El Flamboyan Cafe

This place is super expensive and the dinner entrees not that good for the price. I’ve eaten here twice and As a Hispanic who eats this kind of food frequently, I wouldn’t come back here for dinner. Unless to get frituras like empanadillas or alcapurrias or maybe even just for lunch their lunch specials. Their finger foods are good though.

So far so good! Perfect on the go Pastelillos (turnover/​patty/​empanada) and Alcapurrias (root veggie fritters). Located on Chestnut st across from the DFC and a couple of doors down from the infamous Cadillac Hotel (heyyy). The restaurant identifies as a Puerto Rican eatery with some Caribbean dishes.
It is very clean inside and the customer service has been on point and speedy every time. Super casual and approachable. 4.5 stars rounding it up to 5.
Pastelillos I’ve had and reluctantly shared: (Juan and Maria who?)
Conch $ 4 — never had one with conch. This was a tasty treat. Savory and sweet.
Jueyes $ 4 (PR Crab, not sure if land or rock) — the filling was more like a paste. Just ok. I don’t think I like it in patty form.
Pizza $ 2.50 — sauce and cheese. Just like my grandparents used to make.
Beef $ 2.50 — a classic, and again just like my grandparents used to make.
Beef & Cheese $ 3 — comfort food to the 2^nd power.
Lunch Specials: with choice of yellow rice or white rice & beans, lettuce and tomato. Mofongo or tostones are $ 3 extra.
Baked Chicken $ 10 — my coworker was nice enough to let me sample at my heart’s content. Not only was the chicken portion big, it was baked to absolute perfection. Last time I sampled a baked chicken this good was at Richardson’s Canal House. Of course this is a fraction of the price! The chicken was very succulent and well seasoned. It brought me back to the times that I was a little Ebbie who didn’t want to come inside for lunch/​dinner. UGH, what I fool I was as a kid.
Roasted Pork $ 10 — ALL ME! I got my combo with the white rice & beans, just as my face projects. I was really killing this. The beans were so perfect and savory that I was close to tears. Very nostalgic lunch in Payroll’s break room. The pork was cut in med sized cubes with a thick layer of fat and skin… this is where I am conflicted. Perfectly seasoned, tender, juicy — BUTTT I absolutely hate that part of the pork bum. I’m used to eating the pork in stringy chunks with the occasional roasted skin. The skin was edible, but I had to cut a lot of the under laying fat off. So this brought down meat portion close to half. If you are like me, remember to ask them if they can possibly give you another part of the roast.
This will definitely be a regular stop for me and my coworkers. Will update my review when get to dine in and see get the pretty plate presentations… *cough*. Naz B. *ahem*