Café Tres

I've driven by a few times and thought "I should try them" and then promptly forgot. Finally remembered today, and I'm going to need to forget about them again if I have any chance of sticking to my diet. The carne was hot and ready as we showed up, and it's dangerous. It's a slightly sweet biscuit sized pastry, about 40 layers, with a generous scoop of a seasoned ground beef in the center. The simple syrup baste added just a hint of sweetness to the first bite, complimenting the buttery pastry layers nicely. The next few bites happened without much conscious effort on my part, I only remember beefy goodness with I think a sweet pepper mixed into the mince? All I know is I was licking my fingers, debating going inside and buying another. I probably shouldn't be back to try the sweet varieties or whatever their next special is (a pulled steak in a tomato sauce this time), but I probably will. Man, that was good. Oh, so was the coffee, if you're into Cuban style.

I’ve been following Cafe Tres since their farmers market and delivery days, so it’s been great to see them open their own brick and mortar location. The food is consistently excellent. My favorites are the ropa vieja, the carne, the jamón y queso, and anything with guava. Everything is flavorful, well made, and feels authentic and thoughtful. They now offer cafecito and other coffee drinks as well, which makes it an easy stop for both breakfast and a midday pick-me-up. Definitely recommend going early because they do sell out. It’s a well deserved kind of problem.

Pastelitos might be my new favorite pastry thanks to Mike & Cafe Tres! They are light and flakey with fillings that add their own unique flavor profile to this treat. The carne has a nice variety of warming spices to elevate the flavor. But a tried and true to always snag is the guava and cheese! The guava is tart and sweet to compliment the cream cheese. Mike the owner is the kindest soul just here to share his family’s cuban recipes with Denver!

I used to live in Miami and then had the great joy of discovering Mike at the farmers market. His pastries are out of this world. He has brought the true flavor of Cuban pastries to Denver. To create the perfect flake in this altitude? Are you kidding me? You have to try it. They even travel well—a perfect food to grab on the way to the mountains. Shop local and support this wonderful business.