Coffee shops are all over Phoenix, but Café Mollie brings in clients from across the Valley because it offers its patrons something that’s hard to get in Phoenix, a delicious cup of Vietnamese coffee that people will drive miles to savor.

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Owners Vicky and James Huynh, who both immigrated from Vietnam, started with a classic coffee shop menu, but after a year-and-a-half things just weren’t going well. From almost closing their doors a year-and-a-half into business, Café Mollie has been a big hit since putting an Asian style twist to their menu.

Café Mollie is a small coffee shop here in the Phoenix area off SR-51 on 16th street and McDowell Road and is owned by two Vietnamese immigrants, Vicky and James Huynh. They opened this coffee shop back in September of 2021 and started off as a regular coffee shop with the typical menu.

Vicky was born in Vietnam and immigrated to the United States with her family when she was 7 years-old. Her background in tea, with her family owning a tea stall in her local wet market back in Vietnam. Huynh decided to talk to her husband about opening a coffee shop here in Phoenix.

When considering closing down due to the lack of demand and the amount of competition after a year and a half into business, they decided to switch things up and add an Asian style twist to their menu.

“If we continue to do it like this we are not going to be able to keep our door open,” said Vicky Huynh

After this change the look on the whole business changed in the public’s eye, the choice to introduce egg coffee was then made which is a Vietnamese coffee made with egg yolks, sugar, condensed milk and coffee.

The cafe staffs about 10 employees who are mainly part-time but the shop is mainly run by the Huynhs.

Alyssa Greenwood started out as a barista and now currently fills the manager position after working at the establishment for 3 years. Mentions how specifically this coffee shop stands out due to the unique flavors offered.

“I would say our coffee shop does stand out compared to others because we do have an Asian inspired menu so it just makes us a little different,” said Greenwood.

Café Molliee does offer the western coffee shop menu, but they’re known for their Vietnamese style coffee which is made with condensed milk. Even customers make it known why they chose to bring their business to Cafe Mollie instead of the regular old coffee shop, Tatiana Martinez who is a customer had great things to say about Cafe Mollie.

“I love the menu, and I just love the way the coffee tastes and you can tell that they prioritize the quality of their ingredients when you drink the coffee or even the matcha, I do not think I have ever had a bad experience here from the drink itself to the environment and even the staff,” said Martinez.

The local shop has been a hot spot on the coffee market since the menu change and more and more people love it. People on social media love it and so do locals who have now turned into regulars. Vicky says to stick with what you love and pursue that passion and success will come along.

“It is kind of like a passion project for me, it is always something I have wanted to do,” said Huynh