I live close, so have come here quite a bit over the year. Pro- Just got renovated, so it looks pretty. The staff is nice, and the food is good. They also have lunch specials, which is nice. Cons- There is ALWAYS a weird perm smell when you go. It literally smells like someone is perming their hair, so not good. Another con is sometimes it takes long to get your food. And last but not least, I think their prices are not reasonable lately. Some of the prices do not match their menu, not sure when they raised their prices but I have never ever heard of a patacon costing almost $26 anywhere, and I frequent a lot of Venezuelan spots. Their name went from Q'Kenan restaurant to Q'Kenan Steakhouse so maybe now they just raised all the prices, I don't know. Their most expensive patacon on the menu is the one with Picańha and it says $17...yet I got charged 25.90. Regardless of how good something is, there shouldn't be a $9 difference from what is on the menu. That is absurd. On my last trip- $43 for an empanada, tequeńos and a patacon just doesn't sound right for Venezuelan food, and I come from living in Miami where restaurants are supposed to be more expensive. Add a tip and you're paying over $50 for street food. That's wild. read more

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Came on New Years Day lunch and was immediately seated. Per the recommendation of the waiter, we ordered the Arepas Burriada with beef, chorizo and pico, and a medium rare Picanha steak with tostones and sweet plantains along with Soursop juice. Ambiance: 4.5/5 Service: 4/5 Food came out at a decent time Food: 5/5 The soursop juice was delicious- it didn't seem like bottled juice! The Picanha steak was perfectly cooked and the tostones were some of the best I've had in a while! The arepas burriada was not what I expected (I've only had circular handheld arepas) but was absolutely delicious! All the components went well together and the fried thicker cuts/chunks of arepas were delicious! Price: 4.5/5 For Orlando prices, it wasn't bad at all. Usually, work takes us in that Orlando area once a year. We'll definitely be back! read more

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Ok this has to be my favorite restaurant in Orlando and I loved the food so much. Alfredo was my server and he had the best recommendation and I loved it. The empanada came LOADED with shredded beef and this empanada didn't skimp out on quality. It tastes so good when you dip it with the green sauce and it was chef's kiss. I think this is the best empanada I ever had and when I tried other empanada, it doesn't even compare to this. I ordered another dish but I forgot the name and it's soo good. I was a little disappointed because the menu said pick 3 sides and I chose all beef. Alfredo didn't mention to me that there would be an additional charge for the beef. As a result, I had to pay an additional $10 which was very pricey and didn't find out until I received my bill and saw the charge. I didn't make any complaints because the employees seem not to speak English well and it's hard to be a foreigner trying to adapt to the culture and the language. But this is soo good and I can see why the reviews on yelp are all stellar. read more

Q'Kenan Restaurant - Patacon Toston - Venezuelan Near Me - Orlando, Florida

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Restaurant was closed when we got here around 1pm on a Saturday, despite hours saying they should be open. No note or anything left on the door. Nothing notifying closure on their social media. Didn't get to try but will update when that changes. read more

We used to be regulars and it's been year since we have been. I was shocked when we walked in. It used to be a fast casual environment now it's a gorgeous night club environment. It looks phenomenal. The menu is similar but the prices have greatly gone up. Probably because of the new environment. It's fitting to the ambiance. It was great to see the owners still there so I know it's the same people. The food was good but for the price not sure we will return. My mom's fried chicken took a long time to come out we were all almost done and it was very dark. It tasted ok though. I always had Andino there and loved it. The price went up and the portion went down. It used to also come with a regular size arepa now it comes with mini ones read more

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Love this place!!! Super good food at an affordable cost. We got chicharone as appetizer and it was okay. We also got picanha for main entree and everything was perfectly prepared. The steak portion was big and filling. Steak was tender and flavorful. Plaintain was fried perfectly, soft inside and crispy outside. Asparagus was grilled to the right level, still very juicy inside. Service was quick and staff was helpful. Will br back when I have a chance. They also have different nightly events, seems fun to try. read more

Q'Kenan Restaurant - Chicharone - Venezuelan Near Me - Orlando, Florida

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After a long day at Universal Studios, we wanted something near our hotel that was open a bit later and stumbled upon this Venezuelan spot. The inside was interesting...part bar, part club (there was even a stage), part restaurant. Service was friendly, though they did seem a bit short-staffed that night. Portions were huge. We ordered the Grilled Meats Platter for 2 to 3 ppl (which turned out to be way too much for our group of 4), plus Octopus and Picanha. Definitely meat overload, but everything was tasty. I especially loved the arepas that came with the platter. The octopus was cooked to perfection - not overcooked and rubbery if it doesn't turn out right. We also got the passion fruit drinks which were quite refreshing after a hot day too. I'm realizing I really enjoy Venezuelan food - this being only the second time I've had it, and I'm definitely a fan. read more

What a lovely surprise close to our hotel. The service was great and the atmosphere was very laid back. The magi juice was not too sweet. The passion fruit juice was a little tart and sweet and delicious! The empanada Molida (ground beef) was so well balanced. The ground beef was perfectly seasoned. The steak picahna was wonderfully seasoned and sooo tender. I was able to cut it with a butter knife. I got the white rice and toston as my sides. The toston were crunchy and provided nice texture to the meal. The green salsa was so amazing! The Arepa Pabellon was huge! Probably could be split by two people. Black beans, sweet plantains, shredded beef(amazing seasoning) and shredded cheese, oh my. Such and amazing bite and with all of the flavors coming together. Amazing Venezuelan food! A must try. read more

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Yelp helped me find another winner. Just moved to the area and fortunately this place is right down the road. One of the best Venezuelan restaurants I've been to. Friendly service and nice clean place. Will definitely be back to try some of the other options here. read more

Q'Kenan Restaurant - So good! - Venezuelan Near Me - Orlando, Florida

This was the first time I had Venezuelan food and omg everything was so good. My favorites are Patacón Whit Picanha (they cooked picanha so well and it goes so well with the plantain) and Cachapa Queso Mano (it's soft and the cheese melts in your mouth.) So so good and I can't wait to go back! read more

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Decided to take a gamble and come on in. Sadly, not a great pick. Food was ok, a bit flavorless, cold and the service was mediocre. At one point we had to hunt for our waiter. The worst part was they apparently sat us next to the door that opens/closes and there was a garbage smell that entered everytime someone opened the door. Plus, our table smelled like they used an old and dirty rag. We told our waiter and he just re-wipe the table but we didn't notice a difference in the scent. We made the best of our time! But the last time for us. The wings were the best thing in the menu but that took forever just to come out. read more

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We ate here on a Thursday night at about 8pm. There weren't many people inside, we really liked how it was decorated. Our food and drinks were ready quickly. We loved the empanada appetizer. I ordered a rum cocktail and enjoyed it. I ordered the steak medium rare but it came out well done. My daughter had chicken Parmesan, it was really good! read more

Q'Kenan Restaurant - Steak picanha - Venezuelan Near Me - Orlando, Florida

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I came to Q'Kenan while on a business trip to Orlando. I typically don't like chain restaurants when I'm out of town so this was a nice treat to see this by my hotel. I visited around 7p and was seated right away. The service here is awesome. I was warmly greeted and the bartender helped me pick a dish. The drinks are great and so is the food! For my first time trying Venezuelan cuisine, it really left a great impression on me. My bartender recommended the Q'Kenan Santa Barbara. I elected to go with the grilled beef based on another review. SO GOOD and filling. read more

Q'Kenan Restaurant - Caipirinha - Venezuelan Near Me - Orlando, Florida

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I recently dined at Q'Kenan, and it was an exceptional experience from start to finish! The warm, inviting atmosphere and vibrant decor set the perfect stage for an unforgettable culinary journey. The menu boasts a variety of authentic Venezuelan dishes, each crafted with care and bursting with traditional flavors. We had chicha, empanadas, tequenos, patacon and cachapas, delicious.The staff were incredibly friendly and attentive, offering great recommendations and ensuring that every detail of our dining experience was perfect. They also offer Karaoke Fridays and dancing with a live band in Saturdays. I can't wait to go back for some dancing time. Q'Kanqn is a must-visit for anyone looking to enjoy the rich and diverse flavors of Venezuela in a welcoming and lively setting. Highly recommended!! read more

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Not really a restaurant seems more like a night club. Obnoxiously loud music and didn't see much eating going on. Couldn't get service and left. read more

We ordered takeout from here, so I cannot comment much on the place itself or the service. But the food was delicious!! We ordered two different kinds of Arepas and the empanadas, which were little babies ones. Everything was absolutely delicious - the amount of food was way more than we could eat. But we couldn't figure out why mayonnaise was on or served with items - it wasn't good. read more

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Wow this place is fantastic! We had the plantains (perfectly fried), 4 Party Empanada Ground Beef (so good!), Q'Kenan Santa Barbara with Grilled Beef, Shredded cheese, Pico de Gallo and Tartar Sauce (excellent), and a sugarcane drink with lime (very refreshing and delicious). Overall great meal, can't wait to come back. read more

Came here straight from the airport and did not regret it. The food here is great and all the servers are incredibly friendly and helpful. There's vibes here for everyone: there's lively music inside and a more subdued, but equally welcoming, outdoor space for more relaxed dining. Chicken empanada: 5/5 The casing was tender and the meat flavorful. I need to come back for this. Parrilla Mixta: 5/5 A great plate to share. All the meats were tender and the green sauce was amazing, a good blend of light and tart. The yuca chips and fries were well seasoned and crispy. Cachapa: 6/5 This is our first time trying this and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed the blend of sweet and savory cheese. Loved the dish so much, although I'm conflicted on whether this was an entree or a dessert We came while there was live music playing so that was a nice plus! If anyone is in the area, I would definitely recommend coming here. read more

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I used to visit this spot when I lived in Orlando over 10 years ago. Believe it or not, it uses to be a quarter of the size that it is today, with a serving bar like chipotle. I was back in Orlando recently and had to visit Q'Kenan! The place has expanded into a full on restaurant, with a full bar, and lots of seating. And not to my surprise, the food is still as excellent as it was over 10 years ago. I had the stuffed Pabellon Arepa and omggg!! So so so good! Exactly how I remembered. I also had the passion fruit batido. We had the corn appetizer too which was delicious! When I am back in Orlando, I'll be back here. Service was OK. Very laid-back, I was looking for servers when I needed something. Although they were very nice, they could have been more attentive to those sitting at the tables. They were only about three couples in the restaurant at the time I went. Highly recommend for you to come and visit ! read more

Q'Kenan Restaurant - Pabellon - Venezuelan Near Me - Orlando, Florida

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Sunday 2023/12/17 18:00 - my first time trying Venezuelan food! - it was very loud because there was a big party happening at the back of the restaurant - we dined in as a party of 3 Montanita de Yuca ($7.00): "Fried Yuca Sticks Served with Red Paprika Sauce" - thick yuca fries with a satisfying dense texture - red paprika sauce was thick and creamy (maybe mayo-based?) Patacón With Picanha ($17.00): "Green or Sweet Plantain With Shredded Cheese, Lettuce, Tomato, and Tartar Sauce" with picanha (i.e., sirloin cap) - picanha didn't taste any different from ordinary steak - definitely a fork-and-knife sandwich with all the lettuce and cheese spilling out - I feel it would have tasted better if the cheese was hot and melted instead of just shredded Cachapa Queso Mano ($14.00): griddled sweet corn pancake sandwiching a thick slice of queso de mano, with sour cream on the side - queso de mano tasted really similar to mozzarella and had a rubbery texture, not melty at all - cachapa was pleasantly sweet and had a very soft, almost falling-apart texture read more

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The food and service was excellent. We loved the ceviche, arepa and cachapa! Our tummies were very happy! read more

Q'Kenan Restaurant - Arepa - Venezuelan Near Me - Orlando, Florida

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I thoroughly enjoyed the menu here. It's Venezuelan fair that's cooked to perfection. I went with a group of 13 and they got everyone's order right. The dipping sauce with the fried yuca was so yummy, I couldn't get enough of it. I ordered the shredded beef with a fried egg and rice and beans. Can't remember the exact name of the entree, but oh man was it delicious! The meat was so flavorful and tender and the plantains were so sweet and crispy. I think I could eat here daily. I washed it all down with the frozen lemonade and recommend you order one if you visit. The ambiance is laid back and sometimes they have a live band. Service is good and I promise you'll enjoy your visit. read more

This place was so delicious! I stayed at a hotel nearby and called to place an order to go. It was fast and easy. I ordered Pabellón Criollo and Montanita de yuca. I arrived at the restaurant and my order was ready for pickup. The Pabellón Criollo has wonderfully spiced shredded beef, with rice, beans and a side of sweet plantains. Everything was perfectly cooked! The yuca was crispy and the dipping sauce was extraordinary. Lastly, I ordered a tres leches as a dessert, and it was great. Not too sweet and perfectly moist from the various milks. Highly recommend this place! read more

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Love this place! Authentic Venezuelan food. Super friendly customer service and they also make you feel at home like part of the family. My favorite dish is the Cachapa with Queso Mano (Homemade Corn cake with handmade cheese). I also love the Patacon (which is either plantain or sweet plantain sandwich and you choose what kind of meat you would like). Teqeños are amazing and large portion. You honestly cannot go wrong here. Also they have live music on the weekends! read more

Q'Kenan Restaurant - Patacon Toston - Venezuelan Near Me - Orlando, Florida

Second time we've been here. Last time was a year ago for the same conference. Both times there was an event going on inside the restaurant. However, this didn't stop us from being able to eat outside on the patio. The Pabellon Criollo is excellent! The service is always good and the ambiance is fine, but the food is incredible. read more

Absolutely fantastic food. You will not leave this place hungry! You can tell that the place is authentic and the real deal, full of native Venezuelans:). The price is reasonable and the people are very friendly and helpful! read more

Q'Kenan Restaurant - Cappuccino - Venezuelan Near Me - Orlando, Florida

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4 1/2 stars. The food was fantastic. Everyone was happy with their meal. The yuca appetizer with the sauce was amazing. I would order that again. The empanadas were good. Service was okay. I would have liked for them to have checked on us. We would come here again. read more

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Do you like football? Not boring old American football, but real sit on the edge of your seat South American football??? Then come on down to the "Q"! This Caracas inspired local taste of the motherland rocks with empanadas, meat, more meat, and buckets of cold cold brews!! Kenan means "plateau from the mountains on the southern border of Venezuela". And you get that feeling when siting watching your favorite Venezuelan football team in loud loud surround sound!!! Get the Palanca platter, it's got the meats!! Sausage was amazing Three words, smoked, rum, fashioned- get multiple then get up on stage, play the bongos, and dance the night away to your favorite Latin tunes!! read more

Authentic Venezuelan Restaurant with a nice variety of dishes. The chicken salad was some of the best I ever had and if they had been open when I departed Orlando I would have gone by for some to bring home. The Picanha is a type of steak that is cooked ro order and seasoned quite well. The mushroom gravy chicken was delicious and the sauce oh so good. read more

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The service was average! Food, to my surprise, was tasty and portion was more than enough. It's more of a personal preference, I thought the overall food was a bit heavy and salty! But still tasty and different! I went there on a Friday night, was told you can not sit indoor unless had a reservation! I looked inside of the restaurant, there were more than 8 tables empty! I sat outdoor for the meal, and by the time I finished paying the bill, the inside restaurant still had 6 empty tables! To me, it's just poor management read more

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Our first time at this restaurant, we brought a friend couple, and we had a good experience and the restaurant ambiance is welcoming. The service was good and the food was very tasty. The best are the Arepas which were full of meat and cheese. I also had the Picanha steak and it was cooked as requested, the yucca was crispy and flavorful, and the tostones were fresh. For some reason Venezuelan restaurants are overpriced and Q'Kenan is one of the most affordable I have seen. We will be back. read more

Amazing experience. Staff explained the menu, talked about what to expect. Food was phenomenal! Absolutely no complaints from service to food. They filled my husband up, which is hard to do! Gluten free! read more

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Way beyond my expectations! Loved the fun environment, the friendly service, the live music and of course the fantastic food! What a great surprise in a Publix plaza. We loved all our food. We ordered the pabellon empanada, a queso cachapa and the Venezuelan steak with two sides (we went with fried yucca and arepitos). Everything so so fresh and delicious. My three year old gobbled up the steak and cachapa like a champ! We stopped here on our way back from SeaWorld and I'm so happy we did. We were tired and hungry and needed the refresh. We enjoyed a much needed hour to recharge and enjoy ourselves in a pleasant environment with great music, serive and food. I would definitely come back! read more

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I don't know how this place has so many good reviews It's odd. This place was EMPTY on a Saturday night. The photos are way different than the reality. Super mediocre patacón, like 2 tbspoon of meat Arepa..below average..small and meh. The arepa had no dressing, cold beans, the beef was salty..super salty..we couldn't finish it. Barely protein on both plates Nothing like the photos..it's ridiculous To put meat in a cachapa you have to pay 9extra bucks.. One empanada..just ok empanada..5 dollars. Don't waste your time or money Maybe it was a bad day But horrible read more

Q'Kenan Restaurant - Venezuelan Near Me - Orlando, Florida

Food here has always been good but service was super slow. We had to ask for silverware and plates. And then they added auto grat when the check clearly says for parties of four or more and it was just my husband and I sitting at the bar. That's not cool we would have tipped 20% regardless because we are the service industry so it's not cool to just add auto grat and not say anything especially when it should not have been applied to our check. read more

Orlando is such a tourist town, I never know what to eat. We stumbled on this place because of the stellar reviews on Yelp and WOW, the reviews are absolutely correct!! I don't eat beef and their extensive menu provides good, delicious options to eat for everyone! Q'Kenan is conveniently located near many time shares and hotels in the Orlando Area, right next to a Publix and the outlets. Our table of 4 ordered: -Fried Arepitas, chicken avocado mix ($8.50) -Santa Barbara Arepa ($9.25) -Mushroom Chicken ($14.75) - an amazing cream sauce that went with our chicken, arepas, literally everything. Only thing missing was a bowl of pasta xD -Parrilla de Cerdo ($16) - pork chop. Amazing. The pork chop was cooked perfectly, tender, and comes with all the sides it's almost a side sampler that's just included. -Parrilla Mixta ($19.50) Highlight of the meal was the mushroom chicken that came with this amazing cream sauce that I mentioned above. We dipped our arepitas in it after we finished the chicken avocado mix and just about every other meat we ordered it was that good. Would love to come back for a hearty, meaty meal! Originally they sat us at a small table for 4.. then once our food came, the waitress asked, "Do you want to switch to a larger table?" Ordered a lot of food, all of it was worth it. Waitstaff is very efficient and are quick to respond if they see you even look up, but otherwise don't bother you. read more

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Great service and drinks. A ton of yummy food without breaking the bank. Thanks for taking care of my party of 10!

The food here is amazingggg, If you are looking for eutectic Venezuelan dishes this is the place. They also have a great selection in drinks, including alcoholic drinks. They renew the place so the ambience in the place at night includes shows, karaoke and more. The staff is always friendly and fast. Must try read more

My first great Venezuelan food since living in Venezuela 20 years ago. The staff was friendly and attentive.

What a wonderful evening and meal! Delicious food and fantastic wait staff. Their drinks were well worth the money as well. It was my friend's birthday our waitress Andreina had the band play happy birthday. We had a delightful flan for dessert. read more