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From Coffee to Arepas, Celebrate Latinx Heritage Month by Supporting Latinx-Owned Businesses

September 15 – October 15 is Latinx Heritage Month! This month recognizes the independence anniversaries of several Latin American nations and uplifts the cultural legacy of communities deeply-rooted in rich traditions.  

As Latinx Heritage Month comes to an end, the Seattle Office of Economic Development celebrates and honors the many Latinx communities throughout Seattle. To celebrate, we encourage the Seattle Community to support Latinx-owned businesses.  

Don’t see a Latinx-owned business you love? Let us know! 

Geo’s Cuban Bar & Grill  

Geo’s Cuban Bar & Grill (10515 Greenwood Ave N, Seattle, WA 98133) | Photo by Jacqueline Wu

Located in Greenwood, Geo’s Cuban Bar & Grill offers delicious Cuban and Creole food. Their Cubano sandwich is heaven, with slow roasted pork, hickory smoked ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, mustard, and mayo – pressed between traditional Cuban bread and served with yuca fries and garlic cilantro aioli. For those looking for a little heat, look no further than the Spicy Garlic Shrimp – Shrimp sauteed in a garlic-butter wine reduction, with chopped onion, Serrano peppers and bacon bits. Geo’s Cuban Bar and Grill open Monday through Sunday, 12:00PM – 9:00PM.  

The Station  

The Station is not just a coffee shop—its community. Located in Beacon Hill, across the street from the light rail station, The Station is a Black and Latinx owned business run by husband and wife duo Luis Rodriguez and Leona Moore-Rodriguez. The Station is intentional about creating community space, providing a home for artists of all disciplines, youth workers, and activists; hosting the Annual Station Block Party. Even when COVID-19 affected Seattle, The Station continued to center community by operating a free food pantry in partnership with Cleveland High School, taking donations and providing food to neighborhoods who needed it. The Station is open Monday – Friday, 6:00AM – 8:00PM, and Saturday – Sunday, 8:00AM – 7:00PM. Like many small businesses, the pandemic has taken a toll on The Station, and they are accepting donations.   

Antojitos Lita Rosita, Sabor Delicioso, Outsider Pizza, and Shark Bite Ceviches  

Food carts in Plaza Roberto Maesta (2602 16th Ave S, Seattle, WA) | Photo by Jacqueline Wu

After grabbing a coffee at The Station, walk towards Plaza Roberto Maestas for a bite. Anitojitos Lita RositaSabor DeliciosoOutsider Pizza, and Shark Bite Ceviches are part of El Centro de la Raza’s Food Cart program that supports incubating businesses. The goal of the Food Cart program is to give small business owners the tools, knowledge, and space to start or grow their businesses. Antojitos Lita Rosita serves Oaxacan food like a crispy tlayuda or flavorful tamal. Sabor Delicioso has tacos, tortas, huarche, gorditas, burrito, nachos, tamals, and thirst quenching agua frescas. For handmade New York style slices, look no further than Outsider Pizza. Shark Bite Ceviche offers up mouth water ceviche, with shrimp in every bite, mango, cucumber, red onion, and a little kick. These food carts are typically open Monday thru Friday, with festivals in the afternoon until evening.  

Valerie Madison Fine Jewelry 

A true Seattle gem is Valerie Madison Fine Jewelry – an Afro-Latina women-owned business in Madrona. With a background in Environmental science from UW, Madison had a vision to be a trusted designer of quality, aesthetically pleasing jewelry and combining her love for the natural world. A Valerie Madison piece features styles and stones not seen in traditional pieces, such as salt-and-pepper diamonds, rose-cut diamonds, uniquely shaped stones, vibrant hues, and more. Valerie Madison Fine Jewelry is open Tuesday – Friday, 11AM – 6PM and Saturday, 10AM – 4PM. Appointments are encouraged and virtual consultation is offered.  

Don Luchos  

Don Lucho’s (7919 Roosevelt Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115) serves up Peruvian food and Pisco cocktail, with a large heated outdoor seating patio | Photo by Jacqueline Wu

With a dream of sharing their Peruvian culture and cuisine in Seattle, Don Lucho’s rolled Seattle streets serving Peruvian sandwiches from their food truck. After six year, Don Lucho’s found a home in the Seattle’s Maple Leaf. With the adoption of their brick and mortar, also came the expansion of their menu to experience Peruvian staples like Polla a La Lena (Firewood Roasted Chicken), Arroz con Mariscos (Seafood Rice), plantains, empanadas, and cocktails made from Pisco—a Peruvian brandy. Don Lucho’s location is outfitted with a patio area for safe outdoor dining and are opened Tuesday – Saturday, 12:00PM – 9:00PM. Check their website for food truck locations.  

Arepa Venezuelan Kitchen  

Arepa Venexuelan Kitchen (1405 NE 50th St, Seattle, WA 98105) | Photo by Jacqueline Wu

If you haven’t had Arepas before, you need to head to Arepa Venezuelan Kitchen. Off the Ave, Arepa Venezuela Kitchen is serving hot arepas that are crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, bursting with flavor. The Pabellon Arepa, is filled with juicy shredded beef, savory black beans and a sweet plantain. The Reina Pepiada Arepa is loaded with shredded chicken and avocado drenched in a green sauce. Arepa Venezuelan Kitchen is open Monday – Saturday, 10:30AM – 8:00PM; Sunday, 11:00AM – 5:00PM.   

Resistencia Coffee  

There is no better way to start your day than the Resistencia way, with locally made tamales and a delicious latte. This South Park neighborhood coffee shop is all about resisting gentrification and creating community for the Latinx community. In creating that community space, Resistencia Coffee hosts local events, supports local artists, and local food businesses!  Resistencia Coffee is open Monday – Saturday, 7:00AM – 5:00PM, and Sunday, 8:00AM – 5:00PM.  

Guanaco’s Tacos Pupuseria  

Guanaco’s Tacos Pupuseria (4106 Brooklyn Ave NE Seattle, WA 98105) | Photo by Jacqueline Wu

Two blocks west of the University of Washington (UW), Eduardo Revelo runs Guanaco’s Tacos Pupuseria, serving warm, fluffy pupusas. Pupusas are stuffed corn tortilla cakes with filling choices of chicharrón, chicken, nopal, loroco, ayote, cheese, beans, and more. They can be stuffed with three different fillings, eaten à la carte, or in a combination plate with a tamale, empanada, or beans and rice. And don’t skimp on the curtido, the pickle cabbage cleanses your pallet making every new bite the first. Guanaco’s Tacos Pupuseria is open Monday through Friday, 11:30AM – 8:30PM; Saturday, 12:00PM – 8:30PM; and 12:00PM – 7:30PM. 

Rice and Beans (Right) and Chicharrón, Bean, and Loroco with cutido and salsa | Photo by Jacqueline Wu

Nepantla Cultural Arts Gallery 

The Nepantla Cultural Arts Gallery is a multi-use accessible cultural arts space located in Delridge near the boarder of White Center. The Nepantla art exhibits focuses on marginalized communities and communities of color. They also serve as a community space for events such as arts related lectures and workshops, open mics, and community forums. Nepantla also houses a gift shop with unique collection of apparel, jewelry, handmade gifts, and amazing works of art by local and national artists. They’re open Wednesday – Sunday, 12:00PM – 6:00PM.