We welcomed our latest member to Taste Waterford recently – brothers Alan and Steven McMahon of X35 in Dungarvan.
Their café on Grattan Square opened in 2023 – with a sense of community, great coffee, and their sought after boccas proving popular amongst customers.
Our project manager Richard Povey met with the owners in January. Here’s their story…
When you mix a desire for quality food and drink, and strong marketing skills – something exciting is undoubtedly going to happen – bring on X35.
Having launched their venture in 2022 initially with pop-ups locally, the brothers have seen X35 go from strength to strength. But how did it all start?
Both are keen on rugby, in fact, Steven played professionally in France but due to injury, stepped aside and worked for a local coffee company. There he grew a strong appreciation for coffee, its characteristics, and most importantly, making a quality cup that people want to come back for.
It was at this time that Alan, a graduate of marketing, had seen the explosion of the coffee scene in Galway and Dublin – and there the first seed was sown.
Alan said: “We wanted to create the best café we possibly could. A space where people can chat, connect, enjoy time with friends – and of course, make coffee the core of what we do, along with tasty Italian inspired food.”
It’s this Italian connection that makes X35 one of the standout pulls for customers.
Steven said: “We love Italian food – flavours, freshness – the look, it’s so vibrant.”
With this enthusiasm for Mediterranean cuisine, they sought out the best pizza oven they could find – and imported a ‘Valoriani’ brand from Italy. It’s fair to say that Steven treats this stylish piece of kit in fiery red, worthy of an art gallery, with lots of care.
The oven not only produces their famous ‘boccas’, but also the majority of the cooking in the café. Along with a simple hot plate, the oven is the only tool Steven uses.
It’s here that the ‘boccas’ need another mention. Made fresh to order and with a choice of delicious fillings – people travel from far and wide to get their fix.
Popular choices include the Breakfast Bocca, the Fun Gi, the Beefy Boy, and a Plain Jane. They also offer a range of dishes created in the pizza oven – including pizza, bruschetta, and flatbreads. There are also toasties and the Avo Good One!, sour dough bread topped with guacamole, eggs and bacon.
Whilst some ingredients are from Italy, they are keen to promote local too. Coffee is from a nearby supplier, and The Country Store, Dún Artisan Bakery, Liam Rossiter and Early Bird Free Range Eggs are all from Waterford.
Making sure visits to the café are the best, the brothers ensure their team promote the ethic of running a great café. Steven said: “You’ll always be welcomed with a smile and a friendly chat here.”
Most staff members have been with the café since its launch, a testament to Steven and Alan’s work ethos and being a great place to work.
Ensuring care for customers goes for the environment too at X35. They’re aiming to reduce single-use cups as much as possible, and promote a reusable option for €10 each, with the money refunded if the product is returned clean. Other initiatives include running a zero-waste kitchen, and working with a ‘green’ consultant to deliver best practices.
And what’s the future for this entrepreneurial pair? Alan said: “We’re about personality, consistency with our offering, and making a trip here authentic. So, we’re always looking at trying something new, and making it the best experience possible for our customers. Along with new initiatives this year, we’re expanding our seating – so more people can enjoy great coffee, chats, and those boccas!”
Learn more: https://x35.ie/