Helacio's Deli and Cafe

Helacio's Deli and Cafe

Helacio's is a small cafe and deli located on Sacramento Street, serving a wide variety of options. This includes pastries, breakfast burritos, sandwiches, salads, paninis, soup, coffee, fresh juice, smoothies, and ice cream. The entire menu is displayed on the chalkboards on the wall behind the counter, on signs posted along the counter, or in the glass cases that form part of the barrier between the kitchen and the rest of the restaurant. It seems they have something for everyone.

You can order and pay at the register behind the counter. They accept credit cards and contactless pay, and the prices won’t give you sticker shock. Almost as soon as you place your order, they will begin preparing your food or beverage. The service is relatively quick, even when it's crowded. The baristas are friendly and work very fast. It’s kind of fun to watch them hurrying around the small kitchen area. Somehow, the finished product turns out looking and tasting perfect each time, despite the rush to make it so fast.

The environment is very comfy and laid back. It has a cute and fun personality that invites you to relax and enjoy your visit. The entire restaurant is painted in soothing shades of brown, ranging from a cute orangish brown to a light tan. They have some cute and funky decorations that add intrigue to their shop, including a few Star Wars and LEGO Star Wars decorations, some posters, and a bulletin board with various announcements. They also have some very pretty artwork hanging on the walls that adds real personality to the eating area. They proudly display the Cal and American flags. They also have some attractive indoor plants that add to the homey, comfortable feel.

Helacio's kitchen cranks out orders very fast, but the servers are not in a hurry to turn over your table. Quite the contrary, it is a place where people come to stay a while, either to chat or to work (they have free and fast wifi). The speakers play mellow classic rock just loudly enough to give privacy to those who came to chat; it is a medium volume that is not distracting but muffles the noise of the other patrons, so you can focus on your own conversation or work. They may politely bus your table when you finish your food/beverage, but they do not rush you. You can enjoy the nice environment here for as long as you want.

It seems every detail has been thought of. For example, the bathroom is clean and functional. There is free tap water and free milk, cream, and sweetener to go with the coffee. They also have free hot sauce, salt, and pepper for their other offerings. The tables are spaced far enough apart for there to be privacy, and the music plays at just the right volume. And the staff here are friendly and chatty, but not overly so. It seems that they are bilingual and kind enough to provide very good service in either English or Spanish.

I like to come by, sit in the comfortable cafe, and sample the coffee and espresso menu. The beverages tend to have a deep, full coffee flavor, and they come with a good amount of frothy, bubbly milk on top, which makes for a silky, smooth texture. The drinks vary in sweetness, but for the most part, they are just a little sweeter than they are strong and bitter, making a wonderful combination of flavors. I’m a particular fan of the white chocolate mocha and caramel macchiato here. The white chocolate mocha is the sweeter of the two, but both of them have a rich, powerful coffee flavor that cuts through the milky sweetness.

The pastries in the case near the register are also notable. They’re beautiful, sweet, and well-made, a perfect accompaniment for a rich, strong cup of coffee like the ones on the menu here.

I noticed the parties at the other tables clearly enjoying their large salads, burritos, and sandwiches. It appears that the portions are somewhat generous and that the food is aesthetically pleasing. The smell of the breakfast sandwiches being prepared in the kitchen is quite enticing. It seems it’s hard to go wrong here.

I always enjoy coming back to this cafe. The coffee is delicious here, and the pastries are great. I also fell in love with the environment because it was so relaxed and comfortable. It’s a great place to sit and savor a drink, munch on a pastry, or experiment with other menu items. They also offer takeout. 

Monday-Saturday 7:00 am to 3:00 pm

Sunday 8:00 am to 3:00 pm

2517 Sacramento Street

Berkeley, CA

94702

 

510-705-1673