Quantcast

The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
Read the press release here.

Café Energy Opens Second Outpost in Jamaica Amid Neighborhood Changes

By Ewa Kern-Jedrychowska | August 12, 2016 4:38pm | Updated on August 14, 2016 12:52pm
 Andrew Gutierrez, the owner of the newly opened Cafe Energy, and his mother Elena Barcenes
Andrew Gutierrez, the owner of the newly opened Cafe Energy, and his mother Elena Barcenes
View Full Caption
DNAinfo/Ewa Kern-Jedrychowska

QUEENS — A popular Jamaica café, known for its healthy salads and natural juices, opened its second location in the neighborhood, prompted by the area's recent transformation, the owners said.

For the past 6 years, Café Energy operated as an annex to Salvadorian restaurant Rincon Salvadoreno at 92-15 149th St., where it has also served wraps and smoothies.

But last week the eatery opened a new independent outpost at 147-21 Jamaica Ave., only two blocks away from its initial location.

“The community is developing around here and in the next 5 years a lot of hotels will open in this area,” said Andrew Gutierrez, 29, who co-owns the eatery with his brother Brian Barcenes, 19. Their mother, Elena Barcenes, is also helping out.

Gutierrez also noted that their new location is only one block away from the Jamaica AirTrain station on Sutphin Boulevard and the owners hope to profit from it.

“This community is becoming more airport-friendly,” he said referring to numerous hotels that are planned for the area.

The new outpost, Gutierrez said, expands café's “healthy concept” and serves a large variety of chopped salads, wraps and smoothies.

But the menu was also broadened to include items like gourmet burgers, kebab sandwiches and tacos, the owners said.

At the new location, patrons will find signature dishes including a buttermilk chicken sandwich served with bacon, avocado, fried pickles and aioli mayo ($9.95); the Café Energy burger with sliced red onion, roasted red peppers, feta cheese, arugula and cucumber dill dressing ($10.95) and a beef kebab sandwich with peppers, onion and mushrooms ($7.95).

Locals will also be able to eat breakfast at the restaurant, including omelettes and breakfast wraps.

In the future, Gutierrez said, the newly opened Café Energy will also serve brunch.

Café Energy at 147-21 Jamaica Ave. is open Monday to Friday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday to Sunday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.