the food is absolutely delicious. and the customer service is outstanding. Alex was wonderful recommending really good food and pairing with the nice selection of wine. this place is a gem. highly recommended. read more

What a lovely experience! Our waiter Alex was wonderful from the start, giving us the background on the restaurant and his recommendations. We had wines and ordered the Clasico (guac, queso, and chips), and tostones. I wish we had more dip to chip ratio but the guac and queso were so delicious! The tostones were phenomenal and probably my favorite bite (two pictured but four were served, the tummy beat the camera) Entrees were delicious. I had the erepas and husband had the chimmichuri steak. Both were incredible. We declined dessert but were still brought a complimentary meringue with housemade caramel which was phenomenal. Overall we will be back!! Food and service were all absolutely 5 star. read more

JJ's Scratch Cocina is an elevated experience from it's most recent iteration - and everyone in our family are huge fans. We started supporting this location a few years ago under the name JJ's Fresh From Scratch. In a world full of Chipotle and Qdoba types, JJ's Fresh was a breath of fresh air for us. All of the ingredients were full of so much flavor, the staff was always friendly, and the rewards were plentiful. We'd pick up friends and family members from out of state, and this would be the first place we'd drive to after leaving the airport. When they began to remodel and reimagine the restaurant, we were super nervous. Why mess with something that we felt was truly perfect? After they reopened, my wife and her mom went for a girl's meal - and they said it was even better than before. I finally got a chance to experience the Cocina, and I'm so impressed. The presentation. The surprise tastings and bonus treats you receive on special days. The new menu. It's all worth it. You can tell that J.J. Paredes, the owner, is using his inspiration and love for the craft to challenge himself & his team. That kind of creativity and execution - it motivates me. It makes me want to support. It makes me want to be part of this movement. And it makes me excited to see how this will evolve over the next few years. read more

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Finally checked this place out after hearing people rave about it for years and now I completely understand the hype. The food tasted incredibly fresh and high quality, and you can tell they actually care about what they're serving. I loved how unique the menu was with the mix of Mediterranean and Latin flavors -- it's different from most places in Orlando but somehow everything works perfectly together. The portions were generous, the ingredients tasted fresh, and every bite felt homemade instead of mass produced. The atmosphere was casual and welcoming, and the staff made the experience even better. Everyone was friendly, patient, and genuinely seemed happy to help with recommendations. Even while busy, the service moved quickly and the restaurant stayed clean and organized the entire time. What really stood out was how healthy and flavorful everything felt at the same time. A lot of places lean too hard into one or the other, but this place balances both really well. You leave feeling full without feeling weighed down. Definitely one of the more underrated food spots in Orlando and somewhere I'll absolutely keep coming back to read more

Really happy I stumbled upon JJ's as I was looking for a lunch spot! I started off with the shrimp tostones, which were flavorful and would totally recommend. Next I had the Caracas and the "Erepa" entrees. The Caracas platter was pretty good. I really liked the beans and the plantains! Everything tasted super fresh and was perfectly cooked. The Arepa's were also fantastic. They came with all three types of meat (chicken, pork, beef) but you can select any arrangement of the 3 options. The corn arepa itself was extremely good. Honestly even if it came with just cheese it would still be great lol To top everything all, the service was ELITE. Our server was so nice and helped us with every question we had. To make things even better, the chef gave us a free appetizer and dessert. Neither item were on the menu (they said it was items they are looking to release soon) and even those tasted great. I added the photos of them but couldn't add the names. The restaurant itself was so clean and just a great vibe. The large windows really let in a good amount of natural light. Final note, THEY HAVE SOME NICE BATHROOMS! read more

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I've been a JJ's fan for years. When I heard about their rebrand, I was curious. Their new scratch kitchen concept is a more elevated but still comfortable dining experience. They now offer a small dining space with a few tables. We shared the Los Cabos (shrimp tacos), Lima (ceviche), and Tostones. The Tostones were a perfect round tostone topped with avocado and grilled shrimp--they were a great start to our meal. The tacos were also very flavorful. The ceviche was really good too. They customize it according to your preference whether you want no spice or something with more of a kick. The fish was very fresh mixed with nice citrus and passionfruit flavors. Service was wonderful too. I'd recommend making a reservation since there are not a ton of tables. Our server was very nice and took great care of us. I'm very happy to see this family-owned small business doing so well. I look forward to returning to try more of their menu. read more

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JJ's Scratch Cantina is a standout example of elevated fast casual, where high-quality ingredients and thoughtful execution meet a relaxed dining experience. From the moment we arrived, the service was exceptional. Alex was incredibly knowledgeable and brought genuine passion to the menu, which enhanced the entire experience. The Erepas were a highlight, I was able to pick between all three flavors, and since it comes with three, I chose one of each to try. Each one was unique and delicious. My fiancé's Byblos was equally impressive: perfectly balanced, fresh, and full of flavor. We were also treated to a surprise appetizer and dessert, which was such a thoughtful and appreciated touch and made the experience feel even more special. We'll absolutely be back! (I will make sure to update my review with more pictures next time we go! I just got so excited when the food came out and wasn't able to get good snaps before I started eating ) read more

JJ's Scratch Cocina - Erepas (I was so excited and ate one before I was able to take a picture) - Latin American Near Me - Orlando, Florida

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Incredible flavor and big portions. A great friendly local restaurant! I've been coming to Jj's for 12 years since the original JJ's grill - and I have always enjoyed it - but this new Cocina experience is next level! We had a variety of dishes included the tostadas (made with delicious pork), picanha steak (perfectly cooked with an amazing chimichurri), ceviche (super fresh flavor and made with halibut), and the Byblos chicken (tender and and full of traditional Mediterranean flavors). Our server was super friendly and brought us cucumber waters. We also had an iced macchiato that was perfect. The interior is super clean, upscale, and comfortable. I brought my service animal with me and we had no issues. All 3 of us left very pleased and will be sure to be back again. JJ knocking it out of the park again! Do yourself a favor and check out JJ's Cocina! read more

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This was my first time finally trying JJ's after two previous attempts; once we were turned away for not having a reservation and another time for a private event. When we finally made it in, I was a bit confused by the layout. There's a section for to-go orders with a more casual menu, while the dine-in area offers a more elevated experience. The dining space is small but stylish, clean, and aesthetically pleasing. The food was delicious and very satisfying, with generous portions. I also appreciated the cucumber and lemon-infused water! It was such a refreshing touch. The servers were very kind and knowledgeable, offering helpful menu suggestions, though they were a bit more attentive than I personally prefer. For pickups, drivers are directed to a separate entrance around the back, which was interesting to learn. I'd probably opt for the to-go option next time, but overall, it was a great experience. There's plenty of parking in the plaza, too. Thanks to the owner, I learned that they have two locations for their business within the same plaza which can cause some confusion between the pick up orders and the dine-in experience. read more

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We dined here for our 3rd year Anniversary. Prior to this evening, I had tried JJ's in its quick serve location before this new take- delicious and fresh ingredients. So when I learned JJ's elevated to reservation only finer dining? I thought it would be perfect for the occasion! A small comfortable dining area with just a handful of tables. This evening just us and one large party. We decided to share an entree and try some appetizers. Like their formal spot? All the flavors were there and ingredients fresh! We ordered the Ropa Vieja (likely by a different name) it was delicious- think comfort food! Our arepa appetizer was also a treat! Topped with avocado and shrimp...do yourself a favor! Order 2! Our one dislike on the plate? Their beans. Typically my litmus test for any great latin influenced restaurant..we didn't care for them. They had a sweet sugary taste that doesn't belong in black beans! One nice treat was our server brought us two chocolates with a heart in lieu of our Anniversary. Nice touch! Overall a great place with a beautiful esthetic and good food! We really liked but didn't love it. Ill definitely try again! 4.4 stars! Thanks JJ's! read more

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I was so surprised when I walked in to the restaurant to pick up a catering order bit is so different from my last visit. The decor and ambiance is totally revamped. I learned of their new dine in menu and returned that night to try it out. WOW! Souch a good decision, everything was perfect, the food, the service, even their infused water. So fortunate to live so close. Can't wait to dine here again. read more

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JJ's Scratch Cucina was suggested as a place for ten of us to eat at during a conference and we really packed the place (it's small and intimate). It has this cozy, welcoming feel - not at all too fancy, just comfortable and relaxed. They tell you but you can also tell right away that everything here is made from scratch with local ingredients, and they're serious about keeping it clean - no GMOs or additives and everything is local. I ordered the Lima, their halibut fish dish, and it was spot-on. Fresh, perfectly cooked even though it is a cold dish, and full of flavor without being heavy. You can taste the difference when food's done right from start to finish and I recommend the medium heat (spice) which was not too hot. We finished with the fudge brownie dessert, which came warm and gooey with just the right amount of ice cream and flower blossoms on a plate the belongs in an art museum (it was so beautiful)!. Definitely one of those comfort desserts that leaves you smiling in the car all the way back to the hotel. Our waitress was awesome - friendly, quick to check in, and really made the meal feel personal. This is the kind of place where you can settle in and enjoy good food that feels made for you. We left full and happy and the meal punctuated our community experience in a very meaningful way. read more

This place is AMAZING. Classy cozy clean atmosphere. The staff was so kind and attentive. I was greeted with warmth and smiles from everyone. The food came out fast and everything was delicious. You can tell everything is made from scratch with fresh ingredients. My favorite was the falafel and guacamole. The tostones were yummy and the matcha latte was perfect to wash it all down. I'll be back soon !!! High recommend this place. read more

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From the first bite to the sweet treat to close out the meal, we had a great experience. The service was top-notch, and the food was delightful, beautifully presented with love, and reasonably priced. We can't wait to go back! Outstanding reimagining JJ and team! read more

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Haven't been here in a while and it's even better than before! The inside is beautiful and allows for a casual to go or an upscale sit down experience all in one place! Service is great, food is extremely fresh with thoughtful and unique ingredients. Definitely a must try! read more

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The food is great. The service is great. Juan was wonderful, friendly, welcoming... and had all the information that I asked questions about, very delicious food... tasted so fresh. You could taste every ingredient. It was really nice atmosphere; really really happy with this place... it's actually the best restaurant that I've been to in a few years. That's the truth. Definitely will be back in... & I recommend highly. read more

JJ's Scratch Cocina - Latin American Near Me - Orlando, Florida

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The restaurant is small but warm and inviting. The service was attentive. The food was tasty and creative.

I went here during the afternoon and it was very nice. The food tasted really good (had arepas) and they were very friendly with quick service. The place is decorated nicely and the bathroom was clean. No complaints :) read more

JJ's Scratch Cocina - Latin American Near Me - Orlando, Florida

Outstanding hidden gem! One of the best meals from start to finish. We enjoyed the service and seriously the food is amazing. Very small inside so you should make a reservation but note they have a large takeout area as well. read more

Amazing! I loved the original, counter service dishes and expected this to be just a bit elevated experience. But this new concept was so much more!!! Beautiful space, excellent service, delicious meals! I had Sevilla which is Chicken perfectly cooked and juicy, roasted beets, zucchini, multi colored carrots and parsnips. We also had the erepas and Byblos. Everyone loved the dishes they ordered. We will be back soon!! read more

I just tried JJ's Scratch Cocina, and wow. I'm going to keep it so transparent with you, it's amazing. The food feels really thoughtful and made-from-scratch, with Latin American and Mediterranean flavors blending so smoothly. I had their tostadas (crispy, fresh, and layered perfectly) and a meat dish that tasted deeply comforting yet well‑traveled. The décor is warm and welcoming, like they put real care into building a space that feels elevated but relaxed. Service was friendly and knowledgeable. Highly recommend this place for a nice dinner or a special night out. :) read more

Shit service was at door for 15 minutes before getting any help. highly don't recommend if you want bad service

My wife and I came for a date night and it was absolutely amazing! the aesthetics of the restaurant make you feel at home and the food is made fresh with no preservatives. Not only did the food taste great the presentation was by one of the best in Central FL. take the time to come check them out. read more

The food is delicious, a flavor you won't find anywhere else in Orlando. You can tell the ingredients are high quality, the service is warm, and I loved it! read more