Mama Leo’s

This Caribbean born guy loves this food. Been in the neighborhood for 3 months and am kicking myself for not coming in earlier. The empenadas are as authentic and tasty as the ones my childhood best friend’s mom, who was Colombian, makes. The shredded beef and rice with beans and plantain is so good. This place just made my day. You have to try Mama Leo’s.

Mama Leo’s was our saving grace in August of 2014 when a group of Colombians who were visiting needed some food from home. They accommodated our large group quickly and everyone was very pleased with their meals. The restaurant literally saved me from a hungry, angry, Colombian mob! All praise be to Mama Leo’s!
I went back last night for a bite before taking a friend to the airport (since it’s fairly close) and we were welcomed inside by Juanes singing softly to to us over the music system. We had the chicken and avocado arepas (Reina Pepiada) at the owner’s suggestion and they were awesome! I had wanted some roasted chicken (to be a tad healthier) but didn’t like the sides that came standard with the roasted chicken so I was disappointed when I couldn’t sub chicken for the shredded beef on the Pabellon Criollo. But the beef was so good, it didn’t disappoint. Definitely upgrade to the coconut rice — sweet (but not too sweet), fried, deliciousness. I had a passion fruit juice to drink because I couldn’t find the beer/​wine menu (was hiding on the table) but I’m glad I got the juice, was very good too.
There was only one other table with two ladies at it and the rest of the restaurant was silent. I did see one guy come in and pick up takeout so that gives me hope that there is business coming through and also confirms that the food is legit, even if the atmosphere is… silent. At least on weeknights. Maybe their specialty soups on the weekends draw larger crowds.
In summary: the food and drink were great, the owner had stellar recommendations, and I will be visiting again soon, as should you!

Great food! The meals are tasty and GF… it can’t get any better. It has a casual atmosphere; not in a hurry service. So, probably best when you’re not scheduled to be anywhere soon.

Yummy Empanadas! I’ve been looking for a great Colombian empanada and these didn’t disappoint.

A mom and pop shop for Venezuelan food, the restaurant is simple and clean. The owner is a sweet lady who gives her definition of good service and the food is super cheap.
The welcome platter was a good introduction of mixed fried foods. There was corn meal pockets, fried green plaintains, fried yucca, and Colombian croquettas and carimanolas. All of that came with three sauces: white cream, avocado, and Aji (green spicy sauce). Each item came in 3’s or 4’s with a grilled mozzarella in the center. That was my favorite. If you don’t choose each item as a single dish, the platter gives you each item with cheese filling instead of beef or pork. If you don’t like cheese much, I recommend you order them separately.
For my first time having this type of cuisine, I liked it and hope to come again to try the main entrees.

Frist time trying Venezuelan food! Came here with a friend for a small bite of appetizers and dessert. Decided to try the Welcome Platter, which consists most of their items on the appetizer menu. Everything was very beautifully presented. The Fried Yucca was very good and potatoey. Everything was deep fried and mostly carbs. It’s a nice quiet place to have a social conversation. We each ordered a Flan and it was delicious. Next time, I’ll have to try the shredded beef!

Holy Crap! I am sad I didn’t discover this place sooner! The food was absolutely outstanding. Great service and the atmosphere is homey and clean. I had the Tilapia with coconut sauce. I was absolutely blown away! Empanadas appetizer was strange, corn instead of pastry as they’re mostly gluten free. The filing was great though. My beautiful lady had a shredded meat dish with black beans, rice and sweet plantain. Also very tasty. The crown jewel, however, was their flan. Very dense and not too sweet. Think more of a cheesecake texture than pudding. It was absolutely divine. Thanks Mama Leo, we’ll definitely be back!

one word… AMAZING! all the food had such great flavor. visiting from hawaii and this is the best meal we have had yet!
and the owner/​chef/​server is the sweetest lady :)

Stopped in for lunch again. The food here is simply amazing. Lots of small plates as well as full meals. Love the plantain platter, arepas, empanadas, and especially the coconut rice. Nice to wash it all down with a variety of options — this time I chose tamarind juice… 5+ stars all the way!

Get the plantain platter.
Seriously. The plantain platter. The plantain patties are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside and not overly wet or firm like plantains often are. Topped with beef and avocado. So good. Go here and get it.

This is our favorite restaurant in Portland — more so than any five star, more than any trendy place. It’s humble, good natured, and the food is absolutely perfect every time. Excellent!

They accomidated out party of 15 late night while visiting portland. Venezuelen and colombian fair. Place is small and no décor to indicate its a venezuelen restaraunt. It was a very hot day and the ac can could have been turned up.
The food was brought out in a timely manner by what i assume the owner. Which was very nice. The food itself was well presented. The empanadas and my entrée where good. I never had venezuelan so i have nothing to reference or compare the food to.
All around a solid dining experience. More than reasonable prices.

Mama Leo’s is a great dining experience! Delicious food made in a 100% gluten free kitchen. They only have one dessert item on the menu that is not gluten free, and it is made elsewhere. The flan is PHENOMENAL. I personally fell in love with the oven roasted chicken. I ordered the coconut rice with it, which is seriously the bomb.
If you want something delicious that has been prepared with love, go to Mama Leo’s.

Wife was craving Colombian and thanks to Unilocal,she found a spot in Portland. Stopped by for lunch.
We walked in and were greeted by the owner. She sat us down. And my wife asked her how a Colombian ended up in Portland. She told us her story.
We tried a bit of many plates. Fried yuca, empanadas, chicken soup, chicken salad and arepas.
The food was good.

YUMMY! Great service. Tons of dishes to choose from. Decent prices.
My friends and I came here right before they were about to head back to CA. We arrived about half an hour before it closed, but the waitress (I’m assuming store owner) was so friendly and nice that she gave us free arepitas. SOOO YUMMY!!!
My friends and I ordered Arepa Venezolana con pollo and it was really yummy. Even though there were two small «slider» size sandwiches, it filled me up! My other friend ordered the Bollos Pelones, which he really enjoyed. I took a small and it was packed with flavor!
I will definitely return and try other dishes, especially those arepitas. MMM!

Everything we ate was so good! And well made– seemed healthy but still delicious. Highly recommend veggie fried rice, coconut fried rice, and really anything! Super casual and fun atmosphere. Will absolutely be back.

Ladies and gents brace yourself for some good Venezuela food!
No kidding you guys I’m 100% Americanize I’ve never eaten this type of food before it was scrumptious!!!
The ambience is very cultured… just a little chilly!
When you get her the lady «owner» greets you and say something in her native language to get your appetizer going… you don’t even know. Asked if you want anything to drink before you know it you got a free appetizer. I took a picture of them the little things are really good they really small about the size of a half dollar but the really good you’ll want at least two orders.
The drink menu is on the table and has gluten-​free beers we ordered angry orchard crisp apple cider’s only $ 4
I ordered the shredded beef dish and my partner ordered the chicken we also ordered a platter sampler.
Platter sampler 9 out of 10 (there was only one small potato «taste like» thing. We didn’t care much for)
Beef dish with coconut rice 10 out of 10 you got to get the coconut rice it’s really sweet… portion controlled sized you don’t need more I needed to take half my food home.
Baked chicken dish 10 out of 10… it was soft succulent it had been roasted just right flavored right it was to die for!
Then we got the flan for dessert gluten-​free best freaking desert I have had in years.
Our bill totaled $ 47 it was the best after work dining out experience I’ve had in forever!
You gotta come check it out

Judging from Unilocal reviews, Portlanders haven’t a clue what *real* Latin food is. If you are reading this, looking for authentic and most importantly, FLAVORFUL, Venezuelan arepas, Mama Leo’s is the real deal. No hipsters in bandanas working the kitchen here. Oh, and if you’re looking for an inventive juice cocktail or mezcal flight while you wait for your food, go to the other place in SE.
Everyone else, do yourself a favor, order the arepa de domino, the patacones and wash it all down with an Aguila. You won’t regret it.
Then go tell your friends.

So the positives. Friendly staff and owner. The food was decent for the northwest. Also they have a lot of gluten free options if that’s important to you.
Things they could improve. I’m from Florida and this south american food was average at best to the restaurants you will come across in that area. So if your traveling like I am to Portland and have had this type of food before then Portland offers such a wide variety of other places to try first.

Excellent food cozy atmosphere and fresh authentic vibe! Love it soo much making it a weekly stop! I’m in love with the tilapia fish as the sauce is divine! N the I
Owners are soo sweet n helpful!