Colombian Cuisine in the Valley: La Tiendita Café

By admin February 25, 2014 15:25

Warning: explode(): Empty delimiter in /home/arizonalatinos/public_html/wp-content/themes/allegro-theme/includes/single/image.php on line 35

By: Jessica Danielle Ramirez

The rotisserie chicken is grilling in the back at the same time you have just placed your order at the Colombian eatery in Mesa, Arizona.

While waiting for your dish, the famous tune of Jorge Celedón’s “Que Bonita Es Esta Vida” is playing at the one-month-old La Tiendita Café.

German and Marcela Pardo are proud to bring Colombian flavor to Arizona by preparing each dish authentically for the customer who walks through the door. Three years ago, La Tiendita was divided into two sections, a store and a coffee shop. Half of the building sold special Colombian products difficult to find elsewhere another half was a coffee shop.

“Our customers wanted more food, music and drinks. We have been upgrading according to their demands,” German Pardo said.

Customers have finally gotten their requests granted.

La Tiendita transformed into La Tiendita Café where customers can still shop for their favorite Colombian products while enjoying their cultural food. La Tiendita Café is getting stronger, and becoming a must-vist Latin restaurant in the area.

The Bandera Paisa is the most popular plate at the eatery. The dish can feed multiple people and the entréee is filled with many typical foods. White rice is a must-have for this type of food, which complements the platanos, chorizo, chicharron, beans, ground beef with an egg on top, and a mini arepa that is given with the meal.

“Everything we make is seasoned. If you go to Colombia and you eat beans, it’s the same food but it may taste different because of the way the person seasoned it,” said Pardo.

At La Tiendita Café the customers will not have tortillas or cheese sprinkled on their meals, and the food is not spicy like some would imagine Latin food would be.

What is promised is 100% Colombian coffee.

Customers who come in to the growing eatery have to try the Colombian coffee. La Tiendita Café offers an exclusive bag, that even if ordered through a website, has to go through their business.

“We sell Oma. If anyone in Arizona wants to buy the product, you have to go through us,” stated Pardo.

Unlike other common coffee shops, the coffee served here is not as bitter as coffee lovers are used to. But is still tastefully strong and the aroma will make you crave a second cup. If customers enjoy the coffee, they have the luxury of purchasing a delightful bag only a few feet away from them.

A typical item to have with the coffee is a buñuelo. These delicious breads are similar to cheese balls with their hard outer coat, but once you take a bite of it is filled with fluffy costeño cheese. Another bread that is popular with coffee is the pandebono.

La Tiendita Café has the magic to satisfy the craving of a traditional Colombian meal. “We want to see more clients coming into our restaurant so we that can stay in business,” said Pardo.

La Tiendita Café