In honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month, Rev dug into Lyft’s data to find small businesses that are particularly popular among Spanish-speaking riders.
From ceviche to Colombian food, here’s what we found.
El Tiburon, Elizabeth, New Jersey
Claim to Fame
This Peruvian hot spot has been a local favorite since it opened its doors in 2004, making it (it claims) Elizabeth’s first cevicheria. It has grown rapidly since then, expanding its footprint three times.
What to Order
You have to try the ceviche. The menu has 12 different options to choose from, such as camerones (shrimp) and pulpo (octopus). And they come in three sizes: personal, grande, and (for the whole family) familiar.
When to Go
El Tiburon is open for lunch and dinner, but if you want to visit when it’s hopping, Lyft data suggests you should check it out in the evenings or on Sunday afternoons.
La Fortaleza, Garfield, New Jersey
Claim to Fame
Arturo Ortega, the owner of La Fortaleza, dreamed of bringing high-quality, authentic Mexican food to the Mexican population of New Jersey. He started by serving “cemitas,” popular Pueblan street sandwiches. It didn’t take long for word to get out. La Fortaleza first opened its doors in Passaic in 2001, and ten years later, the team opened another location in Garfield. Now, the restaurant also has a third spot in Clifton.
What to Order
If you’re looking to drink, check out La Fortaleza’s unique cocktails — like its signature frozen passion fruit margarita that’s served in a “magical bottle” with a flower. Diners also recommend the birria nachos and birria quesadilla.
When to Go
You might want to check out happy hour, which is really more of a happy shift, every Monday through Thursday from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m.
Culichi Town, Los Angeles
Claim to Fame
The Bell location of Culichi Town, a modern restaurant chain, labels itself as “Mexican sushi and seafood.” Its experimental menu includes items like a “Hot Cheetos” sushi roll and a drink served in a kitschy miniature cowboy hat. Along with its quirky offerings, Culichi Town is known for its crowd-pleasing servers, who whip out oversized rubber duckies and sparklers when a celebration is called for.
What to Order
If you’re in the mood for a drink, check out the famous “La Dory” cocktail — presumably an ode to the beloved Finding Nemo character. The wild, aqua-colored drink features 1800 Coconut Tequila with French orange liqueur, lemon juice, pineapple juice, and curacąo.
When to Go
Culichi Town is known for its lively music and outdoor patio, particularly inviting in nice weather. The most popular time to go is on Fridays and Saturdays around 7 or 8 p.m. and throughout the weekend during brunch time.
Sabor Colombiano, Los Angeles
Claim to Fame
With live music and outdoor dining, Sabor Colombiano is a popular spot for traditional food in what its Colombian-born owner, Rosario Hernandez, calls “the great city of Los Angeles.” Hernandez says the restaurant’s menu reflects dishes from “nuestras abuelas” (our grandmothers).
What to Order
The classics — arepas, empanadas, ajiaco — are all popular. If you decide on arepas, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from: beef, chicken, pork rinds, or a combo of all three. If you prefer an arepa without meat, you can opt for the arepa con queso or an arepa de choclo.
When to Go
According to Lyft data, the best time to go is on Sundays for either brunch or dinner. That said, the restaurant, which has a cozy indoor area and a massive outdoor tent, is particularly well-suited for celebrations. At the end of October, for example, Sabor Colombiano hosted a massive Halloween costume party with live music and prizes.
Las Carnitas, Fort Lauderdale
Claim to Fame
Although Las Carnitas has three locations (including a food truck), its Fort Lauderdale branch, which has indoor and outdoor seating, is most popular with Lyft’s Spanish-speaking riders; its manager told Rev that diners come from all around the world, but especially from Mexico, Colombia, Honduras, Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, and Argentina. The owner, Tony Flores, who is originally from Honduras, credits the spot’s quality and service. Open seven days a week, the restaurant has been open for 18 years in the same spot. “We never close,” its manager said.
What to Order
The churrasco (skirt steak) is Las Carnitas’ most popular order. The Cuban sandwich and the tostones are also highly recommended. If you’re looking for a drink to pair with your food, the restaurant boasts that its Micheladas are “really the best in town.”
When to Go
The most popular time to go is on a weekend afternoon — around 2 p.m. — or late at night, around 9 p.m. any day of the week, according to Lyft data. (You might opt for 99-cent Taco Tuesday.) The restaurant also has plenty of screens, making it a good option for game day.
Pollo Campero, Miami
The first Pollo Campero opened in Guatemala in 1971. Today, the fast food restaurant, which is known for its fried chicken and empanadas, has locations in 19 states across the U.S. The Calle Ocho location is the restaurant’s only spot in Miami and a go-to for the region’s Spanish-speaking Lyft riders.
Claim to Fame
The signature fried, hand-breaded chicken comes courtesy of a secret family recipe the owner brought with him from Guatemala.
What to Order
Pollo Campero does serve grilled chicken, but, again, the crispy fried chicken is its main attraction. Diners also have great things to say about the classic rice and beans combo.
When to Go
If you want to check out Pollo Campero for yourself, aim to visit for breakfast or grab an early lunch — any day of the week. That’s the most popular time to visit, according to Lyft data.