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Now that I'm working downtown again it's time to start trying all these wonderful places I've bookmarked. La Bodega was high on the list. Jade aka (IG: _BadAssFoodie) is from Miami and gave high praise to this place and their Cuban sandwich. Naturally I had to see for myself. My wife and I stopped in on one of the hottest days in Richmond (8/2/2024) and took a seat at this quant little table. The vibe is very hospitable and funky. I feel like I'm in both a Bodega in New York and some funky café in Cuba. I ordered the Cubano because I had to see what all the fuss was about. The Cubano is MASSIVE. They are very generous with the portions. I'm a big fella and can thrown down some food and I could only finish half this thing. They pack a ton of roasted pork on it, and I promise you one thing, you won't leave hungry. If I must nitpick it would be the cheese. The cheese needs to be melted so just leave it on that hot press a lot longer. I plan on going back and trying some of their other items.
I love everything about La Bodega! The seemingly little "hole in the wall" is a culinary delight and a total gem! The ambiance is perfectly understated and authentic. No frills, no fuss, just perfectly Dominican meets NY. Our server was a lovely young lady who was so accommodating and helpful, and not that it matters...but she was adorable and her makeup was on point! We wtf a table of 4 ladies so of course we complimented her - it was international women's day after all! This has to be the best cocktail bargain in town. $10 each and we all had cocktails - one had a Michelada and the rest of us had an amazing Caparena with fresh lime and a punch of booze that stuck with us. Delicious! I had the pineapple pork and it was sweet yet savory and a huge portion. Shareable for 2-3 easily! Served over rice & beans, it is one to try and repeat. 2 Cubanos were ordered and they were delicious. Topped with ham, Swiss, and an ample amount of pulled pork on pressed bread, this was heavenly. 1 carne asada taco meal was ordered and it was ok. It was definitely upstaged by the other 2 dishes! Definitely try La Bodega. It's best for groups of 1-4. Small but mighty...might good! We cannot wait to go back when we're in Richmond.
Such a yummy place to stop on a road trip! Friday afternoon about 1pm and the place wasn't too busy. It's not a very big spot on the corner and be prepared to park on the street and pay like 3-4 dollars depending on how long you will stay. The workers are very friendly. And the food came pretty quick. This is such a cool place if you want to take nice photos. The walls are covered in "Brooklyn" decor. I've only been to NY like once for a day and it definitely matches what you think NY would look like in your head haha. There is Latin music playing and it makes everyone in the room want to dance. The menu is overwhelming with options and they serve breakfast all day. The portion sizes here are awesome! Enough food to have left overs but I wish it came with more veggies. The flavor was delicious, no salt pepper etc really needed. I liked the plantains more than the tostones. I wish I would have tried one of their frozen drinks. Everything is relatively priced decently. I would try this place again. I would say 4/5 because I like my food really hot but it came out barely warm. I also saw an employee come out the bathroom in her apron and that isn't sanitary in my opinion.
I had never had Latin American food before and this was such an amazing first time experience. The ambiance is fun, colorful, and inviting - definitely feels very homey and comfortable. Our server (there was only 1 server working a weekday at lunch) was quick and kind to accommodate requests for extra sauce on the side, water with no ice, etc. We started with the Pupusas (stuffed with cheese and served with cabbage slaw), which were pretty good but nothing mind-blowing as the cheese started to get tough as it cooled down. For mains we shared the Papas Chorreadas (potatoes, rice, and beans covered in a cheese sauce served with sweet plantains) and the Veggie Mofongo. Both dishes were superrr delicious! The Papas portion was huge, and the savory umami cheese sauce was so good with the rice, beans, and a sweet note from the plantains. I liked these plantains better than some others I've had - they were soft and not sugary sweet. The Mofongo was chewy and tasty as well, served with a tangy garlic parmesan sauce that we liked so much we asked for some on the side. Overall really enjoyed this meal and will happily come back to La Bodega especially for the Papas Chorreadas!
AMAZING! Food was sooooo good & nostalgic. Service was normal. The spot is small but the ambiance was nostalgic as well. Great place to go if you need a snack or if you need a heavy meal.
Stopped by on our way through Richmond. The reviews and rating, so we had to check it out. This cozy stop had about 5 tables inside and about the same outside. Nice Latin music playing, too. We were greeted with a friendly hello. The server answered all our questions and helpful with some recommendations. The chicken and rice dish was classic and delicious. It came with a side of black beans and plantains. We also had the Notorious P.I.G. sandwich. It was OUTRAGEOUS! The picture of the sandwich doesn't do it justice. Food was quick and hot. We will be back.
Cute, Quaint, Authentic. This eatery is giving all the New York Bodega vibes and serving up authentic cuisine. Our first visit to Richmond was interrupted by an official downpour so we ran into La Bodega after finding close street parking. The music was cranked all the way up and the service was fast and friendly. To start Guac and Tostones (Green Plantain chips.) I've never had Guac with fried plantains, soooo good y'all! The crispy texture of the plantain, slightly creamy in the middle and salted ever so lightly paired with the Guac, chef's kiss. For our mains, Bae ordered Ropa Vieja (Cuban Braised Beef with onions and peppers) , she liked it. She reports that although the beef was nice and tender she hoped it would be a little more flavorful. For me, Carne Asada (Grilled Steak, sautéed onions, with rice and beans) I loved it! I washed it down with a Presidente Plisner. La Bodega, was a really cool experience. Seems like the locals typically order to go. The dining room is small but so cozy. Worth a visit if you're in the area.
1. Super cute on the inside and outside 2. Limited seating; inside has about 2-3 tables that seat four and 3 tables that seat two; there is some outside seating 3. Horchata - 10/10 4. Empanadas - flavor was amazing, breading was outstanding. I do wish they had more filling inside 5. Pineapple pork - simple but tasty and huge portion
I just love this cute little cafe! It has a few tables for dining in, which I have done once, but typically I order delivery. I'm hooked on their NYC extra large chopped cheese sandwich, with no tomatoes or ketchup, but with extra mayo. So freaking good with buttered bread and it lasts at least 3 (sometimes 4) meals. The fries that come with it are great too! I can't place an order with La Bodega without ordering that phenomenal dish. I also love the queso frito. It's white cheese with honey on delicious bread. It's a decadent appetizer. I've also ordered their two hot dogs with mustard dish once, which was good as well. La Bodega also has a full breakfast menu, all of which sounds delicious, and so many other items that I want to try. Just can't get past that chopped cheese!!
I honestly loved the decorations and the vibe of the place more than the food. All the wall decor and little details in the decorations is what really makes the difference. Service was excellent too. To me, food is pretty mediocre. Not the bes quality, pretty meh flavors, not too much effort on plate garnishing. Edible, but not memorable. Now, take this from a Latin American person, who lived in NYC for five years, and also happens to be a chef. I would go there for brunch and enjoy the cool vibe of the place, maybe drink a nice fruit juice but have my meal somewhere else.
i've never stopped in between my meal to post a review but the el cubano has to be the best Cuban i've ever had. xl fantastic. and the taste of chicharro mofongo i had was the closest to mofongo puerto rico i've had in awhile ...wow
Went here for lunch with family on a whim when we were in RVA for the day. Definitely a good last minute choice! Everyone enjoyed what they got - I ordered the chorizo biscuits and gravy. Huge portions and pretty good for the $$. The coffee was good, as well.
La Bodega is such a hidden gem in Richmond. It wasn't too busy on a Thursday night, but we're so glad we stopped in. The vibe is so fun and the waitress is absolutely electric!! The portions are HUGE so be prepared and maybe split, but the food is amazing. We will definitely be back to try more dishes!
4 months ago
*Food: Appetizer: 11/10 (Empanadas) Entrées: 8/10 (Steak&Eggs, plantains) *Service: 10/10 Carlos made the experience fun as he made every item fresh, tailored to our taste, and showed intense passion for his cooking. He threw in multiple things to try & made it feel like a select food tasting. Special experience that felt underpriced. *Ambiance: 8/10 Interesting area with colorful decoration & theme. New York style art meets Latin culture in a unique sit down restaurant. Smaller store with outside seating, that is one of a kind. [5 being average] read more
8 months ago
Great service and great food! Carlos was very friendly! Would recommend. The dishes we got were really good. read more
4 months ago
Now that I'm working downtown again it's time to start trying all these wonderful places I've bookmarked. La Bodega was high on the list. Jade aka (IG: _BadAssFoodie) is from Miami and gave high praise to this place and their Cuban sandwich. Naturally I had to see for myself. My wife and I stopped in on one of the hottest days in Richmond (8/2/2024) and took a seat at this quant little table. The vibe is very hospitable and funky. I feel like I'm in both a Bodega in New York and some funky café in Cuba. I ordered the Cubano because I had to see what all the fuss was about. The Cubano is MASSIVE. They are very generous with the portions. I'm a big fella and can thrown down some food and I could only finish half this thing. They pack a ton of roasted pork on it, and I promise you one thing, you won't leave hungry. If I must nitpick it would be the cheese. The cheese needs to be melted so just leave it on that hot press a lot longer. I plan on going back and trying some of their other items. read more
9 months ago
3 years ago
I love everything about La Bodega! The seemingly little "hole in the wall" is a culinary delight and a total gem! The ambiance is perfectly understated and authentic. No frills, no fuss, just perfectly Dominican meets NY. Our server was a lovely young lady who was so accommodating and helpful, and not that it matters...but she was adorable and her makeup was on point! We wtf a table of 4 ladies so of course we complimented her - it was international women's day after all! This has to be the best cocktail bargain in town. $10 each and we all had cocktails - one had a Michelada and the rest of us had an amazing Caparena with fresh lime and a punch of booze that stuck with us. Delicious! I had the pineapple pork and it was sweet yet savory and a huge portion. Shareable for 2-3 easily! Served over rice & beans, it is one to try and repeat. 2 Cubanos were ordered and they were delicious. Topped with ham, Swiss, and an ample amount of pulled pork on pressed bread, this was heavenly. 1 carne asada taco meal was ordered and it was ok. It was definitely upstaged by the other 2 dishes! Definitely try La Bodega. It's best for groups of 1-4. Small but mighty...might good! We cannot wait to go back when we're in Richmond. read more
Such a yummy place to stop on a road trip! Friday afternoon about 1pm and the place wasn't too busy. It's not a very big spot on the corner and be prepared to park on the street and pay like 3-4 dollars depending on how long you will stay. The workers are very friendly. And the food came pretty quick. This is such a cool place if you want to take nice photos. The walls are covered in "Brooklyn" decor. I've only been to NY like once for a day and it definitely matches what you think NY would look like in your head haha. There is Latin music playing and it makes everyone in the room want to dance. The menu is overwhelming with options and they serve breakfast all day. The portion sizes here are awesome! Enough food to have left overs but I wish it came with more veggies. The flavor was delicious, no salt pepper etc really needed. I liked the plantains more than the tostones. I wish I would have tried one of their frozen drinks. Everything is relatively priced decently. I would try this place again. I would say 4/5 because I like my food really hot but it came out barely warm. I also saw an employee come out the bathroom in her apron and that isn't sanitary in my opinion. read more
4 years ago
I had never had Latin American food before and this was such an amazing first time experience. The ambiance is fun, colorful, and inviting - definitely feels very homey and comfortable. Our server (there was only 1 server working a weekday at lunch) was quick and kind to accommodate requests for extra sauce on the side, water with no ice, etc. We started with the Pupusas (stuffed with cheese and served with cabbage slaw), which were pretty good but nothing mind-blowing as the cheese started to get tough as it cooled down. For mains we shared the Papas Chorreadas (potatoes, rice, and beans covered in a cheese sauce served with sweet plantains) and the Veggie Mofongo. Both dishes were superrr delicious! The Papas portion was huge, and the savory umami cheese sauce was so good with the rice, beans, and a sweet note from the plantains. I liked these plantains better than some others I've had - they were soft and not sugary sweet. The Mofongo was chewy and tasty as well, served with a tangy garlic parmesan sauce that we liked so much we asked for some on the side. Overall really enjoyed this meal and will happily come back to La Bodega especially for the Papas Chorreadas! read more
2 years ago
AMAZING! Food was sooooo good & nostalgic. Service was normal. The spot is small but the ambiance was nostalgic as well. Great place to go if you need a snack or if you need a heavy meal. read more
2 years ago
Stopped by on our way through Richmond. The reviews and rating, so we had to check it out. This cozy stop had about 5 tables inside and about the same outside. Nice Latin music playing, too. We were greeted with a friendly hello. The server answered all our questions and helpful with some recommendations. The chicken and rice dish was classic and delicious. It came with a side of black beans and plantains. We also had the Notorious P.I.G. sandwich. It was OUTRAGEOUS! The picture of the sandwich doesn't do it justice. Food was quick and hot. We will be back. read more
Cute, Quaint, Authentic. This eatery is giving all the New York Bodega vibes and serving up authentic cuisine. Our first visit to Richmond was interrupted by an official downpour so we ran into La Bodega after finding close street parking. The music was cranked all the way up and the service was fast and friendly. To start Guac and Tostones (Green Plantain chips.) I've never had Guac with fried plantains, soooo good y'all! The crispy texture of the plantain, slightly creamy in the middle and salted ever so lightly paired with the Guac, chef's kiss. For our mains, Bae ordered Ropa Vieja (Cuban Braised Beef with onions and peppers) , she liked it. She reports that although the beef was nice and tender she hoped it would be a little more flavorful. For me, Carne Asada (Grilled Steak, sautéed onions, with rice and beans) I loved it! I washed it down with a Presidente Plisner. La Bodega, was a really cool experience. Seems like the locals typically order to go. The dining room is small but so cozy. Worth a visit if you're in the area. read more
1. Super cute on the inside and outside 2. Limited seating; inside has about 2-3 tables that seat four and 3 tables that seat two; there is some outside seating 3. Horchata - 10/10 4. Empanadas - flavor was amazing, breading was outstanding. I do wish they had more filling inside 5. Pineapple pork - simple but tasty and huge portion read more
4 years ago
I just love this cute little cafe! It has a few tables for dining in, which I have done once, but typically I order delivery. I'm hooked on their NYC extra large chopped cheese sandwich, with no tomatoes or ketchup, but with extra mayo. So freaking good with buttered bread and it lasts at least 3 (sometimes 4) meals. The fries that come with it are great too! I can't place an order with La Bodega without ordering that phenomenal dish. I also love the queso frito. It's white cheese with honey on delicious bread. It's a decadent appetizer. I've also ordered their two hot dogs with mustard dish once, which was good as well. La Bodega also has a full breakfast menu, all of which sounds delicious, and so many other items that I want to try. Just can't get past that chopped cheese!! read more
4 years ago
I honestly loved the decorations and the vibe of the place more than the food. All the wall decor and little details in the decorations is what really makes the difference. Service was excellent too. To me, food is pretty mediocre. Not the bes quality, pretty meh flavors, not too much effort on plate garnishing. Edible, but not memorable. Now, take this from a Latin American person, who lived in NYC for five years, and also happens to be a chef. I would go there for brunch and enjoy the cool vibe of the place, maybe drink a nice fruit juice but have my meal somewhere else. read more
2 years ago
i've never stopped in between my meal to post a review but the el cubano has to be the best Cuban i've ever had. xl fantastic. and the taste of chicharro mofongo i had was the closest to mofongo puerto rico i've had in awhile ...wow read more
2 years ago
2 years ago
Went here for lunch with family on a whim when we were in RVA for the day. Definitely a good last minute choice! Everyone enjoyed what they got - I ordered the chorizo biscuits and gravy. Huge portions and pretty good for the $$. The coffee was good, as well. read more
2 years ago
La Bodega is such a hidden gem in Richmond. It wasn't too busy on a Thursday night, but we're so glad we stopped in. The vibe is so fun and the waitress is absolutely electric!! The portions are HUGE so be prepared and maybe split, but the food is amazing. We will definitely be back to try more dishes! read more
4 years ago
Lovely decor inside and outside. Portions are so huge!! We ordered different dishes and all of them are good. read more
4 years ago
This place has much love and meaning in there food just like their culture. New York attitude with a Puerto Rican/ Cuban menu that Ricky Ricardo would sing about! Lucy I'm home. Richmond needs this one! read more
3 years ago
2 years ago
4 years ago
Good service. Cool artwork. Scrambled eggs and cheese was scrumptious. Home fries , not so great. read more
La Bodega is great! The chiccaron monfongo had a great flavor, I absolutely loved it. The pork wasn't super flavorful but it had a good texture. The salad was also good, definitely needed some green balance so it complemented the rest well. Service was friendly and quick. The place also had cute decor, it was a nice space, although small. I can't imagine a wheelchair fitting without moving some tables around if you have one. I think there might have been a bit of a step at the front door but I don't quite remember. So if you need better accessibility I would call ahead and see if they can fit you, or just order to go. Overall great place! read more
4 years ago
It was good. Small indoor and outdoor dining space. Love the ambiance with art of graffiti and a miniature humansize Statue of Liberty. Love the music, mostly bachata and reggaeton. There is only 1 bathroom. However it is clean. The guacamole is amazing. I like mine with the tomato onions cilantro etc. and here it is served with tostones! Never thought to do that. I liked the morcilla because it is cooked similar to Korean blood sausage. My Puerto Rican boyfriend didn't care for it, he said it was overcooked. He ordered the pernil, and pork is his go to. We both really enjoyed the food and this is definitely a place we will come to to try other menu items! read more
4 years ago
Always a great place to go in Richmond. The food is great and they serve some of the best drinks in the city read more
Heard so many good things about this place and finally got to try it! Pernil - probably my favorite out of all the things I tried! I loved the mojo shredded pork! It was tender, super flavorful, and well seasoned even without any sauce. Also enjoyed the accompanying sweet plantains! Roja Vieja - The beef was nicely cooked with lots of flavor. I guess I'm use to more sauce in my roja vieja, but still very much enjoyed their dish. Their tostones were a little harder than expected but plantains are plantains and I love them! Bandeja Paisa - the chicharron was very yummy with a good meat to fat ratio. The carne asada was a little bland and overcooked but the chorizo, arepa, and beans all made up for it!! Horchata - definitely more on the milk-y side but I loved how they just topped off the entire drink with extra cinnamon on top! Also awesome vibes with cute Latin American decorations/lights and wonderful service! My party of 3 stayed a little later than closing time but they didn't rush us in finishing their yummy food! read more
We were traveling from Myrtle beach SC and figured Richmond would be a good stopping point. The location was easy to get to from The interstate. Parking was easy for us when we arrived. The smells and the vibe were so freekin' cool! As a native of NYC, all the decor hit home for me. We ordered a TON of food and had leftovers which we enjoyed for dinner. The empanadas are. To. Die. For. The filling was flavorful and the dough. Sweet baby jesus that dough was perfect. I really liked the sweet mayo like sauce as well as the spicy! The server was sweet enough to throw in a 4th empanada (comes with 3) since there were 4 of us. The Cuban sandwich is all about the bread and pernil. They got it both right! The bread was the real deal and the pork had a nice Pull to the bite (no big chunks and all consistent) and the subtle garlic played well with the buttery Cuban bread. Our dishes were big and tasty. The only thing I did not love was their tostones. I noticed some other patrons setting theirs to the side of the plate. It wasn't fluffy and crunchy and it seemed like they pre prepped them. (Fried once and mashed, then second fried prior to serving) Their fresh juices were tasty, especially the tamarind. The server was super sweet and adorable too! The bathroom was clean, and super cute. Yes. They have a cute bathroom. I appreciated it after being on a long road trip holding it in for hours. Lol read more
The food was OK. I had the chicharon de pollo. My brother ordered the mofongo con pollo. He said it was good. I would come back and eat there again. I will try something else to compare and maybe I can give it a 5 star rating. 4 star only because they claim to be Dominican, Puerto Rican and the flavors weren't exactly as expected, but close. Maybe I was off or the restaurant was off. I recommend and will try again. read more
3 years ago
This place was AMAZING. My fiancé and I started with the empanadas and arepas, which were very good. We unfortunately didn't understand what arepas were so it just wasn't our cup of tea but it was still REALLY GOOD. I had the fried pork chop and this was mouth watering good. It's been two weeks and I'm still thinking about the pork chop. My fiancé had the chimichurri steak sandwich and that was sooooooo good as well. I highly recommend this place. The waitress was so nice and patient with us when we couldn't decide what we wanted due to everything sounding so good. The inside of the restaurant was decorated cool and the outside was really cool as well. GO HERE, I promise it will not disappoint read more
Just delicious! I don't know how I went so long without this place. I've always passed by it, but truly thought it was just a market or bodega. I was thrilled to find them on Yelp one day and went in to try their entrees. Thanks for the reviews guys, because they did not disappoint ! The drinks were strong and the food was packed with flavor ! I loved that you could order a variety of Latin fare from one place. The cuisine on the menu ranged from Colombia, Puerto Rico, Cuba and more and served "New York Style." We tried the Empanadas, Pollo a la plancha, the chimichurri sandwich and the chicharrón platter. The portions were filling and the food was so perfectly done. I can't wait to go back for more ! read more
2 years ago
5 years ago
All the food was delicious. I ordered Bandeja Paisis, Baclaitos Fritos, Baleadas, Queso Frito, and Pupisas. The service was fast and friendly. read more
I am from Miami and I have struggled to find an authentic Cuban sandwich in Richmond. I tried kuba kuba 4 times and absolutely hated it. I figured one just didn't exist here. One day I was walking around my neighborhood and noticed La Bodega. I went in on a whim and saw a Cubano on the menu. I ordered a modelo and oh my god... it was finally a real cubano!!!!! Huge, beautiful, flavorful, packed with roast pork, ham, and cheese. It was superb. The bread wasn't dry and crumbly. I am SO GLAD I found them. I have recommended them to everyone I know!! I cant wait to try the rest of the menu! read more
La Bodega is one of my favorite restaurants downtown. My overall experiences have been mixed. There have been times that I've gone and the service was lackluster but the food was amazing. My most recent experience was in December 2019. I went with my parents to get dinner and my mom was so excited because of how much I hyped the place up. Unfortunately, that particular night, our food was not good. The service wasn't bad, but the food just lacked seasoning or something. It didn't live up to its usual standards. I tried to convince my mom that her arroz con pollo not tasting good was just a fluke and so she ordered a second item, but it was even worse than the first. I wasn't starving, so I ordered the Chick-Fil-A inspired sandwich they have on their menu (I forget what it's called but you'll know it when you read the title of it on the menu). I had such high hopes because I usually stick to their sandwiches and they've always been great, but this time around the chicken was dry and thin, the fries were flimsy, and just overall didn't satisfy me. I'm keeping this restaurant at 4 starts because I know that I like their food. I hope they can improve on the quality and maintain it. Of the 5+ times I've gone, they food has only let me down twice so I hope it's better next time I go in. read more
3 years ago
Love this place! It's great that it's within walking distance from my house because you need to walk off the food baby you're going to get. Every time I come it's the only meal of the day! Tried their breakfast this weekend for the first time, I'm in love. I'm a huge sausage gravy and biscuit fan but usually make it myself because it's always either too thin or is lacking in the sausage department - not here! Biscuits pulled high with traditional breakfast sausage and chorizo gravy, AND fried potatoes?! Love love! read more
2 years ago
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More info about La Bodega
104 N 18th St
Richmond, VA 23223
Shockoe Bottom
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(804) 267-3801
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