Marjorie Boulden said she had grown tired of sitting in a cubicle when she decided to become a small-business owner in 2008.

Despite having no professional experience in the food-service industry, the then-electrical engineer purchased Pacha on Burnet Road with her partner, A.P. David.

In 2000, Julie and Laurent Fouillet opened the business with South American handicrafts at the core of its business model, although the house-made food items quickly began to outsell the folk art. When she took over the business, Boulden said she knew that she wanted to make organic sourcing a central part of Pacha.

“I’ve always loved to cook, and I’ve always been interested in supporting organic ... on a personal level,” Boulden said. “I’ve always wondered why there weren’t more places where you could get organic food, organic drinks.”

The organic coffee shop and eatery’s menu emphasizes its options for breakfast, which is served until 6 p.m. Boulden said Pacha’s pancakes are its best-selling items. For $7.35, customers may order a pancake with organic fruit filling, such as pears, apples, bananas, blueberries or seasonal options. Cinnamon, shredded coconut, walnuts or chocolate chips may be added for $0.53 each.

Specialty pancake options include the PBS Pancake, a sweet-savory combination of pear, bacon and scallions; the Beef Cake, with spicy beef and grilled onions; and the Bacon-Cheese Cake (all $8.40).

The pear, bacon and scallion, or PBS, pancake is among the most popular items at Pacha.[/caption]

Pacha also provides gluten-free and paleo options along with an afternoon menu that includes salads and sandwiches.

Boulden and David said they have made it their mission to support organic farmers—such as Coyote Creek Farm in Elgin, which provides Pacha with egss from pasture-raised chickens, and the Rockdale-based Richardson Farms, where Pacha gets chickens, pork and beef.

The recipe for the all-organic Pacha Latté ($4.19-$5.03) is a secret, Boulden said.[/caption]

David said he makes sure to vet Pacha’s sources. A food product that is certified organic by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not always mean it is ethically or naturally produced, he said.

“I’m a watchdog when it comes to organic sourcing,” David said. “A real joy is meeting the farmers at the markets and also just scanning the [produce] shelves learning about the kinds of products that are being put out and supporting the ones that deserve it.”

Pacha’s afternoon menu includes salads, such as Marjorie’s Favorite ($9.40).[/caption]

David said that although the business stresses organic, sustainable and local ingredients, it does not advertise its offerings as health food.

“We serve comfort food but with organic ingredients—at a price that people can afford,” he said.

Pacha’s organic sources

Coyote Creek Farm Elgin • 512-285-2556 www.coyotecreekfarm.org The organic farm provides Pacha with eggs from pasture-raised chickens.

Pederson’s Natural Farms 1207 S. Rice St., Hamilton 254-386-4790 www.pedersonsnaturalfarms.com The farm west of Waco is a source of sugar-free bacon.

Ross Farm 410 CR 493, Granger • 512-636-3711 www.rossfarm.com Pacha gets grass-fed beef from Betsy Ross’s farm.