Robert Figueroa, co-owner of Buenos Aires Cafe, tells What Now San Francisco that the Argentinian eatery plans to open its third location in early 2023.
Figueroa shares that the 2530 Tenth Street, Suite 5 location was initially pursued for its commercial kitchen space, but that there is retail space that he and co-owner Diana Days are converting into a fast-casual outpost. It will function as a grab-and-go station primarily, however, there will be some outdoor seating available.
The commercial kitchen space is needed to meet a recent increase in demand — success that Figueroa attributes to the restaurant’s use of quality ingredients, like halal beef, in its hearty, 5 oz empanadas.
In addition to traditional empanadas, diners can enjoy specialties like a pumpkin pie empanada alongside a caffeinated beverage — a yerba mate latte, for example. They also offer catering services directly and through their catering partner, EZ Catering.
According to the website, “Cafe Buenos Aires was founded by Diana Days, a prominent Argentine Trans woman, in 2018. The aspiration was three-fold: create a safe space for LGBTQ+ members from all over the world; bring the delicious taste of Argentina to the Bay Area; and create a welcoming environment for all community members.”
The restaurant currently has two locations, one in Berkeley and one in Emeryville. The hours of the Berkeley location are from 7:30 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday, and from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm on Saturday and Sunday.
