New Cafe in East Liberty - Kazanda's Cafe (Pittsburgh, Bellevue: theater, live)

[onwardandupward]

I've been waiting for a coffee shop/cafe to open on the main stretch of Penn Avenue, and now Kazanda's Cafe is open. It's at 5943 Penn Avenue, just to the right of the Kelly-Strayhorn Theater. The storefront is kind of cheesy, as they haven't gotten a proper sign yet, but the inside is quite elegant and beautiful, with cool artwork that will apparently change periodically. They're actually having a grand opening tomorrow.

I stopped in today to check it out, and while the coffee can't compare to a Tazza D'Oro or Voluto's, the sandwich that I had was excellent - it was a spicy cajun chicken sandwich for just $6. They also have Haitian-style black bean soup with rice, and a yummy-sounding shrimp salad sandwich, both of which I'll try another time. The owner is Haitian, and the shop is named for her - Kazanda. I always like to patronize local small businesses, and this one is worth the visit.

[BrianTH]

Cool! Penn Avenue is starting to get some interesting places.

[squarian]

Wasn't another coffee shop/cafe supposed to open in the block of Penn between Highland and Penn Circle, or was Kazanda's the one?

Those Target clerks will need someplace to go on their lunch break, I suppose.

[CrispyCritter]

I might check it out sometime.

[groar]

Originally Posted by squarian

Wasn't another coffee shop/cafe supposed to open in the block of Penn between Highland and Penn Circle, or was Kazanda's the one?

Those Target clerks will need someplace to go on their lunch break, I suppose.

there is another coffee shop a little closer to penn circle - i think it's open now. there's a thread about it somewhere on here, i think.

[onwardandupward]

Originally Posted by squarian

Wasn't another coffee shop/cafe supposed to open in the block of Penn between Highland and Penn Circle, or was Kazanda's the one?

Those Target clerks will need someplace to go on their lunch break, I suppose.

There is another coffee shop that just opened a block up the street (closer to Target) on the other side of Penn. It's called Zeke's:

Check it! Opening... | Facebook

I haven't been there yet, but Zeke's has been selling their own roasted coffee at the East Liberty Farmer's Market since at least last year.

I'm so excited to see these new businesses, and I really encourage you all to patronize them. Hopefully the Target will bring new customers to the main drag of Penn. As we all know, small businesses don't usually have deep pockets like the chains do, and they live and die by their customers, so check these two places out!

[nuwaver88]

Speaking of coffee, did the Muddy Cup close already. I went by there one weekday around 10 am and it was closed. This is on the corner of Cedar and E. Ohio across from Ritas. I though this would help that area, especially since it replaced a nuisance bar.

[raubre]

Originally Posted by nuwaver88

Speaking of coffee, did the Muddy Cup close already. I went by there one weekday around 10 am and it was closed. This is on the corner of Cedar and E. Ohio across from Ritas. I though this would help that area, especially since it replaced a nuisance bar.

Maybe it didn't do so well because it replaced the nuisance bar. Could be the stigma of what used to be tehre?

[greg42]

Looks like they did close the north side Muddy Cup, yes. Look a few updates down on their Facebook page, not enough biz there: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Muddy-Cup/57781136578 Still open in Bellevue, was by there yesterday.

[I_Like_Spam]

Originally Posted by onwardandupward

I've been waiting for a coffee shop/cafe to open on the main stretch of Penn Avenue, and now Kazanda's Cafe is open.

Isn't Anthon's still open out there?

They had a bakery/restaurant business, basically the same as a coffee shop except they don't make you say "venti" or "grande" when you order.