Great owner-operator who offers catering and special orders if ordered ahead of time. Menu is on social media. Bacalao on some (or all) Fridays. Seafood salad with an olive-forward muffuletta-like mix was ok, texture was a bit tough. Would return to try more items, since one item can't be representative of a whole restaurant. read more

El Pilon Criollo - Outside - Spanish Near Me - Rochester, New York

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One of the best Puerto Rican restaurants in Rochester NY if you're looking for Authentic Spanish food !!

FINALLY got around to enjoying some Pilon Criollo this week for lunch and was obviously not disappointed. Building is super easy to get to coming down Clifford from downtown and I was in and out within 4 minutes right at lunchtime. All employees had face shields on and, while I did struggle a bit to makeout what everyone was saying through masks, I was on my way with a large combo and epanada in no time at all! I went with pork, rice, beans, and a salad to split with my partner and WOW - everything was so flavorful. I fully at the beef and cheese empanada in the car and would recommend this course of action to any hungry traveller. This fritter was fresh and made by hand and stuffed with the kind of queso-y cheese I often find myself daydreaming about. Prices are crazy reasonable for the insane amount of food offered. I can't wait to go back on a weekend for mofongo and a couple of their other dishes on special! read more

El Pilon Criollo - Spanish Near Me - Rochester, New York

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I don't like their food and I'm puerto rican to me it has no flavor. I've taste better puerto rican food in Rochester read more

Delicious, order ahead if you don't want the prefried or hot counter items. So if you want a sandwich or tostones order it ahead The potato ball is delicious, I thought the fried banana would be sweet but it had meat inside. It's mostly a take out joint but there are a few tables n chairs, no public restroom. read more

El Pilon Criollo - Tostones fried green plantains, get extra sauce - Spanish Near Me - Rochester, New York

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They have so much options from mofongo to roast pork. Their lunch combo is a big portion. Their Cuban sandwich was good and crunchy. Next time, I will add cheese and other condiments for my Cuban sandwich. read more

Got takeout twice in a week because the food has been excellent. We always got the large plates for share. Basically we tried many items: pork chop, cubed pork, pernil, rice and beans, mofongo, alcapurrias (banana shaped fritters made of cassava or green bananas and stuffed with meat), tostones, baked beans, and seafood salad (green plantains and breadfruit). Boyfriend said the baked beans were like what you would get at any households in PR. The pernil was tender and moist, though the seasoning may be just salt and pepper. It tends to get sold out quickly. The cubed pork reminded me of twice-cooked pork, perhaps boiled first then lightly fried. They're only open for takeout and masks are required. They've turned the dining area into lines and had stickers on the floor to mark the 6 feet distance. With that being said, Saturday lunch time can be busy. Also if you want to get the specials (mofongo), call ahead of the time. They close at 6 pm and at the end of the day, most items are sold out. read more

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Amazing fast Spanish food. Rice and beans with pork ribs. So good and the price was reasonable.

When things are going wrong in your life, this isn't the best place to come, because they tend to "Pile On". And If they sold crayons, it be "El Pilon Crayola" according to Garland, whose name sounds a bit like Garmin, so I'm sure he'd never steer you wrong. And it's not quite New Orleans Cajun food, otherwise it would be "El Pilon Creole." But other than that, it's pretty awesome here. What to get: Pernil with yellow rice What else: Beef Stew and your mother's immigration card If it were a pharmacy, it would be "El Pill Criollo." Pilon Criollo has lovely everything. Lovely employees serving lovely food at lovely prices in a lovely tiny little new-looking shack-type building in the Spanish part of town. There are plenty of Puerto Rican spots in this neighborhood, but this one is one of the best ones. If it sold dough (and dough boys), it would be "El Pillsbury Criollo." I'm not a huge fan of Res Guisado (Beef Stew) in general, but this one tasted good, and even better the next day when I was starving. But the real star of the show is the Pernil. True to their excellent customer service, the adorable server gave me a little Pernil even though I only ordered a small Res Guisado ($6) because she knew I was torn between the two dishes as to which one to try. If it was a fruit-de-skinning service, or if the wallpaper were coming off, or if it were a sunburn treatment clinic, it would be "El Peeling Criollo." The Pernil was some of the most tender, juicy, delicious roast pork shoulder I've had. It definitely rivalled the excellent Pernil at El Latino (out west of Rochester) and Niagara Cafe (Buffalo). Full marks from me. If guys like Plato and Socrates came here for lunch (assuming they were still alive, I suppose) it would be "El Philosophers Criollo." But that's a stretch. But then so were a lot of the concepts of Aristotle according to Kant, so. I Kant keep making these awful jokes, can I? There aren't many tables to sit at, but they're shiny and clean and the place looks brand new. Actually I think it probably used to be a small fast food chain, something like an Arby's or Wendy's, based on how it looks. Funny how when you turn an Arby's or Wendy's into a family owned business, the same digs suddenly look that much more appealing. And if it were a place that you go to watch sexy people (of either gender) have bedroom play-fights, then it would be "El Pillow Criollo." But considering that "sex sells at a premium", I think the prices would go way, way, way, way up if that were the case. And the prices would not be the only thing going up. So definitely one of the best tasting and best value Puerto Rican spots in WNY, right up there with Niagara Cafe, Sazon Criollo (both in Buffalo) and El Latino (Rochester). I still have one or two to try to complete my inventory. And if it were a place that you go to cheat on your significant other, it would be "El Philandering Criollo." Oh wait, it kind of already is. Okay never mind, papi. Ay, mami. Get over here and try the food and see for yourself how good it is. The Puerto Ricans certainly know how to cook, and my mother certainly knew how to... oh wait, that's not appropriate for Yelp. So never mind then. read more

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First time getting food here and it was phenomenal!! I got a large stew chicken with rice and beans. The portions are crazy big and I will have left overs for days!! The flavor is amazing! I will definitely be going back to try something else!! read more

El Pilon Criollo - a meal in a plastic container - Spanish Near Me - Rochester, New York

I love this place. I rarely get a chance to come to this side of town. I follow their Facebook page and they post what they are serving lunch each day and it varies. I ordered small rice and fried chicken for $5. My fiancé ordered the large rice and beans with fried chicken, it comes with bread and a side salad. The bread is really soft. The food was delicious. We also ordered a potato ball, beef and cheese empanada and chicken and rice empanada. The beef and cheese empanada was amazing. The women that work there are so nice. I can't say enough things about this place. I highly recommend this place if you are crying Puerto Rican food. read more

El Pilon Criollo - large and small portion of rice and beans with friend chicken - Spanish Near Me - Rochester, New York

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So far I've not been disapointed. I have come three times already and the food is delicious. Arroz blanco & pork chops; arroz con gandules & pernil; empanadas, papas rellenas. On Saturdays they have Mofongo with seafood. Only cash establishment. Have a very small parking lot. There is street parking around. read more

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Que sabroso! My wife and I went to El Pilon Criollo for the first time today. The food was so good! And very reasonably priced. My wife ordered the small chicken stew meal and I ordered the medium pernil meal. They were both outstanding and we each had leftovers. The ladies behind the counter were so friendly and seemed as excited as we were that we were visiting them for the first time. They only offer takeout, but what a joy it is to have a taste of la comida puertorriquena so nearby. read more

I have an issue with Puerto Rican restaurants in the US, and my issue lies with the sazon abuse. If you use too much of the stuff, and too little of things that actually flavor the food, you end up with day glo looking rice, that tastes of nothing but chemicals. That's not how my mamma cooks, and that's not how I cook. El Pilon Criollo has a few of those bad habits, but it's not terrible at it like other places that I shall not mention. When I went, I decided to get the yuca, green bananas and bacalao (salt fish). The bacalao they use is not actual cod, but pollock. But that makes sense since cod fish is expensive nowadays. It was still made well and the viandas were a good accompaniment to the dish. I would definitely get that again. The empanada was another story though, the dough was home made (or it looked like it, so kudos), but the chicken was just yellow chicken. Shredded chicken with yellow coloring (Sazon anyone?) It had little else in terms of flavor. Will not be ordering that again. Price and service were great, good team of people working there. All In all, it's a decent place to get some stuff if you're in the area, but it's not at the level that I would go out of my way to visit. read more

El Pilon Criollo - Bacalao with green bananas and yuca - Spanish Near Me - Rochester, New York

The service was bad and the food was worse. Definitely not worth going back the food was super salty.

One of my favorite spots to get Spanish food from. People are very friendly and patient especially when you can't decide on what to get. Parcha drink is the bomb read more

Solid Puerto Rican noms. Not nearly as good as Sabor de la Isla, but still hit the spot. I got a medium order of yellow rice, beans, and pernil. The medium, as at Sabor and other spots, is huge -- but here, it was mostly rice and beans. The portion of pernil I got was adequate, but definitely not as generous. That could be because it was the last in the serving tray -- as I was paying a new, fresh tray came out. The taste was great, though, and the $7 meal was enough to last me for two days' worth of lunches. I see that other Yelpers have commented on how friendly the service is -- that was NOT my experience. In fact, the woman who served me was verging on rude. Would I come back? Maybe. It's closer to my work than Sabor, but I think the drive out there is worth it. There are a few other joints I want to try first, too, before I make up my mind about who's got the best pernil and rice-and-peas plate in town. read more

By far a gem and hidden secret in Rochester bc it's not on Park or East Ave. I promise you will not be disappointed. $5 small will fill you up, $7 medium will put you to sleep, and don't even try the $9 large bc it's a lot. Get the small with yellow rice, beans, and pernil. And get the skin with the pernil, you won't be disappointed. This place is delicious, the empanadas are great, and you won't be disappointed. Enjoy. read more

I eat here all the time! Love the food. The line is always long and damn near out the door . #familyoriented

Am a truck driver from Florida and I've been on the road for a couple weeks and wanted to eat some good Spanish food. So I called el pilon and placed an order and it was delicious thanks to the staff. Very friendly people. Gracias un monton read more

Just there for the first time and it was truly excellent! The fried pork, yuca, rice, vinegar hot sauce and meatballs were excellent. I brought it home and each member of my family was very happy and impressed! read more

Authentic Puerto Rican food!!! The pork steak and the cod fish are some of my favorites, along with their white rice and beans. Their empanadas are simply the best! read more

Clean and fast service! Great food! Love the pork steak and empanadas. Even when they don't have the empanadas they will make them fresh for you in under five minutes. Highly recommended! read more

El Pilon Criollo - Spanish Near Me - Rochester, New York

I love this place trying to get food network to come see them the food is the best I don't eat from anywhere else

It's hard to go over a week without having to eat some delicious Spanish food. I show up to get a small combo but I end up with the medium combo, a passion fruit drink, and 2 empanada's. Absolutely delicious never once have I eaten something that wasn't fantastic. The staff is great and always make great suggestions of what to try. read more

I tend to rate Puerto Rican food a star lower than most because I'm used to home cooking that can't be beat. I like Pilon, it's basic Puerto Rican food without pretension done cafeteria style like many places in Puerto Rico. If you get rellenos de papa (stuffed potato balls). They also have good pollo asado and pernil. The parking is bad but it is pretty close to where I live downtown and is convenient. read more

Authentic Hispanic Food done to perfection is the best way for me to describe this restaurant. Eat in or take it to go, no problem. I love the Beef and Cheese empanadas!!! If you want them, then order them when you walk in the door and then get the rest of your food. They will have the empanadas ready when you go to cash out. Watch out for the house hot sauce, you can also use it for hair removal. It is hotter than the devil's pitch fork and tasty as well. This place serves everything cafeteria style. Walk in the door, check out what they have, tell them what you want, and then watch them work their magic. I love the roasted pork, the baked chicken, the meatballs, and I have a special place in my culinary heart for the pork steak dinner. It will literally melt right in your choppers. The portion sizes are Chicago style generous. I am talking enormous! You can have the $7.00 small side which is like a generous lunch portion., The $8.00 health man, middle of the island, medium size, or the $9.00 large size that is big enough to feed a hungry gorilla like myself. I almost always go big because they throw in a salad and some bread as well. These wonderful ladies who handle the service know how to get you in and out of there toot sweet and they are a joy to visit with. Those hard working culinary kats back in the kitchen have always got something cooking on those stoves back there and the smell of all that delicious food just floats around Clinton Avenue at Flower Street. Almost every time I get out of the car, my taste buds are salsa dancing before I can even get my butt in the door. I really enjoy all of the aspects of this unique restaurant and I visit here often. These guys are not located in the very best of neighborhoods, so you just need to be aware of your surrounding when you come to visit. I eat here often and i give El Pilon 4 super duper stars! Disfrutar! read more

Super cheap Puerto Rican food in a tidy newer building on North Clinton. Stewed pork and chicken are absolute delicious. Pork shoulder is also amazing. It's slow cooked and then deep fried like carnitas, so good. Three different sizes of dinners. I ordered three medium at $7. You get a generous helping of meat, ridiculous amount of rice and beans plus more beans and a simple iceberg salad with dressing. A ridiculous amount of food at an affordable price. read more

If I could give it 10 stars I would. Seriously good food. Clean. Friendly staff. Cheap with big portions. Cafeteria style but wonderful. Can't wait to come back. Drove 2hrs to get here and wish I could come again tomorrow. read more

This is the place to go if you're near downtown and looking for a cheap, filling, delicious lunch. I usually get the pernil but I also love the beef stew which is offered later in the week. For five dollars you get a small which is a small styro container packed with rice, beans, and your choice of meat. You can also get a larger meal with a salad and bread for a few bucks more. Very friendly service and the whole place is clean and bright. If you don't know what something is, they are more than happy to tell you., My husband even got to sample some things to find out what he would like before he ordered. Also, the new building is a VAST improvement over the old location about a block away. I have also tried their empenadas which were amazingly delicious. I would highly recommend this place for lunch, just be prepared to want to nap the rest of the day away after they fill your belly! read more

Staff or owners spreading negativity is extremely disappointing and poor business tactic. Food is sub par. Space too. Sad experience overall. Unfortunately you have to give at least one star. read more

Great Puerto Rican food in Rochester. New location- so clean and spacey! They have a ton of selections. Would have given a 4 star but last time there, for a medium includes rice, salad and meat (I substituted for a boiled banana and yucca instead of meat) and was over charged $2.00. Since I was with a friend who frequents that place a lot, I didn't question it. But after leaving I felt ripped off. It shouldn't be more since I didn't get meat.... It's the little things like this that determine whether or not I will be a frequent customer. read more

Great Caribbean carry out. Reasonably priced, clean, and friendly. And yes tasty too. Warning: Yelp wrongly classifies this eatery as Spanish. It is Caribbean. read more

They need to go to Puerto Rico and learn how to cook food is like got no SOFRITO meat taste like salt and pepper REAL RICANS SEASON THEIR FOOD ON POINT... NO CUERO ON THE PERNIL THE ALCAPURRIAS are made of plantains not banana. The arroz con gandules Please where is the masitas de puerco and the tocino and the green gandules not that black ones I can tell you guys used the ones from the can. I can teach yall how to cook like from the island MANTENGAN LA TRADICION MI GENTE Y DEJEN LA CHIPERIA read more

When I say this place is the shit!! Delicious food the pork is amazing and it's served with a piece of skin!! Their hot sauce is pretty bad ass as well. I live in Buffalo but drive out here pretty regularly for work now and we always stop by. I even know how to get here without GPS now because it's so good! read more

This will be my first lunch stop as soon as I get back to Rochester. I crave this place like every other day. I am currently in a Puerto Rican Food Free Sate. I would say this is the best one in Rochester. read more

I have searched far and wide for a place to get good and authentic Puerto Rican food! And most places let me down. Not this place! I've been a loyal customer since there first location. The food is amazing, cheap and plentiful! I get the pork steak over yellow rice and beans with a chicken patty.. everything is so good! I wish they had the pepper steak more frequently however. The staff is pretty cool also (helping out a white boy such as myself that didn't know too much about the food) it's in kinda a bad area, but don't let that stop you! read more

I've never been to the new location, but went to their old Avenue A location whenever I was in the North Clinton area. Solid spanish food to fill you up. read more

I highly recommend El Pilon Criollo! I wanted to get authentic Hispanic food for my Spanish class and I ordered a couple of the combo meals - chicken/pork and sides of salad and rice and beans. I also got a side order of mofongo, yuca, and beef and cheese empanadas Everything was absolutely delicious, it came with A LOT of food, and you can't beat the prices. The girls in the restaurant were amazing and friendly. I can't wait to go back! read more

The food is ALWAYS on point, the service is ALWAYS fabulous. It has always been once of my favorite places to pick up food when I don't feel like cooking. I highly recommend this place to everyone! read more