Food was delicious. Service was great. Ambiance was normal, not spectacular. They only flawed in providing us with the right desert... we ordered flan to go and they gave us flan con panetela (un chocoflan). read more

Este es peor servicio que eh recibido en todos los años que eh ido a este restaurante , pues la atención súper pésima no te dan ni un buenos días o en que le puedo ayudar , fui con la mejor intención de comer unas empanadas y el señor que atendió en el mostrador me ignoró completamente se dio media vuelta y se fue jajaja creo que es un mal servicio al cliente y no voy más , muy mal read more

Celebrated Father's Day here with 20 members of our family and friends. They were very accomodating and all the food served taste great! The staff took care of our requests. The servings are so big and tastes so good! Rahway is a foodie haven! read more

This review is more for my wife than myself! We did a food run yesterday and she got stuff from here. I personally am not a fan of corn Empanadas, but that is just me! Please don't not go because of that. My wife's coworker brought in Empanadas from here recently, and since then my wife wanted to go. She ordered a buffet of almost all the Empanadas that they offer. I got 2 cheese for myself. I thought that they were pretty good for being corn. My wife and Father-in-law both loved the ones that they tried. They enjoyed the pabellon, they chicken and cheese and so many others. The only issue is that most employees here do not speak English, and the language barrier is pretty evident... So if you do not speak Spanish, I wish you luck! The restaurant has high plastic barriers all over from what I can see. There is an entrance for the restaurant, and a separate one for to-go! Sadly this really is not my heritage, or any family members heritage, so I can't say if these are the best.... All in all, my wife liked them! Aside from the language barrier, I don't really have any issues. read more

Authentic food, delicious, always fresh. Highly recommend , not great for parking. Empanadas are delicious. Bandeja Paisa well worth the portion read more

Everything, starting with the food and customer service. I recently ordered 4 kinds of empanadas and everything was packed in the same bag, and also the cheese fingers(dedos de queso) also in the same bag. They shrinked the size of everything and the price when up. I used to love this place but now is very disappointing. read more

I often come here to get take out for lunch whenever I'm in the mood for Colombian or food with rice and beans. The staff usually ignore me because they think I'm lost and I'm oriental. The funny thing is the old lady asks me what I want in Spanish and I calmly answer back in English. Automatically, she tells her son to ask me what I want. I then ask the guy I want the Baneja de Piasa to-go in espanol. I always get the Baneja Piasas. The motherland dish, It comes with rice and beans, a thin flat steak, a sausage link, a chicarone (bacon), a sliver of avocado, half fried plantain, a arepa thingy (rice cake). It's my anti-salad dish. Its a ton of food for 14 beans. I usually eat 3/4 of it at my desk during lunch. I try to finish the rest when I have my 3 o'clock coffee break. You must try it with the salsa picante. It makes it better. The huge mound of rice and beans can be flavorless without it. I should try the other Colombian/latin places around but if it ain't broke don't go somewhere else. Also, the empanadas there look pretty good. I should go there breakfast but that requires going to work early, read more

La Fogata Restaurant - Paballion. I think. Not sure - Colombian Near Me - Elizabeth, New Jersey

The starters are very good. I also like the mango in milk a lot. The steak is not really a steak I'd say. It tastes more like a sliced beef dishes with onions. The fish is really over fired and not good. The chicken is ok. The desert is just ok, way lower than the expectation. Overall 3.9/5 read more

See all

I was here this past Friday and although service was slacking... my Bandeja Paisa was LIFFEEEEE!! Everything on my plate was amazing. The steak was tender, pork fried to perfection, rice and beans... I can go on and on... so far out of all the spots on Morris Ave this one is my fave! IG: @bougiefoodiee read more

La Fogata Restaurant - Bandeja Paisa - Colombian Near Me - Elizabeth, New Jersey

The waitress seemed uninterested from the time we walked in. I ordered the churrasco I special and asked for it medium. I wanted fries instead of rice in which I was told was not possible so I ordered a separate order which I wanted to eat with my steak. The fries came out within 5 min and 20 min in my food is still not out. My fries were cold and my steak was well done and dry! I asked for it medium. Not too mention the prices are pretty darn high. Food is usually good but service is trash! read more

La Fogata Restaurant - Gross! Never get a picada here! - Colombian Near Me - Elizabeth, New Jersey

See all

Came here at the recommendation of a co worker. I ordered the arroz con pollo lunch special. I was expecting something else, the rice was over cooked and soggy, the chicken dry and parts burnt, the vegetables scarce and favor less like the rest of the meal. I have never had this dish with burned hotdogs, and I can't say it was a welcomed addition. Also had a sad little plantain thrown on top of the rice, so much for a nice presentation.I tried my coworkers pollo a la plancha which was flavorful but the meat in the Bandeja paisa lacked seasoning and was dry. Overall I found the food to be mediocre at best, so much that I threw away the rest of my meal. I might give this place another try and order the chicken. On a positive note they have a variety of baked goods and candy that brought me back to my childhood. The customer service was ok, but they forgot to include a salad that came with my meal. read more

See all

My husband and I were visiting the area and decided to try this restaurant. It looked very welcoming. Drinks were good and so was the service. The food came out and looked delicious. After I ate half of my churrasco, there was a short black hair stuck to the meat. This was disgusting. At that point my husband called the server and informed him quietly Of the hair in my plate to avoid others hearing. My husband told him that we didn't have a problem paying for my plate and it wasn't that we were trying to get free food but in all honestly, they didn't try to remove the charge. As we walked out, everyone has a mask but no one has hair masks or beard nets and by the looks of it, the hair appeared to be a hair from a beard. My husband and I will not be going back. read more

Waitress was friendly & attentive. Our meals came out fairly quickly & we were pleased with our choices. The chicken with onions, salad & tostones were good along with my husbands seafood meal. A bit disappointed that they didn't serve any bread. The red sangria was served in a large pitcher & was excellent. Place was pretty packed after we arrived around 8:30pm. We'd return to this restaurant. read more

See all

This is always my go to spot for good Colombian cuisine. They have definitely made upgrades to the furniture and overall dining experience. I've noticed a slight increase in food items but the food still remains tasty. My favorite is always the bistec criolla which has a hint creole flavor. Its a nice size steak with creole sauce, sauteed onions and potatoes. It comes with two sides which range from rice, maduros, black beans, salad, avocado and Yucca. The mango milkshake is an extra yum. They don't offer tap water and will sell you bottled water. They also serve alcoholic beverages . There are three flat screen TVs throughout the dining area. There are a lot of tables and is a good place for groups. Street parking is available if you can find a spot! read more

See all

This is my go-to colombian restaurant. I have had several dishes here and everything is cooked to perfection. The empanadas here are definitely best in town. They're alittle skimpy on their hot sauce so always make sure you ask for their picante, and extra. Their blackberry smoothie is heaven sent, actually all of them are and as usual you have a choice if you want it made with water or milk, tip: always say leche. Platters are amazing and definitely priced right. If you want to eat good traditional colombian food, definitely stop by here. read more

Friendly staff. Great food at a reasonable price. The salmon is really delicious and about 1/3 less than another restaurants in price. Pabellón is shredded beef in red sauce, NOT to be confused with Italian red sauce. This sauce is lighter and ideal for the shredded skirt steak. It is served with white rice and shredded cheese over Black beans. Very tasty. The slight saltines of the cheese goes really well with the black beans in it's thick sauce. This place is so reasonably price that I always tip 20% of the bill plus a dollar. Full dinners for two cost me $31, so I left a $7 tip. The waitresses and waiters remember you and show their appreciation by waiting on you hand and foot. ENJOY!!! read more

Food was great but the waiter www fraud l. Gave him cash for the check he acted like I only gave him $30 when I gave him $40 for a $29 tab just be careful they will scam you if they can here. Never again at this place never read more

4 star restaurant, food is delicious, service is good but every now and then, there is inconsistency with accuracy of orders placed. I understand it is a busy place so it needs some work to get to 5 stars read more

La Fogata Restaurant - Colombian Near Me - Elizabeth, New Jersey

Good food to eat in but I do not recommend you to order to take out, yesterday ordered sancocho de cola and they did not put meat in it,can you believe that ?... sancocho de cola without the cola,the other day I ordered food and empanadas,had to go back because they forgot the empanadas,again,the food is good,good tamales,the best empanadas but do not order,just eat it in read more

I went here yesterday with my Colombian boyfriend for the Colombian festival in NJ. We were there to see Oscar D'Leon. The food was very good and portions were huge. I got the Creole Chicken and he got the Bandeja Paisa. I could only manage to eat half. Unfortunately, the waitress was rude. I don't speak Spanish since I'm a gringa and she didn't answer me in English as I placed my order. She replied in Spanish and pretty much ignored me so I had to communicate through my boyfriend. I felt like an outcast! There's many other good Colombian places where the waiters and waitresses don't discriminate and will gladly take your order in English. This isn't the one. read more

The worst placeeeee everrr bought 10 empanadas found a roach and went to complain no manager to talk to so spoke to some waitress which was rude ass heck showed her the roach on the emapnada trying to tell us it wasnt a roach like really she eas so rude do not eat here they are nastyt in every way read more

La Fogata Restaurant - so nasty found a roach in my empanada went to complain no sorry or anything just a ooh thatd not a roach some nasty ass people in there - Colombian Near Me - Elizabeth, New Jersey

See all

I love Colombian food, had really high hopes... Apparently if you don't speak the language the staff feels it's only right to ignore you for a good 10 minutes or more... probably hopping you'll go away. After finally getting someone to take my order, I chose a dish from their menu to-go. Don't remember the exact name, but the price was $13.00. It was a breaded chicken breast dish, with rice and a tiny little salad. While I waited another 20 mins, I saw other customers (spanish speaking btw) picking up the exact same dish paying $10, I think it may have been on the specials menu board written in chalk. Reason I mention this, when it was time for me to pay, the sweet little spanish lady asked me for $17.50. Her accent was thick so I thought it must be a mistake, I only had twenties on me, so I gave her one. She gave me back exactly $2.50 in change. Well that's weird I thought... I gave her a look but she just turned and walked away. Guess my WTF look was lost in translation. Unfortunately I couldn't waste any more time there, otherwise I would have asked the manager why I was paying 75% more than other customers for the same dish? Seriously?? Oh, and the food. Was not impressed at all. The chicken was dry, rice was decent but nothing to brag about. I make better rice in my five year old, $20 rice maker. And geez, the salad was laughable. Overall a very bad experience. Even if the food was amazing, I would never go back to a place that puts certain customers above others. La Foget about it.... read more

A brightly lit, friendly Colombian place. Huge portions. The mixtas arepas were terrific as was the bandeja paisa. Definitely a fan. Very tasty Guanabana (soursop) drinks. read more

One of my favorite local Colombian restaurants. There's no shortage of Colombian restaurants in the area, this one is definitely in the top 3. Not sure what to get? Try a few empanadas for starters and finish it off with the go to dish of all Colombians, the Bandeja Tipica (sometimes called Bandeja Paisa. You'll have a freaking ball trying to finish that $13 dish, I know I do. read more

I went to La Fogata recently to celebrate a friend's birthday. I've been to several restaurants in Elizabeth, this being one of many Colombian ones that I have/will try. We were seated in the back dining area (there were about a dozen of us). They do not sell alcohol but you're allowed to BYOB (liquor store close by). The restaurant was a little mildew-y smelling in the back and there were also quite a few little flies around our table- a little off-putting. In typical Colombian fashion- I ordered the bandeja paisa. One of my favorite parts of this platter (besides the meat, obviously) is the avocado. When they brought it out I noticed there was none, only to find that there was none left. I asked if they could instead bring me a small salad (ya know, to add some greens to the massive amount of meat I was about to consume) which she gladly did. Others ordered soup, empanadas, grilled chicken, breaded chicken/steak and fish. Everyone seemed to really enjoy their food; the steak was flavorful and the portions were huge (I was able to bring home almost an entire meal leftover). I wouldn't mind coming back here because the food is good and the service is attentive (considering we had a large party). They also offered us free coffee/espresso on the house, which I thought was nice. They also offer quite a few specials during the day, which I would be interested to try. read more

Everytime I want to eat Venezuelan food and don't feel like driving to the city, I come here. Love love love the arepas and the empanadas. Today I had calentao and it was great!! The food is authentic colombian and Venezuelan. The services is good and the price is right. Everyone should try the agua panela con limon y so refreshing. read more

La Fogata Restaurant - Calentao de arepa y ropa vieja. - Colombian Near Me - Elizabeth, New Jersey

See all

The best empanadas ($1 each) on Morris Avenue, as well as standard Colombian and some Venezuelan fare served in a friendly (if a little chilly) restaurant. All your fellow diners will have their eyes on either a football match or a soap opera on the televisions, but the food takes my attention as soon as it arrives. The Colombian platters, all served with good rice and beans, are gigantic and tremendous value. One of these and an empanada each makes a very cheap meal for two. read more

La Fogata Restaurant - Colombian Near Me - Elizabeth, New Jersey

I came here with some friends looking for a Colombian snack. The first thing I noticed was that they were playing some amazing salsa. I need a copy of their playlist. Thy menu came and from the options I figure that this place is Venezuelan/Colombian. I ordered a Venezuelan arepa pabellon. It was an white corn patty filled with chicken, sweet plantains, black beans, and cheese. This was huge tasted amazing. I was completely satisfied and I definitely recommend it. read more

La Fogata Restaurant - Arepa pabellon - Colombian Near Me - Elizabeth, New Jersey

My wife found this place and when she took me there, well, is not a really fancy place, but food was terrific; We bought 2 Bandejas Paisas OMG! They were huge :D We had enough food for almost 3 days. It's really cheap, and the lady who attends the place is really nice. read more

A lot of good food for a great price! Always leave very satisfied! Make sure if you guys stop by you get "deditos de queso" if you guys like cheese. read more

one of my go to spots for Colombian food. Love the stuffed arepa. Have them alter it a bit and switch the mixed meats for an over easy egg. Deliciously gooey. Arepa stuffed with cheese, beans, avacado, sweet plantain and egg. Perfext little meal left me super full. Also ordered a side of rice and beans. Maybe because it was the end of the night but the beans were a little watery, would have liked more bean to broth ratio. Also ordered cheesey breads. Came out warm and delicious. My friend asked for a moment after taking his first bite.... yea was that good... he had a "foodgasm" We ordered coffee and tea as well. I asked for my tea with milk. Tea latte was just what i needed on a cold night. Friend ordered a dish with meat, avacado, beans and rice and an egg. He enjoyed it probably as much as i enjoyed my arepa. We didnt leave much left on the plates. Piggies. Happy mouths, full bellies, good company Couldnt ask for a better night read more

See all

Went to have drinks and empanadas last night- the atmosphere is very crowded and busy almost all the time. I ordered a mango margarita and chicken empanadas. The drink was definitely not worth $8 it did not even taste like mango- it was so sour. The empanada was really good, I really want to try so entree as the menu had a wide variety. read more

Great food, friendly service, ceviche is out of this world, tostones were on point, and the mango juice was great. Now we saved the best for last, I ordered tres leches cake to bring home for later, and it was great, nice and moist, fresh great sign that this place is one of the best places in Elizabeth. Will definitely go back!!!!!!! read more

La Fogata Restaurant - LI-tea and mango margarita - Colombian Near Me - Elizabeth, New Jersey

I love this place.. service is always great and food is delicious. Make sure your very hungry because they serve a lot of food or you can have them pack it up and bring it home with you. There's no park lot so make sure you feed the meter when you go because the police will give you a ticket. read more

Solid spot for Colombian and Venezuelan food. Service is on the better end of the neighboring Colombian restaurants, although there is room for improvement. Example, timing of when dishes are dropped- pet peeve is to get my main course before soup or app, etc. That said, it's a casual spot good for lunch or late night eating. Arepas are the best in the area. Daily lunch specials are quick, cheap and delish! read more

We have been coming here for a long time, bur our visits have been lessening because the service is awful. They brought out our meals one at a time instead of together, the waitress forgot our requests (like our side of limes, our side of tostones, or the empanadas we asked for), she did not check up on us once while we were eating, and i had to dlag down 3 different waitresses just to get a cup of water (which they did not bring, they instead charged me for bottled water, even though free water is the law). Additionally, the food has gotten worse over the years. The chicharron tasted more like bad bacon than chicharron. The side of tostones came with less tostones than there were people (4 of us, 3 tostones) read more

This place the food is excellent. Everything is well prepared. The soup is delicious. I'm never disappointed when I come here. I just wish they deliver. I ordered chicharon it was delicious. And Yuka frita, was nice and crispy. Oh and the frita plantain was nice and sweet. read more

They are one of the best colombian restaurant in Union county, even is small they go over the limit. The food is awesome and they give you a lot, so you should go hungry. read more

Food was good , service sucks!!!!! My family and I ate there and we order something to go part of the food we order to go wasn't there they miss half of of what I f.....k order and I pay 130 dollars , for this hard time they f.....king. Around that's suck I'm not come back here no more read more

This is the worst restaurant that Thor is in Elisabeth the service is bad and the food takes 2 hours to eat when we went to eat the food the food is cold. I ask for Buffalo sauce wings and they brought me bbq sauce... we ask for soup at first we wait an 1 for the soup and then they told us their was no more soup. Like wait type of restaurant dose that rather go somewhere else around the block with all this restaurant than this one. read more