I was driving down Forest Avenue at dinnertime, and I saw a big sign that said "Colombian food!" I…read morelove Colombian food, so I stopped. Parking can be tricky, I parked halfway down the side street in front of the city park. The place was clean and everybody was friendly. I liked the atmosphere of the restaurant. It kind of reminded me of a Cantina. Definitely a Latin vibe. The menu was on an iPad, and it was in Spanish, but just by knowing a few words and by the pictures, I knew what I wanted to order. I could've also used the Google translator on my phone, if I wanted to. I ordered the bandeja mixta. Grilled steak, grilled chicken, sausage, blood sausage, rice, beans and sofrito covered potatoes. The food came quickly, and it was delicious. Both the steak and the chicken were tender and had so much flavor. I loved the taste of the Sofrito covered potatoes. The potatoes were just the right texture, and the Sofrito was creamy and delicious. A little bit of the rice, I mixed in with the beans, And it made for a wonderful rice and beans dish. It was definitely a lot of food. I made it through the chicken, steak, the potatoes, and a little bit of rice and beans, and I was stuffed. I took the rest home for later, and it all reheated very well. The sausage was delicious, especially the blood sausage. Yes, it's an acquired taste but I absolutely love blood sausage. The flavor is deep and rich. For all that I got, especially since it was two meals, the price was very reasonable. I would stop back by the next time. I'm on the island. Thank you!

It has been way too long since I've been here…read more Dinner was a combo of plantains, rice, and side salad, featuring a grilled pork loin. Everything was seasoned well and I can't rave enough about the plantains. Secretly, I wish I had ordered another side of plantains with guacamole l, but that's for another time. I came here with two other friends, we were in and out in about an hour. The service was quick and we found the staff members to be very nice!

One of the things I love about New York, you can literally eat your way around the world. I was…read morelooking for a Cuban restaurant, because I wanted a good Cubano, and instead, I found this place, which is food from across Latin America. They had the Cubano, but they had so many other things, I decided to go for something different. It is a nice space, with Latin music playing loud and proud. They have parking behind the restaurant, but it is shared with the other businesses in the small shopping center that the restaurant is in. Parking may be tricky. The food is on a cafeteria line, you just tell them what you want. It was Sunday, so I wanted to try the goat. Unfortunately, they were sold out. Instead, I decided to go for the chicken stew. For my sides, I decided to go for the rice and pigeon, peas, and the yellow plantains. Dear lord, I couldn't believe the size of the plate that she handed me. The chicken was bone in, but it was so tender and juicy, it was literally falling right off the bone. It was seasoned well and had an amazing flavor. I loved the rice, and the pigeon peas kind of reminded me of Black Eyed Peas. I liked the nutty flavor. The plantains were done very well. I love plantains, they reminded me of a banana, only a little bit less sweet. I had enough food for two full meals, and each of them left me stuffed. For all of this amazing food, and a soda, it was only $16 and a few cents, plus tip. I want to come back and try more things. Thank you very much....

The Latin flare all dishes have that authentic latin flavor. The oxtails are weighed by the pound…read moreand very good but pricey cause a bone has weight. The stewed chicken is always my favorite. Rice and peas always a good choice.b they even have Mac n cheese for those who like pork chops too. Salads, pulpo, seafood salads and more. The empanadas for a quick bite were very tasty too. Seating on the restaurant side and take out offered.

Delicious and large breakfast plates! We tried a few different ones. The steak was so flavorful and…read morecooked perfectly. Add a little of the hot sauce (not spicy) but takes it to another level. We also enjoyed the mixed rice (rice and beans and other stuff). Also tried the sweet plaintain with cheese, tasty as well. That plantain was the perfect size for me as I picked from my husband's large plate of meat/beans/arepa, etc. Next time we will try the bakery items including the guava pastries and cheese inside the bread. Great to have a place like this in the neighborhood!

I was excited to see some culture in Staten Island, you can't go wrong with Colombian food. The…read moreplace was nice the staff were friendly. But this place disappointed me, I wanted to try something quick, I ordered the pan de bono which so delicious, but this one was so dry and salty like I was biting into a ball of sand, I got a small coffee and it smelled burnt, had no taste. And last I ordered a croissant, I'm sorry to say it did not taste homemade, it was like I opened one in a bag from the corner store. The ones at Costco taste better than this one. I saw they had a menu of various food. But honestly im scared to even try it, if just the bread is bad I can only imagine the food. It's like the one on forest el Riconcito, so bad. Im sorry but I'm going keep traveling to queens to get fresh Colombian bread thank you. Or jersey.

Wow! This is officially my new favorite spot! Everything we ordered was absolutely amazing. My…read morefriend and I tried the fish, ribeye, shrimp, octopus, and lengua tacos, and every single one was packed with flavor and cooked perfectly. We also had the Ceviche Mixto and Aguachile Mixto, and they were incredibly fresh, vibrant, and delicious. The fresh oysters topped with guacamole were fantastic, and the oysters served in a michelada shot were next-level--such a unique and delicious combination! The restaurant is clean, beautifully decorated, and has an authentic Mexican taquería vibe. The Mexican music playing in the background made the atmosphere even more enjoyable. You can really taste the quality of the ingredients in every bite. I already can't wait to come back and work my way through the rest of the menu. If you're looking for authentic, fresh, and flavorful Mexican seafood and tacos, this place is a must-visit. I highly recommend it! Try it now before everyone discovers it and it's impossible to get a table!

Taqueria El Buchon: A Birria Revelation (and a Masterclass in Hospitality!)…read more My usual Mexican food pilgrimage involves a bit of a trek. Still, on a recent, intense QuesaBirria craving, the thought of a long drive was about as appealing as a lukewarm taco. So, I did what any smart foodie would do: hit up Yelp and Google for "Birria Restaurant Staten Island." Taqueria El Buchon popped up with reviews so good, I practically tasted the birria through my screen. "Alright," I thought, "let's give this a shot." And oh, am I ever glad I did! From the moment I rolled in (walker and all!) to the moment I reluctantly waddled out, I was utterly captivated. First, let's talk about the unsung hero of my visit: the gentleman (whose name I regrettably didn't catch, but he deserves a medal!) who served me. He didn't just serve; he served far and beyond. This man was a hospitality wizard, attentive without being overbearing, and genuinely made me feel like the most important diner in the room. And speaking of delightful surprises, let's dive into the chips and salsa. Forget those sad, bagged imposters from the supermarket. These, my friends, were the real deal. The salsa was a vibrant fiesta in a bowl - bursting with fresh cilantro, chunky onions, and ripe tomatoes. But the chips? Oh, the chips! Crispy, fresh, with that perfect, satisfying crunch that screams "homemade." The waiter confirmed they whip these beauties up fresh right there in the restaurant, and you can absolutely taste the difference. Seriously, a must-try! Now, for the main event: my QuesaBirria. This wasn't just a taco; it was a work of art. They were thoughtfully cut into perfect triangles, like a gourmet quesadilla. This ingenious design meant a flawless "plate to mouth ratio" - no embarrassing meat or tortilla shrapnel decorating my shirt, the table, or the floor. While I love a good messy taco as much as the next person, this elegant presentation was pure genius. The portion size was generous, and the blend of tender meat and cheese was simply divine. The consommé? Flavorful and rich, a true tasty companion. My only tiny wish (and I mean tiny, because the taste was absolute perfection) was for a few more strands of birria meat in the broth/consommé, as I've encountered at other spots. But honestly, it's a minor quibble in an otherwise flawless performance. The ambiance was just right. The music was a tad loud, but when it's tasteful Latin beats, who's complaining? Certainly not me! My Latin roots demanded a little chair jig, and I happily obliged. (Don't worry, it was subtle... mostly. lol.) But the true cherry on top of this already fantastic experience happened on my way out. A lovely young lady, without being prompted, graciously got up from her chair, greeted me with a warm smile, and opened the door. In a world where genuine kindness can sometimes feel rare, this was a truly delightful and happy moment. I thanked her, and now, reflecting on it, I wish I'd tipped her just for that thoughtful gesture. If I could give Taqueria El Buchon 10 stars, I absolutely would. Thank you for the exceptional service, the incredible food, and the heartwarming hospitality. You've won a new loyal customer! PS: almost forgot: I also absolutely enjoyed the whimsical salsa bowl; it was definitely unique and so cute! I want one. :-)

You won't need your passport for this journey to Peru. Most…read morefoodies will tell you Peruvian cuisine has an Asian influence. NOT HERE... this is a true Peruvian gastro-journey at its finest. Chef Caesar Gutierrez expresses his heritage pride through his passion in the kitchen. From appetizer to dessert every thing is prepared in house. The explosion of flavors you'll experience with this menu is unmatched in the Tristate area. Presentation, flavor to portions it's all fine tuned and well executed. It's simply WOW from beginning to end. Chef Ceasar is highly trained and exposed in fine cuisine and uses his expertise to execute his totally Peruvian menu not influence it. Service is welcoming, friendly, accommodating and extremely menu knowledgeable. Front staff will take the time to explain the dish from ingredients to heritage. The ambiance is simple Peruvian pride, not over done... just enough. Don't be fooled by the location and curb appeal of this gem of a restaurant. This piece of Peruvian territory Chef Ceasar created in Staten Island NY is a MUST. 5 stars is not enough for this establishment. 100% YUMMY TUMMY!

OK! Ceviche MixtoPeruvian Style Roast Chicken Service ok as…read morewell. Food displayed on ipads .

Best tacos ever! Probably the best I've tried on Staten Island. I was craving for some this morning…read moreafter breakfast and walked up the hill to Taqueria El Gallo Azteca. The experience was very pleasant, and service was quick (I paid and I had a few minutes to go across the street to the Mexican bakery to get two cream puffs for a $1 while they make my tacos) while they made my food. I stopped by at around 11am and the place was empty but there are plenty of seats available in the taqueria with lots of Mexican drinks options. The ambiance was quiet. I asked for two cacti tacos, also known as the Taco Azteca at this taqueria as recommended by the other Yelpers. I started with two because I heard that their tacos run big. These tacos were enormous and I was full eating after just one taco and saved the other one for an afternoon snack!! They also give you a generous cup of green sauce, which is one of my favorites! Because normally when getting a cactus taco in the other boroughs, they only give you a straight vegetarian taco only, but I was very surprised it came with a big chunk of meats. For $10-12 for two big giant tacos, I feel like I am getting fed very well. I'll definitely be back again to try their lamb/goat soup as recommended by the other Yelpers.

The best tacos on Staten Island. Close to ferry. Try the house special Taco Azteca. Authentic and…read moreconsistent. Ambience is perfect for a quick bite. Service was excellent!

La Candela Española is a Fantastic restaurant…read more The food is authentic and delicious the service is great the ambiance is just wonderful and I recommend everybody to get the red sangria it is the best in Staten Island. Everybody needs to go to La Candela Española.

I went here with my daughter. We Both had Chicken franchese. It was delicious. Nicely seasoned…read moregreat lemon flavor. Good enough portion.

My BF and I decided to take a bike ride Staten Island one Sunday evening and started jonesing for…read moreMexican food. Spotted this place on Yelp and it was close so we thought, "What do we have to lose?" It's cavernous and we didn't know what to expect as we sat down. (I imagine the place fills up during karaoke happy hour on Fridays/Saturdays and for private parties.) The food and the service was quite good. They have a wide menu. We ordered a range of tacos (al pastor, chorizo, etc), rice and beans, and beer. We made a few substitutions which wasn't a problem. The waitress didn't speak a lot of English, but someone else who worked there did and we had a laugh about it.

Came here on acre recommendation because they said it authentic and cheap. Located in not the best…read morepart of town which is why we went during the day for lunch. This is what you call s hole in the wall. I had to take 1 star away since our nice waitress didn't speak a word of English and my high school Spanish didn't get me very far. So most the food on menu I had to guess. Which is why I ended up with a dish I thought would be nachos but what I know as a tostada. Our order included just a random sampling of dishes such as: -Tostadas de Pollo: crispy tortillas (should say tortilla singular) topped with beans, chicken, lettuce, sour cream... boring -2 Tamales: chicken/green sauce and the cheese, jalapeño. Great tamales and only $2 and huge -2 tacos: fried beef, onion, cilantro and Chorizo taco cilantro/onion. The beef was ok but the chorizo was crispy fatty deliciousness -the entree of Enchiladas Suizas: shredded chicken enchiladas topped w/green sauce, cheese and rice n beans side. Very tasty their green sauce is unique compared to over verdes I've had, beans n rice kind of an after thought and bland. The total was $28 and we were stuffed. The house sauces don't seem spicy at all but then it creeps up on you slowly. I walked out on fire. They have a high chair but it looked like the dirtiest thing ever so I wouldn't use it. I will defiantly come back whenever I'm craving real Mexican cheaply.