Cafe Owner Looks to Her Roots for Inspirational Flavor

Raices Cafe

Owner: Maria Torres

Since: April 2011

Raices Cafe owner Maria Torres wants diners to know that although she opened her cafe on Lowell Street in Peabody just this April, she is not a newcomer to the business of restaurant ownership. “I owned one back in Puerto Rico about twenty years ago with my husband," she said.

The busy mother of four, who has been a Peabody resident for over 10 years, has been managing Fruit of the Four Seasons, a high-end meat and produce shop that also carries baked goods in Marblehead, for years.

“I had been looking for the right spot for my own restaurant for a long time — when I found this place it was like a dream coming to reality. My kids work here with me on the weekends, so it’s a real family restaurant,” she said.

Raices, meaning “My Roots,” specializes in all manner of Latin and Caribbean cuisine. Torres explains: “I think people can learn a little bit of history through what they eat. I call it Raices, ‘My Roots,’ because it’s what I grew up with. I want people to experience what I grew up with through food, and learn a little bit about our culture.”

Torres learned about food in her native Puerto Rico, but she explains that her menu has Puerto Rican, Cuban, Carribean, as well as American influences. For instance, “creole” means “typical,” or “from one country.” So the food combinations she offers are typical of the region whence she grew up.

Torres said there is one particular item on the menu that is a must-try. “My favorite dish is the Cuban Sandwich. That’s what everyone keeps coming back for, and the one I always suggest for customers to try.”

The sandwich consists of cheese, ham and pork, “...it’s a hot sandwich, but what makes it so special is the way we season it with the garlic, oregano and spices,” she insists.

Raices Cafe also serves real fruit smoothies containing tropical fruits such as mango, papaya and pineapple. It is also gaining quite a following for its fresh, non-alcoholic pina colada.

There’s a different soup served every day, such as corn chowder, hot or cold gazpacho; for the less adventurous: chicken salad, seafood salad, cold sandwiches and wraps. Torres is quick to point out that any of the sandwich offerings can be done in a wrap.

The response thus far has been overwhelming, especially since there has been little, if any, formal advertisement, she said.

“Its great because people are coming from all over, just from word of mouth, and the customers have said they are so pleased to have me. I haven’t done any advertising because I’ve been working so much. I just haven’t had time to think of anything else,” Torres said.

You can find Raices Cafe at 14 Lowell St. or on Facebook.