Fina Estampa — Restaurant in Jefferson Township

My evaluation is (2.5 Stars).

//Small review: This Peruvian Restaurant has a nice selection of common food consumed in Peru, South America (not a complete menu). they have unique add-on sauce bottles (Orange & White) and their food presentation is well prepared. The authentic taste is as good as the real deal for most dishes prepared.

They don't have the Red Peruvian pepper, though it's acidity may be too much for clients I assume (too spicy).

//Review: This Restaurant developed a record of my opinion(s) since they first established on the map, at first they had some rude waitress(s) labeled (unprofessional) for who knows what reason or reasons. then I came across an aluminum piece in my Lomo Saltado (skirt steak dish with fries, onions, tomatoes, and rice: $12.50 at that time) it was as big as a grain of rice, but still a harmful mistake from lack of detail. I should have reported but instead I alerted a waitress about this piece of aluminum.

From what I see, all the waitresses have been replaced. In their place remains a young calm man in black, very respectful. But I'm skeptical about his attention skills, seems he over charged me a tip's worth on my bill when it should had been $37.76 with tax already included, at a hurry I could not ring his attention, so please pay attention to your bill before you pay an un-accurate price. (It's a mistake only an 8th grader makes either or both sides ON THE REGISTER.)

The interior of the restaurant seemed well established, though I realize an ugly food display menu on the wall as you walk in. Just right over the soda machine (the kind Chinese fast food locations use) perhaps I'm over criticizing their view of a real Peruvian restaurant.

To be honest, some of their food is over priced by a few dollars. But at todays economy for quality, I can't really complain.

//tips for clients:

Don't risk engaging any waitress in an issue before your food has arrived.

Keep in mind what you order, and the near total you will be paying. If you know the current TAX rate, then apply it for an accurate estimate to prevent over paying.

(For example: Tax is +10% of what you are going to pay. Making 10$ = 11$ or 20$ = 22$ or 30$ = 33$) basically a dollar for every ten. Or $0.10 for every dollar.)

If your in a hurry, call ahead of time to have your food ready to pick up (have them remember your name when at the register).

Don't over tip, you won't get any VIP treatment! Normally tips are 19% of your tab total assuming your total is over $30+ But if you wish to insult someone with a dollar or two, then that's on you.

Always keep your receipt of your spending from...

I went to this restaurant for lunch on October 16 because that day was celebrated the Day of the Lord of Miracles, a religious tradition in Peru, I live 3 hours away from Chicago and I don't go there often. I wanted to go to try something traditional from my country, and with my boyfriend we ordered several dishes and grilled chicken to eat in the restaurante and also food to go, due to the people that were there that day, we paid but did not bring the food. However, after a while we realized about and called the restaurant's phone, no one answered, the next day I called several times and the lady who answered me said that the owner arrived at noon, then about 3 hours passed and not seeing a call from return call again and she told me that the owner did not arrive, that they could not return the money to the card either. My boyfriend called him again the next day and said that the next time we were goint to Chicago we would go to get an order of Chicken and other food we didnt take, we went a day ago and the owner said us that "it had been a long time" even though I explained to him that the same day 10/16 and two days after we tried to contact him to talk about the problem, this man was inattentive, as if we were lying to him as he was doing us a favor, he said that this chicken had been "thrown away" and that they would give us only this time "half the order", they gave us a hard chicken, without flavor. The truth is that the attitude of the owner is much to be desired and the food is not very good, nor is there a variety. I do not recommend this site to visit, especially if you...

Fina Etsampa doesn’t have a parking lot but it was not difficult to park on the street. The restaurant was basically empty when we went so we was seated right away. The restaurant was very clean and had a nice open space. The bathrooms were very warm and clean as well. The decor on the walls was very typical of a Peruvian restaurant so that was a nice addition. Sadly the fryer was down so we wasn’t able to get yuca which is the main thing we wanted. However we received free soup to make up for it. The soup was actually very good so it was a decent payoff. They were also out of the bottles of Inca Kola but thankfully they had the cans. We ordered charcoal chicken, Peruvian beans, rice, and salad. The entire meal was very good. The wait for the meal was not long at all. They also have Alfajores (cookies) and Chicha (purple corn juice) which is a key staple in any Peruvian restaurant. If you have not ever tried Chicha it is a must here. It is made fresh in the restaurant not from a can. The same for the Alfajores you have to try them if you have never had them. The waitress was extremely nice and kept checking to make...