I usually follow a personal rule when dining out: I don’t order dishes that aren’t typical of the region I’m in. It’s a simple way to ensure I’m getting authentic local food. However, I decided to make an exception this time. After all, I was still in Colombia—just trying a coastal dish in Medellín.

I have a deep connection with the Costa region, so when I walked by Cucayito Cocina Costeña, I thought I’d indulge in one of my favorite dishes from the coast: Mote de Queso. Naturally, I paired it with a traditional drink from the same area, Agua de Corozo.

It was mid-afternoon, and even though the place looked quite busy, I was able to get a table quickly. I ordered right away, and the drink came first. Unfortunately, the first sip was already a letdown. The Agua de Corozo tasted like a watered-down version of what I’m used to—more like Agua de Panela with just a hint of Corozo. Not the rich, tangy flavor I was hoping for.

Then came the main dish—my beloved Mote de Queso. From the first spoonful, I knew something was off. The texture was strange and inconsistent, and the ingredients tasted like they’d been thrown together at the last minute. Some parts were warm, others noticeably colder, as if they hadn’t blended properly. Maybe this would pass for a decent dish to someone unfamiliar with the original, but for me, it was far from acceptable.

The plate also came with carne molida and patacones. Those were okay, but nothing that could save the overall experience. After a few more bites, I had to give up. The disappointment was just too much.

To make matters worse, the checkout process was chaotic. I had to stand in line for about 20 minutes just to pay, along with several other frustrated customers.

In summary, I can’t recommend Cucayito Cocina Costeña—especially not to anyone familiar with coastal Colombian food, or to those genuinely wanting to try it for the first time. I suppose my rule about sticking to local dishes should extend even to different regions within the same country.