Arriving in Hamburg, I was really looking forward to trying Roatan, a restaurant I had heard served…read moreHonduran food. With a name like that, I was excited for a little taste of home.
The Atmosphere:
The restaurant itself is actually very nice -- beautifully decorated with an underwater vibe that almost makes you feel like you're in an episode of SpongeBob. Big points for the decor; it's a cool spot to hang out in.
The Food:
This is where things went downhill.
* Appetizers:
I ordered the plátano, yuca, and banana chips. Coming from Honduras, when you say "chips," I expect thin, fried tajadas. What I got instead was a plate with one thick slice of green plantain, one thick slice of ripe plantain, and chunky yuca fries -- all served on a giant bed of salad that wasn't mentioned on the menu. Presentation was fine, but it was not what I expected and honestly, a disappointment.
* Baleada:
A classic Honduran dish, usually a flour tortilla with refried beans, sometimes with eggs, cream, or cheese. What I received was more like a quesadilla. The tortilla ok I guess, but the beans didn't taste like typical refried beans, and to my surprise it had melted mozzarella type cheese. That's not traditional at all. Again, it came with a mountain of salad that I didn't ask for.
* Soup of the Day:
When I asked, they said it was "nacho soup." What arrived was basically a big bowl of thick red sauce with more melted cheese on top. Strange, and not at all what I had in mind when ordering a soup.
The Overall Experience:
The portions here are huge, and I could see that's part of the appeal for some. But because of the name of you are thinking authentic Honduran food, that just isn't accurate. They didn't even carry something as basic as banana soda, which you'd expect at a Honduran restaurant. Instead, the menu leaned more Caribbean, with items like jerk chicken and Red Stripe beer. I guess marking it Creol may save you there.
Final Thoughts:
The restaurant is nice, the vibe is fun, and I can understand why some people enjoy it. But if you're looking for Honduran food, this is not the place. As much as I wanted to love it, I left very disappointed.
