It’s all about the coffee and the empanadas. Tintos packs a lot of flavor into a small place
Visitors and locals alike are discovering Tintos Colombian Coffee Shop, attracted by its world-famous mountain-grown coffee, savory empanadas and freshly made sandwiches.
Sisters Veronica and Nubia Betancourt opened Tintos in October at 119 Bridge St., Unit 130. Tintos is well worth looking for, located on the first floor of a two-story building that hosts a variety of businesses.
Their slogan is “From Colombia with love,” reflecting a desire to share the flavors of their native country.
Where to start? Well, the coffee. Prices start at $1 for a small cup, what they call “tintos.” Their most expensive cup is $3.50. Coffee, cappucino, espresso, and ice coffee are all on the menu.
“A tinto is a small cup of coffee that we drink all day in Colombia. It gives you a hint of energy to get through the day. In the afternoon, my sister will say, ‘Do you want to have a tinto?’” Veronica said.
The best tinto, Nubia says, is when you get up in the morning, before breakfast.
Not to be missed are Tintos’ empanadas. The turnovers pack a powerful, wonderful punch of flavor, made with beef, chicken, spinach, mushroom, and guava-and-cheese fillings. Beef is the most popular, the sisters say, but the savory spinach empanada is well worth the $2 price for those who don’t eat meat. The guava-and-cheese empanda is a sweet treat, good any time of the day.
Once they get a taste of the empanadas, customers have been known to come back time after time to try other varieties. After getting his first taste, one customer returned to buy every empanada in the store.
“The empanadas go fast,” Vernonica said.
Because their Bridge Street location was previously a deli, Tintos also offers a variety of sandwiches, including tuna salad, egg salad and more. Rounding out the menu are Colombian candies and cakes.
Nubia discovered Anna Maria Island about 30 years ago. The sisters, who had long wanted to share the flavors of Columbia with the public, thought the island, with its mix of visitors and locals, offered a lot of upside for a new business.
“You have to be careful what you say because the universe sometime gives it to you,” Veronica said. “The local people, the other businesses on the street, the visitors, and people who stay in the resorts have been huge supporters.”
Tintos is designed as a takeout business, but there are a couple of tables in the courtyard in front of the store.
The business opens at 9 a.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Closing hours are 5 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday, and 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Tintos is closed Mondays.
For more information, call 941-254-4156 or visit their Facebook or Instagram page.
