International Drive is chock full of business, chock full of tourists, and also chock full of these small old (and new) restaurants that thrive amongst the locals and passer-by tourists. Q’Kenan is one of those examples of a low-key local joint that has developed a quiet loyal fanbase in the past several years with its vast array of Venezuelan food. With me about to attack South Beach next week I decided to hit this place since it was so close to home----literally three minutes away.
The location is definitely not the best. It’s in the back corner of a Publix plaza surrounded by restaurants. But the inside had much more personality as pictures sprinkled one of the walls and a massive Venezuelan flag standing tall on the other side. There's also Hispanic music blazing in the background and Venezuelan television in the distance. The menu is chock full of Venezuela and Latin favorites, ranging from their empanadas to arepas (corn bread fried or baked and stuffed with stuff) to cachapas (corn pancake) to several meat items. Q’Kenan’s most popular item is their plantain sandwiches, which consists of thick plantain blended in with cheese and meats in the middle. While tempting, I decided to go with a cheese empanada and then battle their Parilla Tepui Mixta---beef, sausage, pork, chicken, fried yucca, salad, and fries. I will discuss its pricing later. You won’t believe me.
I also ordered pineapple juice to satisfy the craving. What I got instead was a hybrid of smoothie and slushee as opposed to juice; but it stands out as some of the best pineapple liquid I’ve experienced outside the confides of Magic Kingdom’s Aloha Isle. It was very rich, nice and cold, and satisfied to the nth degree. This was a darn good way to start the lunch. Another incredible feature of this restaurant is their empanadas, which are legit. Full of cheese, full of flavor, and bursting with heat their empanadas are some of the best in the business. Sorry Argentina, but Venezuela does them right with the corn flour usage. These are no different, and just a couple of these will fill you up hardcore.
The Parrilla is a huge, huge plate chock full of meat. Vegetarians look away. They did not cut back at all as there is plentiful of each meat, from the pork to the sausage. While this usually comes with fries I replaced it with rice to see how they do rice. To top it off we have arepa chunks and fried yucca to round out the dish. The price will be revealed soon. There has yet to be a restaurant I’ve visited that has deliver homestyle rice, and this place is no different. The rice was good, but nothing spectacular. The fried yucca and arepas however were good and reminded me of the street foods in the Dominican Republic.
Each of the meats were heavy in portion, plentiful in size, and ultimately delivered. None of them were outstanding but they fit the bill. And this is what Q’Kenan excels at, the smaller pieces, smaller strengths adding up to a nice whole. There isn’t a thing around here that I would say truly stands out (except those empanadas perhaps) but there is plenty to enjoy here. And I didn’t even get to finish the lunch since there was so much. Ready for the price tag? $12. Excellent value.
Bottom Line: Legitimate Hispanic cuisine in great prices is what drives this place towards success, as you get plenty of good food that will fill you up and satisfy the soul. While nothing excels towards true hall of fame greatness, this place will not disappoint.
Final Verdict: Recommend
Q'Kenan
8117 Vineland Ave.
Orlando Fl 32821
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