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    La Casita Restaurant

    4.7 (33 reviews)
    ModerateDominican
    Closed 11:00 am - 10:00 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

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    LA CASITA RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Happy hour specials
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - La Casita Restaurant

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    Sancocho
    Kassim C.

    What I recommend: The sancocho As a proud Dominican, I can say La Casita is as authentic as it gets. The food tastes fantastic and reminds me of home every single time. It's one of the only places in Durham where you can find true Dominican flavors, and the sancocho especially took me right back to Santo Domingo. The biggest downside is that the food can take a while to come out and it's a little pricey depending on what you order. But when the food hits like this, it's worth the wait. If you're missing home or just want real, authentic Caribbean food, La Casita is the place to be.

    The Shrimp "Canoe". Very tasty.
    Smythe R.

    Met a friend there at 9 pm on a Friday. They had their phone stolen the day before returning home from the Caribbean, and I had one I was selling. Not a tech person. We met there because it's a good location between houses and work. A bright smile from the hostess greeted us at the door, even though they closed in only an hour. I have been here several times before and only ordered empanadas (which are amazing!) but I wanted more. This is a Dominican place, and my friend got excited because a former work colleague/roommate was Dominican, and they have actually visited the DR. The dining room is brightly lit, very neat and tidy. 2- and 4-top tables, as well as a few tables along a banquette on the right as you enter. There is also a very small bar to your left (maybe 6 seats.) A futbol match is usually playing, closed captioned. It's the only TV in the place. Few on the staff are fluent in English. Everyone on the staff wants to understand you and get you something you'll love. We gringos have horrible language skills, but we tried. I wanted a sampler plate, and we finally got that across with Apple Translate and Google mostly agreeing. (Una plato con una pequeño de todos cosas) It was too late to get anything like that. I wound up ordering something called a Conoa (I think) which is a deep-fried plantain split open (before frying!) and filled with a hearty meaty cream sauce. I got one with Shrimp, but they also have chicken and other flavors. Ten minutes later, it arrived. It was great, maybe a bit overpriced for what it was, but it was late, my friend got their phone, we made new friends from other places, and all learned about each other. Mission accomplished!

    Mango con pollo asado
    Priscilla R.

    So happy this place exists! A little piece of home. Coming from NYC one of the things I miss is plentiful diversity in food options. Another is home cooking from mom. This place is authentic Dominican cooking! The decor is definitely something you'd see back home down to the type of cups they use. Service was good but the English is not very strong which was fine for us and feeds into authenticity of who's making the food. I ordered the mini mofongo, Bolitas de yucca and cheese and a guava/cheese pastelitos. I am not accustomed to mofongo with white sauce and don't love the sauce but otherwise it was good. And the pastelito was delicious and full of cheese (yes that important). My sistered ordered the mango tres golpe which was amazing!! They even had Presidente beers! I also had the maracaya juice (doesn't have milk) which was also good. I will definitely be back.

    Justin F.

    We ended up at this spot because someone claimed there were no Dominican restaurants in the area. Boy, did this place prove them wrong! The restaurant is decorated in a fun, colorful way, complete with Dominican flags and paintings. Our waitress seemed to know little English, or perhaps she just found it easier speaking with the Spanish speakers in our group. Either way, I had no trouble placing my order. I ordered the Large Boca Chica Fish, and when everything arrived, there was absolutely no disappointment. Everything tasted amazing with excellent flavor. I was told it was authentic to the food back home in the DR, but all I know for sure is that it was good to the last bite. I could eat here a hundred more times, and I probably will!

    Camarofongo - Classic Mofongo topped with shrimp and butter garlic sauce. Muy Delicioso!
    Scott G.

    If you are near Duke University, you need to check this place out. It's a very quaint, highly stylized little Latin restaurant with surprisingly excellent food. The atmosphere is friendly, but there were not many patrons (I was the only one). The music was light Latino, not unpleasant at all. The waitress was very friendly and attentive - and I got to practice my Spanish which was rusty at best. I ordered Camarofongo - their take on Mofongo con camarones, a Dominican/Puerto Rican dish made with garlicky mashed plantains mixed with pork, topped with shrimp and a delicious white butter sauce. It was very good, and reminded me of a long ago vacation in San Juan, Puerto Rico. That plus a couple of cold Negra Modelo's left me feeling full and satisfied. I highly recommend La Casita restaurant. You won't be disappointed!

    They bring your check to the table in this little casita with candy inside. Nice Touch
    Shelley B.

    Good Food, Great Service, Nice Ambiance ‼ Our Servicer was great and the restaurant was empty, but the food was hot and fresh. Presentation was nice. I had the red snapper, my wife had the beef, flavorful but a little tuff, my daughter had the chicharon de pollo, good pick, an also the empanadas were good . And the prices were good too. All around great experience

    Spicy Oxtail
    Christi N.

    Ohhhh buckle up, because La Casita's spicy oxtail stew deserves a standing ovation, a slow clap, AND maybe a small parade down Main Street. Here's the vibe: Walking into La Casita in Durham feels like stepping into someone's abuela's kitchen--warm, lively, and full of aromas that make your stomach do that little "hey there..." shimmy. But the real star of the show? The spicy oxtail stew. My goodness. The bowl arrives looking innocent enough... until the steam hits your face and whispers, "Hope you stretched first." The broth is deep, rich, and full of that slow-simmer magic that only happens when someone is cooking with both patience and ancestral approval. The heat isn't a slap--it's a perfectly choreographed dance: a little tease, a little tingle, and then a warm, flavorful hug that says "don't worry, I've got you." The oxtail itself? Fall-off-the-bone tender. Like, don't even bother with a knife tender. It's the kind of meat that makes you pause mid-bite to reflect on your life choices and wonder why you haven't been here sooner. The spices are layered so thoughtfully you'd think someone with a PhD in Flavor designed it. The best part is how everything plays together--spicy, savory, slightly smoky, all soaking into whatever carb vessel you've chosen: rice, plantains, tortillas... honestly, I'd pour it over a flip-flop and still be delighted. If comfort food and bold flavor had a baby, and that baby grew up to be a fearless overachiever who aces every test, it would be this stew. Final verdict: La Casita's spicy oxtail stew isn't just a dish--it's an experience. A flavorful, fiery, soul-warming experience that will have you planning your next visit before you've even finished the bowl. If you're in Durham and you skip it? I'm not saying it's a crime... but it should be.

    Arroz con habichuela y carne asada
    Christina B.

    La ubicación del restaurante engaña por que por dentro está muy bello y bien cuidado. Vine con mi familia por primera vez y quedé encantada con el jugo de chinola y la habichuela definitivamente volveré!! Me gusto mucho la energía de la chica que nos atendió. Bien tranquila y paciente! Whoever is managing this location Keep it up yall doing amazing!!

    Fried Chicken Lunch order with red beans and rice, cabbage salad and a side of tostones.
    Johnnie W.

    C'mon Durham, why aren't you all at this place?!?!? Walked in on a Thursday at 1pm and it was empty. Boy was I glad I stopped here. The young lady attending me was very nice, polite, and had a great smile. She recommended the lunch portion of fried chicken, to which I added an order of tostones and a beef empanada as an appetizer. Everything was SOOOOO delicious. The fried chicken was flavorful, juicy, hot and crispy. The beans on the rice were phenomenal. Washed it all down with a cup of mango juice. Don't walk, RUN to this little gem in Durham. The food is incredible!

    Travis T.

    The food was delicious especially the chicken stew with rice and black beans since the chicken was tender and flavorful. Overall, it's a hidden gem for Dominican food in the Durham-Raleigh area.

    Pollo / Chicken
    Katharine B.

    I forgot to post from the last time we were here. The empanadas are the best! We got ham and cheese and they are really some of the best we have had. We always get our orders to go but we have enjoyed the morir soñando juices, empanadas and rice and chicken dishes. We saw there was a special for Dominican Independence Day so we git the dinner platter. Prices are reasonable and staff is friendly.

    Marianny M.

    Great food and drinks. This is authentic Dominican food. You must try. Customer service is great.

    Chicharron de pollo, frijoles, arroz, maduros
    Tom M.

    Extensive menu, cozy ambiance, friendly service. Everything at other tables looked amazing. My chicharron de pollo with rice, beans, and maduros was expertly prepared, fresh and delicious. Can't wait to return.

    Inside Vibe

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    9 months ago

    From el patio to Durham! Authentic Dominican food. Very traditional, nice people, and tasty.

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    1 year ago

    Excellent experience all around -- good food, outstanding service, comfortable atmosphere. Will dine here again when visiting Idyllwild.

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    2 years ago

    The chicken was extremely dry! I ordered the roasted chicken and rice and beans. I wasted my money!

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    2 years ago

    La comida deliciosa y Un sabor tipico dominicano.Buen servicio y un ambiente agradable.

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    Ask the Community - La Casita Restaurant

    Luna Rotisserie and Empanadas - Pollo a La Brasa / Crispy Yuca Frites / Maduro

    Luna Rotisserie and Empanadas

    4.3(691 reviews)
    2.5 mi
    $$

    Came here after the Durham Farmers Market with a friend and wow this place was a surprise. …read more I went with the grain bowl and honestly it is one of the best I have had in downtown Durham. It is built on quinoa and rice with black beans and kale, then layered with corn salsa, tomato cortido, guacamole, and a creamy acevichado style sauce that pulls everything together. It is finished with a crunchy mix of pepitas, nuts, and grains. The balance is quite ideal in my view. My friend had the rotisserie chicken with two sides, kale and slaw, and it was just as impressive. Crispy skin, juicy inside, and really clean flavors. Simple food done right and GF friendly. Everything felt thoughtfully prepared. Prices land right where you would expect for the quality, roughly 16 to 21 dollars depending on what you order, and it feels worth it. My bowl plus side of dark chicken was plenty. A few notes. Parking is what you would expect for downtown, so plan accordingly. Service was solid and friendly, but nothing that stood out. The vibe inside is festive and relaxed, bright and open, and just a fun place to hang out for lunch. Porbably not a special occasion. I also suspect it could get loud when full. This is definitely going into my regular rotation. That grain bowl is going to be hard to pass up next time, so instead of replacing it I will probably just add a side or an empanada and start working my way through the rest of the menu.

    This place was amazing. We tried both the brisket and chicken sandwich, and they did not…read moredisappoint. We also shared a potato empanada that was recommended by another customer, which was also fantastic. The yuca fries and plantains were delicious. You also get a large amount of food for the price, definitely left us feeling satiated. Staff was very friendly, we will be back!

    Photos
    Luna Rotisserie and Empanadas - The main area

    The main area

    Luna Rotisserie and Empanadas - Patacón

    Patacón

    Luna Rotisserie and Empanadas - Sangria

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    Sangria

    Carmen's Cuban Cafe & Lounge

    Carmen's Cuban Cafe & Lounge

    4.1(558 reviews)
    12.8 mi
    $$

    We came here on a Wednesday night for dinner. They start by providing complimentary bread. It was…read morereally good. It was nice and buttered and toasted perfectly. We started with the empanadas, which were excellent. We had one beef and one chicken. The beef was nicely seasoned and had potato's on the inside as well. For our main entrees we had the bistec de pollo with yellow rice and plantains. We also had the lechón asado with moros and plantains. The moros is the Cuban version of dirty rice and it was very delicious. The plantains were golden, soft and prepared so good. The chicken and pork were tender and good. The servers were really nice as well. Great experience.

    I've been craving Cuban food for a while. It's been about 4 years since I've been. To Miami and…read moreenjoyed the cuisine. I specifically sought out this place after researching Cuban food in the triangle. It's right conveniently just off of the highway tucked away in a small shopping center. I was greeted upon entry and seated immediately. The space is open and a bit dark with minimal decor. The server that assisted me was friendly and attentive. He came over with water and took my order. The Ropa Vieja is my go-to Cuban dish. It feels like a warm hug. It's comfort food, but it's not too heavy. It's skirt steak slow cooked in a tomato sauce with peppers and onions. The entrees come with 3 sides. I ordered the Moros( rice and black beans) and maduros. The meat was tender and savory. It wasn't seasoned as well as I've had it before, but it was still enjoyable. The diet coke that I ordered wasn't as carbonated as I would have liked. Overall a great meal. Next time I go back, I might try something different and order a cocktail.

    Photos
    Carmen's Cuban Cafe & Lounge
    Carmen's Cuban Cafe & Lounge - Lechon Asado

    Lechon Asado

    Carmen's Cuban Cafe & Lounge - Café con leche

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    Café con leche

    Spanglish - Jack fruit Cuban sandwich

    Spanglish

    4.1(27 reviews)
    23.9 mi
    $$

    Was hanging out in Durham and decided to check out this spot. I got the vegetarian Cuban sandwich…read morewhich I have not seen at many other places and the yuca fries. The sandwich itself was okay. Was very salty and the flavor seemed off slightly but overall decent. The yuca fries were a good choice with the dipping sauce that comes with it. The space inside is spacious with plenty of seats when we went. The staff is friendly and helpful with any questions you may have. You can also order online to go. For parking, you can park on the street or deck parking. Prices were slightly higher than expected but appropriate for downtown Durham. Overall, a cool restaurant with a variety of options. Unsure if I will come back but recommend trying it if you are in the area.

    Cool way to celebrate a birthday.... Have a food truck cater the party! The Spanglish crew served…read moreup some delicious Latin cuisine. Started with the pernil mallorca melt... mouthwatering pork roast, slow-cooked & fork tender, on sweet-ish mallorca bread with melted cheese and a spoonful or two of the pork juices. Excellent. Next, a Cuban sandwich. The same pork roast, this time with as slice of ham, Swiss cheese and sliced pickles, slathered with mustard on pressed mallorca bread. A great rendition of a Tampa-style Cuban but missing that Cuban bread. Also tried a trio of empanadas. The beef is a hearty mix of chunky beef, well spiced, juicy and tender. The chicken is chunks of white meat, with slivers of carrots and other vegetables. A little more bland than the beef, but still flavorful, moist and tender. Each was ensconsed in a traditional half moon pastry and fried deep, golden brown. Not at all greasy, these were crunchy, savory and delicious. Honorable mention to the s'mores empanada. The same half moon pastry, stuffed with chocolate, marshmallow and graham cracker, then deep fried. WAY better than your standard cookout s'mores; these were decadent and sweet. The perfect dessert to top off the meal. Be on the lookout for this food truck. Really good food - fresh and delicious.

    Photos
    Spanglish - Menu

    Menu

    Spanglish - Yuca fries

    Yuca fries

    Spanglish - Cuban Sandwich & maduros

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    Cuban Sandwich & maduros

    Casa Cubana - Bar

    Casa Cubana

    3.5(227 reviews)
    21.9 mi
    $$

    Unfortunately our last visit to Casa Cubana was not great. Service was slow, it took over an hour…read moreto get our food and when we did get it, it was disappointing. My friends asked for steak sandwiches and they had more bread than steak. The steak was so small they could barely taste it. My friend and I asked for palomilla steak and got a churrasco cut. Staff was somewhat friendly.

    We decided to give this a try on a Saturday night, the location is unassuming and it's clear that…read moreit's a converted fast food spot as some of the infrastructure still remains. (I think they are trying to get a drive through going?). As we walked to the front door the live music was blaring outside and it was a great night for it..it was a little early so it wasn't too crowded yet but people were enjoying the party. Once inside it was much more quiet, we were actually shocked at how well insulated it was from the music, which is great for those that was a little more cozy experience. We were greeted right away by a very friendly man in a great hat! We had our pick of tables and I would describe the decor as a casual vibe. I'm assuming as the name suggests, it's supposed to feel like you are at someone's home for a party. They had a good bunch of people working and everyone was really nice but they also were clearly family and had some kids running around and just basically enjoying themselves, I really enjoyed the atmosphere. The menu was great, loads of options. The drink selection was also good, classic Cuban favorites and others. I chose the coconut mojito and it was fresh made and SO good. For an appetizer we had the guacamole and tostones which were really good, and fresh. For dinner I had the arroz con pollo, which was seasoned really well, the rice was a little under for me but still really good. My husband had the ceviche which he said was the best he's ever had and could have had three more bowls. Overall, great spot. We might come back for the music and drinks on another warm night. They also have a good looking breakfast menu!

    Photos
    Casa Cubana - Tables

    Tables

    Casa Cubana
    Casa Cubana - Rumba Sampler

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    Rumba Sampler

    La Casita Restaurant - dominican - Updated May 2026

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