La Criolla Cafe & Restaurant — Restaurant in Haines City

Went back yet again. Dropped this place another star. I give up. Been to this place three times. My first two visits were nice ones; lady behind the counter answered questions about what was offered both times. Both times, the young ladies were friendly and engaging. Those two should have been replicated and kept on staff instead of how my experience went later.

The food was just ok. After my experience getting takeout and looking at the menu, it doesn't seem that P.R. offers cuisine worth going out of your way to get. Beans and rice are just beans and rice. Ground beef and banana combo come in a couple of different forms, but you are still eating ground beef and banana. Pork ribs and chicken quarters were options also, but I did not try them.

My third time was the main reason the place fell from four to two stars. Even with mediocre food at a decent price, I would have returned. My cardinal sin is in how I am treated...and this may be a one-off time and maybe I'll try again later...but when I walked in the door I stood at the counter. At the counter was a lady who had pulled down her mask and was leaning over the food scooping up something. I'm right in front of her, but no acknowledgment. I waited. Looked over and saw two ladies at the counter next to it; they were chatting away with each other. I passed in front of them to look at the desserts that I'd never noticed before. Walked in front of them. No acknowledgment.

Went back to the buffet line and stood there. The other lady was done with her scooping and gone. Meanwhile, two chatting girls were still there. Two guys and a lady from the kitchen hallway looked at me as a I stood there while they had a conversation. Another lady emerged from the kitchen to breeze past me and again, there I stood. So, there I am looking around. It was an active day in the restaurant, but there seemed to be plenty of hands on deck to assist; even with a simple greeting and to let me know they'll be with me. No one did.

Opted to go get Chinese at the Publix shopping center instead. When you get better service and treatment at a Take out Chinese restaurant, you know your place has hit rock bottom in terms of service.

It's close by, so I know I'll give it another chance. Maybe it...

From the moment I stepped into La Criolla Restaurant, I knew I was in for a treat. The atmosphere was welcoming and radiated a warm, inviting vibe that made me feel right at home. It was evident that this wasn't just any dining experience; it was going to be something special.

The service at La Criolla is unparalleled. The staff greeted me with genuine smiles and went above and beyond to ensure my dining experience was nothing short of exceptional. Their recommendations from the menu were spot on, catering to my taste and dietary preferences with expert knowledge. The attention to detail in their service made me feel valued and appreciated, contributing significantly to the overall pleasant ambiance.

Now, let's talk about the star of the show - the food. Every dish at La Criolla is a masterpiece of culinary art. The flavors were vibrant, perfectly balanced, and a true testament to the chef's skill and passion for cooking. The ingredients were fresh, high-quality, and beautifully presented, making each bite a delightful experience. It was evident that there was a lot of love and care put into the preparation of the meals, from the appetizers to the desserts.

One of the highlights of my meal was the signature dish (let's say it was a seafood paella), which was absolutely divine. The seafood was cooked to perfection, and the rice was flavorful and aromatic, a perfect harmony of spices and ingredients. It was a dish that I would highly recommend to anyone visiting La Criolla.

In conclusion, La Criolla Restaurant is a gem that offers an exceptional dining experience with its excellent food and outstanding service. It's a place where you can feel the passion for food and hospitality in every detail. Whether you're looking for a cozy dinner spot or a place to celebrate a special occasion, La Criolla is a perfect choice. I can't wait to return and indulge in more culinary delights. Highly...

I can’t take away from the fact the the food is pretty good. But with that being said…. I ordered online which said it would take 20 minutes… I ordered at 6:54 (had to wait 3 minutes for them to accept the order) arrived at 7:18 and left at 7:45… while waiting I ordered what I thought was rice and peas (arroz con gandules) I don’t eat meat so I understand occasionally finding a piece of pork here n there I know the risk of not cooking my own food… but never in the 40yrs of eating rice n peas have I ever ate chicken and rice n peas I was highly upset more because there was more chunks of chicken then rice… so my dog had a good meal… then I asked for the octopus salad.. well besides that by the time I got it it warm but drenched in olive oil.. who.? Seriously? Why? More lemon or lime. Why so much oil I mean the olive oil was genuinely real I’ll give them that but no…. N e ways… while I’m standing there waiting another 25min I can see the kitchen from where I’m standing…. I happen to look over and see some shrimp on their long cutting board so I’m like oh that looks like my meal, then I see that my shrimp is laying right next to a dirty rag that I’m assuming they wipe everything down with. At this point I’m so hungry I’m like u know what if i hadn’t have seen it i wouldn’t have even known… AFTER WAITING ALMOST 45 MINUTES MY FOOD WAS FREAKING COLD…!!!!!!! So why the F……. Did I have to wait so dam long for cold food????? This is my 3rd time going here the first time I was like oh they’re new, 2nd time I waited 45 minutes, n here the third time had to wait another 45 minutes again after told it was only a 20 minute wait and my food was cold…. So neat less to say third time is a charm… I probably don’t matter but this is DEFINITELY the last time I ever waste my time and money in...