(4.5 stars) Not long after the PR Pantry opened over the…read moresummer, its social media was awash in tantalizing photos of candied fruit and cheesecakes. More recently, the shop added a food truck to the mix. After driving past it on a nearly daily basis, I finally got around to checking it out. First, a caveat: this is not a Latin market. If you come here expecting one, you will be disappointed. Think of it instead as a typical corner convenience store...that happens to have an above-average homemade food selection. Inside, you'll encounter candied fruit, cheesecake, tres leches, pasteles, and more. The truck then offers plates, apps, and sides. From arroz con gandules to pernil to mofongo, classic Puerto Rican dishes are well-accounted for. While there are a few tables outside the store, The PR Pantry is probably best suited for takeout. I ordered a pernil sandwich with a side of arroz con gandules and an additional side of tostones before popping inside to grab a slice of vanilla tres leches. Nothing took terribly long to prepare, and the guys on the truck were personable. At $13 for the sandwich and $3.50 for an extra side, the prices were reasonable too, especially for the quantity and quality. The food was, on average, really, really good. Served on pressed Cuban-style bread, the pernil sandwich was a bit greasy, but it was also incredibly satisfying. Tender pork met melty cheese and magic ensued. The rice was only OK, but the tostones were crisp and paired well with the accompanying pink sauce (mayoketchup). Later on, my wife and I split the tres leches, and it was incredible: rich and creamy with hints of cinnamon. If you want filling, tasty homemade food that won't break the bank, add The PR Pantry to your list. I regret that it took me this long to try it.

I would not recommend this place because it is completely abandoned/closed but everywhere you look;…read moreFB, Google etc says it's open, but it is not.

Was very pleased with my find today The customer service…read morewas amazing and one thing for sure I will be coming back for more Ordered empanadas 1 Pizza (Mozzarella cheese, Homemade red sauce, seasonings)....$3.50 9 out 10 1 Carne (ground beef)...$3.50 Also 9 out 10 4 of the Alcapurrias de Carne..... 9 out of 10 (Green banana fritter stuffed with ground beef) 1 Bacalaitos...10 out 10 (Cod Fish Fritter - flour, cod fish, cilantro and spices) Very crispy and delicious Mofongo y Carne Frita ....10 out 10 (MOFONGO consist of fried plantains, mashed and mixed with garlic paste and pork cracklings) Choose (1) pork tips, chicken tips or grilled chicken (grilled chicken upon availability) Make sure to give them a try if u want to try some very good Puerto Rican style food. They are at the compare food supermarket Thursday through Saturday and are open from 12 PM to 6 PM

While at an event at Bailey Park, this food truck was present. I stopped by around 5:05pm and…read moreplaced my order at 5:08pm. They had a special menu for the event. I got wings and fries ($12) for myself. I got pizza empanadas for my sons. I also goy a kola champagne soda. This is a drink from Puerto Rico. After ordering, I was given a buzzer to be notified when it was ready. The staff person were very friendly. The buzzer went off at 5:23pm. The food was hot and fresh. However, the fries and chicken was unseasoned. Ketchup made the fries taste better. I had to eat the chicken how it was, lol. Overall, it was a good deal. My kids enjoyed their empanadas. The kola drink was interesting. It wasn't nasty but I can't say it'll be something I'd crave or be my first option. They are normally open Thursday-Saturday from 12pm-7pm at Compare Foods.

Can't wait for the Rican Lab to move beyond their food truck into their new location? Their food…read moreand service are great - I love their empanadas and their chichardones de pollo is pure comfort food!

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.

The Food that they server "Como lo hace mi mama Sabroso" very delicious, and Great Puerto Ricon…read moreFood can't wait to return for more and great place to come also and the lady that took care of me was very helpful!!

While visiting family in North Carolina, we were craving good Spanish food and went hunting for…read morePuerto Rican cuisine. Tucked away in a strip mall, this spot is the definition of a hidden gem. Honestly, if I hadn't specifically searched for Puerto Rican restaurants, I probably would've driven right past it without ever knowing the flavor explosion hiding inside. The restaurant itself is quaint, simple, and unassuming... but then the food arrives and suddenly you understand why people keep coming back. EVERYTHING we ordered was absolutely outstanding. We were a party of 9, which can sometimes be a challenge, but our waiter handled it like a pro. He was attentive, friendly, patient, and never missed a beat. I ordered the mofongo with carne frita and whew... that first bite almost made me emotional. The mofongo was packed with flavor and the carne frita was perfectly seasoned and crispy. You can tell the food is made with love. I also ordered a jugo de parcha. At first it was pretty tart since they use the actual pulp, but they immediately offered to remake it and added a little liquid sugar for balance. After that? Absolute perfection. Great food, amazing service, and authentic flavors that hit the soul. Don't let the location fool you -- this place is worth finding.

What a great addition to the Raleigh food truck scene! My boyfriend is Puerto Rican so we were…read moreextremely excited to try Spanglish. Their tostones were the best ones we have had. They come with a delicious dipping sauce that just goes perfectly. I ordered the pork-u-pineapple empanada. There was something about the flavor combination in the meat that I'm still craving today! The crust of the empanada was perfect. I can't wait to try more of their food!!

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.

Loved the bacalaitos, empanadas and my steak and onions. Hubby ordered the Mofongo with chicharrón…read more I got to taste it but when I went for a 2nd bite, he had inhaled it. Oh and don't forget the Coco Rico. Whaaaa? Mi gente...go check them out! Took us back to San Juan!

The restaurant is a very laid back and authentic spot. If you're from the islands or of Hispanic…read moreheritage you'll definitely appreciate the familiarity of the place. The food is freshly made and well seasoned. You can't beat the price for the portions. Everyone is very down to earth and personable once you get past the language barrier. I would definitely recommend this place for anyone looking for some good home cooked food at a reasonable price.

The best mofongo in town! Always had a positive experience with great customer serviceread more

The food was a bit hit or miss for me. The mofongo was harder and drier than I would've liked, and…read morethe deep-fried pork was pretty well done, but the pork itself really good flavor. Forgot to take a photo of these, because the empanada was the star of the show. The shrimp empanadas was the best part of the meal, super crispy and flavorful. I also really enjoyed the potato ball. Those two were easily the standouts and something I'd order again.

Just go!!! Haven't had anything like this before, it's a perfect fusion. Service was fantastic too…read more:)

My Afro-Latina heart was so happy…read more I've been searching for really good Latin food since moving to North Carolina, and Boricua Soul absolutely delivered. From the moment we walked in, the vibe was on point. They were playing great music that made the whole place feel lively and welcoming, and I loved that you can choose to eat inside or enjoy the outdoor patio. My husband and I both ordered the Boricua Soul Bowl. He got the chicken, and I got the pernil. The pernil was incredible it was tender, juicy, and packed with flavor. The bowl came with arroz con gandules, collard greens, mac and cheese, and I chose the tostones. I had honestly given up on finding good tostones that I didn't have to make myself, but these were exactly what I'd been craving. Crispy, perfectly cooked, and absolutely delicious with the Guava Lava sauce. Since, I couldn't pass them up, we also ordered a side of maduros, and they were perfectly caramelized and sweet. The empanadas easily made my top five. Crispy on the outside, flavorful on the inside, and gone way too quickly. Also don't skip the watermelon lemonade, it was so refreshing and paired perfectly with everything we ordered. We'll definitely be back. There are still so many things on the menu I want to try, but I already know I'll be ordering the Boricua Soul Bowl. One tip for first-time visitors: if you're sitting inside and trying to get back outside , the exit is the same door you originally came in through on the far glass door. There is a sign, but we watched three different people accidentally try every other part of the glass first, so hopefully this saves someone a little confusion.

Food was good. Atmosphere was friendly. Most staff don't speak English, which makes the cultural…read moreexperience authentic. We ordered several dishes and they were all good. The interior is a bit small, which can also be seen as a good thing (intimate), but it limits the amount of people that can come in and enjoy it. They were full when we went and people were waiting outside in their cars for groups to leave so that they could come in and dine. They only have a limited number of English menus. If you want to enjoy this place without a Spanish speaker in your group, just be prepared to use "Google Translate" (we did) We will be returning!

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.

Stopped by for my beautician- she loves their homemade cucumber ginger beverage…read more I didn't see it in their ordering kiosk so I had to ask for it. While getting my hair done, I looked it up online and noticed they also have PINEAPPLE GINGER LEMONADE! I'm definitely going back to try that!! It would go very well with some jerk chicken and cabbage!!

First time trying the oxtail dinner with yellow rice and typically sides--cabbage and sweet…read moreplantains. The oxtail were super and the service was awesome; as usual! Clean, family friendly dining area. I'm convinced you can't go wrong with whatever you're in the mood for.