Stopped in because I was craving a jibarito. I was highly disappointed in the size, lack of meat...all of it. Saddest sandwich ever!! For a whopping 11 bucks...And not even offered with a side of rice! The flavor was non-existent. I attempted to eat it, but just couldn't and asked them to take it back and left. There are SO many better spots in the city to get an awesome jibarito. Maybe their other dishes are decent? Not willing to give them another try.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 2
WHITE KNIGHT
This place is a true treasure! The staff's warmth instantly made me feel at home. The food was exceptional, reminiscent of the flavors of home-cooked meals. The arroz con gandules was perfectly executed, and the acapurrias, jibarritos, flan, and tembleque were all exquisite. Each dish showcased the culinary mastery of the kitchen, leaving me thoroughly impressed. Dining here felt like a delightful culinary journey, thanks to the attentive and friendly service.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Felipe Negron
Food was hot, fresh, and authentic. Service was friendly an fast.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
César A. Muñoz Jr.
I honestly don't understand the hyped reviews. 4 tostones $4.50! 1 order de carne frita $22! "Perdoname, pero esto aquí esta mas caro que un catalitico robao." The service is "excelente" and atmosphere is great, but where are the Puertoricans! I was rooting for this place, but too bad the food is mid at best, maybe awesome "pa' los blanco", but something tells me it's not authentic P.R. food. There is something about the lack of seasoning and flavor that is off. The "Mofongo" literally a dry fried ball in a "pilón", since when is mofongo fried into a ball. Where's the garlicky olive oil to drizzle over the mofongo? "A lo seco!" Speaking of balls, the Rellenos de Papa saved the day♡, they were great, crispy browned on the outside and soft on the inside. Unfortunately, the carne frita was basically hidden under a mound of cold onions. Again, dry. Back to the mofongo; not one piece of "tocino", not even a little cup of "caldo" to get it down, maybe a complimentary small simple lettuce & tomato salad, how about the typical french bread slice on the side, nothing. I guess I'm biased from living in P.R. for 12 years and enjoying "Ponce" here in Chi'. So basically overpriced "Mas o menos" Puertorican food without the true homemade Puertorican culinary swag. Give the dishwashers a raise; too many plates everywhere, literally a plate for every individual item. Yo!, where is the pique!!!?? Nowhere in site, just a tiny cup of some refrigerated mild green stuff. ??$100, 2 adults & 2 kids, must be the economy.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 5
Julie Ghatan
Love that they offer a vegetarian jibarito. It is SO TASTY! I’m seriously so addicted. The staff is always kind and friendly too. A must try!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Isaiah Spears
Cafe Central is a fire place to get PuertoRican food you’d say taste just like your grandma’s food. I definitely make time to go to this cozy
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Michael Ramirez
Food was just like my grandmother used to make. Great service and atmosphere.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pollo, Puerto Rican Rice, Pastelillo
Kristin Sacco
Great food, friendly staff, clean, and quick service! Will be going back for sure.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kinsey Major
love love love this place! the mixtas plate or a jibarito are my go to’s but love trying new dishes every time we go!
The goat stew, lechon, and chicken stew were all amazing. So delicious! They were all very fresh-tasting, moist, and well seasoned.The arroz con gandules was good, and the habichuelas were excellent. My husband and I both thought the Mofongo and Trifongo were pretty dry. The mofongo was insanely garlicky, which I actually liked. My husband thought it was over the top. It did sting the tongue a little. Too bad it was so dried out. It's a great taste and texture to stuff a turkey with, though. The pastelillos de carne molida were good. The sweet empanadas were so tasty and made the perfect dessert. We got them with the cheese. I will definitely return for that lechon, chicken, and cabrito.
Wow! What an amazing place! The staff is really nice and I felt right at home. The food was delicious and just like Mama makes. The arroz con gandules was made just right. The acapurrias, jibarritos, flan and tembleque were absolutely perfect. They taste just like my mom’s. They even brought my nephew a little bowl of arroz con gandules. I felt like I was sitting with family because the waitress was so kind to us.
I don't think I've ever bit into a sandwich and sworn before, but I did here. The meat in the steak sandwich was THAT good. Everything about the sandwich was great. The pastelillo (empanada) was also incredibly good.The atmosphere inside is nice and quiet and cozy. There is also hand sanitizer at the door which I appreciate.I'm very glad I found this restaurant.
Stopped in because I was craving a jibarito. I was highly disappointed in the size, lack of meat...all of it. Saddest sandwich ever!! For a whopping 11 bucks...And not even offered with a side of rice! The flavor was non-existent. I attempted to eat it, but just couldn't and asked them to take it back and left. There are SO many better spots in the city to get an awesome jibarito. Maybe their other dishes are decent? Not willing to give them another try.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 2
This place is a true treasure! The staff's warmth instantly made me feel at home. The food was exceptional, reminiscent of the flavors of home-cooked meals. The arroz con gandules was perfectly executed, and the acapurrias, jibarritos, flan, and tembleque were all exquisite. Each dish showcased the culinary mastery of the kitchen, leaving me thoroughly impressed. Dining here felt like a delightful culinary journey, thanks to the attentive and friendly service.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Food was hot, fresh, and authentic. Service was friendly an fast.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I honestly don't understand the hyped reviews. 4 tostones $4.50! 1 order de carne frita $22! "Perdoname, pero esto aquí esta mas caro que un catalitico robao." The service is "excelente" and atmosphere is great, but where are the Puertoricans! I was rooting for this place, but too bad the food is mid at best, maybe awesome "pa' los blanco", but something tells me it's not authentic P.R. food. There is something about the lack of seasoning and flavor that is off. The "Mofongo" literally a dry fried ball in a "pilón", since when is mofongo fried into a ball. Where's the garlicky olive oil to drizzle over the mofongo? "A lo seco!" Speaking of balls, the Rellenos de Papa saved the day♡, they were great, crispy browned on the outside and soft on the inside. Unfortunately, the carne frita was basically hidden under a mound of cold onions. Again, dry. Back to the mofongo; not one piece of "tocino", not even a little cup of "caldo" to get it down, maybe a complimentary small simple lettuce & tomato salad, how about the typical french bread slice on the side, nothing. I guess I'm biased from living in P.R. for 12 years and enjoying "Ponce" here in Chi'. So basically overpriced "Mas o menos" Puertorican food without the true homemade Puertorican culinary swag. Give the dishwashers a raise; too many plates everywhere, literally a plate for every individual item. Yo!, where is the pique!!!?? Nowhere in site, just a tiny cup of some refrigerated mild green stuff. ??$100, 2 adults & 2 kids, must be the economy.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 5
Love that they offer a vegetarian jibarito. It is SO TASTY! I’m seriously so addicted. The staff is always kind and friendly too. A must try!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Cafe Central is a fire place to get PuertoRican food you’d say taste just like your grandma’s food. I definitely make time to go to this cozy
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Food was just like my grandmother used to make. Great service and atmosphere.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pollo, Puerto Rican Rice, Pastelillo
Great food, friendly staff, clean, and quick service! Will be going back for sure.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
love love love this place! the mixtas plate or a jibarito are my go to’s but love trying new dishes every time we go!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Lechon Jibarito, Fried Plantain, Steak Jibarito, Yellow Rice, Fried Pork Chops, Empanada, Puerto Rican Rice
Food was very tasty ? we enjoyed our
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Yellow Rice, Pollo, Puerto Rican Rice, Pastelillo
Restaurantji Recommends
The goat stew, lechon, and chicken stew were all amazing. So delicious! They were all very fresh-tasting, moist, and well seasoned.The arroz con gandules was good, and the habichuelas were excellent. My husband and I both thought the Mofongo and Trifongo were pretty dry. The mofongo was insanely garlicky, which I actually liked. My husband thought it was over the top. It did sting the tongue a little. Too bad it was so dried out. It's a great taste and texture to stuff a turkey with, though. The pastelillos de carne molida were good. The sweet empanadas were so tasty and made the perfect dessert. We got them with the cheese. I will definitely return for that lechon, chicken, and cabrito.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Lechon Jibarito, Empanada, Pastelillo
Wow! What an amazing place! The staff is really nice and I felt right at home. The food was delicious and just like Mama makes. The arroz con gandules was made just right. The acapurrias, jibarritos, flan and tembleque were absolutely perfect. They taste just like my mom’s. They even brought my nephew a little bowl of arroz con gandules. I felt like I was sitting with family because the waitress was so kind to us.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Really didn't like the food too much.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
i went with my friends and we had a good time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cafe Central, Absolutely, Fried
I don't think I've ever bit into a sandwich and sworn before, but I did here. The meat in the steak sandwich was THAT good. Everything about the sandwich was great. The pastelillo (empanada) was also incredibly good.The atmosphere inside is nice and quiet and cozy. There is also hand sanitizer at the door which I appreciate.I'm very glad I found this restaurant.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pastelillo, Beef