10 restaurants that take you around Latin America – without ever leaving Orlando

Choo Choo Churros

Country: Argentina
5810 Lake Underhill Road, 407-382-6001
Choo Choo Churros was the first Argentinian steakhouse in Orlando and it's still a meat-lover’s paradise. Highly recommended is the churrasco, skirt steak cooked over an open flame. If you want a bit of every meat, there’s the parrillada, which can be for one or two people. If you’re not in the mood for beef, there are empanadas, as well as fish and pasta options. Churros come in guava, dulce de leche and chocolate flavors.

Photo via Luca C./Yelp

What we recommend: parrillada
This meat sampler includes different cuts of steak, chorizo and blood sausage. For those who haven’t yet had meats prepared the Argentinian way, the parrillada is the way to go.
Photo via au_rora/Instagram

El Buzo

Country: Peru
1436 SR 436 N. Semoran Bvld., Casselberry, 407-673-0237
The first El Buzo was a seafood restaurant opened in 1980 near the outskirts of Lima by a man named Chef Bruno, a competitive deep sea diver who caught the fish that he cooked. Now, El Buzo in Casselberry has an extensive menu that offers lunch specials of Peruvian-style chicken, beef or fish and ceviches. El Buzo also serves up craft Peruvian beer and a cocktail of Peruvian origin, the “pisco sour peruano,” which comes in lime, passionfruit, or pina colada flavors.

Photo via El Buzo/Facebook

What we recommend: ceviche de pescado
This ceviche de pescado is touted as some of the best in Orlando. Prepared with fresh shrimp, fish and octopus marinated in citrus juices and spices and topped with red onion, corn and plantain chips, this is the epitome of seafood in one dish.
Photo via blownasunder/Instagram

Lechonera El Barrio

Country: Dominican Republic
435 N. Semoran Blvd., 407-384-3145
As it says in the name, the dish to try at this hidden spot is lechon, roast suckling pig typically served around Christmastime or at large family gatherings. With bachata music playing in the background, Spanish and English swirl around as people from various countries cross paths at this Dominican and Puerto Rican hotspot, which has even been visited by President Obama. With a refreshing can of sweet kola soda, this neighborhood eatery is sure to please the palate with its different types of rice and savory meats.

Photo via Lechonera El Barrio/ Facebook

What we recommend: lechon with arroz con gandules and sweet plantains
The lechon is juicy, flavorful, and filling. Enjoy the soft and crunchy textures of the pork, and pair it with rice and pigeon peas and sweet plantains for an unbeatable combination.
Photo via ayomeredith/Instagram

Numero Uno Cuban Restaurant

Country: Cuba
2499 South Orange Ave., 866-495-7187
Numero Uno Cuban Restaurant is a family-friendly restaurant with vegetarian and kid’s menus, where servers are sure to recommend something to your taste. Options range from shredded flank steak (ropa vieja), green plantain stuffed with chicken (tostones rellenos), chicken and roast pork, and paella valenciana, among others. To accompany your dish, wines from Argentina, Spain, Chile and California are offered, as well as import and domestic beers. Numero Uno also offers food catering services and space for private dining.

Photo via Mike P./Yelp

What we recommend: ropa vieja with rice and sweet plantains
One of the national dishes of Cuba, ropa vieja is made of shredded beef in a chili, tomato, onion and cumin sauce. The juices from the sauce elevate the already savory beef, and the sweet plantains offset the salty tang.
Photo via msadrianaperez/Instagram

Pao Gostoso Bakery

Country: Brazil
5472 International Drive, 407-447-8946
Located on I-Drive, this bakery is bringing the authentic Brazilian tastes to Orlando’s food scene. With brigadeiro (chocolate cake), pao dulce (sweet bread with coconut and dulce de leche), and coxinha (Brazilian chicken croquettes) just kicking off the options to this Brazilian primer, there is something sweet or savory that will leave you happily intrigued, and quite possibly coming back for more.

Photo via Cristina A./Yelp

What we recommend: bolo de cenoura (carrot cake)
"Pao gostoso" translates to tasty bread, and the bakery definitely has a wide variety. A classic choice is this carrot cake with chocolate icing. Pair it with a coffee, and see if you’re not ready to try another sweet treat.
Photo via karolynezeidan/Instagram

Pupuseria Maya

Country: El Salvador
2108 Michigan Ave., 407-944-0708
Try something new at this little taste of El Salvador in Kissimmee. Handmade pupusas and tamales hit the spot in the small but homey restaurant. Pupusas, a famous Central American dish, are tortillas stuffed with cheese, fried pork belly or rinds, or refried beans and topped with a spicy cole slaw. Tamales can be filled with chicken, pork, or corn, and they are prepared in banana or plantain leaves. Wash everything down with some horchata or tamarind juice.

Photo via Pupuseria Maya/Facebook

What we recommend: pupusa revuelta
For those who love pork and cheese, this soft tortilla dish topped with spicy curtido cole slaw is sure to hit the spot. It's easy to see why pupusas are a Central American favorite.
Photo via www.pupuseriamaya.net

Q’Kenan Restaurant

Country: Venezuela
8117 Vineland Ave., 407-238-0014
Hidden away in a strip mall, the trip to Q’Kenan is well worth it if you’re in the mood for some sweet-tasting Venezuelan arepas filled with savory meat. Empanadas are a popular buy, as well as the lesser-known Venezuelan cachapa, which is closer to a pancake than an arepa, served with soft cheese. For meat-lovers, there are parrilla entrees, which are grilled beef and other meats accompanied by arepas, fries and salads.

Photo via Ethan Z./Yelp

What we recommend: chorizo Santa Barbara arepa
Arepas abound in Venezuela and Colombia, set apart by their fillings and preparation. With the chorizo Santa Barbara at Q’Kenan, you’ll get chorizo, cheese, pico de gallo, garlic sauce, all in a warm corn flour arepa.
Photo via jessica_p_arms/Instagram

The Taste of Yucatan

Country: Mexico
1375 S. Semoran Blvd., 407-704-2248
The Taste of Yucatan occupies a space on Semoran that has seen a few restaurants in past years. Luckily, it seems to have stuck and now offers Mexican cuisine with a focus on Mayan influences. Diners can select whether they want a taco, quesadilla, torta or rice bowl, and what type of meat or vegetable to fill it with.

Photo via Rob Bartlett

What we recommend: tacos al pastor
Porky bits and pineapple drizzled in a zesty spice-infused salsa make these tacos a stand-out from the rest. Topped off with tomato and parsley, the colorful creation brings the savory and sweet together.
Photo via kukuu1/Instagram

Super Rico Colombian Bistro

Country: Colombia
57 W. Central Blvd., 407-426-7007
Super Rico Colombian Bistro started as a food truck in 2011, and transitioned to a storefront operation in 2013. They bring the Colombian burger and hot dog experience to downtown Orlando, along with pinchos (skewers) and patacones (pressed fried green plantains). The hot dogs and burgers are filling and flavorful, loaded with three different sauces. Super Rico also serves breakfast, and they are open during Orlando City soccer games.

Photo via Super Rico Colombian Bistro/Facebook

What we recommend: Super Rico burger
If you haven’t had a Colombian burger yet, get ready for a mouth-watering creation of beef, lettuce, cheese, tomato, topped by not one but three signature sauces (pineapple sauce, rosada and cilantro-garlic sauce). With the Super Rico burger, you’ll also get an egg and crumbled bacon on your dish.
Photo via superricocolombia/Instagram

Willie’s Pinchos Restaurant

U.S. Territory: Puerto Rico
1718 N. Goldenrod Road, 407-601-3373
Featured on Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives, Willie’s Pinchos serves up hot, fresh Puerto Rican classics. Although there is usually a 15 or 20-minute wait, diners will vouch that the food is well worth it. Some of the options are the tripleta (a three-meat sandwich), the jibarito (a sandwich with flattened plantains instead of bread), and, of course, the pinchos (skewers). Willie’s serves up $4 pi?a coladas, and the portions of food are generous, so order modestly.

Photo via Willie's Pinchos/Facebook

What we recommend: tripleta
Instead of one meat, why not have three? A sandwich with ham, pastrami, steak, and the delicious sauces that make this a Puerto Rican favorite. This flavorful sandwich will fill you up.
Photo via jpknight/Instagram