Submitted by Gerry Clare
Roving Reporter
Hola Cuban Café opened Saturday , located on North Second Street behind the Palace Saloon and the old Uncle Charley’s. Seasonal residents, Vivian Saladrigas and Lee Waronker from Miami (pictured in the café) were enjoying a coffee and some treats and pronounced the food and d4rinks “real Cuban, authentic and delicious.” As Vivian described it, Cubans take a break in the morning and the afternoon and enjoy these occasions to relax and eat at a cafe’.
The owners Marisol Triana and Chris Garcia have Cuban roots, and in fact, when this reporter sampled the café’ con leche and guava pastry, Marisol’s Cuban parents were in the store to support the new venture. Chris had worked in Fernandina at several other area businesses and brought Marisol here for a few vacations. Their dreams of opening their own Cuban café’ now have finally come true.
They and their staff make their own products, their empanadas are hand rolled, yucca is stuffed with meat, the pork is roasted in the store and the guava pastries are divine. Their offerings feature Cuban sandwiches, lunch, snacks and, of course, Cuban coffee.
Marisol credited the City of Fernandina Beach with being extremely helpful in getting their permits and essentials to open the business, as well as Regina Duncan from the Amelia Island Yule Fernandina Beach Chamber of Commerce for welcoming their business and offering advice. Of course, they are now proud members of the Chamber.
You can check their Facebook page or call 321-0163 for more information and they do deliver in the downtown area as well. Interestingly, Chris also has moved his other venture, Who Shot Ya Photography here and can be found at Whoshotyaphotography.com. We are happy to welcome another diverse business to our community and wish them well.
Editor’s Note: Gerry began free lance writing for fun an dis the author of a published book (available on Amazon and at Books Plus) about funny real estate experiences. Gerry is a longtime member of our local American Business Women’s Chapter, a volunteer cancer driver and church deacon who loves to read, travel and meet interesting people.
April 14, 2013 8:05 p.m.
We had a delicious lunch there yesterday. Chris and Marisol are very gracious,friendly and welcoming; the food authentic. Also, Chris is an excellent photographer. They and their cafe are nice additions to our community.