A true hidden gem!! This small but mighty spot is tucked away in the Montrose area. An incredible…read moreexperience featuring delicious flavors and fresh food. Great portions served and friendly service! Would definitely recommend!

It took me over a year to realize Gusto Gourmet was more than just a cute cafe but a legit option…read morefor Venezuelan cuisine. Their unique position as one of the only Venezuelan spots in the loop becomes even more niche when one realizes that part of the menu is also Mediterranean / Middle Eastern (#1). If that's not Houston in a nutshell, I don't know what is. The place sports a casual vibe with a clean and bright interior. It's been practically empty with every visit, but I suspect the takeout game is strong here. There is limited parking in the back of the restaurant and the narrow alleyway entrance is somewhat easy to miss. Food wise, I am not disappointed. Their cheese cachapa is the stuff of dreams and includes a number of stuffings from ham to shredded chicken / beef. My vote is for their pabellón, which is a nice combination of shredded beef, black beans, and sweet plantains. For cheese lovers, the double cheese is perfectly indulgent with the sweetness of the cornmeal. The main draw for me was the arepas, which is something I missed having had so much of it back in NYC. La Pelua (shredded beef, mixed shredded cheese) is one of my go-tos, but my all-time favorite is the reina pepiada, a shredded chicken mixed with avocado topped with sprinkled salty white cheese. It's a staple in the Venezuelan arepa game and while their version is very solid, I'm just extremely thankful that it's available. Their breakfast platters are a big draw, which mainly consist of scrambled egg combos paired with arepas and various proteins. I think their yuca buñelos, tequeños, patacones, and especially their mandocas are incredibly underrated. The latter is practically dessert since it's mashed plantains with the cachapa stuffed with sugar and cheese. While they're not known for their empanadas, I do think their cazon (#2) is unique and their potato and cheese is always hearty. The shredded beef is a nice alternative to their arepas or arepitas (side) and make for an excellent snack on the go. Fans of Venezuelan cuisine who find themselves in the inner loop owe them a visit and I highly recommend calling ahead of time to ensure they have items available and to get a jump on the wait time for takeout. They are a slept on gem in the neighborhood and one that I hope sticks around for a very long time. _____________ (#1) The owners are Venezuelan and Syrian. The sweetest couple. (#2) Dogfish? It's really a mini shark.

Trying to treat myself to lunch and stumble upon this restaurant with decent google review. I was…read moreanticipating a sandwich lunch menu but I was only offered the dinner menu, which is fine. The wait staff was very nice and friendly , it was pretty empty during lunch on the Tuesday before thanksgiving. Also understandable. I was deciding between a sea bass dish, tenderloin risotto and something else and decided on the risotto- well it came out with 4 1-inch cube meat. There was certainly a lot of rice but I didn't feel that I was served $27 worth of food. There was no indication that this was a lunch portion as the menu specifically labeled this under dinner. I attached a google review screen shot for you readers to compare. Overall, service was ok but I am not sure if I want to return.

I wondered why this place stated BYOB on their website. Now I know. They do not serve alcohol. I…read morewas prepared for this, but my friend was not. We met for what we thought would be dinner earlier this week. I brought a small Bota Box of wine. We were finally greeted about 20 minutes after being seated. The person who sat us was the same person to come back and ask if we wanted wanted water or food. The problem with this was her English was very poor. We sat for a minute to figure out if we wanted to stay. My friend ran to the store to get a bottle of wine for herself and we figured we would settle in there for the night. I saw 3 people who worked there that night. The same 3 people were exceptionally busy, very little English, and I honestly felt bad for them. We drank our wine and thought about the meal, but at this point it was already 7:50 PM and we were told they closed at 8:00 PM. I was very confused because a couple walked in right after we were told they were closing and that couple was seated and started their ordering process. I think it all adds up to a communication issue due to language barrier, but it's going to be tough to go back after such a strange night of confusion. The decor is nice and it seems like it has potential, but they need to get that liquor license stat! A little tip: There is one bathroom downstairs. The hallway to the bathroom is very dark. The light switch inside the women's one person bathroom is upside down. I was a little out of sorts with how dark it was and then I had trouble turning on the light. Thought I would mention it to help others. One good thing, they do have nice toilet paper. I'm really trying to give this place some credit! After receiving a comment on my review from the owner, I have a couple of updates to address. We were not there to take advantage of a free drinking venue. My friend and I enjoy trying new restaurants, and this was on our list. The first turn off was not being able to get answers about the menu from our waitress. I understand there was an English barrier, but I don't understand how someone can be an order taker without having the ability to communicate the menu. We were offered three different times to eat, but in between those times we were told the restaurant was closing and due to the first issue, I wasn't sure what to eat. Lastly, I am a great tipper and my friend is an exceptional tipper. I almost always do 20% and my friend is more of a 25% tipper. I wasn't sure how to tip when there wasn't much service. Neither one of us had cash on us, and we discussed that fact, so if we would've had a bill that came after our MEAL, there would've definitely been a tip. Appreciating the time I took to write the review, does not warrant everything we experienced at your restaurant. Not only was I excited to try any new restaurant, but it is also conveniently located to my home. I was hopeful this was going to be a new place to try multiple times. I am happy to give it another try now that I know what I know, and I'll even update my review accordingly. Please have your staff available to answer questions. How do you expect your customers to communicate if the staff can't communicate with the customers?

Solid Venezuelan food…read more If you are craving tequeños, an arepa, empanada, or such victuals, this is a solid spot. Counter service, order and they bring your food to your table. Ambiance is an ethnic strip mall restaurant, with Latin flavor. Salsa music playing, people coming and going is it what is. I'm a fan.

While it's possible I'm among the minority, I'm incredibly happy with the offerings here. In the…read morelast couple of years since moving from NYI, I haven't found many legit Venezuelan options until recently here at Sabor Venezolano. I'm pleased to report that the food lives up to the name and most everything was quite sabroso and very Venezuelan. The place is bigger than it looks from the outside, but seating is really limited to solo diners and small groups. There are counter seats toward the back and small cafe tables in the front. There are some refrigerated items for grab and go while ordering is done at the counter. I'd recommend calling ahead of time for faster pickup. If you're able to order in Spanish, do it. The food gets a thumbs up. Much of the menu is Venezuelan specific which includes cachapas, arepas, tumbarachos, patacondes, and tequeños. While they have a "menú Mexicano" that features quesadillas, tacos, burritos, and tortas, I'd avoid it if at all possible. The arepas might appear to be smaller, but they're packed. I personally loved their jamón y queso guayanés, in which the latter is a thick slab of gooey cheese. A similar arepa is their mechada y queso guayanés, which is equally tasty and I appreciate that they have cazón (#1) as an option. The pelua (beef + cheese) and reina (shredded chicken with avocado) will be my perpetual favorites and the cachapas with tequeños are also particularly hearty. The food is a bit pricier than most Venezuelan fare I've had previously, foodflation never surprises me anymore. Given how often I'm in the neighborhood, I already know that I'll be here more often than not. __________ (#1) Nothing like a little shark to get your day started.

Ordered lomo saltado with maracuyá. Both delicious and authentic flavors. Friendly and quick…read moreservice. Welcoming ambiance. I'll definitely come back!

My visit to Andes Café was one of many stops during my time in Houston. I was wanted to try…read moredifferent cuisines and Texas specialities and since it's part of the vast array of international restaurants at the Post location it was perfect. But what really caught my eye was the ceviche they had available. The service was good, she showed us the difference between the Ecuadorian and Peruvian ceviche that we were interested in trying. Both were seasoned very well, but my friend's Peruvian ceviche was definitely the headlining item for her. It was actually her first time having ceviche with fish, and I think it was a pretty good introduction. We also got a very generous portion, which I always appreciate when trying something new that I end to enjoying. All in all, we really enjoyed the ceviche and would definitely return to Andes Café to try some of the other items on the menu. But for sure, the ceviche will be making a repeat appearance on our next visit.

This place was such a pleasant surprise that I invited a group of friends to meet me there a few…read moreweeks later. The edamame falafel was so moist & delicious. We had yuca fries, empanafas, the cheese (both fried & cold). All were good. The best thing for me was the sandwich they make with flattened, fried plantains that serve as the bread. I loved it & ordered it both visits. It's called a patacon. The restaurant is small but clean & has plenty of tables. There's usualky a game on the tv. Our server was very sweet.

Went in to try for the first time. Got a breakfast combo. The owner was nice and friendly. Food was…read morehot and pretty good. Will stop by again.

We love all the different pastelitos that they offer. You can't go wrong ordering ahead to pick up…read morea dozen.

Used to live in the neighborhood so decided to come back and celebrate my upcoming birthday with…read morefamily. I missed the guava and cheese pastelitos which were still as good as I remembered. The shredded beef with plantain and arepa were a great breakfast. So much food. Well worth it. The feel hasn't changed over the last so many years. It is a simple decor. Nothing over the top but foods just right. Honestly I wish it was closer to where I live now to go back more often. The Venezuelan coffee had the perfect level of sweetness. Only downfall was a bit of a hiccup with the food but it worked out in the end.

If I could give more than 5 stars, I would. I had the shredded beef arepa the other day and I swear…read moreI have been thinking about it several times a day since. Guys, it's been like 4 days. And I live outside of delivery zone, but I'm legit thinking about just driving to get them. Ok, the arepa was cooked to perfection. The plantains added just the right amount of sweet for a second, the beans were perfect, the flavor combination was just amazing. I also had a beef empanada. It was crispy and served piping hot. The inside was moist and delicious. I'm not usually a gal that likes many sauces, but the sauce they served with this was complimentary to the flavor profile. All I know is, you are absolutely cheating yourself if you don't at least try this. It is beyond worth it!

Good spot for Colombian/Venezuelan food on the go. I'm…read moreusually a big fan of the Colombian hot dogs/burgers at places like this. If you've never had one, imagine a hot dog or burger piled high with all kinds of toppings (salty, sweet, creamy, crunchy, all mixed together) And then they throw an egg on top? Sounds chaotic, but honestly it just works. This time I grabbed some empanadas as a light snack after hanging out at Bobcat Teddy's Icehouse (I've seen this truck parked there a few times here) Service was quick, maybe 5 minutes tops on the wait.. Empanadas came out hot and crispy. Filling was decent but nothing mind-blowing. Would've loved a different dipping sauce to switch it up, but for a quick bite it was fine. Definitely want to come back and try more of the menu.. especially the arepas!

GREAT TEQUENOS in KATY area compared to other local Venezulen restaurants…read more It was cooked to perfection. The right amount of crisp, and the queso was really good. We also ordered a empanada, super good. Thick and homemade.

Look for the food trailer off Mason Rd !!!!! Legit…read moreVenezuelan Arepas these bad boys are stuffed to your liking. Filling and good size portions. Try the Llanera if you like beef my wife prefers the Reina Pepiada (chicken avocado arepa) The pastelitos are also a nice appetizer.

This is a family owned, neighborhood treasure. It has full breakfast and lunch sandwich menu.read more

El mejor cachito de Jamón y Queso en USA y no lo pienso discutir... 1000% recomendado!!!!read more

Growing up in Houston, I would always see Marini's whenever my family and I drove by the old…read morelocation. As I got older, I would pass by it myself and always wanted to stop in...but life kept being life and I just never seemed to have the free time. I was finally able to stop by yesterday! I absolutely loved how the decor starts from the outside...it immediately draws you into the experience. The inside is vibrant, full of life and just feels welcoming. I was warmly greeted as I walked in. I headed toward the register and on my left I saw something that immediately caught my eye: Alfajores. Now, Alfajores are these wonderful sandwich cookies that are especially popular in Argentina and Uruguay. They're unique because they're traditionally made with cornstarch rather than just flour, giving them that wonderfully tender texture. They're filled with dulce de leche and often coated in shredded coconut. Some are even perfumed with lemon zest, depending on the region. I knew immediately that I'd be getting some. I ordered the Gaucho and the Chicken Diablo. The service was cordial and sweet: big smiles and a genuinely warm demeanor. The young lady told me my order would be ready shortly. She gave me an exact number of minutes, but I honestly forgot how many she said! I then turned around and, lo and behold, it all clicked. It was called "Marini's" because of the owners. To my surprise, there was a painting of a face I recognized. Years ago, my family and I attended a church called Centro Familiar Cristiano. Marcelo Marini! He has the kind of face you don't forget--very recognizable and distinctive. I thought it was lovely to discover that he was one of the owners. I only wish I had known years ago that this was his family's business. I absolutely loved how the restaurant is decorated. The writing that guests have left on the walls gives the place so much heart and personality. I've never been to Argentina, but Marini's gives me the impression of being a little getaway...a small glimpse of what it might feel like to experience Argentine culture. The young lady who took my order brought everything out with another smile. The Gaucho was fabulous. It was well seasoned and I loved the added detail of the olives. The chicken was shredded, tender and well seasoned too. The crust was crispy without being greasy. I also really enjoyed the chimichurri and the red sauce, which had a pleasant little kick of heat. And the Alfajores were spot on: tender cookies, rich dulce de leche filling and that coating of coconut that gives them such a wonderful finishing touch. I really enjoyed my visit to Marini's. Next time, I need to eat inside so I can fully enjoy the atmosphere while I eat-maybe with a glass of Malbec.

This place has been on my radar for a long time and finally stopped today. That was best decision I…read moremade all day. The place was tucked off in plaza I had to get up in there and was so pleasantly surprised. So cozy and cute. They have a great selection of empanadas and all the ones I had were sooooooo good. The spinach was a little juicier than I anticipated but everything was made so fresh. The Tia Maria and eggplant were my favorites and the sauces were a great addition in flavor. The dessert empanada sweet potatoes was top tier. The filling was just sweet enough, definitely want to taste the others, especially since they make their own fruit fillings. I can see how they've been around for so long. New customer alert !