Some restaurants have a defined cuisine or exclusively cater to early risers or those looking for a late-night bite, but Carbon Cafe kicks that mentality to the curb with their edgy, all-day eats that meld dishes with surprising elements. Dishes like grilled cheese and pizza sound familiar, but they are reimagined on their new menu.
The center bar would grab anyone’s attention upon walking in. It is a spot where you can grab a glass of local beer and watch the chefs cook. On the other side, their ordering station makes up half of what comprises the Carbon Cafe experience—which entails ending a meal with a homemade doughnut or beginning the day with one.
The industrial style and modern interior allow their personalized touches to stand out even more. The staff encourages eaters to make their mark on the restaurant by setting out chalk pens for people to decorate their blackboard walls.
Many elements of their dishes are made in-house to ensure that patrons taste these childhood favorites in their purest form.
A grilled cheese made of white bread and vibrant cheddar cheese is a mother’s go-to, but on a restaurant menu, it needs more. Carbon Cafe makes its own brioche bread with a richer flavor than any pre-sliced counterpart. It browns evenly because of the pads of butter spun in the dough.
The crunch on the exterior makes the blend of cheddar, provolone and velvety cheese sauce lusciously smooth. It coats the bread but can string into pieces like a mozzarella stick.
Inside the sandwich, their fried avocados are more than an appetizer, allowing this dish to act as a lunch or breakfast item. Avocados, which are usually served cold, achieve an almost-melted texture. It intensifies the nuttiness in the cheeses while giving earthy freshness as well.
Any middle-schooler knows the exhilaration of coming home to pizza bagels being toasted in the oven. The doughy yet crisp bagel gets soft from the tomato sauce, cheese and pepperoni pieces. Carbon Cafe implements the beloved elements of pizza and adjusts them to substitute the bagel for sweet doughnut holes.
Baked in a mug, it is an easy replacement for a cup of joe. The sweetness of the dough and the hint of spice in the pepperoni develop a full flavor combination. Completely enveloped in broiled cheese, this mug masterpiece is definitely something to raise a cheer for.
It might be hard to shake the idea that doughnut holes are meant to be a sugary indulgence. Carbon Cafe acknowledges the guilty pleasure and creates a French toast without the toast. This bread pudding breakfast is composed of doughnut holes held together by a thick custard batter.
Carbon is an inclusive space, and this was emphasized by communication from the staff and the welcoming nature of its environment. Much of their menu can satisfy vegetarians or those looking for healthier options.
They understand that everyone deserves to get a little messy by going straight for a sloppy joe. This sandwich is beyond satisfying with their Beyond Meat alternative. They use jackfruit to shred instead of carnitas. It absorbs the spiced flavor and strings apart like expected.
This spot surpasses the expectations that come with a simple cafe. This anytime-eatery has the atmosphere of going out for a fun bite with friends while also making you feel at home. The environment is one that is hard to leave, especially when it means having to walk by the doughnut case without sitting down for another plate of their frosted favorites.
