Panama International Restaurant (PTY) — Restaurant in Los Angeles

This is my first review on Google ever! I typically don't post any reviews for anything but I had to come here and post about this CSKLA. I was so excited when I heard about this place and immediately made plans to drive there to try it. I spent over $80 to try different dishes. I'm born and raised in Panama City and also lived and travel extensively all over the country before I moved to the US. I'm not sure where the owners are from; but they shouldn't advertise they're a Panamanian restaurant, because nothing at this restaurant looked or tasted like Panamanian food at all. The lady owner at the restaurant was friendly, but that's about it. My empanadas were burned, the food took too long to be ready and there wasn't that many people there, the Hojaldres (they call them fried bread, but their name is "Hojaldres" or "Hojalda") were way too thick, like a deep fried pancake (usually they're thin, light, salty and crispy) and tasted super bland. I never saw "Jerk Chicken" being sold in Panama either as Panamanian food, so I don't know what that's about. The Arroz con Pollo did not taste right (looked and tasted like instant rice), the chicken is usually shredded and mixed in, not served with huge bone-in chicken pieces. The yuca fries were bland, no salt at all. Judging the food by itself, (without thinking it was Panamanian) I also didn't like the flavor. The dishes are also way over-priced for the quantity that you get. I'm a foodie and I pretty much love all kinds of food, but this restaurant is definitely not for me. I was very disappointed and sad because I really wanted to have a Panamanian restaurant in LA. I've been to many Colombian restaurants in the US and the food there is closer in flavor and texture than at Caribbean Soul Kitchen LA.

Edit: The owner replied to my Yelp review saying: "We understand it may not work for what someone from Panama may eat or remember." and "there is Jamaican roots within the family and recipe's derive from it thus why we have menu items representing Jamaica." However, in another reply on Google reviews, where the reviewer had similar feelings as I did, said: "I am not impressed. $50 down the drain. My dad is from Trinidad & mom from Belize & boyfriend from Jamaica & this food needs some help," the owner replied: "We are the ONLY Panamanian restaurant in Los Angeles. We're not Jamaican, Trinidad or Belizean, thus our banner which reads FLAVORS OF THE CARIBBEAN."

There seems to be some confusion between what's advertised and what is actually being served. In my opinion, a restaurant should not advertise that they're a "Panamanian Restaurant" if nothing there tastes like Panamanian food at all, not even close. They even have a huge map and the Panamanian flag on their wall!

She also revealed in her reply that they don't use salt to season the food! This is something the restaurant should tell customers, because that may have been the reason why the flavors were way off. This is the first time I've heard a restaurant...

I really wanted to like this place because I'm Panamanian. First off, they are closed on random days and don't always warn anyone through their IG or anywhere else. I had friends visit me and we drove all the way there for nothing. I called like 5 times before leaving, and even DMed but they didn't respond until the next day. They SOMETIMES warn that they are going to close but not always.

I tried again another day. I waited at least 10 minutes to order. The female owner was talking to 2 girls outside. She saw me walk in and just glanced at me then even saw me waiting through the door. Nothing. Again, I stayed because I had been waiting over a year to try this place. I told her how excited I was to be there cause I was Panamanian. No response. I tried to order but they didn't have 3 of their most popular items... at 2:30pm. I asked if they had carimanolas. She seemed annoyed I asked and said that's what yuca balls are. I'm Panamanian and they are called carimanolas. Anyway, I ordered arroz con pollo, 2 empanadas and a drink. The portion was tiny for the price. I'm a small woman, I don't eat much and I left hungry. I usually take home leftovers for the price I paid. The drink delicious but it was mostly ice. The food was good though. The service... Rogelio was the one who came out to tell me about the drinks and it was night and day. He was very friendly. He literally saved my experience there. I'm from NYC so I have thick skin and I'm not sensitive by any means but the vibe was weird. Lastly, I would categorize this as a Jamaican-Panamanian restaurant. I've been to many Panamanian restaurants in Panama and NYC and the menu and flavor is different. I've also been to many Jamaican restaurants and the flavor is more Jamaican than Panamanian. Even though there are a lot of Jamaicans in Panama, Panama still has their...

Caribbean Soul Kitchen LA (CSKLA) is the epitome of what is wrong with L.A.’s dining scene. At first glance, the restaurant appears to be an unassuming, family-style Caribbean spot offering warm, approachable cuisine. But look closer, and you will find that CSKLA passes its high operating costs directly onto the customer — and that is just where the problems begin.

My partner and I dined here and spent well over $100 on jerk chicken, jerk shrimp, jerk mac and cheese, and two beverages. The food was good — flavorful, even — but drastically overpriced for what we received. When we arrived around 4:00 p.m., the full menu was already unavailable, and we were forced to choose from what little remained. At that point, we were the only patrons in the restaurant. As others came in, they too were told certain items were no longer available.

I thoroughly enjoyed the meal, but let me be clear: the prices are so inflated that you would be better off flying to Panama, enjoying the same cuisine, and still coming out ahead — with a better experience overall.

What experience, you ask? CSKLA either lost its soul or never had one to begin with. Time and again, the restaurant’s owner responds to honest feedback on Google and Yelp with defensiveness, passive-aggression, and a level of unprofessionalism that speaks louder than the food. Instead of letting the food tell the story, CSKLA seems determined to rewrite the narrative through snide replies.

If you are looking for Caribbean food in Los Angeles that delivers not only on flavor but also on value, professionalism, and a complete dining experience — I suggest you skip this place and try Lucia instead. You will spend your money more wisely, and you might even be treated...