El Rincon Caribe — Restaurant in Pocono Township

I don't often leave reviews, and when I do, they're positive.

However, I had a fairly negative experience when I came here for dinner tonight.

I walked in, and the place was packed. That's understandable given how small they are and how well rated they are.

I ordered a whole chicken, pepper steak, and Caribbean fries. I also asked if they had any more tres leches since the case was empty.

The lady at the front end said the chicken would be a 10 minute wait, the fries were being made and would also be a wait of a few minutes, and they had tres leches in the back that they would cut up and serve. She wasn't very polite about it, but I'm not usually one to complain about bad service at a joint like this.

I stepped to the side to wait for my order. Periodically, the lady at the counter would point at me and ask what I was waiting for. I explained I was waiting for chicken and fries.

After about 30 minutes of waiting, I asked if the chicken would be ready soon. She checked with another gentleman who had been running food between the kitchen and the front counter. He explained they had just given their last two whole chickens to another customer who had come in about 15 minutes after me.

The lady went to the counter and began cobbling together pieces of chicken to sell to me. She turned to me and asked what else I was waiting for. I told her, and she said they weren't making any more fries, and "I told you that, right?"

I politely asked them to cancel the order, told them goodnight, walked out the door, and got a delicious dinner at the DQ across the street instead.

2 stars because the food smelled and looked great, which didn't...

Walking into El Rincon Caribe in Tannersville, Pennsylvania, you get the sense that this is a spot focused on the food more than the frills. I went for takeout and ordered the stew chicken along with a mofongo, and while I was not impressed by how either dish looked when I opened the containers, both ended up being packed with flavor. The stew chicken was tender with a deep, savory sauce that paired perfectly with the rice. The mofongo had just the right amount of garlic and seasoning, with a good balance of texture that kept it from being too dry. Their menu is full of homestyle comfort food like pulled pork, pepper steak, pork ribs, and even oxtail if you want to splurge, with most meals priced between ten and eighteen dollars depending on the size. For the quality and portion sizes, the prices felt fair, especially considering how well-seasoned the food was.

What holds the experience back a little is not the food, but everything around it. The customer service was not bad, but I would rate it closer to three out of five. The staff got the job done, but there was not a lot of warmth or personality in the interaction, which makes a difference when you are deciding whether to come back. The inside of the restaurant is clean and functional but not memorable, and the parking is average, so it is convenient enough for a quick pickup. Despite that, the food itself makes El Rincon Caribe worth checking out if you want hearty, flavorful Puerto Rican and Caribbean dishes without paying too much. The flavor and portion sizes make it a solid choice for takeout, even if the service and atmosphere do...

I was in the area for the day from south east, PA. I found this place on my phone app, and the reviews sold me on this restaurant. First I would like to say that the girls at the front counter are an asset to your business, they were very friendly, and sweet. The place itself has a relaxed atmosphere, which means a lot to me. I ordered a sancocho with a side of white rice as tradition dictates. Now I did not really consider this dish as a sancocho, but more like a soup which is the cook's version of a sancocho, however to the cook I will say your version of a sancocho was really delicious. I did ask for the large portion which costs fifteen dollars before taxes, and to my disappointment the large was very small. So I wonder what the small order looks like. Also the tables here are very small, I am an average size man and to put my legs under the table I would have to close my legs to fit between the table legs. I tried that and to my surprise that did not work. There are two metal pieces which cross from one leg to another which do not allow for a person to sit properly, so I had to sit back from the table with one foot underneath it and the other outside said table. Not to mention that table and chairs are metal so already they are cold and winter is not here yet. I am enclosing a picture of the table for your verification. You guys seem to be on the right track, however you need to improve in these areas. I left a three star review based on the food portion, and the uncomfortable seating which left me wondering; What we're these people thinking when they put these tables...