Guava Cream Cheese Empanada
Island Empanada

Island Empanada

2142 Merrick Ave, Merrick, New York, USA, 11566, United States

Seafood • Catering • Caribbean • Latin-american


"Review: This restaurant offers nothing remarkable. Here’s a brief overview of the issues: It only caters to those who can handle lactose and eat spicy foods. The ambiance is dull and monotonous, and the majority of the staff is teenagers who frequently make mistakes. The space is extremely small and cramped, and they've removed the outdoor bench! There's a heavy focus on takeout orders, which contributes to the slow and inflexible service. The bathroom is public, not private, and the waiting area is limited and crowded, often resulting in wait times that spill over into the dining area. Unfortunately, there are no fresh beverage options, only machine-dispensed drinks. The staff's service processes never seem to improve, and the checkout process is always cumbersome. The shop opens late and closes early, and there are far too many loud, rowdy customers. Expect a chaotic environment with constant lines both inside and outside. While the interior is clean, it often feels messy, with rarely-cleaned tabletops. Overall, the noise level is uncomfortably high due to the chaotic atmosphere, making it a magnet for stress, tension, and disputes. The vibe resembles a bar, with constant foot traffic at the entrance. The food and drink selection is extremely limited, only offering fresh items when they’re just made. The menu never changes and only features cold drinks—sugary sodas and a few desserts. Prices are exorbitantly high, with frequent increases, yet the availability of napkins and utensils is limited. The packaging for orders is poorly done, resulting in spills, leaks, and other mishaps. If you encounter any issues, refunds are not an option, and there’s no owner on site to address problems. Most customers seem to be disruptive or problematic, leading to a tense environment where conflicts brew regularly. This place is essentially a Hispanic/Latino version of "Fast Food Hell." In summary, it may be convenient, but the quality is average at best. *Vegetarian options: Limited. Dietary restrictions: Not suitable for those with restrictions, as most food is fried, cheesy, or pre-packaged. No customization options are accepted on the ethnic menu, which lacks diversity and consistency in pricing. Parking: Available in the shopping mall lot. Kid-friendliness: Appears to be accommodating. Wheelchair accessibility: None.*"

Cafe El Camino

Cafe El Camino

134 Newton Rd, Plaistow, New Hampshire, USA, 03865, PLAISTOW, United States

Cafe • Juice • Vegan • Caribbean


"We were visiting MA. There's no good Puerto Rican food where we live. We searched for restaurants in the area but nothing caught our eye until we saw the reviews and photos of this spot in NH, so I made the drive. This is a family owned business making authentic Puerto Rican food, from scratch, on a daily basis. When I entered, 2 women were walking out with a big box of take out food. There were people in and out to pick up orders. This is a good sign. I placed my order with Jonathan, one of the Chefs/co-owners. He had such a great personality. Very friendly and cordial. When I ordered my food he came out and gave me a limeade he was working on to try. It was good. He then came out with a complimentary soup, Sopa Levanta Muertos. OMG it was so good. It had bits of chicken, pork, steak and turkey. It was so flavorful. I ordered the Mofongo with Carne Frita. It was the best Mofongo I've ever tasted. The pork had a crisp on the outside and juicy on the inside and the flavor or was spot on. I had to force myself to stop eating it because it was so good and I was so full. I tried their Alcapurria with beef filling and beef and cheese Empanada. Both had plenty of filling and yummy. I also had their flan. It had the sugary sauce for every Bute and then some. That was so good. I also ordered take out for my daughter. Jonathan had left,, but the other Chef and co-owner, Elizabeth,, who is Jonathan's. mother took my order.. she was just as personable as her son. I ordered the beef Alcapurria, beef and cheese Empanada and the pizza Empanada. The pizza Empanada wasn't what we expected. It was sweet, but it was good. I also got the Arroz con Gandules which came with sweet plantains. They were both really good. The sweet plantains were one of the best I've had. The white rice was good and the beans that come with the rice, which also came with sweet plantains, were as flavorful as everything else we had. We loved everything. We will definitely com"