Lima Criolla isn’t trying to reinvent Peruvian food—they’re making it the way your friend’s grandmother would if she had a commercial kitchen and no patience for tiny shared plates. The food is unapologetically homey, and it’s a welcome break from trendier restaurants' usual parade of small bites, $20 themed cocktails, and large crowds. Start with the ceviche. It’s citrusy, bright, and perfectly chilled—the kind that makes you forget you're in a landlocked city. Then work your way through Peruvian classics like savory skewers of grilled beef heart, sweet and crispy fried plantains, and creamy, excellent seafood chowders. The portions are generous, and someone at the table will inevitably say, “We could’ve split this.” But half the fun is knowing you’ll have leftovers to dig into the next day. Parking is easy, and even on a Friday night, you can walk in with a group of six without hearing, “It’ll be 90 minutes.” The service is friendly, and no one bats an eye if you need to rearrange three tables to fit everyone. Stop by after a movie at AFS Cinema next door or when your big group wants dinner on a weekend and nobody bothered to plan ahead.