I came here tonight to have a taste of my family culture. I love coming here as the food reminds me of my childhood and family. Every time I'm here the service is friendly and I feel welcomed and valued. The inside decor reminds me of the island and all the beauty that the island has to offer. I love it! For the food, I always get the pernil. Tonight they didn't have the standard side, but they had arroz con habichuelas (which I love). I also got a pernil sandwich and a quesito for dessert. Everything is fantastic as usual and rich with sabor y amor. I highly recommend stopping by for the food, drinks and dancing on Saturdays. read more

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First off you walk in there and the ambiance of the murals on each side of the restaurant were very cool, it was the Island of Puerto Rico. The service that Aracely provided to my son & I was great. She cashiered, she ran the food, she bused the tables, and was cooking. I was able to see that she was mashing the mofongo in very large mortar. She was Superwoman. The food was pretty good. We ate a Cubano - panini pressed. We also had a dessert Tembleque classic cinnamon pudding. I ordered a Togo order for my wife and mother in law. Arroz con Gandules, Tostones, Canoas-Picadillo , Pastellitos-Empanada, Pernil & Arroz, and for dessert Guava Pastry. read more

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La comida era de primera y fresca. Gracias al personal por el excelente servicio. ¡Volveré por más! Raices also felt like home, loved it! read more

We were recommended to go to Raices Restaurant to order Pastele. A Puerto Rican fav. It's kinda like a tamale but with different ingredients. We were disappointed as they currently are not making it because of difficulty getting Plaintains. It was hard to understand the lady, as she mostly spoke in Spanish. Anyway, hubby ordered Sancocho a PR beef stew. It had carrots, yucca, beef and assorted veggies, served with flavorful white rice. The beef stew was a bit on the bland side, but he ate it all up. He also ordered 2 Chicken skewers. It came with three slices of garlic bread. Flavors were spot on. I ordered Rellenos de Papas filled with ground beef and wrapped in mashed potatoe, lightly coated, then deep fried. It was delicious. I also ordered Arroz Blanco con Habichuelas con Chuleta. Basically two pork chops fried. Seasoned well. White rice and beans. It reminded me of going to someone's home to partake in dinner. Overall, it was good. It is very clean. Music playing in the background. Looks like on the weekends they have live music. Decor is pleasant. Giant murals of Puerto Rico. The lady was very kind and had patience with us. Ample parking out front. We also ordered pastitilos filled with guava and crème. We were too full to eat them. Maybe a midnight snack. read more

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We ended up going to Raices when a nearby restaurant happened to be closed. I didn't really know what to expect going in but it was really good. Inside there is a little stage area where live music could be played. The music inside was turned up quite loud. We needed a few minutes to figure out what we were all ordering at the counter then took a seat. Another customer came in while we waited for our food and had to wait a while before the staff came back out of the back to take his order. The food however, was great. Now, I don't know how authentic the food is, but the mofongo was very garlicky and the chicken was flavorful. I would definitely go again to get this dish or try something new. If Raices is a good example of Puerto Rican food, I plan to have more of it in my life read more

Raices Restaurant Coffee & Bar - Mofongo Relleno con pollo - Puerto Rican Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

Cozy and casual Puerto Rican spot hovering Dobson Ranch. The Ham and Cheese sandwich for 7.99$ hits the spot when you want a crunch in the bread, melted cheese, and ham all in one bite. Tried out an empanadilla, nice little side dish to share with friends for the crispy hot bite when it's fresh. If you want to come out to a quiet place to take care of some cravings this is your spot! read more

Raices Restaurant Coffee & Bar - Puerto Rican Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

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Very relaxed spot where you order at the counter. The food took some time to come out but nothing distressing. My first bite of the mofongo was life changing it was the best I've ever had, and the portion sizes for the food were great. Absolutely love this place, especially the food and will certainly come back. read more

Raices Restaurant Coffee & Bar - Mofongo con carne frita & pernil con arroz con guandu - Puerto Rican Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

Great food. Friendly people Feels like Puerto Rico when you walk into this restaurant read more

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So glad to have some authentic PR food right here in Mesa!! The pasteles and alcapurrias are the best and everything I have tried has been great. read more

Raices Restaurant Coffee & Bar - Pernil con arroz gandules y pasteles(I hope they bring them back!) - Puerto Rican Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

For a place restaurant with "coffee" in its name, there's only one type of coffee you can buy. It really should be called Raices Sandwiches and Bar as that's their actual specialty. First off, the place isn't really clean as there's trash on the floor and on the tables. Second, their wall menu is broken so you can't even see half the menu. I had a turkey sandwich and pizza empanadillas. I liked how big the grilled sandwiches but they weren't all that great. They forgot to make my empanadillas. I had to go back and actively find a worker who spoke English in order to tell them that they forgot my order. The empanadilla is larger than other empanadas I've had but then I found out that only half of it was filled. The problem was that it was just imitation pizza sauce so no pepperonis in it. If it had cheese, it was low quality cheese. The pizza sauce just tasted like someone trying and failing to make something taste like "pizza" flavor. There's a definite lack of attention to detail for this place. read more

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Our family has been here multiple times and the food is always good! Hits the spot when you don't want to make it yourself. The owners are always friendly and will come out from the back to sing and talk with you and I've seen them personally sing happy birthday to a person haha. They make it so enjoyable to eat in and listen to music and laugh. read more

Si están acostumbrados a tripletas como en la isla no pidan la tripleta de aqui. Le echaron queso rallado y el jamón y el jamón de pavo no lo picaron solo lo pusieron al sandwich!!! read more

Raices Restaurant Coffee & Bar - Sándwich de Tripleta / Triplete Sandwich - Puerto Rican Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

We got pernil con arroz con gandules, arroz con habichuelas, and tostones. Sooo delicious and the service was great. Definitely recommend! :) read more

Before you read my review know that I am supportive of small businesses. The struggles they have faced during the last few years because of COVID and inflation has caused many to close. Sometimes, however, the wound is self inflicted. Here is why. . I went to Raices yesterday to have a bit of delicious Puerto Rican food. I used to come here when it was Millie's Cafe. Millie made delicious food at very reasonable prices. Family owned: friendly and gracious. After Millie retired a woman took over and I had the opportunity to eat there. It was good although the prices had increased substantially. So yesterday I go there thinking it was the same food as I had the last time. Big mistake. You have to go to the counter to order where there is a visual menu, located above; some of it rotates. I ordered a PASTEL as an appetizer but we couldn't decide on entrees because we didn't see them. The man behind the counter asked what else? I stared at the visual menu and didn't see any entrees. The guy then began to endlessly tap on the cash register showing his impatience. (btw, there was no one else in the place). So, I asked him about entrees. He mentioned chicharones de pollo (chicken chunks) which came with rice and beans. Fine I said. Hubby ordered a chicken mofongo. After a bit, he summoned us to the counter to pick up our food. Despite having no one else in the entire restaurant, he didn't see fit to bring us the food. OK. The chicken mofongo came in a small bowl; the mashed plantain in the bottom and pieces of chicken on top. A spoon was provided. I went to the counter and called out to the back for someone to come out. I wanted a fork. My calls fell on deaf ears for a number of minutes. When the man showed up, I asked him for two forks. He told me I don't think I have any. I said, you're kidding me right? He said, let me see if I can find two. I waited and he provided two forks. How do you run a restaurant without forks? What restaurant doesn't have forks??? It was a sign of things to come. I had also asked him for some hot sauce. He told me the hot sauce was on its way from Puerto Rico. Are you serious? I asked. Yes. he answered . (BTW, there is a supermarket with 100 feet of the restaurant so the hot sauce was readily available. ) The Pastel ($5.18--similar to tamale but with green banana mash instead of corn meal) was super greasy. Its pork meat was rife with fatty pieces of pork, I mean chunks of pure fat. I would never order this again. The rice and beans were fine. Missed the hot sauce though. It was the only part that was edible. The chicharrones de pollo ($15.58) were a joke. Sloughed off pieces of chicken some tiny and some bigger without any crispiness. The visual was so unappetizing and the taste terrible due to the lack of seasonings. I couldn't eat it. The chicken mofongo ($16.62) was very small considering the price and was missing an essential part of a mofongo---the sauce/gravy to top it. I asked for sauce and he asked if he could give me some chicken broth. He brought some broth to the table which turned out to be super-salty bouillon which he couldn't eat. I would not order this again. For all this food we paid $40.48. Probably one of the worst meals I have ever had. The service was aloof, uninterested, and resistant. Almost like this guy didn't want to be there. While we ate he sat at one of the tables back to us staring at a set of Conga drums across from him. Maybe he aspires to be a musician and this job is a let down for him who knows. My take aways are that: 1. Every restaurant should have forks so that customers can eat. 2. They don't have to buy hot sauce directly from Puerto Rico since hot sauce is readily available in the mainland. 3. Make sure you know what each authentic Puerto Rican dish entails so that you are not selling Faux PuertoRican food. 4. Hire someone who is interested in his job running a restaurant and who will make customers feel wanted and valued. Ask your customers how the food is and if they need anything else. I should have taken the hint from the table which was there with leftover food from the prior patrons. A soup was left untouched, and each dish had lots of food on it. Clearly it was a sign that I should not have sat down at all. I wish them luck with their new endeavor. However, unless they change course they will not make it. read more

Raices Restaurant Coffee & Bar - greasy pastel, chicken pieces-unseasoned, and looked like scraps of left over chicken. Not crispy. - Puerto Rican Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

Imma tell you from the atmosphere to thr food, it's all a 10!! Seriously I'm from NY and know real puerto rican food and it's here!! The best in arizona, I got a lil bit of everything and no complaints at all!! read more

Fresh, authentic Puerto Rican food. Reminded us of back home, lively music throughout. Selection of Puerto Rican beverages available for purchase. Sofrito is also offered frozen for purchase. Service was great, chef is from Puerto Rico and very kind man, food was made to order, generous size portions. read more

Raices Restaurant Coffee & Bar - Empanadilla de Pizza for appetizer Arroz con guandules and pernil, side of maduros instead of the salad. Drink: Piña Buena (pineapple soda) - Puerto Rican Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

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Amazing food, clean environment, and great music. First time coming in but it will most definitely not be my last. The service was great. We had 3 entrees and all 3 of us give it 5 stars. read more

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The food is always amazing and worth the wait. I've never had a dish here that hasn't been amazing. The music and the setting is also perfect. I recommend this to anyone looking for authentic Puerto Rican cuisine. My favorite is the mofongo con camarones and the arroz con gandules. read more

Raices Restaurant Coffee & Bar - Mofongo com Camarones - Puerto Rican Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

by far the worst Cuban sandwich I've had. made with cheddar cheese and not even presentable. Its just a ham and left over pernil sandwich.

Everything was delicious. They also sell pan sobao and pastries. I particularly love their quesitos. We stop by every time we visit Phoenix.

I've came here a multitude of times. Attached are two occasions I went including today !It feels like family and home! The owner is very nice and welcoming and always attentive to his customers who come in. He converses and makes things very personable. I've always had them bring my food to the table and sauces,etc without me needing to ask since it is part of their nice services. They always give me my metal utensils to eat. Always asking if I am missing anything or how the food was. I've never had an issue. This place is 10/10 as far as the neatness and hospitality. The food is delicious. If you want some authentic puertorican food and to feel at home come here! I appreciate all the good times I've had here and so does my stomach! Thank you guys for continuing the legacy of the location. read more

Raices Restaurant Coffee & Bar - Pernil con arroz con gandules y ensalada - Puerto Rican Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

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Seriously delicious authentic Puerto Rican food. My wife and I love going to PR this time of year and have for the past 6 years but decided to take a staycation this time around and found ourselves still craving the food. This gem happens to be down the street and we will definitely be coming back again and again. Delicious empanadillas, mofongo and desserts! read more

Raices Restaurant Coffee & Bar - Beef empanadillas - Puerto Rican Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

Pan sobao was just like those I had in PR. The pernil with arroz con gandules was very tasty. The mofongo was very good and it was still moist the next day. I really liked the guava pastry too! I recommend giving Raices a try. I took photos of the pan sobao and posted on Facebook. Gracias Benjamin!! John C read more

Delish food great staff. Everything is excellent pork chicken. Deserts so good.! Ensalada and monfongo the best

This place was recommended by one of the guys at one of the stores I visit. I'm originally from the island and this food was delicious and authentic. The mofongo was perfectly done just like we make it in the mountains in the island. Nice place and very nice decor. Definitely recommend and coming back when I'm visiting this market. read more

Raices Restaurant Coffee & Bar - Mofongo con pollo & arroz blanco y habichuelas - Puerto Rican Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

Horrible service horrible food. Employees walking out before store closes. Nothing but fat on my beef lack of flavoring on everything except the rice. really disappointing experience. Will not be returning read more

Pork and rice with candles was fire, just wish the had habichuelos. They took over millies Cafe but I'm not even mad.

Ordered Arroz con gandules (rice and peas), with fried chicken, and side of plaintain, pastelilo de carne (beef empanada) and shredded pork Pros: 1. Nostalgia (Former location of Millie's Puerto rican restaurant. Cons: 1. Fried chicken was flavorless and dry/old/reheated. 2. Pastelilo de Carne is purchased by restaurant pre-made and frozen and then re-fried 3. Plantain was mushy and barely cooked 4. Shredded Pork was dry and flavorless with the oil sitting under the pork. 4. Overpriced everything read more

Food was authentic Puerto Rican food. Had lots of flavor and the portions were very good. Service with a smile . Highly recommended!

The restaurant is in an old strip mall. Their sign is tiny. As you enter the restaurant it has great music, nice tables and clean. Since this was our first visit, we ordered pasteles, Mofongo, fried pork and chicken and tostones. Mofongo was great, the tostones were great and the pasteles were great. The fried pork didn't have enough flavor for me and the chicken was just a little better. I felt like the lack of flavor made me feel like I was missing something. The next time we go I will try the Sancocho and Pernil. The cook came out and surprised us with a little bowl of the Aroz con gandules it was so good!!! I will for sure order that with our meal next time. Don't bother with the rolled cake with red guava ish stuff around it. Not so great. The other desserts did look good so I will try a different desert next time. read more

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This restaurant is in the location that Millie's Puerto Rican Cafe was in. Raices means roots for those who don't know. We visited during their soft opening on October 8th and ate some amazing food. We had mofongo, pernil, arroz con gandules, empanadas and tostones. To go we got pastellios de guava and pan sobao!!! They sell the pan sobao either frozen or warm. We got frozen and still have a little left over. Since it was their soft opening they didn't offer everything on their menu but we can't wait to go back and try other items!! It's nice to have a taste of home (Ponce, PR) back in Mesa! Best wishes to the success of this restaurant. Oh and if you're familiar with Sweet Land cakes in Phoenix, it's the same owners! Buen provecho! read more

First and last time here. Very disappointed with the white rice and red beans with pernil. No flavor no sofrito no salt and no taste.20 dollars for the plate with a Malta. No paper menus no salt and pepper shakers. read more

Good PR food, sandwich jibarito rquisime y ls quesitos divinos. Siempre tienen pasteles

Food was amazing, staff & cooks are kind, price is decent, finally found authentic Puerto Rican food that taste like home & desserts are delicious. Definitely coming back ! read more

Raices Restaurant Coffee & Bar - Puerto Rican Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

Very disappointed. Food looked great but lacked flavor. The arroz con gandules looked like old Rice that had been heated up a few times already and had little to no flavor. We also had a pastel which also looked like it was going to be amazing but it was horrible. Tostones were soft, no salt... overall a major disappointment for some very traditional dishes. read more

This was wonderful, kind, thoughtful service. we loved that he offered coffee right away, provided recommendations, took our order, then went back to cook our food, then brought it to our table. The cappuccino was delicious; it reminded me of coffee I had last summer in Europe! read more

If you want to try authentic/fresh ( home made) puertorican food you have to check out "Raices". Their mofongo con camarones is to die for..try their frozen margaritas too. This place is what we needed in the East Valley. Fresh, authentic Criolla food. The place always plays Salsa music. Michael & Kelly Gilbert,AZ read more

Raices Restaurant Coffee & Bar - Puerto Rican Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

I'm not real familiar with Puerto Rican food but I love a good little local spot for lunch. I always meant to try the spot that was here before & didn't so I've been making a point of coming in here for lunch recently and trying to get something new each time. So far everything has been delicious. The lady up front has also been very helpful & patient as I never know what I want. The pastries are very tasty, the little potatoes things with meat in the middle yum. I always like tostones. The fried pork though was awesome. Kinda crispy & garlicky on the outside & so fall apart tender and juicy on the inside. Make sure you watch the screen in the middle on the menu. I swear they do more things than shows up on the printed menu. read more

Raices Restaurant Coffee & Bar - Tostones and pork - Puerto Rican Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

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This place is clean. More importantly the bathrooms are clean! I came here today by accident because I lost my phone. The gratitude I feel for the people working in this place cannot be accurately put into words in this moment. I ended up purchasing some desserts because they looked amazing and let's face it - after losing my phone I needed comfort (via food) and let me tell you, the desserts did not disappoint!!! I come to this plaza frequently to buy meat from my favorite halal meat store & now I also have a place to get something for the long drive back home. I found out about this gem by accident so, friends - you don't have to! Come over & have a seat in a comfortable, clean, & casual atmosphere. Enjoy some delicious "East Coast" Flavorful food. Don't forget to check in & let us know how you liked it. I know I will be returning. read more

Food was so good. I had the Sopa de Pollo con Aroz and my son had the Pernil plate. Service was great. No live music while we were there but I saw guitars in the corner as if they do. They had Latin music playin - lively and fun. My son loved their flan! read more

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