I love they're turkey cream cheese sandwich, I can have it nearly everyday. I just moved back to LA and just found out they closed :( hope it can reopen soon
Grace C.
I'm sad I discovered this place waaayy too late. Thanks to a local Facebook group, I was able to try Cross St Cafe two times for its sandwiches and rolls. Their last day is this Friday, Sept 4, so make a stop during lunch hours if you want one final (or first!) bite!What's awesomely delicious here:* Spicy pork cupbap (rice bowl) ($11)SANDWICHES (ranges from $8 - $9)* Spicy chicken breast sandwich* Roast beef sandwich* Bulgogi sandwich* Spicy pork sandwichROLLS (Under $4.99 each)* Bulgogi roll* Spicy tuna roll* Spicy crab meat roll* Kimchi rollMy ultimate fave has to be the rolls (any of the ones I tried were great!)!What I didn't get to try was their pork cutlet roll, shrimp tempura roll, and boongeo bbang (red bean or Nutella filled pastry shaped like a fish). Since they had reduced hours (M-F 11 am - 4 pm), I ordered and picked up close to closing time, so a lot of the stuff was already sold out. However, the things I did order were made fresh on the spot by owner Snow, who is such a sweet and friendly person. She's also likely the one picking up the phone when you place your order. Venmo or cash only. Some street parking on Colorado and Marion.
Wayne L.
Best sandwich shop in Pasadena! The owner used to run Pencil Cafe (the former best sandwich in Pasadena) near by and after it closed this is its spiritual successor. Most items on the menu remained along with some updates.- Turkey Avocado- Wild Alaskan Salmon- Spicy Roast BeefThe new musubis are great too!
Michelle L.
PENCIL 2.0! Best SANDWICH AND SALAD place in PASADENA!We found to out from a friend 2 days ago that the owner of Pencil, her name is Snow, re-opened her restaurant directly across the street from the reflection pool at Pasadena City College. It's now called Cross St Cafe. She was only opened for a few months then COVID hit and all the students were no longer around. Her business has been hit hard since then and is trying to stay afloat. Snow is the sweetest business owner and her food is always fresh and delicious. We went over there yesterday and her menu (limited items) and food is the same, delicious and large portions. She added some home-cooked Korean items: cup bap (similar to a bimbibap) with rice on the bottom and japchae noodles, kim chee, a fried egg, we had it with her yummy beef bulgogi; also on the menu sushi type rolls, ramen, etc. Her famous avocado, turkey, cranberry sandwich is a must try. I don't normally like sandwiches but I would definitely make an exception - it's large, so I normally share it with someone. My husband would have this sandwich once a week - it's that addicting and yummy. Yesterday, our friends who ordered out with us, got the egg salad sandwich and his wife, took the other half because it was so yummy. We've had her salads too, amazing. She only does take out, no delivery options. Best to call to see what she has available. opened M-Fri 11-4p. Street parking and also a lot in the back off Marion St. Please support this gem of a restaurant.
Connie W.
A Quarantine15/Safer At Home/COVID-19 Review:Such a sweet little shop off of Colorado Blvd in Pasadena right across from Pasadena City College. Pretty straight forward sandwiches, salads, and little cut rolls. I didn't have much of a break with work that day so opted for the rolls which are easier to eat when you're crunched for time. Super nice owner and great prices. Everything tastes fresh and made with love.Next time we go, we'll try the rice bowls/cup bops...since the cut rolls were so bomb, I'm sure the bowls would be amazing, too!Go and support!One note: they are not offering shaved ice right now.
nancy p.
I had the BEST salad today for take out. It was the Pencil Salad. Probably one of the freshest most flavorful salads I have had in a very long time and it was only $9.00. There is parking behind the cafe. I highly recommend. This place is super duper clean and the owner is the sweetest lady ever.
Elisa B.
Excellent, excellent, excellent sandwiches and simple yet satisfying sushi rolls. Please support this small business. They have been an important part of the PCC community and are being hit hard due to covid.
Magdalena K.
Cross St. Cafe has the best sandwiches in Pasadena!! So glad to find the owner of Pencil Cafe has a new home. Great healthy & quality ingredients for all of their food. You can definitely taste the love that the owners put forth into each menu item.They have an extensive menu with so many options. I will be back to sample the variety of food they have to offer, from amazing sandwiches to Korean dishes. Snow, the owner, always provides top notch service & gives her all to support the community, as well as takes great care of her customers. #SupportSmallBusiness. #PasadenaPride
christine y.
BEST TURKEY AVOCADO SANDWICHES! Hands down, some of the best sandwiches in general in Pasadena. Used to be Pencil, but grateful they only moved a few blocks away. Hours are M-F 11-4pm. Their hand rolls, beef/pork bowls are really tasty too.
Yen H.
I've loved eating here when i was at PCC and the food was always lovely. Today i decided to relive that memory and dang was it as good as I remembered. Tho, i tried something new today which was their bulgogia cupbap. It's a lovely rice bowl that has a lot packed into it! It's got japchae, sautéed cabbage with oyster mushrooms, bulbogi all nestled ontop of a bed of rice that has cooked kimchi on top. Its a tasty medley of sweet and sour. What elevats this dish in my opinion is a eating it with boxed seaweed. Grab a mouthful of rice, bulgogi and kimchi and slap a nice piece of seaweed ontop and shove the tasty morsel into your mouth! Just blissful. I also got their turkey avocado sandwich which was as good as I remembered! Best thing this place is locally owned and the prices are just nice! Please come and support if you have the chance!
Since I worked at PCC (right across the street) before COVID-19, I would order lunch from Cross Street Cafe nearly everyday. Not only is their food consistently delicious, but their staff are very friendly and accommodating. I personally recommend the salmon and veggie sandwiches, or their mini hand rolls if you need a quick bite. Their smoothies and teas are also exceptional--miles better than nearby businesses that supposedly specialize in drinks. Due to CDC guidelines closing college campuses and forbidding dine-in, many small family-owned businesses are struggling to stay afloat in these times. I highly encourage you to support them by ordering take-out or delivery!
Linda C.
Cute cafe right across the street from PCC. Great for a quick bite to eat that won't leave you feeling heavy and sleepy. A variety of hand rolls offered as well as smoothies and sandwiches. I would have to say that the rolls are a bit pricey. I eat quite a bit so after a couple of rolls (two pieces each roll), I was still hungry. They also serve red bean fish shaped sweets (think Somi Somi without the ice cream)--pretty addicting. Parking can be hard during school hours, parked on the street.
Timothy L.
Great place for students! I've been to their original cafe Pencil and although a bit pricey, the food was good! They got plenty of seating here now, and a vast menu of some what seems to Korean food (they got shaved ice and kimchi rolls). I got the Kimchi and Bulgogi rolls which were pretty good. Overall, I'd prob come back since they got plenty of food options and free wifi...I do wish it was better lit and cooler inside though (it was really stuffy inside when I went).
Kota Ohashi
Advertises smoothies specifically with no syrup and I literally saw the workers add syrup into my smoothie.
Brita P.
From the former ownner of Pencil Cafe, Cross st. Cafe delivers exceptional quality, great prices and the best sandwiches and beverages in town! Highly recommend the wild alaskan sandwich with wasabi and the spicy pork! Snow is the sweetest owner and the staff is friendly and efficient!!! Such a gem of a cafe!
I love they're turkey cream cheese sandwich, I can have it nearly everyday. I just moved back to LA and just found out they closed :( hope it can reopen soon
I'm sad I discovered this place waaayy too late. Thanks to a local Facebook group, I was able to try Cross St Cafe two times for its sandwiches and rolls. Their last day is this Friday, Sept 4, so make a stop during lunch hours if you want one final (or first!) bite!What's awesomely delicious here:* Spicy pork cupbap (rice bowl) ($11)SANDWICHES (ranges from $8 - $9)* Spicy chicken breast sandwich* Roast beef sandwich* Bulgogi sandwich* Spicy pork sandwichROLLS (Under $4.99 each)* Bulgogi roll* Spicy tuna roll* Spicy crab meat roll* Kimchi rollMy ultimate fave has to be the rolls (any of the ones I tried were great!)!What I didn't get to try was their pork cutlet roll, shrimp tempura roll, and boongeo bbang (red bean or Nutella filled pastry shaped like a fish). Since they had reduced hours (M-F 11 am - 4 pm), I ordered and picked up close to closing time, so a lot of the stuff was already sold out. However, the things I did order were made fresh on the spot by owner Snow, who is such a sweet and friendly person. She's also likely the one picking up the phone when you place your order. Venmo or cash only. Some street parking on Colorado and Marion.
Best sandwich shop in Pasadena! The owner used to run Pencil Cafe (the former best sandwich in Pasadena) near by and after it closed this is its spiritual successor. Most items on the menu remained along with some updates.- Turkey Avocado- Wild Alaskan Salmon- Spicy Roast BeefThe new musubis are great too!
PENCIL 2.0! Best SANDWICH AND SALAD place in PASADENA!We found to out from a friend 2 days ago that the owner of Pencil, her name is Snow, re-opened her restaurant directly across the street from the reflection pool at Pasadena City College. It's now called Cross St Cafe. She was only opened for a few months then COVID hit and all the students were no longer around. Her business has been hit hard since then and is trying to stay afloat. Snow is the sweetest business owner and her food is always fresh and delicious. We went over there yesterday and her menu (limited items) and food is the same, delicious and large portions. She added some home-cooked Korean items: cup bap (similar to a bimbibap) with rice on the bottom and japchae noodles, kim chee, a fried egg, we had it with her yummy beef bulgogi; also on the menu sushi type rolls, ramen, etc. Her famous avocado, turkey, cranberry sandwich is a must try. I don't normally like sandwiches but I would definitely make an exception - it's large, so I normally share it with someone. My husband would have this sandwich once a week - it's that addicting and yummy. Yesterday, our friends who ordered out with us, got the egg salad sandwich and his wife, took the other half because it was so yummy. We've had her salads too, amazing. She only does take out, no delivery options. Best to call to see what she has available. opened M-Fri 11-4p. Street parking and also a lot in the back off Marion St. Please support this gem of a restaurant.
A Quarantine15/Safer At Home/COVID-19 Review:Such a sweet little shop off of Colorado Blvd in Pasadena right across from Pasadena City College. Pretty straight forward sandwiches, salads, and little cut rolls. I didn't have much of a break with work that day so opted for the rolls which are easier to eat when you're crunched for time. Super nice owner and great prices. Everything tastes fresh and made with love.Next time we go, we'll try the rice bowls/cup bops...since the cut rolls were so bomb, I'm sure the bowls would be amazing, too!Go and support!One note: they are not offering shaved ice right now.
I had the BEST salad today for take out. It was the Pencil Salad. Probably one of the freshest most flavorful salads I have had in a very long time and it was only $9.00. There is parking behind the cafe. I highly recommend. This place is super duper clean and the owner is the sweetest lady ever.
Excellent, excellent, excellent sandwiches and simple yet satisfying sushi rolls. Please support this small business. They have been an important part of the PCC community and are being hit hard due to covid.
Cross St. Cafe has the best sandwiches in Pasadena!! So glad to find the owner of Pencil Cafe has a new home. Great healthy & quality ingredients for all of their food. You can definitely taste the love that the owners put forth into each menu item.They have an extensive menu with so many options. I will be back to sample the variety of food they have to offer, from amazing sandwiches to Korean dishes. Snow, the owner, always provides top notch service & gives her all to support the community, as well as takes great care of her customers. #SupportSmallBusiness. #PasadenaPride
BEST TURKEY AVOCADO SANDWICHES! Hands down, some of the best sandwiches in general in Pasadena. Used to be Pencil, but grateful they only moved a few blocks away. Hours are M-F 11-4pm. Their hand rolls, beef/pork bowls are really tasty too.
I've loved eating here when i was at PCC and the food was always lovely. Today i decided to relive that memory and dang was it as good as I remembered. Tho, i tried something new today which was their bulgogia cupbap. It's a lovely rice bowl that has a lot packed into it! It's got japchae, sautéed cabbage with oyster mushrooms, bulbogi all nestled ontop of a bed of rice that has cooked kimchi on top. Its a tasty medley of sweet and sour. What elevats this dish in my opinion is a eating it with boxed seaweed. Grab a mouthful of rice, bulgogi and kimchi and slap a nice piece of seaweed ontop and shove the tasty morsel into your mouth! Just blissful. I also got their turkey avocado sandwich which was as good as I remembered! Best thing this place is locally owned and the prices are just nice! Please come and support if you have the chance!
Restaurantji Recommends
Since I worked at PCC (right across the street) before COVID-19, I would order lunch from Cross Street Cafe nearly everyday. Not only is their food consistently delicious, but their staff are very friendly and accommodating. I personally recommend the salmon and veggie sandwiches, or their mini hand rolls if you need a quick bite. Their smoothies and teas are also exceptional--miles better than nearby businesses that supposedly specialize in drinks. Due to CDC guidelines closing college campuses and forbidding dine-in, many small family-owned businesses are struggling to stay afloat in these times. I highly encourage you to support them by ordering take-out or delivery!
Cute cafe right across the street from PCC. Great for a quick bite to eat that won't leave you feeling heavy and sleepy. A variety of hand rolls offered as well as smoothies and sandwiches. I would have to say that the rolls are a bit pricey. I eat quite a bit so after a couple of rolls (two pieces each roll), I was still hungry. They also serve red bean fish shaped sweets (think Somi Somi without the ice cream)--pretty addicting. Parking can be hard during school hours, parked on the street.
Great place for students! I've been to their original cafe Pencil and although a bit pricey, the food was good! They got plenty of seating here now, and a vast menu of some what seems to Korean food (they got shaved ice and kimchi rolls). I got the Kimchi and Bulgogi rolls which were pretty good. Overall, I'd prob come back since they got plenty of food options and free wifi...I do wish it was better lit and cooler inside though (it was really stuffy inside when I went).
Advertises smoothies specifically with no syrup and I literally saw the workers add syrup into my smoothie.
From the former ownner of Pencil Cafe, Cross st. Cafe delivers exceptional quality, great prices and the best sandwiches and beverages in town! Highly recommend the wild alaskan sandwich with wasabi and the spicy pork! Snow is the sweetest owner and the staff is friendly and efficient!!! Such a gem of a cafe!