Cubano sandwiches, empanadas, arepas. To-go South American eatery opens in Kansas City

Since Cafe Sofrito opened two weeks ago in midtown, its Cubano sandwiches — with roasted pork, ham and Swiss cheese on crusty Puerto Rican-style bread — have been the most popular order.

But customers are also opting for its other South American offerings: empanadas, salad with grilled chicken and white beans, and arepas such as the Peluda with shredded beef and cheddar cheese or the Domino with black beans and grated cotija cheese. It also has Pabellón, a traditional Venezuelan dish with white rice, black beans, shredded beef and sweet plantains.

Cafe Sofrito is in a tall and narrow building with a bright yellow awning at 3731 Main St. A South American artist will paint an Amazon rainforest scene on the side of the building in October.

It has a walk-up window with picnic tables under a canopy in the back but no indoor seating. It also offers catering.

“We have a lot of Mexican restaurants and Taste of Brazil, but I wanted to bring a different style of South American to Kansas City. With the walk-up window just like you see in Little Havana in Miami,” said owner Jasmine Thompson.

She also picked the spot because it will be on the expanded streetcar line.

Thompson was born and raised in Taiwan. She came to Kansas City to earn a business degree from the Henry W. Bloch School of Business at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and then worked in international trading.

She was a “small, small investor” in Pirate’s Bone Burgers, which had previously operated in the 3731 Main building, as well as at 2000 Main. She returned to Taiwan when her mother was sick and decided to be her own boss when she returned.

“I have the freedom to go back home when my mom needs me,” she said.

Thompson also is a partner in the Manila Bay on Main opening soon at 2000 Main.