Karen Lee Paolicelli
I have been going to Asi es Columbia for well over 20 years. Family owned/operated, they truly have the best authentic Columbian food. We moved back to the area recently and I was excited to bring my son. i lived in greenwich years ago and was introduced to ASI es Columbia by all of the Columbian girls who worked for me. I always tried whatever the lunch special was so it gave me an opportunity to try so many different dishes that I probably wouldnt order normally. Some favorites are their oxtails and the broiled fish but My all time favorite is the ‘Typical Dish of Columbia’ Bandeja Paisa which translates to Mountain plate, it literally has everything from rice, beans, chicharron, perfectly seasoned steak, plantains, mini arepa, perfectly cooked over medium egg, 1/2 an avocado. Typically Columbian restaurants have their own signature hot sauce that they serve with the plate of food for you to add as little or as much as you want, This popular typical dish is without a doubt a gluttonous amount of food and it’s only $18, that blows my mind. It could probably feed 3 people but I have been known to finish an entire plate myself (which always seem to shock whomever is present when that happens) The day I took these photos and brought my son, the owner, her daughter, her son (who my son recognized from school) and her mom were all there (i love that- 3 generations behind the counter, the daughter was writing our order and the grandmother brought my son and I special drinks (mango juice and milk blended until frothy) and then served us our dishes which my son was like overwhelmed by how much was on the plate but eagerly dove in and understood what I had been talking it up for years. When I literally ate and then wiped the plate clean with the rest of my arepa before taking the last bite… they were amazed that this petite Korean girl comes in, order the full size Bandeja Paisa and then literally finish the entire plate of food. Now mind you, this is many years later, I try to portion control but that specific day of these photos, earlier that afternoon had spent about 5 hours nonstop playing tennis without even a snack since morning.. I was so hungry and so excited that this was the day I introduced my son to Columbian food. As you can see my son had barely even started eating and my plate was literally wiped clean, I just love that dish… it literally hits every note from simple savory vs sweet, to so many different textures, freshness of the avocado breaking up the fatty fabulous deliciousness of a chicharron. The runny egg on the rice and spilling into beans and that beautiful tangy fresh hot sauce that ties it all together.
I can’t do that (meaning finish an entire full size plate of food like that every time but I will fully admit it also wasn’t the first or 10th time either. It may be as more recent thing but they offer a smaller portion of the dish too for $14.
I think of Columbian food as perfect simplicity… There is something about how well every component on the plate is cooked, like they maintain the integrity of each main ingredient a d then season it perfectly and let it come together on the plate for the diner to choose how they will eat it: Every bite is different when you have that many components on the plate…
The crazy part, is there are no bad combinations when the food is cooked so well, For example, the rice is cooked perfectly and seasoned with just the right amount of salt and the beans are so delicious, with their big chunks of chicharron in them. The way they cut the pork for chicharron before they fry it, gives you all these tiny morsels of perfectly fried pork that is cooked around the entire bite because of how they cut it before immersing it in oil.
The meal wouldn’t be complete without picking out a dessert as you are getting ready to pay your check at the counter where all the Columbian postres are on display. Different types of cookies, meringues, fresh fruit turnovers and my personal favorite, homemade tres leches cake. We live so close now that my son literally requests to go there weekly.
… morestanley quinde
A very unpleasant experience. I went yesterday with my family; there were seven of us. We had to wait for some simple, very bad, overheated coffees and some oatmeal that looked like paste. The Milo was okay, but the service was terrible. We waited 25 minutes for the drinks, then another hour for the main courses. All the food was cold, as if it had been reheated. I called the waitress and let her know that the food was very cold, but oh well, we paid and left. A very bad experience.
… moreJose Almejo
This is a staple in Port Chester. If you’re looking for a traditional Colombian cafe/bakery, Asi Es Colombia is a must visit. It’s not very busy after 9am because parking rules go into effect but for a quick breakfast, it always delivers. Pictured is the mini calentado, lulu shake and pane de bono. Everything was fresh and came out in 15 minutes from the time we sat down. They accept cash and cards which is super convenient. Also posting the menu as I haven’t been able to find a reliable version online for this place. Cannot wait to come back for lunch
… moreIsabel perez
Little family place with good food,big portions and excellent service!
… moreAlfredo Melendez
Great food at a great price. Good place to grab some home style food for lunch.
… moreAustin
Love this place. Convenient location from where I work and has some awesome food. I really enjoyed the Bandeja Paisa which gives you a little bit of everything and the chicken empanadas are awesome as well
… moreRuth Clark
I had the special of the day which consisted of chicken soup, breaded, steak, rice, and salad. I can’t tell you how pleasantly surprised I was with the delicious flavors of the soup. If you know, you know. It was excellent! I loved the steak and a rice. It was perfect, and the owner could not have been nicer. The staff was very attentive as well. I normally go to Jackson Heights Queens, but that’s a schlep. I’m so happy I found this new spot which I will make my own well worth the visit you won’t be disappointed.
… moreJim Mason
Food and service are excellent! Big portions, especially the chicken, peppers, and fries dish. A bit loud in the dining area. It felt like Sunday dinner with the family
… moredelaney munyan
I got the chicken empanadas and at first I was really happy with them! The potato inside was incredibly tender and the empanada shell (?) was perfectly crispy, the salsa was also very good! Unfortunately, I wasn’t a huge fan of the chicken inside. The 2 I got both had a lot of weird fatty pieces that ultimately turned me off despite the initially great flavor. Pro-tip, definitely know your order in Spanish before going in! When I was there, the nice young lady who took my order didn’t seem to speak english so a customer helped me out 🙂
… morePamela Castro
we are cosumers for this place for more then 12 years my parents enjoyed the tradicion bread but the service is horrible now my father who is 72 years old waiting for almost 1 hour for his food and they didnt even send the order to be cooked expected my father to wait more time to be able to pick his food. service and atmosphere is horrible now this review is to called the attention of any owner or mananger because the peolple working there right now only like the big tips of drunk people regular loyal clients are being mistreated
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