This Florida Café Looks Ordinary Until You See What Everyone Orders
From the sidewalk, Susana’s Cafe looks like a small house on a quiet Florida street.
Step inside and everything changes, the smell of arepas, coffee, and pancakes filling the room.
The space feels warm and busy, the kind of place where strangers quickly feel welcome.
Most people order the same few things, and there is a reason for that.
One bite, usually with that garlic sauce, explains it all.
Exact Location And First Impressions
Find Susana’s Cafe at 18 S Orlando Ave, Kissimmee, FL 34741, a few steps from the courthouse and easy to spot by its breezy porch and cheerful trim. Parking is straightforward on surrounding streets or nearby lots, so you are not starting breakfast with a scavenger hunt.
Walk up and the house style facade makes it feel like you are visiting a friend who cooks better than anyone you know.
Inside, the air smells like toasted corn, fresh pastry, and roasted beans, which is definite proof you made the right decision. The counter glows with woven baskets and tidy chalkboard notes, and the dining room stays cozy without feeling cramped.
Cushioned chairs, framed art, and soft music build a setting you sink into faster than a warm pancake.
Staff greet you the second the door closes behind you, which sets the tone for the visit. Menus arrive with quick suggestions based on what you like, including breakfast arepas and mini arepas for sharing.
You can sit near the window for sunshine or tuck into the back for quiet, either way keeping your eye on the plates floating by.
History And Ownership Vibe
Susana’s Cafe presents like a homegrown spot with deep local roots, and the energy matches a place layered with regulars and stories. Public details about ownership are not extensively documented, so the focus turns to what is visible and verifiable.
The team running the floor is engaged, collaborative, and genuinely proud of the menu they serve.
Servers reference house made sauces, Venezuelan influenced arepas, and American breakfast classics with an ease that suggests long practice. Photos and scripture accents dot the walls, adding personality without shouting for attention.
It feels faith forward and family friendly in the most welcoming way.
Reviews call out team members by name, which is telling, because people only remember names when service sticks. Names like Tanya, Ruben, Michel, and Angelina come up repeatedly in guest praise.
That consistency builds trust quickly, and you sense the cafe has been shaped by hands that care more about comfort and flavor than flash.
Decor And Ambiance Details
Expect a warm color palette, soft lighting, and a layout that lets conversations flow without echo. The room balances house cozy with cafe practical, so you can linger over coffee or slide in for a quick breakfast near court hours.
Seasonal decor on the porch frames snapshots beautifully.
Inside, tables sit close enough to feel neighborly but leave room for a stroller or laptop bag. Music stays mellow and family friendly, which helps when you want to chat or focus.
Little aesthetic touches like woven baskets and porcelain cups carry a handmade thread through the experience.
Outdoor seating is available when weather cooperates, a gift in Florida mornings that feel like early summer. If you need a nook, the back area stays calmer, ideal for solo time with a latte.
It is the kind of ambiance that convinces you to order one more pastry just to keep sitting there.
Menu Overview And What To Expect
The menu blends classic American breakfast plates with Venezuelan inspired staples and a serious coffee lineup. Highlights mentioned often include breakfast arepas, mini arepas, breakfast tacos, Cuban sandwich, chicken Caesar wrap, tequeños, empanadas, and sweet treats.
Drinks span lattes, matcha, chai, specialty house coffees, smoothies, and pistachio milk options.
Portions skew generous for the price point and the plating stays crisp and approachable. Eggs are fluffy, corn cakes land crisp outside and tender inside, and sauces bring punchy garlic or tropical brightness.
If decisions are hard, start with mini arepas for the table and build from there.
Gluten conscious diners find workable options, especially with arepa based builds, but confirm ingredients with your server. Kids and first timers do well with pancakes, French toast, or a croissant breakfast sandwich.
Crowds show up for breakfast and early lunch, so arriving near opening helps lock in your favorites.
Signature: Mini Arepas And Garlic Sauce
Mini arepas arrive golden and crisp, with a tender corn interior that steams when you pull them apart. The portion makes sharing easy, and the size lets you keep chatting between bites.
Dip into the house garlic sauce and watch the table fall silent for a moment.
That sauce sings with creamy texture, savory depth, and a bright garlic punch that never bulldozes. It plays beautifully with mild corn sweetness, making each piece feel balanced and addictive.
Order two rounds if you have a bigger group because they do not linger long.
They work as a warm up to a breakfast arepa or as a sidecar with tacos or a wrap. If you love edges, ask for the crispiest batch and prepare for light crunch.
This is one of the reasons people call the cafe a gem, and it is a perfect first taste.
The Breakfast Arepa Experience
The breakfast arepa is a single corn cake stuffed to superhero proportions, making it far more filling than it looks. Expect fluffy eggs, melted cheese, and your choice of proteins folded neatly inside.
The exterior stays crisp enough to hold shape while the inside stays tender and rich.
Each bite mixes savory, creamy, and gently sweet corn notes for a satisfying morning anchor. If sauces are your thing, use a light pass of garlic sauce or a house condiment to brighten.
The portion lands in hearty territory without feeling heavy or greasy.
It pairs well with a latte or tropical smoothie if you want contrast. Ask your server for the protein that fits your taste that day, with chicken and pork both praised.
First timers who think one arepa cannot be enough usually finish and smile at how completely full they feel.
Breakfast Tacos And A Cuban Favorite
Breakfast tacos bring soft tortillas loaded with eggs and optional proteins, finished with bright touches that keep bites lively. They are sized for easy eating and arrive hot, which is essential for the full flavor bloom.
If you swap in chicken, seasoning stays clean and satisfying.
The Cuban sandwich is another frequent order, a classic pressed build with layers that melt together. Expect satisfying crunch from the press and a juicy interior that rewards a slow bite.
It serves as a bridge between Latin flavors and American deli comfort in a simple package.
Consider sharing tacos alongside a sandwich so you can cover two cravings at once. Staff offer smart suggestions about sauces and sides to tune heat or richness.
When the room fills, these two options move fast, and they never feel like a compromise choice.
Sweet Side: Pancakes, French Toast, And Pastries
Pancakes get high praise, described as fluffy and tender with a cinnamon option that fans rave about. French toast carries a custardy center, crisp edges, and a dusting of sweetness that is easy to love.
Pastries like guava and cheese deliver tropical comfort that invites nostalgia and happy silence.
If you want a balanced plate, pair a sweet item with eggs or turkey bacon from the breakfast combos. A Nutella waffle sometimes joins the party for those with a deeper sweet tooth.
Portions suit sharing, especially when you want a bite of everything without overdoing it.
Matcha or chai can temper the sweetness, while a latte completes the cozy picture. Ask about daily cakes or treats because small surprises rotate.
The pastry case may look unassuming at first, but those guava cheese bites become the thing you order again tomorrow.
Coffee, Tea, And Pistachio Milk
The coffee program ranges from straightforward drip to framed specialty options, with lattes drawing the most attention. Texture lands velvety, milk is well steamed, and latte art arrives reliably photogenic.
If you want something different, pistachio milk adds gentle nuttiness without bullying the espresso.
Tea drinkers find a surprising lineup too, including a hot tea blend some regulars quote by playful names. Chai and matcha appear for non coffee mornings, and smoothies splash tropical fruit across the menu.
Ask the team for a recommendation and you will get a quick, confident match for your taste.
Presentation stays neat with glassware and ceramics that fit the cozy theme. Sweetness levels are easy to adjust when you prefer balance over dessert vibes.
With the right drink beside your arepa, breakfast turns into a slow, satisfying ritual that feels like self care.
Service, Hours, And Value
Service runs warm and attentive, with staff who guide first timers toward hits like mini arepas and breakfast tacos. Names pop up in reviews for a reason, and the welcome feels personal from start to finish.
Orders land quickly even when the porch is buzzing.
Hours currently run 8 AM to 3 PM daily, which makes this a breakfast and lunch champion. That window helps the kitchen focus, so flavors stay consistent when the rush hits.
Checking the website before visiting is still smart in case holiday adjustments appear.
The price lands in budget friendly territory for the quality and quantity, labeled with a single dollar sign. Portions are generous, and the value feels obvious when you dip into that garlic sauce.
Tip for newcomers is to arrive close to opening for easy seating and to claim the crispiest arepas.