“Saya Salteña brings Bolivian street food to downtown DC”

photo by Albert Ting

From a press release:

“Saya Salteña opens Saturday, August 12 [soon, will update with an exact date when we get one.] showcasing authentic handmade Bolivian street food in downtown Washington, D.C. The lucky first 50 guests on opening day will receive a free salteña.

Created by Maria Helena Iturralde, a native of La Paz, the South American country’s capital city, Saya Salteña will offer its namesake popular Bolivian dish in savory and sweet flavors including spicy beef, beef, spicy chicken, chicken, and vegan as well as apple-passion fruit and pear-cranberry flavors. In addition to salteñas, guests will also enjoy other traditional Bolivian street food like Pukacapas, baked spicy cheese empanadas, Sopa de Mani, peanut soup with beef short ribs, and Sandwich de Chola, a roasted pork shoulder sandwich topped with Aji Rojo marinade, pickled red onions, and carrots on a brioche bun. Desserts and single origin Bolivian coffee from Iturralde’s family coffee plantation, Cafe Takesi, will also be available.

photo by Albert Ting

“I’m so excited for the opportunity to bring my culture to downtown D.C.,” says Iturralde who is also a graduate of George Washington University. “I couldn’t have imagined that when I was a student just blocks away, I’d be opening my own business down the street. And as Mess Hall alum, we will always be thankful to them for providing us with a place to kick start our business and be prepared for this opportunity.”

Saya Salteña launched in 2020, created in response to Iturralde’s catering business slowing due to the Covid-19 pandemic. She worked out of Mess Hall DC, the culinary incubator in the Brookland neighborhood, and now, she and her husband, Raul Flores, have partnered on the venture, taking things to the next level with the brand’s first brick-and-mortar. The location at 1919 Pennsylvania Avenue NW will offer take-out service, which will be perfect for downtown DC’s students, faculty, workers, and visitors to easily grab and go or order from a delivery platform. The prime spot was made available to Iturralde as a part of Grow Golden, a program by the Golden Triangle BID that connects selected entrepreneurs, including makers, restaurateurs, and creatives in the DC area with building owners filling high profile ground floor space in the Golden Triangle. Selected businesses receive multiple months of free rent and favorable terms for extending occupancy. Rather than a short-term pop-up, Saya Salteña will be a long-term occupant of the Golden Triangle.

“We are so excited to welcome Saya Salteña to the Golden Triangle,” said Leona Agouridis, President and CEO of the Golden Triangle BID. “This new restaurant will celebrate the culture and food of Bolivia, bringing new flavors that already have my mouth watering. Maria’s story is inspiring, and the opening of Saya Salteña is a welcome addition to the new food offerings downtown.”

Bolivian culture is not only illustrated through food at Saya Salteña, but also through art. Popular Bolivian artist duo, ArteSano Mutante, have created a vibrant, custom mural that will take up an entire wall at the restaurant that guests can take pictures in front of when picking up their food. The mural depicts llamitas performing different Bolivian carnival dances and highlighting the joy and color of Carnaval de Oruro, a religious and cultural festival that has been celebrated since the 18th century annually. In the details of the painting, salteñas are used as decoration in the fun and colorful costumes.

Saya Salteña opens Saturday, August 12 at 1919 Pennsylvania Avenue NW. Doors open at 10 AM and the first 50 guests will receive a free salteña. Hours of operation are as follows:

Monday-Friday: 7:30 AM-6 PM
Saturday: 10 AM-2 PM
Sunday: closed“