(Dynamic Duo: Chef Elias and his wife Esmeralda get ready behind the counter for customers to arrive.)
One of the highest-rated restaurants in Westchase District is located somewhere you wouldn’t expect – inside an office building.
Housed on the first floor of the CNPC building at 2901 Wilcrest Dr., Little Maria’s Cafe is the perfect spot for a homemade breakfast or lunch at an affordable price. The cafe is open weekdays from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Sundays from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Its menu features a variety of breakfast items such as omelets and breakfast tacos, along with a selection of tacos, sandwiches, and salads for lunch. Daily specials add a fresh twist to the offerings.
Journey to the Kitchen
Owner and chef Elias Basabe began his career far from the kitchen. “I was a roofer,” he shared. “My father, a chef, introduced me to cooking, which quickly became a passion.” Basabe delved into cookbooks and videos, even taking a three-month course in pastries and baking. “The more I learned, the more interested I became,” he said. This passion turned into a 25-year career in the restaurant business.
For 12 of those years, Basabe worked at Lakeside Country Club preparing meals for weddings, wine dinners, and golf tournaments. Three years ago, he decided it was time to venture out on his own. “I took a risk leaving a well-paying job with a great environment, but I wanted to build something that I could pass on to my kids,” Basabe said.
The name “Little Maria’s” honors Basabe’s mother Maria, who dreamed of having her own restaurant. “Naming my restaurant after her is my way of honoring my mother and her dream,” he explained.
If You Build It, They Will Come
(Calm before the storm: Tables are prepped in the café before the lunch rush begins.)
Basabe chose the CNPC building for his cafe after seeing a leasing sign. “I didn’t do lots of marketing and promotion,” he said. “I just focused on making great food at an affordable price and offering great service to the people in the business building, and word began to spread.” Now, more than 60% of his business comes from outside the office building. “I don’t even have any signage,” Basabe said with a laugh, “but people still find us and come to the lobby asking where Little Maria’s is.”
Little Maria’s Cafe has earned a perfect 5-star rating on Google reviews, with consistent praise for both the food and service. “I make every item from scratch,” Basabe noted. Barbecue days are especially popular, when Basabe sets up his smoker in the parking lot to prepare brisket, ribs, roasted chicken, or smoked sausages. He even sells homemade BBQ sauce by the quart.
In addition to daily customers, Little Maria’s has a thriving catering business, serving delicious food for businesses and personal events. Many who experience Basabe’s catering at business meetings now hire him for birthday parties, weddings, and family gatherings. The success of the cafe has led to a second location in another office building.
For Basabe, service is about more than just good food. “I like to treat my customers as if they are family,” he explained. He often takes breaks between cooking to chat with customers. “I don’t just want to know their order,” he said. “I want to know about their day, and about their life. I want to hear their stories.” He is also willing to go beyond his menu to satisfy his customers. “If a customer wants something that I don’t have on the menu, I’ll just make it for them,” he proudly stated. “Whatever they want to eat, I can make it.”
For more information visit littlemariascuisine.com or call 832-667-8376.
