¡Una comida muy deliciosa!…read more A note to the staff. Everything was delicious last night. If it looked like I didn't enjoy it, it is because I went out to dinner without being hungry. Trust me, the leftovers will be enjoyed tremendously! + + + Some friends and I are on a mission to try new (to us) restaurants to get out of the rut of going to the same places over and over. Yelp led me to Asados Dona Flor and put my memory of high school Spanish to the test. We arrived late-ish on a Friday night that could not decide if the weather was going to be dry, rainy or snowy. There was no one else there which can be sketch but we've had really good luck lately at other places where no one else was there (see Al Basha, in Manchester . . . another new favorite). The server was lovely and so patient with us. We struggled a bit with her English and my Spanish, but we made it through ordering drinks and asking questions about the menu. I ordered hot tea and was pleasantly surprised that it is served as I like tea, with LOTS of lemon already in the mug. Perfect. My girlfriend ordered the blackberry juice con leche. It came out like a smoothie and served in a pretty big pitcher. She said it was delicious. For starters we got the arepa with cheese and the arepa with cheese and chorizo. Arepas I've had elsewhere were more sandwich like. These were grilled bread with toppings. Both were really savory and I loved the charred bread. The chorizo was so good. The only critique is that there was _way_ too much salt on the cheese. And with that, it is probably me, not them. I've been trying to cut back on salt. These were delicious. I didn't eat more because I wanted to save room for the main dish I ordered and was so excited to try. I wish I'd have noticed the tamales on the menu. I would have loved to have tried them. For dinner, I got the arroz con pollo, which was delicious and reminded me so much of the version I had a child when a family friend would make it. I love finding the little sweet bits of raisins. A wonderful comfort food. One friend got the carne asada, which comes to the table on a sizzling platter along with a salad and rice. The taste of the beef that I had was very well marinated and so tender. I'd come back to Asado Dona Flor just for the steak. My other friend got the trios asados (I think). Whatever it was, there was rice, chorizo, other meats, a plantain. So yum. Did I mention that they have breakfast on the menu? All of the platters looked delicious. Rice and beans with eggs and some steak sounds like a perfect morning! Just add some Colombian coffee! I had a strange obsession with the fries they served with each meal. Standard crinkle cut fries that seem out of the freezer. Nothing special, right? ¡Te equivocarías, amigo mío! I am not sure what they did to them because there was no extra seasoning other than some salt, but they were addictive. Especially with the sauce that was in the squeeze bottle that the server put on the table. Addictive. As it says, the place closes at 9:00. The cleaning and vacuuming started promptly. This is not a critique. I would not want to stay at work later than my scheduled time off. Even with the cleaning, they did start at the part of the restaurant furthest from us as we wrapped up and paid the bill. I only mention this because you should be respectful of the staff. This is not the place where you would show up at 8:45 and expect to be served. I would love to come back. You should try it too! (Me encantaría volver. ¡Tu también deberías intentarlo!)

Great service and food and a short walk from My condo but…read moreI've never been and have lived here for 15 years . We will be back .

I don't leave Yelp reviews often because honestly most places are somewhere between "pretty good"…read moreand "fine." But I had to break the silence for this one. I've been searching for legitimately good Mexican food around Boston for YEARS. Having family in Mexico ruined me in the best way possible because now my standards are absurdly high. Most places get a polite "yeah it was decent." Not this place. Holy $hit...Mestiza absolutely blew my mind. The birria tacos were the best I've ever had. Ever. Not "best in Boston." Not "best lately." I mean if these tacos and I got married tomorrow my wife would probably understand. The steak tacos? Unreal. The al pastor? Illegal levels of good. Everything tasted like the kitchen was personally trying to change my life. And the staff was awesome too. Super friendly, welcoming, and somehow patient while I sat there contemplating ordering a second full meal immediately after finishing the first one. This is the first restaurant in years where I walked out thinking, "well...food will never be the same again." Do not overthink this. Stop reading reviews. Just go now before I buy the place and keep it for myself.

Sooooo good! I had the veggie enchiladas and chips and salsa and was not disappointed. My fiance…read morehad the mushroom quesadilla. A good amount of food and great service. I wish I lived here, I'd be a regular. I really appreciate all the veg op

Excellent ! Service is very good, food portions are large and tasty!…read more vibes are good didn't have to wait for a table on a sat. Around 5 ^_^ Food was so good I didn't have time to take pics they also offer a kids menu which is nice ! My table ordered empanadas, mofongo, and kids chicken finger meal! Everything was delicious. I recommend eating here .

Alert: Gary's charges a 3.5% hospitality fee and an 18% auto-tip on everything. They don't trust…read moretheir customers to tip for good food or service so they decide for you. My wife and I have been there many times, which is why we were there for her birthday with our adult children. But if we can't be trusted not to be deadbeats we won't go back again. Plenty of other options in Lowell.

After the epic failure of a meal earlier in the day, I had to find something to remedy the taste…read morebuds. As I began to drive back towards Boston, I searched for possible options along the way that were recommended restaurant stops for their food quality. This Colombian restaurant popped up on the list and immediately beckoned a slight detour to visit. As New England states are so tiny compared to the West Coast, it wasn't long before I exited the freeway and parked along the street outside Panela. While the restaurant had a large space (noticed later there was a dance floor) and an almost equally large bar area, there were only a couple patrons that day - nursing their beers and quietly chatting. Service was fast and prompt and menus were on the table before I even sat down. Water showed up shortly before I was given a little more time to peruse the menu. It was an interesting menu and well thought out. I had no idea what to order so I just followed my gut on what I felt like gorging on (and was glad I did). I won't go much into dissecting each dish. But I can tell you that the flavors were balanced and pleasant. Each bite beckoned more until the plate was empty. I couldn't stop myself. I had to keep going on everything disappeared from the table. It's one of those times that you're not claiming a dish to be perfect in whatever culinary pedigree BUT that it's so balanced in flavor that your palate is tickled in all forms. It was a tongue-gasmic moment and immediately remedied the most boring meal on earth that I just had earlier today. PS. Researched the background of the restaurant later on. Now everything makes sense. I applaud your need to create and represent. Cheers.

This was the last place I remember enjoying a meal so much that I wish I could go back again and…read moreagain. It was back in 2022 and the last time my sister brother and I were together to enjoy a meal out with our mother as a family. I am craving those Nachos and the carefully prepared fish with Julian vegetables and the amazing sweet and sour lemony sauce.

Hidden Gem and Unassuming is exactly how I'd describe El Criollo Restaurant in Dracut. Last night…read morewas date night with my two girlfriends and we met up with some of our foodie friends for another food adventure--this time, it took us to the Caribbean. Criollo is located in a small strip mall and doesn't look like much from the outside, but as soon as you open the doors you know you're in for a treat. The decor is polished and cozy with a nice bar area; the kitchen is semi-open so you can see the flames as your food is firing. They have fantastic Caribbean and Puerto Rican fare with beautiful, thoughtfully crafted cocktails. Everything was fantastic from start to finish. Here were some of the highlights: -Chicharron: crispy pork belly bites, need I say more -Alcapurria jueyes (Fried crab fritters): golden, crispy fritter with a crunchy exterior and soft, savory inside with flavorful crab filling. The fresh bites from the onion slaw were a nice touch with these. -Chicken empanadas: dip these in the pink sauce with a touch of their spicy sauce and you're in heaven. Slightly crisp and flaky exterior with a tender, chewy bite, perfect for holding the delicious filling. -Mofongo with shrimp and garlic sauce: if you've never tried garlic sauce on Mofongo, I highly suggest it. It's creamy and garlicky in all the right ways. The shrimp was cooked perfectly and the Mofongo brought me right back to my trip to Puerto Rico where I first fell in love with it. -Churros: truly the best ones I ever had. It was a last minute add on because "why not!" and the best decision! We made reservations for 6:30pm and when we arrived it wasn't overly busy, but by the time we left every table was filled. And that's no surprise based on our experience.

Hidden Gem! Amazing food! Definitely do not miss this restaurant. Recommend reservations for…read moredinner, not a big space.

It's obvious from the second you walk in the owner's serious about his food…read more This is bona fide Columbian food outta Bogota straight to the back alleys of Manchester. Portion sizes are massive and the food is savory and cooked to taste. Just don't come here looking for "healthy options." This is where you go for a solid, tasty, filling meal.

" This place makes me smile " The name for this place is…read moreappropriate. Everything you could possibly crave as a Colombian is on this menu . I absolutely was in heaven . It's far from home but near our friend's home we visited. . I seen the name and hoped it lived up too it . It absolutely positively did . We ordered a little of everything on the menu . The food tasted fresh and delicious. We ordered for a party of 6x adults. The cost is reasonable for the quality and portion size . The vibe is welcome. The staff is super friendly. No worries about parking , lots all around.

Must see TV. Pupusas were delicious…read more I'm not sure what it's called but the platter with the chicken, chicharons, shrimp, yucca, *takes a deep breath* sausages, tortillas, steak & fried cheese... is the bomb. Check it out.

Authentic. Chicken…read moretacos were great. Some of the best salsa I've ever had. Nice seating area. Friendly staff. 10/10

Service was amazing host was informative and inviting…read more Food was good with big portions as far as the plates go. Empanada's are worth every dollar. My favorite was the Hawaiian flavor. The limeade was a 10/10

Just noticed this joint on the way to Nantasket Beach!!! Oh myyyy what a gem. Haven't got to the…read moreentree yet cuz the sun beat my ass but the shrimp n lobster, and impossible beef empanadas were to die for. So juicy n flavorful!!

Everyone who works their is super nice and the food is delicious! We got the Yaroa with chicken and…read moreplantains and it is perfect late night food. We also got passion fruit juice and coffee which were to die for! Reasonably priced for the amount of food you get. Definitely try this place out!

Hands down the best Dominican/Latin food I've had in Lowell!! The menu has a ton of variety, and…read morethe service was amazing. Everything tasted very flavorful and fresh, our tostones were made to order and tasted perfect especially with the side sauce. The sit down vibe was delightful and many take out orders came through while we were eating. Also highly recommend trying their fresh juices! The tamarind and lemonade were both refreshing.

Delicious Colombian food. Portions are huge. Waiters are very friendly. They have their own parking…read morelot which is a plus. Colombian bakery items and different types of cakes are also displayed.

I wanted to try their food so I called to place in my order, the person who answered the phone when…read moreI called was speaking in Spanish. I told her I don't speak Spanish and she hang up the phone on me. Tried to call again and I ask for a manager again they hang up on me. I guess if you don't speak the language you get no service.