Michelle Pearl G.
Yelp
We've lived in Milwaukie since 2014 and we've always been curious about this place but the mediocre reviews on Yelp held us off. However we notice it's always busy and the plates look delicious through the window. That's not as creepy as it sounds, this place is a fish bowl with amazing windows. It's easy to see in as you're walking down the side walk :)
We finally made it in today, we were blown away by the customer service from Charles. Our toddler was a little hangry and he brought out a cheese quesadilla with a side of rice and beans for her, on the house. He had it ready and in front of her before our food, which was really appreciated to keep her happy. When he came back to check on us and noticed she had devoured the rice side, he scooped up her plate to refill her rice for her.
When it came time for our food to come out, we were really impressed with the presentation. We love that they use banana leaves to lock all that flavor in. I ordered the Colombian Tamale and it was amazing. I will warn you that some of the meat in it was on the bone (chicken and riblet). It was so packed with flavor, the masa was light and fluffy and the chicken just fell off the bone. The side of salsa and sour cream was great. Throw a few forkfuls into a hot tortilla and heaven. My husband got the chicken mole tamale and the meat was so flavorful and fragrant with spices. Even without the mole sauce.
What we really enjoyed was how every component of the dish was packed with flavor. The rice even, which we were surprised to find out was vegan, was so flavor bomb status of garlic and spice. The black beans looked simple but once you took a bite, again, so flavorful with added spices and love.
I'm not sure what's up with the sub par reviews. We loved our experience here both service wise and happy belly wise. The tamale portion was huge and delicious. We will definitely be back and often. I read some reviews about the owner (Charles) being rude but he was the opposite of that to us. We said "no thanks we'll pay for the kids plate, we want to support the business." And he said "no, I insist." Every other customer that came in, he knew by name and greeted them with such a genuine smile and happy banter. We didn't come in, in the past. So who knows, perhaps some of the old reviews are valid. For the current however, the service couldn't have been better nor the food more fresh, cooked to order and delicious.