Cafe Express

Yeah. I’m throwing down five stars for this place.
I stayed at the Sonesta for a week and I’m not kidding when I say that EVERY MORNING I came here for an iced coffee and a bagel with cream cheese. Every single morning. Bagel. Iced coffee. Breakfast of champions.
I don’t know what they’re doing to their coffee, but it’s awesome. I liked that it’s not really acidy (not I word, I know) so it was easy on the stomach. I loved that the bagels are huge and doughy. Get that sucker double toasted and don’t forget the slab of cream cheese.
I was in heaven. HEAVEN.

Connected to the Sonesta Hotel, where we are staying in Philly for a conference, this place is certainly convenient. The breakfast sandwich, of anything egg-​related, on either a bagel, roll, croissant, was generously proportioned (pretty large): and it should have been because it was relatively expensive. Keep in mind this is a counter service establishment, not table service. And the price was universal! (what!?) Meaning a flat rate for egg sandwiches no matter what’s added, as far as meats or cheese.
Red flag: none or the «Breakfast Sandwiches» have pricing associated with them on the menu board. Is there market pricing with eggs these days? Not that I’m aware.
And lastly, it’s an inconvenience that they don’t except AMEX.

Checked out of hotel and needed food for the road.
Can’t beat the price of the Large ITALIAN HOAGIE. Perfect lunch and dinner for the Monkey. Got everything except onions & hot peppers. Maybe next time, while checking into hotel and won’t have to torture anyone with wince and smell conversation. Wrapped tight and secure to go, no soggy bread 2hrs later.
Quick, friendly service. Monkey shall definitely return!

This café is located inside the Sonesta hotel premises. I recently stayed this hotel and tried the café for my breakfast. I had a muffin and fruits. The muffin was good. Nothing special about this place though.

Why all the 5 stars? It’s not bad, but it’s not what I would call «as good as it gets!» The coffee was decent, though they only put half and half out for you to use. I got their corn muffin and it was GROSS! Too dry and too sweet. It’s a really good location, and it looks really cute inside. It’s conveniently located within the Crowne Plaza, so it’s easy to grab a coffee while staying there. I would probably get coffee here again if I were staying at this hotel again. Otherwise, I think I would pass.

I love this little nook. It’s on the corner of 18^th and market. You barely know its there but they make great sandwiches. I always walk right in and order. The wait for a fresh hoagie is only a few mins. It’s enough time to grab my drink and pay and whoosh i’m out the door. The staff is friendly. I have never had bad service or food from this place. The cost is also great for center city. I was out the door with a small hoagie and a Gatorade for $ 7.02 last week. yes some places you can pay less but that’s mostly just wawa. stop in a try this place out.

Café Express.. . unassuming signage and location, but so so good!!!
Pretty sure I came here every day of my trip to downtown Philly. Not sure how or why I originally came across this place (actually, I think Pickles was closed and this was the next place we came across), but I’m very glad we walked through the door.
I enjoyed both breakfast and lunch options at this establishment. It is located on a corner, attached to the main lobby of the Crowne Plaza. There are several small tables and lounge chairs to partake in their fare, though they’re quick to wrap anything up to go.
Food is fresh, tons of options for such a small place. Prices are very reasonable, food very tasty! Bagel sandwiches, muffins, eggs, croissants, deli sandwiches, coffee, subs, the list goes on and on. If you want something quality for quick and cheap this is definitely the place to go. What tourist wants to pay $ 20+ for breakfast at other hotels when you can stroll over here for something (most likely better) and easy on the wallet. What 9 to 5’er could pass this place up when its just downstairs/​down the street?
Check out the photo of the turkey sandwich I ordered one afternoon.. . the turkey was sliced in front of me, piled high, and handed over within 5 minutes. Delicious! Why is it I find these places in cities other than my own!
Seriously.. . check this place out. You’ll be pleasantly surprised :)

OMG
Café Express, exfoliate your sweet deli froth on my chestttttt.
Wonder why this place has 5 stars so far? Because it is a 5 star establishment. If you are looking for anyyy type of sandwich, I suggest going here.
I was visiting Philly for 4 days and I went here everyday. Every place else I visited doesn’t compare. And who would of thought from a place attached to a hotel?! Every item I ordered was the best version of that item I had ever had.
Everything tasted SO fresh, I can only assume the back room has farm animals milling around ready for slaughter, and tomato trees with forever ripened loins to be plucked.
Food is made FAST, REASONABLE PRICED, and FRESHHH!
I’m thinking of moving to Philly just to enjoy this place hourly.
p. s. that is a picture of me in the background of the turkey sandwich picture. And look how high that turkey is piled!

I totally concur with Sarah’s review. I feel like the people at this deli are my own private sandwich making friends. I trust every piece of food that comes out of this place as it is either fresh sliced, or home made. Their soups are spectacular as well. I also work across the street, and would take their coffee over starbucks any day as well. Their meatball hoagie is also great, but nothing beats a fresh sliced ham and cheese on their fresh rye bread! Sorry Sarah, but I have already told 3 people at work, and now they love it too :)

You’d never think twice about it. I work a block away and it took me two years to decide to give it a shot. It’s a nondescript door at the corner of 18^th and Market, caught between the entrance to the Crown Plaza and that awful «pub» Elephant & Castle. A sign says it has coffee products and sandwiches.
It essentially shares the lobby with those other establishments, but when you go in, there is a little deli counter, an espresso machine, some boxes of baked goods, and a few stools to sit on.
This is the only place in the area I will buy a sandwich from.
Skip JFK, skip Pikkles, go here. There is never a wait, and when you order a sandwich, the counter guy slices the meat fresh right in front of you, and then piles it on whatever bread you want (and piles it high!!) with whatever nice fresh toppings you want. You get a big, delicious, fresh deli sandwich for just under or just over $ 5.
While you’re at it, order a latte too. Their espresso is totally decent, and it beats the abysmal excuse for a Starbucks across the street.
Oh, but don’t tell too many of your friends about this place. I really enjoy having no line to stand in whenever I want the best turkey-​on-​croissant sandwich around.