Fluffy Pancakes and Delicious Discoveries at Thirty-Six Café!
Thirty-Six Café
Café culture is a beautiful tapestry woven from the threads of connection, laughter, and shared moments. For those who live in places where gathering at a café with friends is more appealing than heading to a bar, this experience resonates deeply. My five years in South Korea were defined by this vibrant social scene, where cozy cafés were my go-to spots for meeting friends and coworkers. Some of my fondest memories were crafted over coffee dates, surrounded by the aesthetic beauty of the spaces around us.
After a long afternoon of shopping on the weekends, the perfect remedy was to unwind at a delightful café with a steaming cup of coffee (or iced) and some sweet treats.
Upon returning to Minnesota, I quickly discovered that finding a café that matches the visually appealing hangouts I enjoyed in Korea is no easy feat. The hassle of driving and searching for free parking can dampen the mood, and while familiar chains like Starbucks and Caribou Coffee dominate the landscape, local cafés and boba shops often lack the vibrant social atmosphere I crave. I’m not talking about the bustling cafés near university campuses; I yearn for a cozy spot where friends can linger for hours, sharing stories and laughter. Unfortunately, such a gem seemed elusive—until I stumbled upon Thirty-Six Café.
Nestled in Minnesota, this self-owned treasure was founded in November 2019 by a passionate Hmong American woman. Her love for desserts and inspiring café experiences from abroad birthed Thirty-Six Café. Despite lacking formal culinary training, she created the café’s signature soufflé pancakes, which quickly became the heart of her establishment. The name “Thirty-Six Café” holds significant meaning, reflecting the pivotal moment when she opened the café at the age of thirty-six—a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to pursue your dreams.
As I pen this review, I feel a renewed sense of motivation and excitement.
Friends, family, and colleagues have raved about this café’s hustle and bustle. It often sells out its popular dishes. It’s impressive to witness such sustained popularity even after five years of operation, especially as many cafés experience declining customer interest after just a few years.
With this knowledge in mind, my friends and I decided to arrive right as the café opened, hoping to snag a fresh meal and a cozy seat. Located on Grand Ave in Saint Paul, Thirty-Six Café exudes a warm, inviting vibe—though parking can be a headache during peak hours.
We arrived 15 minutes early, opting to wait in the car. Perhaps that was a misstep, as we soon noticed a line forming minutes before opening. We rushed to join the queue and were fortunate enough to be one of the first customers to secure a table without a wait.
Upon entering, the café strikes a delightful balance between chic sophistication and playful charm. The menu boasts a tempting array of options, from soufflé pancakes to gourmet toasts and smoothie bowls. I was particularly impressed by the beverage selection, although those with dairy allergies may find fewer options. But fear not—if dairy isn’t a concern, you’re in for a treat!
I’ll admit, the sheer temptation of sampling every menu item was overwhelming! However, I decided to stick to the most popular dishes—after all, there’s a reason they’re crowd favorites, right? My friends chose a few of the other items to share, so I’ll make sure to include their choices in this review.
The most popular items on the menu include the soufflé benedict, strawberry shortcake, mango sticky rice, and honey toast. And as for beverages? The banana pudding matcha is a must-try!
Is it too much food for one person? Absolutely! Thankfully, my friends were more than willing to help me tackle the feast. After placing my order at the counter and making my way back to our table, I suddenly realized I had forgotten to order the mango sticky rice! I could have gotten it, but I didn’t want to wait in line again. Alas, I’ll have to save that review for another time.
Banana Pudding Matcha
The first item I tried was the Banana Pudding Matcha. The appearance of the drink was intriguing—I found myself wondering, “Is there supposed to be banana pudding in this?” However, once I took a sip, I was enlightened.
The drink features a matcha latte blended with banana pudding and topped with vanilla wafers. At first sip, the flavor was complex: the matcha had a robust taste, while the banana pudding brought a sweet note reminiscent of Laffy Taffy. The pudding’s bouncy consistency and real slices of bananas added a delightful surprise, and the vanilla wafers provided a satisfying crunch. Overall, the Banana Pudding Matcha was good, but the pudding did overwhelm the matcha flavor when combined. Separately, each component was amazing, but together, the matcha got a bit lost in the mix.
I give the Banana Pudding Matcha a solid 3 out of 5 peaches.
Honey Toast
Having sampled various honey toasts in Korea, I thought I knew what to expect. However, the Honey Toast at Thirty-Six Café took me by surprise.
This dish features a thick brick of toast drizzled with honey, topped with generous scoops of vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, condensed milk, strawberry slices, and a dusting of powdered sugar.
My first bite was unexpected. Despite the generous amounts of cream, honey, and condensed milk, the toast retained a surprising crispiness on the outside while being soft and tender on the inside.
However, I found the Honey Toast quite sweet. I couldn’t really taste the honey, as the ice cream and condensed milk overtook the flavor. The powdered sugar was a cute touch, but I think this dish could have done without it. Honestly, the two to three scoops of ice cream felt excessive—especially alongside all that honey, whipped cream, and condensed milk. If the toast were thicker, it might have worked, but I think one big scoop would have sufficed.
That said, I still enjoyed the Honey Toast and give it a 3.5 out of 5 peaches. If you don’t mind super sweet desserts, I highly recommend it. But if you’re like me and prefer a more moderate sweetness, you might want to tread carefully with this one.
The Classic
Now, I’ll confess: I’m not a fan of the fluffy, spongy texture that soufflé pancakes typically have. There’s no logical reason for this aversion—it’s just a feeling that keeps me at bay. Still, I braced myself for this tasting experience.
The Classic dish was simple yet tempting: three beautifully plated pancakes drizzled with whipped cream and condensed milk, topped with strawberry slices and powdered sugar.
These pancakes were light, fluffy, and delicately sweet. The generous drizzle of condensed milk made them even sweeter, which was balanced nicely by the whipped cream. I don’t mind a little sweetness, especially when it’s well executed!
I give The Classic a 3 out of 5 peaches. I just wish there had been more strawberry slices to enjoy with the pancakes.
Strawberry Shortcake
Visually, the Strawberry Shortcake was a showstopper. It was cute, tall, and oh-so-appetizing! This dish features two fluffy pancakes sandwiching whipped cream and strawberry slices, topped with more whipped cream, a whole strawberry, shortcake crumbles, and a drizzle of condensed milk and powdered sugar.
The pancakes were the same delightful fluffy ones from The Classic, and the added sweetness from the powdered sugar and condensed milk created a beautiful balance. Fortunately, this dessert wasn’t as sweet as The Classic, thanks to a more restrained amount of toppings.
I’ll admit the shortcake crumbles were quite crumbly, and I can’t recall their flavor since they tended to fall off the pancakes as I ate.
Nevertheless, this dish offered a lovely experience—light, fluffy, and sweet, just enough to hit the spot. I give the Strawberry Shortcake a 3.5 out of 5 peaches.
Lemon Blueberry
Like the Strawberry Shortcake, the Lemon Blueberry was also a feast for the eyes. Tall, vibrant, and juicy, the blueberry sauce gave the pancakes a bold look, while the lemon curd and lemon slice added a bright touch.
The menu described it as blueberry jam, but I found it more saucy than jammy as the blueberry juice oozed out—appetizingly messy!
These sweet, fluffy pancakes paired beautifully with the blueberry sauce, creating a slight sweetness on the palate. The lemon curd added a tangy, citrusy flavor with a creamy texture, and the whipped cream balanced the sweetness perfectly.
Visually, this dish would earn high marks, but from a taste perspective, I give it a 3 out of 5 peaches. It was beautifully crafted, but it didn’t leave a lasting impression.
Soufflé Benedict
Last but not least, I dove into the Soufflé Benedict, the only savory soufflé pancake option on the menu. Intrigued, I saved this dish for last after sampling all the sweet treats.
This dish features two fluffy soufflé pancakes topped with poached eggs and a homemade hollandaise sauce, garnished with freshly chopped chives and served with a side salad drizzled with balsamic dressing and three crispy bacon strips.
Just reading that description makes my mouth water!
Even now, as I reminisce, I can recall the first bite—it was nothing short of mouthwatering!
The pancakes were light and fluffy, though not quite as airy as the sweet versions, likely due to the weight of the toppings. The poached eggs were delicate and silky, with a beautifully creamy yolk. Now that’s how you poach an egg!
The hollandaise sauce was rich, creamy, and buttery, punctuated by a slight citrus tang. It paired wonderfully with the sweetness of the pancakes and the savory egg. I also detected an earthy note in the sauce, perhaps from paprika or white pepper, giving it a subtle kick of heat—not spicy, just a warm embrace for the taste buds.
My friends were skeptical when I mentioned the kick of heat, insisting they didn’t find it spicy. But it’s more of a smoky, complex flavor—a gentle warmth, like a firepit without the flames.
The salad was simple, with leafy greens drizzled in sweet and tangy balsamic vinegar, and the bacon was delightfully crispy.
Overall, this dish evoked a whirlwind of emotions: curiosity, surprise, joy, and satisfaction. I give the Soufflé Benedict a well-deserved 4.5 out of 5 peaches.
A Heartfelt Experience
Thirty-Six Café is not just a place to grab a bite; it’s an experience filled with warmth and deliciousness. Their fluffy pancakes, paired with a variety of toppings, are simply irresistible. The cozy ambiance invites you to sit back and savor every moment, making it the perfect spot to unwind.
As my friends and I savored our meal, we found ourselves lost in conversation, laughter filling the air as we shared stories and silliness. Our time at Thirty-Six Café was truly enjoyable, and we felt grateful to finally experience this hidden gem. While this gem may not become a regular stop for me, each visit will feel like a delightful treat. I highly recommend making the trip to experience Thirty-Six Café—you won’t be disappointed!
Side note: towards the end of our meal, I noticed that the pancakes had deflated a bit as they cooled, losing some of their fluffiness. This realization brought an important lesson: to truly relish these dishes, enjoy them while they’re fresh! I suspect take-out wouldn’t provide the same delightful experience.
Reflecting on my time at Thirty-Six Café, I’m reminded of the beautiful connections that cafés foster—where stories are shared, laughter resonates, and unforgettable memories are created. It’s heartening to see a local gem thrive, driven by passion and creativity. I encourage you all to explore your local café scene, whether you’re seeking a cozy spot to unwind or a vibrant place to connect with friends. Remember, it’s never too late to pursue your passions or discover new delights. Here’s to many more coffee dates, sweet treats, and the joy of gathering in our favorite cafés. Cheers to new adventures and the flavors that bring us together!
Peach out!