Redwood City gets new vibrant cafe

Decorated in the same festiveness found in Mexican culture, the new cafe was packed with patrons throughout its entire grand opening day, franchise owner Berenisse Cruz said. 

Located at 871 Middlefield Road, Con Azucar is particularly known for its extra large concha and coffee, which could serve up to 10 people, giving a reason to sit down and enjoy a “cafecito” with friends or family, Cruz said. 

Although the food and drinks are the strength of the cafe, the environment crafted for customers is what keeps them hanging around. For Cruz, a Salinas resident, the best part of owning the location is proudly running a business where people can enjoy good food in a beautiful space. 

“I like myself a good place to eat at, that looks good to eat in,” Cruz said. “Having the opportunity to do that ourselves, we saw that and we took it.”

The walls inside the cafe are covered with bright florals, a mural of Frida Kahlo, and odes to Cruz’s family origins in Michoacán, Mexico. Inside there’s a swing, hanging in front of a neon sign perfect for photo-ops, and colorful equipales, or Mexican leather furniture, to sit and relax. 

“A lot of it is how the location looks,” Cruz said. “A lot of people have mentioned feeling at home when they walk in. Lots of people have been saying ‘Redwood City has needed this.’”

Although Cruz isn’t from the area, her connection to Michoacán and the emphasis on representing the Mexican state inside is a facet enjoyed by the community, which includes a significant population from the same area. North Fair Oaks, the unincorporated community just outside the city’s boundaries is known as “Little Michoacán.”

“They go to our store, they know what it’s about,” Cruz said. “They recognize what we’re trying to do.” 

At the grand opening, celebrations included a mariachi band performing outside and a performance of the “Danza de los Viejitos” a traditional folk dance in Michoacán. 

Although there are many other Con Azucar Cafe locations opening throughout the state, and there is a baseline design standard across them all, the Redwood City location was constructed largely by Cruz and her family themselves. Cruz co-owns the location with her brother and, along with their dad, the three did a lot of the construction, from the floors to the intricate design details.

“All of my family is from Mexico, and it’s true to us,” Cruz said. ‘It’s something we never could have thought about in a thousand years.” 

Cruz’s favorite items on the menu are the torta de jamon — a Mexican ham sandwich on soft bread — and any coffee with the added banana cold foam on top. Customers can get any of their coffee needs, from traditional Mexican coffee — cafe de olla — or specialty lattes with Mexican-dessert inspired flavors like Duvalín candy. 

“The food, the menu, the space,” Cruz said, “a lot of it goes back to our culture.”