Colombian food? Never had it, so I had to stumble into El Carretero to try it! Bandejo Paisa was…read morethe one recommended to me - nearly $28 now, but I had to do it for the experience! For starters, they speak minimal English here, so make sure to know some Spanish, be ready to point, or have Google Translate on hand. Within the Bandejo Paisa, the grilled skirt steak was thin and tough, a little hard to cut. The skirt steak was well seasoned though a bit too tough. The beans and rice? Oh, they were amazing! Not sure what's in them, but I did not see myself enjoying beans and rice so much. The slice of avocado and a fried egg were also delicious and unexpected, especially in the current times (*ahem* cost). Now for the plantain, it was enjoyable, but the main star of the show, the pork belly tasted candied, sticky, and reminded me of chincharrones. If you enjoy a fatty pork belly, then you'll definitely enjoy this main. Otherwise, you may stray away from it like I did. Overall, I think it was a good experience, but I wish that there was a more descriptive menu for those who don't know as much Spanish.

If I'm being honest all I have to say about this place is "WOW" it has great food and very friendly…read morestaff

I was delightfully surprised at how great this place was. And can I just so how much I appreciate…read moreCLEAN Condiments!!! I was frustrated at first because the menu was in Spanish. But the server was so patient with me and guided me through. I just wanted eggs and potatoes and chorizo. With her help, I didn't get potatoes but I go beans. I didn't know I was getting rice with my breakfast but even that was cooked perfectly and I ate it with my beans. The salsa was so fresh and spicy, took the rest home! The salad was great and the dressing a nice accompany, but I didnt even need it. I was so happy guys. So happy seeing all this food in front of me and having it be sooooo good. I never eat at places like this, as I am from California and I have pretty high expectations. But I'm so glad I saw their reviews and gave it a shot. Happiness. Neighborhood gem! Great Service, Great Coffee, Great Food! Thank you

The entire visit went without a single complaint. The setting, service level and cuisine here are…read moreall excellent. The kitchen produces wonderful tastes and the servers provide wonderful experiences. The person managing operations is responsible and approachable. This place is SPLENDID!

Came to visit family and they brought me here to this little gem! It's small but ohh soo delicious!…read moreHave you realized that the smallest restaurants usually have the best authentic meals, it's fresh just as if you were back home?! The staff are wonderful!! Very sweet and attentive. They are on top of it all! It's just a cozy place with 2 windows full of baked goods! Empanada, buñuelos, chicharron, you name it.. I had my eyes on everything! And i definitely placed a big order to bring back with me to Connecticut. We had a large group with us and we were all satisfied! Most of us had breakfast items to eat! I had an arepa con queso stuffed with an egg and ham! And others had perico, calentando.. bandeja! Wish I lived closer !!! Portions are great, prices are great, food is amazing!! I want it all!! Looking forward to My next time!

Been making empanadas at home lately and wanted to try out some authentic ones. Happened to be next…read moreto the bus stop and decided to go and try a few out. Ordering is simple at the counter in front. there are a few seats to enjoy the food, it's a quiet cozy interior which allows for conversation. Definitely worth trying. We ordered a few of the chicken ones and it turned out to be pretty good (a little dry but the sauces go so well with them) I'm glad it was similar tasting to the ones I make.

Amazing food and service. I very much enjoyed going here…read more It was awesome. Very good and strongly recommend this place.

LOVE LOVE LOVE this place. I wish it was closer to me but I…read morestill drive the 30 minutes to go there

The food was delicious. Service was great. The ambiance was nice, had great music playing.read more

La comida es súper buena. La atención es de primera. Los precios son bastantes buenos. Y las chicas…read moreque atienden son muy amables, atentas y bellas!!!

Melissa was our server and was so nice! She gave us the best service and made our experience great!!read more

This is definitely my go to place when I want a great burger…read more Their entire menu looks delicious, with new flavors and a great combination of ingredients. My favorite is the Hawaiian burger with French fries. The service is amazing, people are kind and helpful. I ordered for pick up and the order was ready in less than 10minutes. The only bad part is the parking. Depending on the day of the week it can be really hard to find parking but the place is very nice inside if you want to eat there.

My first visit here may have been 20 years ago but I still haven't read the whole menu, as I've…read moretended to head straight for the bandeja paisa. Breakfast options are broader than I realized, and I recently enjoyed the huevos revueltos con migas. Tonight I got the parillada, a hefty combo of steak, chicken and sausage, augmented with a bottle of a compelling green sauce (but not THAT green sauce, I don't know the technical terms but it was great). The service has always been delightful over the years.

After a night of fun, I was craving a solid Colombian brunch, and my date--who knows Hudson County…read morelike the back of his hand--suggested Noches de Colombia. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I left completely satisfied. We sat at the bar, where we were handed menus on tablets (a nice modern touch), allowing us to switch between Spanish and English. We started with café con leche and two pan de bono--cheese bread that was fresh out of the oven, perfectly fluffy yet dense. I initially expected something similar to Brazilian cheese bread, but this was in a league of its own. For brunch, we ordered scrambled eggs with peppers and onions, chicharrón (crispy pork belly), and chopped Migas (corn bits with onions and tomatoes) while my date went for chorizo. Everything was flavorful on its own, but adding their picante sauce... Game changer! The meal was reasonably priced at 14.00 each. If you're looking for delicious, comforting Colombian food, Noches de Colombia is a must. I'll definitely be back!

Really really wanted to enjoy my meal. Have been here in the past and have had good experiences,…read morebut today the customer service was TERRIBLE. Once the lady heard us speak English she treated us different this was crazy to me. The food came out quick and was good but the service was so poor that the good meal was irrelevant. DO BETTER NOCHES DE COLOMBIA.

(Tookout 04/07/2025 MO @ 2:30pm and 04/08/25 TU @ 1:30pm): Not night but day when I finally checked…read moreout this Colombian eatery! In my quest to explore the various cuisine scenes throughout Jersey City and specifically the Heights, I made my way to Noches de Colombia. Established by a family who migrated to the United States in 1997, their small test American dream project in New Jersey came to life. They realized that variety of food and love were the keys to a quality restaurant experience. The restaurant was the ideal hang-out for the local community and offered the perfect combination of music, conversation and TVs for the quintessential soccer fans around the world. As this was right next to "squirrel park" where the lil black beast loved to take walks, I constantly saw this business. Would I plan to share "futuro noches con comida de Colombia" with my friend!? PURCHASE Filete Empanizado w/2 Sides Frijoles Negros & Arroz Amarillo ($18.75): A ginormous piece of thick fish folded in half to fit the takeaway container, this was perfectly deep-fried while the inside meat was steamy and supple, it was served on a bed of hearty potatoes-au-gratin. The sides were homemade, flavorful, and enough as a meal on their own. The portion sizes were off the charts and provided for multiple meals. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&start=96&select=juHQRjwkcffynHUk-v61qA New York Steak Con Camarones w/2 Sides Frijoles Negros & Arroz Amarillo ($28.03): A little surf-n-turf action, it was a huge slab of medium-cooked meat with a nice outside crusting and moist inside on a bed of various veggies along with a handful of medium-sized plump shrimp. The same comments regarding the sides and portion size noted above. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&start=96&select=Nncz_IGb5IZ1Owbp90yMNQ Yuca Frita Side 5pc ($4.16): Lightly-fried fat sticks, these were hearty, filling, and yummy! https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&start=96&select=7y6ZCiMz-giO01MUWaWRJA Pistachio Cheesecake Slice ($7.50): A thick but soft slice with a lovely pistachio aroma and taste only on the top. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&start=96&select=ugZNuGr_714odSFDhkahcQ Carrot Cake Slice ($6.50): Creamy, thick, and plenty of carrot throughout, this was a wonderful slice! https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&start=72&select=kVnHux6vBt36nWEkZ_iV2g Dulce De Leche Strudel ($3.25): Filled with sweetness! https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&start=72&select=dVnp8kxYLvejpI7ZNKPa2A Spinach Pastry ($3.65): Spinach-packed and healthy! https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&start=72&select=BCsjKrWp41fQVoUnym6tEg Pollo Pastelino ($2.90): Packed with shredded pollo! https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&start=72&select=PgXoh_lmjbqKS5uhaxJHrA Carne Pastelino ($2.90): Beef galore! https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&start=72&select=Ls5WOWGAX9wW_XlOB_hqiA Chocolate Mousse Cake Slice ($6.76): Chocolatey goodness with a mouse on top! https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&start=72&select=Z4glOIEXsrmiKiB51MXK_A SERVICE It was lunchtime as we were greeted by the women at the front counter. They easily took our walk-up order, the entrees took about 15 minutes while the desserts/pastries were immediately available. Unfortunately, the personalities of the staffers weren't the friendliest, so don't be offended - gracias. PARKING (Street; N/A this instance) This was an easy flat 10-minute walk from my friend's place. Otherwise, the only option was the plenty of spots along the main drag of Central Ave. and all surrounding roads - 'nuff said. ATMOSPHERE, DÉCOR, AMBIENCE A tidy interior layout with display/order counters at the entrance, a quaint bar area, and the rest of the floorplan covered with booths/tables. Colorful paint and pictures covered the walls. Decent natural lighting came through the many windows and doors while electric recessed ceiling lights filled in the rest. There were several TVs at the bar while music (and TV volume) played in the background. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&start=72&select=Mjuiz-_VduPLwL3kUb1wZQ ATTIRE Totally casual, so I would normally be in a t-shirt, boardshorts, and flip-flops. OVERALL Noches de Colombia's Jersey Heights location was awesome and would definitely return! From large portions, tasty food, reasonable prices, varied menu, and the service was efficient. And, I always loved supporting small businesses whenever possible (regional in this case). I found total value based on the prices, service, and experience noted above (TOTAL paid experience was around $90.00 BEFORE any discounts and/or tip). And, they accepted my credit card of choice... AMEX! 5.0 STARS

This has to be the most authentic Colombian food I have had in a very long time. Service is…read moreimpecable, everyone friendly and very accommodating. Felt like dinner at grandma's! Thank you guys for allowing me the ability to take a stroll down memory lane.

Todo excelente la comida es muy buena, muy buena la atención la ubicación es excelente tienen unos…read morepalitos de queso qué en ningún otro lado lo tienen

I was walking on Bergenline Avenue and looked inside. it looked clean and busy so, Decided to give…read moreit a try. entered and sat right down at a table. the waitress arrived quickly and gave me some pointers on the menu. I ordered the Carretero shrimp . which Ale recommended.. When it arrived, it was a huge platter with avocado , shrimp lettuce, tostones. cheese and salsa witj Mayonnaise. The shrimp were perfectly done with a nice sauce as well. The tostones were perfect, not over cooked.. The side of rice had a really nice flavor. None of the food needed seasoning.. Guanábana with a little water and 1 oreja .(crispy flaky, yummy) LOTS of delicious food at a very reasonable price.. Caminaba por la avenida Bergenline y miré dentro. Se veía limpio y concurrido, así que decidí probar. Entré y me senté enseguida en una mesa. La camarera llegó enseguida y me dio algunas indicaciones sobre el menú. Pedí los camarones Carretero, que Ale recomendó. Cuando llegó, era un plato enorme con aguacate, camarones, lechuga, tostones, queso y salsa con mayonesa. Los camarones estaban en su punto, con una salsa deliciosa. Los tostones estaban perfectos, no demasiado cocidos. El arroz tenía un sabor muy agradable. Nada de la comida necesitaba condimentos. Guanábana con un poco de agua y una oreja (crujiente, hojaldrada, deliciosa). Mucha comida deliciosa a un precio muy razonable.

Much better food than Noches de Colombia and more affordable…read moreI would recommend #1 Pollo en crema con champiñones : This is the French Bechamel sauce with a delicious Colombian spice twist (not chilly spicy) #2 Pollo al Limon: This a revisited Milanese Lemon Chicken with some gravy that mixes well with rice Batidos are very good, avoid Banana, it makes juices blend. Reco is Strawberry and milk or fresh squeezed orange juice Ambiance: not your romantic restaurant. This is your busy place for fast, good and affordable meal. Good place to practice your Spanish as well! Gringo friendly