Terrible, terrible service. The lady at the front had such a bad attitude that it completely ruined…read morethe experience. She was unwelcoming and acted like we were inconveniencing her just by being there. The food was mediocre at best. The rice was bland and the pork was dry and hard. Nothing else we ate stood out but I would have considered giving this place another chance to try other items on the menu but after the way we were treated i have no interest in returning. ESPAÑOL Terrible, terrible servicio. La muchacha del frente tenía una actitud muy mala que arruinó por completo la experiencia. Ella no fue placentera y actuó como si la estuviéramos molestando solo por estar allí. La comida es mediocre en el mejor de los casos. El arroz sin sabor y el cerdo estaba seco y duro. Nada más que comimos destacó o nos hizo querer volver. Haría considerado darle a este lugar otra oportunidad para probar otros artículos del menú, pero después de la forma en que nos trataron, no tengo ningún interés en volver.

I recently visited La Cocina de Abuela for lunch. The restaurant is set up cafeteria style and you…read moreorder a small, medium or large portion. You choose your rice, beans, meat, and side. I ordered a large with Ropa Vieja, Yucca, Black Beans, and Coconut Rice. I love Cuban food and the portion was massive, however, I was disappointed. The Ropa Vieja was tender but watery, the yucca was soft but bland and a little chewy, and the beans lacked any seasoning. I liked the rice: savory with a hint of sweetness. The best word to describe the food was edible.

Delicious food from such kind people. I am obsessed with the patacon. Best sandwich ever. It's so…read moreflavorful and with the garlic sauce it elevates it to be one of the most delicious dishes in Gainesville. The location is centrally located, which can make parking hard, but means there is always something going on nearby. The owners and staff are super kind and friendly. They love to chat and can pick up conversation about just about anything.

This is a wonderful place! We happened to find it accidentally but we were so impressed with the…read morefood and the incredible service. I ordered a shredded beef empanada and we shared a plantain sandwich-both were delicious!

Excellent local lunch spot. I'm from Tampa and I know Cuban sandwiches. Mi Apa offers three--the…read moretraditional Cuban, the Ybor Cuban, and the Key West Cuban. Yum. Good stuff. The place iteself is not fancy, but comfortable and very friendly. Lunch counter kind of vibes. Prices are very reasonable for food of this quality. This will be a regular lunch spot for me--and is close to UF. Highly recommended!

This is honestly very uncomfortable for me to say because I usually have a great experience with…read morethe food and service at Mi Apa. However, I came in on a Tuesday evening, and unfortunately, my experience with our server, Esteban, was very uncomfortable. When we first sat down, he did not come over to ask what we would like to drink. Instead, he stood there and stared at me very awkwardly for about a minute, which made me feel very uncomfortable. After he eventually brought our drinks and food, he did not come back to check on us for almost two hours. Then, right as he saw that we were getting ready to leave, he came over to take our payments. He did not say anything or clarify whether we were splitting the check. He went directly to my friend and had her pay, and we later realized that she had paid for both of us. At that point, it was already very late, so we did not complain or say anything. However, I truly felt uncomfortable throughout the entire experience. It was not just the lack of checking on us, but also the fact that he barely spoke to us, never communicated with us, and never made any effort to make us feel welcomed or comfortable during our visit. I want to emphasize that I have never been treated this way at Mi Apa before, which is why it is unfortunate that I feel the need to bring this to your attention. I have always had a positive experience here, so I hope this feedback can be helpful in some way. Thank you for taking the time to read this and for hearing me out. I hope this helps in any way.

I get an arepa from here anytime I see them in Depot Park. They're sooo good and really fillingread more

A little on the expensive side but food was really good and the portions seemed appropriate.read more

I spent about $100 on two entrees and two appetizers for a to go order, and it wasn't just "not…read morethat good", it was honestly terrible and inedible. One of the worst meals I've had in the last 2 years here in Gainesville. The whole chicken was burnt and so dehydrated it was inedible. It was missing the fries it was supposed to come with, and the salad was missing half its ingredients (see pics). The ceviche was extremely fibrous and chewy, clearly made with low quality fish that should never be used for ceviche. The lomo saltado was overcooked, and the nearly $20 calamari came with about 12 small, dried out pieces that looked nothing like the advertised photo (again, see pic, it's laughable). Here's the real reason I'm leaving this review, not just because the food was bad, but because of how it was handled. When I called to request a replacement or even a refund, I was told the food was "fresh" and that the chicken was dry because it was a rooster, despite it being completely inedible. First of all - it literally says chicken, and they usually rotisserie young chickens, pretty sure they use roosters only in stews because the meat is tough. I was also told they don't give refunds because they serve fresh food and the food I got was fine. To make it even more confusing, she then said maybe I could come in "now" for a replacement. When I pointed out that they close at 6, she said yes they do, put me on hold, and then repeated that I could maybe come in today for a replacement, but that there was no one there to cook the food so she's not sure how I would get my food today. So how exactly would that work? The entire conversation made no sense and only made the situation worse. Then she just told me she's unable to do anything for me. I never leave negative reviews, but this genuinely pissed me off. I've been eating Peruvian food for over 20 years, it's one of my favorite cuisines and this was unacceptable in both quality and customer service. How about this for an idea: If you're about to close and can't serve fresh food, stop taking orders. Don't send out what tastes like old, dried out leftovers. I would not recommend.

Came here for the Pollo ala Brasa. It surely did not disappoint. Usually I am dying for fish or…read moreseafood when I go out. This time I had a feeling their chicken was not meant to be missed. We ordered the whole chicken. This is nice bc it's already cut up for both of us. We also ordered tostones and salad which comes with it. I made it like a tostada and stacked the chicken and lettuce on top with their sauce which was so to die for. I was really happy I was singing. I do that sometimes when I get excited for my food. Don't ask lol! Haven't found such wonderful Peruvian chicken in a while. This was great. Place is not fancy and it's old and stuff in the back. That's ok bc the service and the food is great. Same plaza as other stores such as Home Depot.

Updating my review after another visit to Tinker. It's always nice to have a place in Downtown…read moreGainesville where you can enjoy Latin flavors in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. The menu offers a little taste of our culture, and it's a great spot to meet friends, share a meal, have a good coffee or drink, and simply enjoy the evening. Definitely a place worth having on your Gainesville list.

We sat on the patio with a party of 8. The server was friendly and attentive. I ordered a skinny…read moremargarita which was a little weak but good overall. We split the arepa tinker special. It was good. I also ordered a side of yuca. It only came with 3 which was disappointing. Others ordered bandeja paisa and other dishes with meat that they enjoyed. The kids enjoyed their food as well. They closed pretty quickly otherwise we would have stayed longer.

Good food at Los Pollos Rotisserie (Original Location) Gainesville, FL…read more Switched it up and tried their Tex-Mex side of the menu: - California Burrito - A big flour tortilla filled with steak, rice, black beans, cheese, pico de gallo, and guac. I threw in a side of maduros (sweet plantains) and honestly... they should offer that officially. Call it the SunRaye Burrito with steak and sweet plantains inside a burrito? Yum. Personal critique -one note- it'd be more steak, less rice. But the flavor was on point. We had swung by Los Pollos Rotisserie just before closing, and even at the end of the night, they did a great job. I love most to see this spot is consistently good and always updating - haven't been let down by a meal here, and I keep coming back. This is a stand-in-line, order-at-the-counter, seat-yourself type of place--and it works. Freshly remodeled interior looks great, and I've always loved the outdoor patio area... maybe one day they can screen it , especially for those perfect Florida days.

Food was very tasty. Chicken, of course, had great flavor. Ribs were a surprise but were a nice…read moreaddition. Ordered at the counter to-go, large family order was filled quickly. Green salsa was delicious. Price was high, but food was worth it. Would come back on a return visit.

Very authentic Mexican food! This is a great Mexican staple for Gainesville. You order at the…read morecounter and choose a table, so a great place for lunch or a quick dinner. The service is always super fast. The food is always fresh and authentic. Not pictured are the birra tacos, which are my favorite and go-to item at La Tienda. The spice is tolerable, and the meat is always fresh. The nachos were a huge portion and had nicely seasoned meat. The queso was warm which was lovely

What this place may lack in presentation, it makes up for in taste. The tacos al pastor were…read moreabsolutely delicious. The three dip trio with the chips was great; the queso had a great flavor and the amount of guacamole given was beautiful. I knew I could trust this place for authentic food due to the paper notices on the outside. La comida estaba riquisa, and I would definitely go back. Ambiance was super friendly. Staff was also very nice and making sure to answer any questions we had regarding modifications. There is a pretty big drink selection.

Super friendly staff, amazing food, and a beautiful food truck! We had them at the chiefland flea…read moremarket today and it was fantastic!

Arepa Milko: The Venezuelan Food Truck Turned Restaurant You Need to Try…read more If you haven't been to Arepa Milko yet: it's authentic Venezuelan dishes, delicious food and a spot that's grown from humble food truck beginnings into a legit foodie destination. Here's why this place is an absolute must-visit: Start with Tequeños (Trust Me) Begin your meal with an appetizer--yes, fried. Tequeños. Or as I like to call them: TequeñYES! These traditional Venezuelan cheese sticks had a golden crunch and released a mouthwatering aroma that hinted at the cheesy goodness inside. And that vibrant green sauce? Game over ranch. It's tangy, addictive, and honestly deserves a spot next to ranch in the sauce hall of fame. Bold claim, I know -- but it's that good. Sandwiches That'll Ruin You (In the Best Way) I tried Milko's Pulled Chicken Sandwich. That crispy fried cheese acted like food glue, holding together all the Venezuelan magic inside. The pulled chicken was juicy and flavorful, blending into every unforgettable bite. I also had the Patacón Tostón Sandwich with Pernil (slow-roasted pork). This is not your average sandwich -- it's a specialty you won't find just anywhere. The crispy green plantain "buns" were absolute perfection: crunchy on the outside, yet tender enough to hold all the layers together without falling apart. The layering? Impeccable. The juicy, seasoned pork stole the spotlight without overpowering the plantains. Every bite was an explosion of textures and bold flavors -- the kind of messy, glorious meal. Oh, and the portions? Generous doesn't even begin to cover it. Save Room for Dessert (Seriously) I even got to meet the owner, who was incredibly kind and recommended the Nutella-filled Tequeños for dessert. OH. MY. GOODNESS. Absolute perfection. Warm, gooey Nutella wrapped in that crispy tequeño shell? It's everything you never knew you needed. If you've never tried a sweet twist on this iconic Venezuelan snack, consider this your official sign. Zero regrets. Zero crumbs left behind. The Vibe at Arepa Milko blends casual comfort and self-service. The original food truck still proudly stands outside, keeping the story alive. But step inside, and you'll find indoor seating, air conditioning, and an upgraded space perfect for enjoying every bite without battling the Florida heat. Final Verdict If you're looking to experience authentic Venezuelan flavors and discover rare gems like the Patacón, Arepa Milko needs to be on your foodie bucket list. From street food roots to full-on restaurant glow-up, they've earned their spot in North Florida's food hall of fame. Come hungry. Leave obsessed. #NewberryEats #VenezuelanFood #ArepaMilko #FoodieAdventures #TequeñoLove #CrunchGoals #NorthFLEats