Colombian restaurants

El porteñito restaurant

4.6 71 reviews Closed 720 NW 13th St, Gainesville, FL 32601, United States

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El Porteñito Restaurant is a hidden gem nestled in Gainesville, Florida, offering a true taste of Colombian cuisine from its charming food truck. The reviews resonate with a consistent theme of authenticity and immense flavor. Customers like Kayla Stalcup rave about the “delicious Colombian food,” emphasizing the homemade quality that recalls the heart of Colombia in every bite.

Qingchen Yuan recounts his delightful discovery of the “patacon mix to,” a dish that showcases a crispy fried plantain base topped with savory beef — a stellar representation of Colombian street food. The casual, inviting atmosphere of the truck and its seating area adds to the overall experience, making it perfect for a relaxed meal.

Gabriela R. Mejia highlights the freshness of the fried fish, while Brandon Morningstar encourages late-night visitors to indulge in the local flavors, labeling it a "10/10 local favorite." Whether you’re a longtime fan of Latin cuisine or a curious newcomer, El Porteñito promises an unforgettable culinary journey that captures the essence of Colombia. With delightful dishes and an enthusiastic vibe, it’s a must-visit eatery for anyone in the area seeking authentic Latin flavors.

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Amenities & More

Service options

Curbside pickup
Delivery
Takeout
Dine-in

Dining options

Dinner

Note: Amenity details are aggregated from verified visits, the venue's website and Google. They may change without notice. We recommend confirming key details (pet policy, accessibility, reservations) directly with El porteñito restaurant before visiting.

Reviews for El porteñito restaurant

4.6

71 reviews

100%

11%

Review highlights

Based on 71 reviews

El porteñito restaurant is widely recognized for delivering authentic and flavorful Colombian cuisine with a focus on homemade, fresh ingredients. Frequently mentioned strengths include the delicious and well-prepared dishes, such as traditional fried fish and specialty items featuring unique bases like crispy plantains. The establishment’s food truck setup offers a casual and approachable dining experience, supplemented by a small seating area that enhances comfort despite its modest atmosphere. Customers appreciate its role as a popular local spot, particularly for late-night cravings, highlighting its reliability and consistent quality. Overall, the restaurant garners positive feedback for its genuine flavors, inviting ambiance, and appeal as a must-try destination for Colombian food in Gainesville.

Kayla Stalcup

Oct 21, 2025

Such a lovely experience every time I get food from here. Very authentic, delicious Colombian food!

Qingchen Yuan

Oct 18, 2025

I stumbled upon this Colombian food truck and decided to give it a try. The “patacon mix to” that I ordered was very delicious with a crispy fried (maybe banana)base and beef toppings. Since it is a food truck, I am okay with its basic atmosphere. Will return for more entrees next time.

Yaravi Coriano

Oct 13, 2025

A little food truck located in NW 13th Street. They have a cute little place to sit and eat. The food was amazing.

Gabriela R. Mejia

Oct 01, 2025

Food is tasty and homemade. I ordered fried fish and it was fresh and yummy! Highly recommended

Brandon Morningstar

Sep 12, 2025

Definitely a delicious must have late night, bite! Enjoy local Colombian food, then you HAVE to stop by and grab some of this man’s delicious food! 10/10 local favorite!

Adriana Fonnegra

Aug 18, 2025

The best and only place in Gainesville with Authentic and delicious Colombian food the atmosphere is amazing with the sitting between trees and pet and family friendly. The food is fresh and so tasty. They have vegan and vegetarian options. The owner will make sure you feel comfortable and happy. The whole experience is recommended. They have seafood specials on Sundays. Don’t forget to try their fresh Colombian juices. FIVE STARS ⭐

Alexander Nguyen

Aug 14, 2025

Got takeout from here through Uber Eats. Food is authentic and was good but definitely felt underwhelmed. Given that it’s from a Food Truck I didn’t have terribly high expectations but food images and what I ended up getting was fairly different. The Salchipapa in the pictures looked like it already had sauce on them but instead they give you the sauces to put on yourself. While I understand this from a takeout point of view, possibly to not let the fries get soggy, there was no way the sauces even after putting it on was adequately comparable to the pictures. The Bandeja Paisa had all the ingredients of that meal but felt like it was kind of thrown together. The meat was a bit dry and the arepa was undercooked. Overall the food was fine, not the best but good for the conditions it is made in.