This is an authentic Puerto Rican restaurant! The food tastes very close to what my mother used to make. We started off with the Pastel wrapped in banana leaves, Alcapurrias and relleno de papas. I give the pastel a 4.5 out of five. The relleno de papas a 4 out of five and the Alcapurrias a 3 out of 5. Keep in mind I am comparing this to my mother's home cooking. The pastel was almost perfect. The meat as seasoned very well but not as tender as what my mother used to make. The masa was perfect! The relleno de papas was seasoned very differently than what I am accustomed to but still very yummy. The Alcapurrias were lacking in flavor. My son ordered the Bistec Encebollado with Rice and beans and he was so happy that this dish was very close to our family recipe. My daughter in law ordered the Pernil sandwich which she absolutely loved. My son tasted it and said it was the best he'd ever eaten! My husband ordered the Cuban sandwich which he said had a Puerto Rican flair to it. Puerto Rican Pernil is much different than Cuban Roast Pork which is what he is used to as we live in Miami, FL I only had the appetizers as I was not too hungry to begin with but I was able to taste everything and this restaurant is being added to my favorites list! I will be coming here every time I visit my family. The service was quick and very friendly! read more

I was craving Puerto Rican food and had no clue De Rican Chef had a location near Ocean view! Needless to say, I hopped in my car and stopped by. This location is beautiful. I loved how spacious it is and the staff was so friendly. I ordered ahead online and waited less than 5 minutes for my food. I ordered the De Rican sampler and an order of chicken empanadas and everything was great. Can't wait to stop in again and hopefully catch the live band that comes and performs for time to time. read more

De Rican Chef - Puerto Rican Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

My go to place for satisfying all of puerto rican food cravings. Each bite felt like I was transported back to my childhood self, eating my mom's meals after getting home from soccer practice. The ambiance is pristine. The view is pristine. Everything, pristine read more

The customer service is always excellent and the food is amazing! I eat the Chillo Entero (deep fried Red Snapper) with rice and tostones. read more

De Rican Chef - Sampler - Puerto Rican Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

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For us this was the perfect restaurant to celebrate our wedding anniversary on a Friday late afternoon during Its Happy Hour. Our server was excellent and the room was quiet. We sat at the bar. The espresso martinis were outstanding and the seafood trifungos exceeded our wildest expectations. A few beers and a vanilla flan for dessert, and we were done and out the door...as happy as we could be. read more

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Food was great, but waiting so long to get served really took the edge off. Actually heard my waitress whining to another about how overworked she was -- even though it took her 10 minutes to bring me water and take my order. Then it took forever to actually get my food. She brought both the appetizer and the main course together. The place was not full, not even half full. I watched several people get up and leave because they were being ignored. Won't be going back, despite the good food. Just not worth the lack of service. read more

I've been twice. Mofongo was delicious and then got the burger with yuca fries. Very friendly staff. read more

De Rican Chef - Inside the restaurant - Puerto Rican Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

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If you don't like the food here it's because you don't know real, authentic Boricua cuisine. This was amazingggg, the pernil sandwich, papa rellenos, and arroz con habichuelas was BOMBBBB. Service was amazing. The closest I've found to authentic family Puerto Rican food. read more

My girlfriend took me here after I saw they opened up in OV. I've heard of De Rican Chef when it was a food truck, and then when they opened up in VB. I finally got to try it, and I loved it! I ordered tostones for my appetizer, and I asked for the garlic oil to dip in them. I loved them, but my girlfriend thought they were a little thicker than she likes them. I like plantanos anyway, anyhow, so I thoroughly enjoyed them. They are thick. For my meal, I ordered arroz con gandules & mofongo plain (I put some garlic oil on the mofongo instead of caldo), and I had enough for my lunch the next day. My girlfriend got the Cuban sandwich and really enjoyed it. She also had enough for lunch the next day. The service was superb, the ambiance is gorgeous, and when the weather heats up, their outdoor area is gonna be amazing. I can't wait to spend the day at the beach and then get some lunch or dinner from here. What a perfect spot in OV! It's a must try, if you haven't been yet. read more

De Rican Chef - Tostones - Puerto Rican Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

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De Rican Chef OV! OV Resident here! We've been waiting for you and you did not disappoint! I'd been eagerly awaiting the grand opening of for months! The cozy atmosphere and delicious food made for a memorable dining experience. My family and I knew De Rican Chef would be soft opening on Nov 5th. We happened to end up here after my son's volleyball game after 7:30pm. We were impressed by the friendly and professional service from the moment we arrived. We were seated at our table without delay. Although I wouldn't have minded waiting in the plush couch seating area. This restaurant is spacious, with tables not on top of each other. The bar was long and packed with other excited customers. The restaurant mural was an amazing touch, it was nice to see it coming together after noticing the restaurant's artist from time to time painting it as I peered through the windows leading up to its opening. Let's get to the food, and drinks! Fresh and Ahhhmazing! We order for drinks, De Rican rum punch and the coconut mojito. The drink menu was filled with so many choices, I can't believe I forgot to take a photo. The coconut mojito was delicious, it made me feel like I was on vacation somewhere. It was perfect, fresh and not overly sweet at all. Same with the run lunch, perfectly balanced. At the table: Crab dip with malanga chips (plantain chips) Tripleta Sandwich, side fries (pastrami, ham, pork, onions, Swiss cheese) Chicharron De Pollo (Fried chicken and rice) Pastleon (plantain stuffed with meat and cheese) Asopao de pollo (chicken gumbo) The family loved it all! Again the food was hot and fresh, and portions were perfect. The crab dip was crab and cheese, no other fluff or filler. My husband thoroughly enjoyed his sandwich and at one point was caught dipping it in the gumbo. I blinked and my son had completely devoured the pastleon, I didn't even get to asked him if it was good. My chicken was perfectly fried portions, crispy and seasoned lightly. The service was great, I apologize for not getting the name of the waitress but she had mentioned that her favorite drink in the restaurant was the coconut mojito, just like what I ordered. In total we spent about $122 for a family of 4, not bad for my neighbor restaurant I can't walk up the street to. Can't wait to come back to check out other items on the menu. Good job De Rican Chef and welcome to the neighborhood. read more

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Feeling bummed that the place didn't have better reviews but I had a great time here! First off, amazing views of the oceanview and the place was so open and relaxing! The food serving is huge and delicious! The service could have probably been a bit better but it was good since they were just starting! I'd definitely come back for the drinks also! read more

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As a Latin woman I am very disappointed to have to give this new location a single ! I am Huge on first impressions and customer service and I must say that my very first impression of this new location left much to be desired. As a local of the Oceanview District I have been one of the many few local residing Latinas that have been truly anxiously anticipating and awaiting the Grand Opening of the Rican Chef in our lovely community. I did not attend the soft opening but I did pass by on a Saturday Evening... It was pretty early and they seemed to be closer but there were plenty of people inside. Most likely staff hanging out. I knocked on the door a few times to get peoples attention. Just to converse and maybe get some insight on what would be a good day to return when there is a good crowd or if they have a good brunch and I was acknowledged and totally IGNORED! I was appalled that a new business that had acknowledged a potential client would not have the decency to at least address me politely and give good customer service... This may be their 4th location opened but it is no way to run a successful and profitable business. Respectfully read more

De Rican Chef - Absolutely ZERO stars - Puerto Rican Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

I would like to know if there is any communication between the restaurant and the company that handles table reservations (Toast). Yesterday (December 25th), I checked Google Maps, and the restaurant appeared to be open. I proceeded to make a reservation for 4 adults at 8:00 PM. I received two confirmation messages for the reservation, so I traveled from Maryland (over 3 hours) to the restaurant, only to find that it was closed. We had no other option but to go to the Chinese restaurant in the same building. My family wasted more than 6 hours traveling round trip for nothing. We would have loved to enjoy the restaurant, as it has very good reviews about the food. I have attached evidence of the messages and Google Maps screenshots. This is a very disappointing situation. read more

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Great tasty food and Excellent service . Nice Ambiance clean and cool atmosphere. Great Drinks

Freshness of the meat it tastes as if it was frozen and thawed out. It was dried out skin tasted burnt. Such a disappointment. read more

De Rican Chef - pernil yellow rice peas and plantains - Puerto Rican Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

It's great to be able to walk to such a nice restaurant. It'll be awesome when I have visitors because we don't have to drive! The restaurant looks fantastic. I can't wait till summer when the big doors are open and there's outdoor seating. The staff were nice. There were plenty there. (They need more customers) We had a mojito and the appetizer sampler & the nachos. Fantastic! I had the Cuban sandwich. Huge! The fries are awesome as well. I'll be back... read more

The atmosphere and decor are very nice- summer time is going to be fantastic with open air seating! The food was delicious, great drinks, and service was amazing. They are in their grand opening, but overall highly recommend and will be coming back for sure! read more

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I had been waiting on De Rican Chef to come to Norfolk. A little bit closer than the Holland location I used to go to. I was so excited when they finally opened. I have been quite a few times and loved it each time. One week I went three times!! First, the location is really lovely. Beautiful well-appointed bar. That vivid bright green velvety couch gives the room a pop of color. My first experience was trying to see if I can get a meal for $25 or less. De Rican Chef has a $12 Lunch menu that is amazing. I had the Carne Frita with rice and pigeon peas and sweet plantain on the side. One of my lunch buddies had the Pernil Asado and the other had the LS Mofongo with the grilled steak. I had water with lemon. I wanted the lemonade but it was $10 and I have a lemon tree, so that would have to wait until I got home. They were not stingy with the portions. The food was fresh and seasoned just right and we were full when we left. We were able to get a meal for $25 or less! The second time I was there that week for lunch I had the Cubano sandwich, and my son had empanadas and the relleno de papa (mashed potatoes stuffed with ground beef). Once again, happy customers! The third time I went for dinner and we threw caution to the wind. I had ceviche, the De Rican sampler which had beef empanadas, alcapurria, tostones, and fried chicken pieces. I had the Pollo Guisado and my friend had the mofongo camerones - shrimp in a creole type sauce which was so delicious. We had flan and tres leches to end the evening. It was bustling and busy and the vibe was chill and fun at the same time. Servers were great and friendly. I will definitely be back again and again! read more

I've been here on two separate occasions and have been let down NEITHER time. Their food is always out quick and fresh. You can feel the love in the food and in the establishment. The staff both times have been very kind and accommodating , and always saying "absolutely" with a smile. I need yall to keep this restaurant at the forefront of your mind!!! read more

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Just like several other reviews have stated, the staff does a bad job at service and sometimes even completely forgets about guests sitting at tables. We got a table, then a few minutes pass. Then 10 minutes. Then 15+ minutes pass. 0 servers even got close to passing by our table. Couldn't even be bothered to come by to offer some water. We simply walked out and took our money to one of the other spots on the block. Ridiculous. read more

Worst service ever ! We wait 52 minutes of our food our sever disappeared for like 40 minutes we had to go to ask for more drinks to the bar, the restaurant wasn't busy, floor was sticky and dirty all the server looked tired. Food was ok but holland location has better taste. read more

DeRican Chef is my favorite authentic Puerto Rican restaurant! I believe it's one of the very best !!!

My first time ever trying this place and Ive be obsessed since I love rice and I need more of it now .. read more

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Ambiance was amazing with unmatched elegance. Service was great, food was delicious and priced very reasonable. The location is key right on the beach with terrace and patio vibes. Overall very satisfied can't wait to come back... read more

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Second time here. First time we came in late and had drinks and appetizers. Loved it, so we're back for dinner.

beautiful establishment, great music and service. i ordered the alcapurrias & the churrasco with a malta on the side! both well seasoned and cooked. again amazing service from everyone in there. read more

The milk in my coffee was curdled and formed stringy blobs which I spit into a napkin. It was an etremely unappealing experience.

Ambience was good with view of ocean , the menu had choices. I wish I could say the red snapper was good but it was not edible: hard, chewy, like it was over frozen. The sauce it came I was delicious read more

Fantastic!!!! Will absolutely be back!!! We ordered a bunch of appetizers to share... can't wait to go back and try the mofongos!

Very clean and friendly in Oceanview. I have tried the Va beach location a few times was not too impressed but the Norfolk location was awesome and inviting, Will be visiting again shortly. read more

The mofongo is delicious! Their cocktails drinks are so good! I love the ambiance it's a good spot for a happy hour with friends.

The food is fantastic! Their lunch menu is superb! They are fast and friendly! I highly recommend this place!

My Cuban sandwich was living its best life, my dad's Mahi decent, and my mom's sampler... well, let's just say everything on that plate tasted like it had the same sad backstory--overcooked, underseasoned, and questioning its existence. A true buffet of disappointment! read more

Meh. Nice folk but very overpriced. 21.00 for burger and fries. I can get that up the street at Surfrider for 11.00 and a view!

We went there for lunch on Sunday. The server was friendly, the cocktails were tasty and the food was delicious. We'll be back!

Food was excellent! Glad we were schooled on the different sauces. Ambiance nice and great variety of dishes.

Zero stars. For 20 minutes two servers didn't bother to come to my table..Not even for me to order a drink (One even walked past my table twice). The restaurant only had two other small parties that already had their food. The waitresses were standing at the end of the bar talking to each other the entire time. But the host was very sweet. Absolutely zero stars. read more

Wow! Great food (apps: vaso de pulpo with tostones, crab dip with platano chips; mains: bandejo boricua, pastelon; drinks: pineapple margarita, (pineapple cinnamon) seasonal mule), awesome service (shoutout George!), perfect price point for a well portioned meal, and just all around great vibes. Definitely see myself coming back again for more soon :) read more

The food was good the service was HORRIBLE They were closing and i had to track down my server for drinks and my bill.. We also had new people join our party and she had to Go to the bar like the rest of our table. read more

I would not recommend this place to friends or family it is not real Puerto Rican food and the service sucks!! They charge high prices for food that not worth the price or the wait. These people are not personal and they are slow. There are many other real Puerto Rican restaurants that are way better than this De Rican Chef SUCKS! Food trash/service trash. read more