30 Photos
ZipPicks Awards
Best Ice Cream in Los Angeles
Master Critic Review
Chainsaw Cafe
8.0
A tiny Melrose Hill cafe where chef Karla Subero Pittol channels her Venezuelan roots into arepas, empanadas, and pork collar milanesa alongside southern-style icebox pies—a combination that earned Jonathan Gold's attention when it was still a garage pop-up in Echo Park. The format is counter-service casual with a short, focused menu that rotates around what Pittol wants to cook. Best suited for a quick, purposeful stop when you know what you came for.
Must-Try Dishes:
Passionfruit Lime Icebox Pie, Venezuelan Arepas, Empanadas
Scores:
Value: 7.5
Service: 7.5
Consistency: 8
Food Quality: 8.5
Atmosphere: 7.5
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: Born from an Echo Park garage pop-up, chef Karla Subero Pittol serves Venezuelan comfort food and pies once praised by Jonathan Gold out of a tiny Melrose Hill cafe.
Who should go: Pie lovers and Venezuelan food seekers near Melrose Hill
When to visit: Weekday mornings for shortest lines; closed Wed-Thu
What to order: Grab a slice of pie and an arepa — the pork milanesa with tamarind barbecue papas fritas rounds out the meal
Insider tip: Order the cafe quesillo — a caramel latte that tastes like liquid flan
Logistics & Planning
Dietary Options
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, for a casual daytime date — the tiny space has real charm with distressed walls, vibrant flower arrangements, and old-school Spanish music that gives it a romantic, Havana-café feel. The food is excellent conversation material (Venezuelan arepas, standout passionfruit lime pie). Just know it's a daytime-only spot (open 9am–3pm, Fri–Tue), so plan a morning or lunch date. The small, intimate scale works in your favor if you want to feel like you discovered something together.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Walk-in only — there's no reservation system. Expect a line on weekends, especially Saturday and Sunday mornings, as this spot has been drawing crowds since its November 2025 opening. Weekday visits (Friday, Monday, Tuesday) are significantly more relaxed. Arrive closer to opening at 9am or after the lunch rush around 1:30pm for the shortest wait. Closed Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Is it kid-friendly? Reasonable for young kids during a casual visit — the laid-back atmosphere and daytime hours make it tolerant of children, and the arepas, empanadas, and pie slices appeal to most kids. However, there's no dedicated kids menu, and seating is limited and makeshift (stools, milk crates). High chairs have not been confirmed. Best for a quick bite with little ones rather than a long sit-down — not confirmed whether they have family-specific amenities, so call ahead if you need high chairs.
Is it good for groups? Difficult for groups over 4 — the space is very small with limited makeshift seating inside and out. There are no large tables to push together. For 2–3 people it's great; for 4+ you'll struggle to sit together. They have hosted private events and off-site catering, so for a larger gathering contact them directly through their website or Instagram (@chainsaw.la) about private service options.
Is there outdoor seating? Yes — casual sidewalk seating with an eclectic mix of stacking chairs, stools, and milk crates spread along the front of the café. It's not covered or heated, so it's weather-dependent. The setup is charming in a scrappy, neighborhood-hangout way rather than a polished patio experience. Gets direct sun during daytime hours.
Best For
Better for: Pie lovers and sweet-tooth cravings — passionfruit lime icebox pie is the signature draw. Tiny, intimate space with Venezuelan-inspired bites like arepas and empanadas. Daytime-only (9AM–3PM, Fri–Tue).
Consider Alternatives If: You need dinner — they close at 3PM. Also skip if you want a full sit-down meal; the space is itsy-bitsy with just a few makeshift stools and tables out front.
Hours
Monday9am - 3pm
Tuesday9am - 3pm
WednesdayClosed
ThursdayClosed
Friday9am - 3pm
Saturday9am - 3pm
Sunday9am - 3pm