WHAT’S IN
THE NAME?
Photo credit: Cydney Jover
Boondocks—pronounced /‘boon, däks/ or “the boonies”—entered American English during the Philippine-American War (1899-1902). At the time, American soldiers used the Tagalog word “bundok,” meaning “mountain,” to refer to remote areas that were difficult to access due to rugged terrain. In these highlands, Arabica coffee thrives, yielding a cup that’s as bold and distinctive as its origins.
Boondocks Coffee Roasters takes immense pride in its Filipino-American immigrant roots. Our primary mission is to shine a spotlight on the rich coffee offerings from the Philippines and showcase them on the global specialty coffee map.
We deeply value our farmers, their families, and their communities—both where the coffee is grown and here in the United States. We prioritize the use of safe and sustainable agricultural practices, partnering with reputable green coffee suppliers who share our commitment to fair labor standards. This ensures that every cup we serve reflects not only exceptional quality but a legacy free from exploitation.
Great coffee means three things: care, quality, and sustainability for our farmers.
We exclusively source our single-origin beans through direct trade with farms in the Philippines, ensuring fair compensation for farmers and exceptional bean quality. Our attention is firmly placed on the nuanced flavor profiles of these beans, though we also offer signature blends like our Galleon Blend. Each small batch is roasted with care to highlight the distinct character of Filipino coffee, resulting in fruit-forward, tea-like profiles, full of flavor and textural nuance.
Quality beans are our promise to you. Our coffees are seasonal and often released in limited editions—showcasing rare varieties, unique processing methods, or small-lot producers.
At Boondocks Coffee Roasters, we’re roasters first, coffee shop second. This foundation shapes everything we do. Our mission centers on three core values:
Community: We believe in building real relationships—with our farmers, our partners, and the neighborhoods we serve. Our work is rooted in mutual respect and a commitment to giving back.
Culture: We believe coffee is more than just a beverage; it’s a vessel for stories and ritual. We honor the traditions behind every origin and celebrate the people who carry them forward.
Craft: It’s all about the coffee we love, which is why our beans are picked, roasted, and brewed by hand, from start to finish. It’s a big part of what we do, and we take a lot of pride in it, just like the people we work with.
Meet the Staff
Meet our amazing team and learn more about their favorite drinks!
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Founder
Emil L. Vanta was born in Cavite, grew up in San Diego, and now calls Los Angeles home. Emil enjoys the outdoors and starting the day with a quiet pour-over with his wife Aira and dog Scully.
What drew him to coffee is how it brings people together—each cup carrying a story, a conversation, a connection. With Boondocks Coffee Roasters, he hopes to create a space for community, conversation, and culture, all grounded in craft.
Favorite drink: Natural processed single-origin pour-over
Boondocks recommendation: "Vanilla from the Mountains of Manila"
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FounderRich is co-founder at Boondocks Coffee Roasters, focused on business operations and developing the vision for growth at Boondocks.
With a background in finance, business development, media, and operations, Rich supports our business goals of sharing Boondocks Coffee with our growing national community.
His family is from Ecuador, and coffee has always been a part of Rich’s life. Having the opportunity to help Emil launch a coffee enterprise that shares their passion for coffee with others and creates community… it doesn’t get any better than that!
Outside of Boondocks, Rich keeps busy running his San Diego-based creative agency, exploring new music, and travel planning with his wife Grace and boys Raiden and Garren.
Favorite drink: Old Fashioned
Boondocks recommendation: Salted Latik Latte
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BaristaTiffany Porter is a Writer/Dancer/Filmmaker who is excited to grow in leadership at Boondocks Coffee Roasters.
The CSUN Film alum- previously a barista at Warner Bros..- explored many roles across entertainment before diving into coffee during the pandemic.
She was born in Manila, raised in the UAE, & immigrated to San Diego with her family before coming out to LA.
When she’s not training in hip hop, hula, or heels, you can find Tiffany writing in coffee shops or supporting Fil-Am businesses around town.
Favorite Drink: Rose Cardamom Oatmilk Latte
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BaristaBrianna Nguyen is a barista, artist, and a double Bruin master’s student studying Materials Science and Engineering. She loves everything science/nerdy, and coffee is no exception. Outside of boondocks, she loves doing her nails, playing the guitar, and creating art in most mediums you can imagine. Her most current endeavor is training for the Hawaii marathon with her best friend! One day, she hopes to have collected enough coffee gadgets to make a corner of her kitchen look like a science lab dedicated to coffee.
Favorite Coffee Drink: Iced/Hot oat milk latte with honey
Boondocks Recommendation: Iced Pandan Latte with Cold Foam! (A secret menu item, if you will ;) )
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BaristaJolene is a barista and content creator at Boondocks. She was born and raised in L.A.’s San Fernando Valley, and studying English at UCLA. She loves poetry, fashion, and creating content on her style and makeup. Outside of class, she’s usually filming, editing, or exploring new coffee spots—always trying a different drink, even if she’ll end up back with her usual vanilla oat latte. She’s interested in a future in fashion marketing and writing, where creativity stays at the center of what she does.
Favorite drink: vanilla oat latte
Boondocks recommendation: ube matcha
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Barista
Alina is a barista, copywriter, and event coordinator at Boondocks, and a third-year UCLA student studying Political Science and International Development Studies. She fell in love with coffee thanks to Emma Chamberlain’s iced almond milk lattes, but it’s the warmth and calm of café life that keeps her coming back. Outside of Boondocks, you’ll find her hiking, reading, cooking to jazz, or tackling her latest obsession, which is currently Harvard’s CS50 course. One day, she hopes to open a coffee shop/bookstore in New York City that reflects all the comfort and inspiration cafés have always given her.
Favorite drink: Flat white with whole milk
Boondocks recommendation: Salted Latik latte
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BaristaCydney is a barista and photographer at Boondocks Coffee Roasters and a third-year UCLA student studying Sociology and Entrepreneurship. She first got into coffee two years ago and quickly fell in love with the craft — from dialing in espresso to learning the science behind the perfect pour. Outside Boondocks, Cydney’s usually out shooting digital film, working out, traveling, or vibing to R&B.
Favorite Drink: Iced flat white with oat milk and a little vanilla or honey, topped with cinnamon
Boondocks Rec: Pandan matcha
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Barista
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BaristaKatrina is a barista at Boondocks and a second-year UCLA student studying Neuroscience. Originally from Dallas, TX, she is obsessed with both the coffee serotonin boost and all the people she meets over a favorite drink. In her free time, you can find her running, listening to yacht rock, pondering her existence, and bothering her roommate.
Favorite Drink: Iced Cuban Espresso
Boondocks recommendation: Espresso apple tonic
Photo credit: Cydney Jover
Westwood, CA. What started as a passionate pop-up is now expanding into a permanent home in the heart of Westwood. Located on 1087 Broxton Ave., our café aims to live up to Filipino hospitality. Whether you are here to work, catch up with friends, or enjoy a cup of coffee, we designed this space with you in mind.
Visit Us:
1087 Broxton Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90024
Tue - Sun | 9 am - 3 pm
Mon | Closed