Mae Mae Café

This is REALLY 1-​star. The service is horrible. They actually seem surprised when someone comes in for lunch. Also, their food is horrible. It’s bland. It’s uninspired. And for this, they charge a premium price! Wankers.

I worked a street down from this place for a year so went here a lot for breakfast and lunch. Their breakfast is good — typical egg dish. Their chicken pot thing is really good for cold days — delicious puff pastry and broth-​like dish.

I used to love the lunch banh mi and salads, and just returned last week after a six month hiatus — the chicken noodle soup was lukewarm and the grilled cheese looked interesting but was rather uninspiring in taste. Perhaps it was an off day, but it may be a while before I try Mae Mae again.

What a cute place! Stopped in and it was packed for lunch. I had the fish special and my friend had the cobb salad and both were AMAZING. Staff was friendly and chill. New spot for me.

The food is just so disappointing. My fish was overcooked, sent it back and they gave me another overcooked piece of fish that was still raw inside — guys, stop cooking it WHILE IT’S STILL FROZEN. Just tell me you’re out.
Ugh.

In a way, it was my fault, because I had chances to get up and leave but I did not. My first chance was when our waitress tossed the menus to the table and said we could sit there, second was when our waitress to go back and fourth checking several items on the menu only to find there were two dishes left at 1pm, and the last was when she never came to ask if we wanted drinks, it was «what do you want?» Others were a bit smarter than my party because they had barely sat down before they left.
My party had the pulled pork sandwich and the grilled cheese, because that was all that was left and we had to return from a lunch break. The pulled pork sandwich must have been sitting waiting for someone because the pork was lukewarm, coleslaw topping was the same temperature, the bread soaked to where my fingers would go through it.
The grilled cheese itself was good, this seemed freshly made, but It would have been much better with the bacon that was supposed to be on it.
If I could give it one & a half stars I would, the half for the grilled cheese that was served incomplete.
Not returning.

Oh, wow.
I’m on a business trip to NYC and knew after a long (and early) day of travel, I’d be starving when I arrived, so I researched good restaurants within walking distance of my hotel (FourPoints by Sheraton). I’m so glad I did!
The atmosphere of this place is enough to give it 5 stars. Small and cozy, with warm colors and bottles of wine lining the walls. It feels a little like a cozy little coffee shop when you walk in.
I ordered the grilled cheese (bourbon apple compote, applewood smoked bacon, tumbleweed cheddar cheese). Holy sh*t. It was huge. I thought to myself… «there’s no way I’m eating all that.» But I did. I did. I ate every last bite.
One small negative of the place (but not negative enough to dock a star) is that the service is a little slow. But they’re super friendly, so. oh well.
If I stay in this area again, I would most certainly come back.
TIP: The menu said that they have live music every Wednesday night at 7pm!

It’s good and lots of girls come here. One of those places.

Just ate their latkes from the latke festival… and it was the best! Cardamon apple bake and pickled ginger on top of latke with crème fraîche. I cant wait to visit them for lunch.

Whenever I go to the always-​packed, girly girl café, Mae Mae, for lunch, my initial thought process is a multiple-​choice question like the following.
Pick the letter that best describes the name Mae Mae:
a. the name of the colorful llama that stands outside;
b. the sound that the colorful llama that stands outside makes;
c. the nick name of the child that loves the colorful llama that stands outside;
d. all of the above;
e. none of the above.
My favorite answer is C. But in reality, the answer is probably E, since I don’t know the story behind Mae Mae’s happy existence. All I know of Mae Mae, is its delicious, amazing, praiseworthy, and definitely-​will-​keep-​you-​coming-​back, organic and locally-​grown food.
Although on the small side, the ever-​changing menu is full of a variety of comfort food. Lots of veggies. Lots of bacon. And lots of cheese! My most recent favorites are the grilled cheese, chicken pot pie, and macaroni and cheese. Desserts are mostly winners but those change often as well.
Mae Mae’s tea list is also a never-​fail must-​try.

Wow. I think that may have been the best grilled cheese sandwich I ever ate. The chef was our waiter today — she was incredibly helpful about the food and enthusiastic in making sure that we got what we liked — to the point of offering samples.
The broccoli and cashew soup was also superb. I look forward to making this a regular lunch spot. It was busy and the wait took a bit, and the food came out a bit staggered, but if I could give 4.5 stars I would.

The service is slow but the food is worth the wait. Must try the chicken pot pie. Kind of small but it’s so savory and delicious.

One of my favorite sit-​down cafes in Hudson Square! The menu is a seasonal rotation and they’re always spot-​on and delicious. During my most recent visit, I tried their «Fall Grilled Cheese» which had apple slices and bacon — the perfect balance of sweet and savory! My friend paired hers with a thick tomato jam soup and definitely received her stamp of approval. The only thing to keep in mind is that Mae Mae service can be more relaxed/​slow so don’t come here if you’re looking for a quick bite! It’s a bit on the small side and can get crowded during weekday lunch. Fun touch: checks come in used books and the café has an old-​school, traditional library look-​and-​feel that’s not stuffy at all.

Slightly hipster place, offering up simple food (fresh as a motha!) and a simple drink menu. Good lunch spot with unique and what would seem like hand-​picked ingredients. I would go back.

Came here for lunch one day when Westville was full. I LOVE this place! It’s small enough to keep a really cozy, homey vibe, but not too small to accommodate a full lunch crowd.
Our waiter was super attentive. At his recommendation, I got the chicken pot pie. I couldn’t even remember the last time I’d had a chicken pot pie. I think it was stouffer’s? Or maybe it was a hot pocket that I’m confusing with a pot pie? They’ve just never really been my thing, but he insisted that it was a favorite among the regulars.
Yo. The pot pie was EVERYTHING. I did not want that thing to end. The crust was amazing, the filling was amazing, and I would have eaten either of them independently. I don’t even remember what my other two friends ate. I think one was a fancy looking pizza and the other had some kind of sandwich. They said they really enjoyed it. But in that moment, nothing in life mattered besides that pot pie. Student loans, credit card bills, being unemployed in a matter of weeks, finding true love… suddenly these existential worries fell by the wayside.
I don’t even remember what I was talking about. You should get the pot pie.

I love Mae Mae Café! I work around the corner so I have been enjoying their food for a couple years now — this review is clearly well overdue.
The place itself is super cute. The staff has always been nothing but the best. I came in for breakfast recently and my friend wanted the veggie burger. I know who wants a veggie burger for breakfast? Well she did. haha Usually you wouldn’t expect them to have prepped all the lunch menu items at breakfast but they were so accommodating and happily made it happen for her. I myself had their breakfast sandwich… uhhh so good. They just opened for breakfast in the past few months I believe so the majority of my experiences have been with lunch.
They change their menu seasonally which can be tough when you find that amazing thing you want every time from then on out. luckily they never disappoint when you are in need of a new favorite menu item.
Most recently I had the BLT and it was delish. Their food is all farm to table and you can taste how fresh it is. Past favorites were caesar salad, curried chicken salad sandwich, the weekly paninis and grilled cheese never disappoint either.
Definitely check it out if you are in the Hudson Square area!

If you are looking for these things:
Great service
Wonderful atmosphere
Cozy setting
Healthy eating /​fresh ingredients
This place is all you need. Very nice date spot for lunch, and you feel great about what you’re eating while you’re here.

This is a real original… a place where, if you have the time… you can spend a few hours over some good food and drink. It feels truly «New York» …tucked away on a quiet street in Soho… the food is good and different. I had the Chicken Pot Pie and it was savory and really tasty. They have daily versions of the classic grilled cheese sandwich. The strawberry/​basil lemonade was a treat too! Try it!

If I was only rating the food, I’d give Mae Mae Café a full 5 stars. The Chicken Panino was delicious and the homemade Iced-​tea lemonade hit the spot. I still can’t get over it’s taken me 2 years to discover this place, when my office is right around the corner! You can tell the food is farm fresh, it just tastes better.
The décor is adorable and it’s very cozy. I wish the service was a little more attentive, but (to be fair) I did arrive at 12:30 and every table was filled.
I think the key is to come for an early lunch to avoid the crowd. Or, if you’re looking to take the food truck route — which, is pretty popular in this area — they own the Katchkie truck that is tucked into the Hudson Square Courtyard (Note: It’s in a parking lot, not on the street).

Sleet and rain and more sleet outside.
Inside, warm and cozy.
French onion soup and croque madam
Pea soup and chef’s salad.
All yummy.
Live band with some mellow tunes.
Funky lemonade.
Didn’t want to leave.
Will be back for some wine and tunes and some more nosh.

This café bar is such a cute spot to come by during lunch break! The space is adorable, it makes you feel like you are in a quaint and rustic enoteca in Italy! My co-​workers were raving about this place and now I know why! What I love about this place is the charming Euro-​chic atmosphere, the interior is tastefully adorned with red walls, dark woods, and arched gold mirror. This place is very popular among those who work nearby and is always busy so make sure you come by 12pm to secure seats.
Besides the cute ambiance, what makes this place so popular is reasonably priced meal made of fresh ingredients. They offer various sandwiches which is about $ 9-​$ 12, and I enjoyed the roasted pulled chicken panini with argula, tomato and basil mayo. So far everything I had here was tasty, including the coffee. French onion soup was authentic, but I don’t think it’s available all the time.
I highly recommend this place for a casual inexpensive lunch at a fancy café. Check it out!

It is as good as the first time… as it is the millionth time around. This place never disappoints!
J & I hit up our usual lunch spot… less than 5 minutes from our office. Convenient? Yes… loves it! Don’t hate… just say you’ll participate as well, in the lovely goodness that Mae Mae brings. It is truly, an unparalleled dining experience, one that unravels with a simplistic order, grilled cheese & soup combo that changes DAILY. Today’s special included gouda and two other cheeses, with scallions on marble rye, with a cup of French onion soup. We about died and went to heaven. To add to the overindulgent, we got the beet salad (my personal favorite) to share. We just about finished everything… and still not a single pound gained. J is lucky, she is tall & thin and never has to worry about gaining weight!
I quickly fall in love all over again, with its most coziest décor, rainbow colored llama intimately tucked tables next to one another. Good things do come in tiny packages. We hope they don’t expand… Mae Mae’s is tiny but it is the perfect sized café for us.