California Cafe Mexican Restaurant

- 128 Lincoln Ave, Staten Island, NY 10306

Welcome to a detailed overview of the California Cafe Mexican Restaurant, a dedicated Mexican eatery aiming to serve the local community of Staten Island, New York. Situated in the heart of the borough, this establishment presents itself as a neighborhood destination for those seeking a casual and cozy dining experience. Our goal is to provide New York residents with an informative look at what this specific local spot offers, basing all details strictly on the publicly available and provided information.

The atmosphere at California Cafe is described as decidedly Casual and Cozy, which immediately suggests an inviting, low-key setting perfect for everyday meals. This vibe is often highly sought after by local patrons in the New York area looking for a comfortable place to relax. It appears to cater well to various dynamics, being specifically noted as Popular for Lunch, Dinner, and accommodating both Solo dining as well as Groups. For families within the Staten Island community, the establishment is noted as Good for kids and features a dedicated Kids' menu, making it a convenient option for parents looking for an accessible and friendly local spot for family meals.

For Staten Island locals and visitors, knowing the precise location and ease of access is paramount. California Cafe Mexican Restaurant is conveniently located at 128 Lincoln Ave, Staten Island, NY 10306, USA. This specific address places it within a recognizable and accessible part of the borough, making it a viable option for those in the surrounding neighborhoods.

A significant detail for community members is the restaurant’s commitment to accessibility. The provided information specifically highlights Accessibility features, noting that the restaurant offers a Wheelchair accessible entrance. This is an important consideration for many in the New York community, ensuring that the dining experience is open and convenient for all patrons. The location's positioning on Lincoln Avenue is designed to be a straightforward destination for those traveling from various points across Staten Island.

Given the importance of convenience in the fast-paced New York environment, the restaurant's operational features are designed to facilitate an easy experience. For those driving or arriving locally, the specific neighborhood context of 128 Lincoln Ave helps to anchor it as a true local business.

California Cafe Mexican Restaurant offers a comprehensive range of service options designed to fit the diverse needs of the modern Staten Island diner. Whether you prefer to dine on-site or enjoy your meal from the comfort of your home, the restaurant provides several choices for obtaining your food. These services are key components of the local dining infrastructure, allowing maximum flexibility for its patrons.

The available service options include:

• Dine-in: Patrons are welcome to enjoy the Casual and Cozy atmosphere directly within the restaurant, taking advantage of the full dining environment. This option includes Table service.
• Takeout: A convenient option for locals on the go who prefer to pick up their order and enjoy it elsewhere.
• Delivery: For those who prefer the utmost convenience, delivery service is available, bringing the meal directly to the customer's location.
• No-contact delivery: Reflecting an understanding of modern health and safety preferences, this service is offered for patrons who require or prefer an entirely contactless transfer of their meal.
• Accepts reservations: For planning special meals or securing a table for Groups, the restaurant facilitates future planning by allowing patrons to make reservations.

These various options underscore an effort to provide flexible and accommodating service to the local New York clientele. The inclusion of modern table service and reservation capabilities elevates the overall dining planning experience for Staten Island residents.

The distinctive features and menu offerings provide a clear picture of what patrons can expect from California Cafe Mexican Restaurant. These highlights are central to the establishment's identity and appeal within the local dining scene.

A key advertised feature is Fast service. This is a significant highlight, especially in a city like New York where efficiency is highly valued. The commitment to quick service suggests an operational focus on minimizing wait times for patrons, whether they are dining in or opting for takeout.

In terms of the dining options and menu categories, the restaurant offers a specific selection of Offerings designed to appeal to a broad, local audience throughout the day. The available categories are:

• Coffee: An essential item for morning or after-meal enjoyment.
• Comfort food: Suggesting hearty, satisfying dishes that evoke a sense of home and familiarity.
• Quick bite: Catering to the need for fast, efficient meals perfect for a lunch break or quick stop.
• Small plates: Offering flexibility for appetizers, sharing, or lighter dining options.
• Kids' menu: Ensuring dedicated, appropriate options are available for younger diners.

The complete range of Dining options covers Lunch, Dinner, and Dessert, complemented by Table service. For convenience, the establishment is equipped with necessary Amenities, including a Restroom.

Furthermore, a modern approach to transactions ensures a smooth payment process for local customers. The restaurant accepts multiple payment methods:

• Credit cards
• Debit cards
• NFC mobile payments (such as Apple Pay or Google Pay)

This variety of payment options simplifies the checkout process, another small but important detail for the convenience of its New York City patrons.

The menu at California Cafe Mexican Restaurant provides specific insight into the culinary direction of the establishment. The available data indicates a focus on certain signature and staple Mexican dishes, priced for the local market.

One of the distinct sections is the Tri Bandejas / Tri Platters section. These appear to be substantial, signature main courses, all priced uniformly at $23.95. The offering includes:

• Bandeja Ranchera / Ranchera Platter ($23.95): This option presents a traditional, robust platter likely featuring a selection of meats, rice, and beans, typical of a ranch-style Mexican meal, offering substantial comfort food.
• Bandeja California / California Platter ($23.95): This signature platter, bearing the restaurant’s name, suggests a unique combination or presentation specific to the California Cafe concept, potentially highlighting a different regional or specialty preparation.
• Bandeja Del Chef / Chef's Platter ($23.95): A curated selection or special preparation designated by the chef, indicating a focus on a signature creation or best-of-house elements.

The second key category is the Rinconcito de la Birria / Birria's Corner, indicating a specialization in the increasingly popular Mexican Birria preparation. This corner of the menu focuses on four main preparations of Birria, all priced at $13.95:

• Tacos ($13.95): Birria preparation served in taco form, a classic and highly sought-after presentation.
• Burrito ($13.95): The Birria filling incorporated into a substantial burrito wrap.
• Quesadilla ($13.95): Birria meat and cheese grilled inside a folded tortilla.
• Torta ($13.95): The Birria served as a filling in a traditional Mexican sandwich.

The focus on these specific, recognizable menu categories—substantial platters and dedicated Birria preparations—provides a clear expectation of the comfort food available at the establishment.

For Staten Island residents interested in dining, takeout, or delivery, the following contact information is provided:

• Address: 128 Lincoln Ave, Staten Island, NY 10306, USA
• Phone: (716) 599-1608
• Mobile Phone: +1 716-599-1608

Deciding on a local dining spot in New York often comes down to the balance of convenience, atmosphere, and specific culinary offerings. California Cafe Mexican Restaurant presents itself as a versatile choice for a variety of dining needs.

The establishment is explicitly noted as being Popular for Lunch, Dinner, and Solo dining, suggesting a reliably available, easy-access meal throughout the day. The Casual, Cozy atmosphere combined with the Good for kids and Kids' menu features makes it a straightforward choice for local family outings in Staten Island. The highlight of Fast service is a strong selling point for those needing a Quick bite without a long wait. Furthermore, the inclusion of popular, specific dishes like the Tri Platters and the focused Birria's Corner menu provides distinct culinary reasons to visit, particularly for those craving these particular types of Mexican Comfort food and Small plates.

However, as with any local establishment, the dining experience can vary, and it is important to maintain a factual perspective. The provided customer feedback details specific instances of service and quality issues, including a reported delay (20 minutes for two tacos when the restaurant was reportedly empty), a lack of attention to initial customer greeting, and concerns over food quality related to a bland rice side and burnt birria meat, along with the omission of consome meat and salsa. These reviews, while isolated and only providing a small sample size, stand in contrast to the official Fast service highlight.

For the New York local, this means the California Cafe Mexican Restaurant may be worth choosing primarily for its established conveniences: a comfortable, accessible setting (Wheelchair accessible entrance, Restroom), flexible payment options (Credit cards, NFC mobile payments), and a comprehensive set of service options (including Delivery and Reservations). When choosing this location, patrons should be drawn by the specific menu items, such as the unique Bandeja California or a quick Birria option, while maintaining an awareness that the highly valued service consistency may, based on limited public feedback, occasionally deviate from the advertised "Fast service" promise. The professional and factual assessment suggests it remains a functional, local Mexican restaurant that caters to families and groups needing a casual dining environment and specific, popular menu items.

Its full suite of services, from No-contact delivery to Table service for Groups, ensures it plays a significant role in the Staten Island dining options available for Lunch and Dinner.

California Cafe Mexican Restaurant

128 Lincoln Ave, Staten Island, NY 10306, USA