Gaviña Opens First Café in Downtown Los Angeles
To celebrate 50 years of roasting, the Gaviña family is opening its first ever brick and mortar location in Downtown Los Angeles – Don Francisco’s Coffee, Casa Cubana. Located at 541 S. Spring Street, the new café opens to the public today, 4 August. Don Francisco’s Coffee is a leading California retail brand owned by F. Gaviña & Sons, Inc.
With a Cuba-inspired setting, the Gaviña family has created a unique and authentic experience in downtown Los Angeles. “It has been a dream our family has shared for generations and is our way of honouring our father, Don Francisco and his legacy, during our company’s 50th anniversary of roasting coffee in Los Angeles. The café celebrates our rich heritage and the importance of sharing a great cup of coffee with family and friends,” says Leonor Gaviña-Valls, owner and third-generation family member of the 140-year old company.
Don Francisco’s Coffee, Casa Cubana’s interior is reminiscent of a traditional Cuban living room, that transports guests to the warm tropical breezes of Cuba. Traditional Cuban style coffee drinks that include Café Cubano, Cortadito, and Café Con Leche can be ordered at the coffee bar. For a more personal experience, guests can visit the onsite roasting and cupping area. Guests are encouraged to sit and relax in the lounge area or on the patio. The café will sell Don Francisco’s coffees as well as unique blends roasted onsite specifically for Casa Cubana.
Although Don Francisco’s coffee is the focus of the new café, Casa Cubana also features an authentic Cuban menu which includes breakfast items, sweet and savory pastries, sandwiches and desserts. The menu is prepared daily using local suppliers whenever possible and features classic items such as the Cuban Frita Burger, Pork & Plantain Hash, Tortilla Española, Empanada de Chorizo and of course, the sandwich Cubano.
The history of Don Francisco’s Coffee is a story about family. Brothers José María and Ramón Gaviña began the quest in 1870 when they left their native Basque region of Spain in search of a better life. They settled in the fertile mountains of southern Cuba.
Don Francisco Gaviña was born on the family coffee estate, Hacienda Buenos Aires. His children worked these same fields before the family moved to the United States in 1963. From their coffee growing roots to the coffee roasting business in Los Angeles, founded in 1967, there have always been Gaviñas running the coffee business.
Don Francisco’s sons, Paco, Pedro and José, and daughter Leonor, along with their children still personally select beans, cup samples as they arrive and oversee the specialty coffee roasting and production every day to ensure a quality product from bean to cup.
Based in Vernon, California, F. Gaviña & Sons is one of the largest family-owned coffee companies in America and the nation’s largest privately held minority roaster. To learn more about Don Francisco’s Coffee or Casa Cubana, visit: www.donfranciscos.com or www.dfcasacubana.com.