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Cabrera's is worth finding
For Cecilia Rodriguez, the fulfillment of a dream was born out of a family tragedy.“I moved to the United States from Mexico in 1991,” said Rodriguez, owner of Cabrera’s Restaurant on Lovers Lane in Culpeper. “I did some baking at home. The dream of opening a restaurant came to me years ago, but I could never afford to do it.”
Three years ago the sudden death of her husband, provided the means for Rodriguez to move forward.
“My husband was electrocuted,” Rodriguez, 37, said. “From his death I was provided with some money and I decided to open a Mexican restaurant with my mother, my two sisters and my niece. I have three boys who are now 15, 11 and 6 years old. I believe in God and I believe he gave me this place because he knew I needed something to do after my husband died.”
Cabrera’s is open from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day except Sunday, when the restaurant closes at 5 p.m. There is also a buffet Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. giving guests the opportunity to sample many different Cabrera’s specialties.
Although Rodriguez said she typically spends 12 to 14 hours at the restaurant most days she is happy to see a dream come true.
“I am definitely enjoying coming in every morning,” she said.
Unlike many Mexican restaurants, Cabrera’s offers a breakfast menu with everything from typical breakfast fare such as hot cakes with ham, bacon and eggs to more specialized Mexican dishes like “huevos a la Mexicana o al gusto” which is Mexican-style scrambled eggs with tomato, onion and jalapenos served with beans.
“Our father, Francisco Cabrera, was an international chef and he and my mother had a business in Mexico City,” said Cecilia’s sister Yolanda Cabrera, who has been cooking about 10 years. “I am happy that we have this restaurant. I like it when people come in here and feel comfortable, like they are in their own home.”
The restaurant is located on Lovers Lane, southeast of Culpeper, and Rodriguez said that perhaps because of the somewhat secluded location having people come into the restaurant has been a bit of a problem so far.
“The economy has also been bad and that affects sales,” she said. “We need more customers. This place is kind of hidden. Maybe I need to do more advertising to let people know we are here.”
Sister Maria Cabrera called the restaurant,” a real family place.”
All three sisters, and their mother, Josephina Cabrera, help with the cooking at Cabrera’s.
“My specialty is soft tacos,” said Yolanda. “I make them like they do in Mexico City. There is a difference in the flavor from the American way. They’re very special…not too much hot pepper.”
Maria favors the chili rellenos, which she called “real Mexican food.”
And Cecilia opted for the milanesas with spaghetti.
“It’s part Mexican and part American,” she said.
Their niece, Monserrat Carrillo, who has been working at the restaurant since it opened about three months ago said her favorite dish is the breaded steak with spaghetti, sour cream and salad.
“It’s very good,” she said.
In addition to traditional Mexican entrees, Cabrera’s offers cheeseburgers and hot dogs, Mexican desserts such as flan, pastel de tres leches and chux as well as fruit drinks, milkshakes, hot drinks and Mexican sodas.
Cecilia Rodriguez said those who do find Cabrera’s seem to enjoy the atmosphere as well as the food.
“People come here to eat and they leave happy,” she said. “All kinds of people – white, black, Mexicans, people from other countries…We hope they will visit us.”
If you'd like to go
Name: Cabrera’s Restaurant
Address: 14115 Lovers Lane, Culpeper
Telephone: 540-825-7331 or 540-825-7022
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday
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