Lima Criolla - Review - Highland - Austin - The Infatuation

"Lima Criolla isn’t trying to reinvent Peruvian food—they’re making it the way your friend’s grandmother would if she had a commercial kitchen and no patience for tiny shared plates. The food is unapologetically homey, and it’s a welcome break from trendier restaurants' usual parade of small bites, $20 themed cocktails, and large crowds. Start with the ceviche. It’s citrusy, bright, and perfectly chilled—the kind that makes you forget you're in a landlocked city. Then work your way through Peruvian classics like savory skewers of grilled beef heart, sweet and crispy fried plantains, and creamy, excellent seafood chowders. The portions are generous, and someone at the table will inevitably say, “We could’ve split this.” But half the fun is knowing you’ll have leftovers to dig into the next day. Parking is easy, and even on a Friday night, you can walk in with a group of six without hearing, “It’ll be 90 minutes.” The service is friendly, and no one bats an eye if you need to rearrange three tables to fit everyone. Stop by after a movie at AFS Cinema next door or when your big group wants dinner on a weekend and nobody bothered to plan ahead. Food Rundown Chicha Morada This is a refreshing drink made from purple corn and lots of warming spices. It’s not overly sweet, and it goes great with the bright and tangy ceviche. photo credit: Nicolai McCrary Causa Limeña A fairly classic take on the layered potato and chicken salad, with each tier pulling its weight equally. A bit of aji amarillo prevents this from tasting like your typical cold side-dish salad. photo credit: Nicolai McCrary Anticuchos The beef hearts are marinated, grilled to a slightly charred finish, and served with a few different sauces. They’re great—get an order or two to share with the table. Sweet Plantains These are everything that’s beautiful about a fried plantain—they’re golden brown with a slightly crispy outside and a soft, sweet interior. photo credit: Nicolai McCrary Ceviche Mixto This is a heaping plate of fish, shrimp, mussels, and squid in a tangy lime dressing, served with steamed and crispy corn, plus a few sweet potatoes. Pile a little of everything into each bite for some great texture. photo credit: Nicolai McCrary Lomo Saltado Limeño Another classic dish done well. The steak is tender and flavorful, the fries are slightly crispy, and there’s enough gravy on top to keep every bite juicy and delicious. photo credit: Nicolai McCrary" - Nicolai McCrary