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Dine or take-out, the Columbian Spot is a must try. One of the few places actually making things from scratch and you can taste the difference! The dine in service is always great.
Great food and superb service. We came to the area for another restaurant that was closed to we tried this place. Such great food! The ambiance was nice and calm, and our server was attentive. I liked them so much I signed up for marketing crap to remind me to come back.
Authentic arepas and empanadas on Carson St across the river from downtown! Beautiful murals on the walls and island music wafting from above to set the mood. Quick, friendly service from our waitress. Started with a chicken empanada for each of us. Ropa Vieja arepa with tostones. I loved every bite. Would order this again. Pabellon arepa with tostones. Hubby could only eat half, it was so much food. We brought home the leftovers. Waters are served in small mason jars with handles and a paper straw.
We got this delivered from DoorDash the other night. Everything was so delicious! I got the brisket arepa with a side of yuca fries. The brisket was so flavorful and tender. I thought the yuca fries were going to come with a sauce, but they didn't. They still tasted good, and I just used a sauce I had at home. My boyfriend got the ropa vieja with pulled pork and plantains and he was happy with it. We got a little chicken empanada to try and share, and I wish we got more. It was really really good. The food was great and I'd definitely like to go sit and eat there soon.
Walked by this place while looking for a good late night spot for a second dinner. So glad we did. Carla took care of us and really made our night with her energy and juice recommendations. Loved the mint pineapple and the blackberry fresh juices. Also shared a rice shrimp dish with tostones. Good. A little on the salty side but the service was just amazing and everything hit the spot. Also got great salsa music playing making the vibe super inviting. Recommend !
This place is hard not to love - arepas are a warm, comforting food that you don't feel like a pig after eating one. The ropa vieja beef was very tomato-savory, and the cheese was a great touch too. The fries though, super crispy and starchy, and the garlic sauce and cheese really elevated the taste. (Honestly the fries were my favorite part of the meal; the arepa was delicious, but the fries with the sauce were something else.) The people working were very nice and quick with the food. Really enjoyed the meal and look forward to trying other menu items next time.
Ordered the Arepa Ropa Vieja and am extremely disappointed. My friend went to pick it up and I'm just eating it...after a couple bites I started to question the contents. After further inspection I noticed there are NO plantains or green peppers. Now the green peppers I could live without...but the PLANTAINS?!? They offer the right amount of sweetness and juiciness that I literally noticed the absence of immediately. Very disappointing....can't even finish the meal. Have been searching for a comparable establishment to Puyero Venezuelan Flavor in Philly (yes ik that's Venezuelan and this one is Columbian...but I've also had arepitas downtown and was not impressed). Either way...so sad this didn't have the plantains...entire rating based on that cuz I can't even enjoy it. And this isn't even an "add on" that was missed but the basic online description...very disappointed.
5 Stars - An Instant Favorite! We were on our way to get sushi when we walked past The Colombian Spot, checked out the menu, and made a last-minute call to switch plan and I'm so glad we did. The food was incredible and the atmosphere & music was on point! My wife is Colombian, and she said it was the closest to her grandmother's cooking she's had in years, which says a lot. We don't eat out much anymore because quality has gone downhill, but that's definitely not the case here. Everything was fresh, flavorful, and made with care, not to mention just overall outstanding service.. This place shot straight to the top of our Pittsburgh favorites, and we'll be back often. If you're thinking about going, just do it, you won't regret it. We already want to go back!
Was so good I went back twice! Great food and price point was very affordable. The Ropa Veja was my favorite. I did get the brisket the second night and it was also good. Service was fast and friendly. Not many seats inside.
This is a must try spot for anyone living in or near the southside! From the outside, this place looks very unassuming. However, the food here is definitely noteworthy! The arepas are delicious and quite filling! The appetizers, like the tostones con guacamole and the tostones con todo are both great. I haven't had anything here that I didn't like!
This was a great place. It's essentially a bar in the South Side with some excellent Columbian food on the menu, but it's also so much more than that. We ordered takeout, and the ordering experience was great. The food was ready on time. The staff were very friendly. It really felt like an establishment that I'd like to support. They had a few different salad options, which is not something that I always find with a Latin American restaurant. The vegetable empanadas were crispy and delicious with a pleasing variety of textures and flavors. The hot sauce was tangy and flavorful. The salads were fresh and very well presented. Even the guacamole and tostones were really well done. All told, this is definitely a fun and flavorful destination worth checking out.
Food: Pretty good. Had what was essentially a sampler and then some ribs. Both were excellent and things I would order again. Service: waiter wasn't really cut out for the job, I fear Ambiance: Cool looking interior Overall: I'd go back again. It would be a good place to take people if you had some guests and were going to the Southside for something
I crave this all the time. Delicious food. Affordable. Friendly and attentive service. And I always say this...perfect convivial vibe.
Had another great lunch here. The Arepa Ropa Vieja was so delicious and tender with sweet plantains on the finish. I got the flavorful red beans side and loved those too. The Pina Colada's were a bit too thick and had too much coconut in them but had decent flavor. The chicken lunch bowl was HUGE and plenty for leftovers. The South Side is open on Mondays again and we let the waitress know the info is outdated on their website site & Yelp. read more
2 months ago
4 months ago
The Colombian Spot is a local restaurant and bar that serves Colombian foods and drinks. Years ago I greatly enjoyed eating at their location in the Oakland neighborhood, so I felt excited to try this location in the South Side. The menu listed bowls, salads, empanadas, burritos, arepas, signature dishes (e.g., beef, chicken, and seafoods), sides (e.g., yuca fries and black beans), desserts, alcoholic beverages, and juices. Most menu items were gluten-free. Many menu items contained meats, but a good number were vegetarian. I purchased empanadas in the chicken and vegetarian flavors. A server promptly brought them out to me. The fried dough was crispy. The chicken empanada was also filled with potatoes, tomatoes, and onions. The vegetarian empanada was filled with spinach, black beans, and white rice. They tasted pretty good. Each one cost about $3. read more
6 months ago
Great food and superb service. We came to the area for another restaurant that was closed to we tried this place. Such great food! The ambiance was nice and calm, and our server was attentive. I liked them so much I signed up for marketing crap to remind me to come back. read more
6 months ago
Authentic arepas and empanadas on Carson St across the river from downtown! Beautiful murals on the walls and island music wafting from above to set the mood. Quick, friendly service from our waitress. Started with a chicken empanada for each of us. Ropa Vieja arepa with tostones. I loved every bite. Would order this again. Pabellon arepa with tostones. Hubby could only eat half, it was so much food. We brought home the leftovers. Waters are served in small mason jars with handles and a paper straw. read more
We got this delivered from DoorDash the other night. Everything was so delicious! I got the brisket arepa with a side of yuca fries. The brisket was so flavorful and tender. I thought the yuca fries were going to come with a sauce, but they didn't. They still tasted good, and I just used a sauce I had at home. My boyfriend got the ropa vieja with pulled pork and plantains and he was happy with it. We got a little chicken empanada to try and share, and I wish we got more. It was really really good. The food was great and I'd definitely like to go sit and eat there soon. read more
Walked by this place while looking for a good late night spot for a second dinner. So glad we did. Carla took care of us and really made our night with her energy and juice recommendations. Loved the mint pineapple and the blackberry fresh juices. Also shared a rice shrimp dish with tostones. Good. A little on the salty side but the service was just amazing and everything hit the spot. Also got great salsa music playing making the vibe super inviting. Recommend ! read more
2 months ago
1 year ago
This place is hard not to love - arepas are a warm, comforting food that you don't feel like a pig after eating one. The ropa vieja beef was very tomato-savory, and the cheese was a great touch too. The fries though, super crispy and starchy, and the garlic sauce and cheese really elevated the taste. (Honestly the fries were my favorite part of the meal; the arepa was delicious, but the fries with the sauce were something else.) The people working were very nice and quick with the food. Really enjoyed the meal and look forward to trying other menu items next time. read more
3 months ago
Ordered the Arepa Ropa Vieja and am extremely disappointed. My friend went to pick it up and I'm just eating it...after a couple bites I started to question the contents. After further inspection I noticed there are NO plantains or green peppers. Now the green peppers I could live without...but the PLANTAINS?!? They offer the right amount of sweetness and juiciness that I literally noticed the absence of immediately. Very disappointing....can't even finish the meal. Have been searching for a comparable establishment to Puyero Venezuelan Flavor in Philly (yes ik that's Venezuelan and this one is Columbian...but I've also had arepitas downtown and was not impressed). Either way...so sad this didn't have the plantains...entire rating based on that cuz I can't even enjoy it. And this isn't even an "add on" that was missed but the basic online description...very disappointed. read more
5 Stars - An Instant Favorite! We were on our way to get sushi when we walked past The Colombian Spot, checked out the menu, and made a last-minute call to switch plan and I'm so glad we did. The food was incredible and the atmosphere & music was on point! My wife is Colombian, and she said it was the closest to her grandmother's cooking she's had in years, which says a lot. We don't eat out much anymore because quality has gone downhill, but that's definitely not the case here. Everything was fresh, flavorful, and made with care, not to mention just overall outstanding service.. This place shot straight to the top of our Pittsburgh favorites, and we'll be back often. If you're thinking about going, just do it, you won't regret it. We already want to go back! read more
2 months ago
3 months ago
4 months ago
Was so good I went back twice! Great food and price point was very affordable. The Ropa Veja was my favorite. I did get the brisket the second night and it was also good. Service was fast and friendly. Not many seats inside. read more
This is a must try spot for anyone living in or near the southside! From the outside, this place looks very unassuming. However, the food here is definitely noteworthy! The arepas are delicious and quite filling! The appetizers, like the tostones con guacamole and the tostones con todo are both great. I haven't had anything here that I didn't like! read more
2 years ago
This was a great place. It's essentially a bar in the South Side with some excellent Columbian food on the menu, but it's also so much more than that. We ordered takeout, and the ordering experience was great. The food was ready on time. The staff were very friendly. It really felt like an establishment that I'd like to support. They had a few different salad options, which is not something that I always find with a Latin American restaurant. The vegetable empanadas were crispy and delicious with a pleasing variety of textures and flavors. The hot sauce was tangy and flavorful. The salads were fresh and very well presented. Even the guacamole and tostones were really well done. All told, this is definitely a fun and flavorful destination worth checking out. read more
2 years ago
Food: Pretty good. Had what was essentially a sampler and then some ribs. Both were excellent and things I would order again. Service: waiter wasn't really cut out for the job, I fear Ambiance: Cool looking interior Overall: I'd go back again. It would be a good place to take people if you had some guests and were going to the Southside for something read more
2 years ago
I crave this all the time. Delicious food. Affordable. Friendly and attentive service. And I always say this...perfect convivial vibe. read more
Always an awesome time here, forgot to take photos because we were enjoying our conversations so much! I got a mixed arepa which was delicious, and it came with a side salad that was also incredible! My friend always gets the arroz Montañero, which is a stellar dish if you've never had it, and my fiancée always gets the Ropa Vieja, which now started being served with a friend egg on top! read more
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Karen P.
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4 years ago
Love trying new spots when we travel & this one didn't disappoint. Service was great. Food was great and portions were HUGE! Leftovers, cold in the hotel room the next day were just as good! The kids arroz y frijoles negros was also a huge portion. Came with avocado. (No picture, sorry) Our 11 month old was VERY happy with it! Appetizer: tostones w black beans and shredded pork (didn't get a picture either- we were hungry, lol) was delicious and also a large enough serving to share between 2. The maracuya aqua was amazing! And I wish I would've gotten another one to go. This will be on our list of places to return to on our next trip back. read more
From the outside, The Colombian Spot doesn't seem like anything grand. I have probably walked past at least 100 times and never went inside. My boyfriend suggested that we come here for lunch one day, I am so glad we did!! When you come in, the restaurant is decorated so cute and Colombian themed. It was pretty empty when we went on a Saturday at 11:30 am, but once it hit noon a couple other groups came in. The menu was surprisingly big for the size of the restaurant. I ordered the Tostones con Guacamole and Chicken empanada. The tostones were amazing! I have never had fried plantain before, only plantain chips. These were so warm and thicker, almost like a pita bread. Seriously so good. The guacamole was also so good, very flavorful. The chicken empanada was also extremely delicious. Safe to say this is the best empanada I have ever had. It was PACKED FULL of tasty chicken, potatoes, onions, and tomatoes. All in all I was so impressed by the food at The Colombian spot. I cannot believe I haven't come here sooner. I need to come back for dinner so I can try one of their cocktails :) They are certainly going to be added to my regular spots around the city! read more
1 year ago
Post City Theatre performance the Colombian Spot was a good choice for a different kind of meal. The spotlessly clean restaurant has many South of the Border options. We chose the Arepa Vegetariana and Arepa Mixta. Both were quite tasty. On the table are a number of sauces to enhance the Arepa. There is a small bar and a number of beer options. Our server was attentive and helpful with descriptions of entrees. read more
I went back here for in-person dining and liked it even more! The Briskarepa (brisket arepa) was one of the most delicious sandwiches I can ever remember eating. Of course it had a pile of smoked brisket but they also lathered on tangy slaw which all just went perfectly together. The Bandeja Paisa is a simply gigantic platter of food (menu says it is the most popular Colombian dish, go figure!). I need to consult my photo to remember everything - flank steak, pork belly, chorizo, avocado, kidney beans, a huge hunk of rice, sweet plantains, and an egg. $19. Enough said. The arepa queso was solid but unspectacular. Basically a grilled cheese arepa. But we got it with a side salad which was good and came with a thick, sweet dressing. My only small qualm is that the side of yuca fries was tiny (see my photo; you can count them on two hands). Similarly, the tostones appetizer with guac comes with only four smallish tostones. Still tasty though. The ambiance is super casual, with music playing and big tables suited for families. We were there on a Saturday evening and there were a few kids playing around their table. read more
2 years ago
Fast and friendly service with authentic and delicious dishes! Housemade arepas done in a traditional style and packed with fresh and flavorful fillings. My favorite spot to eat at in SouthSide! read more
This particular Colombian Spot location is our favorite in the city. The food seems to be better compared to the one they have in Oakland. The inside is cozy and nicely decorated. The service is typically kind and prompt. As a Miami, FL native, it's very refreshing to see such a thriving Latin business in Pittsburgh. The food reminds me of home every time we dine here. We've run into the owners a few times and they are just the nicest people. The arepas are really filling and delicious. You have to try the ropa vieja arepa and the mixed platter of meats (bandeja paisa), perfect for sharing and sampling and sharing with a group. Don't forget the aji sauce! We tried making it at home but it's ok the same. read more
A friend of mine got me a gift card for this spot for my birthday and I finally tried it out a few weeks ago! We ordered take-out and tried the calentado (top sirloin thin-cut grilled steak, served with sauteed rice and beans, fried egg, and a small arepa) as well as the colombian spot burger (hamburger topped with ham, bacon, mixed greens, tomato, mozzarella cheese, grilled onions, potato chips, and drizzled with our homemade garlic sauce, pink sauce, and pineapple sauce). Brendan loved the burger and said it was one of the most unique burgers he has ever had... I mean potato chips on a burger?! So cool. We are dying to try more street food- especially the hot dog. I really loved the calentado. The portion was quite generous and I had plenty for two whole meals. The grilled steak was delicious and the rice and beans were super flavorful. The egg was cooked perfectly. When I went to pick the food up, the aromas coming out of this place blew my mind- it smelled incredible. The service was great as well. Fun story: I left my credit card here by accident and they kindly put it in the safe for me and were very nice when I picked it up. :) We will be back! read more
Arrived at 345 to a completely empty bar and dining area since I had a 5pm meeting a few minutes away. Waiter quickly took my order. Food took about 35 minutes to arrive. Ordered the "ARROZ MONTAÑERO! A meat lover's dream! Grilled steak, Colombian chorizo (sausage), pork belly, maduros, and sauteed veggies with a side of avocado salad topped with queso fresco." It was a loaded plate with some great flavors. Pork belly slightly dry but every other component delicious. Took quite a while to get my check even though I was the only one there which made me rush a bit. Had my card in hand a few minutes while eating but staff member was sitting in corner on phone. I'll definitely come back to try the arepas when I'm not on a tight schedule as I'd be a bit nervous if it was on the busy side. read more
2 years ago
6 years ago
First time trying The Colombian Spot and this place did not disappoint! When we first opened the clamshell to-go box for our arepas pabellon the arepa looked deceivingly small next to the large side of fries; however, after closer inspection and unwrapping the tinfoil, it was chock-full of shredded beef, black beans, cheese, and sweet fries plantains. Tasted wonderful and reminded me of my travels in South America. We also tried the beef empanada which was also delicious. It was nice and crispy on the outside and hot and flavorful on the inside. We were originally inspired to try out this place after doing a few food pick-ups for UberEats deliveries here. Menu is extensive and prices are fair. We will be back! read more
7 years ago
My friend and I came here after a yoga class. We were looking for someplace different to go and there was a parking spot open right in front. It was like the universe was guiding us to come here to get some arepas. We came right when they opened around 11:30 or so so we were the only people in the restaurant at that time. So suffice to say the service was impeccable because maybe they're very good or maybe it's just because we were the only people there. I'm going to go with their very good because our waitress was very nice. I got a chicken empanada to start with. It was made with corn flour, if that's really a thing, but that's what it tasted like. It had a crispier crust than I was expecting but still very tasty and the chicken inside with succulent. I used some of the sauce is on the table to spice it up but it was totally fine to eat on its own. I then ordered the Arepa Pabellon. I could not finish it because it was so big and packed full of so much good stuff. Since it was so big, I took it home for my partner to eat the other half. But I lied and told him that I saved it for him so he could have a taste of this delicious meal, but let's keep that secret between us. This arepa was stuffed full of shredded beef, plantains, cheese, some queso fresco, and I think but I'm not a hundred percent sure black beans. Basically it was amazing. And honestly it was hard to leave on the plate but there was just too much stuff in that arepa for me to eat the entire thing in one sitting. It probably also didn't help that I got an order of yuca fries to go with my arepa. I will say is the only thing that I didn't like was the yuca fries tasted a little stringy compared to some of the yuca fries that I've had in the past. I don't know what it was but there were harder woody pieces in the fries. I'm usually a big fan of yuca, but these something was a little off. Not with the whole basket but enough to make me go...hmmm. Overall the entire dining experience was great. I would definitely go again. There are things that I saw on the menu that I want to try. Especially the more "traditional" Colombian meals that they have on the menu. I look forward to coming again and trying new things on the menu!!! read more
2 years ago
I am so happy to have discovered Arepas. As someone with Celiac disease, there aren't many places I can grab a yummy lunchtime "sandwich." I have tried the Arepa Vegetariana a couple of times and it was fabulous both. The yucca fries and tostones are both quite good - crispy without any greasiness. I had great service on both visits. The staff is very friendly and knowledgeable about gluten. I really look forward to going back for an evening dine-in experience and try one (or maybe two) of their cocktails. read more
The Colombian spot is just what it is advertised for - a little cute spot for the Colombians, and non-Columbians who like Columbian cuisine. Ahh, caipirinha... it was Devine and perfect and not to be missed. It pulls out good spirits out of you and you are ready to eat. The meals were excellent-brisket was crispy outside and yet moist inside. Arepas had a perfect consistency and taste. Everything flavored just right. I want to go and try other items from the menu next time - after drinking caipirinha of course. I was happy to support Columbian American small business. read more
4 years ago
Pretty tasty, but inflation strikes again. I assume this is a recent development based on the menu photos I see here on yelp from a few years ago. Outrageously expensive for what it is. What is it? Food-wise, it's solid Columbian food, which if you haven't had it, it's similar to many other South American cuisines - arepas (sandwich with a thin corn-based bun and usually a slow cooked meat of some kind), entrees and apps reminicent of Cuban and Puerto Rican food (Ropa viejas, tostones, etc.). All good stuff. Atmosphere and service - atmosphere is super casual, exactly what I would expect at this type of place. Kind of beat up, but totally fine. Suffers from South Side Restroom Syndrome. Service was okay. Took some prodding to get drinks, including water. I had their signature burger, which was fine. It looked great (see picture) but tasted fairly run-of-the-mill, and the toppings were a little too sweet for my tastes. Light on the hamburger and was a little dry. But it was fine. Side of red beans. My wife got a ham and bacon arepa with a side of maduros (sweet plantains). Kids split a chicken arepa and 10 yuca fries. The arepa was extremely bland, which you'll have sometimes with this style, but you'll also find well seasoned versions. We also got a couple apps - an order of 4 tostones w/ a kind of onion salsa (a tostone is a smashed and fried slice of green plantain), and 3 smallish empanadas. Pretty much everything we got, I would classify as street food. Which isn't a bad thing. For drinks, the kids each got a passionfruit juice, my wife had a pina colada and a beer, and I had a small margarita and a mojito. All the drinks were very tasty. So why 3 stars? Let's recap - kind of beat up, smelly South Side Restrooms, friendly but average service... and most importantly, we got 3 meals, 2 apps, 4 drinks plus a couple juices, and we were $144 out the door. They include an 18% gratuity on anything over 100, which is fine - I always tip 20% unless everything is a complete disaster. Which this wasn't. But good lord - $144 after tip for some street food and a few drinks in a divey South Side joint was an uppercut. For comparison, we got more food and beverage at Urban Tap in South Side 2 nights ago - a nicer place, better service, not street food (e.g., I got some great shrimp and grits) - and were $120 out the door (this includes a 20% tip). Maybe if you go, go for lunch, and just get an arepa and water. Might be easier to handle seeing the bill at the end. read more
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2019 E Carson St
Pittsburgh, PA 15203
South Side
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(412) 381-9000
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https://www.thecolombianspot-pgh.com
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