Since 2010
We began our adventure in 2010 with a small snack (antojitos) place in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Our gorditas and burritos became pretty popular, building a name for ourselves — "Madrez!"
The word "Madrez!" (mothers) came to be thanks to my mother, Virginia. When we were young, she made us corn or flour gorditas — a thicker tortilla with a pocket, stuffed with different ingredients — filled with shreds of roasted poblanos and onion, then crisped and toasted to perfection. She made them big, hoping to fill us up with just one (but we always wanted more). She called them "Madrez!" — and that's how the name came to be.
She called them "Madrez!" — and that's how the name came to be.
A few years later, after a couple of changes in location, we stumbled upon a small but perfect place for our next venture. And so, Madrez! Café was born — a small, casual spot serving quality food, coffee, and natural drinks in Playa del Carmen, Mexico.
After more than 10 years, our flourishing café in Playa del Carmen inspired us to open an additional location in our hometown of Flagstaff, Arizona. Since then, we've also opened our doors in Elkhorn, Wisconsin. We're excited to now offer Madrez! Café in Playa del Carmen, Flagstaff, and Elkhorn.
We hope you enjoy our simple yet flavorful home cooking.
Buen provecho! Madrez! Café
Would you like to learn more about our story? Watch our video!
Watch on YouTubeThe people behind Madrez!
At Madrez!, "family" isn't just part of our name — it's who we are. Some of us are related by blood, some by years of working side by side, but everyone behind the counter is part of the same Madrez! family, all pulling in the same direction: good food, made with love, served like you're one of our own.
Manuel's Madrez! story started as a small late-night burrito and gordita spot that slowly grew into what we are today. His favorite on the menu is the chorizo burrito because the ingredients take him right back to his childhood. To him, Madrez! simply means home, and before he was flipping tortillas, he was keeping rhythm on the triangle, true story.
Katy joined this journey alongside her husband, and Madrez! has felt like family ever since. Her favorite is the poblano gorditas, she loves how the roasted poblanos burst with flavor alongside the eggs and cheese. For her, Madrez! means family, plain and simple, and when she's not behind the counter, there's a good chance she's underwater, she's a certified rescue diver.
Livia was already working at the restaurant before it became Madrez!, and was welcomed straight into the family when the business changed hands. Her favorite dish is the chorizo hash, where every ingredient just works together. What started as just another job quickly became a second home, so much so that she's now taking classes in South Carolina alongside her cousin, who also happens to work right here at Madrez.
Joliette's connection to Madrez! goes back to babysitting for the family and having friends who already worked here, it wasn't long before she joined too. Her go-to order is the sandwich verde with a side of house-made hot sauce, especially for the runny egg and fresh pesto on sourdough. To her, Madrez! means the community she's built here, and when she's off the clock, you'll probably find her out on a motorcycle.
Kayla became part of the Madrez! family and felt at home right away, thanks to a warm welcome from the team. Her favorites are the pesto avocado quesadilla with chorizo and the chorizo gorditas, made with homemade tortillas that carry a lot of love and work. To her, Madrez! means a team that helps each other and always finds a reason to laugh, and when she's not pouring your coffee, she might be doing your hair, she's a hairstylist on the side.