Tried this little hidden gem at the request of my wife and I was pleasantly surprised. Even though the location leaves much to be desired as far as a view in this beautiful island of Puerto Rico (It's located in a small strip mall) the location does boast ample parking and roaming security. We are originally from New Jersey and my wife is a vegetarian, so finding non typical food outside of fast food chains has been a challenge. However Hot Bite Bar and Grill has now given me new hope of discovering more places with diverse menus in Ponce PR. The atmosphere is cozy and inviting. The large bar seems to offer quite a selection of drinks however neither my wife nor I tried any of their cocktails that evening. What we did try was their Bruschetta appetizers along with their Margarita and Suprema pizzas.
The Bruschetta was not a traditional Bruschetta and the first ones they brought me were covered in bacon with not a tomato to be seen. However when I explained that my wife was a vegetarian the server offered to return my appetizer to the kitchen. Even though it was not what i expected it looked so good I told him I would keep them and asked for another order without bacon. The second plate of bruschetta was closer to a more traditional bruschetta in taste and appearance but still not what I usually call a bruschetta. However the basics were there and the app was both delicious and fresh.
As far as the pizza, again it was not up to our East coast standards however it was the best pizza we have had in PR as of yet. The crust was decent on both pies and the basil, tomatoes and cheese on the Margarita pizza was fresh and baked perfectly. The Suprema (Supreme) pizza was piled up with Italian susage, bacon and ham. There was also some pepperoni and a sprinkling of peppers, broccoli and mushrooms. Overall the thin crust on the small pizza was perfect for the amount of ingredients. The sauce was tasty with the perfect amount of cheese. All the ingredients were fresh and finely chopped making every bite just as good as the last. My wife believed that the Margarita pizza should have had more tomatoes but there was one whole basil leaf and one whole slice of tomato on every one of her pizza slices. However if you enjoy roasted fresh tomatoes as much as she does then you may want to ask for extra tomatoes on your Margarita pizza.
Overall we had two soft drinks, two bruschetta appetizers (which brought 5 pieces with each order). One medium Margarita pizza and one small Suprema pizza all for just under $34 dollars. The food was delicious, the environment clean and cozy and the service attentive. We were also able to bring home plenty of leftovers for later and all without putting a dent in our wallet. If it wasn't for the lack of a view I would have given this place 5 stars. I would definitely recommend this place if you are looking to try some different type of fare. However their menu and specials boast a nice mix of both typical Puerto Rican and Italian food. They also have a good selection of burgers, sandwiches and appetizers to enjoy with some nice spirits from the bar. We will definitely be revisiting the Hot Bites Bar and Grill especially since my wife loves the place as well, since they offer a decent selection of dishes that they can make vegetarian for her.
So if you are from out of town and visiting or entertaining guest who are just not into the typical Puerto Rican diet. Are looking to try something new or have a bunch of people that just can't agree on what to eat. Give Hot Bite a try, it has something for everyone in my opinion and it won't break the bank. read more