Puerto Plata Dominican & Mexican Restaurant

I noticed this little place a couple of weeks ago, and my gut (literally) kept telling me I should try it. I envisioned a food truck-​like taco stand. I thought it would probably have a very limited menu, but hopefully some authentic dishes. Boy, was I surprised! Foodies take note: this little café offers a wonderful variety of Dominican and Mexican dishes. I’m very happy to be the first to review, and to share this «find» with you.
I hesitated to call it a restaurant because it is located in the front corner of the Riverchase Carwash. The indoor dining areas consist of a small counter and a table and there are five small tables outside. You place your order at the counter where you have a full view of the kitchen. Unlike a typical food truck, I found the food and presentation to be restaurant quality.
I was impressed with the menu and what it had to offer. One side of the menu listed the traditional Mexican options like tacos, burritos, fajitas, and the like. The other side is dedicated to Dominican style dishes, and this is what really caught my attention. I have been to the Dominican Republic before, and actually stayed in Puerto Plata. I was pleased to see many native dishes that you won’t find anywhere in Birmingham.
I spent quite a bit of time looking over the menu and trying to decide what to order. While I was contemplating, I watched the owners prepare several dishes. In particular, I noticed their attention to detail and the pride they took in preparing those dishes. The authentic Mexican tacos topped with fresh cilantro looked especially delicious.
I decided on the Camarones al coco as my lunch. The menu describes this as shrimp with coco (coconut milk), white rice and fried plantain slices. When my entrée arrived, I was very surprised to see the portion and the presentation on glassware. Check out the picture. The shrimp were large and fresh. They were prepared in a stew-​like sauce of coco, tomato paste, bell peppers, and some onions. The white rice was perfect for mixing with shrimp and sauce. It tasted similar to a Thai curry dish, but without the curry flavor. The fried plantains were great. A generous portion of ¼ inch slices of plantains; deep fried, but not oily at all. A small salad and a bowl of beans were included with the entrée. The salad was simple and very good. It was a unique combination of fresh shredded cabbage, cucumbers, and tomatoes. The salad dressing was vinegar and oil that you add. I thought the beans were okay.
My first thought was that the entrees were overpriced, especially considering my expectations. I certainly was not planning to spend $ 14 on lunch. But, after considering the entire meal and how much I enjoyed it, I feel like this was a good value. I can’t wait to take my family there, and I highly recommend you check this place out.