Antojitos Latin Cravings- The Columbian Restaurant
The traditional Bandeja Paisa, a massive Columbian meat platter at Antojitos in Tampa
Mariano Cardona opened Antojitos Latin Cravings restaurant in 1995. It moved twice before eventually landing in its current location at Howard and Columbus. Antojitos is loosely translated to yummy small bites or little cravings, usually Latin street food. The menu offers a cross-section of Latin dishes, including Mexican and Cuban, but Columbian food is its core offering.
Antojitos menu offers many Latin inspired dishes
But it is centered on Columbian fare
Inside, it is modern and well-lit, with Latin accents, including some Spanish tile tables. The staff is quick and friendly, and both table service and cafeteria-style dining are available.
The interior is bright and modern with Lattin accents
Antojitos offers several fruit-flavored jugos (juices)
Wanting to eat purely Columbian-inspired, I select two of the most popular dishes. I start with Sancicho de Carne's de Res (beef soup). It's hard to know whether to eat it with a spoon or a fork. It comes with large chunks of beef poking out of the broth with potatoes, a corn coblett, and sections of plantains mixed in. The beef is cooked to a stewy tenderness, as are the accompanying bits.
Sancicho de Carne's de Res (beef soup) is a popular Columbian dish
The stewed beef is tender and flavorful
Next is a trip to the go-big-or-go-home department. The classic Columbian dish Bandeja Paisa is a massive meat plate of beef, pork, sausage, and egg packed full of goodness. An avocado, corn cake, white rice, and a fried egg sit atop a large flank steak which is covered in cooked onions. The plate also includes Columbian pork rinds (chicharrón), a strip of pork belly served with the rind on one side and pork on the other, with a juicy layer of fat in the middle.
Bandeja Paisa, (Paisa Platter), with the traditional grilled meat, rice, beans, chorizo, avocado, fried ripe plantain, pork rinds, egg, and arepa. It’s a big meal!
Chicharrón- (Columbian pork rind)- is pork belly crispy on the outside with a thin layer of juicy fat in the middle
A fat 4-inch chorizo that accompanies the meal is mild but a little dry. Speaking of such, if you like things hot, order a side of their hot sauce. It is a housemaid salsa verde with cilantro and a lot of kick. To finish off the super-sized meal, a bowl of red beans comes on the side.
Antojito's chorizo sausage is a fat, mild bite.
The Bandeja Paisa comes with a bowl of red-beans
Antojitos offers several fruit-flavored jugos. I had the papaya. It was a smooth and creamy glass of pulpy papaya juice with just-right sweetness.
There's a full menu of Colombian and other Latin dishes as well as breakfast and daily specials. They also have fresh Latin baked goods, including Arepas, orejas, pastel de guayaba y queso, and others. Don’t forget to visit the self-serve dessert case with several flan offerings as well as Tres Leches and other sweet treats. They also offer a limited beer and wine list.
The bakery case offers fresh Latin goods including arepas, orejas, pastel de guayaba y queso
Pre-made desserts such as Flan and Tres Leches are available for self serve
If you want to get your Columbian food on here you better hurry. While I was there, the owner told me he has the place up for sale. After 30 years, he is selling it as a working restaurant. But with West Tampa starting to grow in popularity and with this property in a prime spot on Howard Ave, there’s no telling what might happen.
Antojitos sits at the corner of Howard Ave and Columbus Dr.
Prices are very affordable, parking is easy, and the inside has a Hispanic vibe, with Latin music playing in the background. Food delivery is available for orders over $20. They also offer catering. Hours Mon – Sunday 7:00am – 5:00pm.