El Molino owners’ new café brings Mexico City vibes to the Charleston area

HANAHAN — Jaime Tinoco and Pamela Sierra have built quite a following at El Molino Supermarket, a Mexican eatery with locations in West Ashley and North Charleston.

Now, they’ve added two new businesses in neighboring spots inside a Piggly Wiggly-anchored strip mall in Hanahan. 

Kooben Café Mexicano and La Tapatia opened in August. Sierra, who hails from Mexico, said their goal with the two establishments was to bring a new option to the area, about 15 minutes from downtown Charleston. 

Part grocery store, part restaurant, La Tapatia’s taqueria looks similar to the ones inside El Molino’s two locations. The tacos are filled with meats ranging from chicken and steak to chorizo and marinated al pastor pork. Elevated by house-made tortillas, each is topped with diced onions and cilantro.

It’s a much different scene next door at Kooben Café Mexicano, anchored by a back bar with a handful of high-top seats and a pastry case. Shiny wooden tables surrounded by wicker chairs are scattered across the rest of the room, illuminated by globe pendant lights that hang by rope from an exposed ceiling. Families, couples and groups crowd the tables, posing for photos and sipping cold coffees with whipped toppings.

I’m reminded of my favorite cafés in Mexico City, where coffee and pastry programs pair with breakfast and lunch entrees in stunning fashion. Kooben’s menu is organized as such.

Huevos Divorciados, tamales, enchiladas and tlayudas are joined by American favorites like avocado toast. Arroz con leche, corn pancakes and French toast with plantain ice cream plus house-baked breads and pastries make up the sweets selection.

La Tapatia is open from 7 a.m.-9 p.m. daily at 1264 Yeamans Hall Rd. Kooben Café Mexicano is open from 7 a.m.-8 p.m. daily at 1268 Yeamans Hall Rd. 

For more information, follow @koobencoffee on Instagram.