Its a hole in the wall restaurant connected to a truck stop. How good could it be?…read more The answer is probably the best food in all of Orlando. The staff is nice, the food is spectacular. I live in Georgia and come to Orlando once a month. It is a regular stop. From the Mofongo to the sancpcho to whatever you get, you cant go wrong.

The truck stop lie and tell you if you eat at this restaurant your parking is free but that's a lie…read morebecause they'll tell you it's free for an hour after you eat. Food was salty and bland. Wouldn't recommend this place EVER!!!

This is a greta joint if you are in the mood for latin cuisine. Everything on the food bar is…read morealways moving, so you know the food haven't been sitting for a long time. Portions are always generous. And the renovations make the place look really nice too.

Ordered from here for team lunches regularly now. I know their outward appearance might scare off…read moresome people but to the foodies out there, or those looking for good Spanish food, you got to try it! Their service is great and fast, but more importantly their food is mouth watering good. It always leaves me with a craving to come back and a full stomach ready to tackle the rest of my workday. My favorites have consisted of a Cuban sandwich which is full of pork and sauce and toasted nicely. It also does not fall apart when eating which is a plus when you are trying to stay looking presentable. Their pork is amazingly juicy and just falls apart in your mouth and has been worth every stain I have accidentally caused on my dress shirts. The white rice is fluffy and simple and good but their yellow rice is much better with many items. Their chicharron de cerdo is crispy and breaks easy and it's never been hard or chewy. Their ropa vieja is also delicious and I can't help but devour the entire plate. The rice and beans paired real good with this! My favorite sides have been the avocado salad and their macaroni salad! Both very light and balanced well with light citrus flavors in the avocado salad. I'll keep coming back here because the food honestly reminds me of so many great dishes my family use to make at home and after eating at so many places around Orlando I had yet to find a better place to get Spanish food like this!

Beautiful restaurant - I wish I had taken more photos inside but the place was packed (a good sign)…read moreand I try not to take pictures of random families and post them online. With that said, the food was excellent and there's a ton to choose from - it's easy to get overwhelmed, but the thing I enjoyed the most was the service and how sweet our server was (I forgot her name, but she was always so sweet and patient with our family). There were tons of folks eating mofongo so I'm sure that's a fan favorite here. We tried a few appetizers, juices, rice and beans, and shared a large platter that had multiple options for the family since it was our first visit and we didn't know what to try first. The tostones rellenos de churrasco (skirt steak stuffed fried green plantains) were delicious and come with five little cups and a dipping sauce that I'm pretty sure was mayo/ketchup. They also put a little PR flag on top which my kids enjoyed playing with. This ended up being my main meal because I wasn't that hungry, and it was the perfect bite of crispy, salty, and creamy with the dipping sauce. We also tried another appetizer that I didn't try, alcapurria de carne, which comes with two rolls cut in half (husband enjoyed it) and the Assorted Pal Campo which comes with chicharon, fried yuca, chicharron de pollo, tostones, fried cheese topped with a sweet guava sauce (that my daughter was not a huge fan of - I would ask for it on the side next time), and sausage. Definitely a heavy meal - and I felt like I needed to eat salad for the next two days straight after this meal - but it was tasty. Next time I'll ask for a side of cucumbers or something to break up all of the fried elements, or order something that comes with slaw/veggies.

Decided to take a little day trip to Orlando to hit up a Filipino bakery, and afterward I wanted to…read moretake my peoples somewhere good to eat. My homegirl, Rosie recommended this spot, so we decided to give it a try--and honestly, the food was amazing. The vibe was great too. They even had entertainment while we were there, which made the whole experience even better. The downside was my friend's pork chunks was over cooked and that our waitress wasn't very friendly, and we had to wait a while to get refills on our drinks. It didn't ruin the experience, but it's something that could definitely be improved. Overall though, the food and atmosphere were great. This is the reason for my 3 star review.

Been here a couple of times before for lunch and dinner and had a great mofongo last time I came…read more This time came in for breakfast with my family, it was pretty busy but the service was quick. I ordered the media noche sandwhich and thought it was ok. Also tried a couple of pastelillos, a pizza and chicken and were good. I did not like that the quesitos I had for dessert were cold and didn't taste fresh. Was a little disappointed for that but still recommend to try this spot if haven't been before.

I hadn't been to Melao in a long time so we stopped for breakfast after church. The restaurant is…read moresuper outdated and definitely needs some upgrades but the food was good. It was pretty busy for such an early time but service was quick. We did experience some rudeness from a staff member named Ileana. She was also rude to her co-workers in front of other customers which we felt uncomfortable with and was highly disappointed on. Overall, the food was good and they have several breakfast and lunch options for everyone.

Absolutely delicious Latin cuisine! I had the Cuban braised pork plate with yellow rice, black…read morebeans and boiled yuca with cilantro. Fantastic combo. My husband had the Peruvian shrimp with yellow rice, salad, and black beans. We were both raving about the taste while eating. They have a range of dishes from across Latin America, and lots of gluten free options. They aren't safe for celiacs though. They use a shared fryer. If you are super sensitive or have celiac, just beware of that. The staff are lovely, friendly and helpful. Conveniently located in the theme parks area near Orlando. You should not miss this restaurant. Try something new if you've never tasted Latin American cuisine, or try it if you've grown up with it. You won't go wrong and you'll likely be back.

Sofrito was amazing…read more We wanted something fast, but not fast food with a large seated area outside. This checked off all of our boxes. You order at a kiosk fast food style, but all of the food is then prepared freshly and authentically. They have a huge menu with all kinds of delicious Latin eats like sandwiches and platters. We absolutely loved our Cuban sammies which came on thick and sweet bread. My kids kept it simple with tenders and fries and also enjoyed! They have a big drink selection and you can find everything from juices to fresh cocktails. The biggest hit was their large indoor screened patio - perfect for my kids to run around. If you want to avoid fast food but also don't feel like taking your kids to a proper sit down restaurant than this is a really great option.

Tasty chicken and sides. Family pack was a good value. Counter staff friendly and food turnaround…read morequick. Inside restaurant was worn. Good takeout option.

We stumbled upon what we now call Papi's Restaurant while cruising around Orlando, feeling a little…read more"fatherless" and hungry. Bad idea. The buffet looked like it had been waiting since last Christmas. Food was colder than my ex's heart, flies were holding hands around the trays like it was their family reunion, and the tables were so sticky I thought I had accidentally walked into a tar pit exhibit. But wait--it gets better. A few hours later, my poor little daughter got sick. And not just a tummy ache--oh no. We're talking explosive diarrhea and puking like she was auditioning for a firehose commercial. That's when I realized: there's a reason this place only has two reviews. So take my advice: unless you want your "all-you-can-eat" experience to turn into an "all-night bathroom marathon," stay far, far away. 1/5 - only because Yelp won't let me go negative.

In town for work and this spot was near the hotel. Never had mofongo so we decided to give it a…read moretry. Place was not busy for a Sunday early afternoon. Folks here are super friendly and helpful in explaining the menu and recommendations. Food came out somewhat quick and was all very tasty. Plenty of seating and very chill and quiet. Will definitely be back for the many other dishes.

Loved my mofongo (mashed with chicharrones) and fried chicken!! A little pricey but worth it :) the…read moremofongo didn't come with any sauce except broth so I had to add some sauces on the side & that really leveled it up!

Cuban sandwich and papaya shake was really good! The server was attentive and explained the menu…read morevery well! There is plenty of space to have large parties at the front and side of the restaurants. Love the music on the background.

I used to frequent a couple of Dominican restaurants in NYC, but none compare to this one. I tried…read morethe Mondongo, and the flavor was outstanding it truly reminded me of a dish my mother in law would make. My girlfriend had the Mofongo, which she adored for its garlicky taste and perfect seasoning. The service was incredibly sweet and friendly, with quick and attentive staff. This restaurant has a spacious layout, plenty of seating, and a bar. It's an ideal spot for a large group gathering or a nice date. I highly recommend this place, it gets a perfect 5 out of 5 from me. Thank you, Chimiking, for a fantastic experience! I will definitely return!

I'd been hearing amazing things about Cilantrillo, and since I've stopped eating out consistently,…read moreI wanted this to be a real treat for my mom and me. I'll be transparent..we spent about $80 for the two of us, and it was absolutely worth it. I was hoping I wouldn't be disappointed, and they truly delivered. We started with the fried cheese bites with guava sauce, and wow... what a perfect opener. The outside had this delicate crisp, the inside was warm and creamy, and the guava sauce added that perfect sweet‑salty balance without feeling heavy. It tasted like the kind of appetizer you savor slowly because you don't want it to end. It set the tone beautifully for the rest of the meal. My mom ordered the passion fruit juice, and the moment she took a sip, she looked at me like she'd been transported straight back to Puerto Rico. It was bright, refreshing, a little sour, and so full of flavor, not watered down, not overly sweet, just pure passion fruit goodness. It honestly made me nostalgic too, the way certain flavors can bring you home. For my entrée, I ordered the grilled chicken with a small mofongo on the side, and it was incredible. The chicken was juicy and tender which is rare because most places overcook it and it had this beautiful herb flavor from the peppers and cilantro. You could taste the freshness in every bite. The mofongo was smooth, garlicky, and perfectly seasoned. I've had a lot of mofongo in my life, and this one is easily one of the top. It had that perfect balance of texture and flavor that makes you want to keep going back for another bite. My mom ordered the mofongo with shrimp, and the shrimp were huge, plump, and juicy ..not rubbery or overcooked. The sauce tied everything together so well, and every bite felt like a memory of being back on the island. Everything came out fresh, hot, and full of flavor. The wait was long, but honestly, it was worth it. Our server was attentive without rushing us, checked in at the right moments, and let us enjoy our meal at our own pace. The whole experience felt intentional and warm. If you're craving authentic Puerto Rican flavors that make you feel at home, this place is it. I would definitely come back. And next time, I'm trying even more from their menu.

This restaurant is located very close to the Florida Mall. Right across the parking lot…read more If you are looking for a great Puerto Rican dish, try this. I had a Churrasco Mofongo (Flank Steak) and a Traditional Mojito. Both were delicious. It's a generous portion. Enough to share. I had enough left overs for lunch the next day. I sat at the bar. Service was fast and staff were friendly and polite. I love the Latin food and vibe. I will be back.

The reason I gave them 3 stars is because they are not consistent in their flavor. The first time…read moreI tried their Bifongo was sooo delicious I would drive back to Orlando right now just for it. Paired with the Carne frita it took me back to Puerto Rico. The second time I tried them almost a year later the bifongo had much garlic sauce that you could smell it from outside the bag and the taste was horrible. Papa Loca from Picaribe food truck! These fries are LOADED with ham, steak, chicken, cheese, lettuce, stuck fries, and sauces. These are the most loaded fries I've ever had. A great shareable plate and is sure to leave you full.

Let's start with the good, I ordered this to be delivered to me at work so I was unable to see the…read morefood beforehand - that being said I ordered the chuleta kan kan w mofongo and a parcha drink. The drink was made perfectly not too sweet or sour, definitely enjoyed. The mofongo is amazing, cooked perfectly, has a nice crunch w the added chicharrón! Lastly the chuleta - way over cooked and even burnt, so disappointed because I was looking forward to this most but regardless I would try them out solely for the other two items.