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Claudio's Cafe
Categories: Restaurants Mexican Restaurants Seafood Restaurants Canadian (Traditional) Mexican, Seafood, Canadian (Traditional) [Edit]
2303 Astoria BlvdAstoria, NY 11102
Neighbourhood: Astoria
(718) 545-2233
- Nearest Transit:
-
Astoria Blvd (N, Q)
30 Av (N, Q)
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 7 am - 10 pm
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Price Range:
-
$
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
8 reviews for Claudio's Cafe
8 reviews in English
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Review from Alex C.
The Loop, Chicago, IL
5/17/2012
Went here after reading reviews,really glad I did! Its really small, only 3 seats! Looks a little dodgy but had a great feel!
We started off with two pork tacos and two cheese empanadas, they were really tasty and the hot sauce is excellent, after eating this we were still a little hungry so had two more pork tacos and lamb souvlaki, the lamb souvlaki was very juicy and succulent. Perfectly cooked, the two tacos were even better than the first two! Don't know if it's because the other chef who was very funny (not claudio,he went on food delivery) cooked them? Or because it was just good food!
Will be coming back. -
Review from Stephanie V.
ASTORIA, NY
I have to say thank you to Yelper Kate P for initiating the April Challenge. That is what prompted me to search for places in my neighborhood with only a few reviews and that is how I came across Claudio's Cafe. Boy - am I glad that I did. I will be a frequently flyer here moving forward. Claudio's is open for breakfast lunch and dinner, they deliver as well if you happen to be in the nabe. Just remember that they only take cash. Empanadas will run you $2.50/pc. Torta was $6. Tacos are $2.25 each and the most expensive menu item is the grilled steak special at $7.50
Claudio's has been around since last spring. It is on Astoria Blvd diagonally across from the Astoria Manor and if you blink, you will miss it. It will not win awards for ambiance but it makes up for it with great food and a charming & talented proprietor.
The day that I went with my favorite Yelper Billy V, they had just flipped the equipment to the other side of the store in an effort to create just a bit more room for patrons while also solving some space issues behind the counter as well. While I did not notice that the food took particularly long or that anything was amiss, the cook apologized several times for the "chaotic" experience. While I waited, I enjoyed reading all of the awards and letters of recognition that Claudio has posted on his walls. Also while we waited, we watched a few regulars pop in and order the special for the day to go.
I got a little carried away when I ordered and we wound up with a bunch of food for only two people. I asked for it to come out whenever it was ready so we had a steady stream of dishes coming at us.
The first up was the cheese empanadas which were delightfully light. The cheese was delicious with a perfect consistency. It wasn't too stringy yet still had some body to it. It wasn't so hot as to burn the roof of my mouth but it was still hot. The pastry was crispilicious. It came with a perfectly tangy-spicy sauce that complimented the empanadas. I haven't place all of the ingredients yet but I will be back to figure that out!
Next up was the pork tacos which were seriously rich in flavor. Not your typical ho-hum taco. These are made - your way. You desire spicy? extra onion? Cooked to your specs and tossed together to order. All toppings are chopped in to the mix and tossed before loaded for a bad ass blend. I didn't need a garnish. It was beautiful in it's own right.
I have had Torta Milanese from Mexican fast food stands all over NYC and this one stood out the moment I wrapped my lips around it's special bun. This sandwich was perfectly constructed. I cannot put my finger on what was different about the bread but it was different from the typical torta roll - I can only describe it as "better". The chicken was tender and juicy and there was just a hint of mayo instead of the typical amount that slides all over the place. Then of course - the avocado pulled it all together.
We finished with the chicken empanadas which in my opinion had just the right amount of potato. It was a bit juicy inside, loaded with flavor. My personal distaste for peas was appeased - mine didn't have even one however I believe that was a fortuitous fluke because Yelper Billy V had peas in his.
Save a seat for me Claudio! I will be back soon.Listed in: April Challenge, Life in Astoria
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Review from Billy V.
4/9/2012 3 photos
Claudio's Cafe is a very small restaurant that serves some very good food. When I say small it has 4 seats. It has some Mexican dishes, traditional American and breakfast items. It has the feel of home cooking with a diner feel.
The menu is very limited with a daily special for each day of the week. The food is good like I said, but presentation is just a tad lower than the quality and taste of the items.
My wife and I ordered Roast Pork Taco. It was moist, tasty and delicious. It had lots of flavor and it was very different from any pork taco I ever had. It was kind of creamy since it was chopped so fine and with avocado. Don't get me wrong it was awesome, but presentation was 2 tacos on a plate. Very sterile looking with no garnish.
The cheese empanadas was one of the best ever. Crispy and flaky with the right amount of white cheese inside. I could not tell if it was fried. It was not oily at all. Very yummy.
The chicken empanadas had to much potato in the mixture for my taste. It was also not oily and very tasty, but the ratio of filling just off.
The Torta Milanese was outstanding. It was very fresh with chicken, avocado, lettuce, tomato, mayo and a very soft white roll style bread. Very tasty.
I was very happy with my meal. It was very fresh and delicious. I just felt there is some opportunity with presentation. A lime here, overlay there, some greens, some color, some garnish, something more on the plate, etc.
Service was good. You order from the guy at the counter who is also the cook. He is very friendly guy.
I think this my be a go to place for me. There is a high level of quality here. I am a firm believer of supporting the small restaurant in the community. Claudio's Cafe is a very nice addition to the Astoria community.Listed in: An April Challenge: The…
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Review from Molly E.
Queens, NY
This is the best place ever. The owner is so nice - I felt like a regular the moment I walked in. The smoothies are awesome. My friend got two empanadas and said they were fantastic. I kind of wanted to hang out in there all day, is that weird? I'm definitely waking up early to get breakfast there before I head to my internship. Join me!
Oh, and if an unpaid intern can afford it, so can you! -
Review from Xander A.
Astoria, NY
5/7/2011
I just noticed this little cafe/luncheonette opened! I don't understand why all of a sudden this stretch of Astoria Blvd needed 2 more food places while the rest of us past 21st Street are still in a food wasteland! With Tasty's and Caudio's I hope the poor little Mr. Tasty FoodTruck survives.
About Claudio's... very tiny. Like pretty much a kitchen and 1 table. Pretty much a to-go hole-in-the-wall. But the owner is VERY welcoming and looks like he'll accomodate any food request. He has breakfast starting at 7AM and a lot of the basic Mexican fare (empanadas, etc). The coffee I had was delicious! -
Review from William Y.
Los Angeles, CA
1/2/2012
6 pork tacos
2 chicken empanadas
2 bottles of water
Total 16 bucks.
It was delicious and the guy there was super nice. Great spot for a quick lunch on the cheap. -
Review from Lauren B.
Manhattan, NY
11/5/2011
Claudio's is awesome! He opened this restaurant after working as the sous chef at a five star restaurant. The place is very tiny, but there are a few tables if you decide to eat-in. The staff is super friendly, the place always smells amazing and the coffee is delicious. he front desert case has pastries and sweets that are mostly made in-house.
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Review from Eric N.
Astoria, Queens, NY
11/7/2011 2 photos
The food is amazing and very reasonably priced. The owner and Chef is so friendly you will forget that you are in a cafe and instead you will think that you are in his home. The best Ceviche I ever had.
