Bringing Natas to the Masses! Joey Bats Sweets in NYC

Our Portuguese Table

On today’s episode, we chat with Joey Batista aka Joey Bats of Joey Bats Sweets. Joey grew up in the town of Ludlow, Massachusetts, which is famous for its Our Lady of Fatima Festa, held each Labor Day weekend. We hear the candle-lit procession is a sight to behold! Joey left his job as a tech engineer to pursue his love of Portuguese pastries – pastéis de nata, bolo de bolacha and more – in 2016. Joey hopes to introduce non-Portuguese people to natas by describing it as a crème brûlée wrapped in a croissant shell. It’s all about how you describe it, folks! Sounds much better than a Portuguese egg tart, doesn’t it? He’s sold them at festivals up and down the East Coast – Mineola, NY, Bridgeport, CT, New Bedford, MA, San Gennaro Feast in Manhattan’s Little Italy and is a regular at New York’s Queens Night Market. If it’s not market season, stop by Frankie Portugal in the Meatpacking District for a warm pastel (457 W 17th at 10th). Francis Garcia, one of the shop’s owners, has Portuguese roots too (his grandfather was the first Portuguese lawyer in Manhattan). For more: https://www.urbandaddy.com/articles/41229/new-york/a-portuguese-coffee-and-flan-shop-from-the-artichoke-guy. Joey’s uncle also owns a restaurant in Ludlow, named Come e Cala-te! (Eat and Shut up!) in Ludlow, MA. Drop by when you’re in the neighborhood! As for what’s next — plenty of things in the works, like partnerships with TAP and the Portuguese Kids. Watch out for a sleeve of Joey’s Bats Sweets frozen natas, near you. Joey hopes to expand nationally, Natas Lisboa-style. Joey and Angela also link up as dance partners in the future. ;) Stay tuned for a follow-up podcast (and video)! Website: joeybatscafe.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/joeybatssweets Facebook: www.facebook.com/joeybatscafe