Mi Tierra Latina

Cheap and very good food.I sent my dad to grab lunch for us, so we got a hodgepodge of things. Here is what we got and what we thought.Beef empanadas - this is something I can skip. I know this is different than Spanish empanadas, but not really my cup of tea (although I see from reviews that other people rave about them).Lengua a la plancha (grilled tongue) - this was very tender and there was a lot of tongue. We got it with rice and plantains. The rice was delicious, it tasted of butter. I ate way more rice than I was planning. The plantains were sweet and I thought it complemented the rest of the dish perfectly. We had grilled onions on it with chimmichuri sauce on the side and both were great additions. This was a favorite for sure.Steak sandwich - I found the meat a tad tough, but for the price it is totally worth it. The bread is delicious and I devoured half a sandwich. If I ate the whole thing I wouldn't be able to eat the rest of the day.My dad also got a cuban sandwich and tamales and said he liked them. He kept commenting on how cheap it is for how much food we got. If you're looking for their most updated menu, go to their facebook page. I'll also post pictures of the menu we took to-go for anyone looking. I don't think they have a website.

Whenever I'm traveling for work and want a good local spot for lunch, I will inevitably go to one reliable source which has seldom given me a bad recommendation: the building security guards. These folks have the important job of ensuring the safety of the employees as well as the facility, and in doing so, they work up a healthy appetite.So when I was in Tampa recently and noontime rolled around, I chatted with the guards and they enthusiastically said to hit up nearby Mi Tierra Latina. Even though the literal translation of the restaurant is "My Latin Land," as my co-workers and I were being seated, one of the servers explained that this place specializes in Colombian food...which is awesome since I've had limited exposure to this type of cuisine. There is a shoebox sized dining room with a few tables/chairs, and a small bar area. Pictures and art work from Colombia adorn the walls, and there were a few TVs - some of which had Spanish language news programs, while other units were playing a soccer match.I went with the server's suggestion with the "safe" but familiar options of beef empanadas and Colombian style tamale. The DC area is lousy with Central American spots which serve up empanadas, but this version was quite different than what I'm used to. The deep fried exterior was not braided and used a deep yellow corn flour for the shell. The filling also had a different texture, in that it was ground meat, as opposed to the shredded I usually eat. It was still very good, and I enjoyed the green aji sauce. I asked for another small "chili" sauce, since it wasn't particularly spicy.As for the Colombian style tamale - I LIKE IT! Having previously lived in Texas and traveling to SoCal often to visit family, I'm very familiar with the more commonly found "Mexican" style tamale in the U.S. The Colombian variety is still steamed in a banana leaf, and the ingredients are still wrapped in a ground corn maseca, but the flavor profile is totally different. Also, again as opposed to shredded pork, at Mi Tierra, the pork were cut into cubes and steamed with potatoes, peas, and carrots. The Goya Sazon flavor also permeated the tamale and enhanced the salt and other spices. Couple this with the rice and fried plantains, and I was ready for a nap when I got back to the office.This is a cool local spot, and I observed people from all walks of life - office drones, construction workers, police officers, etc. - stopping in to either get food to go, or hope to snag a coveted open table. This location is very close to the airport, so if you're staying nearby, or have business in the area, I recommend stopping by to sample some authentic Colombian fare.

Mi Tierra Latina is a hole in the wall that is Tampa's well-kept secret. The locals who know it, love it, as evident by the packed dining room. Even with the crowd, we only waited a few minutes before being seated. I started with an arepa that was sweet and cheesy. For lunch I ordered the Carne Asada, Arroz, Frijoles, Maduros ($15.99) and the portion was so generous that it lasted me for two lunches! I liked how they gave you the beans in liquid on the side so that you could customize your own plate. My favorite part of the meal was the house made spicy sauce and chimichurri. Everything I ordered was affordable and packed with flavor; I highly recommend checking them out!

As a new lover of Colombian cuisine, I told myself I'd try every Colombian place I could find in Tampa, and this time it was Mi Tierra Latina! For an appetizer, I got an empanada because I saw from reviews everyone thinks they have the best around, and I 100% agree with those people. The outside was hot and crispy, and I love the hearty filling inside-- seriously just get them! Afterwards, I got the Bandeja de mi Tierra, which has skirt steak, chicharron (pork rinds), chorizo, an arepa, rice, an egg, plantains, and beans. I got the steak medium rare, and it ended up being one of the juiciest, most tender steaks I've ever had, the second I just poked it with my fork I knew it was gonna be good. The chicharron was perfect, it was crispy, chewy, but not tough, and the amount of fat was just right. Overall, I loved my meal, and I would highly recommend any of the Bandejas especially if you're new to Colombian food and want to try a bit of everything.Our waitress was super sweet and attentive, despite the slight language barrier. Like many Latin places in Tampa, it really helps if you can speak Spanish.While I had a fantastic time, my partner was kinda meh about his plate-- he had the churrasco steak and noted it was a bit tough and dry. I'll also mention it was reeeally hot in here, it wasn't that bad when I first came in considering we're in the middle of summer, but once the food came out I was sweating buckets. Overall I think this is a great spot for Colombian food, so please check it out!

It was my first time going to this Colombian place. The food was delicious, everyone was attentive, and the atmosphere was great, with Colombian music playing. I would recommend this place if you want to try something new.

I absolutely love this place! We went in just looking for Colombian food and we were so pleasantly surprised by the amazing food and service we received! I definitely recommend stopping by for some yummy food and cafe con leche. I was especially surprised with the sweet corn cake and cheese, and I devoured it. It was amazing!They had a great variety of food and definitely we will be visiting again!

I've gone here so much I've lost count! Located in the heart of town and country this is my go to when I want some delicious Colombian food. I always start off by ordering beef empanadas with their natural homemade lemonade. But my main obsession here is their "Sancocho de carne de res" beef stew. I don't think you could go wrong with anything you order. The portions are so good that you could almost guarantee you're going to take some home with you.I've tried multiple things from their menu and I have never been disappointed. The flavor profiles are just unmatchable compared to other Spanish/Colombian restaurants. Everyone there is so kind and so personable they really make you feel like family. You are guaranteed to get top notch service from everyone there including the owners who are there working hard behind the counter with everyone. They'll continue to get my business!

The ambiance is great good music you feel like you're in Colombia. The service as you come in they greet you and make you feel home. The servers treat you good and they are very friendly. The food is good and full of flavor I had the La Bandeja Paisa , I just have to say (Que Ricura) Delicious food. I would like to recommend Mi Tiera Latina to all my friends and family and to everyone else

Great food, good prices and excellent service!! I will be back definitely, we love the empanadas, tostones, cazuela de Mariscos. All was just perfect!!

I absolutely LOVE this place! Their service is phenomenal, the food is amazing, and the prices and quantity served are just right. It is a small restaurant so if you don't like feeling overwhelmed by people this might not be the place for you, but they definitely make you feel welcomed and treat you like family. I am a regular at this restaurant with my family and we love their flavor and variety. We definitely recommend.