Tu y Yo Cafe serves up authentic Latin American flavor in Indiana Township
An authentic Latin American eatery is serving up more than sandwiches and specialty items at Tu y Yo Cafe in Indiana Township.
“I make it all with love,” said co-owner Grace Betancourt-Jones, the friendly force behind the five-year success of the casual all-day cafe that’s tucked away in a small strip mall along Harts Run Road near Saxonburg Boulevard.
A bundle of Venezuelan energy, petite Betancourt-Jones welcomes customers to her cafe with her signature global world-themed jacket and a big smile.
“I want them to feel welcome,” she said Wednesday while preparing homemade empanadas alongside chef Jesus Avila.
Betancourt-Jones, 55, chose the name Tu y Yo for her eatery because it means “you and me” in Spanish.
“I want us all to be juntos (together) and feel welcome. I want them to feel Latin American warmth,” Betancourt-Jones said.
She shares co-ownership with her adult son, William Moffett, who is finishing up his university studies majoring in architecture.
Betancourt-Jones’ childhood was uprooted when her single mother moved from Caracas, Venezuela, to Pittsburgh when she was 15 in 1980.
“I knew no one here in America. My mother got a divorce, and the divorce was not acceptable back home,” she said. “I had to learn everything here. Coming to Pittsburgh, my life changed.”
Betancourt-Jones graduated from Allderdice High School and learned how to cook from her mother and sister.
Tu y Yo Cafe offers a variety of specialty Latin American foods from Central and South America, such as its signature empanadas (fried dough-filled hand pies crimped closed), patacones (fried plantains), Cuban sandwiches and arepas (bread-like patty made with gluten-free cornmeal and filled with all types of meats, vegetables, cheeses, beans, tuna, ham and more).
The menu recently was expanded at the cafe, which is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays. Jones is there every day.
There are yuca fries (fried wedgies of cassava root), cachito (Venezuelan French bread with ham), golfeados (sticky buns rolled with fresh white cheese) and torta Mexicana (pulled chicken with gouda, avocado and jalapeno).
When asked when she sleeps, Betancourt-Jones laughed.
“I have five kids aged 16 to 37,” she said. “I’m busy.”
The drink menu includes lattes, coffees and toddy, a Venezuelan hot chocolate.
The empanadas are homemade and “filled to the max” with either chicken, beef or vegetables and accompanied by a chimichurri sauce.
“I also give them a lot of spice. My father had an Indian background, and I’m a spice master. My food does not leave without spice. It’s never bland,” said Betancourt-Jones, listing cilantro and cumin as two of her go-to spices.
Allison Anne of Indiana Township tried an arepa during her first visit to the cafe.
“Everything has been excellent, and I’ve had the pastelitos and alfajores,” Anne said. “Grace is super kind and wants to get to know you when you come into her cafe. You may walk in a stranger, but you’ll likely leave a friend.”
Betancourt-Jones said she couldn’t handle the demanding responsibilities of owning and operating her business without help from her family.
“My husband plays a big part and works with me every day to support the idea of Tu y Yo Cafe,” Betancourt-Jones said. “My other kids do as well. We’re all in this wonderful journey together as a family.”
Customer Rachel Miller of Hampton loves the arepas and first discovered the cafe when she took her son to a nearby activity.
“You can fill them with different ingredients. It’s all great,” Miller said. “I like to hang out here.”
Anne said the cozy vibe keeps her coming back.
“This place is really a little gem and has a great atmosphere for bringing my laptop to get some work done,” she said.
Joyce Hanz is a native of Charleston, S.C. and is a features reporter covering the Pittsburgh region. She majored in media arts and graduated from the University of South Carolina. She can be reached at jhanz@triblive.com
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