My original rating for this restaurant was 5 stars, and that wasn't given lightly. I had been here…read moresix times before, and every visit was lively, welcoming, and consistently delicious. The Ropa Vieja was my go-to order, and I genuinely loved this place. Unfortunately, today's visit was a completely different experience & I damn near thought I went to an entirely different establishment. From the moment I walked in, something felt off. The atmosphere was noticeably different, and I don't even recall hearing music. The young man behind the counter seemed to be looking for ingredients, which should have been my first sign to turn around and choose somewhere else. Instead, I stayed because I trusted my previous experiences. This time, I ordered the Cuban nachos and 2 chicken empanadas. When I opened the tray in my car, I was honestly shocked. The nachos were simply chips, melted cheese, and cilantro aioli. There were no jalapeños, no pickled onions, and no fresh cilantro, which were all toppings that are supposed to come with the dish. I never asked for any of them to be excluded. The empanada was another disappointment. The small empanadas they used to serve were delicious. Now, they've been replaced with much larger empanadas containing a filling that tasted more like a generic "chicken-like" mixture than the quality I remembered. I'm genuinely saddened by this experience because this used to be my go-to spot whenever I was craving Ropa Vieja. After six previous visits, I had every reason to expect the same quality I had always enjoyed. I don't know if there has been a change in management, recipes, or staff, but something has definitely changed. Unfortunately, based on today's experience, I won't be returning. It's disappointing to lose a place I once rated five stars and happily recommended.

Went with fam to the Krate to wonder and have lunch. Tried this place. They gave you a lot which…read moreis nice and it was ok. Steak and chicken was a bit dry and the steak was chewy. Service was great, place is clean. Shrimp was perfect.

We went to their food truck on Sheldon Rd, and the review is based on that - The food was…read moredelicious, though I was disappointed that they didn't have their full menu including arepas. The service was really nice, and food was served hygienically. We'll be visiting their restaurant to try all their offerings! Definitely recommended.

Restaurant locate on IS 41 on the Lutz area. It is not a populated area. Many farming families…read more When we visited at 10:30am. The restaurant is full. May be they come for the breakfast. The menu is Latin food concentrate on Venezuelan. We got the Pernil Cachapas. It is Venezuelan sweet corn with pork shoulder meat. The meat is hand pulled to stuff in the cachapas. It also melt the fresh Venezuelan white cheese. I recommend this dish. The second dish is the Patacon Steak. It look epic when it bring it out. There are two pieces of fried crispy patacon on top and bottom. The inside is grilled steak with cabbage and sauce. I prefer they have less sauce to make is more desirable. Overall is good. Not all the waitress understand English. The price is high for this area of demographics and location of the plaza.

I really wanted to support a new local business but the customer service is terrible! First, they…read moreact like you're an alien if you walk in there and don't speak Spanish. Second, after I placed my order, the lady behind the counter must've sneezed 5 times in her hand then proceeded to go to the back and I heard her packaging my food without washing her hands or wearing gloves. Next, I ordered a bunch of food and they only gave me 1 green sauce which is very tiny (probably less than 1 ounce). I asked for another sauce and they tried to charge me an extra dollar for 1 TINY extra sauce LOL I will continue making the drive to Are-Pitas in the temple terrace area.

the chicken arepa + salsas were so delicious! the cachapa was heavy after a couple bites but still…read moregood to try

Parking out front is limited but the turnover rate is fairly quick. A good hole in the wall lunch…read morespot. The food is located to the right in the back and groceries are to the left. You also pay for your food at the register in the front. They have daily specials and the portions are not only generous but inexpensive. There's seating inside so you can dine in should you choose. I got the goat with rice and maduros. The maduros hit the spot. I had to resist ordering empanadas too because my feasting eyes were bigger than my stomach. I was so full from my meal I took half home and didn't have room for the guava pastelitos I was eyeing for dessert. The colada was a perfect pick me up for after lunch and all my co-workers enjoyed it when I brought some. So definitely a good value for lunch or for your afternoon coffee. They also do breakfast foods too in the morning but I never gone there except for lunch.

Great little hidden gem right on 41 in Lutz. Elizabeth & Stephanie are 2 of the nicest people you…read morewill ever meet! They have a variety of delicious Spanish cuisine. Spicy beef over rice is my fav. They also have pulled pork, chicken, lamb, black beans and the rest of the traditional dishes. Their empanadas are very good as well as their pressed breakfast sandwiches. It's all very tasty! Prices are reasonable and the portions are generous. They also carry traditional Spanish groceries & fresh produce. Do yourself a favor & try The Latin Spot. You'll be happy!

Great atmosphere, music, and delicious authentic favors! Have the flan, you wont regret it!read more

What a lovely experience! Hubby and I decided to visit Mesa Latina on our 40th wedding…read moreanniversary. We were greeted warmly when we arrived. We decided to sit at the bar and initially thought we were going to order to-go. So while we perused the menu, we ordered Pina Coladas and bacalaitos. The drinks were very tasty and pretty to boot. The bacalaitos were perfectly fried and not sopping wet with grease, which they tend to be at most places. I ordered the whole fried red snapper with tostones and Hubby ordered the Trifongo with Pulpo with a side of white rice and red beans. We also ordered the fried pork chops with rice and beans for my FIL, who lives with us and was at home with his home health aide. We told our server that we'd like all three dinners to go. Chef Albert came out of the kitchen and begged us to reconsider. We explained that we had to get back home, but he promised us that he would get our meals out in 10 minutes so we could enjoy it while it was hot and fresh. We decided to trust him. I heard him giving orders in the kitchen and Chef Albert was true to his word. Our meals came out in less than 15 minutes (also rare for Latin restaurants). My snapper was delicious!! Fried to perfection, nicely seasoned with sautéed onions (I personally like a lot of onions, so next time I'll ask for more). My tostones were very tasty too, with a side of mayoketchup. Hubby's Trifongo was to die for. So moist and tasty - and he didn't even have the cilantro sauce on it (had it on the side). The octopus was very tender and tasty. The rice and beans were very good as well. If only we had brought an avocado with us, it would have been perfection. Dad's pork chop was aromatic (Hubby and I don't eat meat, but it did smell good). It was a decent sized chop and Dad put a good dent into it. He said it was very flavorful. So not only was the food amazing, but the service was exceptional. Our server, Esmeralda, was friendly, knowledgeable, and smiled the entire time. She made several recommendations that were spot on. Chef Albert was a delight and the other servers behind the bar were also friendly. I can't wait to bring my mom, brother, and sister-in-law. Oh and did I mention that I'm Puerto Rican, so I know good Puerto Rican food when I'm eating it. I'm so glad that ZHills has a great PR restaurant. We used to go to Corozal, which also was good, but the service there was super slow. Mesa Latina is very efficient and while it's pricey, the food and service are worth it. Can't wait to try out their lunch specials during the week!

The arepas here are outstanding. I sub the chicken here for the shredded beef and they are…read morephenomenal. Great spot to stop by for a quick lunch.

So about the 3rd or so time we came to Krate my mother got Chamo and omg was amazing!…read more She got just cheese though beacuase she's vegetarian. So me and my sister ordered the sampler. Expecting to get that goodness again right? WRONG!! We got the arepas with meat and cheese... NO CHEESE. No wait wait, upon closer inspection with a MAGNIFYING GLASS like literally a drop. Now maybe that's logical for such a small sandwich and maybe we should've gotten more cheese to taste BUT I for one wanted the experience I had that day. I am SO disappointed it RUINED my whole appetite. Since that day I had been waiting to have it again and was finally going to have it only to be SEVERELY disappointed. Apparently unless you select ALL CHEESE you are hardly going to get ANY cheese. Oh AND on top of THAT it all took FOREVER to get here! DO BETTER CHAMO!!

2nd time at Ricazuelafl and I can definitely say this is awesome!! So happy to have them so close…read moreto home. This time we tried their arepa with pork and ordered the sweet plantain patacon with beef. Both are great and generously filled. When we are back, we will definitely have to get our own sweet plantain patacon with beef. No more sharing lol! I really want to try their guava pina and their mango hot sauce, but haven't gotten a chance to yet. I bet that's great on their arepa. I think their arepa burger would also be a great treat to try next time. This is the place to go for their arepas, cachapas, patacones, empanadas. If you are not familiar with these dishes, check my pics. Everyone is friendly and helpful!!!

This food truck located a the empty land. The entrance is from Old SR 54 not the Wesley Chapel…read moreBlvd. the map may take you at non entrance way. They do have pepinos, patacone, cachapa and more. Is is Venezuelan food. Price is at the high side. I got the carne mechada (shredded beef). It look beautiful. The beef is a lot. I also like the fried patacone. It was crispy. The Venezuelan cheese is delicious. The sauce was well made. From order to finish is about 10 minutes. I don't mind the wait to get the freshly fried patacone.

Their Food is the best. Cook correctly always. Fresh and delicious. They are courteous and…read morefriendly.

Been a minute since I've ate here but it does not disappoint. The grilled chicken with rice and…read morebeans and tostones was bomb and the pina colada was perfection. Seriously hands down one of the best I've had in a while. The place has a line out the door for a reason. Weekends they have live DJ playing salsa and all the Latin music we all love. Check it out.