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    Boriqua Kitchen

    4.6 (157 reviews)
    Open 12:00 pm - 6:00 PM
    Updated over 3 months ago

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    Empanadas
    Joyce Z.

    We came across Boriqua Kitchen outside of the Lucky's parking lot when we were about to do our grocery shopping.  I am always up for Puerto Rican food so even though we already had dinner, I had to at least try a couple of sides like their empanadas and garlic tostones.  Both were full of flavor and the garlic tostone had the perfect crunch that is offset by their addictive dipping sauce.  I definitely need to follow them on IG to see when they will be back so I can try those entrees too.

    Dameon S.

    Fantastic! One of the best empanadas I've ever had. Chicken was moist and crisp. Garlic plantains totally hit the spot. Excellent price as well! Get some extra hot sauce. You'll drink it up!

    Chicharrones de pollo plate
    Nadav M.

    I enjoyed it a lot. The only con is the portion size. I was able to get a plate in Alameda. Nice area to just walk across and enjoy food in the park and find some tables around. The grass is nice too. The menu is pretty straight forward, either a plate or a la carte items. I went with chicharrones de pollo. Very nice and crispy. The inside of the chicken very tender. The rice and beans are in good flavour as well as the plantains. Plenty of plantains which were yum. The rice had nice seasoning; tangy and flavourful. Very chill staff, there was no wait around 4pm on a Sunday. No cash or cards accepted. There's vegetarian plates as well. Next time I'll get the chuleta.

    Maduros
    Dan B.

    Chef Darren continues to deliver some of the best (arguably in California) PR food. This trip, I had the Roberto Clemente and side orders of maduros and garlic tostones. Everything was nicely seasoned and the portions were generous. I'm a longstanding fan of Boricua Kitchen and will continue to support the Bay's tastiest PR food spot.

    The ground beef empanadas.
    Jennifer G.

    Just recently tried Puerto Rican for the first time and let me tell you... It was AMAZING! I ordered the (chefs special) which was the deep fried pork shoulder with a side of arroz con gandules, maduros, and habichuelas. Also ordered the ground beef empanadas, and the BK wings. Everything was so flavorful and deeelicious! Service was great and efficient. Presentation was very nice as well. Location was cool, had some places to sit and enjoy the food. Can't wait til they come back to San Jose! Craving all of this now.

    #21
    Lo P.

    Finally got to try Boricua Kitchen and it did not disappoint. Got the Chicharonnes De Pollo which was fried perfectly- tender but crispy and so flavorful! Apparently this is also Bad Bunny's favorite place to order from when he's in The Bay. The portions they give is good enough for two meals. I'm looking forward to trying the fried rockfish meal next. I'm sure it'll be smackin.

    Ron B.

    Holy delicious treats Batman!!!!!! This place is bomb. The empanadias are delicious the tostones are amazing and OMFG they had Alcapurrias. IYKYK listen up east bay you need to track this food truck down and get yourself some while they have them and they run out fast. Alcapurrias are as Puerto Rican as you get and it's so worth the time to get one. The prices are great and you won't leave wanting. In past visits I've had chicharonnes as well and the whole menu is fire. I can't recommend this place enough. I'm so lucky they park minutes from my place so I can eat there often. Get down here now. WEPA!!!!!!!!!!

    parked at hayward heritage plaza
    Anjelica C.

    i've had them bookmarked for years and finally saw from their instagram stories that they were in hayward last weekend so we stopped by heritage plaza park and gave them a try! was lucky that there was no wait cuz even with only one person ahead of us, the food still took maybe 20 min to come out. the meal overall was satisfying, but the meat was a little dry so nothing to rave about. the thing i did love were the maduros. those i would definitely come back for and maybe try new entrees next time. i got the carne frita special and my husband tried the empanada which he liked.

    Roberto Clemente plate with tostones.

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    2 months ago

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    Darrem L.

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    Darrem L.

    Thank you for the support.

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    6 months ago

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    4 months ago

    Everything here is excellent. My favorite is either the carne frita or empanada. Can't go wrong ordering from here.

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    2 years ago

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    1 year ago

    Delicious food and always friendly service. Happy to have good PR food on the west coast.

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    7 months ago

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    Page 1 of 4

    Boriqua Kitchen Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Boriqua Kitchen

    Do you have gluten free options?

    Yes the #5. Mi Corazon. Rice , stewed kidney beans and sweet plantains

    View All 5 Questions

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    Mama Roc's Puerto Rican & Caribbean Cuisine - Mama Roc's Puerto Rican Pasteles wrapped and ready to eat...absolutely mouthwatering!!!

    Mama Roc's Puerto Rican & Caribbean Cuisine

    4.8(53 reviews)
    65.1 kmEvergreen

    I am still dreaming about them beans! I had the pleasure of trying Mama Roc's at the Salsa Festival…read morein Downtown SJ. And when I say pleasure -- I mean it!! The line was long but thankfully my boyfriend waited in line, so I could go dance. Hehe. But the food came out fast and it was deeeeliicccious. It was so good half way through we had to see where we could find her food again. So we looked her up! The way I would follow this cute lil trailer just for her food. If you have the chance to find Mama Roc's, definitely stop. Definitely get a plate.

    I highly recommend choosing Mama Roc for your next catered event. Her food was so flavorful and…read moredelicious. I was in search of authentic Puerto Rican cuisine for a special birthday lunch at work for 15 people. I thought maybe we could try one or two dishes but the menu she put together was amazing! We had a delicious rice dish with pork belly, Pernil, fried chicken that was hands down the best fried chicken! Clearly made from the heart! The beans were like nothing I've had before, plantains and the beef empanada were cooked to perfection. Her mamagotchu sauce was a favorites by all, a fun savory condiment that complimented everything dish. Rochelle's communication from the beginning was dialed in and she responded within the day to my text and email inquiry. She met us at our budget with generous portions and every dish had so much flavor. She delivered the food with her warm bubbly personality and I'm so grateful we found her through Yelp. If you want a delicious, catered event with food that folks will be talking about for days after, call on Mama Roc! I will definitely be on the lookout for any events she will be at locally.

    Photos
    Mama Roc's Puerto Rican & Caribbean Cuisine - Insanely delicious Alcapurria (Puerto Rican golden fried fritter) made by Mama Roc!

    Insanely delicious Alcapurria (Puerto Rican golden fried fritter) made by Mama Roc!

    Mama Roc's Puerto Rican & Caribbean Cuisine - The delicious and savory filling inside a Puerto Rican Pasteles made by Mama Roc!

    The delicious and savory filling inside a Puerto Rican Pasteles made by Mama Roc!

    Mama Roc's Puerto Rican & Caribbean Cuisine - Beef and veggie empanadas, arroz con gandules, sweet plantains.

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    Beef and veggie empanadas, arroz con gandules, sweet plantains.

    La Perla - My daughter dinner.

    La Perla

    4.2(172 reviews)
    16.6 km
    $$

    The food was authentic and delicious. Served hot and fresh. The flavors were perfect for my wife…read morewho is not accustomed to Latin / Caribbean cuisine or any cuisine that has peppers involved . I was able to ask for some special spices and sauces that made it bring the heat the way i like ;)) The service was on point, everyone was friendly and offered suggestions based on our questions. The ambiance was great! You order at the counter and can sit anywhere. We chose to sit on the balcony overlooking the marketplace allowing us a great vantage point to enjoy some people watching. The plates were large so we were ready for a nap after we finished. We will definitely come again!

    Best authentic Puerto Rican food in the Bay Area hands down! My hubby and I were so happy to find a…read morespot that reminded us of the Spanish food back at his hometown in Massachusetts. Furthermore, the decor blew me away with all the Puerto Rican flags, art, pictures on the wall and bright colors. They serve authentic dishes from Pernil with arroz con gandules, beef and chicken empanadillas, and mofongo. For this visit, I ordered the daily special, which was the combo Pernil plate with arroz con gandules, tostones (fried plantains), and a beef empanadilla. My hubby ordered the chuletas combo plate. All I gotta say is that after I took that first bite of Pernil, I instantly knew that this was not going to be our only time eating here. The Pernil wasn't dry and the skin (the best part) was so crispy, including the tostones. The beef empanadilla was delicious! Not only was the food amazing, the service was excellent! Plus I couldn't stop dancing while eating in my seat while they played Bad Bunny songs. We met the owner who was very friendly and I loved the positive energy that he brought to the restaurant which made our first dining experience such a vibe! If I could give this place more than 5 stars I would. Can't wait to come back to try the mofongo!

    Photos
    La Perla - Interior

    Interior

    La Perla - The Arroz con gandules and Pernil plate with Tostones.

    The Arroz con gandules and Pernil plate with Tostones.

    La Perla - Beef Empanadilla

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    Beef Empanadilla

    Oyo - Oyo Paella

    Oyo

    4.4(1.5k reviews)
    33.2 km
    $$
    Family-owned & operated
    Eco-friendly

    Came for an early Mother's Day celebration on a busy Saturday and had an incredible experience! The…read moreSouth American and Caribbean flavors were so rich, bold, and vibrant in every dish. I loved the jerk pork tacos! The pork was juicy, tender, and aromatic, and the mango-papaya salsa added a refreshing sweetness. I also tried the paella Oyo that my sister ordered which was sooo yummy and full of protein. The small size was more than enough! My mom ordered the oxtail stew which wasn't on their brunch/lunch menu (dinner only), but I really appreciate that they were accommodating to make that dish for her. I've never had oxtail and it was delicious--tender, perfectly sweet and savory, and paired well with the plantains. The other dishes that my family ordered were hits too (jerk pork shoulder and seafood paella). We also tried the ripe plantains pancake Oscar for a sweet treat. I love anything marshmallow, so the brûléed marshmallow cream that blanketed the pancakes was heavenly. It also came with a plantain on top and a few other fruits to balance out the sweetness. Overall, we left full and all around very satisfied. The staff showed us such warm hospitality and came around often to check on us, despite being an almost packed house. The decor was beautiful and the atmosphere had a fun lively energy. With indoor and outdoor seating options, anywhere you get seated is a nice spot. Can't wait to visit again to try their dinner menu items and drinks, and hopefully catch some live music!

    Ceviche and paella were tasty!…read more Service was pretty fast, too. Love the decor inside they have a bar with fun drinks

    Photos
    Oyo - Jerk Chicken

    Jerk Chicken

    Oyo - Mimosa's at Oyo!

    Mimosa's at Oyo!

    Oyo - Paella Oyo

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    Paella Oyo

    Casa Borinquena - Chicken Pincho Sampler plate

    Casa Borinquena

    4.7(74 reviews)
    17.9 kmUnion Square, SoMa

    I went to Casa Borinquena the other day for the first time and WOW I've really been missing out…read more The menu is small but mighty. Everything sounds delicious but the sample plates pack the most punch. I love plantains so having those figure prominently, with delicious rice and plant based chicken, is perfect. The service is incredibly fast and easy, and being at Saluhall, you get to take advantage of other vendors and a full a bar. It felt a little quiet on a Friday night but places like Casa Borinquena definitely make it a destination for me. Go now if you've been waiting. Casa Borinquena is not to be missed.

    Wepa! Casa Borinquena is anything but boring. Puerto Rican vegan food with all the flavors is far…read morefrom your typical mall food. Saluhall has two floors of food options. Definitely go upstairs and explore Casa Borinquena. If you're wondering what Market Street has to offer, duck inside IKEA. There are many seating areas. Yes, in addition to IKEA's viral food court, there's so much more. Saluhall opened with all-vegan vendors but things have shifted back to meat and dairy. Case Borinquena is the last standing all-vegan stall. This is Caribbean soul food and it's so good. If you're looking for a salad or something light, this is not for you. This food will fill you up and leave you wanting more. Loaded Tostones is pumped up with nacho-ish toppings. Served with a thick and tasty mama sauce. I was dunking everything into that sauce. I opted for the side of tostones because I was craving the crunchy plantain. It was crisp perfection! Lulu's Famous Pastelillo filled with vegan beef or chicken was another winner for me. The dough was fried perfectly and I loved the chicken filling flavor. Chef's kiss. Coquito cake is on the menu! If you love eggnog, get this right now. I want to return for the sampler plate. At $20, it's cheaper than a flight to Puerto Rico. Pro-tip: first hour of parking is free!

    Photos
    Casa Borinquena - Some of our menu favorites

    Some of our menu favorites

    Casa Borinquena
    Casa Borinquena - Vegan chick'n pastelillo. Yummy!

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    Vegan chick'n pastelillo. Yummy!

    Doña Aida's Empanadas

    Doña Aida's Empanadas

    4.8(24 reviews)
    10.5 km
    $

    Overall subpar flavors and absolutely not worth the long wait…read more I came across this vendor through a festival unfortunately they are not equipped to meet the demands of event goers. Hopefully their catering is better. Waited over an hour for empanadas, rice and plantains. The food was sadly overcooked, skimpy and not worth the cost. I do think with some operational improvements they may be able to overcome their current obstacles.

    I tried empanadas from Dona Aida's at the Latin Food Festival in San Jose. My personal opinion is…read morethat it provides the best experience when you use them for catering and a reasonable experience when you try them at an event like a festival. I ordered both the crab and Cuban empanadas when I visited them at the San Jose Latin Food Festival. Their empanadas are made-to-order, which is great in theory as you know they are fresh but also resulted in waiting almost 30-45 minutes. The empanadas were definitely tasty but not necessarily worth the long wait. Now I should mention that the festival itself was a complete flop (if I could write a review, it would be two stars)... besides this place, there was literally one other taco truck and a Puerto Rican food stall. There were quite a few people in attendance at this festival that were literally all split in terms of waiting in line between these three places. I'll give Dona Aida's the benefit of the doubt and that they may have just been overwhelmed with the crowd hence the long wait time. However, I should note that I also caught a glimpse of this place at the Latin Food Festival in Oakland (much more successfully put together than the festival in San Jose) and they seemed to be backed up there as well. Once again, the empanadas from here were delicious and had I picked up my order immediately, I would have given a five star review, but it does seem like they are best used for pre-orders/catering rather than made-to-order at an event.

    Photos
    Doña Aida's Empanadas
    Doña Aida's Empanadas
    Doña Aida's Empanadas

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    Boriqua Kitchen - foodtrucks - Updated May 2026

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