guava tree cafe

it takes a while for my lunch-hour order to be taken at *guava tree café in albuquerque, new mexico, but i don’t mind. it lets me peer into the kitchen and watch the fastest-moving cook i’ve ever seen. she’s a literal whirling dervish, assembling cuban-style sandwiches and venezuelan arepas, featuring unleavened corn-meal bread. the guy behind the counter isn’t much slower—taking orders, delivering food and whipping updeliciousfresh tropical juices. after agonizing deliberation (i really want to order an arepa pocket stuffed with shredded beef, plantains and black beans), i opt instead for a larger pernil sandwich ($7.50). it’s a fantastic mix of slow-roasted pork, sweet caramelized onion, swiss cheese and garlic sauce, warm pressed on cuban bread. add a side of yuca crisps and a coconut flan for dessert, and i’ve got a full caribbean dining experience. my only advice: don’t be in a hurry. the staff’s got that covered for you.

very cute little cafe withdeliciousgrilled sandwiches. i had the pernil with pork, grilled onions, and a luscious garlic sauce. the lemonade drink with brown sugar is to die for.

viva la guava!. i've eaten at this little central american-style cafe several times, ordering various arepas (sandwiches in what looks like a small pita bread, which is partly made with cornmeal) and cubano sandwiches, plus a costa rican (i think) tamale, and theirdeliciouscolombian coffee. it's all good. :-)

i've heard a lot about this place and decided to try it for lunch yesterday. as i walked in i was greeted with a big smile which made me feel right at home. i was trying to decide between an arepa and a sandwich and finally decided on a cubano sandwich and a side salad. i sat at a table by the window and enjoyed adeliciouscup of cucumber and orange infused water while i waited, which was complimentary. the waitress brought out my salad and my sandwich shortly after. the sandwich was hot and steamy and i couldn't wait to dig in. the flavors were well balanced and the bread was crispy on the outside and soft in the center. this place has a great homelike feel and great food. i plan on going back soon to try an arepa and some other sandwiches. definitely give this place a try!!!

what a nice find in abq!. guava tree café:
we had a great experience at this cozy, home feeling café/restaurant. as we walked in we were welcomed by this nice gentleman called diego who explained the specials and suggested what to order. my wife had the cubano sandwich. this sandwich was simply delicious, fresh and served hot. the pork meat you could tell it was home roasted and truly fresh. the flavor was amazing. we also ordered the arepa pabellón, which is a colombian specialty, and it was simply the best arepa i ever had. the ajiaco soup was very tasty, served very hot and fresh made. we decided to also try the costa rican tamale with pork. it was served wrapped in banana leaf served with black beans and rice, yucca chipps and this greendelicioussauce that i am not sure what is called. the hogao wasdeliciousas well (apparently hogao is a reduced tomato base kind of sauce with onions and peppers…, very clean tasting)… to finish our first visit at guava tree café, we tried the coconut flan, which was simply delicious. my wife and i are definitely coming back and we look forward to try their fresh made empanadas.