Tierra Colombia opens their long-awaited Somerdale location this weekend… on Saturday July 13th.
Earlier today owners Marco and Sandra gave me a preview tour of their new White Horse Pike Colombian restaurant. It’s a truly impressive and beautiful recreation of a quaint Colombian village dining experience… and maybe even better!
The new restaurant is a perfect match for the Colombian cuisine that Sandra and her kitchen staff have been preparing for 11 years at their Pennsauken location… which has become widely recognized as one of the best places for Colombian food in South Jersey, if not the entire Philadelphia metro region!
The Pennsauken location will remain open, but in Somerdale the couple found a larger space to design an interior that truly matches the quality and experience of the food that is loved by so many in South Jersey.
Somerdale also includes a full liquor license!
The bright yellow exterior of the restaurant has been catching the attention of locals and commuters since last year.
The entrance has been moved to the back of the restaurant and includes a lobby waiting area.
When people visit and see inside, Wow! is likely the first thing they’ll say as Marco and his team have created a dining room full of “character”… Colombian character.
Looking back at the photos I took earlier today I see that Marco has created an outdoor Colombian plaza dining experience, with the recreation of an attractive exterior wall which cleverly conceals the kitchen area.
The interior walls are a light beige giving it an almost stucco like quality, but the wall spaces are not even noticeable due to the numerous design details which add many interesting visual aspects including really beautiful and colorful artwork featuring the Colombian culture… which were all created by Sandra!
As mentioned the back wall of the dining area has areas of exposed brick as well as faux windows overhead with planters, successfully giving the illusion that you are eating outside in a plaza.
The bar area is at the opposite end of the room and features seating for only three people. Clearly the liquor license is more intended for table service, and the bar targeted for waiting customers.
Opposite to the bar is a dedicated to-go and pick up area, as well as the cash register.
Marco pointed out that everything is freshly made with fresh ingredients. Tierra Colombia also has a reputation for amazing juices… all of which are freshly squeezed!
Tierra Colombia
Marco and Sandra have a perfect matchup of skills for the restaurant… With Sandra running the kitchen and amazing menu, and Marco in charge of the front-of-the-house which included the impressive redesign and buildout of the new Somerdale restaurant.
And likely the best part of Tierra Colombia… is Marco and Sandra.
They are a very engaging and fun couple who welcomed me into their restaurant with big smiles, and thanked me for my prior coverage on the plans for Somerdale. Sandra was genuinely surprised that this stranger from the Internet helped them tell the region about the news of their restaurant expansion!
I had a wonderful time chatting with them both, hearing about their story coming to America with three young children and having very little money… and finding significant success in South Jersey.
Marco had more time to spend with me and he explains he originally worked in the printing industry, but realizing the impact the internet was having in that industry… he moved on to several hospitality opportunities including the kitchen at Top Dog, a liquor store, and a bakery!
Eventually he realized he was learning all aspects of what it takes to run a successful restaurant, and with his wife Sandra being an amazing Colombian cook… they decided to open their own restaurant!
With jobs that weren’t well-paying, the family sacrificed to save enough money to open in 2013 Tierra Colombia in Pennsauken. When they opened the doors for the first time, they only had $100 remaining in their pockets.
The delicious food led to amazing success… and amazing accolades.
As I mentioned in my prior article, famed NJ.com “foodie” write Peter Genovese wrote the praises of Tierra Colombia and placed them on his New Jersey “Cheap Eats Guide”, describing the Pennsauken location as a fun, festive little place decorated with colorful and kitchy artwork… and empanadas are only $1.25 each (NJ.com)
Wildly popular YouTube food video blogger JL Jupiter visited Tierra Colombia Pennsauken and praised the tenderness of their flank steak and the delicious flavors of the Yucca root vegetable. “The rice may be one of my most favorite rices ever” JL Jupiter Video
I will be back very soon to try Tierra Colombia in Somerdale!
Links and Locations
Tierra Colombia Somerdale – Opening July 13th
209 N White Horse Pike
Somerdale, NJ 08083
Tierra Colombia Pennsauken – Open
5005 N Crescent Boulevard
Pennsauken NJ 08110