Meet Francisco Pici Nieves of El Carajillo Mexican Cafe & Bar

Today we’d like to introduce you to Francisco Pici Nieves.

Hi Francisco, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
We started Trading & Coffee food truck in 2021 offering cafecito, churros, breakfast and more in Worthington, Columbus, German Village farmers market and private events.

In May 5, 2024 we were blessed and so grateful of opening our brick and mortar “El Carajillo Mexican Cafe & Bar” located in Italian Village at 851 N. 4th St., Columbus, OH 43215.

We combined how proud we are of our Mexican roots, our love for Latin food, and our passion for delicious drinks.
From our family to yours, we appreciate and are so thankful for the support and preference to our small family business.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Francisco has experience working in restaurants as a server, starting his own business has been hard but so worth it. Him and his brother Juventino, who has management experience, worked together to open their own restaurant.

Family and friends have made it possible to learn and apply the best ways for the food truck and restaurant to be successful.

Struggles are part of the road, but every opportunity is a learning experience. Working as a team is the key to achieving our goals.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about El Carajillo Mexican Cafe & Bar?
We are a small independent family business: started as a food truck (“Trading & Coffee” is available for private events and farmers markets) and our brick & mortar restaurant “El Carajillo Mexican Cafe & Bar” is located in Italian Village at 851 N. 4th St., Columbus OH 43215.

We offer variety of cafecito drinks: coffee, lattes, chai, matcha, and specialty drinks with horchata; Mexican Latin inspired breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, appetizers, salads; Mexican bar drinks: specialized in Margaritas, Cantaritos, Palomas and our representative drink “El Carajillo” combines coffee and alcohol for a delicious full of flavor experience.

What sets us apart from others is that we not only offer traditional popular Mexican drinks and food, but we add extra flavors and varieties with breakfast burritos, sandwiches, and more.

We are most proud brand wise is that we are independent from other Mexican chain restaurants in Ohio: we truly started our small family business as a food truck and have been blessed and eternally grateful for opening our brick & mortar location.

We want our valued customers to know that by supporting our business you are supporting local small family business; your support and preference helps us continue growing. We offer full service menu, comfortable cozy indoor seating, beautiful patio, and affordable prices always.

What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
That unfortunately not everyone is honest or has good intentions with small starting businesses: never sign anything without legal advice first.

Pricing:

• Coffee drinks $3-5
• Bar drinks $5-40
• Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch $9-15
• Appetizers $5-13
• Dinner $12-16

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trading_n_coffee/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063763722345
• Other: 614tradingncoffee@gmail.com