πΊπΈ Florida | Gainesville | Venezuelan Street Food Adventure πβ¨
Discovered a hidden Latin gem in downtown Gainesville with a solid 4.7-star Google rating! π This place specializes in authentic Venezuelan street bites β a delicious change of pace from the usual Mexican offerings. The owner moved from Miami to Gainesville and couldnβt find good Latin food (non-Mexican!), so she started her own business! π It began as a food truck that ran for 1.5 years and became a local favorite. Now, itβs a full-scale restaurant! The space is industrial-chic: spacious like a warehouse, with graffiti walls, LED signs, and a stage for live music π€πΆ. Pet-friendly, too! We saw a cute golden retriever chilling with its owner πβ€οΈ. The vibe is warm, laid-back, and perfect for hanging out. We arrived around 5:30 PM β just in time for Happy Hour! πΉ Cocktails were buy-one-get-one. We tried the mojito (available in different flavors). I got the passion fruit one β sweet, tangy, and super refreshing. Hereβs what we ordered: π₯ Chicharron Crispy fried pork belly! The portion was generous, and the meat was well-cooked β not greasy, not dry. Seasoning was simple (mostly salt), but it came with lime and a ranch-like dipping sauce that added nice flavor. π Pescado Frito Whole fried snapper with two sides. The fish was big, crispy, and not fishy at all. Again, seasoning was minimal. We picked fries and salad β decent and hearty portions. Overall: 4/5 stars ββββ Great vibe, good value, awesome place to chill with friends! The food is fresh and well-made, but I wish it had more bold flavors. Imagine this fried pork and fish with some cumin and chili powderβ¦ game changer! π§π₯ Their burgers are also supposed to be amazing β definitely trying those next time! βΉοΈ Pro tip: The menu is in Spanish β check their website or Instagram for food pics if youβre unsure what to order! π Tinker Latin Restaurant & Food Truck 502 S Main St, Gainesville, FL 32601 π ΏοΈ Free parking! #Florida #Gainesville #UF #VenezuelanFood #LatinCuisine #FoodReview #HappyHour #PetFriendly #HiddenGem #GainesvilleEats
