The food the family-owned eatery serves comes out hot and full of flavor.
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Staffers at the restaurant opened in 2014 were friendly and helpful in navigating a menu filled with traditional and approachable Colombian food.
Started by Martin and Ana Maria Rivera, La Colombiana is festively decorated, but not over-the-top.
It is located near the Mall of Fairfield Commons and has about 40 seats.
It offers healthy-size meal portions for lunch and dinner and has both gluten-free and vegan options.
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I started by ordering a beef empanada with a hot con aji (a milder sauce is also available) because I can’t pass on the chance to eat fresh empanadas.
Glad I didn’t.
The golden corn turnovers were a potato and shredded beef delight. There are also chicken and vegetable empanadas.
An appetizer serving of four is $5.99. A single empanada is $1.50 each.
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After much pondering, I settled for marinated and tender pork skewers for lunch.
The delicious dish was served with an arepita bread, perfectly seasoned fried potatoes and a surprising pineapple gratin for $7.99.
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The menu includes an impressive list of Colombian dishes like the traditional peasant platter ($15.99): beef, pork belly, sausage, egg, pinto beans, white rice, plantains, arepita and a salad.
You’ll also find Arroz con Pollo (a shredded chicken and rice meal), picada and arepas.
Bunuelos ( fried cheese doughballs) are sold on Saturdays and Sunday for $2 each.
WHAT TO GO?Â
What: La Colombiana Restaurante
Where:Â 2495 Commons Blvd., Beavercreek.
Connect: (937) 306-8096|Â lacolombiana.us|Â Facebook
Hours: Sunday: 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.; 3 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday; 3 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
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