La Cocina del Sur Empanadas Bar by Pedro’s South American food — Restaurant in Milwaukee

First up the good, decor looked fantastic and I loved the menu offerings. It really has a first rate ambience, everything in the interior suggests time thought and attention to detail.

Now the bad, we didn't even stay to eat. Reservation was at 530 we left at 5:55pm. Our only contact with our waitress was a Ill be right back with waters which never came. We also noticed that none of the tables around us had food, which is part of why we left.

The wait staff was visibly stressed to the point of panic. They frantically hurried around and tried to communicate with each put, but it was clear that none of them could help each other. They were overwhelmed. When we got up to leave I told our waitress and she couldn't even respond, she just looked beaten as she rushed to one of her tables.

The bartender was sharp friendly and responsive but it was just her handling a full bar and full restaurant. Our drinks ordered at the bar never came.

Simple rule for running a restaurant, if you don't have the staffing DONT TAKE RESERVATIONS! DO NOT SEAT PEOPLE IF YOU CANT SERVE THEM! I do not blame the staff, this looked like a failure of management.

Here's a thought, if this place just opened why did they fill it on a Saturday night? Why not run half or even 3/4 occupancy for the first month?

Hostess was oblivious to the chaos around her, that's...

We went on taco Tuesday. The tacos leave a little to be desired. I had corn tortillas with mine, but they fell apart and were cold. The meat, carnitas, was very plentiful, which I loved. But it was dry and a little tough to eat. I also ordered an empanada, which was the highlight of the evening and much envied by my companions, who all ordered tacos.

Besides the food, which I want to go back to try multiple other options on their menu, the service was very slow. We had a group of 4, and dinner service took 2 full hours, plus whatever time my friends waited before my partner and I got there. It was a good 20-25 mins before the waiter took our first drink order. We were there an hour before they came back for food orders. We were never asked if we wanted another round of drinks, though they did refill the waters right at the very end while we were waiting for the check. Just... So slow. And it was empty in there!

Again, I want to go back, which will take a little convincing to my partner, to try other things on their menu. Maybe sit at the bar next time? That might reduce the service time...

Wow! If you haven’t checked out this place, YOU👏ARE👏MISSING👏OUT👏

The food, the vibe, the cocktails are next level. La Cocina del Sur MKE, knocks it out. Great lighting and decor rounds out an amazing dining experience.

Known for empanadas, we tried four different varieties, and all were amazing. We had a hard time picking so we just tried a bunch of items:

-guacamole with plantain chips -fried goat cheese fritters w caramelized onions, jalapeño infused honey and crostini -arepas de choclo (Columbian sweet corn cakes w pulled pork, slaw, pickled onions, cilantro and chipotle aioli) -llapingachos con chorizo (Ecuadorian cheese potato cakes w seared chorizo link, avocado, tomato onion salad, aji, corn nuts, peanut sauce and a fried egg) -goat cheese stuffed guava fruit with caramel sauce

Great bar to sit at and ample dining space with clean and well equipped bathrooms.

Second time here, and can’t wait to get back. There is not one item we tried that wasn’t 10/10!!

Oh, they also have prosecco on tap, and pour a very...