Zambrano's Peruvian Cuisine — Restaurant in Edmond

I Googled hidden gems in Edmond, and Zambrano's showed up around 4th on the list. We love trying new restaurants and new foods (happy to be everyone else's guinea pig), and boy am I glad we did!

As soon as you walk in, the entryway feels like you're being transported to a cozy, intimate restaurant in Peru. There are Peruvian knickknacks for sale on a shelf in the entry. When you enter, the booths feel more like couches--there are even pillows--and comfortable chairs to sit. They've really done a LOT with the decor for such a generic space they've been given in a strip mall.

The food itself was a delectable delight! Clearly the chefs take great pride in their work. The presentation makes you feel like you're eating at Tavern on the Green, and the taste is phenomenal! We tried a little of everything, so our "per person" price is higher than the average person would spend. But oh, was it worth it!

I would have loved to have mentioned each specific item on the menu that we ate, but unfortunately, I don't speak a word of Spanish. Thankfully, the waitress was extremely friendly and helpful, so she gave us some recommendations to try. I had a steak and vegetable (mostly a variety of bell pepper colors, red, yellow, etc.) combination with a special style of rice. The steak was succulent, and the vegetables tasted great in the light sauce. Our appetizers were amazing, as was our dessert. All of them were home runs.

In short, I would HIGHLY recommend giving Zambrano's Peruvian Cuisine a try. Even if you don't like new things, you will definitely be rewarded for your bravery...

So, a little backstory. I was in Edmond getting my brake fluid and a tire replaced. I hadn't eaten lunch and I was always curious about this place. So, I thought, "why not?" Any food from South America is bomb to me and Peruvian cuisine would be bomb as well

And guess what, I wasn't wrong!

I had the Tamal Peruano, which is essentially Peruvian tamales and it was aces!! The mesa was soft and creamy and the pork tasty and tender. I'm not sure if I was supposed to do this, but I ate it with the side of pickled onions it came with and it was yummy!

Then I had 1/4 of a rotisserie chicken with green rice and plantains and lemme tell you, the green rice is so freaking good! It's herby and full of flavor! The plantains were a little bit of a surprise but a good surprise. I thought they'd have a bit more starch and they'd be less sweet, but quite the opposite! They're a little sweet but a bit more tender than your average banana.

To finish it off, I had 2 maracuyas, which are this passion fruit type of drink. I loved these so much, I wanted to bring a gallon home with me!

All in all, if you're looking to expand your palate and dive into Peruvian cuisine, Zambrano's is the place in...

Deliciousness.

Great food and presentation. Waitress was kind and food came quickly.

Restaurant is clean and cozy with beautiful murals showing iconic scenes from Peru.

Lovely to order a nice cold Inca Cola (the flavor is a bit like bubble gum). Anticuchos (marinated grilled slices of beef heart) was smokey, spicy, and a perfect texture. Served with a couple slices of potato and sweet potato perfectly boiled then flash-fried to give a hint of crunch to pair with the sweetness. Seco de Carne, a tender chunk of beef stewed in a sauce of cilantro and spices, served over Tacu-tacu (a fried blend of seasoned beans and rice) - plated as a perfect base to the stewed beef. Topped with fried egg and with sauce and sliced avocado to complement. Hubby got the rotisserie chicken and was not disappointed with the rich flavors. The big kid ordered Lomo Saltado (a tender and perfectly seasoned beef loin stir-fried with tomato and onion) served with a pyramid of rice and fries. Little guy went for the pasta fettuccine with pesto and steak.

Tres leches cake for dessert and we were delighted with our meal. Thanks Zambrano's, you've done it again!...