About
If you’re searching for a culinary gem in Staten Island, let me introduce you to Cafe Con Pan. Nestled at 32 New Dorp Plaza South, this delightful eatery stands as a testament to authentic Mexican cuisine, from mouthwatering breakfasts to lunchtime favorites. With a vibrant blend of flavors and a welcoming atmosphere, it’s a spot where food lovers can truly feel at home.
Cafe Con Pan is multifaceted, offering a variety of options that embrace the essence of Mexican baking and cooking. With its moderate noise level, this cafe is perfect for family gatherings, casual meetings, or simply a quiet meal for one. The establishment prides itself on a range of utilities that includes:
The heart of Cafe Con Pan lies in its diverse menu, which features tantalizing options that will push your taste buds into overdrive. From the Chorizo Taco Placero to the Chili Relleno Taco Placero, the tacos here are robust with flavor, each bite showcasing the quality of ingredients and creativity from the kitchen. Diners rave about the authentic taste, especially compared to other locations, and the generous portions that make every meal satisfying.
On the other hand, let’s not overlook the bakery aspect. Customers have remarked on the delightful pan dulce — the sweet bread that embodies the perfect softness and a subtle sweetness. Many claim it stands apart from other bakeries in the area, as it triumphs in moisture and flavor. This is a sweet tooth's paradise!
Though not every review sings praises (some note recent changes in management and flavors), the core offerings remain beloved by many. With glowing feedback regarding the expansive selection of tacos and tortas, Cafe Con Pan has carved out its niche as a beloved destination for authentic Mexican dishes on the Isle.
As I visited Cafe Con Pan, the ambiance felt cozy, with welcoming decor inviting guests to sit down and savor each moment. Having indulged in both tacos and the famed baked goods, I can confidently say this place deserves your attention. Whether you’re in the mood for an indulgent breakfast or a late-night snack after a long day, Cafe Con Pan is a comforting option that caters to diverse cravings.
Overall, if you find yourself in the Staten Island area, be sure to stop by Cafe Con Pan. With its delightful eats, warm service, and hearty portions, it’s easy to see why locals rave about it. Come for the tacos, stay for the baked goods, and leave with a full stomach and a happy heart!
“ not thrilled with the new management and food. Used to be a steady customer, dining there 2 - 3 times a week for breakfast and once or twice for dinner. Lately, it doesn't taste the same, so I'm guessing a different cook? I guess I have to travel to Port Richmond to see if that location has also changed hands and just kept the name. ”
“ Visited this location after a haircut. The restaurant was clean, nicely decorated, and had seating for at least 20 people. There was a wide selection of food options and drinks. I ordered a large bistec taco and one flan. The taco was absolutely delicious. it came with two sauces one was a chipotle and one was a tomatillo green sauce. The flan tasted rubbery and could have used more caramel topping as I felt it was very dry. If I return to this restaurant, I would not re-order the flan. ”
“ I find it interesting that most of the reviews are for the tacos, tostadas, etc. I go for the bakery items. Everything is freshly baked. In Spanish we call the baked items "pan dulce" or sweet bread. The pan dulce is not heavily sweet. They have just the right touch of sweetness. Everything is moist and have great flavors. When I compare their pan dulce with other places, there is no comparison. Other shops sell dry and almost tasteless pan dulce. Café con Pan is the place to go for the baked goods. ”
“ If you're looking for authentic Mexican food, look no further. The tacos here take me straight back to Harlem and Corona. Tried the lengua, barbacoa, chicken, and carne enchilada tacos. All were delicious. Horchata was sweet and refreshing. In my opinion, ho brah serves more of a Cali-style trendy taco (think blackened fish) while this place is the true New Yorker Mexican food experience with tortas, chilaquiles, and the best proteins (pig ear, beef tongue, etc). Nice people as well. ”
“ In Staten Island, it basically is the suburbs - it's pretty hard to find casual restaurants open past 9pm (sans fast food). That is how I had grown to love this place. I've always gone for the tacos, burritos, tortas, & tostadas - they offer great protein selections for each one, and food is always hot and plentiful. When you try to fold up a taco for a bite, the opposite ends of the tortilla don't touch - that's how you know it's a stuffed taco. I have never had a problem with my selection of proteins (typical: lengua, bistec, al pastor, carnitas, chorizo), and the salsa roja and salsa verde that accompanies the dishes are pretty good as well. Ordering in person or on the phone was always pretty easy, and food never took longer than anticipated. Cafe con pan was always a safe bet if I were coming home late from work, or when everything else was closed. Although I'm not in the area no longer, I won't hesitate to pick up some grub here again in the future. ”
“ Café Con Pan is my favorite restaurant. This may sound like a hyperbolic statement, considering Café Con Pan had no table service and currently has a bathroom that is out of order, coupled with the fact that I live in New York one of the food capitals of the world, but I assure you it is not. For avoidance of doubt, when I say "favorite" I mean their tacos are the last thing I am eating if it is my last meal on earth. Let me take you through my typical experience at the authentic establishment. (I'm salivating as I write this.) I either order ahead or order when I get there. While I have ordered other items on the menu (and they were excellent), I stick to the small tacos. Trust me when I say go with small. The tortilla to content ratio is perfect. The amazing thing is they let you order individual tacos. Other Mexican/taco places in the area make you order three of one kind...boring. The tacos themselves are heavenly. The double corn tortillas are the perfect vessel. My personal preference on meat is to go exotic - Lengua or Tripas. I know that's not everyone's jam so if you are going standara, the Carnias and Pastor and also excellent. Credit has to be given to the chefs in the back. Every aspect of the preparation is nailed perfectly, from the size of the cubed meats to the perfect sear on each bit. The raw onion/cilantro mix toping can only be described in one way...flavor crystals. The guacamole sauce is a recent addition - I can go with or without it as I am a simple man, but I'm not hating either way. Now let's talk about the house made salsas. Those magical salsas! Only two to choose from here: the roja and the verde. Get both. Choosing between the two is like choosing your favorite child...it's unfair. I typically choose one of the many bottled or homemade Mexican drinks available and take the food to my car, which it typically parked across the street. The next few minutes can only be described as rapturous. The plastic top of the food container is lifted and a waft of heavily meat aroma engulfs the inside of my vehicle. The next few steps are done in concert as my heart races. I squeeze the limes onto each taco. I apply the salsas as needed. As I devour the tacos with each passing bite, the thought of reality perfectly meeting expectations runs through my head. In the end...total satisfaction. In closing, all I can do is thank the owners, chefs and counter ladies working to keep this establishment open and at the peak of consistent performance. Please keep doing what you do in making this a better world for us all. ”
“ Authentic and delicious for a very good price ! A hidden gem that looked like a deli and convenience store from the outside but an actual authentic cafe from the inside. Ordered two tacos large size for the value - chorizo and spicy pork. Couldn't help myself but to get a churro since it was calling for me on top of the counter. Tacos were freshly made and stuffed with delicious meat. Churro was very good for $1! I will be back to try burritos, Tortas and whatever they have to offer ! ”
“ I was craving some menudo and didn't know where to get it on SI. Cafe con pan was one of the top hits and so I dragged a friend to come along and explore a different place. I'm glad I went! Big healing bowl of menudo - that I neglected to take a picture of bc I was really excited about eating it. We did order a side of guacamole ranchero and chips and he ordered vegetarian burrito. The menudo was spiced very nicely The service was quick and everyone very nice. Great prices! ”