489251 Wed Feb 13 08:35:33 -0800 2008 16 14 Washington DC & Baltimore Area 0 3393125 Chowhound Family...I have a friend of mine who just moved into the area. She is Puerto Rican, and she is looking for a place in the area that serves authentic Puerto Rican cuisine. Anyone can help??? Wed Feb 13 08:35:33 -0800 2008 101856 marcbjohnson 1 3393399 Probably better places, but I have heard that Banana Cafe in Capitol Hill has some Puerto Rican dishes. Their menu is online. http://www.bananacafedc.com/home.htm Wed Feb 13 09:38:35 -0800 2008 3393125 105013 elbows 2 3393573 Banana sort of presents itself as pan-Caribbean, it's ok and pleasant, but unless things have changed, allow some time, the kitchen can work on "island time". wait until a nice Spring day and kill an afternoon at the outdoor tables over mojitos (West exposure and Metro's only a block away) Wed Feb 13 10:14:09 -0800 2008 3393399 163722 hill food 3 3393587 Banana Cafe is good for drinks and the outdoor tables are definitely seductive on a nice day. Too bad the food leaves much to be desired. Portions are large, but what's the point if not much of it is really tasty? The last time I ate there I said I wouldn't return. Cheesy, greasy, highly Americanized fare Wed Feb 13 10:16:58 -0800 2008 3393573 78030 dcandohio 4 3459606 Completly agree. I eat here every now and then because its the one place our office can eat where the one vegan in the group is satisfied. I've never been a huge fan of the food and service can be very slow but the drinks are good in warm weather. Tue Mar 04 13:12:47 -0800 2008 3393587 76776 Elyssa 1 3393486 Maybe Cafe Salsa in Alexandria? There's a menu online. Maybe it has a few dishes that will remind your friend of the comforts of home! Wed Feb 13 09:57:05 -0800 2008 3393125 165120 dckw 2 3396187 I was not going to create an account on here and simply use it to browse but as a self respecting food lover I could not let this thread stand without marcbjohnson a very solid answer. There is NO Puerto Rican food in the general Baltimore/DC area. I lived in Puerto Rico for years, my wife is from Puerto Rico and lived on the island until she was 23 when we were married. We have a vacation home on the island and go back at least once a year to see all of our family. We have reverted to having the local lady in my wifes childhood neighborhood cook us food a few times a year and overnight it to us here in MD. Sorry for the negative response but it will save you hours of looking in vien as I have over the last 4 years. Thu Feb 14 03:06:59 -0800 2008 3393486 165928 Bulldogg65 3 3459564 Thank you, Bulldogg. You have me laughing over here. Although I will check out some of the things that the others have suggested, I have to agree with you. This area is mainly populated with Latinos from the deeper Central American countries such as Hondorus, Ecuador, and El Salvador (Although we do have Cuban and Mexican restaurants in the area as well). You need to tell that local lady to move up here and open up her Puerto Rican restaurant. Tue Mar 04 13:03:54 -0800 2008 3396187 101856 marcbjohnson 3 3866367 What about Cafe Salsa? I just went there last night. I have no idea where the chef/owner is from but there are many P.R. dishes, or so I believe. I've only stayed in P.R. briefly so don't shoot me. We had the Papitas Rellenas & Camerones Mejillones Al Tango for appetizers. For entrees we had Pollo Campeche and Arroz con Pollo (which was a special). The only thing that I didn't like is the Arroz con Pollo, they used chicken breast and cooked it until it was really dry. Mon Jul 14 05:30:38 -0700 2008 3396187 180506 Ericandblueboy 3 4428759 Just an FYI: A few weeks ago what looks to be a Puerto Rican restaurant coming to Glen Burnie on Rt. 2, across and down a little bit from La Fontaine Bleu. I'm not sure if anyone has any information about it, and when I passed it looked like they were still doing work on it, but maybe this will be your answer. Wed Feb 18 10:30:17 -0800 2009 3396187 13808 Jason1 4 4429448 lol of all places. the bmore area is changing from when I was a kid in the 80's. Wed Feb 18 13:23:42 -0800 2009 4428759 111873 vivinator 2 4428283 Far from real Puerto Rican food...Mofongo isn't supposed to be mushy...If you are looking fro real authentic Puerto Rican food don't waste your time here. Wed Feb 18 08:33:24 -0800 2009 3393486 267848 Monfongito 1 3397302 and there have been a couple fairly recent threads on this question, so you might do a search. Thu Feb 14 09:59:13 -0800 2008 3393125 112104 mselectra 1 4428831 Caribbean Breeze in Arlington: alcapurrias, piononos, and mofongo. Cafe Salsa in Alexandria (Old Town) and soon a second location on 14 St (DC): alcapurrias, piononos, mofongo. These two are a bit on the pricey side for what you get in my opinion, but the better choices. Also, Banana Cafe in DC: piononos, mofongo, pernil. There was also a report here awhile back for a takeout or stripped down place called Manna in Takoma Park with PR dishes. Wed Feb 18 10:50:32 -0800 2009 3393125 168551 justaddwater 1 4429547 There is a place called Manna in Hyattsville, and also a Manna Carry-out in Talkoma Park. I have never been, but I remember a VERY positive post on Chowhound a long time ago about this place. You could always call and find out. Wed Feb 18 13:42:53 -0800 2009 3393125 10156 Steve 2 5151395 I found that post a while ago and went and tried the pork belly mofongo at Manna and really enjoyed it. I don't know how authentic it was as it was my first one, but the pieces of pork were crispy fried and the plantains were good and there were limes and something spicy, but I can't recall what it was. I will definitely go back. Parking was a huge pain in the culo, my only annoyance. http://www.yelp.com/biz/manna-carry-out-takoma-park Tue Nov 03 05:09:39 -0800 2009 4429547 88153 sekelmaan 1 5151285 I was searching last night and found this, it's called El Coqui, it's in Baltimore. I haven't been there personally. http://maps.google.com/maps/place?hl=en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=el+coqui+maryland&fb=1&gl=us&hq=el+coqui&hnear=maryland&cid=15636312903671911774 Tue Nov 03 02:25:26 -0800 2009 3393125 1121314 july2juni