Peruvian Food Blessing — Restaurant in Gainesville

My partner and I had walked in a couple of months ago hoping to try their tamales, however, the day we came they were not serving tamales. Those are reserved for Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. This time around we visited on a Friday. We did get to try the tamales this time and they didn't disappoint. There's just something about a fresh homemade tamale. While everybody makes it differently, this one is exactly what I'd expect and I really enjoyed the filling as well as the pocket. In addition, my partner and I tried a traditional Peruvian dish and the beef tacos. The Peruvian dish was fantastic, and the tacos were really good. Tacos are not actually peruvian, but the corn tortilla and be filling separately are not too different from what somebody might eat in a different form at a Peruvian restaurant. Once again the tacos didn't disappoint. As far as I know, there's only one other place locally that makes their taco fillings from scratch. All the other restaurants in the area do the same thing, which is order the same stuff from food distributors. It comes frozen and all they have to do is heat it up. The flavor of those frozen ones is unmistakable. If you've eaten one, you've eaten them all, and by now I can pick them out. The beef filling that was in the tacos at this restaurant was definitely not frozen. It had a very unique flavor, in the best way possible. It was extremely refreshing to see something made fresh for once and not just heat and serve. It's quite an embarrassment to all the local restaurants that claim they serve authentic Mexican food for their Peruvian counterpart to make better tacos than they do. Doesn't really matter to me... Next time I'm craving a really delicious taco, I'll just come here instead! In addition to the food, this restaurant also has a variety of smoothies and juices. We ended up also trying a traditional Peruvian drink called Chicha Morada. It's made from purple corn and contains cinnamon, lime and possibly a few other ingredients. It was fantastic! I really love that this restaurant features traditional Peruvian dishes that I literally wouldn't be able to find anywhere else in Gainesville. While the restaurant itself is relatively casual and doesn't provide much of an atmosphere, I do think it's a great place to go if you're looking to have a low-key lunch somewhere or even a casual dinner. Kudos to this owner for not being afraid to serve dishes that are not like everything else. I think it's a true blessing (see what I did there?) that the owner has shared these traditional recipes with the public so that we experience Latin cuisine beyond the usual...

We were really disappointed with the prices we paid and how little the amount of food. I wish I took pictures ahead of eating the small piece of chicken with the green rice. This was Arroz con Pollo and it was almost laughable. The chicken was so small and it was the only thing I could eat as I did not like the taste of the green rice. I ordered an horchata. It was gross. I saw them make it with a spoonful of horchata powder then mixed it in a blender thus the bubbles on the top. I could not drink it. I asked for a refund for the entire meal and that was not happening. The waitress did take the horchata off the bill and repeatedly told me that this is the same as everywhere else but it's not. I have definitely had my own share of horchata and I am very aware of the taste. This meal for two cost us $38 and we barely touched either dish. Upon explaining the situation that we were not going to eat the food as we did not like it all the sudden English language was not understood and the waitress could not figure it out so we ended up paying for it. The food was too bad to salvage and take home. It turned out to be an expensive learning lesson. I will not be returning to to this establishment. Anyone who charges full price and the full meal is still on the table has no shame. I would have been embarrassed for that to happen to me or my business. The chicken was very small and very dry. I was very surprised at how small the dishes were as far as main course. They added so much rice to fill the plate up. The rice was disgusting I could only handle one bite. My wife had the Lomo Soltado. While it did taste better than the Arroz con Pollo and you do get more of a meal it was not good enough to finish or take away. Each meal is approximately $15-$20 and not worth it at all. The restaurant was very dirty as well. Needs a thorough cleaning from top to bottom. Bathrooms are...

Not sure how this place has good reviews, but here is my story.

First time decided to go this place. I try and support small business.

Me and an employee ordered Rice black beans, and pork.

We waited like 15min. You would think that food is being cooked fresh. When we got are food, it was cold. It wasn't busy at all it was 2 other tables being served. Then as I cut into the pork, as Gordon Ramsey would say...it was rawww.

Waitress didn't check on us until approx. Another 15min for me to tell her it was raw. Then I showed her and it seemed like she didn't know what to do. I was so hungry I did eat the rice and beans. She did offer to cook it longer but I decided not to order anything else. So she charged me for the rice, beans and the drink. I believe it's customary to not charge unsatisfied customer, but I paid what they charged me.

If they would of removed my charge I would have left a large tip as a thanks, but nope.

I hope people are watching what they are eating for those high reviews, but it was a bad experience. My friends pork was partially cooked and other was raw. He ate what he could and left raw meat. He was fully charged....