When it comes to Cafe Poca Cosa, you may not know what you’re going to get, but what you can count on, however, is that it will be fresh and delicious.

Suzana Davila, owner of Café Poca Cosa located at 110 E. Pennington St., credits her own creativity when it comes to the wonderful reputation that she has developed. According to Davila, her cooking can be categorized as Sonoran cuisine with a twist.

The creativity Davila talks about applies to her constantly changing menu. Until she arrives at the restaurant in the morning, Davila has no idea what she will be cooking.

Although Davila will repeat dishes, every day is guaranteed to be different.

Her constant ordering enables her to be choosy when it comes to what makes the menu. Delivery trucks full of fresh produce come multiple times per day to stock in Davila’s walk-in refrigerator. Davila has not and will never freeze what she calls her "edible art".

Once decided, the menu is written in vibrant colors on chalkboards and presented to each table by the wait staff. It is evident by their description of each dish that they share the same kind of love that Davila does for the kitchen.

With the help of her father, Luis, Davila opened the first Cafe Poca Cosa 24 years ago. Business soon took off, creating a need for more than six tables. Today, Davila cooks for as many as 40 tables at a time.

“I didn’t think I was going to be in the restaurant business,” said Davila.

“Everybody kept saying that I should open a little restaurant. I never had the desire to do that because I know what it takes to really put that together. The hours are never-ending.”

Davila’s success is felt from the very first step through the door, with the lighting and décor offering a posh and sophisticated dining experience.

The restaurant’s ambience is modern, with a black, red and grey motif. Mexican angeles and other accumulated pieces of art line the back wall to remind Davila of her Mexican heritage.

As she led us back to her spotless stainless-steel kitchen, Davila raved about the dishes she was about to serve to two large parties.

Davila’s presence is known by all of those around her, as she commands her staff with a fast-paced walk and a flick of her wrist.

Her daughter and pastry chef, Shaunali, waved as she shook a pan of brownies upside down onto wax paper.

Shaunali's other specialties are her chocolate mousse and cheesecake.

The mousse is served in a large margarita glass with an Oreo cookie wedged in the bottom and freshly made whip cream gently placed on top.

“She makes chocolate mousse that is to die for,” said Davila.

In fact, Davila’s daughter isn’t the only family member that adds talent to Café Poca Cosa.

Davila credits her sisters, Marcela and Sandra, for their fabulous cooking at “Little Café Poca Cosa,” an in-and-out eatery, at 151 N. Stone Ave.

So, what is the secret to Davila’s success? Her supportive staff.

Davila considers the crew she works with her family. When she hires, she looks for people who will mesh well with her current staff.

“Some of my crew has been with me since the beginning,” said Davila, who repeatedly mentions that she couldn’t do without her great staff members.

“We all treat each other like family. Every summer, I take the crew to my house in Mexico for a little vacation. We all get along really well together.”

Davila keeps all of her recipes secret, including her famous margaritas, which she hints has freshly squeezed orange juice, tequila from Mexico and a hint of lime.

Although she is willing to let outsiders in on some of her successful restaurant secrets, when it comes to her magnificent dishes, it stays within the family.

They are “secrets of the trade,” Davila says with a big smile.


Take a minute to check out two up close and personal interviews with owner and Chef Suzana Davila.

Get a feel for the ambience and flavor of Cafe Poca Cosa.