Authentic Puerto Rican Specialties
Traditional Caribbean Coffee & Handmade Pastries in Downtown Walhalla
Experience the authentic flavors of Puerto Rico at Alexander’s Coffee Shop. From traditional coffee preparations passed down through generations to handmade pastries crafted fresh daily, we bring the genuine taste of the Caribbean to Walhalla, South Carolina. Every item celebrates Puerto Rican coffee culture and culinary heritage with recipes and techniques that honor the island’s rich traditions.
- Home
- Menus
- Authentic Puerto Rican
Why are our puerto Rican Specialties Authentic?
Authentic Island Recipes
Our Puerto Rican specialties use traditional recipes and preparation methods passed down through generations, ensuring every bite and sip is genuinely authentic.
Handmade Fresh Every Day
Our pastries are crafted by hand each morning using quality ingredients. What we bake that day is what we serve, nothing frozen, nothing mass-produced.
Caribbean Heritage
From our imported coffee beans to our traditional pastries, we honor Puerto Rican heritage and bring a taste of the island to our Walhalla community.
Traditional Puerto Rican Coffee
Authentic Puerto Rican Coffee
These traditional Caribbean coffee preparations have been enjoyed for generations. Made the authentic way with our premium Puerto Rican espresso beans.
Café con Leche
Equal parts strong Puerto Rican coffee and steamed milk. A beloved morning ritual throughout Puerto Rico and Latin America—bold, comforting, and authentically prepared. This is how coffee is meant to be enjoyed on the island.
Temperature: Hot
Cultural Note: The traditional Puerto Rican breakfast drink
Café Cubano
Traditional Cuban espresso shot sweetened with demerara sugar whipped into the first drops of espresso, creating a sweet, thick crema. Intensely strong, naturally sweet, and authentically prepared. A true taste of Caribbean coffee culture.
Temperature: Hot
Also Known As: Cuban Coffee, Cafecito
Cultural Note: Authentic Cuban-style preparation with natural sweetness
Cortadito
Cuban and Puerto Rican espresso tradition—bold espresso “cut” with steamed milk and a touch of natural sweetness. Perfectly balanced between the strength of espresso and the smoothness of milk.
Temperature: Hot
Cultural Note: Popular throughout the Caribbean, this drink balances bold coffee with creamy texture
Handmade Puerto Rican Pastries
AUTHENTIC PUERTO RICAN PASTRIES
Made fresh daily in small batches using traditional recipes. Our selection varies based on what we bake each morning—arrive early for the best selection.
Availability Note: Pastries are made fresh daily in limited quantities. Selection and availability vary by day. Not all items are available every day.
Pastelillos
Flaky, golden pastry turnovers filled with sweet guava paste. These traditional Puerto Rican treats are crispy on the outside with a sweet, fruity filling inside. A beloved island classic that pairs perfectly with coffee.
Cultural Note: Found at every panadería in Puerto Rico
Available: When freshly baked (selection varies daily)
Quesitos
Traditional cream cheese pastries made with flaky puff pastry, sweet cream cheese filling, and dusted with powdered sugar. Light, sweet, and absolutely irresistible. These delicate pastries are a Puerto Rican breakfast staple.
Cultural Note: A morning favorite throughout the Caribbean
Available: When freshly baked (selection varies daily)
Cestas
Sweet pastry “baskets” filled with delicious fruit preserves or sweet cheese. These traditional Puerto Rican pastries feature a tender, flaky shell with various sweet fillings that change based on what we prepare each day.
Cultural Note: Classic panadería treat
Available: When freshly baked (selection varies daily)
Cantinflas
Traditional Puerto Rican sweet bread pastry with a distinctive shape and tender, slightly sweet dough. Perfect for dunking in your café con leche or enjoying on its own as a morning treat.
Cultural Note: Named after the famous Mexican comedian, beloved in Puerto Rico
Available: When freshly baked (selection varies daily)
Puerto Rican Specials by the Day
WEEKLY SPECIALS
In addition to our daily pastries, we feature authentic Puerto Rican dishes on specific days each week. Mark your calendar for these island favorites!
Tuesdays
Boricua Bowls
Hearty Puerto Rican rice bowls featuring traditional flavors and ingredients from the island. These satisfying bowls bring authentic Boricua cuisine to your lunch break with generous portions and bold Caribbean flavors.
Available: Tuesdays only
Note: Available while supplies last
Wednesdays
Empanadas
Traditional Puerto Rican empanadas with savory fillings wrapped in flaky, golden pastry. Made fresh every Wednesday with authentic recipes and quality ingredients. Perfect for lunch or a hearty snack.
Fillings Vary: Includes Chicken (Pollo), Spicy Chicken (Pollo Picante), Beef (Carne), Pizza and others.
Available: Wednesdays only
Note: Available while supplies last
Thursdays
Cubanos (Cuban Sandwiches)
Authentic Cuban sandwiches with slow-roasted pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard on pressed Cuban bread. While technically Cuban, this beloved sandwich is a staple throughout Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. Pressed to perfection and packed with flavor.
Available: Thursdays only
Note: Available while supplies last
Perfect Pairings
Pairing Recommendations
Not sure what to order? Here are our recommended combinations for the authentic Puerto Rican experience.
Café con Leche + Quesito or Pastelillo
The Traditional Breakfast
The way mornings are meant to start on the island.
Café Cubano + Cantinflas
The Coffee Lover's Choice
Strong coffee with a sweet pastry to balance the bold espresso.
Cortadito + Choice of Fresh Pastry
The Island Experience
Smooth, balanced coffee with whatever we’ve baked fresh that morning.
Boricua Bowl + Iced Coffee
A Tuesday Special Experience
A hearty Puerto Rican lunch with refreshing cold brew.
About Our Puerto Rican Offerings
Why Authenticity Matters
At Alexander’s, we don’t just serve Puerto Rican-inspired items—we serve authentic Puerto Rican specialties made the traditional way. Our coffee beans are imported directly from high-altitude farms in Puerto Rico, where ideal growing conditions produce exceptional beans with naturally vibrant flavors.
Our pastries follow traditional recipes, and we make them fresh by hand every morning in small batches. This means selection varies daily, but it also means you’re getting genuinely fresh, handcrafted items—not mass-produced pastries from a freezer. When you visit Alexander’s, you’re experiencing real Caribbean flavors and coffee culture right here in downtown Walhalla.
Whether you’re Puerto Rican and missing the taste of home, or you’re discovering these flavors for the first time, we invite you to experience the authentic traditions that make Puerto Rican coffee and cuisine so special.
Experience Authentic Puerto Rico in Walhalla
Visit Alexander’s to discover traditional Caribbean coffee and handmade pastries. Ask our staff about today’s fresh selections and our weekly specials.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have Addtional Questions?
What makes your Puerto Rican offerings authentic?
We use traditional recipes and preparation methods passed down through generations, not Americanized adaptations. Our coffee beans are imported directly from high-altitude farms in Puerto Rico, and our pastries are made fresh by hand each morning using the same techniques you’d find in island panaderías. We don’t take shortcuts. If we wouldn’t serve it in Puerto Rico, we don’t serve it here.
Are your pastries available every day?
Our pastries are made fresh daily in small batches, so selection varies. Items like pastelillos, quesitos, cestas, and cantinflas are available when freshly baked. We recommend arriving early for the best selection. What you see that day is what we baked that morning, never frozen or day-old.
What's the difference between café con leche, cortadito, and café cubano?
These are three distinct Caribbean coffee traditions. Café con leche is equal parts strong coffee and steamed milk, a comforting breakfast staple. Cortadito is espresso “cut” with a smaller amount of steamed milk and a touch of sweetness. It’s stronger than café con leche but smoother than straight espresso. Café cubano is a shot of espresso sweetened with demerara sugar whipped into the first drops, creating a sweet, thick crema. It’s intensely strong and naturally sweet.
What are pastelillos?
Pastelillos are traditional Puerto Rican pastry turnovers with flaky, golden crust and sweet guava paste filling. They’re similar to empanadas but specifically made with guava, which is a beloved flavor throughout the Caribbean. They’re crispy on the outside, sweet and fruity inside, and pair perfectly with coffee.
When can I get empanadas or Cubano sandwiches?
We feature weekly specials on rotation: Boricua Bowls on Tuesdays, Empanadas on Wednesdays, and Cubano sandwiches on Thursdays. These items are made fresh each week in limited quantities and are available while supplies last, so we recommend ordering early or calling ahead.
What's a Boricua Bowl?
“Boricua” comes from “Borinquen,” the indigenous Taíno name for Puerto Rico, many islanders proudly call themselves Boricua. Our Boricua Bowls are hearty rice bowls featuring traditional Puerto Rican flavors and ingredients. They’re satisfying lunch portions with generous servings and bold Caribbean seasonings, available exclusively on Tuesdays.
Can I order Puerto Rican items online?
Yes! Many of our Puerto Rican coffee drinks and weekly specials are available for online ordering at order.alexanderswalhalla.com. However, daily pastry availability varies based on what we bake fresh that morning, so those items may not always appear online. Drop by early to see our daily selection.
I've never tried Puerto Rican food before. What should I order?
For a classic experience, start with café con leche paired with a quesito or pastelillo, this is how mornings begin on the island. If you want stronger coffee, try a cortadito with whatever pastry we’ve baked fresh. For lunch, visit on Wednesday for empanadas or Thursday for a Cubano sandwich. Our staff is happy to explain any items and help you find something you’ll love.
Do you have Puerto Rican coffee beans to take home?
Yes! The same premium Puerto Rican beans we use for all our coffee drinks are available for purchase. Visit our beans page or ask your barista about taking home whole beans or having them ground fresh for your brewing method.
Are your recipes family recipes or traditional Puerto Rican?
Our recipes follow traditional Puerto Rican methods found throughout the island. These aren’t secret family recipes, but rather the authentic preparations you’d find in Puerto Rican homes and panaderías. We prepare them the way they’ve been made for generations, respecting the cultural heritage behind each item.
Why does your pastry selection change daily?
We make everything fresh by hand each morning in small batches, which means we can’t produce massive quantities of every item every day. This approach ensures maximum freshness but it also means variety changes. What’s available today depends on what our bakers prepared that morning.