If you’re “a cup of coffee and a bagel” person the Mood Cafe, which opened last week at 4618 Baltimore Ave., may not be the ideal place for you. It specializes in the lassi, a delicious yogurt and fruit drink originally from India and Pakistan, but gaining popularity worldwide. Indeed, there are 14 kinds of lassi ($2.99), ranging from a more popular mango lassi to a more traditional salted lassi, a drink flavored with South Asian spice. What’s more, you can mix and match the flavors to your taste.
The cafe is the third West Philly venture for owner Hasan Bukhari. His other two ventures, Desi Village (4527 Baltimore Ave.) and Desi Chaat House (501 S. 42nd), have gained huge popularity in the neighborhood. All three have that distinctive saffron paint job. At the Mood, event the tree boxes are painted saffron.
Speaking of chaat, Mood Cafe also offers a good variety of this traditional East Indian and Pakistani street food. Bukhari said he’s ready to teach people about this dish and would be glad to let you have a taste until you find something you love.
Owner Hasan Bukhari in front of Mood Cafe menu.
Freshly-squeezed juices, ice-cream, milkshakes, and shaved ice, all natural, are also on offer. As Bukhari pointed out, “the focus is on healthy stuff.”
Finally, if you still want a cup of coffee, it’s not a problem. Although it’s not on the menu, Bukhari will make one for you, be it a latte or a cappuccino. No doubt coffee will become a staple when the weather turns cold again.
Mood Cafe hours: Mon-Sun 12:00 p.m. – 10 p.m.
May 24th, 2011 at 2:54 pm
We are blessed to have such a variety of foods and refreshments in our neighborhood.
Joe C.
May 25th, 2011 at 10:16 am
Mr. Bukhari is very interested in hearing what people want. We stopped in yesterday and got free ice cream and fruit for our daughter. They have lots of warm weather snacks, mostly with fresh fruit. He said he will soon have some tables outside and have ice with fruit as it gets even warmer. It’s worth stopping in if you need a cool peach lassie.
June 30th, 2011 at 4:49 pm
I have eaten here several times. Never disappointed. The food and drinks are amazing and the owner is the nicest. I highly recommend it!
February 10th, 2012 at 10:54 pm
It’s such a pleasure living across from Mood Cafe! While I do love the lassies, the lentil crepes and other unique dishes always make my visits an adventure!
March 10th, 2012 at 11:03 pm
It was my first time there and the owner was unbelievably nice and made me a lassi on the house! The Samosa chaat was also good, and sized larger than typical (since chaats are usually meant as snacks). Great customer service; will be a repeat customer!