Chef Oscar Diaz Opens Aaktun Cafe in Durham | Eater Carolinas

"Opened by two-time James Beard semifinalist Oscar Diaz and partners at Mezcalito Inc., this concept operates as a coffee café by day and a Tulum-inspired tiki spot by night. Diaz—who wasn’t originally a coffee person—set out to create a fun morning destination with thoughtfully prepared breakfast sandwiches (from a classic B.E.C. to a chorizo version with queso dip) rather than the typical microwaved options at larger chains. Design guided the buildout: a previously windowless, cavernous room was fitted with skylights and styled to evoke Mexican cenotes, anchored by a pink Brazilian marble bar amid abundant greenery, low lighting, and cave-like banquettes. The menu leans tropical across service periods—papaya salad, fried calamari, coconut shrimp, and huli huli chicken skewers at lunch; ceviches, whole fried fish, mahi mahi tacos, jerk chicken, and pork belly adobo at dinner—with plans to add a tamaki (hand-roll) bar and late-night offerings as the program evolves. Diaz frames the project as a creative challenge that’s broadened his culinary toolkit." - Erin Perkins