Nonprofit executive director Stephanie Ankus, wants you to take a trip to South America, via Weston, for her pick.

She says this spot is the perfect destination for hearty soups, delicious entrees, and fresh baked goods.

It's located in Weston, and it's called "La Pequena Colombia".

Ooh, I love that you went to La Pequena Colombia.

What makes it so good to you?

Oh, my gosh.

You feel like you're being transported to Colombia.

I love, my favorite food is the ajiaco, which You wanna tell everybody what ajiaco is?

'Cause I love, I make ajiaco.

Oh, you do?

I do!

It is delicious.

And actually, the small is like a large, it really is a meal in itself.

So, it's chicken soup, and it actually also comes with capers, and some cream and rice, and you mix it all up together, and it's just fabulous.

[Michelle] But it's so much more than just chicken soup.

There's a lot in there [Stephanie] That is true.

[Michelle] Chuckfull of all kinds of yummy stuff.

It certainly is.

We actually started with something I had never had before, the chicharron.

Mmhmm.

[Stephanie] And that was a treat.

I've always seen it and I never tasted it, so that was a first for me, actually.

And an empanada.

[Michelle] Which was filled with what?

[Stephanie] Meat.

That was actually the carne empanada.

[Michelle] Carne.

Carne.

So tell me a little bit about the location, and walking into La Pequena.

So the location is in a little Weston strip mall.

It's a hidden gem.

And they do a pretty big takeout business as well as a restaurant, as well.

And gosh, I think it's been there for many, many years.

And the cortadito is the best on the planet, oh my gosh .

Everybody needs that.

Keith, was this your first venture into Columbian cuisine?

First time, yes.

It definitely was.

And your pronunciations are scaring me , 'cause I can't do that.

You don't have, I'm actually really impressed, as well.

So what did you think?

Walking in, were you a little scared?

No, I mean it is hidden, definitely.

The drive there, it's like you go behind a main street, and then all of a sudden there's a strip mall there.

And I went on a Sunday evening, and the place was packed, actually.

It was so welcoming and warming.

Annalise, what was your first thought when you walked in?

Yeah, definitely.

I mean, I feel like sometimes it's those unassuming restaurants that have just like, the best staff, and like, the best environment when you go and you just feel like it's home.

You don't feel like, out of place, and that was really the vibe that I got from it, as well.

It was just really comfortable, like, good energy [Michelle] So Colombian comfort food at its best, I guess?

[Annalise] Exactly, yes.

Yeah.

[Michelle] Do you remember what you had this last time?

[Annalise] I had the fish filet with some rice.

I believe that there were some plantains That right.

That were done, you know, just right.

They were perfect.

So what do you think makes a cortadito so good at a Columbian restaurant, which is usually, you know, a more Cuban staple?

You know, I've been wondering that, myself.

[Michelle] They must use good coffee.

[Stephanie] They must use good coffee.

But for whatever reason, theirs just seems to be outstanding, and I crave it.

I could have it every day .

So Keith, tell me a little bit about your new love for Columbian food.

What did you have?

I can tell you, she's gonna have to pronounce it for me .

[Michelle] I can also help you.

The soup.

The soup was incredible.

[Michelle] Was it?

Oh, you had the ajiaco.

[Keith] It was incredible.

I mean, it was unlike anything that I've ever tasted.

And you know when you [Michelle] Did they have plantains in it, and all kinds of different Chicken, all kinds of different things [Michelle] Yeah.

And you know when you're trying to figure out what something's gonna taste before you taste it, so just I'm thinking, chicken noodle soup.

Right.

[Keith] And it didn't taste like that.

And it was More exciting, right?

[Keith] It was really such a treat, oh my goodness.

It was so good.

Yeah.

[Keith] I was mad I didn't get the bigger one at that point, too.

So tell me about your bistec a caballo?

[Keith] It was really good.

I know, I just remember enjoying mixing the whole rice that it was cooked perfectly.

It really was.

The steak was?

[Keith] Yeah, it was cooked perfectly.

And the service, everything there made you feel invited.

You order at the register there, you sit down.

Everybody there was extremely helpful.

I think they could tell I was a little bit lost on what to order.

[Michelle] The gringo needed help with the menu.

Yeah, definitely.

And I needed help with the soccer, as well.

But it was really, I really enjoyed my experience there.

The whole thing.

The beef was cooked perfect.

Everything was great.

Oh good.

Did you have a dessert?

Yeah, I did.

I'm glad that you asked, because I don't know the name of it.

It's like oat milk Arequipe.

Okay.

I didn't know what to expect, again.

And then I bought a dessert to take home, as well.

The arequipe I [Michelle] Perfectly pronounced.

[Keith] I would love to order that on a daily basis.

[Michelle] Oh, my goodness.

[Keith] It was so good.

It was Not too sweet for you.

Right.

But it wasn't, like, I'm a sweetaholic, so, but it was just like, perfect.

It like, didn't overkill, you know?

It was just the perfect texture.

Everything was good.

It was the first time I ever had it, but it was awesome.

It really was.

And Annalise, I think you had one of your favorite desserts, arroz con leche?

Arroz con leche, yes.

Yeah, you know, I'm a little bit partial, because I'm used to the Mexican style version of it, but I mean, theirs was just, it was done so well, and with the texture of it, was really great.

Wasn't too soupy, wasn't too, you know, didn't have too much rice in there [Michelle] Don't you hate when they overcook the rice Exactly, yes.

Too much?

[Annalise] Yeah, absolutely.

[Michelle] So you could feel the grains?

Yeah, no, it was perfect, texture was just, it was just delicious, yeah.

Is there any outdoor seating?

[Stephanie] There is a little bit of outdoor seating right on the sidewalk, but generally, I think most folks eat inside, or takeout.

Like I said, their takeout business is pretty, pretty brisk.

[Michelle] And prices?

Very reasonable.

Yep.

Bang for your buck?

Yep, I thought completely reasonable Hundred percent.

For sure.

Stephanie, La Pequena Colombia was your choice.

Sum it up for me.

For delicious baked breads, authentic Colombian cuisine, and the best cortadito on the planet, as I mentioned, be sure to visit La Pequena Colombia.

Keith?

I'll definitely go back.

And actually, my mom's gonna be coming down.

I want to take her over there, and so, the staff, everybody was inviting, and I'm definitely gonna go back there and eat, for sure.

[Michelle] Annalise?

I mean, even if you're unfamiliar with Colombian food, they make you feel right at home, and it's easy to enjoy yourself there.

You can enjoy and some ajiaco, and a delicious empanada at La Pequena Colombia, located at 1300 SW 160th Avenue in Weston.

It's open daily, breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Reservations aren't accepted, but the average price for dinner without drinks is about $35.