Patakon

1213 E 6th St.

Chef Juan Felipe Llano cut his teeth in several of Austin’s institutions-in-the-making, two being Ramen Tatsu-Ya and Fresa’s. That said, not too much of Patakon’s success should be ascribed to its chef’s brushes with celebrity. Patakon is purely Chef Llano’s creation. From photoshopping the logo to fabricating the truck, to perfecting recipes of his native Colombia, Llano has poured himself into every detail of the restaurant and its paid off.

The menu features Colombian staples that straddle the line between haute-cuisine precision and home-cooked rusticity, made better with the knowledge that all the recipes have roots within Llano’s family and upbringing. In fact, family really is at the heart of Patakon. Chef Llano started the endeavor with his parents, and his main aspiration is to recreate the atmosphere of the Sunday picnics he would spend with his family in the Colombian countryside.

I believe he succeeded - Patakon’s hearty food, natural aesthetic, and BYOB policy come together nicely to capture the vibe of an idyllic lazy Sunday.

Favorites:

Picada: While it is a bit like cheating to choose a sampler plate as a favorite, this assortment is truly where Patakon shines. Chef Llano likens it to the Colombian charcuterie board, and it is hands down the best way to taste the full swath of flavors Colombian cuisine can provide.

The cast of characters rotates based on seasonality, but the few standbys such as the yucca fries and the patacones (twice-fried plantain patties for the uninitiated) make this dish a safe bet. The standouts in the selection I had were the empanadas and the chunchullo (once again, fried tripe for the uninitiated). And don’t let any of the more exotic ingredients on the menu deter you - Chef Llano’s culinary skill transforms even the most foreign dishes into comfort food.