They began by selling milkshakes and ice cream from a van at York Designer Outlet.
Now Mary and Andrew Atolagbe have brought their knowledge of the street food scene to their first permanent café.
The married couple have just opened Café Coco on Hawthorne Terrace, New Earswick, and it is already receiving rave reviews.
They own food vans Shakamaka, Crepe Creations and Panitos at the McArthurGlen Designer Outlet and have used their knowledge of what’s working in the street food scene to add some popular dishes to their new Café Coco menu – including the ever-popular topped waffle fries.
Mary is no stranger to York’s hospitality scene having co-founded El Gaucho, the Argentinian steak house on Walmgate, in 2004 before jumping onto the street food movement.
Mary said: “Andrew and I started out with a milkshake and ice-cream van at the Designer Outlet in 2013 and we’ve expanded from there.
“We love our quirky vans but our dream was to have another base in York and when the unit became available we knew it was the perfect fit.
“New Earswick has a real sense of community spirit and we’ve had lots of support from the locals.”
The shop has undergone a complete refurbishment since it was the Thistle Do Nicely deli, which closed last month.
Café Coco has inside and outside seating and offers free Wi-Fi. Café Coco’s breakfast baps and locally sourced Dancing Goat coffee are also proving to be a take-away hit with passing trade.
It has already received seven 5/5 reviews on Facebook, with one happy customer saying: “Cosy cafe with really friendly staff and gorgeous coffee! What more could you want?”
The couple are delighted to have secured a food hygiene rating of 5 in their recent inspection and are planning to introduce some bistro evenings in the coming months.
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