Pretty disappointed in the food! Will not go back! The lady that took our order was very nice, but…read morecouldn't explain the dishes and looked at us weird because we were asking!

What a hidden gem! My new go to spot in Boise! Authentic,…read morehand made, great atmosphere and the food is *chefs kiss* Will be my spot every time I fly out here.

El Cafetal Colombian Restaurant is a hidden gem of excellent and authentic Colombian food. My wife…read moreand I visited them recently, and the service impressed us. I ordered Bandeja Paisa, which comes with carne asada, red beans, chorizo, pork belly, egg, sweet plantains, and a small corn cake. It was a flavor ride in each bite. My wife ordered the carne asada, which was flavorful and well-seasoned. It came with a chimichurri sauce that made the dish come alive. Everybody raves about the authenticity and flavor of the food. Empanadas, tamales, and fried plantains stand out in particular. People also favored guava juice and unique drinks such as tamarillo and maracuya juices. Portions are large; platters can be shared. The place is warm, well-organized, and inviting, which makes me feel at home. The ambiance is relaxed and inviting, providing a great dining experience. It is an unpretentious place, but the food and service at El Cafetal are great. If you are craving some authentic Colombian flavors, look no further. Definitely back soon!

I wanted to try the Colombian cuisine in Idaho will visiting, as am Colombian and wanted to see…read morewhat it was like over there. We ordered for take out, and when I went in, I didn't see anyone besides two people at a table, wasn't greeted by anyone, despite waiting for a few minutes. I saw our order was up front so I confirmed it was ours and took it. The food was okay. My husband liked his stuffed arepas but I didn't particularly like the breaded chicken plate. I was thrown off by what seemed to be limited options, and although not necessary, a lot of Colombian restaurants in LA typically serve meals with rice and avocado, which wasn't what I saw here. It might've been a different experience if we had gone inside. I know they have a location inside the food hall in Boise, so if we are ever back in Idaho, we will give it a second shot.

We selected Roots of Mexico to cater a party in our home for 20+ people. I can not say enough good…read morethings about Cindy and Roots of Mexico. First of all, she was extremely responsive and accommodating in the planning phases of the event. On the event day, she was prompt and absolutely delightful to work with. And the food was absolutely superb! We had so many compliments, everybody loved it. I will definitely be using her the next chance I get!

Amazing food , can't get more authentic than this! The flavors are very unique and I feel like I…read moreget transported to Mexico with Cindy's food . Great service and would definitely recommend it to anyone!

El Cafetal is serving up bold, authentic Colombian flavor made with soul, spice, and serious…read moretradition. From street-style snacks to slow-cooked classics, every dish tells a story. Family-owned and community-loved, El Cafetal brings comfort and culture to every plate. The Carne Asada plate was fabulous with the green salad and a plain arepa (corn cake). The 3 Carne-stuffed Arepas were very tasty. Sauces make the meal even better. Same two ladies who own the El Cafetal on Garrity in Nampa are the owners at this Warehouse restaurant. Slightly smaller menu at this new location. Co-owners Adriana Scarpetta and Triny Silva, both from Cali, Colombia, dreamed for years of opening their own restaurant. They opened doors at the Boise International Market in January 2015, but eight months later a fire blamed on arson gutted the international market's building and displaced all the businesses that had opened there. Adriana and Triny operated out of a food truck until they were able to obtain the financing to re-open. Reopened in April 2017 at their Nampa location. Now they are back in Boise and still in Nampa.

We go specifically for the ceviche and pulpo. Best we've had in Idaho, it reminds me of what I grew…read moreup eating. Much better than the fancy spots in Eagle and Boise. I will say the service has missed at times and depending on the day or day of the week it can be a party or quiet.

Been 3x now to this location. Not impressed. Used to go once a week to Nampa location from Boise,…read moreit's the best. My husband and I both say the food is just different. Last week took a coworker. Both got a lunch chicken tostada. There was hardly any meat. It was so small for $14 each. Then I looked at receipt after I left and she charged me an extra $3.50 for extra meat on one meal. We didn't order that. Check your receipt. Do better El Guero 2

The "least effort needed" to write review that I have ever posted thanks to Juli S. Because I can…read moresimply recommend you read her FTR and then I'll say "ditto". Then I could also suggest you find Umami Avenue's Facebook page to keep track of where Chef Richard Jimenez will have his food trailer serving when (note that it is very often at a brewery or winery). Then say "GO". And then 'the end'. But I'll add more because, well, I can't help myself. Read on or move on as you choose because all you really need to know is in the first paragraph above. FOOD ENTHUSIAST BUT NOT FOOD TRUCK FAN: I am a long time food enthusiast (I so dislike the word 'foodie' and I am now going to crib...ummm...borrow the great alternative term in Juli's review). But I have never cottoned to food trucks although I lived in and visited big time food truck fan cities like Bend, Portland and Austin. (I don't like standing in line for food, I don't like eating off of disposable plastic or styrofoam, I have MS with associated balance issues so I sure don't want to try to stand to eat, as a person who pays attention to the quality of ingredients I also know most trucks selling low cost eats are not using good quality ingredients and, frankly, having been inside a working food truck or three I'm often concerned about hygiene...yep.) WHY THIS IS A FOOD TRUCK FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE NERVOUS ABOUT FOOD TRUCKS: Through Juli's review I learned Umami Avenue is owned by Chef Richard Jimenez and I wondered where he was after his departure as Le Coq d'Or Executive Chef (which closed after he left). Because of Juli's review, my husband and I went out of our way to find the Umami Avenue truck where Chef Jimenez and his Sous from Coq - who left with him - were serving up their splendid food from Umami Avenue's food trailer - which is really like a professional kitchen on wheels - in the parking lot at a winery where we are club members. Given we were first at the service window when it opened, we had a chance to talk to Rich a bit to learn of how he came up with the Asian - Italian fusion concept for his mobile food kitchen and his passion for making it possible for people to eat high quality, expertly crafted food through that medium. We also told the Chef that as his fans and people who normally didn't seek out food trucks we hoped he might have a bricks and mortar restaurant in his future plans. We are hopeful he is looking at that option on the horizon to add to this. TOP NOTCH FOOD: You'll find Juli S.'s and my photos of the menu - which changes often - that is posted on the truck. You'll note in Juli's that on his pasta carbonara dish Rich calls out the source of the egg he uses, Meriwhether Farms, which is a sustainable, family run farm recently recognized as family farm of the year in its' Idaho region. We seek out Meriwhether when we are purchasing animal proteins, including eggs, because we know of how responsibly and humanely they raise everything. And discussion about egg with the Chef led to us talking about a technique he uses to cure eggs, a salt and sugar cure technique, which makes them grateable for umami flavor in the way that parmesan cheese is. I'm familiar with the technique which is currently a "thing" in cutting edge kitchens elsewhere, think David Chang-like, but I had not seen anyone in Boise doing it...until Umami Avenue. Those are the kind of 'food enthusiast' discoveries you can have as you enjoy the splendid food from Chef Jimenez's kitchen trailer. We thought our choices - a riff on an Italian classic pasta dish Amatriciana using bacon, an umami tomato sauce and yakisoba noodles ($11), and a Thai pasta dish with plump shrimp and the Chef's 'coco-chi' sauce and cilantro ($13) - were excellent. Both came with a baguette piece served in the style of garlic bread but using organic nori. PRICE POINT AND OTHER DETAILS: Menu prices run about $11 - $13. There are take out containers if you want to order to go or have leftovers (portions are generous so we did). The menu also contains a note "Good Food Takes Time" and given this is largely scratch cooking that is good to know. Your patience is rewarded with delicious food. And as final note, if you are a person who is concerned about hygiene in food trucks - I'll raise my hand for that - this commercial kitchen on wheels is gleaming clean.

Influenced by Bistro 64 in Rome, Boise Chef Richard Jimenez is serving Italian/Asian fusion out of…read morea food truck and the results are extraordinary. On 8/29/19, I tried the chef's tasting menu for $20. Each dish was well executed, complex and perfectly seasoned. Chef Jimenez's parents are Paul and Mary Jean Wegner, who own Cucina di Paola. He trained under Chef Eli Fouche, who was taught by "Chef of the Century" Joel Robochon. He also trained under Gordon Ramsey's Sous Chef, Scott Leibfried, a five time American Culinary Federation medalist. Prior to Umami Avenue, Chef Jimenez was the Executive Chef of Le Coq d'Or for two years. Before that, he was the Head Chef at Red Feather for two years. On the night I visited, beneath his apron, Chef Jimenez wore a Marco Pierre White t-shirt. MPW is a UK Chef considered to be the Godfather of modern-day cooking. As a food enthusiast, I I have tried many restaurants/food trucks/food related businesses, but in all my years I have never experienced anything quite like Umami Avenue. Chef Jimenez has truly created something special.

Excellent food and service. I had the Salvadoran Breakfast for lunch. Highly recommend and will…read morereturn when we are in town.

We've been so excited to try this place- we love Pupusas and we were so excited this was so close…read moreto home. It's a small little local spot, and they were busy when we went on a Wednesday around noon. The service was amazing. So sweet, friendly and attentive. She made great recommendations and was so great about mentioning portions (so we made mindful choices), they even made a special order quesadilla for my son (who is allergic to corn). Let me just say, everything was fresh, flavorful and delicious. We tried the chicken, bean and cheese pupusa, the pork bean and cheese pupusa, and the bean and cheese pupusa, and their slaw is sooooo good and adds that fresh element, also, definitely try their picante sauce, so good- and my son had a chicken and cheese flour quesadilla. For dessert we ordered the churros, and those were delicious too. It seems to be a local favorite and I can see why. We can't wait to go back.

I'm a big fan of this place! I really like the convenience of being able to go up and order…read moresomething, like the delicious chicken empanadas and a soda and have it ready in five minutes or less if it's available. The staff is very helpful and friendly and I go here just for their special food! Always fresh and hot. I love their dipping sauces too!

We had to try this place…read more It is on the second floor of the failing Boise Towne Square mall. One look at the clientele at the mall tells you that they are frequent flyers at Orange Julius, Wetzel's Pretzels, Cinnabon, Häagen-Dazs, and Panda Express. Candela Viva is a great place for Anti-MAHA diners. We ordered Arroz Paisa and two Empanadas. Food quantity for the money - 5 stars, so it will be a hit with the mall crowd. Not the best example of Colombian cuisine in the Treasure Valley. The good news is that the option to eat much better Colombian food is now available in Downtown Boise at the Warehouse Food Hall where El Cafetal has joined the successful restaurants of Basquenese, Mazzah Mediterranean, Anzalone Pizza and Neighbor Tim's BBQ. For over 10 years, Adriana Scarpetta and Triny Silva, both from Cali, Colombia have been creating deliciousness for Boise and Nampa with El Cafetal.