You know those people who wake can wake up in the wee hours of the morning, smiling bright with a glint of life shimmering in their eyes, ready to take on whatever the day throws at them? That’s not me. Nope, definitely not. I’m more accurately represented by a Walker from The Walking Dead. That is to say, I’m like that on most mornings, but this past Sunday was different. I had planned a breakfast at Sweet E’s Café and I was stoked. They’re a breakfast/brunch/lunch place on 1006 Kapahulu Avenue in Honolulu. They’re open everyday from 7am to 2pm, whether it’s a weekday or a weekend, although they’re known to be very busy on the weekends starting 

from 8:30 or so. So to beat the crowd, I planned to get there at 8am and secure a seat pretty quickly. For the most part, parking for Sweet E’s Café is not too much of a problem since there is a lot of open street parking around the area. They do have a designated parking lot, but that tends to be small and fill up fairly quickly. Another thing to note is that their parking lot is run by valet and costs $3, which will be added into your bill after you’re done, which is a nice touch. So if you don’t mind paying for valet, parking is a breeze. On the other hand, there is a ton of free street parking that’s not too difficult to find if that’s your style, too. In any case, accessibility is a non-problem here in my book. 

So after dropping my car off with the valet, I walked into Sweet E’s Café at 8am and was greeted and seated immediately. There were a few families already situated in tables, but there were also several open tables to choose from. On top of that, there is also an outdoor patio extension available as well if you prefer a more open-air experience. I personally chose to sit indoors because I liked the atmosphere of the café, from its décor and its style, to the light air condition and faint music playing. Not more than a few minutes had passed and a server approached my table to ask if I’d like anything to drink (read: coffee, yes please!). Their coffee is about $3 but is subject to as many refills as you’d like, so I find it a worthwhile option. I browsed the menu and 

saw a few familiar items, as I’d been here once or twice before. However, I wanted to try something new and fresh; something I had never thought to try before. I spotted a stuffed French toast with cream cheese and blueberry for about $11 and I knew instantly what I wanted. About 10 minutes later, I placed my order and was informed by my server that that was one of the most popular items they had. Needless to say, I was very excited to get my hands (and mouth) on some. While waiting, I noticed that there were pictures of people in black and white tone set against a light blue and white wall. There were children in some of them, young adults in others, and a mix of ages in others still. I felt as though I were eating in someone’s kitchen or living room, rather than a café or establishment. I later discovered that these were pictures of the owner’s ‘ohana (family) and the staff, which gave me a sense of the closeness of the whole 

place. 

My order arrived within 15 minutes of placing it, and I was ready for it. Or at least, I thought I was. I don’t think anything could have prepared me for the frenzy of flavor I was about to experience. The French toast was topped with a strawberry and some powdered sugar, and looked very aesthetically pleasing before I even took a bite. But then I did. And I am pleased to inform you that I was not disappointed. In my opinion, it had a perfect balance of crispness on the edges of the toast and softness from the cream cheese, texture-wise. In terms of flavor, the cream cheese was mixed with some sort of sugar because the sweet flavor of cream cheese and fresh blueberry fruit complemented the savory flavor of the French toast. Neither flavor overpowered the other, and to top it all off, the coffee paired with the French toast was exquisite. I have a decent appetite and I usually finish off my plates at establishments while feeling 

satisfied and this place was no exception. I found myself with a “full feeling” until about 2pm that afternoon, but not with an overly stuffed feeling. Sweet E’s Café also offers dishes like eggs benedict and pancakes with fresh fruit if French toast doesn’t quite float your boat. In any case, Sweet E’s Café is a place I highly recommend if great food, lively atmosphere, and family vibes are things that appeal to you. If you have any further questions, don’t hesitate to call them at (808) 737-7771 or find their Facebook page by clicking here.