Today we’d like to introduce you to Lucia Landman.
Lucia, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
We are an Argentinian family owned business that started in farmers markets, and are now known for the Parana Empanadas brand, with locations in Liberty Public Market and Westfield UTC; we still continue to be present at some farmer’s markets across the county. Our newest concept, YERBA mate bar & empanadas, debuted as a signature tea shop Pacific Beach in June 2019.
Yerba mate is a staple of Argentinean beverage culture and we as natives of the country and personal connoisseurs of the drink and its careful preparation bring in YERBA an authentic taste of our traditional culture to the San Diego market. At YERBA, guests can enjoy a menu of various flavors and types of yerba mate tea, available hot or cold, and served in the Argentinean manner with a gourd and straw. The
brand’s signature yerba mate tea blends and a traditional yerba mate kit, including a mate cup and the bombilla straw.
The café is the only one of its kind in the city, focused on yerba mate, empanadas, and dulce de leche desserts.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The road hasn’t been a smooth road, especially with the current COVID-19 situation. We were able to keep our doors open, and not have to close thanks to the continuing support of the local community. We were operating only as take out and delivery, as the Health Department required, which meant that we could not use our back patio, which is what we are known for. Now, we are allowed to have outdoor seating, which has improved the situation a lot, but this summer definitely is not as strong as the 2019 summer where the streets and beach were full of tourist and locals walking around the PB area.
We had to make adjustments on our menu, marketing, and staff in order tot adapt and survive the situation in the last couple of months.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about YERBA mate bar & Empanadas, Parana Empanadas – what should we know?
YERBA is the only cafe of its kind in the city, focused on yerba mate, a traditional SouthnAmerican drink that is a caffeinated, healthier alternative to coffee. The drink is made from the dried leaves of an evergreen holly and is said to offer the “strength of coffee, the health benefits of tea, and the euphoria of chocolate” all in one beverage. Yerba mate is also known for its clean, balanced source of energy and is a nutritional powerhouse with a high concentration of key vitamins and minerals, often recognized for its immunity-boosting power and healing properties.
Alongside the extensive tea menu, YERBA serves the family’s cult-favorite empanadas with flavors including wine-braised beef with raisins and sautéed onion (Malbec Beef), a combination of three mushroom types with parmesan cheese and sautéed onion (Mushrooms) and vegan seasoned jackfruit, celery and carrot (Jackfruit), as well as signature sauces such as chimichurri and green olive sauce. The cafe’s all-day menu also feature a
variety of housemade dulce de leche desserts, toasts, bowls, with gluten-free and vegan options.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
We are a team of 4, my parents: Silvia and Jose; my husband, Timothy and myself. I think we form a great team in which each has a responsibility and looks at the business in different ways which helps us grow and improve.
Our customers form a huge part of how we have been able to succeed in this business. We are very involved in the day to day activities of the business, but we do our best to listen to customer’s comments (good or bad) and make changes according to what the customers is asking us.
Pricing:
- 12 empanadas for $25, including sauces (this is a special we are doing since the covid-19 situation started)
- Drinks ($3.50-$5.50)
- Alfajores (starting at $3)
- Family Style Meal $36 (12 empanadas + sauces + salad tray + 4 alfajores) serve 4-5
Contact Info:
- Address: 956 Garnet Ave. San Diego, CA 92109
- Website: www.yerbamatebar.com
- Phone: 858-900-3309
- Email: hola@yerbamatebar.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/baryerba
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/baryerba
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