Tucson’s renowned coffee and breakfast burrito establishment, Barista del Barrio, has officially opened a second location at Borderlands Sam Hughes, located at 2500 E. Sixth St. The new venue launched on January 6, 2024, and is being described as a “pop-up” concept, although the owners hope it will become a permanent fixture.
Founder Flavia Briones, who started Barista del Barrio in early 2017 with her children, Ariana and Sergio, expressed excitement about the new venture. “Technically, we’re like a pop-up, but permanently, hopefully,” she stated. With a streamlined menu focusing on coffee and grilled burritos, most items will be prepared at the flagship location on 1002 N. Grande Ave. and assembled at the Borderlands kitchen, according to Briones’ niece, Jessica Sims.
The collaboration between Barista del Barrio and Borderlands has been in development for several months. Borderlands co-owner Jose Delgado approached Briones and her team in early fall with the concept. “When I first approached them, it wasn’t really the right timing,” he admitted. After resolving scheduling conflicts, they quickly aligned on the idea, believing it would be a strong partnership.
This initiative is part of Delgado’s vision to transform Borderlands Sam Hughes into a community hub. He, along with his partners Rogelio Quintero and Adrian Perez, aims to create collaborations that enhance the area’s appeal. Delgado noted that his children, who frequently visit the original Barista del Barrio, suggested the idea. “They don’t live with us anymore, but every time they come, they love to stand in line over there,” he said, adding his own enthusiasm for Briones’s offerings.
Barista del Barrio has garnered a loyal following, making regular appearances on various “best of” lists, including being ranked 53rd among “America’s Top 100 Places to Eat” in 2020 and earning the title of best brunch in Arizona last year. The James Beard nomination in 2024 further solidifies its status.
The new location aims to alleviate the long wait times often experienced at the Grande Avenue site. During the opening day, a line of at least 15 customers consistently formed, prompting a sign near the ordering window to indicate a 15-minute wait for orders. “We’re hoping by adding this space that we’re going to be able to get things out faster to people,” said Sims, who has been part of the Barista del Barrio team since its inception as a food cart.
Customers at the new Sam Hughes location expressed their enthusiasm for the arrival of Barista del Barrio. “They were like, ‘We’re so excited; you’re closer now,'” Briones recalled. One patron even declared that the news of the new location was “the best news I’ve heard all year,” a sentiment Briones found amusing given it was only the third day of January.
The hours for Barista del Barrio Sam Hughes align with those of the original location, operating from 7 a.m. to noon Wednesdays to Fridays and 8 a.m. to noon on weekends. Borderlands will be open from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays to Wednesdays and 4 p.m. to midnight Thursdays to Saturdays.
As Barista del Barrio continues to expand, its commitment to quality and community remains evident, promising to deliver beloved coffee and breakfast items to an even broader audience in Tucson.
