Guaterriqueña Bakery — Restaurant in Cleveland

My first impression when I pulled up was "Okay, this place looks nice" and as I walked in the door my thoughts were confirmed. The place did look nice! As I walked towards the back I noticed that there wasn't very much food prepared (slim pickins'). I looked around and stared into the display ases to see what they did have. On one side very few empanadillas and nothing that caught my attention ot appetizing for that matter. I then turned around and looked at the dessert cases and there there were more options and those options looked way better, but I didn't come here for dessert, I wanted food... good ol' Spanish food. There was a lady who was tending some other customers and by the time she finished I was greater politely and the questioning began. How can I help you? She said in Spanish. I asked what was available and as she ran down the list of items currently available I said to myself "none of the that is sounding good to me". I was already disappointed with the lack of food in the cases and now she's telling me this is all they have to offer! I figured I already came all the way this way and in the pouring rain ta'boot so I decided to try something. I thought that I would play it safe and ordered myself some ribs, a chicken empanada, some type of rice and cheese sorullito, alcaparria and a piece of tres leches cake. I wish I hadn't. I wish I just left when I felt the disappointment the first time. Everything needed more seasoning, if nothing else at least salt. The ribs were dry, tough as leather and flavorless, I couldn't taste any bbq sauce on there whatsoever. The chicken empanada was dry and flavorless. That rice/cheese sorullito things I tried! It was like eating white rice that was cooked with no salt. I couldn't taste anything. The alcaparria needed more salt. And the tres leche... I didn't think it was possible to mess that up and well let's just say that I tried 2-3 bites and it went into the garbage. The lady was nice and polite, the place looked clean and I loved the fact that I felt a closeness to my heritage as I walked into the place. I'll give them that, but I went there in hopes of having some good Puerto Rican food and that's where I was let down. The lady even came over to me and asked how everything was and I was honest when I shook my head no and explained that it was not good. Maybe she didn't believe me because I was till eating it but that's only because anyone who knows me knows that 1) I don't like to complain about my food. 2) I paid for it and I don't like to waste food. For crying out loud, I'm not going to throw away food when they're people starving. I ate it, sin ganas, but I ate it! Some guy came out from the back and ask as well and I told him the same thing and he walked away without another word. I'm not going to write the place off just yet. There was a cubano on the menu and I MIGHT give them a chance to redeem themselves in my eyes... we'll see. As far as first impressions go I wasn't the slightest impressed and I'm a big foodie, traveling great distances for so much as a sandwich or a milkshake. Don't let me deter you though, I always say you should see for yourself, for all I know they were just having an off day and when you go it's gonna be fire 🔥. Happy...

I'm going to leave an honest review I love to support these small restaurants when they open in my neighborhood but this one means well but Lacks techniques and quality. The potato balls are huge it looks like you're getting a good deal but what you're really getting is Lumpy fried potatoes with maybe a literal tablespoon of meat in the middle the pork is not traditional they let it soak in the oil and juices that comes out of it this reminds me of something you would get at a low grade a burrito place and there were hardly any beans that were on the side it was mostly just the juice that the beans come in they could definitely cut down on the prices a dollar or two on a few things they are a bit overpriced but that place is so hot in there you're going to pour sweat standing in line the one good thing I will take away is the gentleman serving us that have a great attitude very friendly and welcoming but the food definitely just is not it, there are many other places in the neighborhood where you can get the same style food with much better quality but worst of all there are no prices posted I feel like someone ahead of me was charged a different price than what I was charged for a few of the items the menu board is very vanilla and they only have prices for about half of what they serve this is very deceiving I spent $65 on two people plus they charge you an extra 3% for using your card that's probably the biggest turn off for me I don't think this place will survive...

I had gone here once before and had their AMAZING food. The empandillas were delicious and the size of my face! So cheap but so good and great portions. Their pastries are to die for! I loved them instantly. I found myself craving them last night but they were closed as it was SO late. I scheduled an order to be delivered right after they opened but noticed my favorite pastry wasn't on Uber. I was sad but I saw they had the pastry on there just not in the right flavor I figured I can try it or write a note and hopefully they just might see it and give me the different one. Which they did! It may sound silly but I've made notes on plenty of orders to other places and it has never been followed so I'm so excited they followed and to have my amazing Nutella pastelillos. Thank you so much for always providing wonderful food everytime. For listening to your customers and for...