guava tree cafe

pura vida is the attitude diego and mari barbosa have infused into theguavatree cafe, a latin american restaurant on yale boulevard just south of the university of new mexico. though neither are from costa rica (diego is from colombia and mari is from el salvador), they met in and lived in the scintillating central american tropical paradise for eight years. their philosophy is that “food is art and food is life.” their vision is for the cafe to be a neighborhood gathering space in which their guests can enjoy each others’ company in the spirit of pura vida while enjoying slow-cooked home-style food, the best kind. they invite guests to make this space their own and promise to have something good to eat whenever you visit.

dish of the day: arepas pabellon. arepas are definitely unique, something you don't find that often in restaurants or anywhere outside of south and latin america normally. an arepa is basically a masa round fried on a flat top and then filled with meats, cheeses and veggies much like a mexican gordita. this version had slow roasted beef, queso fresco, sweet plantains and black beans. arepas are a bit more crisp so the filling are generally a contrasting textures. you gotta also try a papusa if you have never had one, the el salvadoran version stuffed with cheese. the arepa came with tostone, a smashed a fried plantain chip. you can find tostones all over latin america but they are also incredibly popular in the caribbean. theguavatree was great, try one of their specialty drinks. they are not to be missed. #bjfoodblog #food #foodie #eat #foodblogger #instagood #instafood #travel #guava #tree #latin #foodforthought #foodforfoodies #tasty #masa #plantain #abq #albuqerque #newmexico #nmtrue #zomato

the location is a bit odd with narrow hallways and for a first visit i was not sure if i should seat myself or what (you order at the counter). the music was a bit loud for my taste but the food was good the yucca fries were awesome and there special lemonade is awesome and worth the stop just to try in my opinion. the beef dishes are good but the chicken ones make them seem flavor less in comparison so i recommend trying theguavapollito. i can't comment on the pork though as i don't eat it

we went toguavatree cafe for the first time today because it had such great reviews, but we were disappointed to find out what terrible service they have. we walked in and were confused about seating. the hallway leads you to a cash register, and we found menus on our own. the girl behind the counter never once spoke to us until about a half hour later when we finally were able to order. there wasn't any line when we stood at the register, but there was just one young girl working and she was busy making drinks the entire time. i began to wonder if it was even there that we order our food, let alone eligible even exist. at last, she finally acknowledged our presence and took our orders, so we were able to sit down. however, our troubles didn't end there. the tables weren't bussed and were still dirty, so we had to clean them off ourself. the music inside was so los, i cousltn even hear the person i was with who was sitting directly in front of me. we decided to look for different seating and were able to snag a table outside, where we waited for what seemed like ever to get our food and drinks. if you have a lot of extra time on your hands and don't mind terrible service and waiting for long periods, then this place is for you.

twice now at the new improved richmond ne location!. ive been there for a dinner (friday's and saturdays), and lunch on sunday. as usual it was fantastic both times! usually i can't resist my old standby, arepa pabellón or arepa la del perro, but since i got a pabellon last friday, this sunday i was able to resist and tried theirguavapollito sandwich. (comes sliced like a cubano speer) but wow, the sauteed mushrooms and onion and cheese complemented the moist and tender chicken, and was amazing on the oat dusted whole wheat. it was sandwich masterpiece!

amazing coffee coming from a coffee snob. i am second generation away from the coffee plantation my mother grew up in. my home church owns 3 restaurants in san juan, puerto rico where cuban sandwiches & cafe con leche (lattes) are favorites. i went into theguavatree cafe with the attitude of yeah right! it took one sip of my coffee and one bite of a cuban sandwich and i am sold! it was like honey i'm home! friendly laid back place with plenty of classical latin music in the background! it's like a vacation in the middle of albuquerque, you must go!

i’ve never been to the part of costa rica that inspires the costa rican fare lovingly presented by owners diego and mari barbosaguavatree in albuquerque. stuffed arepas, passion fruit infusions, bowls of coffee that require two hands to enjoy – i may not have found it in the mother country, but it’s a pleasure to walk in from the summer glare of yale street and be transported to another cultural, visual and culinary palette.

amazing!. i have lived around the corner for months and walk by everyday on my way to unm, i cant believe it took me this long to tryguavatree. the owner is so friendly and makes great coffee. plus the food is to die for! i had the arepa el perro... shredded beef, plaintains, cheese, and avocado. i have never been happier with a lunch in albuquerque!

my favorite restaurant in albuquerque. i ate atguavatree cafe this past saturday afternoon after convincing my husband that we should try something new. he's hard to please as he eats a lot and often complains that there's no flavor in the food. first off diego along with other staff members are by far the most friendly, pleasant, and happy staff i have ever met in albuquerque. the food is exceptional and i think i'll have to go back at least 60 times before i can try everything on the menu. they make you feel like you're at home and the food is fresh and not greasing at all (not even their sandwiches/tortas/paninis (whatever you want to call them). definitely going to be a regular on my list and my husband's. try the lulo con agua... perfect for summer. they also have plenty of vegetarian options and their servings are not skimpy, and you can't beat the prices.

what a nice find in abq!.guavatree 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 green delicious sauce that i am not sure what is called. the hogao was delicious as well (apparently hogao is a reduced tomato base kind of sauce with onions and peppers…, very clean tasting)… to finish our first visit atguavatree 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.

check this place out!!!!!. my husband and i have been hoping for such a place asguavatree cafe. we have been sooooooooooo tired of the typical fare with green chile and this place serves up some amazing cuban/columbian food. the pabellon and machilla arepas are amazing little sandwiches of goodness. the columbian coffee strong and authentic. we plan on going back tomarrow for lunch again. plus the price can't be beat! check it out!

the best cafe in town. we need to keep this place running. it would be really sad if a place with this quality of food ends up closing like any other good restaurant in town. if you are hispanic, this would be the place to go, its food will transport you home. if you are not hispanic, this would be your place to have an authentically latin taste. you will fall in love. i am a frequent "flyer" on this place and i have tried almost everything, so far, there is nothing i haven't like. theguavatree is a must try restaurant.