OUR STORY

Covacha distills over 25 years of experience across a family of three beloved restaurants —Cafe Frida, El Mitote, Ella Social— into the Upper West Side’s new neighborhood spot.

THE ROOTS 1998-2020

After almost a quarter century of its operation, sadly, Café Frida —a historic icon of authentic Mexican food on the UWS— closed its doors in March 2020, due to Covid-19, only to revive, like the phoenix from the ashes, into a re-awakened vision and a more profound concept.

A NEW VISION 2021

Fueled by the energy of founder Cristina Castañeda, together with Milena Gernandt, both deeply rooted, Upper West Side working moms, take a step forward despite all the nuisances and difficulties the pandemic brought onto the whole world, joining Covacha to its elder family of restaurants in Spring 2021, setting the voice of a game-changer and a cheering approach to hospitality.

A NEW VOICE

A ‘covacha’ translates simply as a hole in the wall, unassuming, discreet, humble. Yet, this Covacha's approach to food, ingredients and preparations holds a deeper meaning, one that’s more poetic, one concerned with its roots, its methods, and its historical consequences.

Covacha is a tribute to the food of the western Mexican “Ranchos”, particularly inspired in Jalisco, honoring the “Milpa” culture (a pre-colonial agricultural system configured around polycultures).  Covacha brings authenticity to the table and attention to details all around, while at the same time represents the artisanal processes and high-quality ingredients, with a focus on independent, small batch producers and revised versions of word-of-mouth traditional recipes, as well as a carefully curated selection of boutique Mexican spirits and natural wines.