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El Platanero

3.5 (2 reviews)
Closed 11:00 am - 8:00 pm

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2 years ago

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3 years ago

Food o ordered had to much oil I could not even empty it. Plus it wasn't worth the price.

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La Bori China - Chicken wings and fried rice

La Bori China

3.4(57 reviews)
2.1 mi
$$

La BoriChina - Waterbury, Connecticut…read more I saw someone mention La BoriChina and knew I had to check it out. Located at 105 Meriden Rd in Waterbury, Connecticut, this place serves Puerto Rican-Chinese fusion--a combination I've only ever had back on the island. I got up, dressed quickly, grabbed a coffee, and headed out, hoping for some fried chicken and Puerto Rican pork fried rice. The first thing that caught my eye was the drive-through. Around here, drive-throughs are usually just for fast food, so seeing one at a Puerto Rican-Chinese spot felt unexpected in the best way--like watching our food and culture evolve and progress. The building sits on a small incline, so watch your step when getting out of the car--the sidewalk has yellow-marked elevated sections. Outside, everything was spotless: no moss, no winter mess, and the parking lot was free of garbage. Walking in, the cleanliness continues: the front counter is large and brightly lit, bathrooms are to the left, and tables line both sides. It's mostly takeout-focused, but plenty of seating is available if you want to stay. Salsa music played, giving the space a warm, welcoming vibe that makes you want to linger. I even checked the restroom before ordering, and I was impressed--not just recently cleaned, but clearly maintained consistently. Ordering was easy. The employee was friendly, professional, repeated our order back, and handed over a buzzer. From our seats, I could see customers being helped quickly. The only wait was for the food itself--about 23 minutes. What we ordered (with prices): * Pork fried rice with pepper steak - $14.99 * Pork fried rice with pork chops - $14.99 * Garlic fried plantains - $5.95 * Three pieces of fried chicken with fries - $9.99 * Large passionfruit drink - $10.00 * Small piña colada with cherry - $8.00 * Coca-Cola - $2.79 * G100 to-go fee - $1.00 Desserts (ordered before leaving): * Coconut flan - $3.25 * Tres leches - $3.25 Subtotal: $6.50 Food impressions: * Pork fried rice with pepper steak: Rice was grainy (just how I like it) and pepper steak was soft and well-seasoned, though a couple pieces had cartilage. Fries came with it, but sweet plantains would've been a better fit. Rice needed a touch more salt, and fries were soft rather than crispy, though they tasted fine. * Pork fried rice with pork chops: Pork was soft, juicy, and pleasantly large. Well-cooked overall, though a little adobo, salt, or pepper would've elevated it. * Garlic tostones: Slightly soft but flavorful. * Fried chicken: Crispy without being overdone--the crunch was perfect, though could've used a pinch of salt. Portion sizes are generous. Two people could easily share one pork fried rice with pork chops. Drinks: The specialty drinks came from fountain dispensers, like a classic cuchifrito spot, and were cold and flavorful. I was especially pleased to see a fountain Acerola drink--a rare find I haven't even seen at the Cuchifrito back home. Prices were a bit high ($8 small, $10 large), but I'd still get them again, especially the passionfruit. I LOVE PARCHA! Service was consistently friendly. The employee who took my dessert order even complimented my handbag, and everyone behind the counter was sweet--eye contact always met with an immediate smile. Everything looked well organized and well-stocked, and all employees were well-groomed and clean. When we walked out, by the time we got to our car right in front, we could see them already cleaning the tables--talk about staying on top of things! And let me be clear--when I say clean, I mean abuela-and-all-the-Titi's-scrubbing-with-the-hose clean. The kind of clean we do back home. Would I go back? Definitely! The pepper steak was flavorful, and I'd love more. Next time, I want to try the Mongolian beef and grab another round of fried chicken. Maybe not too often--the drive is an hour and 15 minutes--but it's absolutely worth it for a taste of authentic Puerto Rican-Chinese flavors.

The place looked clean upon arrival. There was plenty of parking, but the entrance was a bit…read moreconfusing as it seemed like there were many people at the counter, but in reality there was only one person taking orders. The food was good, though the meat was on the saltier side and the egg rolls were too greasy. I asked for no garlic in the mofongo and requested it on the side instead, but I received mofongo with garlic and even more garlic on the side. On top of that, I was charged $1.00 for the garlic that should have originally been in the mofongo Although the portions are large and can be shared, I found it to be pricey, but I guess that's Connecticut for you. One combo was $15, and the total for the meal came to $55. Egg rolls were almost $5 each, and it was $1 extra for mayo ketchup. Because of the distance, I wouldn't go again unless I'm already in the area, but I would still recommend giving it a try.

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La Bori China
La Bori China - Lo mein with chicken, beef, shrimp, and pork

Lo mein with chicken, beef, shrimp, and pork

La Bori China

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Via Al Paraiso

Via Al Paraiso

3.1(35 reviews)
1.7 mi
$

There are a lot of dishes on the buffet line and it looks good but this place is unorganized. It…read morewas busy when I went. Stood in the makeshift line waited my turn. The buffet offerings is a long line of dishes, so long that there's no way to see everything they have to offer before making a decision. I was only able to capture a small portion on video because I was being crowded by other ppl. There's definitely no time to ask questions and there are no labels saying what the various dishes were. Then when I thought it was my turn, the rude lady started helping the woman after me. Others were helping the ones that chose to not stand and wait but rather just walk up. When a young lady took pity and helped me, I just ordered the chicken soup because I was over the whole chaotic situation. If I wasn't so hungry I would have just left. Then waiting to pay I saw my love, Pernil, at the front of the line near the register. I would have loved to try it but knew I wouldn't get help plus I was over this place. My friend was over it too and just didn't order anything. Soup came with rice. It was fine but nothing to make me come back. My food was automatically packed to go, but I sat at a booth to eat. There are enough booths and tables there to eat, but I don't think they offer table service, at least on this day they didn't seem to. I just didn't enjoy the vibe here. Some of the workers are intense, rude, and clearly dont like their job. I like good customer service and I hate being rushed but the culture here just is what it is.

I had their rice and beans, pork and tostones. It was fresh, fairly priced and abundance in…read moreportion. It's not the cleanest eating area - but I overlooked it.

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Via Al Paraiso
Via Al Paraiso
Via Al Paraiso

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El Platanero - foodtrucks - Updated May 2026

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