Just had to check in and give this place five stars for continuing to make great food and sweets AND drinks, but the real reason I'm here is for the Coffee Crunch Cake which just blew my mind. Contrary to its appearance, it's actually quite light and airy, so moist, sweet and savory flavors, what a treat. All the cakes are actually really good. I love the food. The sandwiches, salads, everything is layered with flavors, made with love and makes you feel good. I think there's two kind of ppl, the kind that go to Valerie's and the kind who go to these other pretentious cafes, Valerie's is a neighborhood vibe, low-key, very chill and down to earth.

My hairstylist down the street recommended this spot for coffee. So after getting a fresh look I tried a fresh place. It's a cute little operation, with some outside seating. Had an iced salted maple latte and it was incredible.

While staying in Echo Park, Valerie came highly recommended. We decided to get it for late breakfast/lunch and it did not disappoint. We ordered online for pick up and everything was ready on time and the service was friendly enough. My brother and I shared half a turkey sandwich and half a chicken curry sandwich. I also got a caramel latte. The sandwiches were absolutely delicious! Both were great but the turkey was my favorite. The combination of the slice of green apple, the cheddar cheese, the cabbage, and light mustard really hit the spot. Both sandwiches came on sourdough which was perfect. The caramel latte had plenty of caramel and was super tasty. Looking at their display case, there's plenty of baked good and desserts that seemed delicious. I even saw at least one gluten free baked good option. If you're in the area, this is a great spot to order takeout from and they even have some outdoor seating too.

For years I've been obsessing over Valerie's Coffee Crunch Cake. The photos just looked so yummy. I finally made the effort to pay the Echo Park location a visit so I could see if the cake tasted as good as it looked. Thankfully, I went early on a Sunday morning because it is located in a residential neighborhood and parking in the area is tough. I eventually found a spot a few blocks away. Locals are lucky that they can walk here. In fact, the neighbor next door stopped by for his morning coffee. The kitchen takes up most of the space. There is no indoor seating but there are tables out front and a cozy little side patio. In addition to coffee, tea, cakes, & pastries you can also purchase breakfast & lunch items and pantry staples. There were several tempting pastries in the case, but I was on a mission. However, I didn't see the Coffee Crunch Cake so I asked if they had it. The kind man behind the counter told me he hadn't put it out yet and got me a slice. I couldn't wait to try it. The cake was a nice contrast of texture and flavor. The chiffon cake was light, moist, & fluffy. The whipped cream frosting was slightly sweet. The coffee honeycomb had a nice crunch giving each bite a little bit of texture. It also added sweetness and coffee flavor to the whipped cream. As a whole, it was a delight on the tastebuds. If I lived in the area I would stop by on a regular basis. I can't wait to go back and try some of their other treats and another slice of the Coffee Crunch Cake. *Cashless

NO CASH ACCEPTED HERE -- first thing to know if you're coming here A pretty, little cafe that serves beautiful sandwiches that are as great to eat as they are to look at. My friend and I both ordered our own sandwiches and they each came with a nice side salad. Both dishes came with VERY fresh ingredients and I've been craving to return since I first tried it Smoked salmon bahn mi - 10/10. It was so tasty even though it wasn't anything like what a traditional bahn mi is like. The lettuce and mint used in the sandwich were crunchy and super fresh and the pickled jalapeños used added a nice dimension to the sandwich Side salad - 8/10. I would have enjoyed it more but it was much too drenched with oil/lemon (not sure what they use here. It was good regardless but the dressing used was overwhelming)

Love this spot. Great location in Echo Park with incredible breakfast/lunch food and coffee. Highly recommend!

Coffee is good, but the pastries are the star of the show here. I've tried the zucchini bread, the coffee cake, the breakfast hand pie, and the mushroom and cheese hand pie, and all were super delicious. The flaky, buttery, and well-seasoned crust on the hand pies are to die for. It's a small spot that's very popular, so there will be likely be a line at peak hours, but they move through it pretty quickly. You can also order ahead for pickup (including curbside!) Staff is very friendly. There's also a decent amount of outdoor seating, or, if you're willing to brave the hill, it's about a quarter mile from Elysian Park. Definitely a must stop when I'm in the area.

My partner and I came in for breakfast. I got a cold brew and the breakfast banh mi (with added pork sausage). On my recommendation, they got the quiche Lorraine and a chai. We split a mezcal sticky toffee pudding. The rep at the counter was friendly and patient as we kept adding to our order. The server who brought us our meal was friendly and very enthusiastic about our order choices. The seating outside was comfortable and not too crowded at about 10 AM on a Saturday. It was also great for dog-watching! The quiche was tasty. The salad that accompanied it was bright and full of herbs which was a nice touch. The banh mi was delicious. The bread was fresh and perfect - not too hard or dry. The pudding was really flavorful, with just a hint of smokiness from the mezcal.

The cutest little neighborhood coffee shop nestled into the suburban portion of echo park street. The location encourages locals, and the covered outdoor seating encourages guests to stay and eat. They're know for their sandwiches, and their matches are done well (this is important to me for coffee shops, I don't get matcha at coffee chains because I don't like it). I love walking here in the mornings when I work remote. The gluten free mochi muffins and brownies and flourless cake are delicious, and there's a host of vegan options. Ratings: Ambiance: 10/10 Ease of seating/ speed of service: 10/10 Vegan options: 10/10 Gluten free options: 9/10 Low carb options: 6/10 Overall deliciousness: 10/10 Pricing: $$ Parking: street Seating: front and back outdoor seating Liquor License: no

Update (October 14, 2022): Have you ever experienced something for the first time & it was so good that you kept thinking about it the next day...& the next? That was EXACTLY what happened to me when I (finally) tried "Valerie's" Basque Cheesecake! Admittedly, I am not a fan of cheesecake by any stretch of the imagination. But...this time...it's different. When we last left off, I'd seen this mysterious cheesecake sitting on display in "Valerie's" dessert case. It's dark, sultry-looking top was practically begging for my attention. I was tempted during each & every visit, but resisted ordering this dessert. "Next time," I told myself, over-&-over again. Well, the time finally came this week. I made a special trip to "Valerie's" --- just to try the Basque Cheesecake. Not knowing what to expect, after one bite I knew I was hooked. This crustless, rich, incredibly creamy dessert with its beautifully dark slightly bitter & carmelized top reminded me less of a typical cheesecake, & more of an indulgent creme brûlèe...but better. To say that I am obsessed with this unbelievably decadent Basque Cheesecake is an understatement. The deliciousness of this dessert plus the excellent customer care I received has me updating my previous review from 4 to 5 stars!!! Without revealing his name, I want to give a special thank you to the gentleman associate who assisted me during my most recent visit --- (you know who you are). You did something we should all aim to do on a daily basis: A simple random act of kindness. Thank you for helping make my day that much sweeter. Thank you for being you. Everyone: If you're in need of an indulgent treat, do yourself a favour & stop by "Valerie's" & try the Basque Cheesecake. You'll thank me later!