El Rincon Colombiano — Restaurant in Providence

6/16 & 6/18---A Sunday Surprise on Broad Street: Discovering a Colombian Cafe It all started with a blurry memory from either Google or Facebook—details were hazy, but the destination was clear. A Colombian cafe on Broad Street? In an area dominated by Dominican and Puerto Rican eateries, I couldn't believe my eyes. The idea intrigued me so much that after church last Sunday, I decided to take a detour and see it for myself.

The sun was shining, the birds were singing, and there I was, standing in front of this little piece of Colombia nestled between familiar establishments. With a mix of curiosity and excitement, I pushed open the door. A young man greeted me instantly, his thick Colombian accent making me feel as though I'd just walked into a café back home.

"Hola, paisana!" he exclaimed, handing me some "Ñapas." Now, ñapas are these little extras given by merchants, a tradition that dates back to the Chinese immigrants in Panama and Colombia in the early '80s. Picture getting candies or a tiny bonus item with your purchase—it's like finding a surprise gift in your cereal box, but better. But this “ñapas” were given to me as a sample to try out so I greatly appreciate it

I barely had time to process the nostalgia before he offered me a taste of their chicken soup, proudly cooked over firewood, or "cocinado en leña." One spoonful, and I was practically serenading the soup with Sinead O'Connor's "Nothing Compares 2 U." That smoky, home-cooked flavor was a direct ticket back to my childhood.

Then came the specialty rice. Oh, the rice. It was as if each grain had been blessed by the culinary angels. I couldn't resist and ordered the chicken soup with white rice and a side of chicharrón frito. The experience was nothing short of a flavor fiesta. Their ‘arroz mixto “ is delicious.

Fast forward to today 6/18, the hottest day of the week, and there I was again. This time, I was on a mission to sample their coffee and a few baked goodies. I didn't expect much since it was more of a bakery-cafe setup, but I was pleasantly surprised. The coffee, although not piping hot, was quite refreshing given the sweltering weather. God knew I needed a cooler brew for a day like today

I nibbled on arepas, buñuelos, and churros, each bite bringing joy and a hint of Colombia to my day. Just knowing I didn't have to trek all the way to Pawtucket for authentic Colombian pastries was enough to make my heart sing. They even had tres leches! I almost caved and ordered it to go, but I decided to save that indulgence for another visit.

As I left the cafe, I couldn't help but feel hopeful for its future. It's a new addition to Broad Street, just two months old, and I'm already praying it becomes the local gem it deserves to be. Arriba Colombia!

They take credit and debit, there's free parking, and be prepared for some good Ballenato music—because nothing says "authentic Colombian experience" like paying for your meal while dancing in the...

El Rincón Colombiano in Providence, RI, deserves all the flowers. This place is a hidden gem that had me fully in my feelings from the moment I walked in until the last bite.

First of all—the vibe? Immaculate. The woman attending to us was so kind, sweet, and helpful, the kind of person who makes you feel like you're walking into your auntie's kitchen instead of a restaurant. She really set the tone for what turned into a top-tier experience. Now onto the food. Buckle up. Let’s start with the empanadas—because baby, these were next level. The cheese empanada? STOP. Whatever cheeses they’re using, I need to know because it was not just cheese—it was creamy, flavorful, with subtle layers I wasn’t expecting. It had personality. It had depth. It had me rethinking my whole relationship with cheese. And the chicken empanada? Just as phenomenal. Perfect crust, beautifully seasoned filling, not dry, not bland—just right. Now let’s talk about what took me out emotionally: THE YUCA. Boiled to soft, starchy perfection, then immersed in this oil and pepper-based sauce that I could honestly drown in. It was tangy, savory, full of heat and flavor—I could drink it out of a shot glass. I wasn’t expecting that kind of flavor bomb from a side dish, but it hit me like a revelation. And then… the pollo horneado. Tender, juicy, and seasoned all the way through. It’s the kind of roast chicken that makes you pause mid-bite to appreciate life. You can taste the care and love that went into it—it’s not just food, it’s home. I live an hour away, and let me be crystal clear: Every time I’m even remotely close to Rhode Island, I will be stopping at El Rincón Colombiano. No question. Before I get on the highway, before I head home, before I do anything else—that’s where I’ll be.

This place fed me, hugged my soul, and reminded me what good food and good people can do. I’ll be...

We stopped by and picked up some things to go. Everything was cold, hard/stale, lacked flavor. We got the chicharrones + yucca which had a weird chemical taste and was paired with a very old lime but also it seemed overpriced for the quality and portion size. The rice was beyond dry with the meats bordering a jerky-like texture. The steak and Peppers were salty but no flavor. The churros were rock hard. The cheese bread tasted like cardboard, super stale. The only decent thing were the chicken empanadas because the other ones (meat)were bland. The service was slow and disinterested the cashier was far more into the music playing in the background than taking our order. Kinda glad we took it to go, my stomach is turning. Overall, would...