Hope & Union Cafe

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366 Union Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11211

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(718) 599-2655
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Reviews
( 11 )
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( 2 )
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( 1 )

Best

fantastic everything. good range of tequilas and even better service

Worst

It was frankly an embarassing experience.The wait staff was curt and didn't smile once (aside from when bringing the check), the food came at McDonald's speed, I think I told the ...

amazin!! 10/19/2009

fantastic everything. good range of tequilas and even better service more
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best drinks in brooklyn!! 10/19/2009

a wonderful atmosphere, this restaurant capitalizes on having an incredible patio, wonderful food and even better service. a must for anyone going to brooklyn more
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Mexican heart and soul 9/14/2009

i am close to this place but can tell you that the elote staff love taking care of their peeps. they have turned this place around from mere ""just another hang out place"" to a destination place on union ave!! Pros: rated by Shecky's Best Margarita Cons: if only there was more!!! more
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An embarassing experience 11/9/2008

It was frankly an embarassing experience.The wait staff was curt and didn't smile once (aside from when bringing the check), the food came at McDonald's speed, I think I told the wait staff *not* to clear our main course about five times in 15 minutes. I was so annoyed I barely tasted the food and would never come back .. even on an expense account Pros: ser more
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Worst margarita ever 9/30/2008

I live right around the corner from Elote - not too long ago it was called Sante Fe - not sure if it's the same owner. The location isn't all that inviting, it's just one of those things I can't quite put my finger on. Maybe it's the name, maybe it's the brown sign. Anyway I decided to try it with my mom. It was around 3 or 4 in the afternoon. The place was completely empty. We ordered two margarita's. I don't know what the hell was in it. It was really strong. We sent them back and the waitress brought out two more. Awful. We ordered a Coke instead. The bartender came out with two more margarita's and offered them to us, apologizing for the previous batch. I took and sip and gagged. It was absolutely bizarre. She said if was the special with grapefruit juice. Whatever. The food was forgettable. Nice people but I would not go back. They should not have charged for the Cokes. Pros: Nice waitstaff, outdoor space Cons: terrible margarita's, forgettable food, weird vibe more
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Awful 6/12/2008

For a place named after the tastiest corn ever, ""elote,"" the dish was disappointing (I really prefer the corn grilled). The fish tacos were bland and the service was rude and apathetic. The margaritas are advertised as ?muddled? but I couldn't really taste the difference. Pros: The Garden and Drink Specials Cons: Food, Value and Service more
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But with all the raving going on, 5/23/2008

But with all the raving going on, one would wonder whether Elote has its faults. Don?t worry pessimistic ones, it does. . . Pros: MMMM, Fish Tacos and Beers Cons: Liked it better when it was santa fe more
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Awesomemeness is just a scooter ride away. 4/24/2008

Elote brings the heat with the fish tacos, their specialty. The chili powder sprinkled on the fish brings the runner home. The staff is great, all of them with differint personalitys'. But considering I'm the owners' son ( there are two) I can refill my cup of diet coke or sprite when ever I want. The garden is filled with picnik tables and a grill. The chef also pulls pork and beef, getting ready to serve pulled pork burritos. When ever you walk in everyone says hi, and that is why I think Elote is the best resturant. Pros: The staff combined with the food equals an award winning resturant. Cons: I wish I could try the margaritas... more
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Delicious margaritas! 4/23/2008

Elote is blocks from my house, so after walking by a million times, I decided to finally try it out . My brunch was average (the bloody mary has chipotle sauce in it - so it was a little too intense, in a weird way, for my taste) and the huevos rancheros were nothing special- they lacked flavor and spiciness. However, my boyfriend got the margarita and the chilaquiles and his brunch was fabulous! The service was very slow - we were sitting with empty coffee/cocktail glasses and bowls for far too long before we finally flagged down another waitress and asked for our check. Although I haven't been for dinner, it appears a bit pricey given the casual vibe of the restaurant. I am definitely planning on checking out happy hour b/c the margaritas are fabulous and who can beat free chips and salsa!? Pros: Great margaritas and brunch Cons: Slow service more
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Great food and the Nicest staff. Makes you feel like you're going home for dinner. 12/8/2007

We started coming to this place when it was called Santa Fe and were a little confused when we saw that the name and some of the menu changed. WE WERE PLEASANTLY SURPRISED. Some of the new additions to the menu are great! Like the El Diablo, which is a beautiful and perfectly fried whole fish served with flour tortillas and rice. The Steak taco Salad is my favorite. I can eat it any time! Plus, the staff is so sweet, very attentive and easy on the eyes. :) It's a great place for couples or groups of friends who are in need of good food at a good price. The Regular margaritas are served with too much ice, but the muddled fruit Margaritas are perfect. But be careful, you really shouldn't do more than two or it might be hard to get up at all. Pros: Food is great. Staff is super nice and really attentive. LOVE the muddled margaritas. Cons: Wish it was closer to my house. more
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Nice local option 11/8/2007

The idea of a Southwestern spot in Williamsburg made me a little nervous, truth be told. But the sweet staff and homey cooking actually make this a bit of a sleeper. Chips are fresh tasting, and the salsa actually has some kick. My chicken on sweet potato mash was quite juicy, even if that mash was a touch sweet. Margarita are a bummer, too much ice, but sitting on the cute back patio in summer, I'm not sure I'll mind too much. more
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hip hideout 8/12/2007

GREAT TIME, GOOD LOOKING PLACE AND PEOPLE. WHO NEEDS DUMONTS, THIS PLACE FELT LIKE AN OASIS. STAFF WAS FUN, MUSIC WAS JAMMING, PATRONS WERE HOT, DRINKS WERE COLD! A GREAT LOCAL FIND. DONT LET THE SECRET OUT! Pros: BACKYARD / MUSIC Cons: NOT OPEN 24 HOURS BUT HOW GREAT WOULD THAT BE more
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Best Mexican! Best Margarita! Best Service! Go! 7/15/2007

No joke! This restaurant is fast becoming my favorite place to eat. Therefore, after reading some of the terrible and unjust reviews by other patrons I felt it was my duty to sing the praises of this little gem in my neighborhood. First off the food is absolutely fantastic with incredible attention to detail. Their menu is mostly southwestern with some gourmet additions. Don't be afraid though. The gourmet dishes are fantastic as well. Everyone I have brought to this restaurant loved it. In fact I went their on Saturday with a friend of mine and we ordered the red snapper tacos for two. Fantastic! The chef uses creative and original flavor combinations that accentuate all aspects of the dish. I have also ordered the drunk chicken (chicken soaked in margarita) and would recommend it to anyone going for the first time. The burrito is also fantastic. Oh...and the guacamole...so good. I have told the staff. They should put a slogan on the menu. It is literally ""so thick it breaks the chip"". And AFFORDABLE...a very reasonably priced menu for the quality you get. Anyway moving on... more
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Undiscovered and rockin 7/14/2007

Santa Fe rocks. Honestly, it had a rough start, but has steadily improved and is now one of my fave neighborhood restaurants. The margaritas are strong, the food is delicious, and the bartenders and wait staff are sweet. It's not the real mexican you can get up and down Grand for a buck or so cheaper, but it's quite a bit tastier and a lot more fun. Try the pork mole. It's fantastic. Pros: Garden Cons: Wait more
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neither mexican nor southwestern 6/5/2007

While most restaurants in the Williamsburg area have much to offer, I was sorely dissapointed by my experience at Santa Fe. As a native of the southwest and one who visits Santa Fe (the city) and Mexico on a regular basis, I am completely baffled at how this restaurant claims to serve ""Mexican"" or ""Southwest"" inspired food. The quality was on par with an Applebee's or any other mediocre chain restaurant, nothing about the food tasted Mexican or Southwestern, and everything was overpriced. Cons: Food that tastes bad and makes people sick. more
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Tasty Food 4/20/2007

Great happy Hour special with FREE chips and dip! Food is fantastic but pricey for the amount. Drinks are tasty. Pros: free chips and dips, great margaritas Cons: pricey food for the quantity more
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super tequillas every night 12/22/2006

i'm becoming a regular. every night has been great. tequillas are strong and sassy. food great. its a hip place like me and my girls Pros: tequilla, deserts, tunes, wifi access, you can stay all night more
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Nice cocktail , dining venue near the L 12/8/2006

New Southwestern , nice atmosphere and good selection of food and drink. The outdoor garden willbe nice come summer. Pros: menu, drink selection,brunch, happy hour more
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great margaritas / great food & desert. outdoor seating 11/18/2006

passed by and suprised. great service with cool hip crowd and staff. clean / tasty. margaritas nice and strong. Pros: good looking patrons/staff. great margaritas. outdoor seating. brunch menu looks good more
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Menu for Hope & Union Cafe


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Editorial

  • The Scene
    This Mexican restaurant in Williamsburg courts the nabe's newest immigrant population--hipsters--without going overboard. The friendly, stylishly tousled staff slings margaritas...

  • 2/19/2008 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Payments: Master Card, Discover, Visa, American Express
  • Neighborhoods: Williamsburg
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