix keeps this place going!

Great place for food and drink. Gabe is a nice guy and its clear that all walks of life are welcome here!

My husband and I had the pleasure of meeting Gabriel at a bar where he used to work and we loved his customer service. When he told us he was leaving because he was opening a coffee shop, we definitely wanted to check it out. Trans Am Phx has excellent space, art, natural light, great coffee, smoothies, and even pressed ginger! This was everything I needed to get some work done. I'll definitely be going back! Be sure to try the pressed ginger

One of our favorite places in Phoenix. We make it a point to come here every time we are downtown and want a good cup of coffee/tea. The atmosphere is so positive and calming. AND it is family friendly! We can take our two boys with us and feel completely comfortable. They have so many things to do and look at in this little shop that they are occupied and enjoy the experience just as much as we do which is nearly impossible to find in the Phoenix area for coffee/tea shops. Gabe is such a kind dude and always greets us with a smile and just has all the good vibes. I cannot say enough about this place. Just go.

This place is a very unique spot. From the decor, to the people, to the food, it's got a very wholesome vibe that screams authenticity

HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS PLACE!! Gabe, owner, is a great guy -- greeted me when I arrive and took time to get to know me by asking a few questions; that is what a smart small business owner does. I will definitely come by again. I ride my bike around this neighborhood often!! Thanks for great ice coffee Gabe!

Pretty cool new cafe/coffee shop. Nice look about the place, great $2 cup of coffee and occasional live music

One of the coolest coffee shops in Phx. A little off the beaten bath but worth the trip. Had an ice coffee with homemade walnut milk. Bomb! A great place to chill, read, study, hang out. Highly recommended 5/5 stars.

This is the most hipster and relaxing, interesting place to go. It's great for coffee, art looking, and a meal. They have free toys for kids and records if interested. They make home made Almond milf which I love it's a hot place to be for meetings or hanging with friends and to do work.

Neighborhood coffee shop located next to bikini lounge. Coming up on one year anniversary, this Friday a Brazilian jazz artists will be playing from 7 to 10 PM. Great place for coffee a quick bite vegan vegetarian food available. They make a great breakfast sandwich parking on the side of the building. Free wifi for customers great place to study meet hang out. Great artwork stop in you won't regret it Gabe added his own collection to the wall. It is a must on bucket list.

I love this spot! Support some amazing locals and get vegetarian and vegan options for breakfast, or lunch. !! The A/C here is very cold which is also a plus.

Hip, ecclectic cafe open mornings and late Friday night. Laid back environment with a very cool selection of house art and a rotating local wall. Sad to see Trunk Space go, but if it had to go, glad this place showed up to fill the space beautifully.

Cute little coffee house. I went on a Friday afternoon. I really wanted to try the smoothie with dates but the line was long and too slow. There were 2 guys working as fast as they could behind the bar but they needed more help. I ended up staying a little while and enjoying the atmosphere but unfortunately wasn't able to try anything off the menu.

I'd give Trans Am a 5+ star for the unique and awesome atmosphere! It's a great place to just come relax on a weekend morning. However, I am giving it a 4 because I have felt the food has been a hit or miss for me, with the Caprese sandwich being the only great item so far. Outside of the food and atmosphere I was a little turned off that Trans Am was circulating a Building a Better Phoenix petition (the anti-light rail group) in the restaurant as I don't care for politics mixed with my food.

Trans Am Cafe is the BEST place for coffee in all of Arizona. I love this place and I come here everyday while I am visiting family in Phoenix. I really wish we had a fabulous third wave coffee shop like this in my city! I love the artwork, (on occasion) the live music, the overall atmosphere, the friendly and laid-back approach to customer service (thank you Brad and Gabriel) and of course, the many, many, many wonderful vegan and vegetarian options to choose from! Have you ever had fresh walnut milk in your coffee? No?! Neither had I before my first visit here. It will blow your mind! This is a wonderful place to come with a book, center your chi and just zen. Yes, my friend, if you have not yet visited Trans Am, then you are missing out!

They gave me a mask when I needed one outside and the food was so good. Soo fresh and definitely get the vegan deluxe it hit all the notes ;) super friendly good people

This place is rad! Totally vegan friendly with different milk alternatives:) Rotating art and sometimes live music is happening. Toys to play with and plants. Don't give your money to corporate coffee anymore folks. Support these guys they are nice and clearly love this place!! I do too!

I feel like I've been going there for years. I meet amazing people every time I go. Great food and great coffee!

First time here and I really enjoyed the atmosphere, food, and coffee. I got the avocado toast ($4) and a cold brew ($3) which we're both amazing. I'll definitely be coming back!

Great service, chill environment. Simple and delicious menu and food. Will definitely be back. Thanks Gabe for the warm welcome!

Great staff, greeted us with a big hello. I had a great chai banana smoothie. Yummy.

This is a delightful find. Vegan friendly, good food for all preferences. A wonderful proprietor both he and the place are calm and welcoming. Stop in it is a gem.

All I can say is wow. This place offers a totally unique atmosphere with a perfect cafe style menu thats not only delicious but also affordably priced! I love the quiet vibe and all the art/plants/natural lighting. If you're in downtown Phoenix and looking for a spot to grab a light bite or coffee - this is the place to go!