I just wrote about SIS Cafe the other day but I wanted to go back again, this time with a friend visiting from out of town.
We were both curious how a Taiwanese cafe ended up on a lonely corner of Boyle Heights. The cashier told us was that the rent was good and the space didn't require much renovation. As SIS Cafe is a family-run business (between sisters, hence "SIS"), they needed to keep costs as low as they could and trying to open the same shop in other parts of the SGV would have been prohibitively expensive. They also don't feel the need to over-market themselves so that's why they're not heavy on social media or pursue brand strategies that other places might try.
Anyways, as for the food:
- Beef noodle soup (aka NRM): This is why I came back and I was not disappointed. This was a very solid NRM, with all the right flavors and ingredients. Broth had good depth, the chunks of beef were tender, the noodles (which I assume were store bought) were cooked properly, with enough bounce to survive to the end of the bowl. I don't think this was top tier NRM but I thought it was above-average, at minimum. 8/10
- Popcorn Chicken: This, on the other hand, was perfectly average. Not bad but could have used more crunch and the chicken was more on the dry side. The spicing was good but we made a mistake by asking for the spicy powder on the side and really, it wasn't that bad at all: we should have just had it tossed in it to begin with. 6.5/10
Overall: I know "hidden gem" is a cliche but I really do feel like SIS Cafe is kind of like that. Even if it's not some world-beating Taiwanese cafe, they do a good job with the dishes I've had, the prices are reasonable, and the location (for me) is convenient. For folks in/around downtown or East L.A. who want some Taiwanese fare, here's a great option.
As a reminder: SIS Cafe is located on State Street, south of the hospital and just north of the I5/I10 interchange.
by soulsides
Dining and Cooking