Well thank goodness for the Latinos! Another lunch option that has real seasonings for waking up this tired palate. The shredded pork proved to be a winner first selection for this initial visit. Good seasonings and portion size had me grateful. The tamale was lacking the masa flavor I was hoping for and the meat center very lean in portion. Their hot sauce proved unexpected in welcome new flavors and I would heartily recommend to facilliate making this side dish disappear! Not too high on the scoville scale, but not for those with a weak palate for the stuff either. The garlic breen beans were well, green beans and cold. Given this restaurant is mostly a cafeteria style serving format , that expectation was in the back of my mind already.(you can order some items off their grill too) The ice water dispenser was not working so the $.94 bottled water was appreciated. Not sure if they had reduced the price due to their equipment problems, but a benefit of the doubt was easy since the overall experience was good enough to put Amazonas on my short list of places for lunch.
(4)
Angela D.
I visited Amazonas for lunch today; it had been a while as my last experience was a real disappointment, however, I was in the mood for some ropa vieja so I decided to give it another chance. I had really hoped that last time was just an off-day for them... Nope. I have to say, this visit confirmed several things for me: (1) Their ratio of meat/sides is way off. If you're looking for a pound of rice and/or sides, with a sampling of meat, you'll love it here. If not, GO ELSEWHERE. (2) They seem to have done away with their smaller option, so now the only meal they offer is 8.99 for an entree and 2 sides. With the total coming to $9.57 after tax (without a drink), they are higher than the average (quick) lunch in this area. And again, THERE'S HARDLY ANY MEAT ON THIS PLATE. (3) I made the mistake of ordering a side of mixed vegetables and found a pile of mush in my container when I got back to work. To say they overcooked them would be a huge understatement. It just made the sting that much worse. (4) Upon paying for my meal, I mentioned that the price was higher than I remember. (This was me trying to be polite as I already knew I wasn't getting my money's worth). The man's response who was ringing me up was to abruptly threw a menu in my bag and say "Well, HERE. Now you have all of our prices for next time." Wha?! Sooo unexpectedly rude. And also, what makes you think there's a next time?? This place is not what it used to be. Do yourself a favor and visit one of the other Latin places nearby that are a better quality and better value: Panna, Tu Casa, Melao, Arepas El Cacao, food trucks, etc...
(1)
Brandon S.
Excellent food here. Going to keep this short because I'm quite full. The service was great, friendly staff. Palomillo steak was perfectly cooked, white rice and sweet corn both were good. I have a slice of chocolate cake waiting in the fridge for later.
(5)
Bill R.
Huge portions of shredded beef or pork with rice and beans. I just wish they had a proper lunch menu with reduced prices as the full size entree is a bit much for lunch.
(4)
Lindsey T.
If you work around the Sandlake & John Young Parkways intersection, you will find yourself always searching for something to grab for lunch that isn't fast food. Or perhaps you will sit in the horrendous traffic that is the Dr.Phillips part of Sandlake Road for an hour just to run into the Whole Foods to pay $20 for lunch and possibly get run over in the parking lot in the process. Your best option is to venture into the modestly hidden gem that is Amazonas in the Wal-Mart shopping center on the corner of JYP and Sandlake. This is authentic Spanish cuisine and it;s oh so so good. For being a small operation they have a pretty extensive menu as well as freshly made meats (chicken, pork, steak) along with yellow rice, black beans, yucca, plantains & more items that will make you miss your Abuela. Lunch will most likely remain under $10, it will be fast, and always friendly. So before you sit in the never ending drive thru line at Wendy's or stand in the line that forms outside of the Chipolte, or even sink the bottom of the fast food barrel and settle for a Dunkin Donuts crossaint sandwich for lunch, do yourself a favor and get out of your car and into Amazonas.
(4)
Stephanie M.
hecks yea! quick, home cooked lunch! delicious! during my work week here in Orlando, I had eaten here 4 out of 5 days. That's how good it is. So far I have tried their Encebollado, Amazonas Salad with shredded beef, Asado Negro, Yellow Rice, Rice and Beans, Plantains, and Patatones. The platters are quite large and can be a meal for 2 so either come really hungry or ask for a to-go box. My favorites are the aSado Negro, Rice and Beans, and Plantains. The Yellow Rice is ok.. I prefer a more meaty/hearty taste to my rice and so the yellow rice didn't really do it for me. I really recommend getting rice with the Asado Negro because the gravy is a bit salty and the rice neutralizes the salty flavor. The fresh squeezed juice is equally amazing! I loved their fresh squeezed Pineapple Juice! This place is only opened for weekdays, during lunch hours so I would suggest that you go during your lunch break Orlando! :)
(4)
Alex R.
My girl and l try this spot for the first time and the food was amazing fresh homemade food tequeños and the steak
(5)
Emma H.
I tried this place before I went to the dentist next door and it was a HUGE surprise! My husband got a chorizo sandwich and I got the special, it was sooo yummy and fresh. But you MUST try also have to try the cafe con leche and the quarto leches!
(5)
Andrea R.
really good food. I had a salad and it was really good. I tend to have problems when eating out because Latin food can have too much seasoning. in this case this was good, not salty or strong flavors
(4)
Mario R.
Hole in a wall Orlando's best kept secret! Delicious Hamburgers and Latin cuisine!! Next to a huge Walmart. Kids ate hamburgers and loved it and I tried the Arepas and they were incredible. My wife ate the Salmon and was great! Busy place and staff very friendly. I also liked their clean bathrooms and food was very reasonably priced. Highly recommend!!!
(5)
J. Paul A.
Very good and reasonable prices. Got shredded chicken, yellow rice and green beans. All were very tasty and fresh.
(4)
Brenda T.
This place was amazing. The staff was very friendly. Food was on point. And you get a lot and I mean a lot of food for the money. Very authentic Latin cuisine.
(5)
Amy A.
Great food, love the rice and beans and yuca. The last two times I went the hot sauce was a bit too hot for my liking.
(4)
D P.
Great food... Very helpful. Important for this newbie. Glad I made it before they closed. The pabellon was fantastic.
(5)
Dan M.
Hopefully whoever you're dealing with after a meal here has also eaten a lot of garlic, because the garlic sauce that's on hand is delicious...but harsh...but delicious. I had their Cuban which was certainly competent (it includes mayo, so for those purists out there you may want to skip that...but I prefer them with mayo) but the roast pork was sort of dry...it was tasty though. Also, I don't think it was actually served on Cuban bread, but that doesn't bother me too much. So allow me to leave a few final words: Get the boiled yucca, and grab too much garlic sauce.
(3)
Melissa R.
Everyone has raved about the chicken, but the sandwiches are awesome. Had the asada negro sandwich which is a pork with white cheese sauce, plantains, crispy chip-like mini fries, and garlic sauce on a toasted hoagie roll. It's sounds bizarre, but the flavors go so well together and the crunch from the fries gives it something special. Yum! Waitstaff wad nice and the facility was very clean. A great spot for lunch, well done Amazonas.
(5)
Sheila K.
The best! Both the chicken and beef patacones are amazing! Ask for their hot sauce too, it's got a great flavor. The mango smoothie is also one of my faves.
(5)
Atnier R.
I have gone here around four times or so. Very cheap food, very friendly servers. The food is already cooked you just picked which ones you want in your plate like mall places do. The shredded beef (ropa vieja style) is tasty, so is their rice-and-beans (congri). Their fried yuccas are not that great though. I am Cuban so everything they sell I've had Cuban style. Everything tastes different but still good. So when I want Latin food with a flavor variation, here's where I go!
(4)
Southridge B.
Amazonas is truly a hidden local gem. Food is always fresh and prices are very reasonable. I love their daily specials and that you can get something different every time you go. Lines always back up, I guess that's a good sign this place keeps being popular with locals. Try to arrive before 12 to avoid the lunch crowd.
(5)
Nick J.
This is a tough review because I eat lunch here so often that it's become so familiar. I almost always get the lunch special which is grilled chicken with two sides (yellow rice/black beans and green beans or salad). The chicken has great flavor and is always well seasoned, but sometimes the white meat can be a little dry, so get the dark meat if you really dislike dry chicken. As a tip - you can add black or red beans to your rice without having to add a 3rd side, which is nice. As for the other sides, they've got all the 'standard' offerings of a Latin food place, and if they happen to have empanadas that day, do yourself a favor and get one. Amazonas is the kind of place where you order at the counter, get your food and pay, then grab your table. So while not full-service (which keeps it faster for lunch) the staff is very friendly and personable, and happy to help if you look confused or have questions. Lastly - make sure you ask for some homemade hot sauce and the chimichurri, both of these really help overcome any dryness the chicken might have, and add a ton of flavor.
(4)
Tommy ..
Went here for lunch for the first time the other day and it was awesome. My wife who is Costa Rican also loved the food, she said with a mouthful of food "wow, this is some of the best Latin food I've had in a long long time!". Well with that being said, and me being whiter than white and thinking it was also awesome i think we have a new Latin food winner in our book that we will be visiting much more often. Only bad thing is this place is very well hidden in a shopping plaza and its location is somewhat off the beaten path, if my wife didn't know about this place prior we probably would have never know it existed, glad we found it! Also, the hours aren't very good, only open for a few hours a day during lunch, kind of weird.
(4)
Patty H.
Omg love love love the food here. I had the pabellon house specialty with white rice, beans and meat.... To die for. Went again and tried pabellon sandwich and it was like food porn.... Would definitely be repeating :)
(5)
Rick S.
I Had the pulled pork Peita, it was pretty good. I had two friends with me and they also enjoyed their food one had the cuban, prIces were decent around $6. I noticed two customers having a burger and they looked like they were enjoying it. Those also looked pretty good. They have a large selection of items, the place is in a mostly abandoned shopping strip. Its an order and sit place which is nice, no tip. A lot of foot traffic going through so they do get turnover which I like to see.
(4)
Julie W.
What a sandwich! When was the last time one wowed you? We ordered a Pabellon Sandwich (Shredded beef, sweet plantains, white cheese, cilantro sauce, garlic sauce & potatoes sticks) and a Pepita (Grilled meat, pepper, onions, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, cilantro sauce, garlic sauce, mayo, ketchup & potatoes sticks) and split. We couldn't decide which we like better! The bread roll was perfect, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Delicious blend of flavors. At. $6.99 a pop, well worth it. Plates and Latin specials as well. Only open until 3:30pm... Great lunch spot. Clean and well-run too!
(4)
Samantha J.
Expensive, bland, terrible service - it can't get much worse! I've tried this place a couple of times, hoping they just had an off day, they didn't. First of all, they are EXPENSIVE! I wasn't able to get out of there for under $10. They were advertising a "lunch special" for $4.50, which included a chicken leg and rice, but that didn't look appetizing. All I wanted was a small portion of chicken. I asked for the curry chicken from their menu, but they didn't have that, so I took some of the chicken they had ready to serve (shredded chicken soaking in grease). They don't ask what size you want, they will always automatically give you a large. None of the women serving spoke English, so once my lady started putting food on a large plate, she didn't understand that I wanted a small, so I got stuck with a large. I don't care that they don't speak English, but they should know the difference between a large and a small when they are serving. Their $9 "large" plate is not a very large portion, don't anticipate any leftovers. There is no order to how they line people up to pay, so people behind me were told to go to the next register. I just figured the line would just keep moving forward, apparently that wasn't how the men working the register wanted things to work. It was irritating after struggling with a language barrier then being skipped when trying to pay. I asked for a cup of water, but they don't provide cups for water. If you want water you have to pay for bottled. Two of my coworkers ordered sandwiches before the rest of us ordered, they didn't get their food until we were almost done eating. If you are in a rush, don't get their sandwiches. Now to the food, disappointing at best. It was completely tasteless. I looked around for some salt to give it some flavor, but couldn't find any. My co-worker asked for some hot sauce, that wasn't actually too bad. It is sad that you have to soak the food in hot sauce to give it flavor, especially when you are playing close to $10 after taxes for it, and then have no water to help wash it down! I can't honestly believe how they have stayed in business so long, their poor customer service and their bland food will eventually catch up to them.
(1)
Wendy P.
Great food // great prices. Always busy at lunch time but the staff works hard to make sure you aren't waiting long. The staff is a little hard to understand as some have a heavy accent but they are not rude or irritated if you ask them to repeat what they said. And they deliver through DoorstepDelivery.com
(4)
David P.
Tried their pabillon sandwich. It was really good. The size of the sandwich is also descent. Friendly staff, place looked clean, and love their chimichurri sauce.
(4)
Darren B.
Great variety of lunch plates and sandwiches, all made fresh. From someone who doesnt get true South American cuisine very often, I really loved it and wish I had one in my hometown. As busy as it was at lunch with professionals, it looks like one of those places only the locals know about and keep a secret all to themselves.
I wish I could give this place 3.5 stars, but I'll give them the benefit of the doubt for now since we did go at a weird time between lunch and dinner on a Saturday. The food is cheap, filling, and pretty good. The staff is helpful and the place is neat and clean. However, I felt that the food, including the rice, was a little too salty, which meant it was perfect for my husband who puts salt on everything! I thought the shredded chicken was okay (there was an interesting spice or flavor that I couldn't put my finger on that just wasn't quite right), but I think I liked his shredded beef more. We were only able to eat about half of our plantains because they were so burnt, but what we did eat was really good. I'd definitely give this place another try, maybe at a busier time when the food isn't just sitting there. And next time, I'd also like to try the desserts!
(4)
John S.
My wife and I stopped by here last night and had a great meal. I hadn't Yelp'd in a while and thought this would should be on the list. Waitstaff was prompt and courteous and the prices are what you would expect for authentic latin food. My wife had carryout at her office on inauguration day and said it was like Ropa Vieja - not called that on the menu, but close on composition. The menu had many other things you would expect at good prices, but their weren't five gagillion things to choose from which makes ordering easier. They close at 7:00 p.m., which makes it a great stop on the way to Festival Bay if you're going in that direction to catch a movie. My wife definitely recommends this place for lunch as well. We'll definitely go back. My friend from work frequents places that have free wi-fi and good food and drink. I'll probably recommend this to him as well.
(4)
Kate W.
Delicious, fresh, cheap food with a great staff -- it doesn't get any better! While it looks like a mildly-sketchy strip mall joint on the outside, inside is clean and nicely decorated. Free wi-fi is a bonus. A "small" lunch special starts at $4.50, with rice and beans and your choice of an additional side. The shredded chicken is prepared sort of like ropa vieja, and is fantastic, as is the roasted chicken. Sandwiches are all worth a try, especially the pork pepito and the pabellon. Lines get (understandably) long at lunchtime; better to hit it early or late rather than right around noon.
(5)
Steve P.
This is a really great stop for tasty Latin food. I have been to this location quite a few times (mostly for lunch) and tried different entrees. They have all been tasty and fantastic. Prices are reasonable and the restaurant is clean and tastefully decorated. During lunch times customers walk up to the counter and order their food but during dinner there is table service. I highly recommend this place, I have eaten here numerous times and never been disappointed!
(4)
Lenny S.
I like it. Busy place with very energetic staff. Reasonable prices. Fresh, good food.
(5)
Todd S.
I have to stop in whenever I'm working in Orlando. This place is excellent!
(4)
Sarah G.
I'd go 5 stars if the staff was a little friendlier. To their credit, they are always extremely busy at lunch when I'm there... could be the reason. However, the food more than makes up for that. Small lunch plate for $4.50! How can you beat that? The food is all fresh and I feel like someone's grandma just made it in the back. Not prepackaged or frozen. Everyone at the office jumps at the chance for an Amazona's run. The outside might not look like much, but inside is always clean and comfortable. Get their early if your doing lunch. The line will be out the door by 12:30.
(4)
Uncle D.
Got shredded pork with two sides (congri and tostones) today for lunch. I thought the food tasted surprisingly fresh for that style of restaurant (most everything is already prepared and waiting for you to choose what you want). Often times, you could end up with dry congri and cold tostones, but the congri was still moist like they just mixed the rice and beans together and the tostones were still warm. I liked the flavor of the pork and their mojo sauce was pretty good. Unfortunately, the tres leches was a bit too dry, though. Everyone was helpful and pleasant. I will definitely be back.
(4)
Sarah S.
This is my go to lunch spot during the week. They have daily specials that are great but I always go for the palomilla steak & make sure to ask for their homemade chimichurri!
(5)
Claude D.
While the food was pretty good it was a difficult place to figure out what's going on and exactly what you're ordering- in addition it was rather expensive for lunch the lunch special was a little bit of nothing so you had to order a regular meal Not much of a atmosphere
(3)
Carolina M.
Just went here for lunch today for the first time. It was great! I only had a sandwich, the Pepito one, it was sooo good. But i definitely will go back next week to try the actual meals. They looked super delicious. It seems they give pretty decent portions as well.
(5)
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Address :8273 S John Young Pkwy
Orlando, FL, 32819
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : No Caters : Yes
Mark C.
Well thank goodness for the Latinos! Another lunch option that has real seasonings for waking up this tired palate. The shredded pork proved to be a winner first selection for this initial visit. Good seasonings and portion size had me grateful. The tamale was lacking the masa flavor I was hoping for and the meat center very lean in portion. Their hot sauce proved unexpected in welcome new flavors and I would heartily recommend to facilliate making this side dish disappear! Not too high on the scoville scale, but not for those with a weak palate for the stuff either. The garlic breen beans were well, green beans and cold. Given this restaurant is mostly a cafeteria style serving format , that expectation was in the back of my mind already.(you can order some items off their grill too) The ice water dispenser was not working so the $.94 bottled water was appreciated. Not sure if they had reduced the price due to their equipment problems, but a benefit of the doubt was easy since the overall experience was good enough to put Amazonas on my short list of places for lunch.
(4)Angela D.
I visited Amazonas for lunch today; it had been a while as my last experience was a real disappointment, however, I was in the mood for some ropa vieja so I decided to give it another chance. I had really hoped that last time was just an off-day for them... Nope. I have to say, this visit confirmed several things for me: (1) Their ratio of meat/sides is way off. If you're looking for a pound of rice and/or sides, with a sampling of meat, you'll love it here. If not, GO ELSEWHERE. (2) They seem to have done away with their smaller option, so now the only meal they offer is 8.99 for an entree and 2 sides. With the total coming to $9.57 after tax (without a drink), they are higher than the average (quick) lunch in this area. And again, THERE'S HARDLY ANY MEAT ON THIS PLATE. (3) I made the mistake of ordering a side of mixed vegetables and found a pile of mush in my container when I got back to work. To say they overcooked them would be a huge understatement. It just made the sting that much worse. (4) Upon paying for my meal, I mentioned that the price was higher than I remember. (This was me trying to be polite as I already knew I wasn't getting my money's worth). The man's response who was ringing me up was to abruptly threw a menu in my bag and say "Well, HERE. Now you have all of our prices for next time." Wha?! Sooo unexpectedly rude. And also, what makes you think there's a next time?? This place is not what it used to be. Do yourself a favor and visit one of the other Latin places nearby that are a better quality and better value: Panna, Tu Casa, Melao, Arepas El Cacao, food trucks, etc...
(1)Brandon S.
Excellent food here. Going to keep this short because I'm quite full. The service was great, friendly staff. Palomillo steak was perfectly cooked, white rice and sweet corn both were good. I have a slice of chocolate cake waiting in the fridge for later.
(5)Bill R.
Huge portions of shredded beef or pork with rice and beans. I just wish they had a proper lunch menu with reduced prices as the full size entree is a bit much for lunch.
(4)Lindsey T.
If you work around the Sandlake & John Young Parkways intersection, you will find yourself always searching for something to grab for lunch that isn't fast food. Or perhaps you will sit in the horrendous traffic that is the Dr.Phillips part of Sandlake Road for an hour just to run into the Whole Foods to pay $20 for lunch and possibly get run over in the parking lot in the process. Your best option is to venture into the modestly hidden gem that is Amazonas in the Wal-Mart shopping center on the corner of JYP and Sandlake. This is authentic Spanish cuisine and it;s oh so so good. For being a small operation they have a pretty extensive menu as well as freshly made meats (chicken, pork, steak) along with yellow rice, black beans, yucca, plantains & more items that will make you miss your Abuela. Lunch will most likely remain under $10, it will be fast, and always friendly. So before you sit in the never ending drive thru line at Wendy's or stand in the line that forms outside of the Chipolte, or even sink the bottom of the fast food barrel and settle for a Dunkin Donuts crossaint sandwich for lunch, do yourself a favor and get out of your car and into Amazonas.
(4)Stephanie M.
hecks yea! quick, home cooked lunch! delicious! during my work week here in Orlando, I had eaten here 4 out of 5 days. That's how good it is. So far I have tried their Encebollado, Amazonas Salad with shredded beef, Asado Negro, Yellow Rice, Rice and Beans, Plantains, and Patatones. The platters are quite large and can be a meal for 2 so either come really hungry or ask for a to-go box. My favorites are the aSado Negro, Rice and Beans, and Plantains. The Yellow Rice is ok.. I prefer a more meaty/hearty taste to my rice and so the yellow rice didn't really do it for me. I really recommend getting rice with the Asado Negro because the gravy is a bit salty and the rice neutralizes the salty flavor. The fresh squeezed juice is equally amazing! I loved their fresh squeezed Pineapple Juice! This place is only opened for weekdays, during lunch hours so I would suggest that you go during your lunch break Orlando! :)
(4)Alex R.
My girl and l try this spot for the first time and the food was amazing fresh homemade food tequeños and the steak
(5)Emma H.
I tried this place before I went to the dentist next door and it was a HUGE surprise! My husband got a chorizo sandwich and I got the special, it was sooo yummy and fresh. But you MUST try also have to try the cafe con leche and the quarto leches!
(5)Andrea R.
really good food. I had a salad and it was really good. I tend to have problems when eating out because Latin food can have too much seasoning. in this case this was good, not salty or strong flavors
(4)Mario R.
Hole in a wall Orlando's best kept secret! Delicious Hamburgers and Latin cuisine!! Next to a huge Walmart. Kids ate hamburgers and loved it and I tried the Arepas and they were incredible. My wife ate the Salmon and was great! Busy place and staff very friendly. I also liked their clean bathrooms and food was very reasonably priced. Highly recommend!!!
(5)J. Paul A.
Very good and reasonable prices. Got shredded chicken, yellow rice and green beans. All were very tasty and fresh.
(4)Brenda T.
This place was amazing. The staff was very friendly. Food was on point. And you get a lot and I mean a lot of food for the money. Very authentic Latin cuisine.
(5)Amy A.
Great food, love the rice and beans and yuca. The last two times I went the hot sauce was a bit too hot for my liking.
(4)D P.
Great food... Very helpful. Important for this newbie. Glad I made it before they closed. The pabellon was fantastic.
(5)Dan M.
Hopefully whoever you're dealing with after a meal here has also eaten a lot of garlic, because the garlic sauce that's on hand is delicious...but harsh...but delicious. I had their Cuban which was certainly competent (it includes mayo, so for those purists out there you may want to skip that...but I prefer them with mayo) but the roast pork was sort of dry...it was tasty though. Also, I don't think it was actually served on Cuban bread, but that doesn't bother me too much. So allow me to leave a few final words: Get the boiled yucca, and grab too much garlic sauce.
(3)Melissa R.
Everyone has raved about the chicken, but the sandwiches are awesome. Had the asada negro sandwich which is a pork with white cheese sauce, plantains, crispy chip-like mini fries, and garlic sauce on a toasted hoagie roll. It's sounds bizarre, but the flavors go so well together and the crunch from the fries gives it something special. Yum! Waitstaff wad nice and the facility was very clean. A great spot for lunch, well done Amazonas.
(5)Sheila K.
The best! Both the chicken and beef patacones are amazing! Ask for their hot sauce too, it's got a great flavor. The mango smoothie is also one of my faves.
(5)Atnier R.
I have gone here around four times or so. Very cheap food, very friendly servers. The food is already cooked you just picked which ones you want in your plate like mall places do. The shredded beef (ropa vieja style) is tasty, so is their rice-and-beans (congri). Their fried yuccas are not that great though. I am Cuban so everything they sell I've had Cuban style. Everything tastes different but still good. So when I want Latin food with a flavor variation, here's where I go!
(4)Southridge B.
Amazonas is truly a hidden local gem. Food is always fresh and prices are very reasonable. I love their daily specials and that you can get something different every time you go. Lines always back up, I guess that's a good sign this place keeps being popular with locals. Try to arrive before 12 to avoid the lunch crowd.
(5)Nick J.
This is a tough review because I eat lunch here so often that it's become so familiar. I almost always get the lunch special which is grilled chicken with two sides (yellow rice/black beans and green beans or salad). The chicken has great flavor and is always well seasoned, but sometimes the white meat can be a little dry, so get the dark meat if you really dislike dry chicken. As a tip - you can add black or red beans to your rice without having to add a 3rd side, which is nice. As for the other sides, they've got all the 'standard' offerings of a Latin food place, and if they happen to have empanadas that day, do yourself a favor and get one. Amazonas is the kind of place where you order at the counter, get your food and pay, then grab your table. So while not full-service (which keeps it faster for lunch) the staff is very friendly and personable, and happy to help if you look confused or have questions. Lastly - make sure you ask for some homemade hot sauce and the chimichurri, both of these really help overcome any dryness the chicken might have, and add a ton of flavor.
(4)Tommy ..
Went here for lunch for the first time the other day and it was awesome. My wife who is Costa Rican also loved the food, she said with a mouthful of food "wow, this is some of the best Latin food I've had in a long long time!". Well with that being said, and me being whiter than white and thinking it was also awesome i think we have a new Latin food winner in our book that we will be visiting much more often. Only bad thing is this place is very well hidden in a shopping plaza and its location is somewhat off the beaten path, if my wife didn't know about this place prior we probably would have never know it existed, glad we found it! Also, the hours aren't very good, only open for a few hours a day during lunch, kind of weird.
(4)Patty H.
Omg love love love the food here. I had the pabellon house specialty with white rice, beans and meat.... To die for. Went again and tried pabellon sandwich and it was like food porn.... Would definitely be repeating :)
(5)Rick S.
I Had the pulled pork Peita, it was pretty good. I had two friends with me and they also enjoyed their food one had the cuban, prIces were decent around $6. I noticed two customers having a burger and they looked like they were enjoying it. Those also looked pretty good. They have a large selection of items, the place is in a mostly abandoned shopping strip. Its an order and sit place which is nice, no tip. A lot of foot traffic going through so they do get turnover which I like to see.
(4)Julie W.
What a sandwich! When was the last time one wowed you? We ordered a Pabellon Sandwich (Shredded beef, sweet plantains, white cheese, cilantro sauce, garlic sauce & potatoes sticks) and a Pepita (Grilled meat, pepper, onions, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, cilantro sauce, garlic sauce, mayo, ketchup & potatoes sticks) and split. We couldn't decide which we like better! The bread roll was perfect, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Delicious blend of flavors. At. $6.99 a pop, well worth it. Plates and Latin specials as well. Only open until 3:30pm... Great lunch spot. Clean and well-run too!
(4)Samantha J.
Expensive, bland, terrible service - it can't get much worse! I've tried this place a couple of times, hoping they just had an off day, they didn't. First of all, they are EXPENSIVE! I wasn't able to get out of there for under $10. They were advertising a "lunch special" for $4.50, which included a chicken leg and rice, but that didn't look appetizing. All I wanted was a small portion of chicken. I asked for the curry chicken from their menu, but they didn't have that, so I took some of the chicken they had ready to serve (shredded chicken soaking in grease). They don't ask what size you want, they will always automatically give you a large. None of the women serving spoke English, so once my lady started putting food on a large plate, she didn't understand that I wanted a small, so I got stuck with a large. I don't care that they don't speak English, but they should know the difference between a large and a small when they are serving. Their $9 "large" plate is not a very large portion, don't anticipate any leftovers. There is no order to how they line people up to pay, so people behind me were told to go to the next register. I just figured the line would just keep moving forward, apparently that wasn't how the men working the register wanted things to work. It was irritating after struggling with a language barrier then being skipped when trying to pay. I asked for a cup of water, but they don't provide cups for water. If you want water you have to pay for bottled. Two of my coworkers ordered sandwiches before the rest of us ordered, they didn't get their food until we were almost done eating. If you are in a rush, don't get their sandwiches. Now to the food, disappointing at best. It was completely tasteless. I looked around for some salt to give it some flavor, but couldn't find any. My co-worker asked for some hot sauce, that wasn't actually too bad. It is sad that you have to soak the food in hot sauce to give it flavor, especially when you are playing close to $10 after taxes for it, and then have no water to help wash it down! I can't honestly believe how they have stayed in business so long, their poor customer service and their bland food will eventually catch up to them.
(1)Wendy P.
Great food // great prices. Always busy at lunch time but the staff works hard to make sure you aren't waiting long. The staff is a little hard to understand as some have a heavy accent but they are not rude or irritated if you ask them to repeat what they said. And they deliver through DoorstepDelivery.com
(4)David P.
Tried their pabillon sandwich. It was really good. The size of the sandwich is also descent. Friendly staff, place looked clean, and love their chimichurri sauce.
(4)Darren B.
Great variety of lunch plates and sandwiches, all made fresh. From someone who doesnt get true South American cuisine very often, I really loved it and wish I had one in my hometown. As busy as it was at lunch with professionals, it looks like one of those places only the locals know about and keep a secret all to themselves.
(4)Janene H.
You don't expect much form a restaurant in a strip mall. So when I stopped by Amazonas for lunch my expectations were fairly low, but hopeful, thanks to glowing Yelp.com reviews. I must say that the place was slammed at lunch; people were waiting for tables, so I thought the food would be promising. I was a little overwhelmed by the choices so rushed through my order. I ended up with a HUGE portion of sautéed steak, yellow rice and plantains. The food was delicious. There was so much I took half home to enjoy the next day. I splurged and brought home a piece of their Tres Leches cake which I shared with my husband. The cake was very good but not the best I've ever had. I noticed that the Amazonas participates with restaurant.com . I'm going to have to pick up a few certificates!
(4)Lily W.
I wish I could give this place 3.5 stars, but I'll give them the benefit of the doubt for now since we did go at a weird time between lunch and dinner on a Saturday. The food is cheap, filling, and pretty good. The staff is helpful and the place is neat and clean. However, I felt that the food, including the rice, was a little too salty, which meant it was perfect for my husband who puts salt on everything! I thought the shredded chicken was okay (there was an interesting spice or flavor that I couldn't put my finger on that just wasn't quite right), but I think I liked his shredded beef more. We were only able to eat about half of our plantains because they were so burnt, but what we did eat was really good. I'd definitely give this place another try, maybe at a busier time when the food isn't just sitting there. And next time, I'd also like to try the desserts!
(4)John S.
My wife and I stopped by here last night and had a great meal. I hadn't Yelp'd in a while and thought this would should be on the list. Waitstaff was prompt and courteous and the prices are what you would expect for authentic latin food. My wife had carryout at her office on inauguration day and said it was like Ropa Vieja - not called that on the menu, but close on composition. The menu had many other things you would expect at good prices, but their weren't five gagillion things to choose from which makes ordering easier. They close at 7:00 p.m., which makes it a great stop on the way to Festival Bay if you're going in that direction to catch a movie. My wife definitely recommends this place for lunch as well. We'll definitely go back. My friend from work frequents places that have free wi-fi and good food and drink. I'll probably recommend this to him as well.
(4)Kate W.
Delicious, fresh, cheap food with a great staff -- it doesn't get any better! While it looks like a mildly-sketchy strip mall joint on the outside, inside is clean and nicely decorated. Free wi-fi is a bonus. A "small" lunch special starts at $4.50, with rice and beans and your choice of an additional side. The shredded chicken is prepared sort of like ropa vieja, and is fantastic, as is the roasted chicken. Sandwiches are all worth a try, especially the pork pepito and the pabellon. Lines get (understandably) long at lunchtime; better to hit it early or late rather than right around noon.
(5)Steve P.
This is a really great stop for tasty Latin food. I have been to this location quite a few times (mostly for lunch) and tried different entrees. They have all been tasty and fantastic. Prices are reasonable and the restaurant is clean and tastefully decorated. During lunch times customers walk up to the counter and order their food but during dinner there is table service. I highly recommend this place, I have eaten here numerous times and never been disappointed!
(4)Lenny S.
I like it. Busy place with very energetic staff. Reasonable prices. Fresh, good food.
(5)Todd S.
I have to stop in whenever I'm working in Orlando. This place is excellent!
(4)Sarah G.
I'd go 5 stars if the staff was a little friendlier. To their credit, they are always extremely busy at lunch when I'm there... could be the reason. However, the food more than makes up for that. Small lunch plate for $4.50! How can you beat that? The food is all fresh and I feel like someone's grandma just made it in the back. Not prepackaged or frozen. Everyone at the office jumps at the chance for an Amazona's run. The outside might not look like much, but inside is always clean and comfortable. Get their early if your doing lunch. The line will be out the door by 12:30.
(4)Uncle D.
Got shredded pork with two sides (congri and tostones) today for lunch. I thought the food tasted surprisingly fresh for that style of restaurant (most everything is already prepared and waiting for you to choose what you want). Often times, you could end up with dry congri and cold tostones, but the congri was still moist like they just mixed the rice and beans together and the tostones were still warm. I liked the flavor of the pork and their mojo sauce was pretty good. Unfortunately, the tres leches was a bit too dry, though. Everyone was helpful and pleasant. I will definitely be back.
(4)Sarah S.
This is my go to lunch spot during the week. They have daily specials that are great but I always go for the palomilla steak & make sure to ask for their homemade chimichurri!
(5)Claude D.
While the food was pretty good it was a difficult place to figure out what's going on and exactly what you're ordering- in addition it was rather expensive for lunch the lunch special was a little bit of nothing so you had to order a regular meal Not much of a atmosphere
(3)Carolina M.
Just went here for lunch today for the first time. It was great! I only had a sandwich, the Pepito one, it was sooo good. But i definitely will go back next week to try the actual meals. They looked super delicious. It seems they give pretty decent portions as well.
(5)