Cositas Ricas of Paterson

Great place to stop in for a quick bite: breakfast, lunch, or dinner… empanadas, Colombian snacks, bread, pastries, and daily lunch specials as well as hot chocolate or café con leche does the trick…

Small family owned business… Opened very early in the morning…
As a true Colombian I was craving some Colombian breads my grandma used to make and stopped making because she no longer wants to cook… Didn’t feel like going all the way to Elizabeth or Union City… So I know there’s a small community of Colombians in Paterson, so I came to Unilocal and found cositas ricas…
It’s your typical Colombian place lots of breads to choose, coffee and of course empanadas…
As soon as I walked in I was greeted with a friendly smile including from the customers on line… Took me back to when I was growing up and my mom used to forced me to say good morning even to strangers stating that I didn’t sleep with them so I should be courteous and say hello good morning even to strangers… (Sounds better in Spanish)…
Anyway, I ordered bunuelos which is a types of bread that looks like a ball and it’s basically a cheesy dough, also got some pan de bono which is also a type of cheesy bread and of course had to some empanadas (beef patties) of course with some hot chocolate …
Couldn’t had asked for a better breakfast …

The baked goods are always fresh. It’s authentic and inexpensive. They’re fast and efficient in their service and people are pleasant, including the other customers who provide recommendations from time to time.
In general, any of the items with Guava and cheese (it’s cream cheese) are incredible. I got the Empanada con Guayaba (Guava) and it was so delicious — the dough is a perfect mix of hard on the outside and then soft on the inside.
What to get: empanadas (de carne or otherwise) and get the ají sauce, arepa de choclo con Queso (it resembles a corn pancake with Queso blanco on top), buñuelos which are sweet and salty (ball of fried dough with cheese — the cheese is mixed in with the dough), and pan de Queso.
You can also order large quantities for parties and they’ll make them certain things in bite size form.

When I want some yummy Colombian bread or breakfast treat this is my spot. I use to frequent Pizza pan a few block away, but once I found this spot, the taste is noticeable. They have a few chairs if you wanted to have your food there, no table do. More of a stools with a counter along the walls.
They also make regular food, which is most likely bandeja paisa or something of that sort. They have the meals of the day on the white board to the left when you walk in. I’ve never tried it but I see plenty of people picking up their lunch from time to time.
Definitely give them a try.

Best empeniadas in the word and the sauce on the side is killer!!! I want to try some of the other things in there. Really good food!