Steph Says: Puerto Plata!
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/630030827_TRC4u-O.jpg)
The lovely Steph Bewley brings us her latest restaurtant review.
By popular demand through a reader's poll, Steph checks out Puerto Plata in Ortega.
Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2009-aug-steph-says-puerto-plata
Sounds good. Is this the place in Lakeshore that was a Chinese restaurant for many years?
It's in Ortega on Blanding, very close to San Juan. :)
*edit - Perhaps that actually is considered Lakeshore?
Quote from: stephElf on August 25, 2009, 02:53:28 PM
It's in Ortega on Blanding, very close to San Juan. :)
*edit - Perhaps that actually is considered Lakeshore?
Yeah, it is Lake Shore/Lakeshore (however you spell it), Mrs Steph Says!
Ahh thanks for the clarification Mandy! It is a hop, skip and a jump from Ortega though and literally 2.5 minutes from the Publix Shopping Plaza at 17 & San Juan.
Horrible place. I ate there a few years ago with several Dominican friends. The staff was very rude and food was over priced. The Jags happened to be playing and I asked them to turn the tv on to watch the game. The waitress said no, then walked off. No explanation or anything. I ate there again on Sunday with the same friends because I was told the staff had changed. WRONG!!! Ordered the Arroz con Pollo for $9.25. Got about a pound of rice and about 7 half dollar size pieces of chicken in it. My friends had to ask several times for water and the waitress kept ignoring them till I got up and ask the staff in the back for some. Granted the food is pretty good, but with rude staff forget it. This place doesn't have refills either. If you order a soda for $1 you will get a glass of ice and a can of soda. I love my Spanish food but will NEVER go to this place again.
That stinks! I had a similar experience at Havana Jax.. but it was mainly because of a language barrier... our meal from A - Z was botched and annoying... It has been a while though and would give them a second chance - the food was good.
I've been there and I liked it. Then again I eat just about anything. The server was nice enough when I was there, too.
I've been there twice and never had a problem with the service. It wasn't the best in town but it wasn't horrible. I think any issues were because of the language barrier.
The food is tasty and I don't think it is overpriced at all. I got the roast pork, like Steph mentioned and had plenty to eat and leftovers for the next day.
I do wish the Sangria had fruit in it.
Quote from: stephenc on August 25, 2009, 03:55:26 PM
Horrible place. I ate there a few years ago with several Dominican friends. The staff was very rude and food was over priced. The Jags happened to be playing and I asked them to turn the tv on to watch the game. The waitress said no, then walked off. No explanation or anything. I ate there again on Sunday with the same friends because I was told the staff had changed. WRONG!!! Ordered the Arroz con Pollo for $9.25. Got about a pound of rice and about 7 half dollar size pieces of chicken in it. My friends had to ask several times for water and the waitress kept ignoring them till I got up and ask the staff in the back for some. Granted the food is pretty good, but with rude staff forget it. This place doesn't have refills either. If you order a soda for $1 you will get a glass of ice and a can of soda. I love my Spanish food but will NEVER go to this place again.
This place hasn't been there that long, and definitely wasn't there several years ago. I think you're thinking about the seedy Mex/Latin place that was there before Puerto Plata.
The location has always been a restaurant as long as I've been here. First it was some seedy Chinese place that closed down, then around 2001 it became a seedy Mex/Latin place, which closed down. Then it sat vacant for awhile, and maybe a year or so ago it became Puerto Plata.
But it has changed hands a bunch of times, and based on the timeframe you're referring to, it's not possible that the current restaurant is the one you went to. PP is maybe a year'ish old, or something like that. I remember watching the renovations take place when I'd drive by there.
I've never eaten there and don't know them, so I'm certainly not defending them with this post, but that was definitely a different restaurant when you went there.
I just recently went to Puerto Plata within the last week.. This place was recommended to me by a coworker who is Dominican, as is her husband.. So I decided to try it out.. I dragged along a Colombian and a Nicaraguan and we went for it.... All 3 of us had the arroz con pollo and were equally impressed... I eat mine with ketchup (the ONLY way to have it).. We also ordered Plantains and they were cooked just right. I was very impressed with the upkeep of the building, the furnishings, staff friendliness, and prices were very reasonable for the amount of food you get.
Also, regarding the refills on soda.. This is somewhat of an American thing... If you've ever traveled to S. America or Europe, you never get free refills. This is not an American restaurant.
Free refills are part of the reason this country is so fat anyway.
Clean, consistently delicious, potent sangria, cheap price$, huge portions, great hours, friendly smiles AND prompt courteous service no matter your party size---AND literally less than 30 paces from monthly summer outdoor movie nights cast onto the back wall of the auto garage at Appleton and Blanding directly across form the Lakeshore Schwinn fitness shop.
open late on wekends and very lively if you like to dance on a patio!
Quote from: ChriswUfGator on September 05, 2009, 02:22:27 PM
Quote from: stephenc on August 25, 2009, 03:55:26 PM
Horrible place. I ate there a few years ago with several Dominican friends. The staff was very rude and food was over priced. The Jags happened to be playing and I asked them to turn the tv on to watch the game. The waitress said no, then walked off. No explanation or anything. I ate there again on Sunday with the same friends because I was told the staff had changed. WRONG!!! Ordered the Arroz con Pollo for $9.25. Got about a pound of rice and about 7 half dollar size pieces of chicken in it. My friends had to ask several times for water and the waitress kept ignoring them till I got up and ask the staff in the back for some. Granted the food is pretty good, but with rude staff forget it. This place doesn't have refills either. If you order a soda for $1 you will get a glass of ice and a can of soda. I love my Spanish food but will NEVER go to this place again.
This place hasn't been there that long, and definitely wasn't there several years ago. I think you're thinking about the seedy Mex/Latin place that was there before Puerto Plata.
The location has always been a restaurant as long as I've been here. First it was some seedy Chinese place that closed down, then around 2001 it became a seedy Mex/Latin place, which closed down. Then it sat vacant for awhile, and maybe a year or so ago it became Puerto Plata.
But it has changed hands a bunch of times, and based on the timeframe you're referring to, it's not possible that the current restaurant is the one you went to. PP is maybe a year'ish old, or something like that. I remember watching the renovations take place when I'd drive by there.
I've never eaten there and don't know them, so I'm certainly not defending them with this post, but that was definitely a different restaurant when you went there.
They have been around longer than you think....
A review from 2006
http://reviews.metroguide.com/d.asp?pi=28677 (http://reviews.metroguide.com/d.asp?pi=28677)
Quote from: AmyLynne on September 08, 2010, 10:03:09 AM
Quote from: ChriswUfGator on September 05, 2009, 02:22:27 PM
Quote from: stephenc on August 25, 2009, 03:55:26 PM
Horrible place. I ate there a few years ago with several Dominican friends. The staff was very rude and food was over priced. The Jags happened to be playing and I asked them to turn the tv on to watch the game. The waitress said no, then walked off. No explanation or anything. I ate there again on Sunday with the same friends because I was told the staff had changed. WRONG!!! Ordered the Arroz con Pollo for $9.25. Got about a pound of rice and about 7 half dollar size pieces of chicken in it. My friends had to ask several times for water and the waitress kept ignoring them till I got up and ask the staff in the back for some. Granted the food is pretty good, but with rude staff forget it. This place doesn't have refills either. If you order a soda for $1 you will get a glass of ice and a can of soda. I love my Spanish food but will NEVER go to this place again.
This place hasn't been there that long, and definitely wasn't there several years ago. I think you're thinking about the seedy Mex/Latin place that was there before Puerto Plata.
The location has always been a restaurant as long as I've been here. First it was some seedy Chinese place that closed down, then around 2001 it became a seedy Mex/Latin place, which closed down. Then it sat vacant for awhile, and maybe a year or so ago it became Puerto Plata.
But it has changed hands a bunch of times, and based on the timeframe you're referring to, it's not possible that the current restaurant is the one you went to. PP is maybe a year'ish old, or something like that. I remember watching the renovations take place when I'd drive by there.
I've never eaten there and don't know them, so I'm certainly not defending them with this post, but that was definitely a different restaurant when you went there.
They have been around longer than you think....
A review from 2006
http://reviews.metroguide.com/d.asp?pi=28677 (http://reviews.metroguide.com/d.asp?pi=28677)
You do realize that:
A: The restaurant name probably changed on that review site and the reviews carried over.
and,
B: You are quoting a post that's already over a year old. Trust me, Puerto Plata opened in 2008 or 2009, I live 5 minutes down the street from it. Go ask them if you don't believe me. Before that it was a Mexican place, and before that a Chinese place. I drive by daily, I'm quite familiar with it.
Quote from: ChriswUfGator on September 09, 2010, 10:21:37 AM
Quote from: AmyLynne on September 08, 2010, 10:03:09 AM
Quote from: ChriswUfGator on September 05, 2009, 02:22:27 PM
Quote from: stephenc on August 25, 2009, 03:55:26 PM
Horrible place. I ate there a few years ago with several Dominican friends. The staff was very rude and food was over priced. The Jags happened to be playing and I asked them to turn the tv on to watch the game. The waitress said no, then walked off. No explanation or anything. I ate there again on Sunday with the same friends because I was told the staff had changed. WRONG!!! Ordered the Arroz con Pollo for $9.25. Got about a pound of rice and about 7 half dollar size pieces of chicken in it. My friends had to ask several times for water and the waitress kept ignoring them till I got up and ask the staff in the back for some. Granted the food is pretty good, but with rude staff forget it. This place doesn't have refills either. If you order a soda for $1 you will get a glass of ice and a can of soda. I love my Spanish food but will NEVER go to this place again.
This place hasn't been there that long, and definitely wasn't there several years ago. I think you're thinking about the seedy Mex/Latin place that was there before Puerto Plata.
The location has always been a restaurant as long as I've been here. First it was some seedy Chinese place that closed down, then around 2001 it became a seedy Mex/Latin place, which closed down. Then it sat vacant for awhile, and maybe a year or so ago it became Puerto Plata.
But it has changed hands a bunch of times, and based on the timeframe you're referring to, it's not possible that the current restaurant is the one you went to. PP is maybe a year'ish old, or something like that. I remember watching the renovations take place when I'd drive by there.
I've never eaten there and don't know them, so I'm certainly not defending them with this post, but that was definitely a different restaurant when you went there.
They have been around longer than you think....
A review from 2006
http://reviews.metroguide.com/d.asp?pi=28677 (http://reviews.metroguide.com/d.asp?pi=28677)
You do realize that:
A: The restaurant name probably changed on that review site and the reviews carried over.
and,
B: You are quoting a post that's already over a year old. Trust me, Puerto Plata opened in 2008 or 2009, I live 5 minutes down the street from it. Go ask them if you don't believe me. Before that it was a Mexican place, and before that a Chinese place. I drive by daily, I'm quite familiar with it.
lol. I think I know. I went there with my
DOMINICAN friends. This is a
Dominican restaurant. That's why we went. I go to church a few blocks from this place and used to live around the corner a few years ago. When my friends moved here from D. R. in 2005, they were so excited to find a place with Dominican Cuisine. It was probably the summer of 2007 when I ate there. I know in my previous post I said I would never eat there again but I've been a couple times since. Food was very good and the service wasn't as bad.lol.
Quote from: stephenc on September 09, 2010, 10:51:06 AM
Quote from: ChriswUfGator on September 09, 2010, 10:21:37 AM
Quote from: AmyLynne on September 08, 2010, 10:03:09 AM
Quote from: ChriswUfGator on September 05, 2009, 02:22:27 PM
Quote from: stephenc on August 25, 2009, 03:55:26 PM
Horrible place. I ate there a few years ago with several Dominican friends. The staff was very rude and food was over priced. The Jags happened to be playing and I asked them to turn the tv on to watch the game. The waitress said no, then walked off. No explanation or anything. I ate there again on Sunday with the same friends because I was told the staff had changed. WRONG!!! Ordered the Arroz con Pollo for $9.25. Got about a pound of rice and about 7 half dollar size pieces of chicken in it. My friends had to ask several times for water and the waitress kept ignoring them till I got up and ask the staff in the back for some. Granted the food is pretty good, but with rude staff forget it. This place doesn't have refills either. If you order a soda for $1 you will get a glass of ice and a can of soda. I love my Spanish food but will NEVER go to this place again.
This place hasn't been there that long, and definitely wasn't there several years ago. I think you're thinking about the seedy Mex/Latin place that was there before Puerto Plata.
The location has always been a restaurant as long as I've been here. First it was some seedy Chinese place that closed down, then around 2001 it became a seedy Mex/Latin place, which closed down. Then it sat vacant for awhile, and maybe a year or so ago it became Puerto Plata.
But it has changed hands a bunch of times, and based on the timeframe you're referring to, it's not possible that the current restaurant is the one you went to. PP is maybe a year'ish old, or something like that. I remember watching the renovations take place when I'd drive by there.
I've never eaten there and don't know them, so I'm certainly not defending them with this post, but that was definitely a different restaurant when you went there.
They have been around longer than you think....
A review from 2006
http://reviews.metroguide.com/d.asp?pi=28677 (http://reviews.metroguide.com/d.asp?pi=28677)
You do realize that:
A: The restaurant name probably changed on that review site and the reviews carried over.
and,
B: You are quoting a post that's already over a year old. Trust me, Puerto Plata opened in 2008 or 2009, I live 5 minutes down the street from it. Go ask them if you don't believe me. Before that it was a Mexican place, and before that a Chinese place. I drive by daily, I'm quite familiar with it.
lol. I think I know. I went there with my DOMINICAN friends. This is a Dominican restaurant. That's why we went. I go to church a few blocks from this place and used to live around the corner a few years ago. When my friends moved here from D. R. in 2005, they were so excited to find a place with Dominican Cuisine. It was probably the summer of 2007 when I ate there. I know in my previous post I said I would never eat there again but I've been a couple times since. Food was very good and the service wasn't as bad.lol.
Well then your memory is failing you. They opened in 2008/2009, as I've said;
http://www.sunbiz.org/FIC/2008/1020/30065663.tif
In 2005 this was another restaurant with a similar theme, but was not Puerto Plata.
And please don't lecture me on it being a Dominican restaurant, I'm not the one between the two of us who was evidently unaware of the changeover. I have many Dominican friends and my roomate in high school was the owner of Listin Diario and Baninter, though it's somewhat embarrassing to make the latter connection these days. But I'm well aware of what the DR is, and certainly don't need a geography lesson.
If you people don't believe me, and apparently don't believe the FL Secretary of State either, why not just ask them?
Puerto Plata as a restaurant has been around for a while, they moved to that current location on Blanding not too long ago (2 or 3 years), prior to that they were in a shopping center on Confederate Point Road. I can remember going to the old location as far back as 2001.
Quote from: Julian on September 09, 2010, 12:02:47 PM
Puerto Plata as a restaurant has been around for a while, they moved to that current location on Blanding not too long ago (2 or 3 years), prior to that they were in a shopping center on Confederate Point Road. I can remember going to the old location as far back as 2001.
Ah, cool, well that explains the confusion between Steph and I in this thread then. I had been referring to the restaurant in Ortega, she must have gone to another location before it opened? Although I thought I was pretty clear in that I was referring about this restaurant off Blanding/Park, which had been a mexican place, and a chinese place earlier than that, but I guess something must have gotten lost in translation.
still delicious!
lastnight. again. maybe my food is always perfect because I am well received as a good tipping regular. hmm
Yes south of where Park Street becomes Blanding out of Avondale.
immediately south of San Juan Avenue. between Palmer and Appleton. across from the 24/7 billiards!
previously Hunan. yes was shady and stinky.
nice newer bathrooms now. not smelly.
Was not aware of their previous existance at Confederate Point. coool
learn something new everyday. some of it useless but hey thanks none-the-less!