Dreams on wheels: Coqui Comfort food truck owners opening restaurant in Rock Falls

Coqui Comfort: Bringing Authentic Puerto Rican Flavors to the Sauk Valley

In a captivating culinary journey, the Coqui Comfort food truck has now expanded its reach, opening its first brick-and-mortar location in Rock Falls, Illinois. Owners Nick and Suly Garcia, who have been delighting the Sauk Valley area with their authentic Puerto Rican street food for years, are now offering customers a permanent home to savor their unique and flavorful creations.

Savoring the Essence of Puerto Rican Cuisine in the Heartland

Chasing Dreams and Serving Authentic Flavors

The Coqui Comfort journey began in the Garcias' home in 2021, where they started taking and preparing orders in their garage. Driven by their passion for sharing the flavors of their Puerto Rican heritage, the couple then took their culinary venture on the road, launching a food truck on August 15, 2022. This mobile eatery allowed them to bring their authentic Puerto Rican street food to the Sauk Valley community, captivating taste buds with each delectable dish.

Filling a Void in the Local Culinary Landscape

As Nick and Suly hail from the East Coast, they were familiar with the abundance of Puerto Rican dining options in that region. However, upon settling in the Sauk Valley, they noticed a distinct lack of this type of cuisine. It was this realization that sparked their desire to introduce the vibrant flavors of Puerto Rico to their new community. "It is when we started cooking out of the garage that we started realizing the lack of this type of food here," Suly shared, fueling their determination to share their culinary heritage.

Expanding to a Brick-and-Mortar Establishment

The Coqui Comfort food truck has been a resounding success, captivating the hearts and taste buds of the Sauk Valley community. Now, the Garcias are taking their venture to the next level by opening their first brick-and-mortar location on Thursday, November 7, at 110 W. Second St. in Rock Falls. This permanent establishment will allow customers to call in and order their favorite dishes for pickup or enjoy a dine-in experience, all while maintaining the same "fast and casual dining" vibe that has become the hallmark of the Coqui Comfort brand.

Preserving the Essence of the Food Truck

Despite the exciting expansion, the Garcias have no intention of abandoning their beloved food truck. "The truck was our first love," Nick said, emphasizing that they have no plans to get rid of it. The food truck will continue to serve meals on wheels for catering, special events, and other occasions, ensuring that the Coqui Comfort brand remains a fixture in the Sauk Valley community.

Commitment to Quality and Freshness

At the heart of the Coqui Comfort experience is a steadfast commitment to quality and freshness. The Garcias have carefully curated their restaurant's operating hours to ensure that they can maintain this unwavering focus on their product. "We want to keep these hours so we can continue to focus on what is most important, and that is the quality and freshness of the food we provide," Nick explained. By limiting their hours, the Coqui Comfort team can ensure that each dish they serve is prepared with the utmost care and attention to detail, upholding the brand's reputation for excellence.

Authentic Puerto Rican Flavors, Uniquely Coqui Comfort

The menu at Coqui Comfort features a tantalizing array of authentic Puerto Rican street food, including jibaritos, papa rellenos, and pernil. While Suly's culinary expertise is rooted in the traditions she learned from her mother, she has put her own unique spin on these classic dishes. "I started with what I knew about cooking and added my take on things," Suly shared. "I wanted to start our own tradition with our kids. These are my recipes that I'm going to pass on to my daughter. It's still authentic. This is just Coqui's taste."

A Family Legacy in the Making

The Coqui Comfort brand is more than just a business venture for the Garcias; it's a labor of love and a way to preserve their family's culinary heritage. By passing down their recipes and traditions to their children, the Garcias are ensuring that the Coqui Comfort legacy will continue to thrive for generations to come. "It's still authentic. This is just Coqui's taste," Suly affirmed, underscoring the personal and familial significance of their culinary endeavor.