Ended up at this little gem after the restaurant we were initially going to in Methuen was closed. It's a small place with around 6 tables. You order at the counter and the food is taken to your table. What a surprise! Puerto Rican food at its best; better than any restaurant I've tried in Boston! We ordered pastelillos (chicken or beef patties), arroz con gandules (rice and pigeon peas), pernil (roast pork) and chicharrones (fried pork). We were so eager to dig in that no pictures were taken...lol The chef came out and asked if we would like try some soup he had just made. I asked What kind and he said "levanta muertos". I won't translate that since it would take too long. The soup was mix of chicken, pork and root vegetables and it was excellent! We were there early but by the time we left people were waiting for tables. There were many people picking up catering orders since it was Three Kings Day. My sister said now she doesn't have to ask my mom to cook! Can't wait to go back. read more

Amazing Puerto Rican dishes! The Rellenos de papa is like a deep fried Sheppard pie in a ball .. but better! I'm glad I discovered it. Beef and cheese empanadas are packed full of juiciness. Can't go wrong ordering the pernil asado. I'll be back for more! read more

Cafe El Camino - C1 Empanada (Half savory, half sweet plantain), Beef & Cheese Empanada, Rellenos de Papa - Puerto Rican Near Me - Plaistow, New Hampshire

Foods good, place comfy and clean. The only thing that doesn't make it to 5 stars is the plastic plate and utensils. The price is pretty high compared to typical Latin foods. We had roasted pork w rice and beans. Beans are fantastic, pork too I am not a fan of the rice. Maybe because I'm Asian so I'm picky w rice. We also had chicken empanadas and guava n cheese empanada which was great too. We try veggie alcapurria my husband likes it I don't. Flan was ok. Overall great experience, we will be back for sure. read more

See all

I was so excited to try this place, and they did not disappoint! We ordered beef and cheese and chicken and cheese empanadas, which were perfectly filled and fried to perfection. My husband got the sampler, mom got roasted pork with beans and rice, brother got chicken wings, and I got a Mofongo with shrimp. There were no complaints at all. Everyone was very happy with their meals and we had food left over. The fried foods weren't even greasy, which is hard to find, especially for takeout. The takeout service was great, which seems to be their specialty as there wasn't much room to sit and eat there. I will say the food was on the expensive side, but I can't think of a place that does Puerto Rican food better, so they're totally worth it. I will definitely be back many more times and highly recommend them! read more

Amazing food and customer service. We loved it!! The host made us feel at home. He offered us a great flavorful soup before put food was served. read more

Cafe El Camino - Puerto Rican Near Me - Plaistow, New Hampshire

Nice, welcomed taste of home randomly found in New Hampshire. El Camino offers authentic Puerto Rican cuisine, which is become rarer to find anywhere. Most places you find today are Dominican or Cuban cuisine, which, if you don't know, there is a difference. The owners are present at the store and are very nice, kind people. If you dine indoors and get a full Meal, a complimentary soup is even given. Overall such a pleasant dining experience: home style, warm environment, great tasting Latin Caribbean Puerto Rican good. Get your arroz con gandules, pernil, empanadas, dulce de leche, tres leches ... everything. read more

Cafe El Camino - Menu - Puerto Rican Near Me - Plaistow, New Hampshire

See all

The place is small in a plaza in the mist of nowhere. $80 for 2 mofongos. Extremely overpriced.

Things I like... - good consistent food Things I don't like... - prices have become outrageous, our family of 5 easily $125 - small seating area - owner got super impatient with my aunt and uncle when they had simple questions about the menu. - ridiculous mandatory gratuity of 20% for dining in. Just to be clear, you order your food from the counter and grab your own drinks from the cooler. The owner stands there and takes your order. Then, brings the food 20 feet to your table. There is no "service" because drinks don't have refills, and you order at counter. Paying the owner $25 to walk 10 feet is obnoxious and embarrassing. I won't be back. read more

This was our alternate choice for dinner, and we couldn't get seating at choice #1. And BOY am I glad we couldn't! This is an unassuming little place in a strip mall on the edge of nowhere. Use your GPS and get here TODAY! Owner was super nice, clearly loves what he does and sharing it with customers. He took the time to explain basically the entire menu, as well as having us try some things we didn't order. Very social, without being a bother. Order the Mofongo. Don't worry about it, just order it. I'm a pretty big eater and he told me "it's a ton of food, you probably won't finish it." I replied, "Challenge accepted." This is, apparently, a pretty common exchange at El Camino. Well, I finished it, only problem is, I was hungry again in like, three days. Seriously! Rib-sticking goodness! I paired it with a Tamarind soda, which was delightful! My bride is far more finicky than me, and she had the same reaction. This will be our new go-to place when we have a hankerin'. Quality, quantity, and service were ALL top notch. AND, it's an alternative to the aoli-slathered cauliflower restaurants currently blanketing the region. Mi casa, su casa, and he means it. read more

Great food and great service. It looks like most of their business is takeout. There isn't a lot of seating. That's the reason for the 4/5 stars read more

Cafe El Camino saved the day. After being told 1 week before my party by another establishment that they weren't able to fulfill my order for my son's first birthday, I reached out to Cafe El Camino to see if I could order 45 empanadas with only 4 days notice. The owner got back to me immediately and was happy to take my order. She also recommended the perfect amount of empanadas for my guests - I would've over/ordered had she not said anything. Along with taking my order on short notice, the empanadas were some of the best I've ever had. We ordered the beef, chicken, and pizza empanadas and they were so fresh and delicious. EVERYONE at my party asked where they were from because they were so tasty. Thank you Cafe El Camino!!! We will definitely be back! read more

Cafe El Camino - a table full of food - Puerto Rican Near Me - Plaistow, New Hampshire

The food in this place is authentic! The service and the people are very friendly and inviting! The ambience is like a modern day Puerto Rico going to a local friend's house to eat! I highly recommend. read more

Good food. Better to do takeout. But, the mofongo With bacalao was great. I would Go again. read more

Was looking for somewhere to eat in the area and this place sounded the best out of everything.. It did not disappoint! I got a combo with an empanada, sweet plantains, and arroz con gadules. We got to try a sample of what I would call Puerto Rican chicken soup, and their churro bites filled with dulce de leche. Everything was absolutely delicious and cooked fresh to order. People were pouring in as we sat and ate. They have their own hot sauce and ranch sauce. Highly, highly recommend. Will be back again. read more

Cafe El Camino - Beef and pizza empanadas, sweet plantains, and arroz con gadules - Puerto Rican Near Me - Plaistow, New Hampshire

Best empanadas I have ever tasted, friendly staff. A bit expensive but worth it! Was new to the area and will def come back! read more

Cafe El Camino is a hidden gem! Our food was delicious, the staff were friendly, and many items are gluten free. We ordered a plate with crackling chicken, arroz con guandules, and sweet plantains (maduros) and then a regular order of the carne frita, which was plenty for two people. My husband also ordered empanadas, which were not gf, and he said they were his favorite thing. We will definitely be back! read more

I could write Cafe El Camino a million love letters and it still wouldn't be enough. The food is out of this world. The vegan options are unlike anything you can get around here. The staff is always extremely friendly and hospitable. The dining room is clean and gives a very comfy vibe, as if your eating at your friends home. Their homemade hot sauce and garlic vinegar sauce is a must have for everyone's home. I love this place so much. read more

Mofongo was the best! Lechon Asado was tasty but loved the spin on red beans with white rice. Tostones were good too. The fried items were prepared to order and came out hot! Only wish it was closer! read more

Stopped here on a whim. The food was fresh and amazing! I wish there were closer to me!

We got takeout from here for a business lunch one day and the next night I ordered from them for dinner. EXCEPTIONAL! That is all you need to say about this restaurant. The empanadas are a must and I think that is what most will tell you. What I will say is I don't think you can go wrong with anything on the menu. The pork was amazing as was the rice and beans. The staff are some of the nicest people you will ever meet. This will be my new go to for Saturday night takeout. read more

Literally the best flan I have ever eaten!!! Cracking chicken and the secret ranch sauce is the most satisfying meal I can keep going back to! Thank you!! read more

The BEST Puerto Rican food spot in New Hampshire, hands down! I travel over an hour whenever I get a craving and I'm never disappointed... Great customer service too! read more

Cafe El Camino - Puerto Rican Near Me - Plaistow, New Hampshire

From the moment we walked in, the service and friendliness of the honor alone made we want to give it a great review. Then, he offered to give us a sample of the Pernil and Arroz con gandules and arroz blanco con habichuels. Both of which were really good. We got maduros, rellenos de papa, pastelillos and even tried some of the crackling chicken. Everything was incredible. And the soup, the soups tasted like soup my mother would make growing up. Everything was incredible. Authentic Puerto Rican food sure. Pa'lante y mil gracias. If you're anywhere near the area try it out and you will not be disappointed!!!! Buen provecho!!!! read more

This was delicious .... very rainy Thursday and we needed something new ... beans and rice, pernil, roast chicken, beef empanada .... the empanada was delicious!!! My daughter enjoyed the beans and rice very much ... the pernil is delicious (only mistake I made was ordering 2 large orders -- but we decided to share with our neighbors ... such a large amount of delicious pork !!!) and are saving the roast chicken for tomorrow .... Plus, the owners are just the nicest people !!! So sweet !! It is a good 30 minute drive from our house (which in yucky weather serjedso I don't know that we will go often but it was soooooo yummy we will definitely return !!!! read more

Cafe El Camino - Puerto Rican Near Me - Plaistow, New Hampshire

Very very happy with the food here. I have to finish eating now so we can get some to go...lol read more

This is kind of a hidden gem, far out of the way, but definitely worth the trip to get there. Amazing food, and the owners/staff are incredibly friendly. The restaurant itself is kind of small so it fills up quickly, but they also offer take-out and there are some picnic tables around the parking lot for anyone who wants to eat outdoors. They have a great variety of traditional Puerto Rican menu items from alcapurias, to pastelillos, to rellenos de papa, and everything is very well done. Definitely a place to go back to over and over. read more

Just picked up and had to take a few bites in the car while the food was hot. Beef empanada- awesome. Roast pork - holy shit! I almost went back in to get more pork to go with the rest of my combo. read more

Yummy fresh authentic Spanish food. Great service and prices too. We tried a few of the more popular items on the menu and really love the chicken and fries! read more

This hidden gem in Plaistow is such a great spot to enjoy authentic Latino food without having to travel to Mass. We ate inside but there are also a few picnic tables outside. The restaurant was clean, bright, and welcoming. We ordered the Family Meal for 39.99 and got the Crackling Chicken, yellow rice with chicken, pigeon peas and pork, two varieties of plantains and 4 empanadas. It was a ton of food and so good! The service was excellent - the staff were super friendly, ensuring everyone was enjoying what they were eating and just happy to be there! So happy to support a local business and so happy we found it! We will be back and telling all our friends! Their sauces were delicious too, especially the hot ones. Wishing success to the business during this challenging time! We want to go again and again! read more

Stop by there today after a nice Motorcycle ride & finally made it, I tell ya the food was excellent just like my mother in law cooks. We had a group of 6 and everyone loved the taste. If you want to try some Caribbean flavor stop by. Jonathan the owner all around awesome guy!!! We will make the drive again for sure!! read more

One of my fav new spots! The staff is so friendly and accommodating especially during this pandemic. My husband and I get take out from here at least a few times a month if not more. I'm obsessed with their homemade hot sauce and chicken empanadas however they have SO much more to offer. Their soup is a fav of mine, tostones, roast chicken as well as some of their rice dishes. Give them a try you won't be disappointed! read more

Cafe El Camino - Cracklin' chicken on left and chicken empanadas on right! Homemade hot sauce alllllll ova! - Puerto Rican Near Me - Plaistow, New Hampshire

Great Mexican food decently priced for New York City. Definitely a place I'd return to!

Best, authentic Puerto Rican food you're gonna find. Pernil is melt in your mouth good. Arroz/carné is sooooo damn good! Empanada has the best crust. I'm so happy this place exists. The owner is very nice and mentioned that they are also available at the local farmers market. Do yourself a favor and just try this food. We drove an hour to get it and I am seriously considering going back tomorrow. I'm telling you, it's amazing. read more

They're really friendly and welcoming. The food is always fresh, and their portions are good for the price. Food has been good, but it doesn't remind me of grandmas food. I was hoping to be brought back to Borinquén, but still not convinced. I also wish they were open more often. Sometimes I really want a mofongo on a Monday night. read more

The best Puerto Rican food made by the nicest people! This is authentic Puerto Rican home cooking at it's finest. Empanadas, roasted chicken, rice, beans and SOUP were all amazing. Run, don't walk, there! You won't be disappointed. read more

Went here yesterday for some lunch with my wife and daughter. Amazing food and staff! Hands down the best empanadas I've ever had. The wife had the Mofongo which I strongly recommend. I had a bite and OMG. Sooo good! We will definitely be back to this establishment! read more

Good authentic food. Give it a try. The owners are very nice and will advise you on what to try based on your preferences.

What lovely people who own this establishment. Warm and generous. The food was tasty. The dessert impressive. Nothing fancy but good flavors and authentic. read more

Excellent food, great service, the prices are reasonable & their sauce is awesome! I found it to be an all around good place to eat.

Delicious food and excellent service. Their hot sauce is incredible and you can buy a bottle to bring home. I'm a vegetarian and they have a ton of options for me. My whole family was incredibly satisfied with our entire experience. This place is a must try! read more