Colombian’s Taste

Hands down, the only place I come to get Colombian food. Authentic and delicious. Buñelo (boon-​yell-​o) and chicharron to die for.
Good service and they always make you feel welcome.

Who doesn’t love the Columbian culture? They take care of you and the portions are generous!

While I was waiting for take out, I started to the read a 2011 newspaper review. I came here based on great Unilocal reviews, being from out of town and searching. The review began by complaining about the strip mall and neighboring businesses. To be honest, I didn’t finish reading because my food was ready. I don’t really understand why that review would condescend and not understand that possibly rent may have brought them in and to us that could mean lower prices. Maybe they went on to compliment and say they deserve to be in a finer space.
Anyway, I was greeted very warmly, and enjoyed some vibrant latin music while I waited for my Bandeja Paisa. I wanted to try something truly Colombian. Well it was absolutely worth «enduring» the strip mall adventure for this delicious food! Trust me this was no epic climb of the Himalayas nor a maimed crawl through the ghetto. It was an easy trip to pick up some delicious Colombian beans, rice, egg, skirt steak, chorizo, avocado, and other tidbits of the meal. Large portion, but not overwhelming. Simple but tasty

A little hole in the wall, have to look for it. I grew up a couple of blocks a way and still spend a lot of time in the area; I didn’t know it was there until someone tipped me off. Empanadas are good, but the steak sandwich is a must!

We were in the area and decided to stop in at this restaurant a friend had mentioned. This is a Colombian (South American) type of cuisine. As per the pictures on the wall, they offer dishes with Chicken, Beef, pork as well as soups and side dishes which look appetizing. We decided to just try something small to check for taste and quality so we ordered several Beef Turnovers (empanadas) to go. They had a good flavor, a bit on the greasy side but that is expected of any deep fried food. They came with a side of Chimichurri (picante sauce) which was mild/​medium in spiciness. Lets just say we’ll be going back for more …
Also noticed their daily lunch special for $ 7.50. It was odd the waiter couldn’t tell us what their lunch special was for the following day. It seems they don’t have a weekly lunch special menu but rather make it up as they go along. The inside is very crammed with I think only 4 – 5 tables so take out is a good idea especially during the lunch hour.
First impression is positive with at least the empanadas. We would like to try their lunch specials to get a better sense as to quality, flavor and freshness.

The food was awesome!!! Service was excellent!!! Brought friends from Puerto Rico and they loved the food here. Bandeja Paisa, Bandeja Mixta. Empanadas, Jugo de Mora… All were excellent!!!

fui a comer porque pase por ahi la comida no estuvo tan buena por el precio pedi un recalentado y la carne muy dura y muy pequena no creo que vuelva

Empanadas craving was satisfied. Chicharrones craving was satisfied.
If you are here for tacos, fool you better think twice. Get some authentic Colombian food. Everything is good on the menu, trust me. Unless you don’t like meat…
And the owner is a sweet old lady.

The food was simply amazing. We had arepas con queso, empanadas de carne, bandeja paisa, buñuelos, Picada, chocolate, café con leche, y pan de bonos. The server was very attentive and polite. No wait but the place is small and limited seating. We came on a Saturday at 1:00P so not very busy. We will come back again for dine in, take out, and maybe even for catering.

Great Columbian restaurant in the area! The empanadas are great start. Then we had ropa vieja and also a steak with an egg on top platter.
Lady who works there is always very nice!

This place is amazing! Although it’s a bit small the food is to die for. Everything I tried was delicious and the staff was very nice and friendly. A must try!

Like the other reviewers said, this is a takeout place. There are four tables that can theoretically seat 4 people each. Practically, however, it would be too crowded to eat a sit-​down meal here comfortably. If you like a more cozy atmosphere, then the music, fridge and counter give the place an authentic Columbian feel.
I placed an order to go and came to pick it up twenty minutes later when they said it would be ready. They had not even started making my order and I waited inside the restaurant for another 40 minutes. Also, they missed one side (which they didn’t charge me for). This was okay because there was enough for two meals for the price of one meal. That extra desert would have been too much food.
The quality of the food make up for the wait. It was obviously custom-​made, completely fresh and delicious. I ordered the Yucca Frita, Steamed Yucca with Garlic, Chicken Empanadas and Plato Mixto. To make up for the wait, they gave me a cheese-​filled arepa for free. I appreciated the thought although I could not eat it due to a gluten and dairy allergy. Another reviewer said that most of the food is naturally gluten-​free. I would ask them specifically because they told me that their arepas (corn cakes) have gluten.
I highly recommend this place if you don’t mind waiting a while for excellent food.

I’ve never had Columbian food before and I’ve always had the itch to come here for my lunch break. I’m so glad that I did. The owner (I’m assuming) was exceptionally friendly and very informational regarding the food. Everything tasted homemade and the flavors were familiar. As a Mexican, there are times I crave the real stuff — no frills. I found that here even though it was Columbian food. Very good!

Omg we have found our spot. This place is amazing. The food is delicious… the flavors are to die for. Very nice and welcoming. A bit small but it gives the place more of a family feel.

Wow, now I actually WANT to visit Columbia! Came here for dinner last night with my wife. When I saw the inside I didn’t know what to expect because it was kind of cramped. Felt like I was in somebody’s living room. Goes to show you can’t judge a book by its cover.
Had the «taste» plate (truthfully, I don’t remember the name of the dish). It had a bunch of stuff on it that was very tasty. The skirt steak was awesome with the little green hot sauce they brought out. The chorizo had a nice level of spice and flavor and was cooked perfectly. The rice and beans and fried egg was excellent too.

This is a great place for a cup of coffee and breakfast. Food is good and the staff is nice. Worth a try, it is a small restaurant but it is worth the drive.

First, I’m happy to see a Colombian restaurant in the suburbs so I don’t have to drive all the way to the city to go eat some great Colombian food! This place is small but very cozy. It’s also decently priced and the entrees are good portions that will leave you stuffed. The pandebono was so warm and soft with a hint of butter. The soconcho and tamal were huge portions! The arepa con chorizo was my favorite! The chorizo was grilled and the taste was a little sweet and not spicy, just amazing! I know I’ll order this every time I come. I also loved the agua panela and the café con leche!

What to do after watching a movie at 9:30 in the morning, it’s a Sunday, and your starving because you didn’t want to eat popcorn or nachos all early?
Unilocal something to eat — –DUH!
Went here with hubby the other day. Didn’t want to go to a chain place (and there are tons in the vicinity). Saw the other reviews and the interesting looking pics so decided to give this place a try.
Like others noted – this place is small, smaller than tiny, space is premium. They appear to do a lot of take out and catering/​large order type of business. They have über yummy fresh fruit juices/​smoothies. We tried the passion fruit and guanabana — both were excellent. Then we opted for some steamed yuca and garlic as well as the picada.
The yuca was super tasty and flavorful. The picada had us in meat heaven. A big ol’ tray of meats was super yummy. I definitely want to go back and try some empanadas as well as some of their other dishes.
Our first intro to Columbian food was definitely a thumbs up kind of experience!!!

This place was delicious! I loved it. The pandebono — get that! It’s cheesy bread made with yucca and corn flour. Absolutely yummy and warm. Also, I got the special. For $ 7.95, I got rice, beans, chicharron, patacon (flattened plantain), and an agua de panela con limon (Colombian lemonade).
The combination of foods on the plate sort of reminded me of food from Nicaragua. We always have some plantains and some rice/​beans and some type of meat. In this case it was the chicharron which is fried pork rind. They make it themselves – it was very flavorful! I loved everything… and the sauce provided (green sauce which I don’t remember the name to). The agua de panela was very delicious with the food! Overall, had a great experience… service was great!
To go, I had more of the pandebono and the arepa con queso (SO GOOD!!). I want to go back. Check this place out!

I was in Chicago for 3 days on business. Found this wonderful little place on Unilocal.I lived in Colombia for a year so there is a special place in my heart for this cuisine. I started with a cup of strong tinto… perfecto! then Pandebono, Buñuelo, sopa de lenteja, platano maduro con queso… every item was as perfect as it could be.
I asked for arroz con leche but it was not available. I asked for the menu again… secretly I wanted arroz con pollo, arepa con queso… but I’d be crazy to eat all that in one night. At the end, I ordered a jugo de lulo… DELICIOSO! Too bad I won’t be able to return to this little piece of heaven anytime soon. It’s cozy, authentic, economical, 5 stars all the way!!!

This small restaurant makes you feel like you’re in Colombia! From the wall decorations to the passionate owner, you’ll have experienced Colombian hospitality and food.
I went with one other and ordered the Picada, an empanada, fried dough, and a blended fruit juice. The picada was our main course and ordered 2 servings and it was pretty good! All sorts of meats are on there with some tomatoes and rice flour bread. I liked the flavor profiles of the meat but they were a bit tough to chew. Not sure if it’s supposed to be like that, but tasty nonetheless. I really appreciate that there are a lot of sides here that cost a dollar or so because I was able to try out a variety of Colombian dishes. We came near closing time so some of the things ran out, but it’s a good way to enrich your palette on budget! Also, the owner recommended us what she described to be a kiwi-​like fruit juice. It was pretty good, however, I felt like there were a bit too much foam left from the blender.
All in all, this was a unique experience for me and it was priced nicely. Hope to be back to try the rice plate dishes!

Being as this was my first time trying Columbian food, I have no frame of reference here, Donny. I mean, I’m obviously still going to let you know what I think, but it may be way off base is all.
I came here with a friend and immediately got hit with a random stank upon walking in the door. I don’t know if it’s some sort of stinky Columbian food I’m unaware of, or it’s the place, but it had me a little worried. The food and the owners make up for the stank, but still.
The restaurant itself, if you can call it that, is TINY. Like TEEEEEEENY TIIIIIIIIIIINY. It has a small bar with 3 or 4 rickety bar stools, a couple of 2 top tables, and one 4 top table. I would plan on ordering out since you may or may not have a place to sit.
I got the Bandeja Colombian’s Taste so I can try a little of everything. It comes with a huge heaping platter-​full of white rice (good if you mix it with the beans), beans (kind of plain unless mixed with the aforementioned rice), a fried plantain (HOLY COW YUM), grilled skirt steak (if there is a Heaven, they will serve this there… especially with the homemade hot sauce they give you), pork rinds (good and really porky and nothing like the fried to a crisp air most gringas get in bagged pork rinds), Colombian sausage (again, see also: Heaven’s menu), a fried egg (meh, too leaky for me), a corn cake (much like what I imagine the elvish bread to taste like… very plain and dense) and a slice of avocado (wish there was more… I love fresh avocado). Point is, the food is great and fresh and they certainly don’t skimp on the portions. It wasn’t badly priced either.
I hope they last. Being tucked away in this random, surrounded by construction strip mall can’t be good for business, but they seem to be doing well despite these issues. Owners are ridiculously nice, food is great, and it’s cheap. I’ll be back for more of that steak and chorizo… I can guarantee that.