Dining Latino: La Coffeeteria reaches one-year anniversary in Lebanon

La Coffeeteria at 45 S. 8th St. just passed its one-year anniversary after opening its doors on Jan. 28, 2025, to sell drinks, classic Hispanic meals, and baked goods.

Owner Liss Morillo moved to Lebanon from the Dominican Republic four years ago. She said she worked in a bank for 11 years while in the DR.

“So restaurant and dining, all of this is new,” said Morillo, with Julie Viera translating from Spanish. “She had experience eating, but not cooking.”

Morillo said she had trouble adjusting to the new work environment because of the language barrier, so the only work she was able to find was in a warehouse. She said it was a lot of heavy lifting, and she wasn’t able to do the corporate work she was accustomed to in the Dominican Republic.

But she made extra money by making food on the side — smaller appetizers like what’s available in the case at the front of the shop.

“She would make them at home, and then bring them to her coworkers, or to her husband’s coworkers, and friends,” Viera said.

When the storefront opened, she said the offerings stayed similar with appetizers, empanadas, and sandwiches. As customers came in, they would request meals from their own cultures, so the restaurant has since become a cultural mix.

One selling point is their Dominican coffee, which is made with a greca and creates a stronger flavor.

Morilla said she’s been told that their food takes them to a different place.

“It transports them back to their country or their home, and then the communities that are not Spanish-speaking, they just like to try the new food.” 

Morillo said beyond the good food, it’s their passion and hospitality that keep customers coming back for more. They tell friends and family when they have a good experience, which brings more people through the doors.

“We treat people really well,” Viera translated. “It’s the word of mouth and also social media. A lot of people will just bring their family in once to try it, they feel that they’re treated well, and they’ve been on social media to grow their presence.”

In the next couple of years, Morillo said she wants to remodel and expand the kitchen, include more dishes on the menu, and possibly increase the hours they’re open.

They’re open 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day but Sunday, but offering larger meals could justify a two-cycle service that goes later into the evening.

Morillo highlighted how grateful she is for everyone who has helped her through her journey from cooking in her own kitchen to owning a storefront.

“She just thought it would be nice to give her thanks just to say thank you to all of her clients, anyone who supported, whether they’re Hispanic or ‘Americanos,’ just thank you for being here, every reference, every visit,” Viera said.