Latin Bites

"Latin Bites is pretty understated. Aside from an intricate hummingbird mural, the Peruvian spot has a handful of wooden tables and a few plants hanging from the ceiling. Any enthusiasm comes from the high-energy servers singing and tapping rhythms on a wooden box for the occasional birthday. But when it comes to food, the excitement varies for each visit. On its best days, Latin Bites makes excellent dishes. Classics like the tender lomo saltado, which is soft enough to fall apart on its own, come bathed in a sweet soy-based marinade. But on other days, the West Oaks cafe falls victim to inconsistency. Beef skewers arrive at the table as chewy strips, and at times, acidic citrus overpowers the ceviche, making the fish an afterthought. The best time to bet on Latin Bites is during Happy Hour when the discounted prices make the food feel like less of a risk. photo credit: Quit Nguyen photo credit: Quit Nguyen photo credit: Quit Nguyen photo credit: Quit Nguyen Food Rundown photo credit: Quit Nguyen Tequeños If a mozzarella stick swapped its breading for a flaky pastry shell, it would look like a tequeño. The golden crust of this appetizer, paired with the aioli sauce, makes it a reliable way to start your meal. photo credit: Quit Nguyen Beef Tenderloin Anticuchos Even as the most flavorful anticucho on the menu, the meat in this appetizer can occasionally be tough. But take a gamble because when done right, the beef practically glides off the skewer into a plate of crunchy choclo pieces. photo credit: Quit Nguyen Lomo Saltado Each piece of beef tenderloin gets coated in a subtly sweet marinade that we use to dunk the golden fries. The lomo is hands-down the most consistent dish at Latin Bites. photo credit: Quit Nguyen Tallarines Verdes The Tallarines Verdes combines pesto fettuccine with a strip of seared churrasco, but on an off night, it's overdone, and the pesto is lackluster." - Gianni Greene

"The Deal: Three-course dinner for $39 per person Why We Like It: When we think of Peruvian food that everyone should try, Latin Bites comes to mind. The menu features everything from ceviche tostadas to deep-fried cheese empanadas, but order their most delicious dish—the tender lomo saltado with crispy french fries. Then, make plans to come back for your birthday, when the staff will put on a mini concert for you over dessert. " - gianni greene, chelsea thomas

"The West Oaks restaurant Latin Bites makes excellent Peruvian food from start to finish. Get your meal going with a well-balanced pisco sour, then dive into a plate of tenderloin beef skewered served with crispy roasted potatoes, and end with the lomo saltado with beef soft enough to fall apart on its own. The room is usually full of families having a mini reunion or celebrating someone’s high school graduation. We’d make any excuse to come back to Latin Bites, and if you’re into all-day Happy Hours or high-energy birthday singing by waiters, you will too. " - gianni greene, chelsea thomas, julie takahashi