The Little Cafe

All of the omelets are insanely good. They have weekly chef’s specials too that are typically a winner. The house potatoes with onion and peppers are a wonderful side dish. The interior is a bit cramped as there are too many tables for such a small space. However, the food is so good and the line is always so long, I’m happy the owner has made as many spaces as possible. Staff is wonderful as well.

Really fell in love with this cute little café! Very French vibe to it. I came across it after a workout. I had the salmon Benedict and honestly, it was the best hollandaise sauce I’ve ever had! Staff is courteous and attentive. The only reason I didn’t give them 5 stars is because of a coffee cup with lipstick which they apologized for and brought me another cup right away. I would go back there if I’m in the are again.

Searched for a nearby brunch since I skipped breakfast and found this little place from Unilocal.Tried the mushroom burger with fries, came with thousand island– yum. The place felt quite homey. The people who work there were nice and welcoming. Luckily there was an open table when we walked in. It was mostly full around lunch time. I really liked the fact that the food didn’t take too long to arrive because I was starving. I ended up finishing mostly everything and left satisfied.

The Tarzana Omelette was large and I really really enjoyed it! It’s made with Polish sausage, onions, tomatoes, and spinach, and topped with jack cheese. Substitutions are fine here, and I replaced spinach with green peppers. The Polish sausage slices had a really great flavor, and went well with all of the other ingredients. There was tons of cheese on the omelette, and it sort of separated the inside ingredients, which I liked. It also comes with a side of potatoes and peppers + two slices of toast, which were both good.
Tons of tables in this small down home café on Ventura near Vanalden. There are many enticing menu options for breakfast and lunch, but next time I come, I’m getting the exact same thing!

The owner is incredibly personable and the food, staff, and ambience is always good. Thank you for the delicious mimosa, the breakfast quesadilla, and the delicious jam that complimented my sourdough toast perfectly.

How Impressive can this place get?!
I was here just this morning having breakfast with my girl. I have never in my seven years of writing on Unilocal experienced such a warm, friendly welcome from the wait staff of a breakfast place. I am practically sold on this place. The service was remarkable, and very cordial. The fact that they offer to fill your coffee cup at the very first whisper of it going dry is very worthy of extolling over. The portions were Very big. They serve you so much food, that you may as well request a to-​go box for later consumption.
However, there is one small catch that should be mentioned. They don’t accept credit cards under ANY circumstances. In short, they are a cash only place. Fortunately, there is an ATM inside.
In conclusion, I can proudly say that this restaurant deserves my endorsement.
Thank you.

THEY TAKE CASH OR CHECK ONLY!
My first time going this weekend. Tried going to several other places fro breakfast/​brunch. Denny’s was a crazy wait, Then decided to go to Il Tramezzino in Tarzana to discover it was a different restaurant. Drove a bit further and found this little place. As we walked in one of the regulars told us about the white board you write your name on with the number of people in your party. After about a 3 – 4 min wait we were seated. Food came out fast.
It is small but the name should tell you that. My only complaint is that this place is cash only. I am used to not carrying cash. ATM by the entrance came in handy.

Wow, this place is amazing. Their food is so delicious and the service is so nice and friendly. The owner Ray will great you and his smile alone makes your day. If you haven’t been here, you haven’t had great food in your life. You haven’t had breakfast if you haven’t been here.

I have been to this place couple of times. The clean is clean, they have amazing brackfast, and good customer service. Thank you for everything.

THEY TAKE CASH OR CHECK ONLY!
The food itself was pretty good but it was a very small joint. I was kind of annoyed because I too, like the other reviewers, went to more than waffles and ci ci’s and the line/​wait time was just too ridiculous despite the nicer ambience. I then looked at the 3^rd brunch place on Unilocal which was little café and they told me it was a two minute wait. I get there with my friends to find we have to wait another 15 minutes. I don’t know if there was just a rush the moment I drove from cicis to their front door or if they exaggerated. Otherwise, food probably 4 stars and ambience 3 stars. It gets less and less nice the more you drive the other way from more than waffles.

Nice little hole in the wall. It’s a very small place so I would not recommend going with a large party. There were only two of us, we waited about 15 – 20 min for a table during a busy Saturday brunch hour. Write your name on the white board with # of people as soon as you walk in.
That’s how they keep track of seating.
I had an omelette which came with potatoes and your choice of bread, I love a place that offers w bagel or English muffin as opposed to just your typical toast!!! My friend had the waffle with a side of eggs and potatoes. We had a pleasant experience, I would love to come back to see what they have for lunch.
The only complaint I have is that they are cash only. I don’t remember seeing this written anywhere but no biggie. Good thing I had cash on me!

Every time I drive past this place, there’s a line out the door. I finally went there today (Saturday morning) with a friend and we luckily missed the line. Don’t misunderstand me: the place was still plenty busy but we got a table right away.
The service here is about as good as it gets: friendly, warm, genuine… and fast.
The prices are fair… on a par with Denny’s, I’d say.
The coffee was acceptably strong. The food was fresh and well-​prepared. I had the Italian Scramble, which came omelette style. Tasty, not greasy, it came with a little mountain of seasoned home fries. Nothing to get too excited about, but satisfying and plentiful – one of those rare times I was unable to comfortably eat everything on my plate.
The place really is Little. I think is 10 or 12 tables, opposite an open kitchen.
One thing I really liked was that there was no music playing or, if it was, it was low enough that it was not obtrusive. (What the hell is with all the too-​loud music in restaurants these days?)
All-​in-​all, an very good dining experience.
I would eat there again.

Cons:
Doesn’t take cash. Last time I checked, it’s 2016.
Food over cooked and burnt.
Older lady rushing us to order.
Pros:
Food is pretty good.
Service is usually on point but not today with the older lady bugging us to order.

Four and a half stars.
For Sunday brunch (10 a.m.) we tried to try out Cici’s down the street but the line was a mile long. We found this spot instead. Small place (hence the name) but there was only one person ahead of us. Pretty good range of choices. I got the Joel’s Benedict (corned beef hash Benedict). My BF got the Chris’ egg sandwich. Both were really good. Service fast and friendly. Recommended.

Perfect breakfast spot!
Quality food, good location, nice staff.
Have revamped the menu a few times, pretty much have any traditional breakfast item you could ask for. Have never had lunch stuff, but it looks good. Quantity is sufficient… You’ll never leave hungry.
Gets really busy on the weekends after 9am through 2p. Cash/​check only so come prepared. First come/​first serve and the whole party has to be there to be seated.

I love the Little Café (4.5 stars) and I do mean little if you blink on Ventura blvd you will miss it… I had an old girlfriend that lived up the street and we virtually lived there on weekends for a leisurely breakfast on beautiful So Cal day.
It’s truly an unassuming hole in the wall with good old fashion grub that rocks. Always a line and it seats (6) really small people comfortably just kidding ok maybe (20) lol The routine is arrive see the line and write your name on the dry erase board and wait for a table to open.
The Joe’s breakfast is a go too. I love the hash, not to mention the specialty french toast and pancakes. The Hash browns and potatoes have a little Spanish flair and the homemade salsa is legit and tastes so good on your eggs, omelettes and potatoes.
Everything is fresh and the space pays homage to the cornucopia of celebrity clientele who have frequented these rarefied plates of breakfast goodies. Nothing fancy just good old fashion breakfast done so very good it becomes a local institution.
I stopped in the other day and it was just as good as ever. Mind you the front received a facelift but the core is intact and rocks breakfast. Just as I loved the original John O’Groats in WLA for breakfast I love the Little Café in the valley the very same way…

This is such a great little place for breakfast, We came here the day after Thanksgiving and we were so happy that they were open. It never dawned on us to call since it was a holiday weekend. So when we drove by and saw people waiting outside, we had a sigh of relief.
Our kids were with my inlaws so it was just me and my husband doing breakfast before we go to The Commons at Calabasas to watch the new James Bond movie.
The employees are super nice and the owner is attentive to all the customers. It’s a smail place so we always try to get to the restaurant right when it opens at 8.
We ordered the following:
Chris’ Egg Sandwich ($ 12) with a side of potatoes — It had eggs, bacon, tomato, avocado and cheddar cheese in a baguette. Very good. I love breakfast sanwiches, it’s so hearty. The potatoes were good too, I got them with onions.
Joe’s Benedict ($ 14) — poached eggs, corned beef, over english muffin with potatoes. My husband loves corned beef hash so he enjoyed his meal. He’s happy that the corned beef was not «freshy opened».
Side of bacon ($ 4.50) — 5 slices for $ 4.50, that is a great price for all that bacon. We’ve been to some places where they will charge you $ 4.50 for just two pieces.
I’m looking forward to waiting up early on a weekend and going to The Little Café.

Quaint and friendly atmosphere. Not too pretentious like some other breakfast spots my girl and I have been experimenting with.
I had a Belgian Waffle she had the French Toast, we split a side of bacon. Everything was cooked perfectly and came out just as we felt our Mimosas kick in!

Soooo the service here is great but the food not the same. Was told I could take any empty seat which wasnt’t ahrd to find. After taking a look at the menu I decided to split half order of french toast with california avacado omlette.
The omlete here was pretty good however, it had some cheap quacomole sauce on it was pretty cheap. BTW cash only!

Little restaurant, big heart.
(+) It does not do it justice to say that the staff was wonderful. They were excellent in my opinion, very very attentive. For example, the busboy sees us walk-​in and already grabs a high-​chair to be ready for our table. Then he sets it down and proceeds to take away the butter knife from the place setting in front of it… I noticed this right away, they must have experience with children or have some of their own (or both!). What a nice & helpful surprise.
(++) Double pluses for our waitress who went above and beyond. First she informed us of their free kids plate which is amazing… perfect for my toddler! She was so sweet… such a naturally kind person. No wonder my son instantly connected with her and wanted to share his things with her whenever she walked by.
Another example is when she noticed I was pulled away to entertain him after our food arrived. You know… the shifts some parents may have to take when they have a small kid (s) and are trying to eat at a restaurant but said kid eats 2 bites, gets restless immediately, then wants to play or do anything else but sit quietly and finish their meal.
She then brought over a couple toys for him to play with at the table so I could eat (I suppose they have them handy for similar purposes). We had books & toys too but they weren’t the new more interesting ones from the Little Café. It worked.
(+) Décor is dated but it’s true to itself. It doesn’t try to be something it’s not and it gives the vibe of a cozy mom & pop shop. The celebrity pictures are actually quite entertaining, a journey through history and pop culture. Most I recognize but some I have no clue.
(+) Breakfast was great, will definitely come back again. Potatoes especially, crispy and tasty… gotta get the special version with onions and bell pepper.
Note: CASH ONLY — didn’t find out until we got our check. Of course their ATM doesn’t read my debit card… fortunately I did have enough cash to cover the bill and a little bit more, but not enough for a real tip. When I explained the situation to Tracy, she didn’t sweat it at all and even went on to offer my son a free cookie for dessert! That’s not just customer service, that’s the mark of a truly good person. I definitely plan to come back again and give her a well-​deserved tip. I highly recommend this place.