Today we’d like to introduce you to Evelyn Camilo.
Hi Evelyn, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Bodega Delights was born out of both nostalgia and a deep need. As a family who grew up in New York City especially around the vibrant Dominican communities of Washington Heights and Brooklyn, bodegas weren’t just places to grab a bite. They were the heartbeat of the neighborhood. The energy, the music, the smells, the people, it all created something you just don’t forget.
My husband actually had the idea for Bodega Delights back in 2019. After moving to LA, we found ourselves missing those familiar NYC bodega vibes and the comfort food, the corner store convos, the flavors that just hit different. It was more than missing a sandwich, it’s about missing a whole way of life. That longing became a vision to open a space here in LA that could bring a piece of that East Coast flavor to the West.
We wanted to build a space that felt like home, not just for us, but for others who know that feeling too. And also for our kids, who are growing up in LA, far from that tight knit NYC Dominican community we came from. It was important to us to create a place where they could experience the culture and flavors that shaped us, even if they’re thousands of miles away from it. And Bodega Delights blends NYC energy with LA creativity, Dominican flavor with local freshness. It’s our way of bridging two homes and building something that feels authentic.
What started as a passion project has grown into something we could’ve only dreamed of. We launched Bodega Delights with a lot of hustle and heart, and we’ve been blessed with a community that shows up for us. People who felt seen in what we are creating. Mostly East Coasters that miss the food and vibes.
We offer Bodega favorites, with creative spins on classics, and now we even have Merch that lets people rep’ their roots with pride. We’ve grown through word of mouth, love, and a lot of long nights and it’s all been worth it. Bodega Delights is more than just about the food, it’s a space filled with love, culture, and purpose. It’s for the homesick New Yorkers, the curious foodies, the families introducing their kids to Dominican flavors, and everyone in between. Every empanada, every smile, every Morir Soñando is a piece of our story.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Definitely not, but every step has been worth it. Bodega Delights was born from our hearts, but we started it completely on our own, using our personal savings to bring this dream to life. That kind of financial investment is scary, especially when you’re raising a family and putting everything on the line for something you believe in.
Like any small family business, we’ve faced our share of challenges, from long hours and tight resources to unexpected curveballs that test our patience and flexibility. Working in a small space means we’re constantly restocking since we don’t have room to store much, which adds stress and limits efficiency. And being in a low foot traffic location that’s mostly got take out, makes visibility harder, so we’ve had to rely heavily on social media and creative marketing to spread the word and build community.
It’s been tough, and there are still plenty of hard days, but the moments when someone tells us our food reminds them of home, or when families come back and bring more loved ones with them, those moments remind us why we’re doing this!
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Bodega Delights?
We’re more than just a café, we’re a little piece of home, rooted in Dominican culture with New York soul, right here in Los Angeles. We’re a family-owned spot that was born from a craving, not just for the food, but for the feeling. The feeling you get walking into your corner Bodega in NYC, the familiar smells, the warmth, the pride in culture. After moving to LA, we realized how much we missed that, so we created it ourselves, for us, for our kids, and for the community.
We specialize in Bodega comfort food, from classic empanadas to chopped cheeses, morir soñando, and mangu with los tres golpes. But what we really serve is connection, to culture, to flavor, and to each other. Our menu reflects the things we grew up on, made with love.
What sets us apart is the heart behind everything we do. We built this from the ground up with no investors, just our own savings, sweat, and faith. Justin, my husband, brings years of experience in the corporate juice and food industry, and that background has helped us stay grounded while building something uniquely personal. My background in fashion helps me shape the brand’s creative direction and identity, everything from the look and feel to the storytelling behind what we do.
Every dish, every interaction, every moment here is intentional and rooted in the love for our people. We know our customers by name. We dance in the kitchen when a good song comes on. And we take pride in keeping things real, from the food to the way we connect with our community.
We’re most proud of staying true to our roots, our culture, our story, and our why! We’ve built something from scratch and turned it into a space where people feel seen, celebrated, and full. Whether you’re missing the bodega back home or discovering Dominican food for the first time, we got you! We also cater events and private parties, and we offer online ordering to make it easy for folks to get their fix, wherever they are. And if you’re trying to rep the brand, we got Merch too!
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
Los Angeles is a diverse and creative city, and that energy is inspiring. From the food scene to the vibrant culture, LA has something for everyone. We love being part of the local community, especially in terms of how people come together to support small businesses. The food culture here is exciting and it has been great sharing our Dominican flavors.
While LA has so much to offer, the traffic can be a challenge! It sometimes makes it tough having to drive out often to restock, or for our customers to get to us, and for our delivery drivers. But, we always find a way to make it work.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://BodegaDelights.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bodegadelights/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/bodega-delights-north-hollywood?osq=Bodega+Delights
- Other: https://g.co/kgs/Bc4GLWg
Image Credits
For Our Professional Food photos, Credit: Christian Le
He did an amazing job capturing our food.
Other photos was just us on our Iphone
