This restaurant is wonderful!!!…read more It is located in a very trendy and thrift-heavy neighborhood within San Fran. Very walkable and fun to explore. Would recommend walking to the nearby park after your meal. This food was delish, made with love, and reasonably priced. The plantains alone warrant a return visit!

The food is super tasty. Too bad the customer service leaves room for a lot of improvement…read more We arrive there, 2 of us. Inside there was plenty of seating available, yet they insisted in only seating us outside, literally in middle of the side walk. This made me feel mistreated. Hope next time I go, we get better service

I went to Casa Borinquena the other day for the first time and WOW I've really been missing out…read more The menu is small but mighty. Everything sounds delicious but the sample plates pack the most punch. I love plantains so having those figure prominently, with delicious rice and plant based chicken, is perfect. The service is incredibly fast and easy, and being at Saluhall, you get to take advantage of other vendors and a full a bar. It felt a little quiet on a Friday night but places like Casa Borinquena definitely make it a destination for me. Go now if you've been waiting. Casa Borinquena is not to be missed.

Wepa! Casa Borinquena is anything but boring. Puerto Rican vegan food with all the flavors is far…read morefrom your typical mall food. Saluhall has two floors of food options. Definitely go upstairs and explore Casa Borinquena. If you're wondering what Market Street has to offer, duck inside IKEA. There are many seating areas. Yes, in addition to IKEA's viral food court, there's so much more. Saluhall opened with all-vegan vendors but things have shifted back to meat and dairy. Case Borinquena is the last standing all-vegan stall. This is Caribbean soul food and it's so good. If you're looking for a salad or something light, this is not for you. This food will fill you up and leave you wanting more. Loaded Tostones is pumped up with nacho-ish toppings. Served with a thick and tasty mama sauce. I was dunking everything into that sauce. I opted for the side of tostones because I was craving the crunchy plantain. It was crisp perfection! Lulu's Famous Pastelillo filled with vegan beef or chicken was another winner for me. The dough was fried perfectly and I loved the chicken filling flavor. Chef's kiss. Coquito cake is on the menu! If you love eggnog, get this right now. I want to return for the sampler plate. At $20, it's cheaper than a flight to Puerto Rico. Pro-tip: first hour of parking is free!

I had the pleasure of meeting Chef Erick to discuss his management approach and culinary…read morephilosophy. We also discussed his upbringing in NYC and his long history in the Bay Area's challenging culinary scene. This conversation happened before I had the opportunity to taste the succulent Puerto Rican dishes on his menu. Chef Erick is a truly humble and professional culinary artist. He lets his cooking do the talking, allowing his ingredients and timely combinations to showcase his superb culinary skills. From our conversation, I learned that he genuinely cares about the quality of his ingredients. While we talked about his experiences cooking for all kinds of tables in the Bay Area, from VIPs and celebrities to daily blue-collar San Franciscans seeking standout meals, Chef Erick answered at least five phone calls. He diligently coordinated with his local suppliers to ensure he, and in turn his customers, would have access to nothing but the best ingredients during the upcoming weekend rush. Most Puerto Ricans, including those adopted (see Chef Anthony Bourdain's memoirs), know a Puerto Rican restaurant is truly judged by the quality and flavor of its Pernil. This slow-roasted pork shoulder or leg is marinated in a robust herb paste. Many Puerto Rican families guard their herb paste recipes as closely as The Coca-Cola Company guards its Coca-Cola recipe. Pernil is the centerpiece of holiday feasts and family celebrations. That's why I chose this menu to celebrate meeting Chef Erick. Without hesitation, he prepared for me--someone born and raised in Puerto Rico--his masterfully concocted pernil with arroz con gandules and a side of maduros fritos. I have to say, this was the best Puerto Rican food I have tasted in all of California, from Santa Rosa to San Diego. I have visited all the restaurants in the Bay Area: El Coqui, both Sol Foods locations, Parada 22, and Lola's Lounge in Sacramento. I admit, this is the best and most authentic plate of Puerto Rican cuisine I have enjoyed in 16 years exploring Latin Cuisine Restaurants in Northern California. If you like Puerto Rican cuisine and have not tried Puerto Rican Street Cuisine, you must add this restaurant to your "must-visit" places in California. Thank you to Ceci, all the cooks, and Chef Erick for helping me relive the experience of proper, authentic pernil y arroz con gandules like my abuelita used to make for us on "la lomita" in Hormigueros, Puerto Rico!

This has the best Puerto Rican food I have had- including in Puerto Rico! The carne was wonderfully…read morespiced, perfectly medium, and full grain meat through each chunk. The amazingly sweet and ripe plantains finish out a very generously portioned meal.

Amazing vibe! Truly represents San Francisco! The team there is always so accomplished and very…read morehelpful. Oz is a great guy!

If you've never been here & you live in SF, then you're not an OFFICIAL resident until you have an…read moreexperience at Cha Cha Cha!!! The spicy shrimp is their top contender although, don't sleep on their plantains & the fresh sourdough they serve to the tables. Sangria is a must & the ambiance makes you feel like you've entered a sacred portal to a new world. Service is friendly & I highly recommend running to Haight St, I promise you won't regret it!

We decided to come here on a Friday evening, and the vibe was great from start to finish. The décor…read morewas beautiful and full of interesting details, making it fun to take everything in while deciding what to order. We started with two cocktails: the Mango Tango and the Copa Copa Havana. We weren't huge fans of either at first, nit after a couple sips they definitely did the trick. For our meal, we ordered the ropa vieja, lechón Cubano, pan de bono, and yuca frita. Every single dish was a 10/10. Everything was incredibly flavorful, perfectly prepared, and the portions were generous, so don't be surprised if you leave with a to-go box. I can't wait to come back. From the unique décor and delicious food to the warm, attentive service from the waitresses, this place delivered all around. Definitely 10s across the board!

My first time here in the former home of Millenium. I liked that it was easy to park and get in…read morehere at night, which is surely is less so during the day at the Civic Center. The steak sandwich had maybe the best first bite of any I have ever had. The beef was crispy at the edges and also flavored with sauce. The middle was decent too, but the edges were sublime. They have three beers on tap. I know I like the two light ones and I took the Firestone Hazy IPA, which made me rethink that I didn't like IPAs. The salads my companions had were huge.

EXTREMELY SMALL BITE SIZE SLIDERS (3 stars)…read more SF Street Food Festival opened at 11AM... this booth was on a different timezone because they were slow, disorganized, and had no good communication with each other. There was a long line waiting to try them and it would take forever for them to take the first order. We were about 5th in line and was kind of disappointed. HEFFER-STYLE STATUS LECHON SLIDERS (3 for $8) - it was actually promoted on the website as 2 for $5. What was it? grilled hawaiian bread roll, with some pork meat, cilantro, and their home-made mayo/sauce. It was decent, tasty, I liked the taste... however the presentation and the size was not worth $8 bucks. WHAT THE HECK happened to the hawaiian bread rolls? They look half their size and their original size is already small as it is. my sliders were swashed and the presentation looked like they were dug out of a garbage and put on a plate. Sorry, not so enticing to look at. Will I be back? It was tasty but I think i could pass on it. Until the next review.....

Thank you so much for catering Mika's 5th B-day party!!!!! Everyone loved the food! In fact..I…read morebrought some to work today and we ate some for dinner. Mixed the R&B and the lechon on the stove and fried some eggs :O) Yum Delish!!!! Lechon sliders, picadillo, R&B, and 2 different' empanada's! 2 thumbs up for Ta'ino's!!!

People have recommended Pica Pica to me for years and I never had the chance to go ... until a few…read moredays ago. For some reason, I thought this was a regular restaurant with table service, and a much larger space, but it's a somewhat narrow space and you order at the counter. I decided to try their trio sampler plate so I could get an idea of how a few of their meats were prepared and they each were in their own mini-arepa, so I thought that would be a good introduction. Unfortunately, I didn't like the arepas as much as I thought I would. I found them to be a little dry and lacking that rich corn masa flavor I was expecting. I don't know if this has to do solely with Pica Pica or if it's simply how arepas are made in general, but I came away feeling like I preferred other foods with a corn base such as tamales and pupusas. Meat-wise I had the fried chicken, the shredded beef and the asado negro. The fried chicken, to me, was not very exciting. The shredded beef was good, tasty, but the asado negro was the absolute star of it all? As far as I'm concerned, it's a most delicious cut of brisket with a sweet tomato sauce. I wish I had ordered more. The platanos or fried plantains were not like maduros that are very sweet. They're a little dry and flavorless, and the side order that I got of them for $7.50, they sure don't give you all that many. so that was a bummer for me. I also tried two flavors of what essentially are aguas frescas, the passion fruit and the mango. The passion fruit was out of this world! The mango, don't bother. It tasted like water with a powdered mix. I will definitely be back -- unfortunately, not for the arepas, but for the asado negro, either as a plate with rice & beans or in a salad.

My first arepa and cachapas experience! We came here on a Sunday around 5pm and it's empty. The…read moreplace didn't seem to have lights on when we were there and we decided it's more pleasant to get it to-go and eat at Dolores park. I liked the cachapas with pulled pork so much more than the arepa with shredded beef. The pulled pork portion was huge and very juicey and delicious! The combination of sweet corn and savory pork was incredible. It's a bit weird though there are was half an uncut avocado just sitting inside the sweet corn crepe. The salad that came was also fresh, and I enjoyed the all the sauces that came with it. The white arepa we had was dry and uninteresting. I liked the plantains and the beef fillings too but the cachapas just couldn't beat. When we asked for to-go they put it in a brown bag. They didn't include any utensils so I suggest getting them if you want to eat somewhere else.

Cheaper than a trip to Puerto Rico and the food is just as authentic. Get the lentil soup with…read morepumpkin and plantains. It is perfect. I would have loved even more plantains in it. I got the Cubano. Plenty of flavor and meat, and it was the litmus test that tells me you cannot go wrong with anything on the menu. It was filling but light and must be enjoyed with the sauce they give you poured (generously) onto each bite. I did not buy a bottle of their hot sauce and I regret not doing so. The FLAN. Best flan I've ever had.

Came here with some friends after a workout nearby. The takeout process was straightforward and…read moreeasy. I ordered the lentil soup, while my friends got the jíbaro sandwich, which is gluten-free. We also shared the limonada fresca, which was delightfully refreshing with just the right amount of tartness. Everything was delicious, and I'm already looking forward to coming back to try more of the menu.

5 Stars - An Absolutely Amazing Experience!…read more Paula's Cafe is truly a hidden gem! From the moment you walk through the doors, you feel welcomed by such a warm and inviting atmosphere. The food is absolutely delicious, fresh, flavorful, and made with so much love. You can truly taste the care and attention that goes into every dish! What makes this place even more special is the hospitality. It's not just about enjoying a great meal; it's about feeling like you're part of the family. The atmosphere is cozy, the vibes are amazing, and it's the kind of place that makes you want to come back again and again. If you're looking for a wonderful breakfast or brunch spot with amazing food and a welcoming environment, Paula's Cafe is a must-visit! I absolutely love supporting places that put their heart into what they do, and Paula's Cafe deserves all the recognition and success in the world. Highly recommend!

I don't like leaving negative reviews, and this has nothing to do with the food. The food was…read moreexcellent; very tasty and well prepared. Five stars for that.The service however was deplorable. I would say this was possibly the worst service I have ever received. It started with a very unwelcoming greeting. My friend was wearing a back brace, and after we were seated, the two young men who were serving and greeting spent the next 15 minutes laughing at him and us. We got water and no napkins or silverware. The waiter (same one who greeted us) took our order, never once smiling, even though he was laughing with his co-worker minutes before. My friends wanted a diet coke. He said they didn't have any but would check. 15 minutes later, he yelled at us, "we don't got no diet coke." We finally got our food and silverware, although he didn't want to give me any because I had a burrito. As I mentioned previously, the food was outstanding. Our server never returned to refill water or ask if there was anything we needed or wanted. He completely disappeared and his co-worker didn't seem to care about us either. When it was time to go, it took several minutes to flag someone down to get our check and a box for the food. After 3 reminders about the box, the server gave my friend a small box that obviously couldn't fit the food, then seemed annoyed and brought him a bigger box. Paying the bill was another fiasco, as we were each charged individually and the server was completely confused. I want to give the restaurant the benefit of the doubt. Maybe these young guys were filling in on a Friday. That still doesn't excuse the horrific service. Train your people in basic manners and treating customers if you choose to have them serving.

A Puerto Rican night club in SF you ask. Well yes there is a night club in the mission that has…read morebeen in business for 100 years. I was surprised to find this place is still pretty up to date. I love Puerto Ricans.

This social club is the oldest latino social club in the USA. PS don't tell prez elect Chump.read more