Cafecito Calaveras Burrito & Coffee House is one of those rare finds — a hidden gem that feels both like a neighborhood hangout and a destination. Tucked away on Perez Road and Cathedral Canyon in Cathedral City, surrounded by mechanic shops, cannabis dispensaries, and even Show Girls Gentlemen’s Club, the café stands out as a safe, family-friendly space where everyone is welcome.
The restaurant celebrates its Mexican roots and global influences through bold flavors and heartfelt hospitality. What began as a food truck quickly grew by word of mouth into a full brick-and-mortar spot, now filling the space formerly known as The Tamale Spot. At the heart of it all is owner Charlie, a mariachi musician turned restaurateur.
From Music to Food
Charlie, the owner of Cafecito Calaveras, was born in Los Angeles and raised in San Diego. His first love has always been music—he is a violinist and singer who traveled the world performing with mariachi bands. Over time, he also discovered a second passion: cooking. Now, he brings both of those influences together, sharing with the Coachella Valley a rich blend of flavors inspired by his global experiences.
It was never the plan to open a restaurant, but inspiration struck close to home. It all began last December when Charlie’s wife started making burritos out of her Jeep. Seeing her passion and recognizing the quality—“that burrito was really, really, really good,” he recalls—Charlie decided to pair her burritos with coffee. The combination was a hit, quickly earning a loyal following. What started small grew into a food trailer, and as Charlie explains, “thanks to that food trailer, we had the opportunity to get this restaurant.”
Building a Destination
The leap from food truck to restaurant came quickly. “January, for sure, when the offer came up, and we saw the people coming in and the support for this business, especially in Cathedral City and all the supporters from out of town. That’s when I was like, ‘Okay, we’re onto something good.’”
Since then, Cafecito Calaveras has become more than just a stop for burritos and coffee. “We’ve had a very, very positive response from the community. People come in telling us like, ‘Oh, this is like a destination spot, we have to go.’ They love taking pictures with our logo, and they’re really appreciative.”
The name itself carries cultural weight.
“Calaveras has a representation with the Día de los Muertos, Mexico, you know, the Latino base. So cafecito is coffee. And I thought it was cute, Cafecito Calaveras… something that we can connect with the whole community, and make it fun.”
Bold Flavor, Puro Corazón
The menu reflects Charlie’s family roots, his wife’s recipes, and a dedication to homemade cooking. “When you come into this space, and you have family in Mexico or are just simply missing your mom’s cooking, this is a place where when you eat here, it reminds you of it. Maybe you’re reminded of your grandma’s cooking, your mom’s cooking. Nothing comes out of a can. Everything’s handmade.”
For first-timers, Charlie recommends starting with their best-seller: “Our most popular burrito is called El Huevon Burrito. It’s chorizo with egg, bacon, potato, and our in-house calavera sauce.” Pair it with one of their specialty lattes, made with real ingredients. “We don’t use very many syrups. Everything is brown sugar, we use actual marshmallows. The food is made from the heart, out of love. And you can taste it.”
Creating Community
Beyond the food, Cafecito Calaveras is about connection.
“This is a safe place for everybody. A place where anybody can come and feel safe, feel accepted. The type of community we want is one of helping each other — people who want to feel that Mexican heritage.”
That sense of belonging even comes through in the challenges. “We take time with our cooking. People kind of complain about it, but when you make food handmade, you can taste it. It just takes a little longer. We’re learning and doing techniques to get faster, but we won’t sacrifice the homemade touch.”
Looking Ahead
Charlie’s vision for Cafecito Calaveras keeps growing. “We want to expand for sure. We actually want to have a bigger restaurant with like a brunch type — very festive, with a mariachi band playing. Hopefully in a year and a half, two years, we can have something really big here in the Coachella Valley that’s very unique.”
Until then, he keeps focused on creativity and heart. “The culinary part of it allows you to be creative and then seeing the reaction of people that actually taste your product and having them come back and tell you how much they enjoyed it — that’s satisfactory.”
Asked to describe Cafecito Calaveras in three words, Charlie doesn’t hesitate:
“Bold. Neighborhood. Amor.”
Cafecito Calaveras Burrito & Coffee House
68444 Perez Rd STE N, Cathedral City, CA 92234