Bryan Siranaula
Ridgewood, Queens
Bryan Siranaula is a Queens native sharing Ecuadorian and Latinx coffee with Ridgewood. Cholita is an extension of Siranuala’s own NYC culture—from the hand-drawn graffiti logo done by Bryan himself to the local artist he displays regularly in his space. The specialty coffee Cholita highlights include lots of Ecuadorian ingredients that enhance the flavors of their already delicious espresso. Order the Raíces, trust us.
Full name, age, where are you from?
Bryan Siranaula, 28, born and raised in Jackson Heights, Queens NYC.
What is your title and where do you work?
I am the owner of Cholita, a specialty coffee shop in Ridgewood, Queens focused on promoting and supporting Latinx & Ecuadorian coffee and culture. In NYC, there is a large Ecuadorian community spread throughout Queens, and the rest of the boroughs, and as a first-generation Ecuadorian-American born in NYC, it’s my duty to represent the culture in our space.
Was food a big part of your upbringing?
Food has always played a prominent role in my upbringing, but I also continue to hold it dearly today. It has and continues to be a strong symbolic component, and members of the Latinx community can agree. It is a connection to our roots, our heritage, and our identity. Personally, most importantly, it brings the family together in unison. In our culture, eating with family is highly valued—we build connections and enjoy spending time outside our daily hustle.
What are your earliest memories of dining out?
Growing up, there was Franky’s Souvlaki in Astoria. It is a Greek-owned food cart on a corner where my parents, sister, and I would walk to every Sunday afternoon. The go-to order would be a lamb souvlaki drenched in lemon juice. We would stand outside what used to be a GAP and devour the souvlaki, fresh off the grill. Whenever we have the chance, my mother and I make it a point to hold that tradition if we are running errands together.
If you could give a piece of advice to someone who wanted to pursue your career, what would it be?
Three words—sacrifice, dedication, patience.
There are a lot of things that go into owning and running a business. A lot of time is sacrificed in the beginning, but it’s worth the hustle to create and build something special. To keep building, you have to dedicate the time to your business and perfecting your craft. Quality attracts and helps you and your business continue to grow. Keep the quality consistent. Lastly, have patience. A business takes time to grow. Nothing is easy, especially in the beginning, and expected results don’t show up immediately. Work hard to keep your business running but also have time and patience for YOURSELF. Enjoy life outside of what the business is. Quality time for oneself is fuel.
What's your favorite drink on the menu?
TONICO.
double espresso w/ GÜITIG mineral water from Ecuador
What is your favorite place to go out and eat at and what are you ordering?
Not a whole meal but I love to visit Bolivian Llama Party in Sunnyside for their salteñas. They are a soupy, baked pastry from Bolivia, not to be confused with an empanada. Pair this with their maracuyá juice—trust.
What are your go-to shoes to work in?
With no question, I'm rocking Nike Cortez or low top Dr. Marten's.
Is there anything new and exciting coming up for you?
What's new and exciting is a couple of projects Cholita is working on outside of coffee. It’s all about repping and promoting the culture. I’m forever grateful for my roots. If there is any possible way to represent it, I’ll do so. Stay tuned for what’s coming up on our wall.
