Maricsa Trejo, the James-Beard nominated chef behind one of the most highly respected bakeries in town, La Casita Bakeshop, says she hopes to open her coffee shop and restaurant in Half Price Books soon.
Half Price Books. Photo by Renee Umsted.
Announced earlier this year, Trejo says the La Casita team is “ready to go” in the former Black Forest Coffee space, and are waiting on permits from the city. The 1,351-square-foot store will initially open serving coffee and pastries baked at La Casita’s flagship Richardson bakeshop.
“We also have another location in Uptown that’s going to open in November,” Trejo said. “We were trying not to have them clash and they’re getting closer and closer together and it’s a little scary.”
Trejo, a self-proclaimed “book nerd,” says she’s ecstatic about opening in the iconic bookseller’s flagship store.
“I’m going into a building that’s kind of like part of history in this city that I live in, which is really cool,” Trejo said. “But It’s like Narnia in there because all the other ones are smaller. You go into that one, all the sections have so much to see and do.”
After the coffee shop opens, Trejo will wait for a liquor permit before opening the planned tiki bar and restaurant. She says she’s already developing a cocktail menu, and is working with established bar managers to set the future tiki spot up for success.
When opened, she says that the menu will serve an eclectic mix of cuisines.
“It’s gonna be like a mix of Pacific Island food,” Trejo said. “Asian food, Vietnamese, Korean and Mexican food.”
A Mexican-inspired whole chicken, cooked in a clay pot, wrapped in banana leaves and served with tortillas was mentioned as a probable menu feature.
“We’re doing all these different things,” Trejo said. “but we’re making it just a little bit more interesting. So we’re excited. I’m excited for people to try the food and the drinks. People already know that we make good pastries and we are getting there on our coffee.”
