Last updated on September 30th, 2024 at 09:13 pm
Michael Holland - Updated on September 30th, 2024
If you’re intrigued by South American spices and flavors, this review of EL Colombiano restaurant (now Donde Yubra) is for you.
Using our unique SENTY75 system, we analyzed 75 recent customer reviews to determine if this place is the real deal or an impostor.
Keep reading to get the scoop.
What is EL Colombiano - Donde Yubra Restaurant?
El Colombiano opened in Coral Springs in 2022. Two more South Florida locations are in Weston and Sunrise.
The restaurant offers a variety of authentic Colombian comfort foods in a warm, inviting atmosphere.
As evidenced by the following Google and SENTY75 ratings, this eatery has taken the town by storm.
It’s no wonder that the restaurant now uses the name of Donde Yubra La Mejor Comida (where the best food is).
EL Colombiano has amassed over 900 lifetime Google reviews with a 4.6 rating. Its SENTY75 current sentiment rating is 4.5, confirming that the eatery consistently delivers a quality experience.
In our annual survey to identify top restaurants in town, we deemed the restaurant Best Colombian Food on University Drive.
Now, let’s discover what keeps customers returning to this spot.
Top Current Customer Sentiments
After analyzing the 75 reviews, here are the top positive and negative sentiments shared by customers:
Positive Sentiments Explained
The Positive Sentiments table highlights what makes El Colombiano a standout restaurant in the area. Here’s what customers are raving about:
– Excellent service that will make you feel welcomed (29 mentions)
– Delicious food that’ll have your taste buds dancing (32 mentions)
– A great atmosphere that’ll transport you straight to Colombia (16 mentions)
– Authentic Colombian cuisine that satisfies cravings for a taste of home (18 mentions)
– Friendly staff who go above and beyond to ensure a pleasant dining experience (14 mentions)
"Excellent food, amazing service. This place is completely recommended, I felt at home. Both in attention and taste."
Negative Sentiments Explained
While El Colombiano receives overwhelmingly positive feedback, there are a few areas they could improve:
– Poor service experiences reported by a small number of diners (6 mentions)
– Concerns about high prices from a few budget-conscious customers (4 mentions)
– Instances of food served cold, affecting the dining experience (5 mentions)
– Some customers noticed reduced portion sizes compared to previous visits (3 mentions)
As you see, the negative experiences are far outweighed by the positive ones. But we thought you’d still like to know about some of the small imperfections. No restaurant is perfect, right?
Top Foods & Dishes
Next, the following tables highlight the top positive and negative mentions of specific foods/dishes.
Positively Mentioned Foods/Dishes Explained
Just look at these superb dishes dominating the positives:
– Sancocho, a hearty and flavorful Colombian soup that’s stealing the show (4 mentions)
– Crispy, golden empanadas that’ll transport you straight to the streets of Bogotá (2 mentions)
– Buñuelos, those irresistible cheese fritters that Colombians can’t get enough of (1 mention)
However, El Colombiano’s menu isn’t one-note. Customers also raved about the crunchy chicharrón and comforting frijoles rancheros.
Negatively Mentioned Foods/Dishes Explained
While El Colombiano generally receives high praise, there are a few dishes that some customers feel could use a little extra love:
– The trifásico, a popular Colombian dish, received mixed reviews (2 mentions). Some found it cold or greasy.
– The picada, typically a generous platter of various meats and sides, was noted for reduced portions (1 mention).
– Ajiaco, another beloved Colombian soup, was reported as being served cold (1 mention).
Customers also mentioned issues with tough meat and improperly served coffee. While these critiques are few, they highlight areas where El Colombiano could fine-tune its offerings.
Perceived Quality/Value Ratings for Key Foods/Dishes
Next, here’s a breakdown of the key foods and dishes, along with their perceived quality and value ratings:
Highlights:
• Sancocho stands out as a crowd-pleaser, with a strong 4.5 rating across 4 mentions. This traditional Colombian soup seems to hit the mark with its hearty, flavorful preparation.
• Empanadas are another hit, boasting a perfect 5.0 rating from 2 mentions. Diners appear to be thoroughly impressed with these crispy, savory pastries.
• The trifásico seems to be struggling to meet customer expectations. With a rating of 2.5 across 2 mentions, concerns about temperature, greasiness, and incomplete ingredients affect its perceived value.
Important Note: Usually, the most passionate clients leave positive and negative reviews. So when you see a rating based on 2 or 3 mentions, don’t take that as the gospel since the sample size is so tiny. Other diners likely left great reviews but didn’t mention any particular food/dish.
Additional Bites
Here are some additional tidbits uncovered from the reviews that you may find helpful:
• The restaurant offers a special Sunday sancocho cooked over a wood fire.
• Customers are often greeted with a complimentary shot of “guarito” (a traditional Colombian drink).
• Some reviews noted the spacious and clean dining area, contributing to the overall positive atmosphere.
• The owner is often present and interacts with customers, adding a personal touch to the dining experience.
• The restaurant has a bilingual staff.
• Some reviewers noted that the restaurant has a family-owned feel, which adds to its charm.
• The decor is described as beautiful by some customers, contributing to the overall ambiance.
"We go to this restaurant many times and the service is always quick and the waiters are always friendly! The food is delicious and I recommend it 100%"
Restaurant Cleanliness
At the time of this review, the Coral Springs restaurant was last inspected by the Florida Health Department in July 2024.
The inspector found 4 violations and assigned a “Follow-up Inspection Required” status. A key unresolved matter concerns an administrative compliance failure.
Inspection Highlights:
• Minor Issue: An employee’s personal item (JBL speaker) was found in an inappropriate area. It was moved to ensure food prep areas remained clean and uncluttered.
• The ice scoop was stored incorrectly, but this was immediately corrected during the inspection.
• A squeeze bottle containing oil wasn’t labeled, but this was promptly addressed on-site.
• Follow-up Issue: The restaurant currently lacks a certified food manager. This is an important role in maintaining food safety standards, and the establishment should prioritize addressing this issue.
Overall, the inspection revealed a few minor issues that were mostly corrected immediately.
To learn more or view the most recent inspection, click this link.
Restaurant Profile:
–Type of Cuisine: Colombian Cuisine
–Menu Options: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Kids Menu
–Ambiance: Comfortable, Casual, Family-Friendly
–Average Prices: Dinner Meals ($30), Breakfast Meals ($16)
Restaurant Location & Hours:
- Address: 2049 N University Dr, Coral Springs, FL 33071 (Located in Coral Palm Plaza)
- Phone: (754) 529-8979
- Hours of operation: Monday-Sunday from 8 a.m.-9 p.m..
- Website: elcolombianocuisine.com/
EL Colombiano Review - FAQ
What is SENTY75?
SENTY™ is an innovative methodology that filters outdated information to assess present-day opinions about businesses. Unlike Google’s indiscriminate aggregation of all feedback, SENTY75 targets the most recent reviews across platforms such as Google, Yelp, and Facebook, excluding those without feedback.
This method delivers a genuine understanding of a business’s public perception. The “75” signifies the optimal number of current reviews chosen to measure the sentiments for Coral Springs eateries.
Is El Colombiano worth visiting for an authentic Colombian dining experience?
Based on the collective reviews, the answer is yes. El Colombiano offers a genuine taste of Colombia with its standout dishes, such as sancocho and empanadas.
The warm atmosphere, attentive service, and unique touches like complimentary guarito create a memorable experience. While there’s room for improvement in some areas, the overwhelming positive feedback suggests you’ll enjoy the flavors and hospitality.
Wrap Up.
El Colombiano offers an authentic Colombian dining experience with standout dishes like sancocho and empanadas.
And despite some minor issues, the overall positive reviews and unique touches make it a worthy destination for South American cuisine enthusiasts.
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