"It’s always a bit disappointing when a place is genuinely good—I was secretly hoping to write another snarky review. But unfortunately, nothing at Joey’s Café deserves that kind of criticism. The menu is interesting and varied enough to appeal to most tastes; the restaurant is clean, well-designed, reasonably quiet, and filled with a delightful mix of West Hollywood characters—from the stunning blonde reciting lines by the far wall to the downcast young Midwesterner at the next table, mulling over his stage mishaps.
I chose the chilaquiles, my absolute favorite dish after pasta, pizza, and ice cream. At $12, I figured I could at least complain about the price. However, once I finished, the cost seemed entirely fair—the plate was generously stacked with expertly prepared chilaquiles à la moda la bajía, perfectly cooked black refried beans, and a large pile of fluffy scrambled eggs that could easily win the heart of any little girl.
The service was excellent, provided by a cheerful young man—not the cute one mentioned in another review, but Eric, who’s pretty cute if that’s your style. When I asked for a "small fruit," he seemed excited, then a bit disappointed (but not surprised) when I finished with "bowl." The fruit was nearly as good as the glowing praise it’s received elsewhere, and the $3 price tag was a welcome surprise.
The Curmudgeon's Ratings:
FOOD: 3 ½ chili peppers (out of 5)
SERVICE: 3 ½ chili peppers
AMBIENCE: 3 ½ chili peppers
VALUE: 3 ½ chili peppers"
