Review: La Yunta Tienda y Cocina in Zhucay, Azuay, Cuenca, Ecuador

4 Shamrocks for the La Yunta's Cocina (Cocina in English is Kitchen)

and

5 Shamrocks for the La Yunta's Tienda (Tienda in English is Shop)

Directions:  Panamericana Sur s/n (km 7)
Telephone:  072 485224
Cell Phone:  09 89 456551
Email:  layuntatiendaycocina@gmail.com
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/la.yunta.3

Yesterday All three of us decided to make the trip to La Yunta. We thought it would be a long drive and out in the middle of nowhere. So into a taxi we went…

Surprise it was under 15 minutes for our ride on it cost us $4.08. A typical taxi from Cuenca costs between $3-5.00US depending on location. It's a very close location.

Mama and Dan

We arrived ready to eat so, off to a table we went. We debated what to get for a while. Finally, we ordered some potato cakes for an appetizer.

Porcion Llapingachos - $1.63US
(Potato Cakes)

All three of us also ordered limonadas to drink. It's a tangy beverage that’s very addictive and refreshing. Its made with limes and/or lemons and what else I haven’t a clue. Some places serve it chilled, some at room temperature. Sometimes its sweetened but most often it's not. Regardless, its delicious!

Jugos Natural Vaso - $1.48US each
Limonada

Heather ordered Hamburguesa con Queso (hamburger with cheese) with Papa's. Mama ordered a Margarita Pizza and then the waitress came back and informed her that they did not have any pizzas. So, Mama switched to a Hamburguesa con Queso with Papa's like Heather. And I ordered Trucha Frita (fried trout)

Mama and I's Dinner:  Hamburguesa con Queso w/Papas
$4.51US each meal
(Cheeseburger and Fries)

Dan's Dinner:  Trucha Frita (Trout Dinner) - $6.97US

Dan's Dinner:  Trucha Frita (Trout Dinner)

The ladies liked the burgers and enjoyed them a lot.  Heather thought the burger may have had a seasoning similar to Taco Seasoning in the States.  My trout was perfect and local.  Its so nice to eat fresh fish that is not farm raised.

After we finished, Heather declared the dessert menu looked to good to pass up.  So, we decided to each order different things and share them.  We had some difficulty with the language barrier and a gentleman stepped in to help. Turns out he is one of the owners with Soledad his wife.

Jim 

What happened next was pretty funny.  Jim ended up making four trips into the kitchen only to discover what he thought we could order was unavailable.  Finally, we figured out something and got the order.

Torta Mojada de Chocolate
(Chocolate Cake with Ice Cream)
$2.46US

Especial Torta Zanahona y Nuez
(Carrot Cake  with Ice Cream)
$2.05US

Dulce de Zapallo con Canela y Panela
(Chuck of Roasted Pumpkin with Ice Cream)
$2.46US

We ordered carrot cake, chocolate cake, and pumpkin pie.  All with a scoop of ice cream.  What we got was delicious and spot on.  Except, the pumpkin pie.  There was an error in the menu printing and it is NOT pumpkin pie.  Its roasted pumpkin with cinnamon, brown sugar, and butter. Very tasty, savory and sweet. Just not pumpkin pie. LOL

Soledad and Dan

Jim's wife and owner Soledad came over as we finished the dessert and we chatted for a few minutes. She said that La Yunta does offer real pumpkin pies at times but that it's not what the menu is supposed to say. She said it would be corrected that day.

For Sale:  Pre-Measured Chocolate Cake and Carrot Cake

Backside of the mixes and prices (as of today).
Prices are subject to change.
Contact La Yunta for actual current prices.

Regardless, everything was delicious!  We learned that some of the desserts are offered in pre-measured mixes so you can make them at home.  I think we will be going back often to both eat and shop.

La Yunta also offers a lot of furniture and household decoration.  It is all locally made in or around the Cuenca, Ecuador area.  And I must say, it is the highest quality locally made crafts we have seen yet.  There was so much to see and buy.  I think the ladies could have bought the whole store if we had the cash.

On that note, cash gets you a discount.  So plan to bring cash and save some money!

We all talked about the food and loved it.  The reason for 4 Shamrocks is because many food items on the menu were not available.  Mama, wanted Margarita Pizza and Apple Pie.  Both things she was craving on the way in the door were not available for her.  We had several recommendations from friends and again those items were not available.  However, what we did order was yummy.  La Yunta got 4 shamrocks for food and 5 shamrocks for the furniture and décorations.

It is a fun place with wonderful, kind, friendly, and helpful owners.   Soledad even called us a rural taxi pickup that was able to take all of us and our purchases home for $6.00US.  Our family and theirs are now Facebook friends and hopefully soon we will all be getting together to go out to dinner.