Birmingham’s Latino and Latina-owned businesses continue to play a major role in shaping the city’s food and coffee culture. These are family-run concepts and community-driven spaces that reflect heritage, entrepreneurship, and generations of tradition. They’ve also become everyday gathering spots where people connect over food, coffee, and shared experience. Here are a few of our favorite spots shaping Birmingham’s food and coffee scene.
Bandido Coffee – Five Points Birmingham
(Bandido/Facebook)
Bandido Coffee was founded by Raul Chavez and Oscar Alcantar with the goal of bringing a distinctly Latino-owned coffee shop to Birmingham—one rooted in heritage, bold flavor, and cultural identity.
The café blends Latin American-inspired flavors with a gritty, “dive bar” aesthetic, creating a space that feels energetic and intentionally different from more traditional minimalist coffee shops. Each cup reflects a focus on craftsmanship and consistency, with an emphasis on honoring the full journey of coffee from farm to cup.
Beyond the menu, Bandido has become a neighborhood hub in Five Points—an everyday meeting place that reflects pride in culture and community.
Me Gusta! – Five Points South
(Alphagraphics Hoover/Facebook)
Owned by Jesus and Karla Serrano, Me Gusta! is an all-day café offering coffee, breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a bright, vibrant space across from UAB.
The menu ranges from coffee and breakfast sandwiches to customizable bowls built with fresh vegetables, proteins, and bold Latin-inspired flavors. It’s designed to be flexible and approachable, whether someone is grabbing a quick meal or settling in for a work session.
Me Gusta! has quickly become a dependable part of the Five Points South neighborhood, known for its energy, color, and welcoming atmosphere.
Unos Tacos – Downtown Birmingham
(The Pizitz/Facebook)
Unos Tacos is a family-run stall inside The Pizitz Food Hall, owned by Jesus “Chuy” Mendez Jr., along with his father Jesus Mendez Sr. and Cristina Tellez.
Mendez is a respected restaurateur and longtime fixture in the Birmingham food scene, with deep experience across local kitchens and hospitality concepts before launching Unos Tacos in 2020. The business is rooted in recipes from Puebla and Tabasco, Mexico, bringing regional family cooking into a downtown setting.
The menu features street tacos, birria-style dishes, nachos, and bowls—all grounded in tradition and family recipes. Since opening during a difficult time for restaurants, Unos Tacos has grown into a steady favorite at The Pizitz, known for its authenticity and strong family presence.
Pasteles La MoreliAna Truck – Mobile Dessert Truck
(Pasteles La MoreliAna/Facebook)
Pasteles La MoreliAna Truck was founded by Ana Araujo, who began baking Mexican pastries after immigrating to the United States and selling them from her vehicle in the early 2000s.
With the support of her daughters Joana and Marlen, the business eventually grew into a full dessert truck in 2022 after years of home baking and a massive social media following. The truck is known for traditional sweets like flan, churros, tres leches, and specialty celebration cakes.
It represents both family entrepreneurship and cultural storytelling, bringing nostalgic Mexican desserts directly to communities across Alabama.
Ay Güey Taqueria Bar – Springville
(Ay Guey/Facebook)
Ay Güey Taqueria Bar brings the flavors of Guadalajara street food to Alabama, combining handmade tortillas, marinated meats, and bold salsas with a high-energy, Lucha Libre–inspired atmosphere.
Owned by husband and wife duo Arturo and Diana Flores, the concept is designed around both food and experience, with a lively setting that reflects the energy and personality of Mexican street culture. It’s a space built for gathering, celebrating, and sharing meals that are deeply rooted in tradition.
Taco Morro Loco – Avondale
(Taco Morro Loco/Facebook)
Taco Morro Loco, owned by Jorge Camargo, began as a food truck before expanding into a brick-and-mortar restaurant in Avondale.
The menu focuses on authentic Mexican street food—tacos, nachos, salsas, and more—served in a casual, neighborhood setting that has earned it a loyal following. Its growth reflects strong community support and a steady presence in Birmingham’s evolving food landscape.
Across Birmingham, these Latino and Latina-owned businesses are more than places to eat or drink—they’re community anchors built on family history, cultural pride, and entrepreneurship. Take the time to stop in, support these businesses, and experience the culture and care behind them.
For more stories like this, subscribe to our newsletter and get the best of Alabama delivered to your inbox every Friday.
