Located near the UTEP campus at the corner of Mesa St. and Boston Ave., Boxha Coffee House + Wine Bar welcomes all with its tasty menu and ancient theme, making it more than just a coffee house.

Boxha Coffee House + Wine Bar opened its doors in May 2018, and is locally owned and operated by UTEP International Business student, Pedro Valdez.

“I wanted to create a business that had meaning, unlike a major chain, and I decided on a local restaurant,” the 21-year-old said.

Valdez created a café with a relaxed ambiance for customers to enjoy while trying organic dishes and coffee beverages.

“We want to make sure our customers feel good eating our food knowing it’s fresh and organic,” Valdez said. “Our food not only looks good, but it tastes good and the food benefits you.”

Boxha’s food menu includes a variety of pastries, large acai bowls, and hearty sandwiches—like a Chipotle BLT and salads. Valdez recommends trying Boxha’s citrus salad with salmon.

The coffee house also sells cheese boards and tapas, also known as appetizers, which can be paired with specific wines suggested by Boxha staff. However, Boxha has currently put their wine selling to a halt as they renovate the bar space.

“We are working on making a small bar in our kitchen, it’s going to include beer, wine and all sorts of liquor,” Valdez said. “We plan on selling a variety of wine, from cheap wine to the expensive kind.”

Valdez said there is not a specific date when the selling of alcohol will resume but assures it will be very soon. In the meantime, Boxha has a variation of other beverages to try.

Named after the ancient Mayan word for “coffee,” Boxha’s drink menu incorporates popular coffee drinks such as their House Blend Signature Drip, lattes, cappuccinos, espressos and much more.

Valdez settled on the archaic word for his business following his idea to fuse an ancient Mexican culture with a contemporary movement for the coffee shop’s theme.

“Not only does the name and theme represent where I come from, Mexico, but it also represents who I am as a person,” Valdez said. “It was a personal touch I added.”

Boxha is located in a building that was a house in the early 1900s and still possesses its original wood floors. The rooms are painted a bright white and are decorated with a touch of rustic décor tying in Boxha’s timeworn and modern theme together.

“The atmosphere here is very chill,” said Boxha employee and former UTEP student, Arely Perez. “If I was not working here I’d probably come here to study because it’s very peaceful.”

Valdez wanted to create a space where anyone from anywhere can go and feel comfortable and welcomed.

Boxha plans to host a hand full of musical events in the near future, and Valdez invites all UTEP musicians to apply to play their music at the coffee house. Artists are also welcome to submit their work to have displayed at the coffee house.

“We are open to hosting musicians and artists that create art,” Valdez said. “Artists can email us pictures of their work so we can hang.”

Artists or musicians that would like to participate can email Valdez at [email protected] for more information.

Boxha Coffee House + Wine Bar is open Monday through Saturday at 11:00 a.m. — just in time for Brunch.

UTEP and EPCC students and staff can receive ten percent off their total if they take in their student or staff ID.

For more information or updates on Boxha Coffee House + Wine Bar follow them on Facebook and Instagram @BoxhaCoffeeHouse or contact them by phone at (915) 600-5324.

Catherine Ramirez may be reached at [email protected].