Montana's Restaurante

Montana’s Supermercado, Carniceria, Mexican & Colombian Restaurante
11954 Coursey Blvd.
Baton Rouge, LA
Hours:
Monday through Friday 11am-9pm
Saturday 9am-9pm
Sunday 9am-6pm

Lunch: Yes
Kid Friendly: Yes
Credit Cards: Yes
Reservations: No
Attire: Casual


Something remarkable is taking place in the strip malls of Baton Rouge- a transformation from humble retail outlets into portals from which to taste and see the world! Vietnamese, Indian, Latin, and Middle Eastern markets are all flourishing here, providing lucky Baton Rougeans with a taste of the real thing. One of the latest additions to this scene comes by way of Colombia, at Montana’s Restaurante on Coursey Boulevard.
Located in the back of its bright and spacious Latino market, Montana’s serves up authentic Colombian cuisine along with a handful of Mexican dishes. Daily special menus feature treats like Arepas, the stuffed corn patties of South America, filled with beef tongue (lengua) in Creole sauce, shrimp and avocado, shredded beef or chicken, or even deep-fried pork rind (chicharron).
The uninitiated to Colombian cuisine should probably start with the “Bandeja Paisa”- the “typical” plate of Colombian food. A marinated and grilled slice of skirt steak is served on top of fluffy white rice and crowned with a lightly fried egg. Kidney beans with little scraps of pork in a flavorful gravy, thinly-battered slices of sweet fried plantain, a piece of chicharron, and a dense, herby link of chorizo sausage are all served on the side. The plate is garnished with fresh avocado and a delicious cilantro-and-chili-spiked salsa verde.
Friendly, attentive servers are on hand to guide you through the menu if you have questions, and Montana’s also offers an array of soups, salads and tacos if you are not ready to make the trip all the way to Bogota’- although it’s easy to think you already have with the sounds of Colombian newscasts on the TV, dining side-by-side with families of transplanted South Americans who’ve come to Montana’s for a little taste of home.