I’m the person who usually walks into businesses hired to restore them. It’s rare these days I write a review. This is written not just due to a quick impression by one visit, or how invested I am as a consumer based on one meal or one employee who was friendly - this is a 360 perspective on a business doing it right. When I pause to look and recognize somewhere who “gets it” organically, it means something. This is long but, they’ve earned it. Context - I just moved back to Los Angeles from Seattle. I’ve never lived North of the 101, I have no local haunts up here, and I’m still getting settled. Finding a new role, not yet in a groove and all I knew was that I missed good food. One morning I searched for an almond croissant and landed on Victory Cafe. I typed a note on my delivery receipt warning them in jest and CA humor I’d be ordering batches of five croissants at a time because I was in love with their menu. And I meant it. I’m a creature of habit - Salads for dinner, sandwiches, quesadillas, kids’ scrambles with fruit and sides of bacon — all with four to six croissants added every time. By week two, order three or four, my phone rings after I place an order. It’s the owner, Efren, talking to me like I’ve been a client for years. He tells me I’m a VIP to him and his team. They know my orders. That day they were out of my almond croissants, and he asked if I’d mind if he stayed late, made a batch himself, and personally dropped them off on his way home at 7 pm. He threw in some other pastries and muffins to try - c’mon - has that ever happened to you?! He’s not the pastry chef. This was a homemade croissant — not a waffle. He didn’t even ask how far away I was. And he did exactly what he said he would. He told me he remembered my receipt note about just moving back to LA, and he wanted to make sure I was taken care of by his team. I just placed another order and my phone rang again. I braced for a substitution call — fair enough, it’s 4 p.m. and I ordered eight pastries. But it was Efren, just saying hi. Checking on me. “We have everything for you today, but I wanted to say hello and see how you were.” The food is outstanding. I get enough to last me two to three days for under $50 and it’s better than anything else I’ve found. It’s fresh, healthy and it’s home cooked meals. They cater to vegans if that’s your preference. But where else are you treated like this without even walking in — just ordering through Grubhub? Imagine when I dine in! I’m treated like family and I am confident I’ve moved to the right place if I’ve landed near a restaurant with people who are this wonderful. I’ll be loyal to Victory Cafe for life. And I’ll drive to them no matter where I end up getting an apartment down the line. It’s a simple but rare thing: quality, consistency, genuine kindness, and a customer relationship that’s actually substantive. I’d trust Efren with more than an order, and his team reflects training that is preparing them for careers and life long values — at his organization and beyond. Keep an eye on Victory Cafe. It takes more than an owner to create this kind of magic. Well done, team.
Victory Caffe
Excerpts
I’m the person who usually walks into businesses hired to restore them. It’s rare these days I write a review. This is written not just due to a quick impression by one visit, or how invested I am as a consumer based on one meal or one employee who was friendly - this is a 360 perspective on a business doing it right. When I pause to look and recognize somewhere who “gets it” organically, it means something. This is long but, they’ve earned it. Context - I just moved back to Los Angeles from Seattle. I’ve never lived North of the 101, I have no local haunts up here, and I’m still getting settled. Finding a new role, not yet in a groove and all I knew was that I missed good food. One morning I searched for an almond croissant and landed on Victory Cafe. I typed a note on my delivery receipt warning them in jest and CA humor I’d be ordering batches of five croissants at a time because I was in love with their menu. And I meant it. I’m a creature of habit - Salads for dinner, sandwiches, quesadillas, kids’ scrambles with fruit and sides of bacon — all with four to six croissants added every time. By week two, order three or four, my phone rings after I place an order. It’s the owner, Efren, talking to me like I’ve been a client for years. He tells me I’m a VIP to him and his team. They know my orders. That day they were out of my almond croissants, and he asked if I’d mind if he stayed late, made a batch himself, and personally dropped them off on his way home at 7 pm. He threw in some other pastries and muffins to try - c’mon - has that ever happened to you?! He’s not the pastry chef. This was a homemade croissant — not a waffle. He didn’t even ask how far away I was. And he did exactly what he said he would. He told me he remembered my receipt note about just moving back to LA, and he wanted to make sure I was taken care of by his team. I just placed another order and my phone rang again. I braced for a substitution call — fair enough, it’s 4 p.m. and I ordered eight pastries. But it was Efren, just saying hi. Checking on me. “We have everything for you today, but I wanted to say hello and see how you were.” The food is outstanding. I get enough to last me two to three days for under $50 and it’s better than anything else I’ve found. It’s fresh, healthy and it’s home cooked meals. They cater to vegans if that’s your preference. But where else are you treated like this without even walking in — just ordering through Grubhub? Imagine when I dine in! I’m treated like family and I am confident I’ve moved to the right place if I’ve landed near a restaurant with people who are this wonderful. I’ll be loyal to Victory Cafe for life. And I’ll drive to them no matter where I end up getting an apartment down the line. It’s a simple but rare thing: quality, consistency, genuine kindness, and a customer relationship that’s actually substantive. I’d trust Efren with more than an order, and his team reflects training that is preparing them for careers and life long values — at his organization and beyond. Keep an eye on Victory Cafe. It takes more than an owner to create this kind of magic. Well done, team.
Don’t miss this place. Food was exceptional, high quality ingredients. Fresh roasted organic coffee which made my vanilla latte amazing! Service was incredible, very friendly and attentive. The only downside to this experience is that I sat next to part of the door chime that loudly announces front door each time someone enters. Definitely will come back.
Don’t miss this place. Food was exceptional, high quality ingredients. Fresh roasted organic coffee which made my vanilla latte amazing! Service was incredible, very friendly and attentive. The only downside to this experience is that I sat next to part of the door chime that loudly announces front door each time someone enters. Definitely will come back.
Can't believe I've always driven by this place and never gave it a go! As a usual gatekeeper, I literally said nope, this shop NEEDS to be enjoyed by my friends, so I shared the spot right away. I came in on a Friday afternoon with a big appetite and was promptly helped, though the large menu had me completely indecisive. This place has a huge vegan selection and plenty of healthy options (which I ADORE since I'm on a diet). My partner ordered a mango smoothie, and I went with the house breakfast. It came loaded with scrambled eggs, chicken sausage, seasoned tomato, and house potatoes, plus sourdough toast and ketchup. Just look at the picture, it was divine. The presentation was beautiful and the food was delicious. I really appreciated how fresh and high quality the ingredients were. Nothing was greasy, which is usually my biggest complaint, and I loved that I could actually taste every element. The pumpkin spice latte was tasty, a bit sweet at first, but perfect once mixed. The mango smoothie was good, but the dragon berry smoothie my boyfriend ordered was even better. I loved it. The prices are very fair for the quality, flavor, and portion sizes. My only tiny complaint is that the music was super loud. Anywho, I WILL be back again.