Las Chilenas — Restaurant in La Vista

I would like to start off by saying that first impressions are everything, and I specifically made sure that I got something basic and simple to get a feel of the quality and vibe of this place. I first discovered it yesterday when I was walking around the area, and I thought that it was quite brilliant that La Vista had an espresso bar here in the strip mall area right next to Family Fare. Unfortunately, I came up with mixed feelings after trying out a cup of black drip coffee and a pastry called "Alfajores de Maicena", and I'll explain why.

To start with the positives:

1.) The service was good. The gentleman who served me was nice and he gave me my order while I was sitting across from the restaurant, so I didn't have to get up and walk across the dining/resting area to get it.

2.) The lounge chairs were comfortable.

3.) There is free guest wifi.

4.) The pastry I ordered tasted fresh and offered good flavor. I tried the one without Coconut flakes, and the cream between the two slices of bread (or cookie?) tastes similar to caramel or butterscotch. I believe the barista said it was "dulce de leche".

5.) My drip coffee came out in a nicely-designed ceramic mug, not a generic disposable cup. I don't think I've ever seen that before from any prior visit I made to coffee shops/espresso bars.

Now onto the negatives.

1.) For the Alfajores de Maicena pastry, I made a clear request to the barista that I wanted it warm, and he responded back by acknowledging my request, but when I received it, it wasn't warmed up. I believe there may have been a misunderstanding, as I think the man wasn't a native English speaker.

2.) The prices. A cup of drip coffee comes out to be $2.99, but the pastry was selling for $3.75, which comes out as $7.45. For $3.75 you could get a Cinnamon Roll at Scooters, and for just $2.00, you can get a medium sized brewed coffee, totalling just $5.75. I'm finding it hard to justify the price, especially given the quality of my order, which leads me to my next point.

3.) The quality of the coffee. I'm no coffee expert, but I know when I drink a solid, good cup of coffee and when I drink something that is burnt, acidic, or "watery". The drip coffee I had landed in the realm of being "watery", and I believe Scooters makes a far better cup of coffee than this. There was just little to no sense of boldness, nor was there much flavor. Better than Starbucks and Folgers, sure, but it was still far from good. I believe there might've not been enough time to extract the flavor and strength from the coffee grounds, or that the water-to-coffee ratio was off. Or, perhaps, it was light roasted coffee, and not medium roasted. I would strongly advise management to look over how they brew their coffee so that it can, at the very least, match the quality of Scooters coffee.

4.) The interior of the business. I understand how this is supposed to be a Hispanic-themed espresso bar, but I wasn't getting that vibe enough. Compare it to Coffee Alley in Ralston, however, you can clearly get it the moment you enter the cafe. I found the sofas and chairs to not match that well aesthetically, and the wall art, while nice, didn't carry much of a consistent theme to Las Chilenas. As a matter of fact, I don't quite understand the overall aesthetic of this place to begin with. Yes, obviously, you go to a coffee place to get coffee and maybe some food, but if you plan on dining there to talk with friends or to do some studying, you would want to see if this is a good-looking place to do so. I don't quite get that with Las Chilenas because it's too minimalistic. There's not enough charm to it to where you would want to stay inside and chill for a bit instead of taking your food and leaving. That's the best way I can put it, and I get that the business owners may not have enough money to go all out with interior design, but I still got to comment on the atmosphere according to Google Reviews.

So, overall, not a bad place, but I would recommend other places. The coffee just didn't impress me, and left me...

Wow—just wow. This place was unbelievable. Hands down the best food I’ve had in a long time. Las Chilenas served up incredibly delicious, authentic Chilean cuisine, made with love by actual Chileans who clearly know what they’re doing. From the moment we walked in, we felt welcomed, and once the food hit the table—pure magic. Every bite was bursting with flavor, and you could tell the ingredients were fresh and prepared with care.

I’m not exaggerating when I say this was an easy 10 out of 10. Honestly, I wish I could give it more than that. My wife and kids couldn’t stop raving about how good everything was—we cleaned our plates and then some. It’s rare to find a place that feels this special, where the food warms your soul and leaves you already planning your next visit before the meal is even over.

We’ll definitely be returning to Las Chilenas very soon. This place isn’t just a restaurant—it’s an experience. Highly, highly...

A Hidden Gem with Heart and Flavor

This quaint little coffee spot is an absolute treasure. From the moment you walk in, you’re welcomed by the incredibly friendly owners who make you feel right at home. The atmosphere is cozy and inviting—perfect for a quiet morning or an afternoon pick-me-up.

Their Guatemalan coffee is rich, smooth, and full of flavor—clearly made with care. I tried the torta and an empanada, and both were nothing short of delicious. The torta was perfectly balanced with fresh ingredients, and the empanada had a wonderfully flaky crust with a savory filling that hit the spot.

What really caught my eye, though, were the desserts. They look absolutely mouthwatering—beautifully displayed and clearly crafted with love. I’ll definitely be coming back to try them!

If you’re looking for a warm, welcoming spot with incredible food and...