Emilio’s Place — Restaurant in Stroud Township

This is a hidden gem of a place in the Poconos. The younger guy who works the front is a very nice person and is super knowledgeable on the menu and is eager to help the patrons who come in and aren't totally sure what they want yet. I am posting about two trips I made here, and both were 5 star trips.

The first time in he told me that typically when someone comes for the first time they get the Pernil (which is basically a Puerto Rican roasted pork shoulder) with the yellow rice and pinto beans. Uhm, okay buddy, say no more...you have me interested. This pork had fantastic flavor. I've had many Spanish pork dishes in my life and this was right near the top. The beans had a really great flavor to them and the rice with pigeon peas was also very good. I knew i'd go back as soon as I took my first bite.

The second time in he talked me into trying their BBQ Chicken. Since I had gotten the pinto beans the first time around I decided I wanted to try the black beans but I stuck with the yellow rice and pigeon peas. As an added bonus he tossed in a little bit of their baked yuca for me to try. Holy wow. The Chicken was similar to most BBQ chicken dishes but with much more flavor. The black beans were also seasoned perfectly and this yuca was like nothing I had ever had before. I am used to having fried yuca with a dipping sauce, this was so much more like other tubers i've had that are baked. Lots of garlic flavor on it and super tender.

I can't seem to find solid contact information for them or I would go in and film some footage for them for the blog, YouTube, and TikTok pages I have. This place was so very good and add on the caring and helpful staff members and it's a huge no brainer...Emilio's Place in Bartonsville, PA -...

First week of February 2021, I ordered from here and the food was good... pricey for the size of the portions but good...

Second week of February 2021, I ordered fried sweet plantains, pulled pork with pinto beans and rice... $13.00, the plantains were overcooked (nice word for burned) SEE PHOTOS and the pulled pork was soggy and salty... the rice and pinto beans were good. At this point, I will give them one more try because I’ve been satisfied once and disappointed once. Hopefully, the third time around they will win me as a customer for good.

Third week of February 2021, I gave this place another shot... my first review I gave 2 ⭐️, but a third chance to earn me as a loyal customer was unsuccessful and caused me to reduce their 2 ⭐️ to 1 ⭐️ . This time I ordered fried sweet plantains that I SPECIFICALLY asked to be fried LIGHTLY, baked chicken with pinto beans and rice. My meal was between $12-$13 bucks.. the portion size is not worth the price at all!! SEE PHOTOS (Click on Local Guide under my name to see updated photos)For 1 chicken leg (no thigh), with rice and beans and BURNED sweet plantains??!!! Not worth it! The presentation of the food alone is poor and the taste is NOT remarkable enough to overlook or ignore the burned plantains they charge $6 bucks for!! I gave this restaurant 3 chances!!! The first time was good (I wished I had taken pictures!) But the 2nd and 3rd time... Not good and I would not order from this place again, nor recommend them! They are expensive, stingy with portion size and they’ll ignore your request not to burn...

Not really sure why this place doesn't have five stars. Hopefully this will help. We hadn't been to Stroud mall in a few months. Normally we go and do what we came to do and then grab a bite (usually pizza or gyro king) in the food court. Today we went to get itour younge daughter's ears pierced. As usual we headed to the food court with our two girls which includes a picky 2 year old who only eats pizza! I noticed this new spot and haven't had authentic Spanish food in a long time. I decided I wanted an empanada. Ordered them started looking at the rest of the food and I had to grab a platter. This is not good court food!! This is authentic Spanish family style food! It took me back to eating dinner over my spanish best friends house when I was 11! Fresh, flavorful, and 100% authentic. And to finish icing the cake the people are so friendly! I believe it was a son and mom in the front. He was playing with my baby. I swear it was like visiting family. The prices are excellent. The food is phenomenal and customer service is superb. Even my picky toddler enjoyed my leftovers for dinner that evening. If you're ever in the Stroud mall definitely don't overlook this place you'll be missing out! Definitely a diamond in the rough! The mall is no place for this place. You definitely need to open a bigger spot! The ONLY complaint I have is I didn't get enough beans to my liking and a bit too much meat for me! 😂 Next time I'll make sure to ask for more...