Nestled in the back of a Falls Church shopping center, Luzmila’s Bolivian Restaurant was difficult to locate and definitely not a place I’d heard of before. The best word to describe the feel of the place is intimate, from the traditional Bolivian dishes to the well-loved furniture and fluorescent lights illuminating the small space, even down to the large families seated at closely spaced tables. I felt right at home in my everyday clothing, and it was the perfect venue for a casual night out.

Tamale de Pollo: $3.75
4.5 out of 5 stars
For anyone seeking authentic tamales at a reasonable price, look no further than Luzmilas, where their chicken tamale was served steaming hot and wrapped in a corn husk. The inner corn shell was sweet and warm, perfectly complimenting the soft shredded chicken inside, which was packed with flavorful notes of tomato and various spices that truly elevated this dish. My only complaint was that it was pretty filling, especially for an appetizer, so I had to be careful not to eat too much in order to save room for my entrée. Though I had to hold back from finishing this dish in three bites in order to save room for our later dishes, as this was only my appetizer, it set my expectations high for the rest of the meal.

Sandwich de Chola: $6.99
4 out of 5 stars
At the first bite of this towering sandwich, I felt truly transported out of reality. The sliced pork was tender and juicy with a smoky flavor, which, when combined with the crisp heirloom tomato slices and crunchy pickled onions, all wrapped in a soft seeded bun, created a dish that was out of this world. Although I can’t say that it was the most unique combination of flavors, the smoky pork definitely added an elevated element to the dish that made it memorable nonetheless. Not only was it delicious, but the size of the sandwich was perfect — I wasn’t left feeling too stuffed, but perfectly satisfied with my meal. At $6.99, this sandwich was flavorful, affordable and satisfying and the perfect way to end a long day.

Sopa de Papaliza: $11.99
3.5 out of 5 stars
It was pouring rain when I visited Luzmila’s for the first time, which made me crave something warm and savory such as their Sopa de Papaliza. It was served hot, and the thick consistency was satisfying without being overwhelmingly heavy. There was nothing inherently wrong with the dish. However, it was extremely basic. The meat and potatoes were cut in a few large chunks, and they were only supported by carrots and peas. Despite this plain appearance, the soup was actually rather flavorful, especially with the notes of cilantro at the top. It was exactly what I needed on a cold and rainy day and I can picture myself ordering it again.

Salteña de Pollo: $3.75
3 out of 5 stars
The salteña de pollo, which largely resembles the more commonly known empanada, arrived after my main meal when I was extremely full, which could have contributed to my reservations about the dish. It was labeled as an appetizer, so I anticipated it to be a small and relatively unfilling start to dinner. Instead, it was relatively large and extraordinarily sweet. I expected the pastry to be savory, since it consisted of chicken and vegetables. To my surprise, it tasted as though they had baked it along with a significant amount of sugar. While there was nothing wrong with the flavoring, it was simply too much for my already overfull stomach. However, for those looking for something heavier, this dish is perfect. The soft baked dough combines nicely with the hot fillings inside, creating a mouthful of warmth and flavor in every bite. The next time I return to Luzmila’s, I’ll be sure to order it again, just before I eat anything else.