Former Havana Cafe co-owner BJ Hernandez opens The Latin Kitchen in Mesa

The Latin Kitchen, a restaurant specializing in Cuban and Puerto Rican dishes, has opened on Broadway, just west of Country Club, in Mesa.

It’s the latest venture from BJ Hernandez, who co-owned three Havana Cafe locations in the Valley.

Hernandez and her late husband, Gilbert, opened their original Havana Cafe on Camelback Road in east Phoenix in 1989.

It eventually was joined by others in north Scottsdale and Ahwatukee.

The Ahwatukee location closed in 2011, followed by the Phoenix one in 2014 and the Scottsdale one in 2015.

For now, The Latin Kitchen is open for lunch only from 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Curbside ordering, as well catering, is available by calling 480-306-7266.