At this ‘Friends’-themed cafe, coffee comes with a side of ’90s nostalgia

Litchfield Park’s new cozy cafe, Litchfield Perk, breaths ‘90s vibes. In the coffee bar and living room, there’s a “Friends” photo signed by the cast, a floral selfie station, an arcade, a cassette-style table and an orange couch reminiscent of Central Perk, where Phoebe, Rachel, Monica, Ross, Chandler and Joey spent countless afternoons sipping coffee.

More than just a nod to “Friends,” the space is meant to be a gathering place that embodies the show’s sense of community, where people come to laugh, connect and share stories over a good cup of coffee.

Owner Ralph Arellanes and Ivan Rogel, Chief Operating Officer, opened the cafe on Aug. 17 with the goal of recreating that familiar comfort. 

“We wanted to build a place where you just feel warm and cozy,” Arellanes says. “Like everyone’s coming home for Thanksgiving and they’re just sitting around and chatting. I want you to unplug but reconnect.”

The cafe was designed to feel like a community hub rather than a modern workspace. Even the orange-and-lemon wallpaper carries meaning. It’s a nostalgic love letter to Litchfield Park and Old Litchfield, nodding to the orange orchards and farms that once filled the area before warehouses replaced them. 

“My thought was, I wanted to do something that’s different from what a lot of chain restaurants are doing nowadays,” Arellanes says.

Arellanes, who works in medical devices, got the idea when part of the strip that houses his orthopedics business became available. Since coffee had always been a passion and both men are products of the ’90s, he reached out to Rogel with a dream of opening a cafe.

“I’m the dreamer, he’s the doer,” Arellanes says, referring to Rogel.

Besides being the main barista, Rogel has worked in construction for 25 years. The business partners first met seven years ago at their kids’ school and during soccer practices. Their friendship deepened through shared experiences and grief, and now they consider each other compadres.

The TV show “Friends” isn’t the sole inspiration, but it’s definitely part of it. Another motivation for Arellanes to pursue his passion was the loss of his brother two years ago. He grew up watching shows like “Saved by the Bell,” “The Golden Girls,” and “The Nanny” with his brother and sister, and the cafe has become a place where he relives those core memories.

Rogel, who was born and raised in Mexico City, also grew up watching the same shows, dubbed in Spanish, and learned English by watching “Friends” at 17. Behind the counter, he’s known to quiz customers on their knowledge of the show.

“I live my life with Phoebe as a role model,” Rogel says with a laugh. “If you live your life like Phoebe, everything just becomes easier.”

Arellanes says he’s more like Joey, goofy and friendly, while his late brother embodied Joey’s carefree nature “to the T.”

The cafe, though, feels more like Rachel (stylish, thoughtful and full of character), according to Rogel, and this continues to the coffee in every cup.

Their espresso machine, a 300-pound purple La Marzocco, which Arellanes calls the “Ferrari of espresso machines,” isn’t your average coffee maker.

“I think our coffee is a 10,” Rogel says. “We put so much thought and care into it. Great coffee comes from a great source.”

“We pick out the beans and the source depending on temperature and taste,” says Arellanes, who began roasting coffee in 2015. “We customize our beans, and then we’ll be roasting them within a month. We source all of our beans from homesteads in Guatemala right now.”

Their beans come from Manos de Mujer, which translates to Women’s Hands, a women-run farm in the Guatemalan highlands. The homestead is operated by widowed women who have kept their land and livelihood through coffee cultivation.

“When I’m sourcing coffee beans, I always look for something with deeper meaning and global impact,” Arellanes explains. “We want to offer the best-tasting coffee locally while supporting people who might not otherwise have the same opportunities.”

Arellanes adds that they use locally sourced ingredients, including milk from Danzeisen Dairy, an Arizona farm. 

“Customers want something local, but something that has culture and character,” he says.

In just two months, customers have come from all over the Valley. Many are now regulars, some arriving in “Friends” T-shirts, and others celebrating birthdays with their own cakes.

“We sell coffee, but we’re handing out smiles,” Rogel says.

In addition to coffee, Litchfield Perk serves gelato and seasonal drinks. Rogel recommends The Marcel (named after Ross’s monkey) a chocolate-banana latte served hot or iced. Other seasonal drinks include the Cinnamon Ghost Crunch, The Brewha and The Pumpkin King, a pumpkin caramel chai with espresso and pumpkin caramel cold foam.

The cafe’s team includes baristas Jasmine Maldonado and Mar Chandler, an award-winning latte artist who once won a national competition in Las Vegas.

Behind the scenes, Arellanes and Rogel’s wives, Heather Menzer and Paula Rogel, also play key roles, keeping them grounded. 

“They’re the ones who center us,” Rogel says. “They made it look the way it is, aesthetic and warm. It’s all a team effort.”

Since opening in August, the team has expanded their hours on Fridays and Saturdays and is considering eventually opening new locations in the area, or even selling their roasted beans so people can brew Litchfield Perk coffee at home.

“We’ll always keep this spot as our home,” says Arellanes, “but we’d love to see Litchfield Perk grow.” 

Litchfield Perk 

4870 N. Litchfield Road, #103, Litchfield Park