Rincón del Sabor — Restaurant in Puerto Rico

Review of Rincón del Sabor

If you’re looking for a place that serves up not only incredible food but also an unforgettable experience, Rincón del Sabor is the spot you need to visit. This hidden gem, with 25 years of culinary tradition, offers more than just a meal – it delivers a warm, welcoming atmosphere that makes you feel like you’re dining in a family home.

From the moment we walked in, Puky and Maria made us feel like long-lost relatives returning for a home-cooked meal. Puky, the charismatic waitress, has a natural gift for storytelling. Her tales of the restaurant’s history and the local culture added an extra layer of warmth to the evening. Meanwhile, Maria, the genius behind the stove, poured 25 years of passion and expertise into every dish she prepared. Together, they’re the dynamic duo that makes this place shine.

Now, let’s talk about the food – because wow, it was a journey in itself.

We started with the Arepas de Coco, and they were absolutely on point. The subtle sweetness of the coconut blended perfectly with the crispy exterior and soft, fluffy interior. Each bite was a little taste of heaven, setting the bar high for what was to come.

But it was the Mofongo de Camarones and Mofongo de Carrucho en Salsa Criolla that stole the show. We’ve tried mofongo all over the place, but nothing – and I mean nothing – compares to what Maria serves here. The texture was perfect, the flavors bold and rich, and the seafood fresh and perfectly seasoned. It’s safe to say this is the best mofongo we’ve ever eaten, hands down.

For the main event, we had the Chillo Frito (whole fried fish). The fish was cooked to perfection – crispy on the outside, tender and flaky on the inside. The only tiny critique would be that it was just a little heavy on the pepper, but honestly, that didn’t take away from the overall experience. It was still an absolute delight, and we savored every bite.

The prices? Extremely affordable for the quality and portions you get. You’re not just paying for food; you’re paying for an experience that’s worth every penny. The restaurant itself is cute and cozy, with a relaxed vibe that matches its seaside location perfectly. Being near the beach only adds to its charm, making it an ideal spot to unwind and enjoy a great meal after a day in the sun.

Our expectations were not only met but completely exceeded. Every dish was a testament to Maria’s culinary skill and love for cooking, and Puky’s hospitality made us feel like we were part of the family.

Final Thoughts: If you’re planning to visit Rincón del Sabor, come hungry but don’t rush. Whether you’re a local or just passing through, this is a spot you’ll want to return to time and time again. We...

EDIT in response to owner's reply: Just because you don't like how the criticism sounded doesn't mean it's falsified with malicious intent. The innuendo that we cannot afford the meal is just hilarious. Some people need to understand that there's a difference between having the money and spending money on stuff that's not worth the price. Just like how there's a difference between a more heavily seasoned/ salted cuisine and accidentally dumped a huge amount of salt into the soup. Seriously the meal was so salty we drank close to a gallon of water that night. A mistake is a mistake. I stand by my words and I think my visit did not reflect the high review score this place had. Simple as that. People can make their own decisions for sure, and I am adding to the pool of information which the owner has no right to jeer at.

ORIGINAL review: The price at this restaurant matches those you would find in San Juan proper, or even higher, but the quality or portion (or even dining environment or service) is no match. I don't know why it has such a high rating but it certainly lured a lot of tourists in (all 3 tables were seated with tourists when we dined). I regretting coming here, paying one of the most expensive bills of all my dining experience in Puerto Rick, while the food was less than mediocre (we were not full, and the meal was extremely salty - the owner argued that it's how things are but we've had similar dishes at other restaurants in Luquillo and Fajardo that are far more tasty and far less salty). If you are a tourist looking at this restaurant, do yourself a favor and go...

I've been going here for three years and the food has consistently been high quality. My favorite is the pork chops with a side of sweet potato fries and side salad, but they have a pretty wide variety of choices. The owner is friendly and helpful, and speaks a good amount of english. It is located about 2 blocks from the town square. There is plenty of parking in front. You could combine a trip to the center of Luquillo (go to the beach there, walk through the picturesque rocks and mini-cliff at the end of the beach, walk the nice boardwalk along the beach, see the town square) with getting a meal at El Rincon.

The town square is about 300 feet from the beach, and the restaurant is a 2 minute walk from the town square. The town square has a picturesque catholic church (named San Jose aka St. Josephs) with a lot of beautiful elaborate and huge wood carvings in it. It also has paintings of nature scenes from the Luquillo area including the coastline and rainforest mountains. It's often open for some of the day and you can go in and view the carvings, one of which is 15 feet high. If you are a church-goer, they have services Saturday night, Sunday morning and night, weekday mornings and...