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    Tinker Latin Restaurant

    3.6 (33 reviews)
    Open 11:30 am - 9:00 pm

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    Shredded beef arepas
    David J.

    A complete lark after antiquing/thrifting in Gainesville, we stopped at the Tioga Town Center and blindly selected a place to eat: Tinker Latin Restaurant. At 2:45 in the afternoon, the place was mostly deserted. It was bright and clean - we were seated quickly and our order taken right away. There was one other couple and a woman having lunch by herself, accompanied by the Patrón Tequila Tower. But I digress.... We had the appetizer sampler and enjoyed every single bite (sorry, we were famished; no pictures). We each had an arepas: a shredded chicken for my wife and I had the Classic Twins Arepas (one grilled chicken, one shredded beef). We both took home some for later. Great food and lovely place.

    Fried Pabellon Arepa
    Alyssa M.

    I have been to Tinker many times but this was my first time at this location! My waitress was super friendly and my food came out very quickly. The inside is very clean and nicely decorated, with plenty of seating and Spanish music playing at a perfect volume. There is also some outdoor seating as well as a bar! I ordered the pabellon arepas (fried per my waitress' recommendation) and they were so delicious I devoured the whole plate! The meat was very tender and juicy and the arepas were loaded with the toppings. It was a little hard to figure out how to eat but overall a wonderful meal.

    More meat than is possible to eat in one sitting
    J B.

    Fabulous food, service and atmosphere! Couldn't ask for a better first experience. Try some of the traditional eats. Bar service was quick and delicious. No room for desserts but will be back for that another night.

    Burger
    Maria M.

    The food was "okay", I didn't finish my dish if thats an indication. I had the pabellon. A bit salty but still edible. There was a taste, spice that ruined it for me. My nephew didnt finish his burger but took it home. He said it wasnt the best. The empanada was decent. Not the typical empanada, I believe it was made with arepa.

    ground beef empanada
    Simone M.

    I ordered lunch from here on Wednesday afternoon via online. The food took about 20 minutes to be ready. I ordered the pollo a la plancha and a beef empanada. The food was very hot and fresh. For my chicken dish, I chose black beans and plantains. The chicken was cooked and seasoned well, but a little salty. The chimichurri was so good and flavorful. I did get in on the side but wanted to drown my chicken with it. The plantain were soft but still had that crispy outer edge that I love. Although, the beans were seasoned well they were not cooked to my liking. The beans were still hard and I did have to cook them down some more to soften them up. The empanada was huge and stuffed with ground beef. The garlic sauce that comes it with it, was definitely a highlight for me. Overall, I would say this meal was a 3.5 but because of the flavors I gave it a 4. I will be back as I do like their arepas and Bandeja paisa.

    Kelly B.

    Delicious food and drinks, cute ambiance and friendly staff. The tostones appetizer was amazing. There are slightly different menu options between the two locations, so we will have to try the downtown location soon too! We will be back!

    Americanized burger
    Sharon S.

    Today all I wanted was a comfort American food a cheeseburger burger. I came to my favorite Latin restaurant in Tioga Jonesville, and I was "that" customer who wanted to change something on the menu. They not only went out of their way to make it happen, but they did it with so much kindness. I love the staff here, and highly recommend the margaritas. They rival almost any margarita in town hands down. Thank you guys for humoring me and always making the atmosphere welcoming and festive.

    Chicken breast, tostones, house salad
    Amy B.

    Had really high hopes and while the food was great, the service was not so great. It was busy when we got there but soon after arriving the place really cleared out. We were seated right away and the waitress came immediately. After ordering drinks, we had to flag her down to take our order as she never came back to the table. Our food came out quickly but there was a problem with the order and we had to flag down several people in order to try to get it fixed. After the meal, it took ages for someone to come clean the table and even longer to find someone to bring the check. However....everyone in our party really enjoyed their food! The portions were perfect and the food was so so flavorful. There were so many things on the menu we wanted to try. Also the drinks were great.

    Puerto rican burger

    Tinker Tioga, located at the Tioga Town Center, is a latin street food restaurant and bar that offers a delightful dining experience with its eclectic menu, friendly service and stylish ambiance. Its owner Tinker who are from Venezuela, have made a fantastic job at their second location by keeping the roots of Tinker Downtown and elevating it for the Tioga market. The restaurant features a modern interior with a cozy, inviting atmosphere that makes it perfect for both casual meals and special occasions. We have been a fan of Tinker since its beginnings, some of our favorites are their tequeños, empanada pabellón, black bean hummus, 3 green plantain tostones with chicken, pargo frito, bandeja paisa... all in all, you can't go wrong. From the bar my go to is the Piña Colada with Santa Teresa rum, but their mojitos, margaritas and the Cocktails are a must! We love the Tioga restaurant addition and had a great experience. We wish continued success to the Tinker family, Cheers!!!

    Menu
    Alesa W.

    First time trying this place and the vegan empanadas are DELICIOUS! A few of us girls dined here and only one of us had ever been here before. The ambiance was nice, lots of quotes and lightning around the walls. The staff didn't really speak very in English but still helpful when it came to our needs. The drinks-started with the espresso martini and it was not good, if you like bitter though-highly recommend. I was able to switch and got the black and blue which omg it was super sweet like koolaid, another one that was not for me but it was good especially if you like super sweet. My entree, I got the salmon with 2 sides, black beans and sweet plantains and it wasn't my favorite. The fish was overcooked and didn't look presented well when given to me. The beans were just ok and the plantains were the best part of my meal, between the plantains and the empanada I had those two things were thee best! I would absolutely come back for those two items for sure. I am happy I tried it but I wouldn't be in a rush to go back here.

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    4 months ago

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    26 days ago

    I can't believe they closed early. I wouldn't serve us 45 minutes before they say they're gonna close.

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    7 months ago

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    1 year ago

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    11 months ago

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    8 months ago

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    9 months ago

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    2 years ago

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    5 months ago

    Food is great Service is not. Atmosphere was not enjoyable. I would get take out here.

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    1 year ago

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    1 year ago

    Food is good, service needs work, drinks and ambiance hit the mark in my opinion. Is it on my top 10 in Gainesville area? no.

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    1 year ago

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    2 years ago

    Good food, and nice presentation, but service is terrible, slow, and waiter never checked up on us.

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    1 year ago

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    Arepas Milko - Milko's Pulled Chicken Sandwich and it had that crispy fried cheese. Yum!

    Arepas Milko

    4.9(59 reviews)
    7.6 mi
    $$

    Delicious and the people are so kind ! Dominican burger possible best burger I've ever had great…read moreFrench fries and great arepas get the green sauce with it

    Arepa Milko: The Venezuelan Food Truck Turned Restaurant You Need to Try…read more If you haven't been to Arepa Milko yet: it's authentic Venezuelan dishes, delicious food and a spot that's grown from humble food truck beginnings into a legit foodie destination. Here's why this place is an absolute must-visit: Start with Tequeños (Trust Me) Begin your meal with an appetizer--yes, fried. Tequeños. Or as I like to call them: TequeñYES! These traditional Venezuelan cheese sticks had a golden crunch and released a mouthwatering aroma that hinted at the cheesy goodness inside. And that vibrant green sauce? Game over ranch. It's tangy, addictive, and honestly deserves a spot next to ranch in the sauce hall of fame. Bold claim, I know -- but it's that good. Sandwiches That'll Ruin You (In the Best Way) I tried Milko's Pulled Chicken Sandwich. That crispy fried cheese acted like food glue, holding together all the Venezuelan magic inside. The pulled chicken was juicy and flavorful, blending into every unforgettable bite. I also had the Patacón Tostón Sandwich with Pernil (slow-roasted pork). This is not your average sandwich -- it's a specialty you won't find just anywhere. The crispy green plantain "buns" were absolute perfection: crunchy on the outside, yet tender enough to hold all the layers together without falling apart. The layering? Impeccable. The juicy, seasoned pork stole the spotlight without overpowering the plantains. Every bite was an explosion of textures and bold flavors -- the kind of messy, glorious meal. Oh, and the portions? Generous doesn't even begin to cover it. Save Room for Dessert (Seriously) I even got to meet the owner, who was incredibly kind and recommended the Nutella-filled Tequeños for dessert. OH. MY. GOODNESS. Absolute perfection. Warm, gooey Nutella wrapped in that crispy tequeño shell? It's everything you never knew you needed. If you've never tried a sweet twist on this iconic Venezuelan snack, consider this your official sign. Zero regrets. Zero crumbs left behind. The Vibe at Arepa Milko blends casual comfort and self-service. The original food truck still proudly stands outside, keeping the story alive. But step inside, and you'll find indoor seating, air conditioning, and an upgraded space perfect for enjoying every bite without battling the Florida heat. Final Verdict If you're looking to experience authentic Venezuelan flavors and discover rare gems like the Patacón, Arepa Milko needs to be on your foodie bucket list. From street food roots to full-on restaurant glow-up, they've earned their spot in North Florida's food hall of fame. Come hungry. Leave obsessed. #NewberryEats #VenezuelanFood #ArepaMilko #FoodieAdventures #TequeñoLove #CrunchGoals #NorthFLEats

    Photos
    Arepas Milko - The original food truck, stands outside, but step inside and you'll find indoor seating.

    The original food truck, stands outside, but step inside and you'll find indoor seating.

    Arepas Milko - Tequeños - traditional Venezuelan cheese sticks perfect fresh fried golden crunch and comes with an addictive green sauce.

    Tequeños - traditional Venezuelan cheese sticks perfect fresh fried golden crunch and comes with an addictive green sauce.

    Arepas Milko - Menu as of September 2024

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    Menu as of September 2024

    Tinker Latin Restaurant & Food Truck - Cachapa

    Tinker Latin Restaurant & Food Truck

    4.2(208 reviews)
    9.3 mi
    $$

    Updating my review after another visit to Tinker. It's always nice to have a place in Downtown…read moreGainesville where you can enjoy Latin flavors in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. The menu offers a little taste of our culture, and it's a great spot to meet friends, share a meal, have a good coffee or drink, and simply enjoy the evening. Definitely a place worth having on your Gainesville list.

    The ambiance of the room was quite pleasant, although the building side facing the street could use…read moresome work. I've driven by many times and through the smoked glass it looked like chairs or something else was stored behind it and I though it had closed.The service was very good, prompt but not over attentive! The selection of Beers was outstanding! I had a starter of what was billed as Chupe De Pollo, (chicken chowder), it had very thick broth and was chocked full of chicken. Chicken breast was used and although there was a lot it was very dry and the broth was more like a heavy veloute. It also did not have much flavor. I won't be ordering that a again. My wife and I had Empanadas, mine was shredded beef and hers shredded chicken. I could have used a bit more sauce for dipping. The shell was quite crisp but not greasy. But all and all it was good. Our friend had the vegetarian arepas and let me taste some, it was quite good. She finished the whole dish! We also shared the loaded fries which came out hot with an interesting sauce drizzled over it. We didn't have the bacon on it as our friend is vegetarian. That would have made it even better for me. All in all it was a fun experience and we'll be going back.

    Photos
    Tinker Latin Restaurant & Food Truck - Nice place

    Nice place

    Tinker Latin Restaurant & Food Truck - Pabellon

    Pabellon

    Tinker Latin Restaurant & Food Truck - Inside

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    Inside

    La Cocina De Abuela - Yellow rice, ropa vieja, cabbage slaw, fried yuca

    La Cocina De Abuela

    4.6(189 reviews)
    9.3 mi
    $$

    Terrible, terrible service. The lady at the front had such a bad attitude that it completely ruined…read morethe experience. She was unwelcoming and acted like we were inconveniencing her just by being there. The food was mediocre at best. The rice was bland and the pork was dry and hard. Nothing else we ate stood out but I would have considered giving this place another chance to try other items on the menu but after the way we were treated i have no interest in returning. ESPAÑOL Terrible, terrible servicio. La muchacha del frente tenía una actitud muy mala que arruinó por completo la experiencia. Ella no fue placentera y actuó como si la estuviéramos molestando solo por estar allí. La comida es mediocre en el mejor de los casos. El arroz sin sabor y el cerdo estaba seco y duro. Nada más que comimos destacó o nos hizo querer volver. Haría considerado darle a este lugar otra oportunidad para probar otros artículos del menú, pero después de la forma en que nos trataron, no tengo ningún interés en volver.

    I recently visited La Cocina de Abuela for lunch. The restaurant is set up cafeteria style and you…read moreorder a small, medium or large portion. You choose your rice, beans, meat, and side. I ordered a large with Ropa Vieja, Yucca, Black Beans, and Coconut Rice. I love Cuban food and the portion was massive, however, I was disappointed. The Ropa Vieja was tender but watery, the yucca was soft but bland and a little chewy, and the beans lacked any seasoning. I liked the rice: savory with a hint of sweetness. The best word to describe the food was edible.

    Photos
    La Cocina De Abuela
    La Cocina De Abuela - Coconut rice, curry chicken, and plantains

    Coconut rice, curry chicken, and plantains

    La Cocina De Abuela - Front of building, outdoor seating

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    Front of building, outdoor seating

    Tinker Latin Restaurant - colombian - Updated September 2026

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