Ever since I first tried authentic Colombian food in Los Angeles in '05, I've been hooked! Sad thing is, it's been a long time since I last had it in Atlanta because the mom of one of my high school best friends moved up North and took her amazing Colombian cooking skills with her and it's just never been the same since. I remember going to my friend's house after school every month and her mom cooking up an amazing array of foods for their family dinner, especially the bandeja paisa, or "people's plate" as it's also known as since it is comprised of several different types of proteins, rice, beans, plantains and more. Despite it being a gut buster, I looked forward to it every month not only because it was different from what my parents would cook for us at home, but also because it was a type of food that I was initially unfamiliar with and came to love in just a short amount of time. And strangely enough, I never thought to seek Colombian food in Atlanta because in my mind, nothing could compare to the one I was used to having over a decade ago. So when I happened to be in the Doraville area running some errands one recent Friday afternoon, a sudden yet uncontrollable craving for bandeja paisa overcame me while I was pumping gas at QuikTrip. With a little research and luck, I discovered La Casona, which happened to be located right behind the new QT on Buford Highway and made my way over the moment my tank was full!
Let's get started:
❀Exterior
❀Menu
❀La Bandeja Paisa ($12.95): Grilled steak, pork skin, egg, sausage, sweet plantains, avocado, colombian tortilla, rice and beans
❀FOOD (5/5): OH MY GOODNESS! I haven't been this excited for food in such a long time! Just when I thought that my friend's mom's cooking was irreplaceable, I finally found some place that is just as comparable and affordable! La Casona offers two sizes of the bandeja paisa and the one shown above is the large size-can you tell I was excited? Not only was this plate sent down from heaven, but every single component on it was so downright delicious that it should've been a sin! The rice was buttery and delicious, while the beans were chewy and moist. The grilled steak was pounded thin and tasted great with their homemade hot sauces. However, the stand out items to me were the plantains, sausage, pork skins and Colombian tortilla. The plantains had just the perfect amount of sweetness to them and a nice sugary brown coating and slight crunch, the sausage was juicy and aromatic, the pork skins were extra crispy and crunchy and the tortilla was melt-in-your-mouth delicious and warm. All of these various components meshed well with one another and each added its own unique texture.
❀SERVICE (5/5): Upon entering the restaurant, I was immediately greeted and seated in their open dining room area. My server immediately brought over a glass of water and a menu. As I glanced through the menu, she came by and asked if I had any questions to which I answered "No," since I already knew I was going to order the bandeja paisa, regardless of the price and without really looking at the menu. Not long after I placed my order, she brought out my dish, along with a few of their homemade hot sauces, lemons and more, which I assume is to accompany the meats. While I noshed on my heavenly plate, she stopped by several times to ask how everything was and to see if I needed anything else before helping the next table. She'd bring by extra napkins and refills without asking and was always on top of her game, despite some communication difficulties. All around, the two servers I encountered on my visit were splendid!
❀DECOR (4/5): From the outside, I would have never guessed that La Casona was a restaurant. The neon lights are barely noticeable, especially during the day time, and it's difficult to spot unless you've got your eyes peeled. The awnings could definitely use a touch up and so could the sign since "La C" are the only letters that turn on at night. Walking in however, you'd be surprised at how spacious and clean it actually is. The dining area is separated into 3-4 sections, some on a platform and some that are not. The register area has its own adorable awning shaped like an old-school cottage and has various Colombian snacks and sweets for sale. The rest of the restaurant has brick-styled decor throughout along with colorful paintings and pictures adorning the walls and fresh potted plants hanging from the ceiling. While most of the tables are four-tops, they can easily be added together for larger parties. Additionally, there are several booths as well, especially if you're a booth person like myself. They've got a huge crowd here, so having plenty of seating is always a plus!
Overall, I'd highly recommend checking out La Casona for their Colombian fare if you ever find yourself in the area! While they offer a wide variety of authentic and traditional Colombian dishes, the bandeja paisa here is a MUST ORDER! For the $13 price tag, it simply can't be beat with how fresh everything tastes and is made to order!
Overall, I'd highly recommend checking out La Casona for their Colombian fare if you ever find yourself in the area! While they offer a wide variety of authentic and traditional Colombian dishes, the bandeja paisa here is a MUST ORDER! For the $13 price tag, it simply can't be beat with how fresh everything tastes and is made to order!
Have a wonderful day,
-Sandy
FTC: I was not paid or compensated for this review. All reviews and opinions expressed are my own.
If you'd like to invite Bella Vivere to cover & share your restaurant's media events, tastings or parties, feel free to shoot me an email at bellavivere {at} gmail {dot} com-Thanks!
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