South American restaurants in USA
- Sort by:
- Popular
-
A
Dixie Kitchen & Bait Shop
After marching through the gothic hallows of the University of Chicago, the hodge-podge of rusting gas station signs and oddball Southern memorabilia at this Dixie eatery is an unassuming, homey delight – even if it feels a bit misplaced at the edge of an aging strip mall. Despite the name, there’s no fish food here, but service for humans starts with complimentary biscuits and mini loaves of cornbread. Start things on the right foot with fried green tomatoes, crawfish and cornbread fritters, or a cup of gumbo. For more quality southern fare, try an oyster po’boy or reliable country fried steak.
reviewed
-
B
El Rey del Chivito
Heart, meet the ‘King of Chivitos’ and his signature dish: a sandwich of steak, ham, cheese, fried eggs and mayonnaise (there may have been lettuce, peppers and tomatoes too, but the other ingredients just laughed at them). Now run, heart, run away! That’s just the basic, by the way, and it comes with fries. We’ve never heard of Uruguayan restaurants in the US, and now we know why: anyone who could spread the word died of a coronary long ago. El Rey also serves Uruguayan pizza; try it topped with faina, long strips of bread mixed with cheese and peppers.
reviewed
-
C
Empanada Mama
With its cheery red entrance, long green banquettes down a narrow brick wall, succulent empanadas and great prices, what's not to love about Empanada Mama? The service, unfortunately: it's a little slow and diffident, but these meat-stuffed pastry treats are too addictive to walk away from. You can get wheat, corn and oven-baked empanadas filled with tasty beef or chicken (veggie options too), or arepas (stuffed corn patties), or a big plate of arroz con pollo (chicken with rice), or shredded beef, or many other South American favorites.
reviewed
-
D
El Majahual
Even if papusa isn't part of your dining vocabulary, it'll become your new favorite word after you try El Majahual's Salvadoran pocket of fried dough stuffed with ground pork, green chili, and queso (cheese) loaded with pickled cabbage and salsa - yep, that's an around US$3 meal.
The Colombian side of the menu is pricier and a little lackluster compared to the Salvadoran papusas and tamales, but the fried yucca and plantains, passionfruit juice, and zesty sancocho de gallina (Colombian hen soup) are definite crowd-pleasers.
reviewed
-
E
La Moon
Nothing – and we’re not necessarily saying this in a good way – soaks up the beer like a Colombian hot dog topped with eggs and potato sticks. Or fried pork belly and pudding. These delicacies are the preferred food and drink of Miami’s 24-hour party people, and the best place for this wicked fare is in stumbling distance of the Transit Lounge. To really fit in, order a refajo: Colombian beer (Aguila) with Colombian soda (preferably the red one).
reviewed
-
F
Inka's
Mission diners jaded by giant burritos and convoluted Californian dishes have another thing or two coming at this Peruvian restaurant, namely: tangy purple corn juice; marinated, skewered beef hearts (not nearly as twisted as it sounds, and oh-so tender); zesty, chunky ceviche; and chewy and not overly sweet pumpkin donuts. Grilled seafood and meats served with saffron rice are bland by comparison, but then so are most foods.
reviewed
-
G
Balompie Café
Loyal taco lovers, prepare to be tempted by papusas, Salvadoran pockets of corn masa (aka taco dough) filled with cheese and beans or meat and topped with ’slaw and hot sauce. Papusas run $2.50 to $3.50 if you eat them here (minimum order of two per person) or $1.99 if you get them to go for a Dolores Park picnic.
reviewed
-
H
Barbossa
A breezy, wide-open front window and low-level bossa nova in the background give this café a sultry and jazzy feel that's complemented by a light, tropical cuisine, heavy on salads (mango and peanut and avocado are favorite toppings), delicious soups and a few hearty mains.
reviewed
-
I
El Cochinito
This 12-table hole-in-the-wall ‘little pig' is family run, neighborhood adored and serves traditional ‘pre-Castro' Cuban at its finest. The tostones are thin and crispy and the roasted pork is melt-in-your-mouth tender, but really, you can't order wrong.
reviewed
-
J
Guayacan
Nicaraguan meals served by friendly folks in a pleasantly homey atmosphere is what it’s all about. Don’t get us started on the roast pork – oh, alright, it’s divine. All specials come loaded with sides: salad, rice and beans, plantains, french fries, corn tortillas and bread.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
K
Flamingo Restaurant
This tiny Nicaraguan storefront/café serves the behind-the-scenes laborers who make South Beach function. Workers devour hen soup, pepper chicken and cheap breakfasts prepared by a meticulous husband-and-wife team who like to get details (and portions) just right.
reviewed
-
L
Destino
Your taste buds will think tectonic plates have shifted at this Peru-meets-California bistro, starring ahi ceviche with organic mango and achiote oil, duck breast with bacon-plantain cakes and passion-fruit Pisco sour cocktails.
reviewed
-
M
Havana
Maine goes Latin at this elegant dinner restaurant featuring the likes of lobster paella, coconut curried scallops and mojito cheesecake. The wine list is one of the finest in the state, the service superb.
reviewed
