Fritanga Nicaraguan Cuisine

Our 4-person lunch table all agreed that Fritanga is a most excellent choice for a delicious communal dining experience! Every dish was impressive and starting with the empanadas is highly recommended! 12/10 for food and great service, will be a return lunchtime visitor!

Fritanga Nicaraguan Cuisine stands as an oasis of authenticity, where each dish tells a story and every bite is a journey straight to the heart of Nicaragua. From appetizers to desserts, the experience is a delicate balance of tradition, technique, and culinary passion. The restaurant radiates enveloping warmth: soft lighting, aromas that awaken memories, and a simple design prioritizing comfort and intimacy. The staff does more than serve food; they act as cultural guides. Their deep knowledge of the menu and meticulous attention to detail transform a meal into a culinary ritual. Every interaction is thoughtful, cordial, and memorable, making each guest feel valued and welcomed. Homemade Empanadas: An explosion of texture and flavor: golden, crispy, delicately layered dough encasing juicy fillings of chicken, shredded beef, or melted cheese. Churrasco Nica: Top-quality meat marinated in fresh herb and citrus chimichurri, grilled to perfection, served with gallo pinto and crispy tostones that elevate each bite to sublime heights. Maduros and Tostones: A perfect contrast of sweet and savory, the softness of maduros complements the firm, crunchy texture of tostones, creating harmony on the plate. Canoa de Maduro: A bold and delightful interpretation, where sweet plantain fuses with creamy cheese and a touch of cream, offering a play of flavors that challenges and captivates the palate. Traditional Drinks: Each sip of the Nicarita or passion fruit margarita evokes the freshness and vibrancy of the Nicaraguan coast, completing the sensory journey. And Toña Beer the best of the best . Fritanga Nicaraguan Cuisine is not merely a place to eat; it is a sanctuary where cuisine becomes art and culture is savored in every dish. Mastery of flavors, excellence in service, and authenticity in every detail make this restaurant a must-visit destination for any culinary enthusiast seeking a true and enriching experience in St. Louis.

Take anyone to this place and they did not love. This place is amazing and a gift from God himself food so delicious green sauce and red sauce is also a gift from above. My favorite meal to get is the national Nicaragua dish and queso fresco with sweet plantains. Oh it taste so amazing. It’s good seating. The juices are really good.

I found this place on a whim! It was the BEST food I had during my short visit to St. Louis. The red beans & rice reminded me of my Jamaican rice & peas. The food was delicious & the atmosphere was homey. I’m so glad we came.

Absolutely fantastic food. I definitely recommend getting the fried cheese! Our waiter was also wonderful, gave us plenty of sauces and great recommendations. We will definitely be back! My friend got the fried chicken and said it was some of the best food he’s had in STL

Part of explorating STL would be trying various ethnic dishes. This place was one of the places I visited. Loved the tostones most. Clean inside. Servers were warm and hospitable. Parking is on the road. Neighborhood seems drab. I would not go near this place if it were dark.

My husband and I are from 2.5 hours south of St. Louis, we were in the area for the day to celebrate my birthday. We like to try new foods and decided to give this place a try. We are SO happy we did! We didnt know what to expect other than we know we like sweet fried plantains, and OMG everything we tried was amazing! We had the Horchatas, empanadas, Canoa de Maduro. Super friendly service and quick! We will definitely be coming back! We have found a favorite!! 100% highly recommend!

I picked up some fries & Tostones to go with the rest of my dinner. Chop it up a bit with the restaurant possible owner. Nice people

Fritanga is a definite new favorite of mine! I came in for lunch and was delighted by how quaint and lovely the spot was. They have a patio outside which is perfect for a nice weather day. I got an array of items and each one was absolutely fantastic. I think the number one thing I can say about each item I got was that you can tell it was made with passion and authenticity. The flavors are amazing, and you can tell a lot of care goes into the food. Items ordered - chancho con yuca: marinated pork served with cassava root. The spices on this are unreal. The pork is super tender and the cassava is cooked perfectly. - carne asada: definitely my favorite item I ordered. It comes with fried plantains and gallo pinto (mixed beans and rice). The serving size is generous and the meat is cooked phenomenally. - rum cake: a balance of sweet flavors with a solid base of moist cake. - sweet plantains: I got a side of these, as I've never had them before. I enjoyed them but they could have served as a dessert for me! Fritanga is a must try!!

Kind of hidden away on Jefferson is this wonderful Nicaraguan gem. It's very unassuming and the ambience is very casual. There was one server for the whole place, but there's only maybe eight or six tables and he was very attentive to everyone. But what this place might lack in ambience (if that matters to you), it 100% makes up for in flavor. We started with the chicken empanadas and they were stuffed with delicious, moist shredded chicken. It was seasoned well and came with a wonderful white dipping sauce. I ordered the Chuleta De Cerdo Asado, which is essentially a Nicaraguan flavored and seasoned pork steak with the side of Maduros (sweet plantains) and both were incredible. I am a sucker for plantains. My friend got the national dish of Nicaragua, which was Carne Asada and it was cooked really well and was really good when dipped in the chimichurri sauce.. Definitely check this place out!

Perfect spot for a Saturday lunch! I've been coming here for well over 10 years and decided I was long overdue for a visit. They've changed the place around quite a bit with brighter colors and a redesign of the menu but the warmth and friendliness of the restaurant are still the same. I decided to get my usual: pollo al chimichurri con arroz y frijoles negros y maduros. I was also in the mood to try something I've never had and went with the queso frito. For drinks, I stick with my favorite, passion fruit nicarita. Pre-Covid there used to be a tower of sauces and a few different peppers. Post Covid, they now give you two sauces in small plastic cups. One is green and the other is red. I didn't try them so I couldn't tell you what flavors they were. It didn't take long before my food was out. Everything looked exactly as I remembered and tasted just as good, if not better. The chicken was still juicy and tender as ever, the black beans and rice were fresh and filling, and the maduros added the perfect amount of sweetness to balance out the meal. Oh, lest we forget the Nicarita, the Nicaraguan version of the margarita but it's made with rum instead of tequila. It's so freshening and perfect for a hot day. As for the queso frito, I have nothing to compare it to since it was my first time trying it but I enjoyed it. It reminded me of fried mozzarella. I savored every bite but knew my stomach could only hold so much. The server then came over with a box, I paid at the table, and was on my way. This place will forever be one of my favorites because no matter how long it's been, I know I can always count on getting a great meal, excellent service, and a level of comfort that most restaurants can't offer.

SUCH a delicious spot!! Definitely a more lax/ chill vibe but the staff treats you like family and are so kind!

I'm a big fan of this spot. This is my second time, and it did not dissapoint. It's definitely a neighborhood gem, with a no frills atmosphere inside. The Central American flavors really come through with a menu full of traditional dishes. We loved everything we had, from the margaritas, to the empanadas, and of course the tostones. Definitely recommend this spot! Grab a group and share a spread.

I've lived near here since they've been open. However, my first time trying was a month ago. WHY DID IT TAKE ME SO LONG???! The space is quaint. Staff were nice and attentive. The food was DELICIOUS! They serve some of the items I love from other cultures cuisines with their spin on them so it was PERFECT for me. I ordered the chimichurri chicken with black beans and rice and sweet plantains. The chicken was super tender and flavorful. I LOVED the pickled sauce that came with it. I PUT THAT ISH ON EVERYTHING LOL except the plantains. The beans and rice were a great accompaniment. I plan on visiting monthly to try other items. I've already been back for carryout once but I ordered the same meal. Can't wait to try the red snapper meal. Until next time...

Excellent friendly service, delicious flavors. Chicken chimmichurri, cassava, plantains, French fries all phenomenal. Stuffed plantain phenomenal. Beef too tough but otherwise everything on point.

Food flavor was good and authentic. Service was excellent by Orlando. Prices were very reasonable.

My husband and I visited today and such a great lunch. He had the carne asada which was delicious and I had the chicken taquitos and a mango margarita. The margarita was STRONG but delicious and the wait staff couldn't have been friendlier. The place was busy and service was fast but we didn't feel rushed at all. We were able to sit, enjoy our meal and visit. We drove out from St. Charles to try something new and we are so glad we did! We will be back.

We have been visiting Fritanga over 14 years. It's my husband's favorite local restaurant. The restaurant is always clean. The staff is professional and kind. The food is fabulous. They take pride in what they serve and it shows.

The service was fast and friendly, the food was flavorful. I got the Churrasco Nica which is skirt steak with chimichurri and it was cooked perfectly. The fried plantains were also delicious. We sat on the patio which was lovely! I'll definitely be returning.

Had a birthday dinner here for a family member and had a great experience. Have been before, but was worried about a bigger table. They were so accommodating with reservation and it felt very homey and the owner came out and talked to us about all the food choices on the menu. Food was great. Highly recommend.

This place was pretty good wasn't what to expect but was pleasantly surprised. It's been awhile since I visited I will have to revisit to give a better review.

Delicious food, excellent service, and very relaxing restaurant with plants and Nicaragua flag mural...definitely worth trying if have not as was my first time being on visit to see an old friend, kept thinking if only had this in Indy, anytime that am in town will be back!

I came in at 6 pm. on a Monday. The server had to clear some tables before seating us. This was my first time here, so I wasn't sure if the server normally does the service, but it seemed kind of weird the whole time. No greeting, he didn't let us know when the table was ready. We just assumed he was done and sat down when he walked away. When he came for our orders, he only took one appetizer order from me without asking my friend if they wanted one before walking away. We had to speak up to get his attention. I tried to order empanadas, but they were out, so I got the chanco con yuca instead. It was served with chimichurri sauce and what tasted like thousand island sauce on the side. The flavors in the app were good but everything was pretty mild. The pork was soft and good to eat, but I couldn't taste much of the marinade. For my main, I ordered the Churrasco Nica. I asked for the jalapeño sauce, but again, they were out and said it's only served with the chimichurri sauce. The steak came out pretty thin, so I maybe got 6-8oz of steak. It again was pretty mild in flavor. I got rice and beans on the side, and the beans tasted like they came out of a can. I think I'm being generous with giving 4 stars because not only was the service bad, but the furniture seemed pretty basic. They have live plants in the window, and all of the croton petras looked pretty young, and some didn't look that healthy. The place is small with a back room for event reservations, I guess. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt that our server isn't their regular server because it's a Monday. The food, however, was pretty solid. Priced right, definitely not cheap, but it's low cost for what you get. Two apps and an entree cost $40. They didn't ask if we wanted separate checks, either.

I've been here several times and this one did not disappoint. The beef was delicious and the fried plantains were firm and delicious. This is a great food spot in the city with personality. I tried the rumalind and it was delicious!! This location is clean, nice and captures the small restaurant feel. The staff were helpful as always with recommendations. Keep up the good work!!

Haven't been in a really long time and it did not disappoint! Friendly staff and fast, delicious food. We watched the World Cup over Churrasco Nica Grilled: skirt steak seasoned with a chimichurri sauce of parsley, citrus, garlic & olive oil with a side of sweet plantains and rice and beans. I also had a Rumtarindo; rum and Tamarind juice.

I have driven by this place countless times and finally stopped in - all I can say is: I SHOULD HAVE COME IN SOONER!! We came in for lunch on a Friday and were seated immediately. There are 8 or so tables inside and I believe they have a few outdoor tables available when the weather is better. Service was very friendly and our server was happy to provide recommendations. The yucca was cooked to perfection and the gallo pinto had SO much flavor! The carne asada was so tender and just delicious. It was a lot for lunch, but I was happy to take my leftovers home for later. I can't wait to come back - maybe to try something new, but probably to order the exact same meal again.

Our first of many visits. It is a family run restaurant that has wonderfully tasty items. We tried the Chuleta de cerdo asado and the Bistec encebollado. For an appetizer we selected the queso frito. The chimichurri sauce was a welcome addition I had not experienced prior to this. We thoroughly enjoyed everything! We are looking forward to returning and trying more options!

I never knew how much I loved Nicaraguan food until I came to Fritanga. Love tostones? You absolutely must eat them here: crispy exterior and chewy interior (not dry or greasy)...it's the Golidilocks of tostones! You can get them with your meal but we elected to order an additional side (they're that good). Our group tried the pork empanadas (yum!) and the Chancho con yucca to start. Both were great apps and our group of 5 were good with just those two starters (we split the 3 empanadas in half) as they provided a few bites per person and we weren't super hungry. For entrees, I had the chancho asado which is a thinner pork steak like cut, dry rub, and no toppings/sauce though you have sauces available on the side. I really enjoyed it and was also shocked at just how good the white rice & beans side was (can't say rice & beans have ever really stood out to me but these do)! My boyfriend had the beef Canao de maduro. Highly recommend! The plantain it came on was meaty and the cheese topping was delicious...kind of an enchilada type dish but much tastier. We didn't get any pictures as we just devoured everything. I had only planned on taking a few bites (had eaten soup before coming down to this area - wasn't planning on dinner), but it was so yummy I couldn't stop eating lol. We will definitely be back!

Omg we ordered all the beef and chicken dishes off the menu for take out and it was soooooooo good. Also, the service of the restaurant to make certain our order was correct was wonderful!

We stopped in on a Friday night after searching for Caribbean cuisine. It was a beautiful night for dinner on the patio. We ordered Rumtarindo and a Nicarita for alcoholic beverages. For dinner I had the Pollo Frito with a side of red beans and rice and tostones. Generous servings and everything was fresh and delicious. My daughter enjoyed the Pargo a la Tipitapa. (Personally I'm not a fan of a whole fish, but she is. ) I have passed by this location but never noticed it. Find it and give them a shot.

The empanadas were absolutely delicious. The staff recommended the Pollo al chimichurri, I'm glad I got the entrée. The chicken was tender and succulent. I went with the fried plantains and gallo pinto. Nice atmosphere, staff is friendly and they have a decent menu options.

We loved our lunch of two appetizers from @fritanganica.stl! Maduros con queso - sweet plantains were perfectly cooked, and this fantastic hunk of cheese was crispy on the outside and smooth on the inside. Chichiarron de pollo - crispy, deep-fried little chicken drumsticks that came with an herb sauce and a tangy, spicy citrus sauce. Oh, and fried green plantains, too! They were both so good! That being said, even though there was only one other couple in the restaurant, it took about 40 minutes to get our food. Seemed kind of long to me! But, yes, I will be back!

Still amazing food and still rum by the bottle but they've redecorated and it's not pretty. At least, not yet. It's very modern inside - gray, bright white, etc. Where's the warmth?! To make it worse, they installed very cool bulbs (i.e., daylight bulbs) and have them on in the evening. It feels like a doctor's office. I really hope they get their vibe back, hang the art back up and warm the lighting. At least crank down the brightness a bit in the evening. Service was mediocre on my last visit. The food still knocks all negatives out of the park, though.

Love that food, Nicaraguan food is super delicious and tasty. Their drinks So delicious temperature was perfect o really recommended the staff super friendly and good customer service.

My husband and I ate here for the first time last week. It was his birthday and he loved his meal!! Everything we ordered was delicious and portions were generous. The staff/owners were friendly and helpful. We will be returning!

This has become one of our go-to spots for some excellent food and some of the best rum drinks in town! The space is simple with a tropical feel, banana trees and palms indoors- tall ceilings and very wonderful and gracious staff! The appetizers are a wonderful way to start your meal. Plan for an extended time and order an entire bottle of rum with the tamarind juice! You will not regret it- whatever you don't finish you can take home ;) we got empanadas and the fried cheese. The corn based empanadas are absolutely amazing- we got zucchini because I'm a vegetarian. The fried cheese is flavorful and tasty Kutz well and is extremely shareable. They have boiled cassava root, plantains, Carne Asada, pork, rice and beans... A flavorful collection Nicaraguan food that feels authentic, tasty and joyous! We have celebrated birthdays, anniversaries, gathering with friends we haven't seen in a while at this great restaurant and it shows up in our favorites quite often! Since COVID we have been absent for a bit and when we went back the other day we picked right up where we left off and it's nice to see that the quality of both food and service is still excellent! Do yourself a favor and check out this amazing hidden gem!

Food is authentic and delicious. The service is always on point. One of my favorite restaurants in STL!

Fritanga has Nicaraguan food, made very accessible. Located on Jefferson near I-44. There is just street parking, but it's easy to come by. The server was friendly and attentive. They were willing to give suggestions to the "newbies" in the group. Start with a cocktail. My favorite is not listed on the menu, but it is a must order. You can get the Nicarita (similar to a margarita but with rum) with mango puree instead of lime, served with a sugar rim. Super sweet, but very strong. I also ordered the banana soda because "why not" and it was delicious. Tasted like I was drinking a banana Laffy Taffy. The table is given a tray with 3 sauces: a spicy sauce, a chimichurri sauce, and another sauce that could go on anything. They are perfect for pouring on your meat dishes or even your rice/beans. My favorite entree is the Canoa de Maduro: sweet plantain with meat of your choice topped with mozzarella cheese. Very saucy! Comes with one side. My choice was the Gallo Pinto (Nicaraguan dish of mixed red beans and rice) which was perfect to mix in the sauce of the plantains. If you aren't into sweet plantains, they have a similar dish made with green plantains instead. The Carne Asada (national dish of Nicaragua) is a good leaping off point for someone new to Nicaraguan food (or plantains). With this dish and most of the other entrees, you can choose two sides. The Pollo al Chimichurri is another "safe" starter dish. Only downside of some of the meat dishes, they are overcooked and dry. You'll be happy they provide you with the 3 sauces at the start of the meal (unsure if they will give you more if you request). The staff was wiping down every table and chair with Clorox wipes when the tables were turned over. The tables all were given a fresh sheet of while paper as a "table cloth" when a new group was seated. I was very impressed with their cleanliness.

Omg-the food here was incredible! Everything was super fresh, very well seasoned, and cooked to perfection. The drinks were also really good too. I never had Nicaraguan food until now and I will definitely be coming back to try some other items on their menu. We also met the owner Orlando while we were there and he was really cool too. Fritanga is officially one of my new faves.

Excellent food. I like exploring new places to eat and this restaurant was an excellent choice for an adventurous meal. The staff were very polite and helpful. Great experience!

I've been here 2 times. Both time food has been really yummy, I've tried the cheso frito, tostones, carne desmenuzada all those dishes were good. The carne desmenuzada was tasty but pretty average. I do have to say the Pollo al chimichurri was the best! So tasty! If you decide to go there, definitely have to try it. Our server was really nice. Also tried the Rumtarindo, it was refreshing... I liked the taste of tamarindo in the drink.

Food was Great! I absolutely loved the sweet plantains and skirt steak. I brought my family twice now and will definitely be coming back. Excellent service and the staff were fast and pleasant.

This restaurant wasn't super crowded when we arrived for a late lunch so it was perfect. I'm guessing with how flavorful and genuine the food is this place is probably packed in the evening. The service was good, attentive and seemed to care if we liked the food. I look forward to sitting outside in front this summer with a refreshing beverage.

The food is amazing! Perfectly charred pork (chancho asada) and flavorful chicken (pollo chimichirri) were stand outs.. empanadas were perfect, can't recommend more!

Whether or not you are familiar with Nicaraguan food, you will love this cuisine. It is so delicious. The takeout was still hot and tasty, and service has been great when we dine in. Get the queso Frito!!

They are doing a good job with covid and the packaging of the food items. Everything is placed in the box nicely and the sauces are in separate containers. The steak is wrapped in foil so it travels well. They have great flavor, the sauces for the meat is great as always. The fried cheese is wonderful and travels well. The black beans and rice surprisingly have a great flavor, which can be tricky with beans in general! Of course my favorite part are the plantains. Whether crispy (perfect snack, just like chips) or sweet (so good and addicting) you can't go wrong.

Hidden gem. Hole in the wall place off the side of the road for Nicaraguan food. Many of the dishes are fried and not very healthy, but this is fitting for Nicaraguan food. Have a patio. Service was not the best (didn't refill water for a majority of dinner), but wasn't the worse I've ever experienced either. Food was prepared quickly enough and they were very friendly. Brought the credit card processor to the table to pay for check, which was a little weird though.

So first and formost this place is a hidden secret!! I was shocked at how many times that I've passed the area and never seen it!!! Upon arrival it was empty for a Saturday night, but I'm assuming because of COVID. But they still took us! This being my first time trying Central America food. It was amazing! I also tried the soda which was sweet. Sorry I forgot the picture! but omg let's talk about the grilled pork! Now I love meat, and thought I had it all figured out on the spices used. This place makes you water at the thought of how well it's cooked! It tastes so different! Don't let the picture food you! The plantain chips were also good as well as the Gallo pinto! I'm not a bean person but it was well blended and seasoned! A job well done! I will be exploring this place some more! Please don't mind me if I say the menu wrong! It was truly a job well done indeed.

Absolutely recommend this place! We had an order of cheese empanadas, an order of beef empanadas, carne asada with maduros, gallo pinto, and yucca Al mojo de ajo. Every single item was delicious. The carne asada was soft, well cooked, and flavorful! We also had a Rumtarindo which was delicious. I strongly recommend trying this restaurant if you're looking for something new. The staff was friendly and the decor was simple, yet nice.

Still open so don't forget about them if you need your fix of the best maduros/ fried sweet plantains in town. We ordered the whole fried fish, and, fyi, it comes in a half sheet pan container because Orlando never skimps on the sauteed veggies and sauce. He gave us complimentary beers (we ordered a good amount) . We did contactless pickup from the restaurant- order ahead and just put the money in your trunk and he will leave the food in there.

Came here on Monday, the food is amazing!! 100% would recommend. My only issue was the service, the service was really slow. There was only one person serving.!

great service, they went out of their way to seat us outside, and although they didn't bring out one of our items initially, they remembered and brought it out without us asking within a reasonable time. beware, strong drinks! food did not disappoint, everything was coooed to perfection. favorite was the yuca al mojo de ajo, never had yuca this way it was a pleasant surprise.

I LOVE Fritanga! The quality, the seasonings, the sauces, EVERYTHING is fabulous! As a Latina living in St. Louis, I had trouble finding good and authentic Latin American food. Now that I discovered Fritanga, I am not looking anywhere else. Their churrasco is one of the best I've had in my life. The servings are also very good for the price. 100% recommended. Comida nicaragüense y caribeña auténtica. Excelente comida y servicio. Súper recomendable.

A locally-loved Nicaraguan restaurant in the city's McKinley Heights neighborhood, less than 10 minutes from Downtown. Inside: bright colors and original art fill the walls. Greeted with festive music and big smiles. Laid back-- only good vibes allowed! I met a friend for dinner on a Wednesday on a unusually warm January night, the place had a nice crowd. The owner handled service with only a little additional help and he was a delight. His humor was included, MO extra charge! We started with the pork empanadas, as recommended. Lightly fried, stuff with juicy shredded pork. Top it with one of the complimentary sauces accompanying if you like spice (jalapeño) or cilantro or pickled onion. The most popular dishes we were told: the Canoa De Madurai and Platano Loco. Both are plantain dishes served with meat and mozzarella cheese. Then you have the carne asada (beef tip), the national dish of Nicaragua! I stuck with pork, ordering the Chancho Asado. It's a plate-full of pork shoulder resembling a St. Louis pork steak! Charred to perfection and surrounded by traditional sides of beans and rice and plantains. My date went with beef. Churrasco Nica. Cilantro rubbed skirt steak, garlicky and salty and tender. Soooo very good. No room for dessert this time y'all, sorry!! This place should make your regular rotation.

Very friendly staff.The food is exquisite.We were very happy we found this Latin restaurant.

I decided to try out Fritanga after my co-workers raved about it on a recent work trip. I went with 3 of my colleagues who were also Fritanga virgins to see what the fuss was about. The restaurant has a very casual seating area. Service was prompt and efficient. Their cocktails are phenomenal. One of my co-workers had 3 cocktails by the end of the dinner, that was how much he loved them. The food was similarly enjoyable. I really liked my carne asada - flavorful, not tough, and complemented nicely with the sides. Conversation diminished once the food came because it was just that tasty. Their menu said they are unwilling to split checks but we explained our situation (work trip requiring separate credit card payments) and the waitress was willing to oblige, which we appreciated. Not sure if there was AC inside, if there were it wasn't very strong. I sat at one of the tables to the left (if you are entering and facing the bar) and started sweating like a pig when the sun started to set and shine through the upper windows - felt like an ant under a magnifying glass. Overall, a solid experience.

Everything we had was delicious. I loved the sauces they brought out. The chimichurri was spot on. My tostones were perfect. The empanada was awesome. What a nice treat coming here was! I would highly recommend checking it out..again and again.