Came here after the Durham Farmers Market with a friend and wow this place was a surprise. …read more I went with the grain bowl and honestly it is one of the best I have had in downtown Durham. It is built on quinoa and rice with black beans and kale, then layered with corn salsa, tomato cortido, guacamole, and a creamy acevichado style sauce that pulls everything together. It is finished with a crunchy mix of pepitas, nuts, and grains. The balance is quite ideal in my view. My friend had the rotisserie chicken with two sides, kale and slaw, and it was just as impressive. Crispy skin, juicy inside, and really clean flavors. Simple food done right and GF friendly. Everything felt thoughtfully prepared. Prices land right where you would expect for the quality, roughly 16 to 21 dollars depending on what you order, and it feels worth it. My bowl plus side of dark chicken was plenty. A few notes. Parking is what you would expect for downtown, so plan accordingly. Service was solid and friendly, but nothing that stood out. The vibe inside is festive and relaxed, bright and open, and just a fun place to hang out for lunch. Porbably not a special occasion. I also suspect it could get loud when full. This is definitely going into my regular rotation. That grain bowl is going to be hard to pass up next time, so instead of replacing it I will probably just add a side or an empanada and start working my way through the rest of the menu.

I would say the service here was average to poor. The sweet tea had a strong chemical/artificial…read moretaste to it; I recommend they simply take it off the menu. The food is decent!

It's harder to find arepas than it should be. There's just something about grilling corn that makes…read moreit irresistable. What's notable about this local chain is its extensive options for vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diners. The default arepa apparently has some dairy and gluten in it, but options for getting one to suit a vegan or gluten-free diet are there. The filling options for an arepa are customizable and numerous, with a range of flavors and nutritional profiles. My takeout order was ready speedily. Oddly, they gave me an extra arepa, which was unlabeled except for saying that it was a gift. It didn't seem to be vegetarian, so I didn't eat it. I appreciate the sentiment, but they might want to think about at least making it clearer what's going on.

It's been a while since I e eaten at Guasaca, and the menu looks different. No salad option and a…read morelittle more confusing in ordering options. Disappointing.

My Afro-Latina heart was so happy…read more I've been searching for really good Latin food since moving to North Carolina, and Boricua Soul absolutely delivered. From the moment we walked in, the vibe was on point. They were playing great music that made the whole place feel lively and welcoming, and I loved that you can choose to eat inside or enjoy the outdoor patio. My husband and I both ordered the Boricua Soul Bowl. He got the chicken, and I got the pernil. The pernil was incredible it was tender, juicy, and packed with flavor. The bowl came with arroz con gandules, collard greens, mac and cheese, and I chose the tostones. I had honestly given up on finding good tostones that I didn't have to make myself, but these were exactly what I'd been craving. Crispy, perfectly cooked, and absolutely delicious with the Guava Lava sauce. Since, I couldn't pass them up, we also ordered a side of maduros, and they were perfectly caramelized and sweet. The empanadas easily made my top five. Crispy on the outside, flavorful on the inside, and gone way too quickly. Also don't skip the watermelon lemonade, it was so refreshing and paired perfectly with everything we ordered. We'll definitely be back. There are still so many things on the menu I want to try, but I already know I'll be ordering the Boricua Soul Bowl. One tip for first-time visitors: if you're sitting inside and trying to get back outside , the exit is the same door you originally came in through on the far glass door. There is a sign, but we watched three different people accidentally try every other part of the glass first, so hopefully this saves someone a little confusion.

I'm from Charlotte and my friend was in the southeast visiting so we met up in Durham. ChatGPT…read moresuggested Boricua Soul as a part of our girls day. First stop. We never made it anywhere else lol! I'm so excited to write this review!! We chose it because when I reviewed the Yelp reviews they were stellar. But mostly I was super intrigued by the sweet potato cheesecake empanada and y'all it was everything I hoped it would be. It's small, you can maybe get 4 or 5 bites. The filling is sweet but not overpowering, good balance. The crust, crunchy and delicious. Came with a side of whipped cream. Drizzled in caramel sauce. I had the restraint to save it for last. We opted to split the shrimp sandwich and house made chips because we weren't too hungry and wanted to save room for the empanadas. Perfect plan. The sandwich can be ordered with a garlic, jerk or buffalo sauce. We were given a sample of the jerk to determine spicyness. Super spicy (which I loved) but my friend doesn't so we went with buffalo which wasn't spicy at all. The shrimp were a nice size, coated and seasoned well. The restaurant itself is small with about five tables but there is an abundance of outdoor seating shared with other businesses. We knew we planned to relax and catch up so we opted to eat outside. Despite the 90 degree weather, the entire area was shaded with a little wind so perfect. We got a number and our food and drinks were served to us. (Peach passion froze----yum!) Now. Boricua Soul is a great example of why I love seeking out and patroning local restaurants. The founders, Serena and Tori Fredericks, were both present, Serena managing the front, Tori managing the kitchen and both in and out of the restaurant serving people outside as well as inside. They were all over! Very welcoming. We were there for four hours and Serena's smile never left her face. She personally checked on us throughout. It felt like hanging out at your family's for the day. When we came in just a few people there, no line. Serena was at the register. I told her I came from Charlotte and she graciously gave us samples of the mac and cheese and collard greens as she described the menu. Both by the way, amazing! I don't think I've ever been able to find delicious perfectly seasoned greens with no meat. Before we knew it the line was to the door. By then I had the chance to experience her love for what she does and her heart for the community. Clean restaurant, beautiful and personable decor. Clean gender neutral private bathrooms. I took pics of the article on the wall about them, well worth the read. You too will drive miles to experience this Caribbean and Southern inspired restaurant! Im coming back and bringing people. There's so much more for me to try.

Went with my church group on the way back from a long road trip starving, and it absolutely hit the…read morespot. The environment was kind and very authentic, and they had many options. I'm new to Guatemalan food and tried the bistec encebollado, also ordered a fresca Jamaica. It was absolutely great and would definitely come back

My recommendation, get the 'Plato Típico Chapin'. It offers a mix of various Guatemalan specialties…read morelike Garnachas, pastelitos de papa and a stuffed poblano pepper. I like grabbing it for the stuffed poblano, but the Garnachas are wonderful too. The entire plate is FILLING and it pairs so nicely with what they offer at their salsa bar. Speaking of their salsa bar... The orange sauce is legendary, the grilled jalapeños are delicious and the pickled vegetables are tasty! That was so nice to have! Ambience is a mix between store and restaurant, so you can even take some Guatemalan treats to-go. Service is solid. Definitely worth a stop.

I was a bit disappointed with Kokí. We came on a Thursday for lunch because the empanadas looked so…read moregood in the post, but they were out of almost every flavor except for cheese and a mushrooms one or something like that. If we would have had more time, we would have left and went somewhere else. My fiancé and I actually saw two groups (7 people total) leave the restaurant after speaking with the people at the register. We ended up getting the Señor Iglesias Chicken Sandwich, which was good but very messy. The chicken isn't a patty and the bun isn't solid enough to hold the sandwich together so the tomato and chicken strips were constantly falling out. The Spanglish Cuban was very meaty and good as well. Not my type of sandwich but that's what I got from the bite I did have and my fiancé loved it. The pinto beans and steamed white rice were good. I probably won't return out of fear that I might waste time going there because if you don't have the empanadas during your lunch rush, when would you have it.

Found Koki on TGTG and decided to try it out! For ~$6, I got two bowls filled with pulled chicken,…read moreblack beans, salad mix, and white rice. Nothing mind blowing, but it was still a great deal. Service was fast (took about 10 minutes after arrival) and friendly. Ambiance was nice, casual. There's nearby parking in City of Durham garages after 7pm or on weekends. 9/10 would recommend, at least through TGTG!

La verdad, mi experiencia en este lugar fue muy decepcionante. El servicio fue lento y poco atento,…read moreparecía que al personal no le importaba mucho atender bien a los clientes. La comida no estaba a la altura de lo esperado, le faltaba sabor y llegó casi fría. Y no dan lo que uno ordena Además, el ambiente no era muy agradable. No creo que vuelva ni lo recomendaría.

I remember the building when it was a nightclub. I've had it on my list to try the food and wasn't…read moresure what to expect. My sis and I went before a show for dinner. Our waitress did not speak English, but we were able to communicate effectively, trying to pronounce Spanish, Google translate, and using hand gestures. We got Tortillas con Quesillo, Pastelitos and Baleada con Todo. The food was delicious... so good! It took a while to make, which is a hint to the freshness. It was a first intro to Honduran food and it was fabulous. The inside is simple with dinner type seating, a nice bar and a room with a pool table. I definitely recommend giving them a try.

AUTHENTIC! Quick service and nicely decorated…read more Having spent 12 years of my life in Peru, I feel confident with my assessment of Mi Peru. I was in town for business and as in every location I travel to, I look for Peruvian food. This is in my top three. One was in Austin, TX, one in St Louis, MO and now this one in Durham, NC. I had the lunch special. It included a drink, soup and entree. Of course you have to drink Inca Cola (tastes like Squirt with Cream Soda) nice and cold. I'll have to get a Chicha Morada to take with me (which I did, and it was fruity and sweet, like a non-alcoholic sangria with cinnamon). The soup was a chicken and lentil soup with various veggies. As soon as I tasted it, I knew I was in for a treat and prayed the Aji de Gallina would be just as good. It was! Aji de Gallina is a shredded chicken dish made with Peruvian Aji amarillos, nuts, Parmesan cheese. Add in all the delicious spices Peru is known for and you have a wonderful, homey, delicious dish. I will be coming back tonight for dinner. Can't decide if I want the Seco de Res or the Lomo Saltado. Both staple dishes in Peru. Part 2 - so...I was too tired to go back for dinner. BUT, I did order in. I got the Papa à la Huancaina (so delicious, it tasted like I make at home). It is a creamy, Aji Amarillo cheese sauce over yellow potatoes. I would have liked it a little spicier, but I understand having to cater to the general public, so I'll let that slide. But the flavor was as good as you could get. I also opted to order the Seco since I thought it would travel better than the Lomo Saltado. The rice was perfect. Not soggy or spongy. Just right. Flavored with a little salt and garlic. You could eat it by itself. The Seco meat was tender. I didn't even use a knife to cut it. In fact, it pulled apart easily with a plastic fork. I would have liked a little more of the cilantro sauce to soak up in my rice. The flavors were right on, but I love cilantro...so. It even came with a Salsa Criolla (lightly pickled red onion), which is authentic and served with many Peruvian dishes. I ordered additional salsa amarillo just to taste. It's a sauce made with aji amarillo and black mint. I know it sounds weird but it's actually so tasty and fresh. My only disappointment were the beans not that they weren't good and flavorful, but they were pinto beans. I was really expecting mayacoba beans (similar to a white canary bean). Sorry, I ate it before thinking about taking pictures. All in all, I would rate this highly for those wanting to try authentic Peruvian food. My next visit to Durham I'll be trying the Ceviche and Lomo Saltado.

Food is absolutely delicious!! Customer service was outstanding and the restaurant is clean. I love…read morePeruvian food!! It's authentic compared to Peru!!

Hillsborough brick and mortar location. Awesome food - authentic, fresh, delicious. Had pupusas…read moreand gorditas - really good. Fabulous desserts - great place to get whole pies and cakes if you need them - lots of flavors. 6-7 picnic tables outside is a plus

Samantha's blue food truck was set up at Durty Bull brewing in Durham and serves up a taste of El…read moreSalvador. It is a family-run truck and you can see the corn patties being made by hand. You have a choice of meat or bean filled Pupusas. They are served with a traditional slaw and sauce. They also make tacos and the prices are very affordable. I have not had Pupusas since visiting a restaurant on Capital Blvd and was excited to see this truck in Durham. The food pairs well with beer and you can sit outside or inside the brewery. Be sure to check them out when at Durty Bull.

Always have Friendly service and amazing chicken! Hiami was a great help. Try the sauces!!read more

Service is amazing! I love this location, sometimes even more than the other. We walked in and…read moreplaced an order no hassle, and while we waited everyone was kind of taken over by the game, and we got to sit there for a second as Spain won. Yay! We hadn't been waiting but for maybe 5-6 minutes until a kind lady approached us and told us that our food would be out shortly, but to compliment the wait she offered us some delicious alfajores. (It hadn't even been that long, and we were fine to wait so we extremely appreciated the gesture.) The tables and floor are clean, so we weren't disrupted while waiting, and everyone was so nice and caring. I don't usually write reviews for takeout or before i've even eaten, but I just had to let them know to keep up the good work!