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!

I had my hopes high up and come to find out the owner is from South America but the empanadas are…read moreunlike any I had in Chile, Argentina or Peru Place looks dated and in need of remodeling to make it look clean and inviting, sorry just not my type of empanadas, the filling doesn't show top ingredients and I understand she has to make a buck but I rather go for high end flavor and presentation Not going back. They sell the frozen empanadas but I can see myself eating the same thing after two weeks in the freezer

I actually visited this place before months ago, but was called away before I was able to order any…read morefood. So today I took the opportunity to drop in to try a couple of selections that I have been wondering about. I give them an A+ for customer service. The waitress and waiting staff were very polite and eager to accommodate dear customers in every way. I saw the cook come out from behind the kitchen and greet. I love the customers and checking in to make sure that everyone was satisfied with their meals. I ordered a sweet corn Arepa as well as the pork & cheese Pupusa. They were quite excellent to my taste buds, although I had never experienced having them before. They even provided me with a nice selection of spicy condiments that I thoroughly enjoyed as well...heyyy, what can I say...I'm a spicy kind of fellow, ya know. (Smiles) The restaurant is spacious with an adjoining room off to the side. Very clean with a very interesting mural hand painted on the wall. I considered it really nice artwork. I enjoyed my time there. I surmised from observing the customers responses; the food seem to be pretty authentic, judging from their conversations with the chef.

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.

| Overview + Good…read morevariety of empanada fillings to choose from with gluten free options + Texture of empanadas is fine - Size of empanada is ridiculously small - Slow & unfriendly customer service - Makus mostly serves empanadas (the rest of its menu are boring) - Not comfortable ambiance | Review After 3 years, I decided to give Makus another chance. I went to Makus in New Hope Commons, Durham in a Tuesday afternoon, and when I entered its lackluster ambiance with cheap-looking uncomfortable high chairs, I was surprised that there's not a single employee in the front. I saw about 2 of them in the back, seemingly preparing the empanadas. I was ready to order but no one was there to accept my order. I almost left Makus until I saw the bell on the concession with a notice saying, "NEED HELP? RING ME PLEASE!" I rang the bell once, no one came; I rang twice, finally, an employee! I ordered 2 beef empanadas & 1 ham & cheese empanada for a total of almost $13. There was only 1 customer before me, waiting for her order when I went. While I was waiting, the employee who was smoking earlier outside came in and just ignored me as he returned back to work in the back. At around 15 min. mark of waiting, an employee went to the front, holding a plastic with a small takeout box inside. I stood up and asked if my order was ready, the woman just nodded without saying a word, just cold and expressionless. Finally, after about 20 minutes of waiting just for 3 empanadas, the same woman handed me the plastic with my order. I thought they were busy preparing empanadas in the back. Why'd it take so long just to get 3 empanadas ready? Out of all the empanadas my girl & I have tried: Filipino-style, Ilocos-style & El Salvadorian style in the Sabor restaurant nearby, the empanadas in Makus are the smallest. Each empanada cost about $4 (a dozen for $47 - seriously, who would buy a dozen of these?). I'd be fine with this size if the empanadas are gourmet quality with astonishing fillings and flavors, but the taste was alright - nothing special, and definitely not worth $4 in our book. The good part was that the empanadas were not doughy, so the texture was fine. The sauce that came with it was alright, and the 1 small cup is just fine for 3 tiny empanadas. When I came home to eat the 3 empanadas with my girl, she asked me why I returned to Makus after we were disappointed in our first visit a few years ago. I said that I wanted to give it another chance. Now, I deeply regret this decision. | Overall Score: 1.2/5

Bottom line: This Durham location of Makus Empanadas provide tasty choices I enjoy for delivery…read morelately. The chicken filling and sweet corn filling are my two go-to varieties of these baked empanadas, each hitting the spot and delicious. I am a fan! The Deets: I've had the chance to enjoy meals from a few of the NC Triangle locations of Makus Empanadas. With this Durham location, I mainly utilize delivery to enjoy their empanadas lately. Even with them not being just around the corner from me, they arrive fairly warm and withstand the trip well. One of the draws for me in getting Makus Empanadas are they appear to be baked and not fried (don't get me wrong, I like fried empanadas as well!) and honestly they remind me of mini-versions of my grandmother's homemade fruit turnovers in appearance (a good thing). I usually order these light pockets of tasty goodness with their chicken filling or their sweet corn filling version. I find both pretty good, they hit the spot with chicken giving flavorful and needed protein with not being overly spicy while the sweet corn version being a delicious but not so heavy choice. They even identify which are each variety by initials baked in at the edge of the crust, pretty cool and no guessing. I am a fan and I will continue to keep this location of Makus Empanadas in my delivery meal rotation.

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!

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.

I decided to visit this place for lunch on a Sunday, i was craving some pupusas, this place was…read morepacked so i was expecting a good food. I had the 3 pupusas meal (10 dollar value and they are good size) and chose to do three different ones, zucchini with cheese was pretty good, you can't go wrong with the cheese one, the chicharron (pork skin) one wasn't that good, i think overall all of them needed a little bit of more seasoning. The mango agua fresca tasted more like water than mango, but the orchata was very good. I would have given them a 4 star but because of the agua and the seasoning I'm doing 3 stars, I do recommend the place and I would come back for sure. As always this is my honest and personal opinion.

Delicious pupusas. You can't go wrong with any of them. My favorites are: cheese, squash and…read morecheese with beans. All are made to order and piping hot with a side of cool slaw. Chefs kiss!

Sabor's beef and Barbacoa empanadas are amazing, so flavorful. They also have a great customer…read moreservice! Melvin even gave me free churros for my birthday! I would recommend 100%

We stopped at Sabor Latin Grill while visiting from Chicago, and it absolutely exceeded our…read moreexpectations. Coming from a city with no shortage of incredible food, that's saying something. This ranks right up there with, and honestly above, many of our favorite lunch spots back home. The food came out incredibly fast, was fresh, and every bite was packed with bold, dynamic flavors. The salsa bar is outstanding, with plenty of options that make an already great meal even better. What really set Sabor apart, though, was the people. Every employee we interacted with was genuinely kind, welcoming, and made us feel like they truly appreciated our business. They encouraged us to come back, and after this experience, we absolutely will the next time we're in the Durham area. If you're looking for a quick meal that doesn't sacrifice quality, flavor, or hospitality, Sabor Latin Grill is a must-visit. Highly recommended!

This outpost of the Makus empanada empire is located inside the Duke University hospital complex at…read moretheir food court. The empanada options are many, but be warned that when they run out, then there are no more that day of that kind--a selection is no longer available. I enjoyed the bacon and cheese, the pork and chimichurri, and the sweet corn empanadas...all were excellent and piping hot. Initials on the outside--"SC" for Sweet Corn--ensure you get the right one. Prices are moderate and there are several combos that add a drink or side for a little bit more. Or order 12 to got for $35!

The empanadas are OK but do not order them for catering any event at Duke. They will come in…read moreSTYROFOAM, the worst packaging for the environment.

Best Cubano and yucca frites I've ever had. I live in Raleigh and eagerly anticipate seeing that…read moregreen truck in the area! The secret to the Cubano is their bread. You just can't replicate it. It's got a nice crust without being dry and still so soft and pillowy. The yucca frites are light and cooked thoroughly. The cilantro sauce for the yucca is OMG ahhmazing! I really like the beef empanadas as they are seasoned well. My goodness I just love these people so much! I promise this is not a paid endorsement and I'm not a friend, I just really love their food!

This is me and my husband's most favorite food truck. Food staff and everything. We've not EVER had…read morebad food or a bad experience. We love them. Wherever they come close I'm there eating really good. No food truck can top Qspresso!!