Alright, so today I figured I'd finally tackle Colombian food properly. See, I kept hearing about arepas and bandeja paisa, but had zero clue where to start. Grabbed my phone, opened Google Maps right there in my messy kitchen. Typed "Colombian restaurant near me" - boom, three spots popped up.
First step was checking reviews like a madman. Scrolled through photos of people's plates - if the dish looked sad or the place was empty in pics? Nope. Found this family-run joint with piles of plantains in every shot and a grandma flipping arepas behind the counter. That's the one.
The Taste Test Plan
Walked in around 2 PM Tuesday - dead quiet, perfect. Owner dude smiled when I said "I wanna try real Colombian, hit me with your top 3". He points at his menu:
- Started with arepas - split one stuffed with shredded beef, another just cheese. Crispy outside, kinda like thick corn pancakes. Messy as hell, cheese dripping everywhere. Wiped my chin like five times.
- Went straight into bandeja paisa next. Giant platter with beans, rice, fried egg, chorizo, beef, avocado, plantain. Felt like a mountain. Couldn't finish half of it, took leftovers home in a styrofoam box.
- Finished with ajiaco soup - chicken potato thing with capers and cream. Owner hovered nearby asking "good? good?" till I gave thumbs up. Tasted like someone's rainy Sunday comfort food.
Got the bill - $45 for everything including soda. Asked owner where to buy proper Colombian coffee beans after, he scribbled an address on my receipt.
What Actually Worked
Three big takeaways for next time:
- Search weekdays before lunch rush - workers haven't flooded in yet, owners got time to chat
- Always point at what locals are eating. Saw this couple sharing a stew I didn't know, scribbled "sancocho?" on my phone for next visit
- Seriously, split dishes. I waddled outta there like a stuffed penguin. Could've shared bandeja paisa with two friends easily.
Left super sweaty from spicy sauce with a food baby belly, but that's how you know it counts right? Off to find that coffee place now.
