Baton Rouge now boasts an authentic culinary offering with the opening of Sazon Latin Grill, a family-owned Cuban-Colombian restaurant that opened its doors in April 2023. Located off O’Neal Lane, the establishment aims to fill a notable gap in the local food scene, particularly for those craving genuine Cuban cuisine amid a growing Latino community.
Owners Daniel Lopera and his wife, Tay Vizoso, are passionate about preserving their family traditions through food. “With the name, we wanted to not keep it to one thing,” Lopera explained. “We wanted to describe a Latin grill because we’re two cuisines.” Each dish reflects their personal histories and family recipes, making the restaurant a heartfelt endeavor.
Lopera, who hails from Hollywood, Florida, has a rich background in the food industry that spans various roles, including bussing tables, culinary school, and restaurant management. “I’m Colombian, and I never thought I would go back to my roots,” he shared, indicating his journey back to his culinary heritage. Vizoso’s Cuban background complements his, allowing the couple to blend their culinary influences seamlessly at Sazon Latin Grill.
Family Recipes and Signature Dishes
The restaurant features a small but dedicated team of five employees, including Lopera and Vizoso as the chefs. They are joined by Vizoso’s younger sister, Arely Miralles, who serves as a server and shares her love for the menu’s offerings. Miralles expresses her fondness for ropa vieja, a dish she grew up making with her family. “Even now, I’ll go back to see my family, and my grandma will call me, and she’ll be like, ‘What do you want me to make when you guys land here?’” she recalled with a laugh.
Ropa vieja, which translates to “old clothes” in Spanish, features shredded beef simmered in a tomato-based sauce with bell peppers and onions. Lopera adds a unique barbecue flavor to the dish, enhancing its appeal. The restaurant also serves a popular Cuban sandwich, made with pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard on pressed French bread.
Another highlight is the Colombian dish bandeja paisa, which consists of ground beef, Colombian sausage, fried pork belly, rice, red beans, sweet plantains, avocado, a fried corn cake, and a sunny-side-up egg. Customers can select two sides from an array of options, including white rice, black beans, yuca fries, and congri.
Sazon Latin Grill also features items that creatively combine both culinary traditions, such as arepas filled with ropa vieja. “One of our arepas has ropa vieja inside,” Lopera noted. “And that’s a big hit. People love that because it’s cheesy and warm with the arepa, and then they bite the heartiness of the meat and the peppers.”
Future Plans and Community Engagement
The beverage menu includes refreshing fruit juices, shakes, and classic Cuban coffee. Lopera hopes to acquire a liquor license in the future to offer popular drinks like mojitos. He is also planning to introduce lunch specials from Tuesday to Friday, along with seasonal desserts as the fall approaches.
“People liking the food and enjoying it—that’s what keeps me going,” Lopera emphasized, highlighting the passion that drives their business. The couple’s commitment to their family roots and culinary heritage is evident in every dish served at Sazon Latin Grill.
Located at 1230 O’Neal Lane, Suite 4, Baton Rouge, the restaurant is open from 11:00 to 17:00 Tuesday through Friday, 12:00 to 20:00 on Saturday, and 11:00 to 17:00 on Sunday, remaining closed on Mondays. As Baton Rouge continues to evolve, Sazon Latin Grill stands out as a beacon of authentic Latin flavors, dedicated to keeping family traditions alive through culinary excellence.
