Manu's Bodega

Will someone please explain that a sugar tax should only be applied to sweetened beverages. I was charged a "sugar" tax when I ordered a mineral water and listened while the cashier tried to convince me that the drink I ordered contained sugar. I showed her the label where sugar was missing. She still continued to tell me that it's a beverage tax. I love the
food so I just bit my tongue. Fast forward to today and I explained to the cashier that the mineral water contained no sugar and should be exempt. The cashier proceeded to shrug her shoulders with apathy. I walked out of the restaurant.

No more Manu's for me....

I often forget how close Manu's is to work. Probably cause the Manu Taco stand is often in route to getting afternoon caffeine so we go there more often. Plus it's quick and affordable. The Bodega is also very affordable you get more varied menu. I've been here a couple of times before I started writing reviews regularly. Love their gluten free empanadas which I've had in the past. They usually have a yam and beef regularly and a special of the day. In the past I went with the yam and a special with their beet and chayote bowl. Love that salad! Went back a week later just for the salad.

This time I went for a late lunch 1:30, so I was getting kind of hungry I ordered online for pickup. I actually ordered the mojo chicken plate but they were out which is understandable since it was late in the day they switched it to the Puerco Asado plate instead. The pork was nice and moist. I really enjoyed the pickled cabbage and fresh avocado it helped to cut through the richness of the pork. It also came with beans and rice and three tostones. I added a container of the crack sauce for 50 cents more I remember it from when I had the empanadas. Need to remember to come here more often. I'm sure I'll be craving the beet and chayote bowl again soon.

I wasn't planning on eating here until I was searching for food near me in google. First thing that popped out for me was "Bodega". I read what kind of food it was and got excited! I'm latino from Puerto Rico; and love food from my home as well as other spanish cultures.

Dominican and Cuban food is very close to Puerto Rican food so I had to try! (Especially since I missed home cooking and didn't want to cook all that lol) I ordered the pork with rice and beans and mini salad. I also ordered 2 empanadas.

The food was delicious, but the rice was a little dry and bland for Dominican food. (But still good). The pork was very good. Melt in your mouth good. :) The empanadas were soooo sooo good!! Flavorful, not burnt, and the sauce with it was oooh sooo good! I had 2 and almost bought more! I also had a virgin guava mojito. Delicious! I loooooove guava; so this was a great treat for me. Refreshing and delicious. But less ice needed so there is more guava. Lol

The decor was very nice. Definitely Dominican. Lol ( meant in good way) It reminded me of my friends home. Relaxed,comfortable, welcoming and smelled great. The guy who was helping me(assuming is the owner); spoke english and spanish clearly and was super friendly. Very, very informative and great at recommending the food. He also recommended bachata dancing and music happening on saturday! Fun, fun! I think it's a great little hidden gem that is worth stopping in. I will definitely recommend to people if they want good Dominican (spanish) food.

I've been following Manu Alfau ever since he was a chef at Blind Pig Bistro and was doing pop-ups at the Unicorn on Capitol Hill during his off time. I'm so happy that he's now part of the bustling food scene in Pioneer Square. In addition to Manu's Bodega, he's also got Manu's Tacos near the Flatstick Pub. But we're here to talk about the Bodega. Tucked behind a Metro station, this place is somewhat of a hidden gem. Once you find the location and walk inside, you're whisked into a colorful interior with lots of Latin American flair throughout the tiny restaurant. There's only 6-8 tables with more counter seating, but it's enough to accommodate the peak lunch period.

My friends and I came in for lunch on a weekday. Normally, I get the Puerco Asado Sandwich, which is one of my favorite sandwiches in Pioneer Square. The slow-roasted Pork Shoulder works so well with the Pickled Onions and Chimichurri. If you're going to order one thing here, it's definitely the Puerco Asado Sandwich. On my recent visit, I switched it up and got the Peruvian Pork Belly Bowl. Pieces of fried pork belly and sliced purple cabbage mixed in a sort of vinaigrette sauce underneath a soft bed of rice. The rice was so soft and velvety it mixed well with the rest of the dish. I could've ate that rice for days. I obviously devoured the whole bowl quickly.

With so many eateries in Pioneer Square, walk up the hill and find this whole in the wall for some good Latin American food. As we were leaving, another table had ordered the Empanada Plate. I think that'll be the next thing I order when I come back here.

I wouldn't have known this place existed had it not been for a friend who'd gone before. It's a hidden, small spot in the Pioneer Square area, with a charming Latin feel once you step inside.

You order at the counter, seat yourself and one of the employees delivers your goodies. If I had been hungrier, I totes would've ordered a plate, which comes with rice and beans and perhaps added a pina colada to go with, as Manu's Bodega serves alcohol, too! Ain't that dandy? But instead, I went with the Puerco Asado Sandwich for a quick bite, after hearing it was one of their more popular items.

It didn't take long for us to get our food, and overall, I thought the Puerco Asado Sandwich was A-OK. The Macrina Bakery baguette had a nice toast on it, making it especially yummy, and really liked the flavor of the house mayo. But the big disappointment was how dry the main feature, the pork was. Because of so - the mayo was necessary, and even the chimichurri sauce, which unfortunately, I didn't taste enough of. Darn. The sandwich has a lot of potential, but it fell short for me. I did have a bite of my friend's sandwich, the Cuban Dip which I thought tasted much better, and wished I had ordered that one instead. The melted swiss on the ham and pork with the mustard was awesome and filling. Next time!

Overall, this is a nice, cozy spot in Pioneer Square for some Latin American cuisine with COCKTAILS!

There are too many Latin American restaurants in Seattle but I sure am glad Bodega's is walking distance from my office. I was referred to this place by a co worker and said the size of the sandwich for the amount you pay is worth it.

I just came here for my lunch break today and ordered the Pureco Asado sandwich to go. The sandwich came out to $11 and it is a pretty big sandwich. This sandwich overall is muy sabroso (very tasty)! The pickled red onions, chimichurri sauce, and shredded cabbage work perfectly with the soft slow roasted pork.

I think for $11 this sandwich was worth it and I will for sure be back to try other sandwiches, salads, and bowls on the menu. There wasn't much parking in the area because the restaurant was on a street where buses drive through. But there was indoor and outdoor seating.

again? y no review

so I got fun task 4 reader.. c if u can find the pics I posted a while ago on here where Yelp would not link them up w/ this review b/c they've been on here 4 a while marinating like ribs n sauce I guess.. but maybe if u find them.. ur mouth will drool all over ur phone n u may not have flood insurance.. anyways..

Best Cuban Sandwich in the State of Washington

got u! I usually end it there, when it comes 2 my infamous phrase but 4 bonus coverage their Cuban Sandwich is not like any other Cuban; it is called Cubano, bread taste just Cuban bread.. u know how hard it is 2 find a good Cuban bread up here? I mean we're far from South Beach.. picture this, if I bring a palm tree up here.. wat's the likelihood chances it will survive? anyways the Cubano comes with a dip you will thank the man for! and you know I mean business when I say that with no short hand

NOW.. drool away drip drip drip.. on the phone State Farm, Hi I'm interested in flood insurance.. (episode continues when u make the call)

This place wasn't exactly what we were expecting but it didn't disappoint either! It's a small place in Seattle and can easily be missed. In fact we walked right past it when looking for it, lol. The vibes are sweet, reggae jams playing and the it's pretty low key.

I ordered a Cuban sandwich and it was everything I could dream about and more. Here on yelp you can get the idea that it would be just Dominican food but, def a mixture of Latin cuisine. Also and empanada which was cooked to perfection. Nice and crispy on the outside! They sauces are soooo yummy too... there is a sauce that is a little tangy, sweet, tiny spice which is delicious. I definitely drenched everything in that sauce which gave t a nice kick. Seriously my mouth is so watering at this very moment just thinking about it.

Next time I'm in Seattle, I wouldn't mind checking this place out again.

I'm always on the hunt for good Caribbean food and this place MEASURED UP! I got the Puerco Asado plate and was pleased with everything on it--the pork, the slaw, the tostones, and rice and beans. My brother and dad were with me. They weren't very hungry and don't usually like Caribbean food so they each got an empanada and an order of tostones. My brother loved the tostones and my dad said the empanada was good! (That's huge for him.) Also, the empanadas are gluten free and delicious! That was another plus for me.

On top of all this the service was great. The workers were friendly and fast.

There is very few options for Latin food in Seattle, especially near downtown town, but this is the place to go if you are craving it.

It's a little hole in the wall that kind of hard to find with the construction nearby, but it's worth it when you find it.

My favorite thing to get is the puerco asado plate, a huge amount of roasted pork with jasmine rice, stewed beans, slaw, avocado and fried plantains. The empanada are also great and there are occasionally special like a pork belly bowl. Every thing is done really well so you can't go wrong.