COMMUNITY PROFILE “ IT’S NOT JUST FOOD; IT’S NOSTALGIA IN A BITE.” Laurent. “It felt like the kind of place where we could share our culture honestly.” The name “509 Cuisine” carries deep personal meaning. “509 is Haiti’s area code Laurent explained. “It’s home. If you’ve ever received a call from a loved one back home, you know what that number means. It’s a connection. It’s family.” The menu at 509 is steeped in tradition and memory. Dishes like légume, tasso, and especially lalo — a hearty dish made with jute leaves traditional to Haiti’s Artibonite region, anchor the culinary identity of the restaurant. “We didn’t think it would be this popular, but now if we don’t make lalo, people ask why we’re even open,” Valcine, laughing. “It’s not just food; it’s nostalgia in a bite.” The attention to authenticity is intentional. “We’re not watering it down,” said Laurent. “People say, ‘Mix in some Jamaican flavors, add this or that.’ No. You don’t go to an Italian restaurant and find half-Thai on the menu. This is strictly Haitian. One bite should take you back.” And it does. According to Valcine, customers have cried at the table, saying the food reminded them of home or of loved ones long gone. “One woman told us she missed her mom the second she tasted the food,” said Valcine. “That kind of connection makes this more than a restaurant. It’s soul food in the truest sense.” Behind the scenes, a small team makes the dream possible. “We’re four partners,” Laurent said. “Joanne leads the cooking, Ted is our IT guy who got us on Google the first week, and John helped us secure the space. Everyone plays a role.” Presentation matters, too. “We want the first experience to wow people,” said Valcine. “We don’t pre-cook and reheat food. The rice is made fresh. It takes longer, but it’s worth it. We want the experience to feel special.” That commitment shows. Even with logistical challenges like sourcing hard-to-find ingredients across multiple THE BRIGHT EXTERIOR OF MANGO HOUSE IN AURORA, COLORADO, A COMMUNITY HUB FOR IMMIGRANTS AND REFUGEES, WHICH HOUSES VARIOUS SERVICES INCLUDING 509 CUISINE. stores, the team remains dedicated. “We’re adaptable people,” Laurent said. This is a sentiment I can identify strongly with as a Haitian immigrant myself. I have firsthand knowledge of the tenacity and pride woven into my people’s identity. “Resilience means never giving up,” said Valcine. “We come from the first Black republic that defeated slavery. That’s who we are.” Haiti’s history continues to affect its present. So much of the country’s struggles are tied to colonization and global debt. As the country falls deeper into a state of political and social uncertainty, Haitian Americans in the United States look for answers and community. 509 Cuisine offers its answers through food, and the Haitian community is showing up. With growing support from both Haitian and non-Haitian diners alike, 509 Cuisine is building more than a business; it’s building a bridge. “Food connects people,” said Laurent. “It helps us tell our story.” A VIBRANT PINK AND BLUE PLAYGROUND IN THE MANGO HOUSE, A SPACE WHERE CHILDREN OF VARIOUS IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE FAMILIES PLAY, REFLECTING THE BUILDING’S ROLE IN CULTIVATING BELONGING. July 2025 DENVER VOICE 7
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