Tres Leches Café, the “Mexican Starbucks” in Phoenix
By: Jessica Danielle Ramirez
“It all started with a cup of coffee,” Is what you’ll probably say when talking about the new coffee joint in the Valley. As far as coffee goes, there are an endless number of places around the Valley that are known as the go-to caffeine providers. They’re simple and convenient to find and not difficult to miss. Then there are others that are hidden, often unheard of, but still leave a mark in the café business. And then, there is that rarity that is distinctively different from the common cup of Joe.
Tres Leches Café is a sweet treasure located in Phoenix that serves coffee; but this isn’t just any old coffee stand. The drinks here are made with Mexican flavors and uniquely concocted by Et Rivera. And what started as creating drinks for friends and family, turned into a business on May 2015.
“I had the idea to make a drink menu that no one has ever created,” said owner Et Rivera
Starting with the dulce de tres leches, Rivera learned the concept of what makes a great latte satisfying and worked on his craft before joining forces with Scott’s Generation restaurant.
“In the beginning I would make the drinks, and then I had the idea to add tres leches,” said Rivera.
Most of the items on the menu have a base of tres leches, but ingredients and flavors vary from drink to drink . For instance, if a latte is the go-to for morning drinks, then there is an option of the horchata latte, or a mocha latte using Abuelita chocolate.
“We also offer a churro latte made with cinnamon and sugar,” he said. “But you know, there is more to that in the recipe.”
The coffee beans are brought in by a local venue in Tempe and the delicious sauces and syrups used in each cup are just a fraction of what makes this concept unique.
While each item on the menu is original to its core, there is one mocha drink that you simple must try: the Tres Azteca. This sweet drink, served hot or iced, is made with a shot of Mex-presso – an assortment of Mexican spices that are brewed with espresso. Add in the Aztec chocolate and top it all off with fresh tres leches cream; it’s guaranteed to give you a tasty shot of much needed energy for the day.
It’s easy to see why this new concept has made its mark in the Valley, and everyone is excited to see what is next for Rivera and his business. Watch out chain coffee shops, there’s a new business in town!
Tres Leches Café
(480) 204-9881
5555 N. 7th St.
Phoenix, AZ 85014
Hours of operation:
Monday: Closed
Tuesday-Saturday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.