Las Colinas Restaurant
Las Colinas Restaurant: 2724 N Andrews Ave, Wilton Manors, FL 33311
Mike arrived late one evening in Ft. Lauderdale, so we decided to grab a meal that I knew would be good and quick. So we got into the car and headed over to Las Colinas on Andrews Ave. They used to be open late, but now they usually are closed by 10 pm.
The Restaurant:
The restaurant itself is nothing fancy. They always keep one of the doors locked, so always use the left door to enter. There is a large counter area where you can sit and have a meal if you prefer. You can watch them cook your meal and make various drinks from there. The main dining area is filled with tables and chairs that can sit four. If you have a larger group, pull an additional table or two together, and you will have plenty of room.
It’s usually busy later in the evenings and for breakfast/brunch on Sundays. Most other times, you will not have a problem finding a table. They also do a big take-out business and have a walk-up window where you can order and pick up your food. It’s a very plain decor and nothing to write home about, but the food has been consistent and good.
The Food:
Your meal at Las Colinas will start with some of their famous Cuban garlic bread. I could eat an entire meal of this bread and be very happy. However, I do enjoy many of their meals. I’ve had delicious masas de puerco (pork chunks), Lechon asado (roasted pork), empanadas, and calamari.
On this night, I ordered the deditos de Pollo empanizados with a side of french fries and sweet plantains. This is one of my favorite dishes from Las Colinas. Their breading gets nice and crisp, and the chicken is tender inside. The seasonings they mix with it add a little extra flavor, and the onions mix perfectly to create a meal I will enjoy time and time again. The fresh fries are always cooked a little well done, how I like them. Add some salt, and they become one of my top 10 places to get fries from. The sweet plantains are always flavorful and hit the spot.
Mike decided to have the seafood soup. It’s a mix of shrimp, calamari, scallops, clams, and bits of white fish. The broth at Las Colinas is a tomato base with a good amount of flavor. Unfortunately, one of the clams did not open, but the rest of the meal hit this spot, according to Mike. He also enjoyed the rice and beans accompanying the dinner and said he would have this dish again.