El Abuelo Cafe

Figures.
— — — — — — — — — —
So very disappointed. Was really looking forward to good things from this place but they weren’t open this Sunday. Unilocal said they’d be. So did their website. We even called but the number was out of service.
We crossed the bridge just to go here.

Came here on a Tuesday night around 10. Everything else in the area seemed to be closed. We drove around and saw the open sign. The owner was behind the bar and greeted us happily. We had some empanadas and the signature shrimp entrée. Food was good and the atmosphere was awesome!

Went here today and had lunch, with a friend
By far, the best Puerto Rican food, I have ever had!
What a hidden gem!!!
They not only have great food, they have a great atmosphere !! Definitely will be back!
Renee S.

I went with my boyfriend, both Puerto Ricans. We are very «picky» when it comes to judge food. Overall food was «ok», over salted (based on our preference), the seasonings of our Seafood were not «boricua» at all. We had creole shrimp mofongo & the fish of the day (grilled) with tostones. The tostones tasted really good. I drank a Medalla, which was not very cold. The prices are fair for what you are getting.
**Bring CASH! They don’t accept any type of cards… If not, you will have to use their private ATM machine, with a $ 2.50 convenience fee.

Can’t get enough of the amazing food and family feel. These people care about your experience and their reputation and it shows in the quality of the food and the comfortable friendly staff. It’s not fast food fast because they put time and care into everything they put on the table.

Delicious, amazing food and friendly staff!
My boyfriend is from Miami, I’m Cuban, and this is the closest thing to real Cuban food I’ve found North of Tampa. Puerto Rican Cuisine is very close (to Cuban cuisine) and this family-​owned restaurant makes excellent dishes! Everything is made from scratch and fresh to order using seasonings and spices indicative to puerto rican/​cuban food. We stepped out of the car and my mouth started to water. If you are looking for authentic Puerto Rican food look no further. We are locals here in Destin/​FWB and this is easily one of THE BEST restaurants in the Destin area!
There is covered outside dining in the front and back and a small indoor dining area in the front. This is truly and family business with mom, dad, kids, and grandkids all helping out. Everyone is friendly. Also, this is a pet/​dog friendly establishment, as you can bring you dog (properly socialized and on a leash of course) to the outside tables. The only small drawback is for now they are a CASH ONLY business; however they do have an ATM inside the small inside dining room.
When you go here expect mouth-​wateringly delicious food and friendly service with an air of family familiarity. Do not be in a rush. Everything is made to order, so it takes time. This is not a fast-​food type place. Sit, laugh, drink, eat, and enjoy your time there.

El Abuelo Café is a misrepresentation of what authentic Puerto Rican food tastes like. My husband is Puerto Rican & I am white. I have spent a total of 2 months in Puerto Rico learning to cook in my mother-​in-​laws kitchen. I can cook anything Puerto Rican and we went there, I was expecting A LOT better quality food. I settled for the cuban sandwich and the chicken empanada because the menu was very limited. I wanted the papas rellanos but it was marked out with a sharpie. He got the fried pork and mofongo. She brought out his fried pork and then said to him, «Oh, you got the mofongo? Oh, let me go put the order in.» Ten minutes later, she brought it and the pork was cold. We were the ONLY people there. It was just an awful experience. I would NEVER go back there, EVER! A waste of money!!!

This place’s air is of authentic Puerto Rican. I got the Cuban sandwich, which given the white-​owned and operated joints in Destin claiming to make a Cuban Sandwich, this place was the closest to non-​white run establishment as we could get, so we went for it :)
Yes, pace is slower than most restaurants, but many things ARE MADE FROM SCRATCH! Salsa made on the spot. Anything not offered on menu can be made if they have the resources, and they won’t charge you a fortune, if any charge at all.
People were laughing, singing, and very neighborly.
A fun experience!
I’d recommend it.

Came here very very very very slow the place is took forever to bring the burgers and the sanwiches very disappointed the food was ok wouldn’t come back again it’s too slow and it agravated me the time they took them to cook was about 1 hour and 30 minutes FAIL

Mmm, authentic Puerto Rican cuisine! El Abuelo’s is a small roadside café on Hwy 98 in Destin dominated by colorful outdoor seating and smelling like absolute bliss. You’ll hear the Caribbean music and smell the garlic and spices before walking through the door, and if you aren’t hooked at that point, your Philistine palate could use an overhaul.
This is the place to get a Cuban sandwich, a Triple (like a Cuban, only with more meat), fish tacos and let’s not forget the legendary mofongo, a garlic lover’s Caribbean dream. You can wash all this down and more with a cold beer or glass of Sangria, heavily laden with fresh fruit. There is outdoor seating in front and behind the café, so you can enjoy the gorgeous Florida weather under their palm frond umbrellas or out in the heat like a true sun worshiper. The staff is upbeat and treat you like a true guest.
They’ve started doing live music here and there on the weekends, and unlike all the other stages in town with people doing monotonous and tone deaf Jimmy Buffet covers, their artists do a nice blend of Jazz, Blues and Reggae, much like you find in the Islands. And let’s not forget Taco Tuesdays and some of their other food and drink specials that they have going on. I really hope this café stays a while; I plan on spending quite a bit of time gaining weight here.