Oakwood Cafe

This is the worst restaurant I have eaten in since 2003. I can only conclude that many of the 5 star ratings are more artifical than a couple other things you will definitely see in the Oakwood Cafe. The 'salad' was more dreadful than something you would get in a high school cafeteria from the 1980's. It was a few shiveled pieces lettuce, a couple shavings of carrot and an old tomato slice thrown on top. Definitely stay away from the fish. None of it is fresh. The tilapia tasted and smelled so fishy I was afraid to eat it. I left most of it untouched. If they had not fried it to an unrecognizable crisp, I may very well have eaten a live harmful bacterial culture. The plantains were obviously frozen but OK. The beef my partner had was barely passable. It was as if they buy the absolute cheapest ingredients they can find and then charge the highest prices in Raleigh. It is so unbelievable, it makes me want to open a restaurant. We could have had a better meal by buying fish sticks and spinach at food lion. more

this is one of my favorites places. The churrasco is the best. A friend told me about this place and since i tried I felt in love with their food. The food is very authentic. I love the sangria too- you will not find a sangria anywhere like this one. more

I am half cuban half argentinian.This restaurant was recomended to me. The atmosphere is awesome, it is a family runned place. Both the mom an dad are the cooks and the daughter's are the waitresses. He actually lived in miami and is argentinian. We had the chicken milanesa and the steak milanesa (argentinian) the portions were huge! the best empanadas ever! chicken is my fav. He gave us a free dessert and free glass of sangria for moving to a smaller table(voluntarily-b/c we were on our way out, and there were others waiting). The second time i went, my mother in law had the palomilla (cuban) and it was not cooked right, it lacked seasoning. I had the churasco and it was overcooked. Also the rice looked like instant rice. Pros: great argentinian food Cons: not so great cuban food more

I can only comment on the Argentinian side of the menu, my knowledge of cuban food is very limited. Pros: Good food Cons: Below average service more

(Brazilian and Cuban w/ some Italian thrown in for good measure) - There might be some issues with the size of the place, even though the owners have recently made renovations, that doesn't stop Oakwood from being one of the best kept secrets in Downtown. The food is absolutely addictive. I started going there on the advice of BlackytheLawyer who knows his food and I must eat there no less than three times a month. I think they must put ""coca"" in the charrisco steak, its that good. more

Now open for breakfast daily M-F 7:30 to 11:00 and Saturday Sunday 8:00 to 12:30 more

This is a fantastic restaurant. I love Argentinian food and being from LA, am used to being able to get it delivered to my door. So imagine my delight when I stumbled across the City Search website and found an authentic reasonably priced Argentinian restaurant in the Raleigh area. Unfortunately, my family and I arrived just as they were closing for lunch. I was quite disappointed but hopefully asked the waitress if we could order some empanadas to go. Much to my delight, she agreed. The help was quite personable and warm and seemed genuinely sorry that we could not stay for lunch. When my empanadas arrived, they were steaming hot, the crust was flaky and crispy, and the filling tasted just as good as the last time I visited Buenos Aires. I was thrilled with the helpful service, delighted with the food and excited to return. My only reget (regret not complaint) is that they are only open for lunch. I also thought the prices were much more appropriate than those at Metro 8 on Ninth St, though to be fair Metro 8 is a much more refined restaurant and clearly, one pays as much for atmosphere in restaurants as they do food. Pros: Excellent food, friendly service, great value Cons: Blink and you'll miss it, hard to find, minimal parking more

Give this slightly out of the way restaurant a try and you'll be hooked! I've been a frequent diner since they opened and if you like a bit of the exotic that you don't get in the over-priced ""in"" restaurants that seem to open weekly in Downtown Raleigh, then this is the place. The best Tiramisu I've ever had, great empanadas that Amalia makes fresh, and Norberto's signatuere dish - Chicken Milanesa Napolitano. Pros: Not fancy or over-priced. Clean, Great people, good service, Great food! Small. Cons: Parking sometimes difficult. Sometimes crowded for dinner - call ahead. more

This is a delightful place. I've been to Argentina many times. The milanesa tastes just the same as you would fine anywhere in BsAs. The chef cooks with a love of his homeland and seems very happy to see his customers enjoying their food. more

The family is actually from Argentina. How much more authentic can you get? They have some Itialian in their family line. On top of that, when the 1st came to the US they lived in FL and learned Cuban food straight from Cubans. Don't believe me, ask them yourself. You can not get any more authentic than that. If you asking how I know, I'll tell you. I've asked them were they get the three types of food from. Besides, notice that almost everyone who has a negative thing to say about the Oakwood Cafe speaks of another Resturant. Could they be advertising their own resturant? Could they be trying to make the competition look bad? Go there and find out for yourself. Pros: Great Food! Wonderful Ambience! Cons: Parking & Cramp Seating more

Went with a group to Oakwood Cafe last night. First time there. Though we had a wait a while for our food, it was worth it. Food was great. Had the steak which was very flavorful. Recommend making reservations. As it is small and quaint. A little cramped, but worth it for the food. Glad I found Oakwood Cafe and will be back! Pros: Ambience, Food Cons: Seating a litte cramped. more

I don?t want to generalize; I have too many friends that are from New York, but unfortunately, ?one bad apple can spoil the bunch?. I just can?t resist commenting to one of your reviewers ? ?Very disappointed? from New York. Pros: The food Cons: parking more

well, Cons: not real cuban food, sorry more

This is our favorite place to go on the weekends for dinner or for lunch during the week ! After eating here over a dozen times, I have never had a bad experience....We have introduced this place to friends and they agree. After living in several big cities, It was refreshing to know there was a place like this in Raleigh that you can rely on for a fun night out w/ good food, good atmosphere and OH SO REASONABLE PRICES! Pros: Everything( Oakwood Cafe is a Unique Experience!) Cons: I haven't ried the Chocolate Cake yet!!!!!!!!!!! more

I'm in this place at least once a week...usually for lunch...dinner on a weekend. I am always delighted with the food. Everything! Whatever I had last is always what stands out in my memory...until I go there again. Most recently I had the fried Talapia. It was wonderful. Perfectly prepared, not a hint of being oily, a delicious crisp breading, moist and flakey meat. My sides were black beans and plantains. Be sure to add some of the house hot sauce to the beans as it adds the most delightfully complex smokey heat to the flavor. And the plantains are always delicious, golden brown with carmelized edges that are just a little crunchy. Pros: Food, prices, wine list, service Cons: sometimes there is a wait at lunch. Parking can be an issue. more

The first time I stepped into Oakwood Cafe I was just hungry and tired. Without taking much look around I stuck my head into the menu. Ah, choices, choices. Wow, what can I say? There was too much to pick. So, I kind of picked something random. It was indeed the Churassco Steak. As I sat there, the waitresses behind the counter were ""Goddesses"". Um, yeah, so I can pretty much tell you I stared at them the whole times. The two ravishingly devoted/sultry/sexy twins I believe. When I was there last week Then I saw the oldest daughter of the owner, what a knockout! And lastly, there is a young broad, aka HOT. Okay, okay, let me get to the food, sorry for the strange bore *_*. Alright, here comes the steak, 14oz?! HOW ABOUT 20?!! The huge as the actual cow itself; then I take a bite and savor the taste of heaven. The rice and spinach + Black beans are good as ever. When I got the check though I was shocked. SO CHEAP! HAHA Highly recommended. Pros: You'll have to find out Cons: getting there at closing time more

I highly recommend you try Oakwood Cafe. I've come to eat several times with big parties and they have accomodated us graciously. I recommend you try the skirt steak or the Milanesa Napolitana and plantains. They also have delicious desserts. The tiramisu is one of the best I've had. more

I don't know what the previous post is talking about. I eat here at least once a week. I've met the owners and I've been to the kitchen and I can tell you that nothing is frozen or prepackaged. People that say that just don't know what real food tastes like. Oakwood cafe serves huge portions of food for a great price. I've been to Metro 8 and I can tell you that 40 dollars for a steak is ridiculous. more

One word: Wow. That is, wow, how could this place have so many good reviews? I've visited three times now. Each time hoping it would get better. Sadly, no. Most of the food is quite clearly prepackaged frozen or right from the box. Pros: None, really Cons: No actual resemblance to either Argentinean or Cuban food. more

I can't figure out all these great reviews. I have been to Oakwood twice and both times I was dissapointed. The food tasted very frozen, not fresh at all. It just lacked all around. The service was pretty bad both times and the lighting is awful. I will say the Sangria is pretty awesome. Pros: Sangria, pretty cheap Cons: Service, ambiance more