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Capybara Café, a new Colombian street-food-inspired concept, will officially swing open its doors today at Crossroads Collective, 2238 N. Farwell Ave.
For the past year, Valentina and Jonah Sloan have owned and operated Capybara Café in Freeport, Illinois. But the husband and wife team have now moved to Milwaukee and they've brought their café along with them.
Guests can expect a menu of Colombian arepas, salchipapa, pandebono, empanadas and Colombian hot dogs. They will also offer Colombian coffee, espresso drinks and hot chocolate.
Valentina grew up in Cali, Colombia, and learned to cook at her family’s restaurant. Through her cooking, she connects to her roots and is able to share her culture, family recipes, and traditions with others.
“Every dish that I make is a family recipe,” she related, “I’ve been cooking since I was a child, and after seeing the joy it would bring to my friends and family it truly became my passion. Cooking truly fills my heart."
Capybara Café is excited to collaborate with Crossroads Collective and provide a culinary experience that celebrates diverse cultures and strengthens connections throughout the community.
“I can’t wait to introduce people to my culture,” remarked Valentina. “And for those Colombians that may be missing home, hopefully this will take them back for a moment.”
Additional vendors at Crossroads Collective include Scratch Ice Cream, Mex Ave, Awi Sushi, Yummy Bones BBQ, Nute’s Café, Temple Goddess and Adonis Burger Co.
As a passionate champion of the local dining scene, Lori has reimagined the restaurant critic's role into that of a trusted dining concierge, guiding food lovers to delightful culinary discoveries and memorable experiences.
Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with every dish. Lori is the author of two books: the "Wisconsin Field to Fork" cookbook and "Milwaukee Food". Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or planning for TV and radio spots, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.
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