We've seen their sign for a couple of years now on Federal heading north between Hollywood and…read moreSheridan. The name never landed with us as it sounded like a standalone food court. It was the sign underneath that read, "Too tired to cook today?" that made us take notice. Looking at the online menu we found that it was not only a who's who of Latin dishes of different nationalities, but they also served bar fare - chicken wings, burgers, quesadillas, etc. Not knowing what their specialty was, we never committed to it. But today was one of those days where we felt like something different and we took a chance. The gamble paid off big. The menu was all over the place, so not knowing what direction to go in, I addressed the waiter who was all too ready to help. He pointed me to some of his faves: the Bandeja Paisa, Lomo Saltado, and Ropa Vieja. I'd had my eye on the Lomo Saltado, a popular Peruvian stir fry dish. The Bandeja Paisa is Colombian, and the Ropa Vieja - Cuban. I asked him what the nationality of the ownership was, when he revealed it was Colombian. I was immediately skeptical of ordering the ropa vieja - being half Cuban, I could not fathom the idea of a Colombian-owned restaurant pulling this off. So Joe took one for the team there. The waiter assured me that everything he has tried has in fact been delectable. But hey, what else is he supposed to say? But no, he assured me these were not marketing words, but words of experience. So I went for the Lomo Saltado which was served with black beans and rice, and french fries. He didn't hesitate to vouch for the black beans... I think he sensed my Colombian skepticism. Joe had replaced his fries for sweet plantains, so I took his cue and substituted my fries for tostones. But, not before warning the waiter that I would be particularly particular about the quality of my favorite plantain dish. He gave me a confident nod - so I played along. Joe's dish came out a few seconds before mine, and being the impatient carnivore that I am, I (let's say borrowed) his ropa vieja before he had a chance to pick up his fork. I was very pleasantly surprised. On par with any old clothes I have tried at any Cuban restaurant... and even better than some, albeit in longer strands than I've experienced. However, extremely juicy, full of flavor and tender. Then came my Lomo. I'm a first-timer, so I have nothing to compare it to, but it was fan-tastic. A bit charred outside with a juicy medium innard that cuts like butter, and to my relief, deceivingly tender. The lomo napped on a bed of sautée-charred veggies whose sweetness was a nicely balanced contrast to the savory meat. The black beans were definitely on point and seasoned with Colombian love. And those ten-ton-tostones!!! By far the thickest fried medallions I've had, but with a brutally loud crunch and still a real easy chew. And unlike John Travolta in a black T-Bird jacket, totally Greaseless. Often times, tostones of this variety are tough and as chewable as week-old yellow paper mache. Nope, these are some of the best tostones I've had in a couple of years. But by far the best of their kind. I also borrowed one of Joe's sweet plantations which once again left no trace of greased lightning and were rendered a perfect dark brown with a nice and plush sunshine yellow inside.
The portions were more than generous and the price was comfortably modest.
I expressed my deepest gratitude to our waiter for his patience and his spot on recommendations. He also swore by their burger which he had just sampled for the first time and which is made partly with Colombian chorizo and served with a side of chimichurri. Chorizo and chimichurri for little cha-ching.... I'm sure I'll be chowing on that real soon. Food Corner is a cornucopia of Latin influences, and so far, it's also a master of two of them.
(We were too excited to take photos)