Amidst the height of AP exam season, a couple of friends and I sat down at one of Mad Anthony Wayne Cafe’s outdoor tables to study and grab a bite to eat. Located inside the Wayne Train Station in the heart of downtown Wayne, the cafe is a cozy spot for students, foodies and train-watchers alike.
At 1 p.m. on a Saturday, Mad Anthony’s was fairly busy with many people going in and out, but there was still ample seating available. The cafe, named after Revolutionary War General Anthony Wayne, is owned and operated by local U.S. Army Veterans and serves treats like coffee, tea, paninis and gelato.
To start, we ordered a $6.75 iced honey lavender latte, $6.00 iced blackberry matcha latte and $4.95 peach green tea lemonade. The honey lavender latte was not very sweet and had a faint floral aftertaste that was a unique twist on traditional coffee. Meanwhile, the blackberry matcha was a brighter green than most matcha, and not too grassy nor bitter. However, the blackberry flavoring was almost nonexistent, so I would recommend just ordering a traditional matcha latte. Finally, the peach green tea lemonade was refreshing with a strong peach flavor, although the lemonade taste was much stronger than the green tea.
For our food, we ordered the $9.75 turkey panini on ciabatta and the $11.95 prosciutto panini on sourdough. The turkey panini had crispy bread, and the cheddar cheese, tomato pesto and avocado spread flavors melted together well. However, the sandwich was slightly smaller than expected and was only room temperature despite being freshly made. On the other hand, the prosciutto panini was served quite warm and had a perfect portion size. The prosciutto itself was a little too salty, but the roasted red peppers were a nice additional layer of flavor, although overpowering at times. The panini was also quite messy to eat, but overall very tasty when paired with a drink.
Finally, after studying for an hour or two, we were craving some of Mad Anthony’s homemade gelato. The cafe serves a variety of unique flavors that are rotated on a regular basis. We ordered a two-scoop cup for $6.75, their smallest size, and opted for hazelnut espresso and roasted cashew caramel gelato. The hazelnut espresso gelato had a smooth consistency and an aromatic nutty flavor, but minimal espresso notes. On the other hand, the cashew caramel gelato had an icier texture, and a taste resembling peanut butter that was a little too sweet for my liking.
In total, we spent under $50 for three people. The food and drinks were generally enjoyable and high quality, but the cafe was a little more expensive than others. In terms of location, while the area around the train station could be noisy at times, we were able to be quite productive. Additionally, Mad Anthony’s has longer hours than most cafes in the area, making it an ideal location for those who like to work later into the night. If you’re looking for a study spot with a nice ambiance and quality refreshments, Mad Anthony Wayne Cafe is the place to go!
Vanessa Chen can be reached at [email protected].
