Coco Loco Cuban Caribbean
A cantina with exotic Caribbean and Cuban flavors has a techno soul.
(404) 261-0198
2625 Piedmont Rd NE
Atlanta,
GA
30324
33.8262
-84.3669
Neighborhoods: Northside, Lindbergh / Morosgo, Northside
Reviews & Ratings for Coco Loco Cuban Caribbean
19 reviews
What users are saying:
Showing 1-10 of 19 reviews
Favorite no more.
by atlamc90
March 13, 2007
Coco Loco used to be my favorite Cuban restaurant - not today. The very popular spicy chicken dish (this review won't let me call it by its real name because it's misconstruing it as a bad name) used to be my favorite dish there - not today. The chicken was so dry, The spices on just 1 side of the meat, and the meat didn't taste marinated at all. Even Chick-fil-A has a juicier grilled chicken breast sandwich. The sides were just weak thin potato chip strips that you see in some salad bars. The service was so disappointing, too - the waiter never smiled and never asked if we liked our food. Seriously this was so different from my previous memorable experiences. I was embarrassed because I had raved about this place with my guests. None of us plan to return anytime soon.
- Pros: Casual atmosphere, location
- Cons: Food, service
Just what we have been looking for! Authentic and delish!!
by travelbugg1980
June 08, 2009
Having lived in South Florida, my fiance and I are always on the lookout for a good restaurant that can serve up that authentic carribbean flavor. Unfortunatly many of the real authentic home-cooked kind of places in Atlanta seem to be either very new, or more family style. i.e.--no liquor license! Coco Loco on the otherhand was exactly what we have been looking for!! A place where we could get a good flank steak or cuban pork, and also have a nice mojito. (Way better than those at Bahama Breeze!!) A place where you could bring your family OR go out on a date. Ambiance was chill--not too fancy but not too casual. Service was prompt, and prices fair. Everthing we tried was delicious, especially the conch fritters, and the shrimp. Though the cuban style steak was lick-your -plate delicious as well!! We can't wait to come back!! And to top it all off, once you are in the island mood--there is a cigar shop across the street to complete the evening in true caribbean fashion!
- Pros: Great menu, great drinks, good service.
- Cons: Can be pricey--still worth it though.
Mediocre
by atlexplorer
January 29, 2009
Have been here for lunch and dinner and some dishes were good like the empanadas and calamari appetizer, but our entrees were not that good. I had the pork stew-type dish which was recommended by the server and it was OK, I was expecting a lot more I guess. My boyfriend had a roast pork and it was not good at all, the pork was dry and it lacked flavor. Overall, it was nothing special, food lacked flavor, probably won't be having a repeat visit.
Where else in Buckhead can you get a 28 OZ Steak for $19 ? Great art on the walls - The Grouper is Great
by boykinman
January 07, 2009
I have been a diner at CoCo Loco since the day after they opended. I have seen this restaurants thrive through out all the trendy Tapas - joints and Latin revival - Julio the owner will most likely great you at the door - -he will seat you amongst muraled walls (created by his artist wife Anna) I discovered the Habanero Grouper a few years back --- this is not Habanero as in hot it is Habanaro as in Havanna - I am told -- the veggies come with cheese on them - the fish is sauteed in a butter caper sauce and is to die for - it reminds me of the Cafe De La Place (used to be behind Houston's on Peachtree) -- did a French version --- this is perhaps the best fish dish in Atlanta for the money! I love my little Cuban coffee - thick and sweet - who needs Red Bill! You'll find older Cuban men sitting and talking about the Bay of Pigs etc -- this is always a good sign and you will find the place spotless -- clean - and run in a most professional manner -- some nights there will be a band playing and I've even seen the owner get up and play the drums - I used to come years ago for the Conch fritters but have since moved to lighter fair -- if you knonw what I mean -- Their web site has a great video and really gives you a good idea of what to expect - One of the best things about CoCo Loco is they serve homemade Sangria in a big glass -- not a wine glass! that may be worth the trip --
- Pros: Real dea lCuban food -- you can go light or you can go heavy --
- Cons: Not as close to my home as I like --
Oldie, but not so goodie
by canelli
January 05, 2009
This restaurant, one of the first Cuban places in the city, has lost its original flair and appeal. Today It's uninspired, getting by serving food that much- less-savvy Atlantans diners were willing to accept 15 years ago.It needs a total and honest revamping of its menu.
This Place Is Dirty...Very Unsanitary...and Food is not Good.
by Taina3
December 31, 2008
My husband and I went out to eat tonight for New Year's Eve after looking on City Search here and reading what were supposed good reviews. I had the Palomilla Steak (Caution: Don't even waste your time). My steak came with white rice & lukewarm plantains that were supposed to be maduros (they were not sweet fried ripe plantains...they were dry and starchy). My husband's Chicharron chicken was past fried...it was black...burnt and had no flavor. For being Cuban, you'd think the food would have flavor. I also ordered a glass of wine and as I took a sip, I noticed that the glass was lined with lip stains...as if it had not been washed. The older couple next to us had the same problems with their wine glasses. Everything is so dimly lit...you wonder why they keep the lighting so low in there. The only thing good about this plasce was the server. He was actually friendly and took my wine back but was reluctant to take my husband's food back and not charge us for it. We will never go back to this restaurant.
- Pros: Good Service
- Cons: Unsanitary & Food Not Worth Your Time
Very good food. Maybe not exactly like Cuban, but cubans love it by Martha M. at InsiderPages
Contributor
December 29, 2008
The food in Coco Loco is very good. Try the Churrasco if you want to experience something incredible.
Some of the dishes may not taste exactly like it did in Cuba, but lets face it, this is not Cuba.
My family loves to come to Atlanta and the first thing you plan is a trip to Coco Loco. I am Cuban and my children, thought American born have grown up with Cuban cooking. Great people!!
Very Tasty by Nishi P. at InsiderPages
Contributor
December 17, 2008
We were on vacation and I was suddenly in the mood for Cuban food. Yet we were on a very tight schedule and I didn't have time to waste. So were luckily able to ask around and find this fast food place. The food was amazing and well prepared. The workers were highly skilled and the food was cooked very cleanly. The facilities were also very clean and well kept.
Yummy Cuban Food
by miamifoodie37
October 30, 2008
Went to Coco Loco about two weeks ago and was pleasantly surprised. We had a terrible experience at Papi's Cuban Sandwiches and were wary of trying Cuban from Atlanta again. I grew up in Miami and just recently moved here, so I know what good Cuban food should taste like. The food was very flavorful and reasonably priced. I ordered the palomilla steak with white rice, black beans, and maduros (sweet plantains). The steak and rice were seasoned very well. My fiance ordered picadillo (seasoned ground beef) with moros ("dark" rice) and yuca frita (fried yuca). His food was also very tasty. We ordered cafe con leche (coffe with milk), flan (a custard similar to creme brulee), and guava with cream cheese for dessert.--all very good. My steak was about $11 and my fiance's dish (which was the daily special) was maybe $8-$9. The service was a bit slow, but friendly. The host (an elderly Cuban gentleman) actually told me where I could purchase pastelitos (a cuban pastry with guava or cheese filling) in the area and went through the trouble of calling them to see if they were open since it was a Sunday. Please do not listen to the reviewer below who ordered vegetarian food and got "burnt" plantains. Maduros (sweet plantains) are supposed to be slightly blackened because they are sugared and then fried so that the sugar caramelizes and makes the outside of the plantains slightly crispy. Also "vegetarian" and "cuban food" aren't two phrases I would normally put in the same sentence together. There is meat in almost all Cuban dishes since it is not unusual for vegetables to be cooked in pork fat and rice to be cooked with meat broth. Unlike at Papi's, I also saw several Latin people eating here. Long story short: the prices were right on target for casual Cuban dining, the staff is friendly, and the food is very good. We will be going back.
- Pros: Yummy, authentic Cuban food!
- Cons: They're not next to my house :(
Try the habanaro tilapia -- black beens and rice - scallops -- steak --- i love CoCo Loco
by jojoblu
October 07, 2008
Ok -- first of all I am writing this because I just read the obvious plant review below -- they talk about another restaurant more than CoCo Loco and if you go to that restaurant's review they are bad mouthing over there. For 20 years and 3 wifes have enjoyed my CoCo LoCo - Julio is the best nicest restaurant owner in Atlanta -- 20 years folks --- I used to go for the Conch Fritters alone - now mostly a litely breaded sauted filet of Tilapia with capers -- on the side cheese vegies -- The artwork is great - it jumps off the walls - the old Cuban men sitting around sipping their coffee lends credence to the authentic claim -- don't be fooled by another restaurant getting desperate -- this place is great -- they where Latin before anyone in Atlanta could pronounce TAPAS -----
- Pros: Owner on site -- they have lite faire or the more heavy traditional -
- Cons: parking can be tight at lunch --
How can you burn Plantains and expect a customer to want to come back.... never again!
by Jess1984
September 30, 2008
Papi's off of Ponce de leon/ Myrtle st is the best choice for Cuban food in Atlanta, earlier today I tried Coco Loco for my first time in Buckhead off of Sidney Marcus just because it's close to my work place. I tell you, there's just no comparison. Papi's is the BEST for cost and quality. I bought two lunch specials and only spent $20 when I visited Papi's, however I looked at Coco-Loco?s menu and it was outrageously priced (for what you get) so much so, I had to order a vegetarian plate just to stay in the same price range as Papi's and all I ordered were the basics: black beans, rice and plantains. Did I mention that I gave my boyfriend a bite of my food from Coco-Loco, he actually thought what he was about to eat was beef, because my plantains burnt like charcoal, who wants to pay for burnt food?! He spat his food out needless to say. THERE IS NO COMPARISON! Papi's is my pick because there's a story behind their struggle to succeed so, there's a passion/love that goes into their food. It is the Best in Atlanta and I'm saying that because it's well deserved. Their food is always yummy! If/when you go for your first time, go on a Friday/Saturday and order the daily special: Beef/ chicken or Pork , black beans, rice, sweet plantains, and a salad... it's about $8 but don't forget to add a Cuban Milkshake- Mango, Guava, etc. it will send your taste buds dancing happily and fully complete the Cuban dining experience!
- Pros: it's close to work... i would rather have mcdonalds, at least it won't be burnt
- Cons: Not a good cheap eat, my food was burned...
