Just finished shoveling this food down my gullet and I couldn't be happier.
To set the scene: we live 40 minutes away but I wanted to try El Meson Boricua ever since I saw a photo of their Puerto Rican-style Chinese spare ribs tips. Take all my gas because the drive was worth it. There's a big parking and a clean eating area for those who decide eat their food there.
The young lady taking out was personable and helpful in answering questions. One of the owners, Carlos, offered a sample of their cuajito (stewed pork stomach), something my husband has been craving lately. It was marvelous and I began to have hope this would be a good portent of what was to come.
They have the traditional PR menus but we settled on pernil (garlicky-roasted pork shoulder) and the spare ribs tips. Both came with two sides so we asked for arroz con gandules (rice w. pigeon peas), macaroni salad, and tostones (twice fried mashed green plantains). The total, with tip, was less than $35.
The arroz con gandules is truly authentic. Properly colored and seasoned beautifully. I would've like a little more gandules as well as their flavor, but the rice is spot on.
The pernil was a smidge dry, but tender and seasoned expertly. The rib tips had that PR Chinese flavor of season and a warmly spiced sweetness. The macaroni salad was a little curdled from whatever acid they use but was, as everything else, seasoned to the Gods.
Finally, the tostones were some of the best I've had anywhere. They have a light pillowy texture after you bite through the crispy, almost flaky exterior. They were salted and drizzled with a green sauce that gave sofrito-chimichurri vibes.
Carlos and Lucy are doing the damn thing out of this little truck. So far it's the best Puerto Rican food I've had in San Antonio AND Austin. read more