Host

• Location: Chinatown, Los Angeles, CA
• Job Type: Part-time
• Pay: $17.50/hour + pooled tips
• Expected Hours: 25–35 per week
• Work Location: In person

Please Note: This position is slated for a mid-July 2025 start date. Our hiring process will take place throughout May and June 2025, with training for successful candidates beginning in late June or early July to ensure a smooth onboarding experience.

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About Café Tondo:
Café Tondo is a new all-day neighborhood café and bar located in Chinatown, Los Angeles. Inspired by the rhythm of Mexico City, we serve coffee in the morning, wine and small plates at night—all while fostering community from open to close. Because our footprint is intimate, every team member is cross-trained—moving fluidly from steaming milk at sunrise to pouring a glass of natural wine at sunset. The space shifts with the day, and so does the role.

Job Overview:
A hybrid host–expediter–server role that anchors the guest experience from the moment customers enter to the moment they leave. Controls the front door, manage table flow across three distinct spaces, run food, take orders, and keep the room humming—all while setting the service tone for the rest of the team.

Who this Job is For:
This role is for someone with a natural gift for making people feel welcome. You bring a warm, friendly presence and a deep appreciation for great hospitality. As the first and last point of contact for our guests, you set the tone—gracious, attentive, and always ready to help. You thrive on a busy floor, support your team wherever needed, and are excited to learn across coffee, wine, and service in a collaborative, growth-minded environment.

Responsibilities:
Guest Reception

• Welcome every guest with a warm, confident greeting at the vestibule. Explain the first‑come, first‑served seating model.
• Offer immediate product knowledge (specials, wait times, where to grab a quick drink).

Table Service & Guest Experience

• Act as a floating server: take orders via handheld, answer menu questions, upsell featured items.
• Liaise with bar & kitchen to expedite drinks/food.
• Deliver dishes promptly (flagging any allergens/modified items). Pre bus and wipe tables; reset for turnover within 2 minutes of departure. Maintain pristine share space (condiment stations, water dispensers, high tops).

Teamwork & Operations

• Work collaboratively with the team to ensure smooth service flow.
• Serve as shift “traffic controller” for FOH teammates.
• Participate in trainings and tastings—coffee cuppings, wine flights, or menu previews—to enhance product knowledge and keep hospitality fresh.
• Contribute to a culture of collaboration and hospitality. Model hospitality and respect with coworkers and guests.
• Maintain a deep understanding of our coffee and wine offerings to engage guests and provide recommendations.
• Jump into any role—bar back, runner, dishwasher—during peak crunch.

• 1 -2 years in a high-volume café, bar, or fast-casual concept (host, lead server, or shift lead preferred). No experience also will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• Hyper-organized multitasker: You can juggle a door list, four guest conversations, and five open checks without breaking a sweat.
• Service intuition: You read body language, anticipate needs, and resolve friction before it surfaces.
• Tech-savvy: Comfortable with handheld POS, waitlist apps, Slack, and basic spreadsheet tracking.
• Clear, upbeat communicator: Able to set expectations kindly but firmly (e.g., “We’re about 15 minutes out—may I start you with a glass of rosé while you wait?”).
• Leadership-by-example mindset: You model hustle, cleanliness, and calm for the junior team.
• Experience with wine service is a plus; at a minimum, a willingness to learn and serve wine confidently.
• Able to stand and walk for 6–8 hours, lift up to 40 lbs, and navigate tight, indoor/outdoor spaces.
• Food Handler & RBS (Responsible Beverage Service) certifications, or willing to obtain within 30 days.
• Weekend and evening availability.

• Hourly pay + pooled tips
• Paid training & onboarding
• Flexible scheduling (mix of day and evening shifts)
• Employee discounts
• Regular tastings, previews, and cultural programming access
• A chance to grow with us from day one

To Apply
Please include your resume, availability, brief cover letter, and Instagram and/or Twitter account handle.

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Equal Opportunity Employer: Café Tondo is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We value diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences, and foster a workplace where everyone is welcomed and respected. Discrimination of any kind has no place here.