CONTRIBUTING WRITER – KAITLYN VALDERAS
Nestled into the businesses that occupy the busy street of Culebra Road lies a small west-side gem called Barrio Barista. Less than five minutes away from the St. Mary’s campus, this café provides students, as well as other community members, a relaxing and laid back atmosphere. People can also grab food and coffee, catch up with friends, or even fit in a bit of studying at this fine location. Barrio Barista’s ten thousand Instagram followers along with being featured in multiple San Antonio publications, speak to the business’s popularity and reputation. The charming café was established in 2014 and has gained the admiration of San Antonians through its delicious menu options and friendly staff. Following a recent closure for renovations, Barrio Barista is back open for business and ready to serve the west side community.
The café’s owner, Gilbert De Hoyos, remarked that his passion to serve others acted as a driving force in establishing Barrio Barista. This passion is evident through the friendly and welcoming environment that his café offers to all of its guests. Upon entering, visitors are met with a familiar and homey atmosphere. St. Mary’s student, Mariana Mata, junior international and global studies and Spanish double major, recalls her first time at Barrio Barista saying, “It felt welcoming as soon as you enter.” Friends chat with one another over great food while others sip coffee, typing away on open laptops. Artwork hangs on the walls of the warmly-lit space while light music plays in the background. Booths, tables, and couches along with outdoor seating provide guests with many options for their experience. “It’s a safe place for people to come and enjoy themselves with friends and family, and it offers students in the area a place to hang out,” said St. Mary’s senior environmental science student and Barrio Barista patron, Norma Murillo. De Hoyos remarked that he enjoys seeing people come together over a cup of coffee and it is clear that this is taking place at Barrio Barista.
De Hoyos’ business puts a west side twist on a traditional café and this theme presents itself through their menu items. Breakfast, lunch and of course, coffee is served. Some of their most popular drinks include the horchata latte and the Mexican mocha. Another extremely popular option is the Westside special. This lunch item is comprised of a barbacoa grilled cheese sandwich served with avocado and a side of tomato basil soup. “I saw the sandwiches on Instagram and thought they looked really good and I wanted to try them,” said Murillo. The homemade food paired with coffee and the cozy atmosphere makes Barrio Barista a great space for community members and students alike.
Having owned the building since 1965, De Hoyos admitted that many things had “worn down over time,” and he felt that renovations were necessary. Closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic limited Barrio Barista to the curbside and online orders after being forced to shut down their dining room. Tis provided him with the perfect opportunity to renovate the building’s interior. De Hoyos commented that “Everything remained the same, we just strengthened everything that was here.” Mata added, “Now as COVID restrictions have gone down and the business opened up again the atmosphere is coming back.” She is referring to students hanging out with friends at the coffee shop.
Following the recent re-opening of Barrio Barista, De Hoyos hopes to reestablish the café’s relationship with St. Mary’s University. “After 8 years, St. Mary’s is supporting us more and more,” said De Hoyos. He hopes to foster an even stronger relationship saying, “I think it’s there, it’s just a matter of exposing it more.” “Students should definitely try it,” says Murillo. De Hoyos even offers a student discount, solidifying the value he places on the relationship between Barrio Barista and St. Mary’s. He hopes that students will utilize his café as a means to “network and share with others,” in a relaxed atmosphere with great food.