Delux Cafe

07/05/2007 Posted by mismeliss

The food here is amazing! A true hidden jewel. It's great eats for cheap! But the staff are terrbile at their best. I worked in the service industry for almost 20 years so I'm not high maintenance or a pain in the butt plus I tip extremely well (it's a little something I call Karma). So, when I eat at a place like this that could possibly be dream to work for most servers (since there's no supervision and it's always busy) it disgusts me to see that the owner entrusts his business to this caliber of people. I've eaten here at least twice a month since I moved in to the Neighborhood a year agao and the last 3 times I've eaten there the same bartender/waitress Nicole I believe, was so rude to other patrons it made the other girl working with her feel uncomfortable. One of the woman she was rude to asked to see the manager to which Nicole responded "there is no manager, I make the rules. If you don't like it then get out". It's such a shame that one negative person can ruin such a great place. The food truly is unbelievable, the vibe rustic and you can't beat the prices....you might want call ahead just to make sure she isn't working.

04/09/2007 Posted by ckalan

I went to the Delux Cafe when I was in town for Easter weekend on Friday night. We chose the place because of its supposed "chill" environment. Well, you might remember how freezing it was that night. The window above our table was open so we closed it. The waitress told us how hot they (waitresses and kitchen staff) were and that the window must remain fully opened. Well, we all put our winter coats on (guys too) to try to stay warm and we still felt like we were outside. So, I closed the window. The waitress yelled at me to open the window again. I calmly explained that it was impossible for us to sit there with the window open and offered to compromise and open it halfway. That was not acceptable to her and she went on about how hot it gets for her and the staff (this was around midnight so it's not like the kitchen staff was cooking). I tried to reason with her and explained that we are the customers, let's compromise, etc. I never raised my voice or anything. I asked to speak to the manager and she said there wasn't one and that she's worked there for three years and she makes the rules. I decided to let it go and walked towards the front of the door. As soon as I left, the waitress went over to the table (my friends were leaving and saying their goodbyes- party atmosphere was over) and proceeded to call me a "bi*ch" and went off on me. Even if I was the biggest bi*ch ever and the type to talk down to wait staffs, she didn't have to say that to my friends. I would have rather her at least said it to me. The consensus was that she was drunk, but I don't have proof of that.

08/23/2003 Posted by dologite

Great place with great atmosphere. Retro-cool combined with neighborhood bar. Mix of young professional types, artists, older locals, bike messengers. Friendly tattooed bartenderettes. The food is fun and creative and a great value - nothing on the menu is over $10. Where else in the South End can you get get seared tuna with garlic mashed potatoes and seared greens for $9? Although the bar can get crowded on Fridays, the wait for a table is never too long. As for a "members only" vibe - the only strange looks I've seen are given to yupster first timers who walk in with their Neiman Marcus bags in tow and stand around looking lost and self-conscious. Despite the great menu, this really is a bar that serves food, and not a restaurant that serves beer.

Pros: atmosphere, service staff, inexpensive

02/07/2003 Posted by DWOMAN

I still don't completely understand the massive appeal of this tiny cafe. The place is so small & very smoky, the service is weak, and do not order the 1 selection of red wine on the menu unless it's uncompanied by an undressed salad. But, it certainly isn't all bad. The food was totally delicious & fresh, very inexpensive for such a varity of creations (winter veggie risotto, quesidillas, duck, grilled cheese...a fun menu). The atmosphere is ideal for music/pop culture addicts between the records on the wall & the eclectic music. When walking in, looks from regulars give off a vibe that seemed as if we needed a password to be part of this exclusive club. I would go back for the stellar food as it was so enjoyable, but not the "see & be seen" attitude (and I'd order a beer).

Pros: good prices, tasy food

Cons: service, wine

10/29/2002 Posted by J_Man252

Great retro place on Clarendon St behind Back Bay Station. Very reasonable drinks: $4 shots of Bushmills Black label, Schlitz 16oz cans(retro again), Boddington's 16oz cans for $3.50. Friday night is a singles night, and alot of young local couples. Friendly atmosphere with the only Elvis Shrine in Boston. The food is very good and almost no entree is over 10$. Creative and tasty fusion menu from Chef Jim Contreras with new items regularly. Take-out available ! Flexible staff allows for substitutions on menu items. This place to too good to miss !

Pros: Hip & retro, Reasonable food & dri, Excellent menu