Mi Apa' Latin Cafe'

Mi Apá Latin Café opened a few months ago next to Moe's in Alachua. If you're familiar with their location in Gainesville, the location in Alachua is the same in all respects. They did a wonderful job taking the old space, which was previously a drab sub shop, and turned it into a bright, pleasant dining location.

The thing I appreciate the most about having Mi Apá in Alachua is that it expands the breakfast options around here. They serve a breakfast that is a step up from Brown's, Bev's and the like. I do think they need to put up some signs facing 441 to let the locals know that they serve breakfast because they're usually empty in the mornings. I'd also prefer hash-browns instead of getting fries for breakfast. I recommend the "Eggs Plus" for a filling breakfast at a reasonable price.

My wife and I eat here at least twice a week, and the service is almost always spot on. Some of the other reviewers complaining about poor service must have visited at an unusual time. My only complaint about the service is that sometimes I have to wait a bit too long to get a refill.

The dishes that I go to the most on their menu for lunch or dinner are any of their arepas, palomilla steak (hit or miss), grilled chicken (my healthier option), or the ropa vieja. The pastries are good as well, especially when they've just been baked. I recommend asking when their pastries were prepared in order to avoid ones that aren't as fresh.

They are also open on Sunday, which in Alachua is nice, since some places aren't open on Sunday limiting food options.

Both Mi Apas (in Gainesville and Alachua) offer slow service and Latin food that, if compared to any cafeteria in Miami, Orlando, or Tampa, would be blown away.  But by far, their worse characteristic is the slow service.  Note to Mia Apa Owner / Manager: Add a few servers to your Lunch shift; you are overworking the one guy (the guy with the shirt that is too tight for his arms) .

I had visited the Mi Apa on 34St in Gainesville a few times and was never impressed by the service or the food.  A couple of friends mentioned the new Mi Apa in Alachua had better food and service....  friends tend to exaggerate sometimes.

I arrived and there were two tables seated... only two tables.  This guy took over 10 minutes to approach our table to ask us what we wanted to drink.  We ordered water and wanted to get the rest of the order in, but he walked away in a rush.  Now, I am not blaming him for his poor service; he was there all by himself doing it ALL (cashier, taking orders, running plates, bossing tables, etc).  This dude deserves a medal.

Finally, when the food arrived (25 minutes later) it really sucked.  I am sorry but this is the kind of food you would serve to people after a hurricane.  The Cuban coffee was extremely dark and served without sugar.  The "pastelitos" (latin pastries) were hard as a rock....  Co'm on man; get it together.

the service was average...I had to work hard to get a sweetener for my unsweet tea. The menu was pretty extensive though their big fancy vegetarian dish was literally just rice 'n' beans. Since they were out of beans that night, it was just rice. Thanks.
The kids working there are a product of the local market and sort of try to be friendly and help but trying to figure out the contents of the dishes was an experience.
I've been to several Latin countries and experienced some fantastic things in Colombia, Venezuela, etc, and Mi Apá did a fair job of bringing the Latin flavour to a very rural spot so they get credit there.
It's a very casual place so jeans or shorts are just fine. The prices are reasonable, though a little bit high for the area and the fast-food feeling you get there.
Tres leches!