State Reps. Carlos Gonzalez and Orlando Ramos joins Luis Cotto to welcome Cotto’s new restaurant, El Cafetín, to 276 Cottage St. on Jan. 20.
Reminder Publishing photos by Ryan Feyre
SPRINGFIELD — What was once a former bank and liquor store is now an authentic Puerto Rican restaurant right off Interstate 291’s Indian Orchard exit.
El Cafetín, a family restaurant offering a wide array of traditional Puerto Rican dishes, whether it be different finger foods, sandwiches, breakfast items, Boricua bowls, soups and a few desserts, officially opened to the public at 276 Cottage St. on Jan. 21
“This is something we love doing; It’s our passion,” said Owner Luis Cotto. “It comes from our mother, Carmen Howland … she cooks with love, from her heart, and it grew on me, so we’re here to serve the people of Springfield again.”
In an interview with Reminder Publishing, Cotto said his family wants to bring to the top-selling items from their past restaurant to the forefront of El Cafetín.
A few of those dishes were offered as samples at the restaurant’s grand opening, including the pizza, beef and chicken patties; along with the stuffed plantain fritters, or alcapurrias.
Aside from those plates, the restaurant also offers chicken, pork, Cuban, pastrami, steak and triple meat sandwiches; chicken, pork and steak plantain sandwiches; and a choice of white rice and beans, yellow rice with peas, or smashed fried plantain Boricua bowls.
Cotto said he has really developed a passion for cooking over the past few years. He recalled his mom’s ability to bring people together at social gatherings through her food and said that the restaurant’s menu reflects her passion.
Howland is the chef and quality control expert behind El Cafetín.
“My mom always cooked different types,” Cotto said. “Like if you go to my mom’s get-togethers, she’ll have different types of rice, different types of meat, different types of salad … that’s how she was and that’s how she still is.”
At the grand opening ceremony, state Rep. Carlos Gonzalez (D-Springfield) said El Cafetín is exactly the type of family-oriented microbusiness he has been pushing the state to recognize for years.
In his remarks, he recognized Cotto and his family’s extensive history in the restaurant business, which dates back almost 15 years.
“Luis has had an extensive restaurant [experience] in the past, from El Morro [Bakery and Restaurant], Boston Road, and then went on in different endeavors, and now he’s back to what he knows best,” Gonzalez said. “We’re excited as businesses, Latino businesses, diverse businesses continue to expand across the city of Springfield.”
State Rep. Orlando Ramos (D-Springfield), who represents the district in which the restaurant is located, also commended Cotto’s extensive history in the restaurant business and said it is always a good thing when the city can open new businesses in the city, because it means people are investing in Springfield.
“It’s great to see a family and a business owner being able to make a living to create the American Dream, to live the American Dream, and to make a living doing what they’re passionate about,” Ramos said.
Cotto added that he is excited that customers can visit one of their establishments, again.
“We’re back,” he said. “We’re happy that [customers] are coming to get the same flavor they are used to.”
El Cafetín is open Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
