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Holy smokes don't judge a book by its cover. Pull in, park, and go in this little hidden gem. Great customer service, tasty menu, plenty of seating, and space to move around. The inside was bright and fun colors booths and tables. 2 restrooms. Limited parking, but very roomy on the inside. The food most important part yummm We did a little sample of almost everything and shared totally recommend this to get a taste of everything Yuca frita and let me tell you this puts French fries to shame the crunchy outside and soft goodness on the inside don't skip this and order it as a side. 1 side was a small bowl but plenty for the 2 of us who went. My favorite dish bisteck a Cavallo wow just wow 10/10 then steak took me back to my childhood when my dad would take skirt steaks and Grill then on an old charcoal grill. The sauce on top is a blend of tomatoes, onions, and spices. Bonus tip dip your yuca fritas in this sauce. Sooo good. Empanada was huge and stuffed with meat. The chicken was my favorite but both were really good. The meat is very tender and the outside is really soft great textures together. Arepa is not my thing so I did not try this. But I can tell you my husband loved it and ate both. Full of flavor great size, and also stuffed with meats. Mora was a nice refreshing blackberry juice and it was so good.
I can't believe this place has been in business for the past 5 years and I just found it today. It's safe to say I'll be finding excuses to come to this side of town. Hands down the best Columbian food in Cincinnati! The Exterior: Nothing special but the inside is bursting with culture and good vibes - typical of amazing ethnic restaurants in my experience. The Juice: Wow! Extremely fresh and refreshing without being too sweet. They were out of passion fruit so we got mango (highly recommend) and lulo which we learned is a Columbian fruit that's somewhat similar to pineapple. We found it also had a slight apple flavor to it. The Corn: BURSTING with flavor. Hard to put into words since I've never had anything like this but I highly recommend it. Fried Plantains: I've been looking for good plantains in Cincy for years and I finally found them!! I would seriously drive out of my way just to get an order of these. They had the perfect flavor and were soft in the middle and a slightly crispy on the outside. AMAZING. Arepa: Best Arepa I've had in a while. Very flavorful and the chorizo was an interesting ingredient. Good mix of cheese and sauce. Would definitely get again. I also got an empanada but it was eaten too fast to properly review . It was a nice little snack. Conclusion: You NEED to come here. I loved everything about this place and can't wait to come back; ideally for dine in to get the full experience.
Great, fresh food. Friendly, fast service. A good place to bring your family. Good atmosphere. Buena gente, buena comida, un buen lugar.
This is a tough review because the food was 4.5-5* in both our opinions. She wanted me to give a 4* review but after our waiter said "you will give me a tip?" After he had been watching the soccer game along with a cook the entire time I was irritated but I still left him 15%. As I told him it's in credit not cash The food was delicious but the same as a higher end places $ wise. She got their signature dish (and ate it all but the beans) and it was $16.50 (see picture). I got the chicken soup that had a little corn and potatoes and ate it all and it was $14.50. They were out of beef empanada ($2) so we tried the chicken and cheese. The chicken was great and the cheese one was lacking.... cheese. I had been here 5ish years ago and the portions were bigger, prices better, and the service was better (even though kids served me drinks). I'm sad that a place so humble is now so lazy to watch soccer instead of guests and serve prices so high that their restaurant is empty.
¡Este restaurante tiene la mejor comida Colombiana! And for those of us who don't speak Spanish - no translation necessary when you sit down to enjoy Zona VIP's Colombian Street food- A cautionary word - don't expect white tablecloth service and servers in tuxedos where "Street Food" is the main fare - that being said - I loved this place. What could be described as quaint, family oriented and a decor typical of most Hispanic cultures - the food is definitely amazing! I had the beef tongue - not something you normally see on the menu - it was hearty, very tasty and reminiscent of mom's Sunday afternoon pot roast. Served alongside with fried plantains, salsa and a healthy scoop of rice - you might ask for their hot salsa - very slight heat Scoville scale-wise but definitely elevated the dish. A final word - while the menu offerings seem a little pricey - it is well worth the expense for this incredibly tasty food. You will not be disappointed! Just price out a hotel and plane tickets to Bogota and their prices will seem reasonable - definitely worth a return visit -
This place is a gem, excellent every single time! Typical Colombian food at its best and the best empanadas you can find in Cincinnati. The Ajiaco and Bandeja Paisa are their flagship and I couldn't be happier. Everything on the menu is fresh and made from scratch. They do catering as well and is fantastic. You can buy frozen empanadas and put on the grill or air fryer, is delicious!! Owner and staff are alway friendly and place is spotless. 100% recommended.
Must try!!! So perfect. This should be all over Cincinnati!! Great food, fun atmosphere, awesome people! I had Chorizo Arepa, Jamón and Queso Arepa, Fried Yuca the flan and the tres leches cake (lol fat kid moment), and an awesome passion fruit juice to wash it down. So good, I would get the chorizo arepa again, and will def try more stuff here!!!
Their food is done on point, fresh and amazing flavor. I felt transported to Colombia with each bite. They just need to put more care on their place as a restaurant and may be put something outside, so people can see that they are there and that their food is authentic and fresh.
6 years ago
11 years ago
Uh.. Why did I not come here sooner?!? Stopped by for lunch with some co-workers and we we're blown away by the food. It was probably one of the most satisfying meals we've ever had! Prices were also relatively cheap considering the amount of food we got. We ordered the Sancocho (beef stew with potatoes, bananas, and veggies), Bandeja Paisa (sausage, beans, ground beef, chicharron, rice, egg, plantain, and avocado), Bisteck A Caballo (steak with rice, salad, avocado, and plaintain), 2 orders of the chicharron/pork belly, and 1 beef empanada to go. All that for $43! My favorite is the chicharron! It was super crispy and packed with flavor. I couldn't stop eating!! I also recommend the Bandeja Paisa which is perfect for sharing. But I won't judge if you want it all to yourself and don't share! ;) Least favorite is the Bisteck. I think it would taste better without the salsa on top. My co-worker who got the beef empanada said it was good but too greasy. Chicken empanada or cheese might be better options! What made the experience even better were the very nice owners who took good care of us! I cant wait to come back. Will definitely try to make room for dessert next time read more
9 years ago
Ok this is one of my favorite spots. Columbian food is new to me only had it a few times in jersey, philly & Florida But for a local place 29min drive for me, this is a good one empanadas chicken or beef they do a great job. I enjoyed the ox tail also always ready to try new dishes. I always recommend Asking the server what made this place famous as that is what I try! read more
11 years ago
All of it was DELICIOSO! (Delicious) Went here for lunch w coworkers. 2 of us having lived in Puerto Rico for 10yrs+ were very familiar w Columbian food. I tried the Maracuya (passion fruit) fresh fruit juice.- no joke- It's darn fresh! Food Started w/ Arepas de Pollo (chkn) & Chorizo Arepas- Amazing! Then we shared the "Bandeja Paisa" between 3. It was excellent; very generous portion and every item on the plate was right out of the kitchen. The service was a little slower than we desired for a working lunch but Totally worth the wait! You also get the value. Will definitely be back and suggest to others. read more
7 years ago
7 years ago
6 years ago
This little hole in the wall place is exactly what I look for when seeking an authentic ethnic experience. It is clearly a family operation as we saw grandma having a bit of fresh air sitting on a chair out front. We were the only ones who ordered in English and the other tables all knew what they wanted without even looking at the menu. The food was delicious and came our hot and fresh!!! Soccer was on the TVs and it definitely adds to the atmosphere along with the Colombian flags. I wish we had not been in such a hurry and had taken a bit more time to eat slower and more. The Arepas were AMAZING and the empanada was definitely something different. I have never had one with an egg in it before. read more
4 years ago
10 years ago
My husband and I had lunch here today and really enjoyed it. We each ordered an Empanada for an appetizer. I ordered the Carne Empanada and my husband ordered the Queso Empanada. They were served with a mildly spicy salsa. Both were crispy and flavorful. We both ordered the same lunch of Azzoz Con Pollo (Rice with Chicken and fried potatoes (french fries)) We both found it to be delicious and filling. We are looking forward to trying something else there soon. read more
4 years ago
6 years ago
7 years ago
The food is so good! I have never tried Colombian food before but I definitely love it now! Also, service was pretty fast. read more
Found this comfortable, family friendly cafe while in town. Pleasant and friendly staff! The food was very good! Well balanced and perfectly cooked! The flavors we're awesome! I felt like I couldn't stop eating. Definitely try the fried plantains, they pair perfectly with the grilled chicken. Can't wait to try the other items on the menu! read more
11 years ago
After having empanadas in Miami I was dying to find some authentic empanadas in the suburbs and I found them!!! Totally worth the 2$ a piece. I've had the beef, and the cheese which are my ultimate favorite so far. They are definitely a great place to find authentic Colombian foods. Everyone was very nice and helpful with the menu. So far I've had 4 of my friends fall in love with their empanadas. Hands down one of my favorite whole in the wall eats. read more
7 years ago
8 years ago
9 years ago
9 years ago
This place is definitely a hidden gem. Decided to be adventurous and try something new and different. Super glad I did. Everything was delicious and I will definitely be coming back to try other items on the menu. Even the coffee was top notch. The waiter was great and friendly. I love how the place has a homey Colombian feel to it. Two thumbs up! read more
9 years ago
Delicious comida tipo de columbiana me gustó mucho. Out on business her the last night and I'm upset I didn't eat here the whole week. Limonada jugó natural. I'm Puerto Rican and I love my food con sabor típico. If you like Spanish food great place to eat authentic Colombian food read more
9 years ago
10 years ago
I love this place. The business is family run and welcoming. The menu is extensive with a variety of empanadas, soups, plates, sides, burgers, hotdogs, etc. So many items to choose from. I've been four times now and each time, everything was fresh and delicious! The empanadas are amazing and the dipping sauce that comes with it is homemade and good enough to drink! On our most recent visit, I got the Bandelja Paisa(spelling?) and my husband got the Bisteck(steak). Everything was well seasoned, hot, and presented nicely. The service is always friendly and attentive. There is plenty of seating with 5-6 large booths and 15-20 tables ranging from 4 top to 12 top. The bathroom is minimal, but clean. A parking lot is available and right next to the building, no long treks. Would be a good place for groups, families, kids, etc. There is something for everyone. read more
Enjoyed a "sampler dinner" here. The arepas were excellent....with light and crisp corn cakes and high quality filings. A "must get" item. The empanadas were very good. We also tried the pollo y tocineta- with the ingredients including fried corn, bacon and cheese, it was good but too greasy. We were still glad that we tried it once. read more
9 years ago
Great authentic Colombian food. Portions were large and prices very reasonable. Everything was cooked and seasoned perfectly. Cozy, casual atmosphere. read more
This small family run restaurant is close to the Northland and Springdale intersection, near the Springdale Town Center. The dough for Columbian style empanadas is made from corn where some others use a flour base. I'm not a fan of these. They also have a hot dog/sausage menu, similar to what you might see at a food truck. Lots of options here! The best part of this restaurant is you get large plates for a good price. We ordered Bisteck A Caballo which came with a large piece of steak with hot sauce and a fried egg atop. Plantains, rice and small salad on the side for $10. We also tried the Pollo Empanado Frito which came with both fries and rice and a small side salad for $10. This large piece of breaded chicken was plenty for 2 meals! I'm partial to the fried plantains. I like to order the fruit flavored sodas and then mix it with water. I find them super sugary without added water, but perfect with a 2:1 ratio. read more
10 years ago
10 years ago
This is our 3rd time here in 3 weeks, and we have enjoyed the food here every time. We loved how well-seasoned their bisteck a caballo is, and the bandeja paisa was delicious with generous portions. Empanadas and arepas are also great snacks, and I think I may come back and just have meals of them alone. We learned they have tamales, too, and had two absolutely yummy chicken tamales today, but they don't always have them available and they're not on the menu. The menu has many kid-friendly options, the service might seem slow during busy times, but the food comes out pretty quickly after ordering. read more
9 years ago
Our first time trying Colombian food, but definitely won't be our last! Everything was delicious--we had the special of the day Plato mixto and the bandeau paisa--both outstanding. Service was quick and friendly. Highly recommend this restaurant! read more
4 years ago
10 years ago
I've had this place bookmarked for some time and I must say it was worth the wait. My wife is good for asking "What's there to eat around here?" and Yelp never fails me!I had the Mondongo and it was phenomenal. There was so much flavor and so many textures. The ingredients were things I've had before but never combined the way they were in my meal. I even had left overs I took for lunch the following day and ate by 9am LOL! I went during happy hour and had two margaritas as well and the were STRONG! I was feeling pretty good after two even after eating a filling meal and empanadas to start. The menu is truncated and every food option comes with a description that helps to stir up an appetite. Also most meals cost and average of $10 which is an excellent deal for the amount of food you get. The host and folks that run the place are really nice and pretty humble. The place was empty when we went so we had it all to ourselves. It reminded me of a Peruvian place I used to go to but not as cheap. Its always nice to get a slice of a culture through food. This was my first time having Colombian food and it definitely will not be my last! Not so humbly submitted, King Michael C. read more
Holy amazing, authentic, and cheap. This family owned place was a great find. They have an adventurous Colombian menu that also has some twists on familiar dishes (Hot Dogs and Hamburgers). We were the only ones that placed our order in English, always a good sign at an ethnic restaurant. We went with the servers recommendations and they were awesome. We had a Chicken and Bacon Arepa and the Tipico Empanada. Both were good but it was the Bandeja Paisa that stole the show. A traditional dish with Chicarones, Pinto beans, ground beef, rice, Egg, plantains, and avocado. Wow. Awesome favors. The pinto beans and the Chicarones were my favorite part. We will be back to explore more of the menu! read more
11 years ago
AMAZING!! My husband & I came here on a whim since we've enjoyed Colombian home cooking and got curious. We tried one pollo Empañada, 2 Carne Empañadas, 1 Aprepa con carne a la criolla, and a chorizo Mazorca Desgranada. Each dish had layered flavors and textures that had me drooling & speechless sabe for the words "this is soooooo good." This nails the theme of Street food, aka leave your diet at the door but you will leave happy. This cute little mom & pop shop with its bright colors, happy Spanish music and cheerful service is definitely worth a try...again & again after you get hooked! read more
7 years ago
10 years ago
A couple of my friends and I came here and shared several dishes : the empanadas, the arepas, the plantains and we each got a hot dog. The moment I bit into the arepa I felt like I had died and went to food heaven. It was so good. And everything is prepared fresh and delivered hot to your table. While it is not well know, it is in a fairly good location with a lot of drive by traffic. It is definitely a must taste type of restaurant. I recommend the steak arepa and the platano frito. You will not be disappointed! And on top of the great food, the owners and waiter were extremely friendly and helpful. Can't wait to go back! read more
10 years ago
Great place! I ordered the aroz con pollo.... pretty much chicken and rice. It was delicious!! I asked for an avocado on the side, which made it so much better. My boyfriend got the bandeja paisa which was also delicious. I don't like spicy foods so I was hesitant to even try the food here, but am so glad I did! Most of their food isnt even spicy, so I guess I was just assuming it would be. We also got empanadas which were INCREDIBLE! We will definitely be back! ...I almost forgot to mention the free yummy apple flavored candies we got after our meal. They were so good! read more
Medium-sized restaurant with at least 12 tables for four people each. The serving is a bit slow when it gets busy but it compensates with the great courtesy all the staff has. As with all Colombians I've met, they are very kind and courteous. The food is amazing... most of their common dishes share some similarity with mid-coast Peruvian creole food, albeit with some some difference in flavor. Nonetheless, as a Peruvian I felt at home here. We got the mondongo, bandeja paisa, a couple of arepas and empanadas and the steak al caballo. The meat was very well cooked and the season was appropriate. It was not too salty. The best thing is that they serve natural Maracuya juice which I absolutely loved. I'd fully recommend this place to everyone; if you're from the US, you get a taste of Colombia right here, if you're from any country in South America, it'll bring you home with the characteristic Highly gentle Colombian service. read more
11 years ago
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