Sabor Colombiano — Restaurant in Los Angeles

This is still one of the top Colombian Restaurants in the area but then again if you google Colombian restaurants in Los Angeles you get one to three in this Los Angeles Metropolis. It is doing its best to comply with Covid-19 mandates. As you walk in you are given the choice of either eating outside or inside. Inside has a rustic yet stylish small area with a small stage that was used for live music (pre-COVID). They have speakers in the corners filling your ears with salsa music in the background. If you opt to go outside you can dine inside a mesh cage that will keep any bad insect away from your food while still enjoying the flavor of each plate. I must admit the Union / Olympic area does have a noisy outside atmosphere and it can get a bit warm even though you are also covered by giant tent that protects you from sun burn yet is still translucent and can get warm depending on the weather and the time you dine that day. Hospitality is on their mind as they try to give you an authentic feel as you walk in to that live Colombian atmosphere. They have famous plates like “steak a caballo” which sounds like it’s so delish it might give you a kick…. “Lengua Rellena, a classic slice beef tongue in sauce and amazing white rice that is so delicious it can be eating by itself and be satisfying believe it or not. Also amazing Fritanga which has Colombian sausage, famous blood sauce (morcilla), and chicharrón con cuero (pork with rind) that will make you eat at a fast pace with your mouth full of amazing flavors. They have fish, poultry, beef, and pork to order what ever your heart desires. Most people go for the famous “Bandeja Paisa” which is amazing but I do encourage you to step out of your comfort zone and try the other plates as well. You can even fill up just trying their appetizers Or those amazing Colombian Antojitos like Empanadas (stuffed savory pastry dough filled with variety of ingredients and fried), Arepas with either chorizo, chicharrón, or even filled with cheese or other ingredients of your choice. You must be prepared to have a big meal as plates are at premium price but rest assured that you will get enough delicious food to be satisfied, filled, and even to take left overs. They are speedy to serve and do not waste your time with chips and salsa like other restaurants do…. No need… cool your taste buds with Cervezas Nacionales e Impotadas, our regular sodas plus their Colombiana, Manzana, Inka-Cola, and even enjoy a Pony Malta made from sugar cane….. or perhaps an amazing cafe con leche (coffee with creamer) o café en leche (their form of delish Latte) and enjoy with a Buñuelo, Pandebonos, or Pastel Gloria….. for those who like to keep it on the “natural” you can enjoy many natural jugos (shake juices) or even tea. It can get busy so expect to be here quite a bit of time. It is worth your time...

We ordered pickup and it was ready before the estimated time, which was 20 mins. We really enjoyed the buñuelos, really great texture and taste. The empanadas were not as great as other people have shared in the reviews, it seems we got the bottom of the batch. I will say the salsa they came with was pretty good. The pandebonos were really good though, you can really taste the cheese. Also, the prices listed on their menu in Google differ from their “order online” menu; all of the appetizers we got were listed as $1.00 on Google, but when ordering online they were all $1.59, something to take into account. Lastly, the almojabanas are not listed in their “order online” menu, so sadly we didn’t get to try them.

Ordenamos con la opción de “pick-up” y nuestra orden estaba lista antes del tiempo aproximado, que eran 20 mins. Nos encantaron lo buñuelos, rica textura y sabor. Desafortunadamente, las empanadas estaban muy secas y parecen ser las que quedaron de ayer. La salsa para las empanadas estuvo buena. También el pandebonos estuvo rico. Solamente que los precios de lo que ordenamos en el menú de Google dice que están a $1.00 cada uno, pero al ordenar para “pick-up” el menú decía que los aperitivos estaban a $1.59 cada uno, solo para que lo tomen en cuenta. En fin, las almojabanas no están incluidas en su menú para ordenar “pick-up” y no...

I was not pleased with their customer service or food. I walked in and I see 6 employees and not one of them bothered to greet me. I said “hi” a gentleman looked up but looked away and continued doing his business. Honestly, I should have walked out as soon as he decided to not acknowledge me. I ordered one dozen empanadas and before I ordered I asked the employee if it has meat because some like to make empanadas with a generous amount of potatoes but zero meat. He reassured me that there was meat in the empanadas but when I took a bite there was plenty of potatoes and sprinkled amount of meat. I also ordered a dozen pan de Bono for my family, unfortunately, my father was not pleased, he said it lacked cheese. I agree.

Let me reiterate their customer service. They do provide great customer service just not to me. There was a lovely young couple who walked in and that same gentleman who ignored me stopped what he was doing and approached them immediately to ask them how he can help them. I shook my head thinking, “do they do this to the people that don’t look like me?” That would be a silly assumption I’m sure.

I’m all for my people, I’m Afro Colombian, but it is very disheartening to walk into an establishment and not be treated the same like the young couple. On top of that the food was not up to par to the flavor of authentic...