Doing a long turn job in the area. We usually try to go to a different place every week. Our little treat for working hard. We walk in at 11 it's kinda dead. The owner took our order. Super nice like I was one of his family members. Long lost cousin. Andre I ordered the apricot chicken thigh with rice lunch deal. This was very good. Not a whole lot of food but enough My apprentice ordered the empanadas. They were very small. So sad. As we were walking out the owner came up to us and asked if we have been there before. Asked our names told us a nice story ,shook our hands and we walked out. Nice guy I really want to see the good guy succeed. Please eat here! The food was good. Service was great and was pretty quick. Unlike other places. As for the price. It was average. I don't mind paying for good services and good food. read more

Wow! What an amazing experience! Popped in for lunch and was treated to a delicious meal. We tried a little bit of everything and was not disappointed. The empanadillas with flaky crust and favorable filling, the Tostones were fried perfectly and served with a yummy dipping sauce, seasoned rice with pigeon peas, and Yuca alcapurrias made up a delicious and filling lunch. Amazing food, paired with the friendliest and most welcoming customer service, make Carmen's Cooking a must for anyone looking for a top tier dining experience! read more

Carmen's Cooking - Latin American Near Me - Rochester, New York

Had chicken supreme and it was delicious. The server was very pleasant. I will go back.

Culinary delight! The chicken was done to perfection! Carmen enjoys talking with customers and ensures they feel like family.

An amazing family-run Puerto Rican restaurant with freshly made, delicious food. Pretty impressively expansive menu with many vegetarian and vegan options. The menu board is written with care, with all Veg items clearly marked. The vegan filling for some items is a great soy-based scramble, with a soft, moist texture, not rubbery like some meat alternatives. Flavor and texture were perfect in each item. Carmen was kind, patient, and hospitable. It's clear she and her family go above and beyond to share their talents with others, with great care. Looking forward to returning in the future. read more

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Absolutely hands down delicious food. Everything is amazing, so fresh and delicious. Wonderful family who runs this great spot. So friendly and welcoming. Please support this small business, it truly is a gem. Can't wait to come back!!! Yummy!!! read more

Outstanding food. The type that causes you to moan out loud with each bite. 15/10. The tostones are crispy on the outside, soft and sweet inside, perfectly paired with the side dipping sauce. The stew was out of this world and the pernil (pork shoulder) is perfectly cooked. All paired with latin rice that will keep you eating even though you're full. Not to mention, the staff are as friendly as can be. Very local vibe. Will 1000% be back. read more

Had another amazing meal at Carmen's! Ordered a "mama's meal" and got a huge portion of beef that was tender, well seasoned, and too much to possibly finish, along with a good sized side of rice and beans. The owner and the staff were attentive, speedy, and very friendly. My husband mentioned that he was sad that he had missed the "special" from the day prior-- they said that they had some left over that they would give him for free since it was just being used for staff dinners. I had dinner and lunch the next day from my portion, and had a very relaxing dinner with great customer service!! They absolutely know how to treat a customer right!! read more

A boxed lunch was offered from Carmen's through my job for Hispanic Heritage Month and I am so glad that I decided to check it out. I had chicken alcapurrias and pigeon rice and it was great, the seasoning is something that I am still thinking about after finishing it! I will definitely be back read more

This place came highly recommended by a couple of my friends. I can't say enough about how fantastic the food is here. If you are looking for authentic Puerto Rican food, you MUST try Carmens Cooking! It is a family run business and they couldn't be nicer. Daily specials are visible online and change daily... check them out, you won't be disappointed. Yummmmm! If I could give 10 Stars , I would! read more

Very yummy, home cooking five minutes from my house. Hurray. I've never had a home cooked Puerto Rican meal, but I think I had one tonight. The empanadillas (beef and chicken) were crispy on the outside and really flavorful and juicy in the inside. The rice with pigeon peas (a term I never heard before) was delicious. Mac and cheese and arañas too! Carmen and her family are so very warm and welcoming. We will be back. read more

Carmen's Cooking - Rice with pigeon peas - Latin American Near Me - Rochester, New York

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Amazing food and amazing hospitality!! It was my first time eating here. Everything was delicious! Will definitely be back. read more

Carmen's Cooking - a meal in a styrofoam container - Latin American Near Me - Rochester, New York

Run to Carmen's if you haven't tried their food yet, you will not be sorry! Before I get to the food let me start with the amazing customer service we received, the owners are truly some of the nicest people I have ever met. I had some stewed beef and arroz con gandules and it was honestly one of the best things I've ever eaten in my life, so good I had my sister grab me another order to take home. The empanadas were delicious and so flavorful, the rice was full of flavor and not dry at all, the alcapurrias were amazing,...everything was absolutely delicious. Will I be driving back from Buffalo soon just to get more food, yes, yes I will. GO TRY CARMEN'S!!! read more

The restaurant owners are so friendly and there are delicious vegan options! The vegan empanadilla, alcapurria, and tostones were all so delicious. I will definitely be back! read more

Everything I've had here is delicious from the little chicken bites to the empanadillas and especially the desserts! They are all super tasty! And the couple who runs this place could NOT be nicer. They give my little girl treats in her dinner bag and hang her colored pictures on their glass. They remembered our names from our first patronage and I love to support them and their business. As a tip: they are now selling their dipping sauce in bottles so you can have more at home! And you can special order an entire flan cheesecake for a reasonable price on any day. It's my favorite dessert but I always have to call and see if they have any left! read more

It is great to walk in to a Spanish restaurant and hear the music of the island. The food was delicious, true criollo flavors. The owners are friendly and know the customers by name. It is on the main road Monroe Ave, you can park in Brighton Commons. IT is so good to see a good SPANISH!!! restaurant in the area of 12 corners, central location. It is a family run business and Carmen came over and we chatted. The husband was born in the Bronx too he was also very friendly. The booths are clean and the size of the portion perfect.i am so excited to take my husband. They have Vegetarian choices. I had Pernil and it was amazing, rice was perfect. The website gives you all the details of the menu etc. Absolutely LOVED it. Check the hours before you head there. MUCHAS GRACIAS. Jr read more

A welcome new addition to restaurants in Brighton! This is the ONLY place a vegetarian can find meat-free empanadillas - and they are super delicious. My husband enjoyed the Cuban sandwich (with real meat). The pressed bread was crusty to the tooth but then soft in the middle and the pork was tender and juicy. The Flan de Queso dessert was so good that if we hadn't ordered to-go, I would've ordered more to bring home. We will definitely be back to Carmen' Cooking! read more

Carmen's Cooking - Beyond Empanadillas - Latin American Near Me - Rochester, New York

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The restaurant is great! The service and hospitality is AMAZING! You definitely get a family-oriented vibe and the individuals that work here are just wonderful. My boyfriend and I came here for lunch and ordered the yellow rice with beef, alcapurrias, and arañas. The food was great. The portions were a good size, however, you can decide to get a bigger size if you like. Overall, I enjoyed trying out this restaurant! read more

Carmen's Cooking - Alcapurrias and arañas - Latin American Near Me - Rochester, New York

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Great atmosphere and very friendly. It's a family operated business they are there to please. I like it so much I went 2 days in a row.

La comida fue deliciosa y el gente mejor. Lo recomendo. The food was delicious and the people were better. I recommend it. read more

Carmen's Cooking - Cheese flan - Latin American Near Me - Rochester, New York

Delicious! Fresh! I was looking for a warm, easy lunch and this was the perfect spot. The staff was incredibly friendly and personal. Walked me through the menu and provided recommendations. I had a mini-meal with rice and beans and Carmen's chicken - so tasty. Highly recommend!!! read more

I meant to write this last time I was there but it slipped my mind. I was distracted by my amazing dinner. We called 15 min before closing to see if we could squeeze in an order and they graciously accepted. It was so worth it, everything was delicious and the family running the establishment is so nice. In particular I got the salad with the grapefruit dressing and fried plantains on top.... literally so delicious and fresh and the fried plantains should be sold in bags. Also got the empanadillas and wish I had gotten 6+ because they're addictive. Also highly recommend the pudding dessert.......... perfect Please eat here if you love yourself and delicious food.... read more

Fantastic restaurant owned by a sweet, local family. All of the food is unique and delicious, and the portion sizes are huge! My personal favorite is the Chicken-Fresa Salad, which is enough for two full meals for me! My son is obsessed with Andrew's Mac and cheese and says it's the "best ever." Definitely check this place out! read more

Carmen's Cooking - Chicken-Fresa Salad - Latin American Near Me - Rochester, New York

As a pescatarian (fish and vegetables) I was so excited to see a Puerto Rican restaurant with vegetarian options for empanadillas. I ordered 3 veggie empanadillas with a Goya soda that has cane sugar. The empanadillas are to die for. They are stuffed to the max and juicy. I enjoyed every bite. The owners are extremely nice and love to make conversation with you. They truly appreciate your business. I love supporting local and they have won my business. They were sold out of flan on Friday and tres leches on Saturday. Hopefully I can get there early enough to see if their sweet desserts are as good as their savory food. read more

If you get a chance, order the flan! It is a cold custard-caramel explosion in your mouth. The beef empanadilla was filling and perfect. The chicken chunkers had some kick to them, but the sweet sauce pairs perfectly to cool it down. Support local! The owners are very sweet. read more

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A very hospitable staff that was warm and welcoming. Having the person at the register ask his 'Mama' to hand him something gives you good vibes right away. The food itself was solid. I got the mini-plate which includes rice and beans and pork. I left the gentleman at the counter choose pork for me (instead of chicken or steak) and I shouldn't have done that. The beef empanada was cooked to perfection but I like a bit more seasoning to the beef. There was a creamy spicy sauce on the side that was fine but seemed out of place. Maybe I just haven't had a sauce like that with empanadas before. I am looking forward to going back to try some different items on the menu. read more

Came for the Cuban sandwich and was not disappointed. Owner was very friendly and engaging as well

Carmen's Cooking is legitimately my favorite food in Rochester. It is absolutely delicious every single time. I love that it's a family operated business too. They are always so friendly every time I go. The food is top notch. If you haven't tried it yet i really don't know what you're waiting for. read more

Super friendly family business with uh-mazing food. You really can't go wrong with the empanadillas, alcapurrias, and arroz con gandules!

I ate their steak sandwich and it was excellent! The owners and employees were warm and friendly, you can tell that they value every single customer. read more

Carmen's Cooking - Latin American Near Me - Rochester, New York

Wow this place blew me and my wife away. We were on an RV trip and came through Rochester looking for somewhere to eat. We were so lucky to land here. The only problem, we live too far to come back!!! everything was fantastic and we would definitely come back. Carmen and Andy's service was extraordinary and I couldn't help but notice Andy refer to many customers by first name as they came in. The food was great authentic Puerto Rican cuisine and my wife said the coffee was top notch! Would definitely recommend. We even took food to go! read more

I loved the meat and rice special for lunch, only $9 and it's enough for a big meal or two small. The chicken and pork were very flavorful and the rice is addictive with hot sauce! Their empanadas are delicious as well. Nice and friendly family that will go out of their way to make your experience pleasant! read more

The food is absolutely delicious! My wife and I ordered the PR stewed beef with rice and beans . We also added yuca/cassava balls and they were melt in your mouth good. We couldn't resist and decided to cap things off with the tres leches dessert . This was just our lunch too! Anyways, the owner is super nice and attentive; helped answer any questions we had on menu and make recommendations. Highly recommend trying this lovely place. read more

Delicious! I had the mac and cheese with steak and chicken and a side of empanidillas and I didn't find one thing not to love! I will definitely be back soon! read more

You will not find better or more friendly service than at Carmen's Cooking! They will treat you like family and do their utmost to make your experience wonderful. The food is muy fabuloso! We often get the pernil or the baked chicken, with the arroz con gandules (yellow rice with pigeon peas). It's SO GOOD. Salads are great, as well. My husband and oldest son also love the sandwiches. Our youngest son has peanut and tree nut allergies and they will go above and beyond to make sure the food is allergy-safe, as they have a son with a food allergy, themselves! Few places are as wonderful as this place, regarding overall experience. Our kids LOVE the tres leches cake they have one day a week, too. Highly recommend!!!! read more

The food was delicious, however the portion sizes were skimpy. The Cuban had one shaved slice of ham. The pork and rice had about 3/4 of a cup of pork and about a scant cup of rice. They also omitted some condiments I asked for. For the price, I hope they reevaluate their portions. I would like to go back , but not with the prices for what you get. read more

When i first walked in the door i was in love with the aromas of delicious smelling food. the aromas were just the beginning. the alcapurria were the best i have ever had. My husband had rice and beans and stew... also excellent. the service was quick and friendly. i cannot recommend this neighborhood jewel enough. i will be a frequent flier here. read more

Excellent Puerto Rican cooking and friendly and welcoming staff. I had the arroz con gandules (rice and pigeon peas), pernil ( roasted pork shoulder), and their special side, yuca al ajillo (garlic yucca). Absolutely delicious! read more

Definitely try this place. Food is so good. The family that owns it, is even better! The Mama's meal with steak was phenomenal. We will be back! read more

We had some excellent empanadas and sandwiches here when they first opened. Fast takeout service and friendly staff