"Chao Pescao is a Colombian-Cuban spot where you’ll always have a good time. Get here for Tajín-fried chicken, empanadas, and a soundtrack of salsa throwbacks blasting through the speakers. It’s also got one of the best happy hours in the area, in case you and your coworkers need somewhere to huddle around some yuca fries, talk sh*t, and fill up on $8 cocktails." - julia chen 1, patrick wong
"The Columbian-Cuban restaurant in Civic Center is big, bright, and always bumping—so if decompression over loud music is your thing, get here. This place sucks us in with $6 draft beers, $8 cocktails, and discounts on empanadas, yucca fries, and more during happy hour. But just a heads up, happy hour is at the bar only." - julia chen 1, lani conway, ricky rodriguez, patrick wong
"The Colombian-Cuban restaurant in Civic Center is big, bright, and always bumping—so if clinking frosty mojitos over loud music is your thing, you've found your spot. Salsa throwbacks blast over the speakers, the walls are teal and pink, and pan de bono is plentiful. Tajín-fried chicken, hearty chicharrones, and simple yet phenomenal rice and bean plates should all be on your table. Portions are also big enough to overfeed everyone in the party. So round up two minivans’ worth of people and get here." - julia chen 1, patrick wong
"Three-course lunch, five-course dinner with champagne $35 for lunch, $75 for dinner The dinner menu comes with a ton of food, including empanadas, tostones rellenos, and their fantastic Tajín fried chicken Pan de bono, empanadas, Tajín fried chicken, lechon cubano" - julia chen 1
"Next door to the Tenderloin’s community garden is Rene Denis’ blend of his Cuban and Colombian identities and histories. This ultra-colorful restaurant offers a variety of options like ropa vieja, arepas de puerco, and well-fried empanadas. Cocktails are on the menu, too, and no less explosive in flavor and heritage; the xocolatl maize is a combination of bourbon, nixta licor de elote, aztec chocolate bitters, and roasted cinnamon stick." - Paolo Bicchieri