One of my GO to spots for lunch! It's absolutely delicious if you like Cuban/ Puerto Rican food it's a must! read more

Cuban Mixta with chicken is AMAZING!!!! Go here, try the food, talk to the owners, learn about Puertorriqueño culture. This place has been here for a while and the owners have a beautiful story. It's kid friendly, featuring a smaller serving-size menu for the little ones. There's a pastry bar when you come in and super attentive staff. Only thing I'd avoid is the coffee in the future, ironically. read more

Hidden Gem: The friendliest warmest welcome and the staff always remembers what you've tried and haven't and always give the best recommendations. We've never had a bad experience. The back patio area is beautiful, staff is attentive and food is fresh and made with love! We appreciate having such an amazing place to eat in JAX. P.s All the bread is made fresh daily on location, plenty of bakery items to try as well. read more

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Some of the best food I've ever had. They have this awesome patio in the back and it created such a great vibe.

I love this place and the owners! The food is authentic Latin and delicious! I love everything that they make here! Very homey and chill vibe. Need to check out the backyard; it's perfect for a sunny day to eat, chill and have a beer. read more

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La Bodega Original was at Sip & Stroll at Jax River Walk last month. My friends told me great things about the restaurant so I chose it over multiple vendors. I waited 15-20 minutes in line but it was worth the wait! I ordered the Papa Relleno and the Original Empanada. The Papa Relleno was like nothing I've ever tried, and it was yummy. Very filling. But my favorite was the Original Empanada! Fresh, crispy and delicious! I plan to check out the restaurant soon so I can try some other menu items! read more

La Bodega Original - I had the Papa Relleno and the Original Empanada. SO GOOD! I was too hungry to take pics lol:))) - Latin American Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

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Food was delicious! I had the Tripleta, Yuca Fries and Ham Croquettes. I did not want to stop there but I wanted to leave empanadas for my next visit! Service was excellent and I loved the art deco them on the walls. read more

La Bodega Original - Currently demolishing The Tripleta Sandwich and Yuca Fries. The Ham Croquettes never stood a chance - Latin American Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

Delicious Latin fusion eatery and a new favorite for lunch. Tried the turkey special, empanada and yuccone so far and everything is perfectly seasoned and delicious. Plus they make the bread on site. The outside seating is great for a larger party. Plus there is an outside bar. Don't miss this place. read more

La Bodega Original - Turkey special - Latin American Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

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I stopped by here recently while out doing some errands. I had heard such raving reviews, and I love me an empanada. I can't say that the food was not tasty, but it had zero seasoning. The Yuca fries were so bland, and needed so much salt. Just a little while cooking would have made such a major difference. I did the picadillo cubano empanada, and same thing. I just felt the meat had no seasoning and very little flavor. It is such a cute little place, and the outdoor seating is so inviting. I'll have to go back and try it again. Maybe they were having a bit of an off day - everyone's allowed that, and I always try to give a spot at least three tries before I determine it's not worth going back. With all the positive reviews I have to believe mine was an odd day out. read more

La Bodega Original - Outdoor patio - Latin American Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

A really cool place in such an unexpected area. The food and service was top notch. We had the Cuban sandwich with fries and it was so good. Our waitress was very helpful and friendly. We highly recommend! read more

First time here. Small center off blanding. Looked small. A few tables in front. BUT beer garden in back. Really friendly people and delicious food. Ok. Looked small. Took a chance. Beer garden in the back. Friendly people. Delicious food. Little shopping center off blanding. The pork is delicious. Specials each day. Bakery too. Sandwich breads made here. Try it read more

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Yum! One of my favorite Cuban delights is the potato ball- aka Papas Rellenas. A meat filling wrapped up in mashed potatoes and fried and absolutely delicious! I had to wait a bit will it cooked up. My son got a brat all the way and was completely finished eating before I got my potato ball- but it was worth the wait! Family run- I was happy to try La Bodega and hope to go to their restaurant soon too! Got to get empanadas for John next time! read more

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ME: "Dad, where do you want to eat?" DAD: "Anywhere that serves Buffet" ME: "Negatory; we're going to La Bodega Original" La Bodega Original has been opened now for about 1.5 months, according to Chef Cely, owner of La Bodega. It's a mini shop that serves breakfast sandwiches, pastries, sandwiches, specialty plates and Empanadas (made fresh daily). It is food made with a Latin Twist. The shop seats accommodates about 16 people. FOOD: The Cubano (5/5): I always love chasing down a good Cuban sandwich so I ordered The Cubano. This is La Bogeda's Puerto Rican version of The Cuban sandwich. Verdict: one of the most delicious Cuban Sandwich I've ever eaten. Why you say? Per Cely, the bread alone is made fresh, in-house. The bread taste more on the sweeter side; it's not hard like how most Cuban sandwiches are served. Also, this sandwich does not have the typical Deli meats most Cubans are prepared. Instead it's loaded with slow, marinated, mouth-watering pork chunks that's just so Slap-Yo-Yelper good. According to Cely, this is her grandfather's recipe passed on, so muchos gracias to her beloved Abuelo. Stir Fry Veggies (4/5): Cambodian Style Mixed Veggies served with Pork Chops & Habanero Sausage. In exception to the Chops being on the hard side, my Dad actually enjoyed this dish. It is really not easy to find a balance when frying pork chops. And to be fair, my Dad had a hard time chewing the Chops because he wears dentures. I ate the Habanero Sausages because my Dad is not into spicy stuff. COFFEE: Cuban Colada (5/5): Hats off to the Cuban Coffee drinkers out there. I call it "Shotglass of Skrong Shett" and that's how it's served, on a small glass. If you ever wondered how it feels like to be shot out of a Caffeine Cannon, then drink one of these babies. 0-60 in 2 seconds worth of Injected Caffeine. It will definitely take your heart for a wild ride. I'm done here; will definitely be back. I got my eyes on the Cuban Mixta and Empanadas on next visit. #SupportLocal read more

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Holy Sh$@("! Authentic heavenly Cuban cuisine complete with homemade bread for the Cubano sammies. I'm dying! Tamarind tea, and the most beautiful, seasoned rice and beans. What a surprise to find this little gem. read more

La Bodega Original - Latin American Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

OK. Here's the deal. La Bodega Original (owned & operated by Chef Cely Gawrysh) is located off of Shirley Avenue between Hamilton & Blanding Blvd in this longstanding, obscure strip mall with an ample parking lot. They used to be located inside Bold City Brewery, but are no longer there. They also still do full catering and have a setup every Saturday at RAM (Riverside Arts Market) under the bridge if you can't make it to this location on the weekdays. As of 03/05/2019: If you come to this location, they are open Tuesday through Fridays from 8AM to 5PM according to May, who also works alongside Chef Cely at this brick-and-mortar La Bodega Original. ****I would definitely call first just to make 100% sure of their hours.**** The food here is flavorful and satisfying and worth the trip if you make it. Come here for the quesito. A quesito is a cheese-filled pastry twist from Puerto Rico. I absolutely loved the flakiness of the cooked pastry dough coupled with the sweet cheese filling on the inside. This oven-baked pastry is a flaky, slightly crispy, sugar-coated treat stuffed with vanilla-flavored cream cheese and can best be appreciated with a cup of coffee. The Guava Cheese turnovers (Pastelillos de Guava) made with a tender baked pastry dough with sweet guava and cream cheese filling finished with a dusting of powdered sugar is another must try. So delish! In the savory department, I thoroughly enjoyed the homemade empanadas. I went with the Original Empanada filled with perfectly seasoned ground beef and the Tipsy Goat Empanada. OMG. Try them. Actually try them all... If you close your eyes while you're eating, you can detect all of the subtle flavors that go into the tasty fillings in every single bite. And the portion size of their empanadas are larger than most. With the Tipsy Goat, I can taste the fresh basil now with the slight tang from the goat cheese and sweet, rich, saltiness from the ham "enbreaded" in a fried pastry dough. There's enough space to eat-in and they are very efficient preparing the food if you want to take-out. The menu is diverse enough that I want to come back and try more. And they spoke of changing menus and other special dining events to keep their food concepts fresh and new. read more

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La Bodega Original might sound familiar to you - it should. The owner, Cely Gawrysh, has a mini cafe at Bold Bean Brewery on Roselle Street and a booth at RAM on Saturdays. Her style is Latin Fusion and is always fresh and tasty. Today was the grand opening of her first real brick and mortar store in a strip mall on Shirley Avenue on the Westside between Roosevelt/17 and Blanding. It's bright and clean inside and smells fantastic. I had my hopes on a hot lunch (arroz con pollo!), but silly me was there before 10 am. Hot lunch isn't served before 11, so I'll have to come back another day. They will make lunch sandwiches earlier though. They had little dessert samples on a tray - flaky, creamy, deliciousness with fresh strawberries - a good 3 biter of a sample. Mmm... I picked up two empanadas, the flavors change daily. I chose a Cuban beef and a "Tipsy Goat" (ham, pesto, & goat cheese) to take home. Both were very delicious and came with sauce. The Cuban was traditional and tasty, but the Tipsy Goat rocked my boat. Nice chunks of ham and good flavor combination. It was a lot of fun to eat. All the pastries in the display case looked fabulous and I chose one large one called Mil Hojas de Dulce de leche. I haven't actually eaten it yet (saving it for dessert tonight with my husband) but I did take one bite (shhh don't tell). It is very much like a Napoleon with a Dulce de Leche Caramel-like flavor. Just as I hoped, it wasn't too sweet, but had that lovely cream custard flavor. I'm so happy for Ms. Gawrysh and her family and wish her the best of luck. She's very talented and the Westside is very lucky to have La Bodega Original there. I cannot wait to go back. read more

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My Yelp Elite buddy Leah H. told me about La Bodega when we met up for dinner one night, and just from all the good things she had to say about the food and the establishments humble beginnings, I knew it wouldn't be long before I found my way there. When it comes to good food, she knows her stuff, after all. The smell of fresh baked goods entices you from the doorway as you enter, along with the multitude of wonderful aromas wafting out from the kitchen. It's a cute cozy place with just a few tables, but not bunched together to make one feel claustrophobic. Tempting tarts and pastries peek out from behind the glass display, and a list of the day's specials (changes daily) is posted on the wall to the right. Lunch starts at 11 a.m., so know that going forward. Yes, yes, yes, I've heard all about how La Bodega takes empanadas to the next level and even another level after that. I know....they're that good. HOWEVER, when I saw "Pork Tamales" among the offerings on the daily specials list....I was done. Game over. Pork Tamales it was. The verdict? SHYITTTTTT......let me tell you, these tamales MELT in your mouth. They're LIT. LIT, I tell you! Especially when accompanied by delicately salted shreds of pork that sit atop a mound of fluffy white rice and perfectly seasoned black beans. Boom....Boom.....POW. I'm not sure if I was able to finish, but I know I was stuffed. And THENNN.......see what had happened was.....there was this "Raspberry Almond Tart." It beckoned to me and said "Yes, I'll make you fat.....but I'll make you happy." I couldn't resist. I savored this so much, I think I ate with my eyes closed. I spoke to both ladies who run the joint and they mentioned that a Sunday brunch menu might be in the works soon, especially for Mothers Day. GO HERE. EAT HERE. I'm officially a fan of La Bodega Original and enthusiastically recommend this locally owned business and send my compliments to the chef. I'll be back for those empanadas soon! Thanks for reading, and till next time....support your local businesses and as always...SYOY! read more

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Surprises sometime come in small packages. and in unique places if you are adventurous enough. La Bodega is one of those, a little off the beaten path, but so worth the trip. I came at lunch with my son and the special of the day was a conch fritter sandwich, he ordered it and it was the last one. I expected them to yell "86 on the conch", but they didn't, they kept asking me would I like coffee, tamarind tea, empanada, tres leches....,wait, back up, TAMARIND TEA? Okay, guess what, I got over the lack of more conch when I got my tea. Since this was our first time and my son is young and can eat for two, we tried a number of things: Empanada with ham and Brie - one of the days specials, it was amazing. Light crust, diced succulent ham and mixed Well with the Brie. The sauce, a garlic pesto/aoli was really over the top good Conch Sandwich - who knows, my son ate it and didn't share. He seemed happy though, but he still ate half my empanada. El Jefe Fries - Very good, coated with an old bay flavor, I think. But the fries were a precursor to the main event, the sauces they come up with dish. Really special, my son when crazy over the Special G sauce. Yes, he ate half of my fries too. Maduros - very interesting as their version they coat with guava, and I love guava. However, the maduros were perfectly cooked but I would 86 the guava but that is just my preference. They were still delicious. Parking is plentiful. Service is so good, you will think you are at a friends house. read more

La Bodega Original - Conch Sandwich - special of the day - Latin American Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

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So excited. Empanadas are a quintessential street food of Latin America and widely located in the Miami area. Jacksonville is now seeing a influence of eateries which offer these golden brown crescent shaped pastries with a wide variety of fillings. La Bodegas empanadas were Quality, freshness and flavor manifested in every bite. Fillings can change daily according to Cely's creative mood which will keep me coming back to try new ones. They also offer pastries from heaven like Bread Pudding, Dulce de Leche and Coco Flan...mmmmmmmm Sandwiches and even breakfast items are on the menu. I saw Sangria too so you know I have to go back and try that soon! They open at 7am YEAH!! so I can easily stop by on my way to work and pick up some of these delectable goodies for my day. I hope to see some TACOS added soon to the menu like the ones on her website but until than there are several items left to try on the menu. Stop and buy local, support local! read more

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I wish i could give 6 stars. this is the best sand-which ever had in my entire life and i mean that so seriously. i've tried maybe 5 or 6 things from the menu here and i've never had anything that wasn't exceptional, even the side items that come with ur food. it's rare to have truly INCREDIBLE food but even rarer what that food is made by some of the kindest people. I cannot recommend a restaurant more then i recommend this one. read more

La Bodega Original - the Cubana Sandwich - Latin American Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

¡Sabroso! The food in this place is delicious. Fresh and tasty. I enjoyed the empanadas de picadillo cubano and yuca sticks. Both were cooked to perfection and served hot and beautifully. My better half had a Tripleta sandwich. It was HUGE, flavorful, and AMAZING (yup, that's how he described it). The service was great and we received great attention during our visit. Today was our first time eating here and we are definitely coming back soon. The decor was nice and rustic, beautiful and welcoming. The back patio was really nice and inviting, it's just too bad that today was raining too much and we were not able to sit outside. I highly recommend it!! read more

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First visit to this, excellent in every way, place! Greeted with kindness by Celly who answered my questions about the menu. Had the Cuban colato while waiting for my friends, loved it! We sat on the back patio which we enjoyed. During our meal we had a medical emergency and the owners were exceptional as they helped us and cared for us as we waited for the EMT. And finally our food was so tasty and flavorful. Loved the Spicy G and my friends enjoyed their sandwiches as well. Give this a try and you won't be disappointed. I will definitely be back for the food and the kindness! read more

This is truly a hidden gem that I wish I'd found years ago! I'd have passed up many of the restaurants in Avondale & in Riverside (I work at St. Vincent's Riverside), to go here! A coworker found out they have a full pig roast every last sunday of the month, so I knew the pork would be good. It is FAR better than good..... It is mouth watering! The Cubano sandwich is HUGE and by far the best cuban sandwich I've ever had! (And, I think I make a really good one, but I don't roast a full pig ;) ) The ham crouquettes, tostones, rice ball, and the wonderful dessert (that was Spanish & I don't remember--was similar to a cannoli), were also delicious. I got the food last minute, to go, as they were closing early for an event. They were SO nice to accomodate me! I will definitely be back. Oh! Don't miss the meringues on the counter. They are fabulous! read more

La Bodega Original - Cubano sandwich - Latin American Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

In some ways, it's a good thing that La Bodega Original closes before dinnertime, because if it was open, I would be eating empanadas for dinner way more often than I should. The food here is incredible. I love both the original and the chicken empanadas (the dough itself and the cooking are both impeccable, and the seasoning relies on really well-balanced spices as opposed to heavy salt). Two empanadas are perfect for a large and well-priced lunch. The rice bowl with the pork is delicious as well. Somehow I have yet to try a sandwich -- that's for next time, definitely. Though they also usually have a daily special which seems appealing...for a short menu, it can make for really tough decisions. The service is super friendly and pretty quick for a small operation. They also turn out great coffee. It can be a little hard to find, hidden within a pretty quiet strip mall, but it is 100% worth the trip. read more

Hands down the best sandwiches on the westside. If you want phenomenal service and great food go let them treat you like familia

This past week I visited La Bodega Original. Couldn't believe it's so close to my office. They just moved to this location a week ago. Cely the owner used to be at Bold City Brewery. On my first visit I chose The Tipsy Goat a Cuban like sandwich with ham, pesto & goat cheese. Now I usually don't eat pork but made an exception as it sounded so good. I was not disappointed. The pork was cooked just right & so flavorful. My friend ordered The original Cuban Sandwich with Beef Piccadillo. It was delicious too. The sandwiches taste so good because they're made with fresh bread baked daily. By the time we finished our meal we had so much food and did not have room for dessert. The display looked so tempting that I'd love to try some next time. The Pistachio cake and the Pastelillos de Guava caught my eye. There was a group of Navy guys that seem like regular customers who raved about how good the Guava pastry and Cely's cooking in general. The specials change daily. Calling to check is a good idea. They also serve breakfast and Cafe con Leche. The place is very small seat up to 14 people community style. Ambience: music was too loud. I wish they would play some Latin music instead it sure would enhance my dining experience. Plenty of parking. I plan to return next time to taste the pastries and the Arroz with Carne Guisada (Beef Stew). The stew was my first choice but Cely said it was still cooking. Nothing like freshly made food with a Latin flair. Latin music please ;) read more

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We had the tripleta and Cuban sandwiches...And this is the food we didn't even get to because they give you so much. DELICIOSA! #EnoughToShare. #Tripleta #Cubano read more

La Bodega Original - This is the food we didn't even get to! Both the Cuban and the Tripleta sandwiches were delicious!!! - Latin American Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

I'm Keto and she immediately tole I should have the Stir Fry Veggie with pork chops.... Cambodian style mixed vegetables with pork chop and habanero sausage OMG!! It is so flavorful!!! The Tamborine Tea is sooooooooooo delicious! The pastries look so delicious I am so tempted to try them.... but I will say that for a future cheat day. I will be a return customer with company!!! read more

La Bodega Original - Latin American Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

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A very pleasant and unexpected GEM on the Westside. Stumbled upon it while looking for lunch and very happy it happened. The place is small and intimate however the decor is welcoming and comfortable. And the food..... AMAZING!! We enjoyed every single thing we tried. This will definitely be a place we frequent often!! read more

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Holy crap how have I been missing out on this hidden gem for years?? This was honestly the best food I've had in the Murray Hill area. I am a sucker for Cuban food and miss the authentic stuff I get down in Miami when I travel for work. This hit the spot. I got the yucca and pork dish and for desert I got a guava cream pastry. The staff were attentive and they had the cutest back patio. Do not let the exterior strip mall vibe warn you off. This is truly a must do in the area. read more

La Bodega Original - The Yuccone - Latin American Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

I first learned of this restaurant at Sip and Stroll. The empanadas were so good! I finally had time to go to the actual restaurant. The restaurant is tiny, but it definitely gave a family bodega vibes. The empanadas I order were just as tasty as I remember and made fresh. Their aioli sauce is amazing. I would definitely come back. read more

Had a taste of the food at the St. Matthew Catholic School bazaar. It was so good, I went to the restaurant. I've only had the beef empanada and tostones and they were delicious! read more

My husband has had this place bookmarked for quite some time. We decided it was time to check it out. We live north of Jacksonville across the state line, so I was praying it wouldn't be disappointing. The owner greeted us upon entry- they had literally just opened for the day. She was super gracious and answered any questions we had, explaining that they baked all their own bread on site. My husband had to take a call and jot down some notes on a napkin. She was quick to offer a note pad- mind you we were seated outside in the courtyard. It felt very private and charming. My husband ordered the Criollo-delicious is an understatement. I got the tripleta which is built to perfection and literally melted in my mouth. The servings are large so we had a second time to enjoy each. I will say that they were better freshly made so next time we will just share a meal. We have plans to return and try other menu items. This neighborhood definitely has a gem! read more

Slow to make the sandwich. Took 15 minutes for 2 Cuban sandwiches with no other customers in shop. Burnt bread (inside and out) and tasteless, dry pork. The ham (if you could call it that) was tough and over cooked. Won't be returning. read more

In town from Pennsylvania for a visit. Came to get a Cuban coffee and decided to get a Cubano sandwich after loving them but wanted to try one that is more authentic. Was not disappointed. You can tell the pork was cooked with care(both the pulled pork and ham). The mustard wasn't overpowering, almost creamy. And the bread was perfect. read more

I wish I could give "0" stars. I was told this place had the best Cuban Sandwich in JAX, I went by at 1:30 on a Friday and was told that she did not have the time and I should come back tomorrow....... I guess, I'll never know because I'll never be back.... read more

Every once in a while Yelp leads you to a place that you didn't expect. Nestled in a strip mall, I didn't think it was there but that all the sudden I saw the sign. The Cubano wasn't what I'd call traditional, more like the bread of a media noche, but the pulled pork, ham, cheese, pickles, mustard and pink sauce were all wonderful. I also ordered 2 picadillo empanada and for breakfast tomorrow, 2 cheese and guava pastries. I'm so glad to have been directed by the Yelp fam to this great Cuban restaurant. Thank you for a great meal. read more

Wow, what a scrumptious hidden gem! The Cubano sandwich was gigantic & incredibly delicious A+++ The pulled pork, ham & bread are all made fresh & in house! They had a selection of freshly made pastries, Cuban coffees, a super cute restaurant interior & a fantastic large outside seating area out of the back of the restaurant. It even has a bar out back & an area they do pig roasts. It is a stone's throw from Avondale & Murray Hill in the shopping center with the gymnastic center. read more

My goodness this place is amazing!!! I'll definitely be back to explore the rest of that menu! I ate two-thirds of my Tripleta and was stuffed so I put it in the fridge. It was so good that 5 minutes later I went and got it back out and finished it because I just had to have that flavor in my mouth again! I can't wait to go back again If you haven't had this place yet. You're depriving yourself of some of the best food I've had in Jax period. Not just best Latin food, but best food not mater the category! You owe it to yourself to try this place! read more

It's one of the best places to eat. It's a clean place and the owner is very kind with the customers. The food is delicious with favor and a lot. With one plate two persons can eat. Wish I had know about the place before. I love the back you could even celebrate a birthday party in the back. I'll be their customer for now on. Delicioso..... read more