We attended the holiday festival and market in angier and they had approx 10 food trucks of…read moredifferent varieties. We decided on the Rican lab as the food smelled really good. We had to wait around 15min but the food was pretty good. We wish there was a little more seasoning to add flavor but overall it was good food and worth the price. The amount of food was good as well.

We took a stroll through the International Food Truck event in downtown Raleigh with one mission in…read moremind: find some unforgettable empanadas. Ever since trying some amazing ones in California and Florida, we've been on the lookout for something that hits that same note--and we may have found a solid contender. Out of the many food trucks selling empanadas, The Rican Lab stood out. Their empanadas didn't disappoint. The crust was just right--crispy, not greasy, and not overly doughy. I didn't get any of that lingering cooking oil taste, which is a huge plus. I went with the beef empanada, while my husband tried the buffalo chicken. The beef had good flavor, but it could have used a binding agent--maybe cheese or sauce--to hold everything together. It felt a bit loose, so I imagine the beef and cheese version would have had better structure. I also think using shredded or chunked beef might work better than ground beef for a more satisfying texture. The buffalo chicken empanada was the real winner--well-seasoned with just the right kick. Neither empanada was dry or overly saucy, but both could benefit from a solid dipping sauce to round them out. We also grabbed a cherry lemonade, which was wonderfully refreshing. It hit a perfect balance--not too sour, not too sweet, and just tart enough. Bonus points for the generous serving size--it definitely felt worth the price. Beyond the food, the event itself was an amazing experience. There were food trucks representing a variety of cultures--Laotian, Filipino, Greek, and more. The diversity of choices was exciting. On top of that, local performers added to the festive atmosphere with live music and dancing. All in all, the Raleigh' Annual International Food Truck Festival is a must-visit. If you're on the hunt for good eats and good vibes, this is the place to be. We're already looking forward to our next visit--and the next round of empanadas.

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.

Someone told me that this was the place to go if you want the best pinchos. He was right! This is…read morea food truck that's only open Thursday through Sunday for dinner. The pinchos are spot on! Being married to a Puerto Rican and having traveled to PR many times, this place tastes as authentic as being on the beach in Luquillo where there's a line of these The pastelillos, which are otherwise more recognizable as empanadas, were so good (chicken was our fav) and the pinchos are flavorful. There's a homemade guava pastry dessert that is so good that I have to practice some serious self-control not to eat the entire pack. What else is really good is the freshly-made pina coladas. They are non-alcoholic, but let me tell you...you don't miss the alcohol because they're so good! I wish they were open during the week, but the owner has another full-time job so he can't. Perhaps once this place gains more recognition, he can quit his other job! It's hard waiting all week to go back. We have been back every weekend since we discovered this place!

We had the pastelon pastellito, that had ground beef, mozzarella cheese, and plantains inside. The…read moremost amazing pastellito I've had in Raleigh! Must need try and we'll definitely be back soon!

Food was amazing! Macaroni and cheese were perfect. The collards great as well. The service was…read moregreat! Met the owner and he was very nice and let us sample a few items before our purchase. The ambiance was nice. They have outdoor seating.

Y'all, Boricua Soul is top notch. I've been here several times now, and each time, I bring someone…read morenew so I can "show off this great local spot." It impresses every dang time. The interior of the space is simple but perfect -- there are flyers on the walls for local shows and concerts, which I always love to see in a local place. The staff are friendly and attentive, and the owner is often around to chat and make recommendations. But the real standout is the food. My god. Every bite of food that I've had at Boricua Soul has been a delight. Really, I don't think you can go wrong with anything on the menu, but if you aren't trying the sweet potato cheesecake empanadas, you aren't living. Those perfectly sweet and savory fried treasures brightened my entire outlook on the world because they're just that good. 10000/10 points. You gotta go.

Friendly quick service. Explanation of choices was excellent. The food came out quickly and was…read moredelicious.

I've had this placed saved to try for a while and finally got the opportunity to try it out on a…read morerandom Wednesday. The space is large with plenty of seating and also bar seating. You order your food at the front (bar) and then grab a seat wherever you want. I got a mango margarita which they didn't skimp on the tequila in it! Was sweet enough where I didn't notice at first how much tequila was in it (a win in my book). For dinner, I got the pernil w/cuero which was full of flavor. Tostones were nice and crunchy without being greasy. The rice was just okay, I prefer a bit more sazon and sofrito. I think this restaurant would do well in a more inhabited area instead of connected to the mall but the guy working stated they do very well on the weekends, so I hope it brings them continued business!

Very ghetto and unprofessional. They literally have no food every time we go in. No patties, the…read moredrinks are not in the fridge; completely empty. Why are they even open?

Extremely disappointed in my decision to go here. Ox tails tasted like they were scraped from the…read morebottom of the pot and the flavor was just salt and just terrible. Cabbage was bland and the collards were the WORST tasting greens I've ever had. Save your time and find another spot. The inside of this place lacks decor and appears to be a "hole in the wall." It's not very inviting and was not a sit down place. I wish i could get my money back.

Very good size portions of good tasting food. There were so many menu options it was slightly…read moreoverwhelming but very glad we came to try this place. There were not many people but still liked the vibe because of the good music. I think it would be a great place for a night out. Also enjoyed the service. The waitress seemed new and had to ask a lot of questions but I prefer that over someone guessing.

Generous portions, large variety of food and nice presentation. Flavor is not very consistent- some…read moredays the food tastes fresh, others it does not. Service is ok- everyone looks like they do not want to be there.

Amazing Service,&food is Delicious!! They have the Best food in town!!...there place to eat is very…read morecozy

Food is delicious flavorful and tasty the service is great and drinks are delicious I recommend…read morethis spot check it out a hidden gem

Every time I visit Fayetteville, I have such a hard time finding good food, and an even harder time…read morefinding a restaurant that's clean with good service. This place delivered in all aspects. The mofongo was great, and I highly recommend getting their sampler appetizer tray. Marion was a wonderful server and very accommodating.

I decided to visit this establishment because they had carne frita and where I live no Spanish…read morerestaurant has this in their menu and this did not disappoint. The service was great and the drinks were amazing. They were so good we kept asking them what they put in them and the lady said love. We even did a little of bit of Karaoke myself. I definitely would recommend this place.

WOW!!! I have been looking for good Puerto Rican for soo…read morelong and I'm so happy this place exists. Tostones were crispy, pork belly amazing, and rice and beans were INCREDIBLE! I am a Puerto Rican originally from south Florida so my expectations are HIGH, but they knocked it out of the park. I almost CRIED when I saw they had guava con queso pastelitos !!!!!! New favorite spot for sure.

First time at Koki Creative Puerto Rican Kitchen and we loved it! We tried the carne frita (fried…read morepork), the Spanglish Cuban, pork belly, and tostones (fried plantains)--everything was absolutely delicious. The flavors were amazing and you can really taste the authentic Puerto Rican touch in the food. The portions are huge, the prices are very affordable, and the service was great. Overall, it was a really enjoyable experience and we'll definitely be coming back!