Parva Colombian Bakery & Cafe — Restaurant in Sanford

Had to make a jaunt to Sanford Airport and wanted something other that chain fast food or a buffet (after a recent eh experience but I digress). Going off of others' reviews and the location near the airport, Parva was the choice for lunch.

Walking in it's a small place, but extremely well kept and bright and lively. The music definitely set the tone for the rest of the experience. Went further, took a look at their menu and was pleasantly surprised that not only was the Cuban an option, but Media Noche sandwich was as well. Now for those not familiar, a Media Noche is basically a Cuban except on a sweet bread then mashed into a thin but amazing sandwich. I knew what I wanted then. Ordered it, a guava and cheese pastry and two bottled drinks. There was no fountain drink readily apparent, only canned and bottled drinks.

Afterward, found a table to sit in and wait. Was fortunate as it was fairly busy but there was also some outside seating. A few minutes later, the person that took my order let me know that they had run out of the Media Noche bread, and if it would be ok to just have the Cuban. I was disappointed, to be sure, but just sulked and agreed to the Cuban. This almost knocked off a star.

The reason I kept the full five is a result of the sandwich that came out. It looked to be amazing dish, and my disappointment faded away very quickly. It was served with plantain chips (which were not expected, and seemed to be made in house). So, after taking my first bite I was taken back to decades ago in Miami. The meats were flavorful and balanced out by the earthy Swiss. There was a side of honey mustard which I've never had served with the sandwich before, so I gave it a try. It was a great complement to the salty sandwich. In a way, it was a bit like having jelly with a Monte Cristo. The pastry dessert was nearly as large as the Cuban and was a solid blend of flakiness, sugar and offset by the cheese in it.

Overall, despite not getting what I originally ordered the quality of food, friendliness of the service really made Parva stand out. I took a moment before leaving to let them know that I would be sharing my thoughts about their restaurant and how well everything was. If I were back in that area, would go back without hesitation. In fact, I wish I lived closer. Worth trying and...

Had lunch at Parva today with two friends, and I must say, it was an overall enjoyable experience. The food was absolutely amazing—fresh, flavorful, and served promptly, which made the meal even more satisfying. I opted for the Ropa Vieja, a traditional dish that was beautifully prepared. The plate came with tostones, yuca frita, and maduros, all of which were cooked to perfection. The meal was accompanied by the house soup, which surprised me by being served in a generously sized bowl rather than the usual small one. The soup itself was rich and comforting, a perfect complement to the rest of the meal.

The location was quite busy, which speaks to its popularity, but despite the crowd, I found the parking to be convenient and ample—a definite plus in such a bustling area. That said, for those looking for a more relaxed dining experience, I’d recommend trying their second location in DeLand. It has a quieter ambiance, which I think is better suited for an evening dinner where you can unwind and enjoy the food at a leisurely pace.

As for the service, there were a few hiccups. Our server, Natalia, seemed a bit confused at the start, which led to some initial miscommunications. However, once she got the hang of things, she was attentive and ensured our dining experience was pleasant. My company was great, which added to the overall positive vibe of the lunch.

One piece of advice for those considering a visit: if you’re looking to keep the bill reasonable, stick to water instead of ordering drinks. Parva offers a pretty good value for the price, especially when you focus on the food, which is undoubtedly the star of the show. All in all, I would definitely recommend giving Parva a try for its delicious offerings and the...

Once I walked in, I was greeted with a warm welcome by Melisa and she was nice, friendly, attentive and happy to answer any questions.

The restaurant is clean, spacious and with nice decor. They also offer bakery items (they sure looked good) and food to go. You walk in and the menu is listed in a screen to the left and you order and set down to wait for your order.

I had the Pollo a la Parrilla with salad, black beans and cilantro rice. Everything was good, fresh, prep to order and tasty. Prices compare to other like restaurants, so it was a good meal. They do offer weekend specials that they have on a board as you walk in, but those do tend to run out.

They do not have a soda machine and only sell canned or bottled drinks. I wanted tap water but that is not an option, fyi.

Also, the music playing on the background is kind of loud, so something to consider as well.

I was looking forward to my visit since I saw them on an IG post and would had given them a 5 star rating. Unfortunately, one of the ladies was rude when I asked a question (I wanted to know if they would sell their chicharron by quantity) and she flat out said no, that it was by the whole piece. There was no need for the rudeness but thankfully the food made up for it and the service from Melisa.

Not a bad option if you are around the area and are looking for a...