El Gran Sabor
413 Kerens Ave, Elkins, WV, 26241
El Gran Sabor Menu
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant menu details.
Visit below restaurant in Elkins for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Elkins for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Elkins for healthy meals suggestion.
Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
-
Address :
413 Kerens Ave
Elkins, WV, 26241 - Phone (304) 636-8200
- Website https://www.elgransabor.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :Closed
- Mon : Closed
Tue
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
Looky Weed - Buy Marijuana Online
Looky Weed is here to help you navigate the maze of legalized marijuana. We provide you with a complete dispensary directory.
Sydney H.
My favorite restaurant in Elkins, hands down. The staff is wonderful and the food is delicious. I can be seen here devouring nachos grande, squash soup, enchiladas and a strawberry daiquiri on a near-daily basis. The coconut flan helped me finally understand why people like flan. My partner is gluten and dairy free but still has plenty of menu options. There are a few less-flavorful items on the menu, but in general the food is spot on, and has considerably more variety than most places in town. The lounge area can get a little loud--I prefer to sit up front, but that's a matter of personal taste.
(5)Jill B.
There haven't been many times when a strong positive rating on Yelp has led us astray, but this is definitely one of them. Perhaps we went on an "off night"? I won't go into the entire sordid affair, but the highlights included COLD nachos (the shredded cheese on top was cold to touch and the beans goop made the chips soggy and cold as well)... no napkins, plates or utensils brought for at least 15 minutes... the entrees were brought by someone talking on her cellphone the entire time... chicken fajitas which were overpriced considering they did not come with any of the usual items (no guac, sour cream, etc - just some chopped chicken which had already been mixed in with onions and peppers)... undercooked yucca... overcooked plantains (but cold - now that's a trick)... and the waitress seemed completely unprepared to answer questions ranging from what drinks the bartender could make to any menu recommendations. Let's end this by saying if we hadn't eaten in almost 24 hours we wouldn't have stayed, and I recommend others not bother unless they too are so hungry even a table leg would taste good.
(1)Dave K.
Amazing! The food is delectable, the atmosphere is quaint and the live music was superb. It was incredible hot in there, though. A lot of people were complaining and I was sweating, but the food is totally worth it. Don't go on a hot day I guess, still worth 5 stars because it's just that good.
(5)Jacob S.
My wife and I ended up in Elkins as the sun was going down when we were getting tired of the road. We decided to spend the night and started to look for places to grab dinner. We had been to a smaller WV town the night before and options were limited to fast food so our expectations for Elkins were very low. We yelped the top restaurants in town and came across El Gran Sabor and I'm glad we did. My wife and I both loved our food and the very affordable margaritas! The service was very friendly and helpful and they didn't mind our shoes were covered in mud from hiking Dolly Sods Wilderness that day. If this place was in Chicago I would dine again and take guests there as well which I think is high praise. So if you ever find yourself in Elkins go to El Gran Sabor!
(4)Carl N.
I really enjoyed the food at the El Gran Sabor. I've never had Venezuelan food before so this was all new to me. I had an Arepa (cornmeal pocket) with black beans and Latin rice. Also tried some Tostones (fried plantain slices) for the first time. Really think this is a good place --- especially for those wanting a change. I'd definitely come again. Pros: WiFi, nice atmosphere, quick and efficient service, and wonderful tasting food. Cons: None
(4)Elena G.
Great atmosphere and a delicious meal! Live music on a Wednesday night. I was on business trip traveling through the area and spent the night in Elkins. I am really glad we picked this place for dinner. I had the capacha and my bf had the blackened tilapia tacos. Nice change from the fried food we have been eating on the road from DC. The owner "D" served us and came over several times to make sure we have everything we need. She is a native of Venezuela so expect an authentic meal!
(5)A G.
The menu was not specific to gluten sensitivities but the waiter was very helpful in determining the choices and then providing recommendations. My husband had the Cuban sandwich with fries that he said was very tasty, especially the different dipping sauces for the fries. The chicken with salsa, yuca, and corn was also very good. The food tasted like it was freshly prepared and not from a can or box. Would we go there again.....yes, we would.
(4)Sydney H.
My favorite restaurant in Elkins, hands down. The staff is wonderful and the food is delicious. I can be seen here devouring nachos grande, squash soup, enchiladas and a strawberry daiquiri on a near-daily basis. The coconut flan helped me finally understand why people like flan. My partner is gluten and dairy free but still has plenty of menu options. There are a few less-flavorful items on the menu, but in general the food is spot on, and has considerably more variety than most places in town. The lounge area can get a little loud--I prefer to sit up front, but that's a matter of personal taste.
(5)Josephine C.
I had the chicken cachapas and it was delicious. Must try if you're in the area. With the lack of diversity in Elkins it's nice to find South American food here. It's a bit noisy inside so I got take out. Note during spring/summer they are closed between 2-4:30pm, Saturday lunch, and on Sundays and Mondays. I had to come here 4-5 times before I found a time they were open.
(4)Eli B.
worked and stayed in Wilkins for a few months in 2014. the food is great and the owner is the coolest dude, puts on live music almost every night. I wasn't a local at first, but Rob made me and my co-workers feel right at home. get the friend plantains!!
(5)Kimberly W.
Without a doubt the best dining experience my family's had in a long time. The food is mouth wateringly flavorful, and not just one dish, but everything. We ordered the chicken cachapas, plantains, yuca, and the tostones. Delicious down to the very last bite, and then you order seconds. Also an awesome craft brew selection and fun vibe. Service was fast and friendly. This place is a must!
(5)Anne S.
Yikes! Right out of Deliverance, beginning with the kids standing on the front porch shooting at people with fake automatic rifles. Should have given up then, but tried to get a table. And was ignored. And ignored. When we stopped a waitress and asked to be seated, the waitress looked right at the empty tables in the main restaurant, shrugged, and said we would have to eat in the back. What's in the back? The waitress shrugged again and wandered away. We headed to the back and found a drunk crowd and a loud football game. This wasn't going to work with 2 tired kids, so we gave up. Maybe the food is fantastic, but are you brave enough to deal with the terrible atmosphere and rude service?
(1)Kit T.
A very interesting, well done South American themed restaurant. The service is attentive, the food is prepared well and has some variety. The price is reasonable, and the decor, filling a lovely antique home, is relaxing and pleasant. I will return here, Deo volente, on my next trip to Elkins
(5)Ned S.
Inviting atmosphere, generally attentive service (can be a bit slow when they're swamped, but where's that not the case?), affordable prices, live music, good beer selection, and some of the best food this side of Venezuela. Rural West Virginia is not blessed with a plethora of ethnic dining options, and so this is certainly a welcome change of pace from the standard bar- and diner-fare, but this menu would hold up against most any restaurant in a bigger city. I still fantasize about the pork cachapa.
(5)Pinaki S.
Going here and eating the food just makes me feel awesome to be from here (and where we had our tenth high school reunion-- have events in the back!). The food is fantastic and inexpensive, and the Cachapa with pork was one of the best things I've EVER eaten. Must go here if you come to Elkins.
(5)Joscelyn B.
Absolutely love this place. We normally get the chicken cachapas, which are delicious. A sweet corn bread type shell with cheese and yummy seasoned shredded chicken. The meal comes with black beans, rice, and some sauces. All of it is delicious. We usually order chips and salsa as an appetizer, and the fresh salsa is perfect. Live music is very common here and this is a fun place in the evenings.
(5)Michael D.
Was in Elkins WV (Where?) with my Motorcycle group. Someone local suggested a Venezuelan Restaurant, hidden away near downtown. Venezuelan? In West Virginia? Oh, no... is it going to be a Del Taco?? Saturday night, we made a reservation for a large group, and went off to find it. When we find it, it's an old house, tucked off the main drag. Free on street parking out front. The patio has nice outdoor seating. From the outside, it looks too small to be a restaurant. But walking inside, we discover the place is huge! And it has old creaky wood floors! They bring our group out back to the bar area, and seat us all together by ourselves. Awesome! The waitress, who was a real doll (and is probably the owner's daughter) took good care of us. The owner came out and explained the items on the menu, and we ordered up a storm. Margarita was excellent, and frankly, dirt cheap. The food was WAY better than expected. I had the #4, pulled pork something or other. It was a corn cake with Pork and cheese, and It was delicious. Many of us shared our meals and appetizers. Everything was amazing, and my tab was $10. Seriously. Elkins is fortunate to have someplace this good. In fact, it's far too good for Elkins. Belongs in an artsy college town near me. As always, to keep my reviews fair, I have to point out the bad things. The front stairs are very very tall, especially after that Margarita. Oh, and the waitress refused to marry me. Heartbroken. Five big chrome stars!!!
(5)Jill B.
There haven't been many times when a strong positive rating on Yelp has led us astray, but this is definitely one of them. Perhaps we went on an "off night"? I won't go into the entire sordid affair, but the highlights included COLD nachos (the shredded cheese on top was cold to touch and the beans goop made the chips soggy and cold as well)... no napkins, plates or utensils brought for at least 15 minutes... the entrees were brought by someone talking on her cellphone the entire time... chicken fajitas which were overpriced considering they did not come with any of the usual items (no guac, sour cream, etc - just some chopped chicken which had already been mixed in with onions and peppers)... undercooked yucca... overcooked plantains (but cold - now that's a trick)... and the waitress seemed completely unprepared to answer questions ranging from what drinks the bartender could make to any menu recommendations. Let's end this by saying if we hadn't eaten in almost 24 hours we wouldn't have stayed, and I recommend others not bother unless they too are so hungry even a table leg would taste good.
(1)Dave K.
Amazing! The food is delectable, the atmosphere is quaint and the live music was superb. It was incredible hot in there, though. A lot of people were complaining and I was sweating, but the food is totally worth it. Don't go on a hot day I guess, still worth 5 stars because it's just that good.
(5)Jacob S.
My wife and I ended up in Elkins as the sun was going down when we were getting tired of the road. We decided to spend the night and started to look for places to grab dinner. We had been to a smaller WV town the night before and options were limited to fast food so our expectations for Elkins were very low. We yelped the top restaurants in town and came across El Gran Sabor and I'm glad we did. My wife and I both loved our food and the very affordable margaritas! The service was very friendly and helpful and they didn't mind our shoes were covered in mud from hiking Dolly Sods Wilderness that day. If this place was in Chicago I would dine again and take guests there as well which I think is high praise. So if you ever find yourself in Elkins go to El Gran Sabor!
(4)Carl N.
I really enjoyed the food at the El Gran Sabor. I've never had Venezuelan food before so this was all new to me. I had an Arepa (cornmeal pocket) with black beans and Latin rice. Also tried some Tostones (fried plantain slices) for the first time. Really think this is a good place --- especially for those wanting a change. I'd definitely come again. Pros: WiFi, nice atmosphere, quick and efficient service, and wonderful tasting food. Cons: None
(4)Elena G.
Great atmosphere and a delicious meal! Live music on a Wednesday night. I was on business trip traveling through the area and spent the night in Elkins. I am really glad we picked this place for dinner. I had the capacha and my bf had the blackened tilapia tacos. Nice change from the fried food we have been eating on the road from DC. The owner "D" served us and came over several times to make sure we have everything we need. She is a native of Venezuela so expect an authentic meal!
(5)Megan B.
Authentic Venezuelan restaurant located in a cute little house on a street in Elkins, WV. This is not something I would have expected to come across while staying in Elkins, but I was pleasantly surprised. The empanadas were pretty good, but the pork inside was a little dry and could use more flavor. The rice was full of flavor and the black beans were good The prices were very reasonable and the staff was very friendly. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for some pretty good and affordable Venezuelan cuisine.
(4)Paul W.
Forget store-bought tortillas, pico de gallo and melted orange cheese--this is Latin food done Venezuelan style. El Gran Sabor means the "big flavor" and it didn't disappoint. The cachapa is excellent. It's a fried, doughy, corn pancake with various fillings. I got the surf and turf, which was on special that night. El Gran Sabor is nice find in a town otherwise filled with ho-hum franchise restaurants, and walkable from the Davis and Elkins College campus. The address on the Yelp page is not correct, it's in the 400-block of Kerens Ave., just off the main drag through town (US 33/250/219)
(4)Greg G.
This place seems more than a little out of place in Elkins, WV! El Gran Sabor (EGS) resides in a large old house on a residential street in downtown Elkins, WV. Only a brightly colored sign out front identifies the place as a restaurant. That sign also identifies a bar inside. I skeptically entered ELS seeking only drinks -- I inquired about the bar. Expecting a small, simple bar, I was directed down a hallway. At first I saw a small bar-like room, and thought that was it -- but I was told to "keep going" and after walking a bit more came to the back of the house which was quite large -- that was the bar/lounge. The bar itself would sit maybe 20 people, but the rest of the room was what surprised me. There was a sunken area of the room where they presumably host live bands. There were a variety of instruments, including large "bongo-like" drums (I don't know exactly what they are called), and even a grand piano! I enjoyed some drinks and decided to try their food. The friendly bartender recommended one of their house specialties -- a cachapa. I had no idea what a cachapa was, but the bartenders description sounded good, so I went with it -- I chose a pork cachapa. In case you're wondering, a cachapa is a Venezuelan thing that's sort of a cross between a pancake, taco, and quesadilla. It was quite good, although the pancake-tortilla-like-thing was a little mushy. Maybe that's the way it's supposed to be. I've spent several weeks in Elkins for work and have drank/eaten at pretty much ever place in town -- I rank EGS as one of the top two places in town (the Jabberwok is the other).
(4)J.R. S.
So you're in Elkins WV, the last place you'd expect to find a Venezuelan restaurant. But it is here. You walk in, and think you are entering some one's grand old house. But don't worry, it's a great restaurant, with awesome food. It might seem a little awkward because you're not sure if you should seat yourself, or wait to be seated, but go ahead and seat yourself, they will know you are there. I'm guessing the owners must also live in the large house, because there were some kids running up and downstairs, who seemed like they lived there. Their specialty is the "cachapa", a pancake/taco like dish , filled with meat or seafood. I found it very good, but it is a little mushy with a little too much bread. Instead, I recommend the burritos, which are spicy with just the right amount of bite. There is a patio in front for outdoor dinning or you can eat in the main room. The wait staff is very friendly and helpful, and the service is fast. There is a separate bar and small stage in the back, where you will often find a local act performing. You actually have to walk past a very small (and often unused) bar on your way to the bigger back bar area. There are a few tables in a sunken area in front of the stage, if you want to eat and enjoy the show. When I was there, Blackwater Mojo was playing, which is an excellent local band. So go there, enjoy the good food, and have a few beers while listening to whatever local band is performing. It is definitely a great, local experience, 1,000 times better than eating at an Applebee's, or clone of Applebee's, if you are just visiting.
(4)B K.
If you have 2-3 hours blocked out for your meal, this may be a fine place. If you're expecting prompt service, forget it. We waited for our dinner for over 45 minutes after ordering. Finally, we flagged down the waitress and asked her how much longer it was going to be. She wouldn't give us a time. We pressed - 15 minutes? She revealed that our order had not even been placed yet, and that it would definitely be much more than 15 minutes. No one warned us when we came in that the wait was well over an hour, nor did anyone stop by to check on us or update us during the wait. The only attention we received during that 45 minutes was the delivery of a miniscule salad with gross wilted lettuce and pre-shredded cheese. The woman at the table next to us placed her order at the same time but ordered soup instead of salad. When we finally got the waitress to come talk to us, our neighbor, who was also pissed, jumped into the conversation and said her soup had arrived cold. We were already late for our evening plans, so we left and went to Subway.
(1)Ron T.
We were very pleased with our experience. The wine list is small but good. Our waitress was polite and prompt even though they had no bartender that night. The tostones were very good as was the accompanying sauce. We both had the tilapia fish tacos and were very impressed. The empanadas were also good but more adequate than outstanding. What was outstanding were the black beans. These were some of the best we've had. A definite redo!
(4)Nicole G.
Best place I town for vegetarian food, or cultural food. Get the cachapa and enjoy it with a locally brewed Seneca IPA. Great music, great atmosphere. Service can sometimes be a little aloof.
(4)Samantha C.
I came to Elkins, WV on a business trip and this place was recommended to me. I was excited to go since I have never had Venezuelan food before. I came here for lunch and the place was very homey and cute. The restaurant actually occupied the first story of the house, which I thought was interesting since I've never been to a restaurant like that before. I walked in and stood in the entrance area for a few minutes since there wasn't host to greet me. I continued to stand there until another customer who was already seated said that I can just seat myself and that she believed the place was currently understaffed. So then I just sat at a table and the server eventually came out. The server was very nice and sweet and since the reviews on here recommended the cachapa, I decided to order that with beef (I believe). It was pretty good, but I'm not too sure that I liked the fact that the cachapa was sweet since everything else was salty. However, for 8-9 dollars, the portion was generous and I didn't even have to eat dinner that night. I came back on a different day and order a chicken quesadilla to go, which I thought was really gross and on top of that it smelled weird. I had one piece of it and then threw it away since I could not force myself to finish it. The quesadilla was just so disappointing, I mean Taco Bell's is way better!
(3)Glenn O.
Fine Venezuelan dining in downtown Elkins...who would ever guess. This place is terrific - food, service and ambiance all hit the spot. On a recent visit, fresh picked spring ramps were available for every dish for $1...incredibly inexpensive and very good.
(4)Russel Y.
Outstanding.
(5)Rebecca W.
This place is Awesome!!! The Cachopa is a must have...But everything in there is Delicious !!! Also..the margaritas are great, ooh and try the sangria it is also great!! When we go out to eat this is the first place we think of!!! They also have live music there!! =)
(5)Jim O.
Arrived at about 5:30 and it appeared to be fairly busy. Had to wait an extended time to be seated even though there was space available. Waitress was not very sociable. When we did get seated and ordered our food it didn't take to long and we were served. Food was ok but nothing to rave about.
(2)Daniel D.
Cachapa! This place is amazing. I would make a side trip to Elkins to visit there again.
(5)Nate F.
My first night in Elkins when I recently came to visit an Elkins native, we stopped here for bar area - this review doesn't take into consideration the food or dining atmosphere. I was told that this is the best bar in town, one of the few "normal" bars. First, I love the old house that EGS converted to a restaurant/bar - it's a pretty incredible atmosphere that they have. The bar area was surprisingly large and well set-up, with a sunken area for live music. I got a decent glass of wine, and unfortunately a pretty bad WV microbrew to drink. The female duo on the stage was really fun to watch, albeit a bit loud, making it very hard to talk to my friends. Overall, a great time at EGS. I didn't make it to the other bars in the area, but I can't see them beating the unique atmosphere and fun music here.
(4)Penn C.
Traveling through the area, we went here because we were tired of the old steakhouse experience. Food was fantastic, especially the talapia! Very reasonably price was a bonus too. Go and enjoy!
(5)John Patrick H.
Excellent South American cuisine in the the middle of the Alleganies in Elkins WV. Start with their chicken soupa chuck full of little potatoes and chicken. The hostess claims it can cure even hangovers. The empanadas are done in traditional Venezuelan pancake style, stuffed with chunky flavorful beef or pork. The talapia was light and refreshing with lime, cilantro, diced tomatoes and onion. Yummy! The shrimp quesedillas were perfect. The shrimp was not over cook or tough. I highly recommend El Gran Sabor while staying or passing through Elkins.
(5)Rick N.
Located in historic downtown Elkins in a house that looks more like a bed and breakfast than a restaurant / bar, El Gran is a fine place to enjoy a drink or two, and listen to live music while having some authentic Venezuelan cuisine. The food is good, and inexpensive. The local microbrew is on tap, and inexpensive. Happy hour prices are amazingly low! . The owner is a sax player and music teacher, so there is local live music most every Wednesday night, and some other nights too. No hard rock, but an eclectic rotation of jazz, blues, or bluegrass. Try the chicken soup, cachapas, Mountaineer IPA, steak sandwich, and the fries.
(5)Rob O.
Considering that you're in the middle of the mountains in Appalachia, you have to temper your expectations a bit for Latin food. So, the Venezuelan fare here is really quite good and the prices are outstanding. In addition, El Gran Sabor is one of the only venues in Elkins that regularly features live music so keep your eyes open for interesting local artists playing right in the dining room on a Wednesday or Friday night. The restaurant is run and owned by a local couple. Wife, Derdlim, is from Venezuela and she oversees the kitchen duties. My compliments to the chef!
(4)Corey B.
Was in town to go snow boarding at snow shoe resort and saw this place on yelp. Three of us came at around 8 and were seated in one of their 6 tables in the dining area immediately. The atmosphere was GREAT! Something about eating in a house warms your mood and brings happiness like a home cooked meal. Two kids were even playing around the house (politely and without interrupting us). The service was great! The guy who took our order was helpful and fun. The food was very tasty and I was full from about 3/4 of the meal (el tigre chicken). We got local West Virginia beers and they were very good. After dinner we made our way back to the bar. The bar area had much more of a bar feel than the traditional house feel of the dinning area. There was a pool table and darts and a stage for live music. We came on a Friday night and there were mostly locals in the bar. Everyone seemed to know each other and were all very friendly. Our bar tender was a hispanic woman who made you feel very at home. She was very friendly and even made my roommate a very good made up drink she just called "lemonade" that took a bit of extra effort on her part. She greeted many of the locals with a kiss on the cheek and big hug. The live music this friday night was really fun. They played a wide veriety from folk/bluegrass to blues to rock. The group was two guys one played guitar and sang and the other played sax or drums. I would def recommend! Had a great time. I only wish we had this place in Atlanta!
(5)Eric L.
Service and atmosphere was great. Ordered some nachos for an appitizer which were wonderful, well made and tasty. Then tried the cachapa, which was really good except the bland pork. Ate all the cachapa, left some of the pork behind. Worth a visit.
(4)B S.
Great authentic food. Friendly staff. Live music several nights each week at the bar in the rear.
(5)H. C.
I hate to sound cliche, but this establishment is TRULY a diamond in the rough terrain of WV. Hands down, some of the most superb Venezuelan food I've ever had. The cachapa with pulled chicken was AMAZING...if you don't like cumin, you will after eating this dish. Also, ask for the hot sauce as well. Good enough to drink!!!! For your side, definitely choose the latin chicken soup over the salad. Amazing flavors of cilantro and cumin with tender chunks of potato and pulled chicken. Can't say enough good things...by far, the best dining in Elkins!!!!
(5)David M.
Best craft/micro/local brew on tap in central West Virginia. The food is funky. Strongly recommend the cachapa, which is tough to make. It's sort of a large taco with the shell being made out of a sweet/salty cornmeal pancake. If you are lucky enough that they are doing the surf and turf cachapa, get it! It's a filling of steak tips and shrimp both marinated in different but awesome sauces. Peppers and onions in there too. Best part is the 2 sauces that come with it. The red is garlic and tangy French dressing tasting, which works really well. Green is creamy parsley/cilantro/yogurt/cucumber. Prices are VERY cheap. I eat a lot. I'm full for $12.
(4)Josephine C.
I had the chicken cachapas and it was delicious. Must try if you're in the area. With the lack of diversity in Elkins it's nice to find South American food here. It's a bit noisy inside so I got take out. Note during spring/summer they are closed between 2-4:30pm, Saturday lunch, and on Sundays and Mondays. I had to come here 4-5 times before I found a time they were open.
(4)Eli B.
worked and stayed in Wilkins for a few months in 2014. the food is great and the owner is the coolest dude, puts on live music almost every night. I wasn't a local at first, but Rob made me and my co-workers feel right at home. get the friend plantains!!
(5)A G.
The menu was not specific to gluten sensitivities but the waiter was very helpful in determining the choices and then providing recommendations. My husband had the Cuban sandwich with fries that he said was very tasty, especially the different dipping sauces for the fries. The chicken with salsa, yuca, and corn was also very good. The food tasted like it was freshly prepared and not from a can or box. Would we go there again.....yes, we would.
(4)Kimberly W.
Without a doubt the best dining experience my family's had in a long time. The food is mouth wateringly flavorful, and not just one dish, but everything. We ordered the chicken cachapas, plantains, yuca, and the tostones. Delicious down to the very last bite, and then you order seconds. Also an awesome craft brew selection and fun vibe. Service was fast and friendly. This place is a must!
(5)Anne S.
Yikes! Right out of Deliverance, beginning with the kids standing on the front porch shooting at people with fake automatic rifles. Should have given up then, but tried to get a table. And was ignored. And ignored. When we stopped a waitress and asked to be seated, the waitress looked right at the empty tables in the main restaurant, shrugged, and said we would have to eat in the back. What's in the back? The waitress shrugged again and wandered away. We headed to the back and found a drunk crowd and a loud football game. This wasn't going to work with 2 tired kids, so we gave up. Maybe the food is fantastic, but are you brave enough to deal with the terrible atmosphere and rude service?
(1)Kit T.
A very interesting, well done South American themed restaurant. The service is attentive, the food is prepared well and has some variety. The price is reasonable, and the decor, filling a lovely antique home, is relaxing and pleasant. I will return here, Deo volente, on my next trip to Elkins
(5)Ned S.
Inviting atmosphere, generally attentive service (can be a bit slow when they're swamped, but where's that not the case?), affordable prices, live music, good beer selection, and some of the best food this side of Venezuela. Rural West Virginia is not blessed with a plethora of ethnic dining options, and so this is certainly a welcome change of pace from the standard bar- and diner-fare, but this menu would hold up against most any restaurant in a bigger city. I still fantasize about the pork cachapa.
(5)Pinaki S.
Going here and eating the food just makes me feel awesome to be from here (and where we had our tenth high school reunion-- have events in the back!). The food is fantastic and inexpensive, and the Cachapa with pork was one of the best things I've EVER eaten. Must go here if you come to Elkins.
(5)Joscelyn B.
Absolutely love this place. We normally get the chicken cachapas, which are delicious. A sweet corn bread type shell with cheese and yummy seasoned shredded chicken. The meal comes with black beans, rice, and some sauces. All of it is delicious. We usually order chips and salsa as an appetizer, and the fresh salsa is perfect. Live music is very common here and this is a fun place in the evenings.
(5)Michael D.
Was in Elkins WV (Where?) with my Motorcycle group. Someone local suggested a Venezuelan Restaurant, hidden away near downtown. Venezuelan? In West Virginia? Oh, no... is it going to be a Del Taco?? Saturday night, we made a reservation for a large group, and went off to find it. When we find it, it's an old house, tucked off the main drag. Free on street parking out front. The patio has nice outdoor seating. From the outside, it looks too small to be a restaurant. But walking inside, we discover the place is huge! And it has old creaky wood floors! They bring our group out back to the bar area, and seat us all together by ourselves. Awesome! The waitress, who was a real doll (and is probably the owner's daughter) took good care of us. The owner came out and explained the items on the menu, and we ordered up a storm. Margarita was excellent, and frankly, dirt cheap. The food was WAY better than expected. I had the #4, pulled pork something or other. It was a corn cake with Pork and cheese, and It was delicious. Many of us shared our meals and appetizers. Everything was amazing, and my tab was $10. Seriously. Elkins is fortunate to have someplace this good. In fact, it's far too good for Elkins. Belongs in an artsy college town near me. As always, to keep my reviews fair, I have to point out the bad things. The front stairs are very very tall, especially after that Margarita. Oh, and the waitress refused to marry me. Heartbroken. Five big chrome stars!!!
(5)Megan B.
Authentic Venezuelan restaurant located in a cute little house on a street in Elkins, WV. This is not something I would have expected to come across while staying in Elkins, but I was pleasantly surprised. The empanadas were pretty good, but the pork inside was a little dry and could use more flavor. The rice was full of flavor and the black beans were good The prices were very reasonable and the staff was very friendly. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for some pretty good and affordable Venezuelan cuisine.
(4)Greg G.
This place seems more than a little out of place in Elkins, WV! El Gran Sabor (EGS) resides in a large old house on a residential street in downtown Elkins, WV. Only a brightly colored sign out front identifies the place as a restaurant. That sign also identifies a bar inside. I skeptically entered ELS seeking only drinks -- I inquired about the bar. Expecting a small, simple bar, I was directed down a hallway. At first I saw a small bar-like room, and thought that was it -- but I was told to "keep going" and after walking a bit more came to the back of the house which was quite large -- that was the bar/lounge. The bar itself would sit maybe 20 people, but the rest of the room was what surprised me. There was a sunken area of the room where they presumably host live bands. There were a variety of instruments, including large "bongo-like" drums (I don't know exactly what they are called), and even a grand piano! I enjoyed some drinks and decided to try their food. The friendly bartender recommended one of their house specialties -- a cachapa. I had no idea what a cachapa was, but the bartenders description sounded good, so I went with it -- I chose a pork cachapa. In case you're wondering, a cachapa is a Venezuelan thing that's sort of a cross between a pancake, taco, and quesadilla. It was quite good, although the pancake-tortilla-like-thing was a little mushy. Maybe that's the way it's supposed to be. I've spent several weeks in Elkins for work and have drank/eaten at pretty much ever place in town -- I rank EGS as one of the top two places in town (the Jabberwok is the other).
(4)J.R. S.
So you're in Elkins WV, the last place you'd expect to find a Venezuelan restaurant. But it is here. You walk in, and think you are entering some one's grand old house. But don't worry, it's a great restaurant, with awesome food. It might seem a little awkward because you're not sure if you should seat yourself, or wait to be seated, but go ahead and seat yourself, they will know you are there. I'm guessing the owners must also live in the large house, because there were some kids running up and downstairs, who seemed like they lived there. Their specialty is the "cachapa", a pancake/taco like dish , filled with meat or seafood. I found it very good, but it is a little mushy with a little too much bread. Instead, I recommend the burritos, which are spicy with just the right amount of bite. There is a patio in front for outdoor dinning or you can eat in the main room. The wait staff is very friendly and helpful, and the service is fast. There is a separate bar and small stage in the back, where you will often find a local act performing. You actually have to walk past a very small (and often unused) bar on your way to the bigger back bar area. There are a few tables in a sunken area in front of the stage, if you want to eat and enjoy the show. When I was there, Blackwater Mojo was playing, which is an excellent local band. So go there, enjoy the good food, and have a few beers while listening to whatever local band is performing. It is definitely a great, local experience, 1,000 times better than eating at an Applebee's, or clone of Applebee's, if you are just visiting.
(4)B K.
If you have 2-3 hours blocked out for your meal, this may be a fine place. If you're expecting prompt service, forget it. We waited for our dinner for over 45 minutes after ordering. Finally, we flagged down the waitress and asked her how much longer it was going to be. She wouldn't give us a time. We pressed - 15 minutes? She revealed that our order had not even been placed yet, and that it would definitely be much more than 15 minutes. No one warned us when we came in that the wait was well over an hour, nor did anyone stop by to check on us or update us during the wait. The only attention we received during that 45 minutes was the delivery of a miniscule salad with gross wilted lettuce and pre-shredded cheese. The woman at the table next to us placed her order at the same time but ordered soup instead of salad. When we finally got the waitress to come talk to us, our neighbor, who was also pissed, jumped into the conversation and said her soup had arrived cold. We were already late for our evening plans, so we left and went to Subway.
(1)Ron T.
We were very pleased with our experience. The wine list is small but good. Our waitress was polite and prompt even though they had no bartender that night. The tostones were very good as was the accompanying sauce. We both had the tilapia fish tacos and were very impressed. The empanadas were also good but more adequate than outstanding. What was outstanding were the black beans. These were some of the best we've had. A definite redo!
(4)Nicole G.
Best place I town for vegetarian food, or cultural food. Get the cachapa and enjoy it with a locally brewed Seneca IPA. Great music, great atmosphere. Service can sometimes be a little aloof.
(4)Samantha C.
I came to Elkins, WV on a business trip and this place was recommended to me. I was excited to go since I have never had Venezuelan food before. I came here for lunch and the place was very homey and cute. The restaurant actually occupied the first story of the house, which I thought was interesting since I've never been to a restaurant like that before. I walked in and stood in the entrance area for a few minutes since there wasn't host to greet me. I continued to stand there until another customer who was already seated said that I can just seat myself and that she believed the place was currently understaffed. So then I just sat at a table and the server eventually came out. The server was very nice and sweet and since the reviews on here recommended the cachapa, I decided to order that with beef (I believe). It was pretty good, but I'm not too sure that I liked the fact that the cachapa was sweet since everything else was salty. However, for 8-9 dollars, the portion was generous and I didn't even have to eat dinner that night. I came back on a different day and order a chicken quesadilla to go, which I thought was really gross and on top of that it smelled weird. I had one piece of it and then threw it away since I could not force myself to finish it. The quesadilla was just so disappointing, I mean Taco Bell's is way better!
(3)Glenn O.
Fine Venezuelan dining in downtown Elkins...who would ever guess. This place is terrific - food, service and ambiance all hit the spot. On a recent visit, fresh picked spring ramps were available for every dish for $1...incredibly inexpensive and very good.
(4)Russel Y.
Outstanding.
(5)Paul W.
Forget store-bought tortillas, pico de gallo and melted orange cheese--this is Latin food done Venezuelan style. El Gran Sabor means the "big flavor" and it didn't disappoint. The cachapa is excellent. It's a fried, doughy, corn pancake with various fillings. I got the surf and turf, which was on special that night. El Gran Sabor is nice find in a town otherwise filled with ho-hum franchise restaurants, and walkable from the Davis and Elkins College campus. The address on the Yelp page is not correct, it's in the 400-block of Kerens Ave., just off the main drag through town (US 33/250/219)
(4)Rebecca W.
This place is Awesome!!! The Cachopa is a must have...But everything in there is Delicious !!! Also..the margaritas are great, ooh and try the sangria it is also great!! When we go out to eat this is the first place we think of!!! They also have live music there!! =)
(5)Jim O.
Arrived at about 5:30 and it appeared to be fairly busy. Had to wait an extended time to be seated even though there was space available. Waitress was not very sociable. When we did get seated and ordered our food it didn't take to long and we were served. Food was ok but nothing to rave about.
(2)Daniel D.
Cachapa! This place is amazing. I would make a side trip to Elkins to visit there again.
(5)Nate F.
My first night in Elkins when I recently came to visit an Elkins native, we stopped here for bar area - this review doesn't take into consideration the food or dining atmosphere. I was told that this is the best bar in town, one of the few "normal" bars. First, I love the old house that EGS converted to a restaurant/bar - it's a pretty incredible atmosphere that they have. The bar area was surprisingly large and well set-up, with a sunken area for live music. I got a decent glass of wine, and unfortunately a pretty bad WV microbrew to drink. The female duo on the stage was really fun to watch, albeit a bit loud, making it very hard to talk to my friends. Overall, a great time at EGS. I didn't make it to the other bars in the area, but I can't see them beating the unique atmosphere and fun music here.
(4)Penn C.
Traveling through the area, we went here because we were tired of the old steakhouse experience. Food was fantastic, especially the talapia! Very reasonably price was a bonus too. Go and enjoy!
(5)John Patrick H.
Excellent South American cuisine in the the middle of the Alleganies in Elkins WV. Start with their chicken soupa chuck full of little potatoes and chicken. The hostess claims it can cure even hangovers. The empanadas are done in traditional Venezuelan pancake style, stuffed with chunky flavorful beef or pork. The talapia was light and refreshing with lime, cilantro, diced tomatoes and onion. Yummy! The shrimp quesedillas were perfect. The shrimp was not over cook or tough. I highly recommend El Gran Sabor while staying or passing through Elkins.
(5)Rick N.
Located in historic downtown Elkins in a house that looks more like a bed and breakfast than a restaurant / bar, El Gran is a fine place to enjoy a drink or two, and listen to live music while having some authentic Venezuelan cuisine. The food is good, and inexpensive. The local microbrew is on tap, and inexpensive. Happy hour prices are amazingly low! . The owner is a sax player and music teacher, so there is local live music most every Wednesday night, and some other nights too. No hard rock, but an eclectic rotation of jazz, blues, or bluegrass. Try the chicken soup, cachapas, Mountaineer IPA, steak sandwich, and the fries.
(5)Rob O.
Considering that you're in the middle of the mountains in Appalachia, you have to temper your expectations a bit for Latin food. So, the Venezuelan fare here is really quite good and the prices are outstanding. In addition, El Gran Sabor is one of the only venues in Elkins that regularly features live music so keep your eyes open for interesting local artists playing right in the dining room on a Wednesday or Friday night. The restaurant is run and owned by a local couple. Wife, Derdlim, is from Venezuela and she oversees the kitchen duties. My compliments to the chef!
(4)Corey B.
Was in town to go snow boarding at snow shoe resort and saw this place on yelp. Three of us came at around 8 and were seated in one of their 6 tables in the dining area immediately. The atmosphere was GREAT! Something about eating in a house warms your mood and brings happiness like a home cooked meal. Two kids were even playing around the house (politely and without interrupting us). The service was great! The guy who took our order was helpful and fun. The food was very tasty and I was full from about 3/4 of the meal (el tigre chicken). We got local West Virginia beers and they were very good. After dinner we made our way back to the bar. The bar area had much more of a bar feel than the traditional house feel of the dinning area. There was a pool table and darts and a stage for live music. We came on a Friday night and there were mostly locals in the bar. Everyone seemed to know each other and were all very friendly. Our bar tender was a hispanic woman who made you feel very at home. She was very friendly and even made my roommate a very good made up drink she just called "lemonade" that took a bit of extra effort on her part. She greeted many of the locals with a kiss on the cheek and big hug. The live music this friday night was really fun. They played a wide veriety from folk/bluegrass to blues to rock. The group was two guys one played guitar and sang and the other played sax or drums. I would def recommend! Had a great time. I only wish we had this place in Atlanta!
(5)Eric L.
Service and atmosphere was great. Ordered some nachos for an appitizer which were wonderful, well made and tasty. Then tried the cachapa, which was really good except the bland pork. Ate all the cachapa, left some of the pork behind. Worth a visit.
(4)B S.
Great authentic food. Friendly staff. Live music several nights each week at the bar in the rear.
(5)H. C.
I hate to sound cliche, but this establishment is TRULY a diamond in the rough terrain of WV. Hands down, some of the most superb Venezuelan food I've ever had. The cachapa with pulled chicken was AMAZING...if you don't like cumin, you will after eating this dish. Also, ask for the hot sauce as well. Good enough to drink!!!! For your side, definitely choose the latin chicken soup over the salad. Amazing flavors of cilantro and cumin with tender chunks of potato and pulled chicken. Can't say enough good things...by far, the best dining in Elkins!!!!
(5)David M.
Best craft/micro/local brew on tap in central West Virginia. The food is funky. Strongly recommend the cachapa, which is tough to make. It's sort of a large taco with the shell being made out of a sweet/salty cornmeal pancake. If you are lucky enough that they are doing the surf and turf cachapa, get it! It's a filling of steak tips and shrimp both marinated in different but awesome sauces. Peppers and onions in there too. Best part is the 2 sauces that come with it. The red is garlic and tangy French dressing tasting, which works really well. Green is creamy parsley/cilantro/yogurt/cucumber. Prices are VERY cheap. I eat a lot. I'm full for $12.
(4)