Kiosko El Boricua

Some of the best food I had in all of Puerto Rico. The pork skewers (pinchos) were incredible. I love the area as well, not as touristy like San Juan. The staff knew what they were doing and I enjoyed watching them hand make everything. Would definitely go back.

I’d like to start off by saying that I only received feedback from this place from the locals. People who actually live several towns away make it a point to come to this place on the weekends and make it a family affair.
Its not that far from the San Juan Airport and the drive to this place is amazing with views of the ocean that make you wanna stop and just take it in. The place is sort of hidden, you actually need to keep driving about 2 – 3 minutes more after the directions end to find it. You will. Just look for the line of people waiting to pick up their food :)
The food was great, I’ll jot down what we ordered:
Piononos = awesome, different than anywhere i’ve tried them in the states.
Alcapurria = These are some of the best, a lot of people say they are the best, I might challenge that since I stop at a lot of small little stands while driving around and people usually make these the same, It was great, but it wasn’t mind blowing… I wouldn’t call them THE BEST IN PR like most of the locals would.
Pastelillo = HUGE and packed with tons of meat.
Pinchos = we had the chicken, those were really good. Almost feels like they just leave them overnight in garlic cause they are mighty strong but have a nice taste with the charred BBQ sauce they use. Locals seem to like to use KRAFT original BBQ Sauce. This also comes with an «Arepa» on the side.
Arroz Guisado or Arroz con gandulez with Jueyes (Crabmeat) = This was very different than your normal rice, it was more softer, soggy and almost over cooked but its the style. I think it had a nice blend because of the crab meat, so it almost had to be prepared like that. On the side you got beans, those were awesome and it came with a «patita» pigs foot :) made to perfection.
Drinks we did the local pop — cola champagne.
I will give this place a perfect score, its in an island, its near an amazing view steps away from it and its simplicity just takes you back. The cooking is done with wood, their pit is so simple it just makes you feel like you wanna come home and build one. The people are super nice… and not to worry if you have a large order, they’ll be calling out your name to make sure you come and get it via their audio system. «Sammy!!!» lol several times if you don’t hurry. Great place, go there and check-​in, the signal is choppy but find 1 – 2 bars and your solid.

Love the location, it’s right next to the water and their décor is so cute. I really recommend the pork pinchos, everything is on a grill or deep fried for you to see. A lot of tourists come around here and stop by to get a quick fix! You won’t regret this place.

Now if you’re looking for 5 star dining this“aint” it, but it is amazing if you love yourself some cuchifritos! Fried goodness is their specialty! We loved the alcupurias, arepsa (PR version) and pastellons. The huge baccalitos were too big and salty for me. This is a local joint so arrive knowing enough spanish to order because the ladies are busy busy busy and do not speak english. I wish they offered more food like rice, etc, but what they do serve is delicioso! They also make pastelles upon order!

They make everything fresh here — no heat lamps! Everything is deep fried or grilled on a wood fire. If you don’t hablas espanol, you’ll probably need to get someone in line to help you order.
I’m a sucker for meat pies so the piononos (fried plantain meat pie) was my favorite item. The pinchos (grilled dark meat chicken or pork on skewers with BBQ sauce) were both tasty but I’d pick the chicken if I had to choose one. The arroz con jueys (rice with crab) tasted good but it’s just crab-​flavored yellow rice with no actual pieces of crab in it so I’d skip it next time. The pastellilo (fried empanada) wasn’t bad but the pastry was a bit bland. The alcapurria (oblong-​shaped fritter) seemed very popular and I thought I had ordered one but it never came. I would avoid the taco — I’m not sure if they messed up the order but it was almost identical to the pastellilo except it cost a lot more.
Chilled fresh coconuts and a selection of beers are all available for order from the bar at the back of the seating area. There’s no real bathroom but there is a foot-​pump sink and port-​a-​potties in the back.
Pros: Authentic and affordable.
Cons: You’ll smell smokey if you sit downwind of the grill and cooking fires. We were all eaten alive by tiny sand flies. I left with over 25 itchy bites!
Tips: They close at 6pm and don’t speak English.
I would rate it 5-​stars if not for the bug bites.

My sister recommended this place for lunch. Delicious food, especially the fried fish bread. Would recommend to anyone visiting Puerto Rico.

If you end up wondering off the beaten path and find yourself in the less frequent area of Piñones, you sir are fortunate. I eat here once when i arrive in pr and again right before i leave. You cant miss the spot: smoke is visible about a half mile away from a shack that literally burns scrap wood from houses to boil the oil for frying the fresh seafood-​in which sounds third-​world but gives a nice little touch of realness. Pretty much all locals eat here, so if you cant speak the basic Spanish phases to order (or use google translator) then this place probably doesn’t pertain to you and you should eat at a «Bubba Gump Shrimp’s» or a «Sizzlers» with the rest of the dull trashy tourists. Not the healthiest spot considering most items are fried but its so authentic and exquisite that Puerta Rican rapper/​hip hop artist Fat Joe frequents this spot like a junkie in front of a 7−11(at least i think thats him). Thinking about this place makes me want to purchase a flight to pr because trying to recreate this type of cuisine in the united states is like Micheal j fox trying fold sand paper into origami cranes by using chopsticks, too many variables to transfer such ingredients and in combination with the family passed down culinary skills– it would be really tough to pull off… If you want to try the real thing you have to travel here.

Best fried food in Piñones!
PLUS: Fresh coconuts, and right on the beach!

I’m not really sure what everyone is so crazy about. Like most things I encountered food-​wise in PR, this place was underwhelming. We waited nearly an hour in line. I found that whatever flavorful ingredients may exist in San Juan are frequently fried to death until everything tastes exactly the same. Plantain, shrimp or pork? Couldn’t tell you. I so wanted to love food in Puerto Rico, but never found anything extraordinary. My hopes were officially dashed at this joint.
I’m pretty sure I’ve had better Puerto Rican by neighbors here in NYC. Even our cabbie in San Juan admitted to never eating out because of the excessive frying, grease and cheap food. I hope to visit again, but well outside of San Juan — I know that there are better examples out there.

Food is cooked to order. As fresh as it gets. Not to mention as tasty as it gets. Order anything on the menu, you can’t go wrong. They have every filling for the items, from lobster to an exotic fish I can’t pronounce. You have to try their rice with crab. Ridiculously good. I stop by every time I go to Puerto Rico. Can’t help it. By the way only out door seating.

On our trip through the rain forest, on the way down, there was a sign for fresh coconuts, but I decided NOT to stop for them because we were running late, with a promise to my gf that we would get them later.
Sure enough there was no fresh coconut places in town. And we did find them at a bar but it was 11 bucks!!! I decided I’d rather get yelled at for not getting coconuts then getting yelled at for spending 11 for a coconut. So I looked on Unilocal,and lucky for me this Kiosko was the life saver. It’s only a few minutes away from our hotel and they had PLENTY of fresh coconuts. 2 bucks a pop! We got 4! So yummy and cold. Th people were very friendly. We didn’t get a chance to try the other food but this is the place to go to get fresh coconuts on the cheap!

Delicious! We had the Jueyes (crab) accapulles (sp) which was my favorite! Then the pork ponchos on a stick and the shrimp pastillos. Had to wait awhile to be served but it was worth the wait!

This is an authentic Puerto Rican experience, going to Pinones that is, and I consider this place the best kiosk of all of them (though I haven’t been to that many). They definitely seem to have the longest line of all the places so that’s a good sign and it’s mainly locals. I’ve had most everything on the menu and all the traditional Puerto Rican foods, most are fried of course. Some of my favorites include pinchos, alcapurrias, piononos, pastelillos, and arepa.

Yes, this is the place to stop and try the local fare, arroz con cangrejos, alcalpurias a cold beer right next to the beach… You cannot beat it just look for the long lines. or try to go early during the day in the week.

Still great food and long lines. They have improved the seating arrangements with better tables and benches. And they’ve improved the parking lot as well. If you like long lines make sure to go on Sunday.

Lil slice of Puerto Rican heaven out this piece. Don’t come thru if you’re a fried food hater, live a little. Everything was stupid good. We had like a million different things, I especially f#%ks with the pastelillos de jueyes or carne, and the alcapurrias de pollo or camaron. Also smashed several pichos (really juicy bbq chicken on sticks, just like I like to live). The prize out of everything: the piñonos. Sweet plantains topped with meat, topped by more plantains, and fried. Don’t leave without trying it. And watch them make it, it’ll make the finished product look that much more delicious. To wash it all down I bought a coco, took it to the bar to add some rum, and walked Across the street to the beach for the rest of the day. That’s the life son.

I’m sad to share my husband and I didn’t like ⁴⁄₅ of the items we purchased; (maybe we were expecting too much bc of all the excellent reviews. But either way we didn’t love it and we won’t order from here again. The only item we liked was the chicken skewer… but a week prior we went to a different kiosk in pinones which sold better chicken skewers so we’d return to that kiosk when we return to Piñones…too bad I don’t remember the name of the hut.

This is my ALL TIME Favorite spot for authentic Puerto Rican Yum-​yums! If you’re in Puerto Rico’s north/​north east area, you’d have to be a complete moron to pass-​up this place! MORON!
Get yourself a car and take a nice little drive to Piñones. Don’t stop at the first Kiosk you see. More than likely, you’ll see a whole bunch lining the road… The problem with those spots are… HEAT LAMPS! If you see a kiosk with a Heating Lamp run like hell! You know the food isn’t fresh when you see those. They cook their shit early in the morning or maybe even the day before and it sits there under those heating lamps losing their flavor, drying out!
Keep driving until you find this jewel along the road! Trust me when I say, I use the word jewel not as a physical description. Cause when you see this place, I’m sure one of the first things that you will think will be, «I ain’t eating shit from this place!» Trust me… EAT There… You won’t see any heating lamps!
They make their food fresh… You order it, and they make it for you and serve it! The only CON… The wait is long! I waited 45 minutes once! You’re in the sun and waiting… that is a huge con… but the food is so good that it’s soooooooo WORTH IT! Trust me… I don’t have any patience and I stand there and wait, silently… never bitchin’!
My father is a native to the island and unfortunately for me, he decided not to teach me Spanish… Thanks, Pop! Be that as it may, you’ll have no problem ordering and if you do, just ask someone on the line if they can assist. Or just order ANYTHING… You will NOT be disappointed!
This is my go to spot, for lunch almost every day while I’m there… I don’t think they’re open at night… I wouldn’t know, I only go during the day.
I took some friends there the last time I was in PR, and one of my friends is so picky cause she has irritable bowel syndrome… so, she can eat a piece of wonder bread and gets diarrhea (yeah, that sucks!)…Took her here and SHE LOVED THIS PLACE! Nuff Said!

arepa de langosta demasiado de rica!!!

Authentic local hot spot. Great food and drinks. A must for anyone looking for real PR

If you’re in Puerto Rico and want to try authentic local food, this stand is it. The food is delicious. We got the codfish, which was too salty for me, the doughy bread, which was delicious, the chicken shish kabob, which was booming with flavor, and the brown plantains filled with beef. Fyi everything is fried. Everything.
Absolutely get the coconut drinks! You get an entire coconut and you can drink the water inside, and then break it open and eat the coconut. It is so healthy and refreshing!
For 5 dishes, 3 coconuts, and 2 sodas, our entire charge was $ 25… really wish this stand was located across from my workplace in nyc lol.
There are absolutely no tourists here so be prepared for that. It’s completely a local stop. There is loud music playing and roosters everywhere. Right across is the beach so feel free to head there after.
I had a blast eating at this stand!

Good for what it is. I think by the time we finally made it here, we were over the fry-​everything menu… we did get some bbqed meat which was good. We used a review from a fellow Unilocaler to guide what we ordered and were lucky enough to have a local in line in front of us who helped translate the particulars.

This place is as puertorrican as it can be!!! A few days ago I tried to buy some food in mid-​afternoon and the line was too much! So after a beautiful day at a nearby beach, i stop by again. After a wait of about 35 minutes, i finally got my hands on a few ALCAPURRIAS! They were amazing, delicious and very yummy! I also got a pionono (Plantain stuffed with meat) an i was not able to eat it at the moment. (Lunch for next day!!!) i highly recommend this place despite the wait.
UPDATE: Went today 1÷24÷2015 and the place still he best!!! Some work have been done and now they have cement tables (before were plastic).

All the good things that can be said about this kiosk have already been said by others — and I agree. What visitors need to understand is that these food — particularly the alcapurria — come with a long ethnic tradition.
Fifty years ago, the alcapurrias and the bacalaito were the drawing card of the predominantly black community of Loiza Aldea that owned all the kiosks in the Piñones area. Over the years, other social groups, mostly Dominincans, have overrun the area and turned it into a cheap food mill where food is served cold, greasy, and poorly crafted. El Boricual is the only place to get good value even with the long lines.