TASTES FROM “EL SUR”

When you walk into a restaurant you’ve never been to and leave with a new go-to spot, there’s a need to share it with all your friends and family.

Having heard of the restaurant “El Sur,” I was always intrigued to try their wide selection of Honduran and Latin American inspired dishes.

A few of the menu items were familiar to me, so they immediately had to be put to the test. But before the food, the environment sets the tone for everything.

The restaurant has an open floor plan, despite being a smaller place. It’s located on 1214 Main St. here in Little Rock. Once you enter, you place your order (or ask the employees what they recommend) and sit wherever you’d like.

The natural lighting is perfect for this style of restaurant, as it gives it a more authentic feel. The food is also delivered to you quickly, which was a big plus.

While I was familiar with the different dishes, I wanted to know what the employees suggested, which is how I ended up with the “Yuca Frita” and “Con Todo” burrito.

The “Yuca Frita” is basically fried yuca (cassava) served with a side of ranch. It was delicious, and since the fries were more on the lighter side and the ranch more heavy, it was the perfect balance. The dish, as their website elsurstreetfoodco.com states, is a “folded flour tortilla with fried beans, Honduran cheese, cream, fried plantains, avocado, pickled onions and your choice of filling.”

Shortly after it was served, I poured their habanero sauce on top.

The burrito was amazing. I was almost speechless.

Just as the fried yuca and ranch struck a perfect balance, so too did the “Con Todo” burrito.

It may not sound too appetizing if you aren’t used to sweet and savory dishes, but the fried plantain adds the perfect touch of sweetness and pairs well with savory sides.

It was also very filling, so I got to have the other half for dinner which was still just as good after a few hours.

Overall, I would definitely recommend this restaurant.

Many of the items on the menu can be ordered as just a single item, so that way you can try the food without worrying about throwing out a whole plate.

The staff is very friendly and eager to share their recommendations. They were very attentive, and even offered to bring out more food at any time.

Afterwards, you can take a walk down Main St. and enjoy the beautiful (for the most part) spring weather.

BY VASTI HERNANDEZ