Nice break from larger lunch places. Caribbean feel with Cuban style food. For me: Rating of 4 - would definitely go back. Just not a fan of rice or rice & beans as a side. Side other than fries would be nice, but understand the Cuban style with rice, beans, etc. Spouse says 5! Steak tacos were great, but not a meal for someone with a larger appetite. Spouse had the sandwich and that is quite large. She said it was delicious. I smelled the jerked chicken and it wasn't an appetizing smell to me, but just me. Service was very good & friendly! Multiple regulars passing thru and very complimentary while there. read more

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Homey restaurant that takes you to the islands. Was able to get the classic jerk chicken with coconut rice and plantains. The jerk sauce was on the side for the spicy weary crowd. I felt it could have been spicer but it was nice to add it to my meal as I desired. Service was good. It's a counter order restaurant so minimal interaction with the staff but they were friendly when I was ordering. Definitely was yummy and wanted more! read more

Francisco's Restaurant - Caribbean Near Me - Rochester, Minnesota

Loved this place! I ordered the jerk chicken sandwich and coconut rice & peas. The chicken was deliciously spiced and cooked, and the rice was satisfying. I ordered a ham and cheese empanada for my picky eater and it was a hit!! I ordered ahead of time, as I was over at St. Mary's hospital. It told me it would be ready in 45 minutes, although it was a quiet and snowy Wednesday before Thanksgiving. I decided just to walk over anyways, and checked in with the person at the counter. I took a seat in the dining area and admired the cute holiday decorations. My order was brought out to me after a short 10 minute wait - it survived the walk back to the hospital and was a warm filling meal that hit the spot. Definitely will be back again to try more dishes!! read more

Francisco's Restaurant - Caribbean Near Me - Rochester, Minnesota

FRANCISCO'S Authentic Caribbean, a gem in a sea of burgers, fries and meats with brown gravy poured over them. The key to Francisco's, on the North side of the Saint Mary's Hospital is perfect cooking and seasoning. First visit, my wife and I had the small red snapper cooked escovich style, perfect! The next day. Yes, the next day I had the Jamaican Jerk Chicken, my wife had the Curry Chicken and our guest had Cuban Steak and Onions. Again, cooked to perfection. The coquettes and empanadas, you guessed it, cooked to perfection. "But Ray, I don't think I like Caribbean food." Try it, order the Jamaican Jerk Chicken. Similar to bbq chicken. You will leave thinking, "I like Caribbean food!" PS: The rice, sweet plantains, cooked to perfection. And the slaw, delicious! read more

Comfy and colorful restaurant! I had a cappuccino to start with which was delicious! Then I had a oxtail and curry chicken combo with coconut rice and peas, and plantains, and yummy coleslaw. The con, the menu didn't have prices. I felt like it was super pricey! Service was good. We were not aware of getting charge gratitude tip for a large group at pay so I tip her when I paid. Didn't realize till I received my receipt... Just for future reference that should be stated to costumers when they pay. read more

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This might be one of the best Caribbean restaurants I've ever been to. My husband is obsessed with the oxtails, and I absolutely love the jerk chicken and curry chicken. Everything we've tried has been amazing. The service is wonderful -- the woman at the counter is always so patient and takes the time to answer all the questions we throw at her. The restaurant itself is super cute and always extremely clean. We live in Eden Prairie and travel to Rochester once a year for basketball tournaments, and this place has become a must-stop for us. I honestly count down the days until we can go back. I tell everyone who goes to Rochester about this spot. It's exceptional read more

Francisco's is a delight! Jamaican and Cuban cuisine in a small beautiful restaurant near the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. We had the shrimp tacos, with Jamaican rice and Cilantro rice, respectively. The tacos may have been the best I've ever had, with a sauce that was absolutely delicious! The prices range from $5 for empanadas to $20 for more rare dishes such as oxtail and fresh seafood. Service was quick and friendly, and they have many regulars who clearly love the food! The atmosphere is bright and colorful, with Prince playing when I walked in. They have Caribbean soda and drinks too, which made it extra fun for me since it's hard to find Ting, a grapefruit soda made in the Caribbean, in many places in Minnesota! Check it out if you are in town, can't miss! read more

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Fantastic! We tried their food at the Thursday on First this week, only to return tonight to see what more was on the menu. And I'm in love. Service is friendly and the ambience matches their vibe. I may only be up this way 1-2 times every few years, but every single time you can now plan on me going here. My favorites: yucca fries, jerk chicken, jerk pork, spicy Cuban and lord don't you forget those spicy beef patties!! Why we can't find a place like this in Chicagoland I'll never understand. Maybe one day. Had a pretty lousy day today, so your food and smiles and great service was exactly what we needed. Keep up the great work! read more

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Small restaurant but don't let it fool you. The food is authentic, hearty and hits your soul like no other! Staffs are friendly! Love their oxtail and selection of rice! read more

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Best Jamaican food in all of Minnesota!!! Closet to my mom's cooking!! Wish they had More locations. A must visit!! read more

Great, flavorful Caribbean dishes- my favorites are any of the specialty items as well as the seafood. My kids love their Jamaican chicken curry dish. This is definitely a staple we go for in the Rochester area if you're over pizza and burgers. read more

Very nice spot! Easy to get to and park nearby. Was greeted upon entering and had a great experience overall. The Jamaican beef patty was delicious -- filling was flavorful and the crust was flaky. Ordered the whole fish, steamed, with veggie rice. The fish was flaky and delicious in the coconut broth. Also tried a side of jerk chicken -- stellar! Flavorful and marinated throughout the meat and was very juicy! Loved everything! read more

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Came in for a Jamaican Beef Pattie. I was skeptical about authenticity in Rochester but when I heard the accent of the server, I knew it would be ok. Would love to try the jerk chicken next time. Beef pattie crust was flaky and sweet. Also meat wasn't too dry. Would have loved a bit more flavor in the form of pepper but it was overall ok. Service was relatively quick since I just wanted the patty. read more

Francisco's Restaurant - Jamaican Beef Patties - Caribbean Near Me - Rochester, Minnesota

The food here is made with love and tastes like a dream. The brown chicken stew and goat curry are on top of my list of memorable food anywhere. The flavor profile is present in every bite. The Cole slaw, saffron rice and plantains are the perfect entree match. Jodi and her crew put it all together nicely. I enjoy the prompt service and casual Caribbean atmosphere. I see a lot of take out and delivery meals going into the community. However, it's a fun place to dine in. Thank you Francisco's! read more

Fun little restaurant located conveniently in heart of downtown Rochester. This was my 1st time, and I am excited to rank this as one of my favorite local eats and recent hidden gem. Francisco offers Caribbean food is delicious, reasonably priced, and made by the team with love, laughter, and happiness. Reminded me of Pimento in the Cities. Ordered - Curry Empanada (4/5). Hot off the grill, this was piping hot with mouth watering with a curry that reminded me of home. A 1, 2 biter of yummy goodness. - Pineapple BBQ Chicken with Cilantro Rice, Plantains, and Island Slaw (4/5). Delicious. The cilantro rice was unique and flavorful - something new I never had. The BBQ chicken was similar but slightly different at the same time. Great spot with good people and vibes. Can't wait to re-visit and try other dishes like a nice ol' Cuban sandwich. cheers! read more

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The braised oxtail with saffron rice and the chicken empanadas are amazing!! very cute place with amazing food! Service was very speedy and friendly! definitely will be going back there next time we are in town. highly recommended! read more

The empanadas are to die for!! Would eat here everyday if I worked closer. Everything tasted just like it did when I visited Cuba!! Would definitely recommend the Cuban coffee too. The people were very nice and were very welcoming and fun! If you're in town for a bit I would definitely stop in for a bite! read more

Francisco's is a small joint. Service moves at slow and friendly pace... island time! You'll wait for your food and it is very much worth it. I ordered curried whole sautéed snapper. The pic isn't much to look at but the fish was delish! Cilantro rice was meh. I tried my husbands saffron rice and that was better. Great place, great menu. totally worth a visit. read more

Francisco's Restaurant - Curry whole sautéed snapper.not much to look at but delish! - Caribbean Near Me - Rochester, Minnesota

Yum! One of the best Cubans I've had in MN. Done right with the thinly-sliced ham, thin bread, and firmly pressed. Just the right amount of mustard, pickles, and cheese. Jamaican slaw was delicious but the portion could've been bigger. The chicken croquettes....nom nom nom. Excellent. Dipped in that cilantro lime sauce....*chef's kiss.* Too bad I'm not from the area, otherwise I would return. read more

Looking for something close and good to eat. How's like 15 feet from our Marriott Springhill Suites parking lot?! Yeah, walking distance HA! Tonight was Caribbean/Cuban night in Rochester! We lived in Florida and it has some really good eats! It lives up to it here. Judy got a kick ass spicy Jerk Chicken Sandwich! I got the Francisco Cuban add Pickles! Our lady asked if we liked it hot so she added a Scotch Bonnet peeper sauce authentic to Jamaica Mon! We bought a bottle on the spot. The wife likes heat and it pleased her tastebuds. The Jerk Chicken kicked it spice-wise and was a very good sandwich and she got fried plantains as a side. I like heat but she can handle higher heat than me, we split half each other's sandwiches. Mine was awesome as far as Cuban's go as a house special one. Usually Cuban's are thin and pressed tight. Because of extras it was thicker and the bread suffered a bit becoming loose. More sub-like than Cuban, but still working! I got fried yucca as my side with a cilantro sauce. Fantastic! Eat it in the sandwiches' paper instead of fully unwrapping it. Flavor-wise awesome and solid! They close at 8:00 PM so get there in time! We did! read more

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Very clean, convenient to St Mary's, but the food lacked flavor. I ordered online and picked up within 15 mins. The jerk chicken was good. We ordered extra sauces, and glad we did so, as the rice was a little bland. The jerk pork tacos were drenched in sauce, and it made everything soggy. I fished out pieces of meat, and ate those with the rice, but could not consume the rest - it was literally soupy because of too much sauce. My recommendation for the tacos - please, provide all sauce on the side. The flan was too sweet, and consistency resembled cheesecake. The mango shake was good. read more

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The food is amazing ! Staff and service is top tier! Best food and smoothies in Rochester I wanted a smoothie for breakfast and found everything I wanted and was craving .Plenty to eat if you are vegetarian! read more

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My husband and I went here for lunch on a Saturday. We're glad to have found a good latin place to eat in Rochester! The food is wonderful; we ate passion fruit smoothie, cheese pastry, curry chicken empanada, spicy Cuban sandwich, and Cuban club. The cheese pastry was the best!!! The only reason I subtracted 1 star is that the lady who took our order demonstrated poor customer service toward us. She gave us attitude when we attempted to order and cut us off stating "I'm waiting to finish this catering order." So we waited for a little until another employee told her to just take our order. No apology.. just an eye candy roll. It just gave us a bad first impression. However, since the food is excellent, we will be back.. And hopefully I can change this to 5 star! read more

Francisco's Restaurant - Caribbean Near Me - Rochester, Minnesota

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Great food and the colada was good. Smaller restaurant but has plenty of seating. Staff were nice and patient when I was selecting order. read more

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A surprising find coming to MN. If looking for a little taste of the Caribbean, this place surely delivers! The coconut rice and peas give me a touch of nostalgia every time. read more

On a chilly December day, Francisco's made me feel like I had been transported to the Caribbean! Cute decide, clean, bright with friendly staff. The place smelled amazing and my jerk pork with coconut rice and fried plantains was amazing. This is legitimately as good as anything you would find in Jamaica and I can't wait to go back and try the rest of the menu. Seriously, just go. read more

Round 4. Francisco's delivers each and every time. They are quickly moving to the #1 spot of favorite places to eat in town. I went simple with the jerk tacos again and added fish tacos. I'm more partial to a fresh over fried fish taco, but their fried fish is so good there's not even an inch of room to criticize or pull a "if only they...". I think next time might have to be a move to some of the main dishes (big bites) like the oxtail, but its always so difficult to move off of the things you've already had that have been so awesome you can't tear yourself away. You know what I'm talkin' about. I might have to have a huge "family style dinner" at my place, where we get one of everything and everyone just chows on a bit of everything. Some empanadas & croquettes need to go on the to-do list as well. PS - I missed my round 3 review, it was on a weekend so I got distracted with other stuff. Awesome food as always, but we did have to wait an extra 25 minutes past our pick up time for the order. Now, one can complain about that or one can be happy that a place that (I assume) gets mostly hospital traffic was actually very busy on a Saturday @ lunch, causing a back up. Me? I would rather wait 25 extra minutes, even 25% of the time, vs having this place disappear due to lack of business. All is forgiven once that food hits your taste buds!! Plus, in our "fast food" minded society, maybe having to wait for something once in a while might do us some good. Maybe we all need a little more "island time" in our lives? But I digress... read more

A hidden gem that is a must try if you are craving Carribean Cuban food. Goat curry is so tender yet mild and light even with curry. Can't wait to try the oxtail next time. Friendly service and you can tell they care about their food and service. Lots of love. read more

Francisco's Restaurant - Goat Curry with Yellow Rice a - Caribbean Near Me - Rochester, Minnesota

Carnitas could of been softer. Everything else was amazing! We ordered the yellow and green rice, black beans and plátanos. We were out in Rochester for a soccer tournament and were missing home cooking. Happy to say they came pretty close. read more

Came for a second trip while visiting Mayo and found it to be even better than we remembered. I got the jerk chicken this time, even though I thought it was tacky to get jerk chicken at a Caribbean restaurant- that was dumb thinking on my part. They are known for jerk chicken for a reason!!! It was amazing! My wife got the Curry snapper- also amazing! Little place with BIG flavor. You should make the visit! read more

Francisco's Restaurant - Whole fried snapper, Curry style - Caribbean Near Me - Rochester, Minnesota

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This place is hard to find, but you can actually access it from within the Mayo Clinic by going to the underground level and using the tunnels there. If you're walking outside -- it's inside the food court of the mall, tucked away in a corner a floor up. I enjoyed the stew fish I had here today - it was spicy with a crispy outer skin and perfect flaky white meat. It was served with a few plantains, choice of rice (yellow please!) and I also ordered a Cubano. They asked me if I wanted sugar with the Cubano, which I thought was interesting since typically cuban coffee seems to have some sugar blended in, but I guess they don't want to assume! All in all - a solid place for lunch. I'd recommend Francisco's Cuban Cafe! read more

Closed not sure if they are still in business. Lights out and no one there at 4pm on a Monday when the index said they would be open. Sorry maybe another day??? Need to update hours at the least to save another person a fruitless trip. read more

Best Authentic Food! Love love there sweet plantains. The jerk pork comes with sauce but since it season so well I never need it. read more

Best Cuban food in Minnesota! Definitely a hidden gem. Locate inside the galleria. So glad there is Cuban food in Rochester. This place is owned by a family from Miami, they moved here 2 or 3 years ago. They are great people. Service is fast. I normally get their Steak Sandwich, it is super delicious! Will post picture of that soon. Highly recommend! read more

Francisco's Restaurant - Made with guava - Caribbean Near Me - Rochester, Minnesota

Love this place! Whole snapper is as good as walleye! Add some cilantro lime and that is Minnesota / Caribbean fusion heaven!

Great place. I lived in South Florida for 10 years, and I had plenty of authentic Cuban sandwiches during that time. This place has the best Cubans I have found outside of Florida. The Cuban Croquette sandwich is also excellent. Convenient location for people visiting St Mary's. Parking might be a challenge for those coming into town just to eat here, but the food is worth it. read more

Francisco's Restaurant - Caribbean Near Me - Rochester, Minnesota

Enjoyed the spicy jerk chicken plate with salad and flavorful yellow rice. Very clean and colorful place with a varied menu and friendly staff. Can't wait to go back! read more

Francisco's Restaurant - Caribbean Near Me - Rochester, Minnesota

My favorite place to eat in Rochester, MN. Great fresh food every time! Small restaurant but take out is just as good! read more

Francisco's Restaurant - Even to go the food is amazing! - Caribbean Near Me - Rochester, Minnesota

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Definitely one of my favorite restaurant in Rochester! Best Ox tail and curry goat. You can even ask for mixing them into half and half. Man Jerk chicken with their special sauce, only one bit would take you to the paradise! read more

Doesn't look like much from the outside, but is a gem. Smelled great as I walked past. Very glad I stopped in. Great authentic food and happy atmosphere. read more