Family First
Located on High Street in the heart of Holyoke’s bustling downtown is a new restaurant, El Pariso Colombiano. At its core this restaurant represents a family dream come true. Latino owned and operated, this small business was founded by two brothers in April 2021 during the midst of the pandemic. Their father mans the stove as the head cook as their mother frequently returns to Colombia for menu inspiration because authenticity matters. They serve traditional dishes that range from Salmon Arroz to Churrasco. And while you normally have to go to the restaurant to experience all they offer, they occasionally frequent community events like the Holyoke Road Race. You can find them before Saint Patrick's Day near Veteran’s Park where they’ll be serving up empanadas, arepas, ceviche, and drinks. And if one taste isn't enough? You can hire them to cater your next event.
Huge Portions
You can never have too much of a good thing, and their massive portions reflect that. It’s not uncommon to find rice, beans, pork belly, a thick cut steak, poached eggs, and avocado all on the same plate. Every meal comes with rice, fried plantains, French fries, and salad. And it’s not just the land fare that’s generously portioned. When you order fish, you can expect the entire fish.
With a mastery of home blended South American seasonings and heaping portions, it’s impossible to leave hungry. And if you need to blow off steam after work, El Paraiso Colombiano has a full bar.
Flexible, Late Night Hours
They have flexible hours to accommodate every walk of life, from families to those looking for a fun night out. Tuesday and Wednesday they’re open until 7:00pm. Thursday and Sunday they’re open until midnight. And if midnight isn’t late enough, Friday and Saturday you can eat and drink until 2am while a DJ plays.
Giveaway
To celebrate their upcoming one year anniversary, I’ll be giving away four $25 sgift card to El Paraiso Colombiano! To enter, all you have to do is like, comment, and subscribe to one of my social media channels! The winner will be announced Friday, March 18th, 2022!
Regardless of whether you win or lose, I hope I see you there soon.
I hold Paper City Eats near and dear to my heart because it showcases the diversity of Holyoke. Part of selling homes in a community should always be immersing yourself in that community. This video series allows me the chance to visit and spotlight the richness of our thriving local food scene. I hope you come to experience it for yourself.
Eating There
You can find them on Facebook under El Pariso Colombiano, visit them in person at 351 High Street, Holyoke, MA, or place an order on Seamless.
What is Paper City Eats?
Many who call the Pioneer Valley home don't know the rich history that brought Holyoke its name, "The Paper City."
During the late 19th century, Holyoke produced an estimated 80% of the writing paper used in the United States, and was the largest paper, silk, and alpaca wool mills in the world. Although considerably less businesses make paper in Holyoke now, it's still commonly referred to as "The Paper City." #PaperCityEats is a video series focused on Holyoke's food scene and how you can support our local restaurants. You can watch Season 1 on Erin's website or YouTube.