Fajardo Restaurants

I didn't have the seafood, here, since I was a bit seafooded out that night--but I did have one of the most delicious dishes I've ever had at a restaurant: mofongo stuffed with chicken. For context, (1) I was very hungry; (2) I wasn't expecting much of the food because I'm (probably irrationally) biased against places with plastic lawn chairs; and (3) I cook well, eat out frequently, and am, in general, a snot about food. This dish was AMAZING. Even if you don't think you like mofongo, try it. It's like no mofongo you've had before, a heaping mound of plantain fried to perfection, filled with your choice of meat or seafood, and topped off with a generous dallop of luscious, garlicky gravy. My partner had the porkchop, which was dry and less flavorful, similar to cuban style chops, though the side of vegetables was well executed.

The salad served with the meal wasn't very interesting on its own--iceberg lettuce with the three oldtimers (cucumber, tomato and carrot)--but have it with the chef / owner's special herb-infused vinaigrette and it becomes a small masterpiece.

My conclusion? This place does sauces really damn well, so order something off the menu that will come with a sauce. I thought the prices were quite fair, but the seafood dishes ARE much more expensive. Do stop by for the gracious service (the chef / owner / server was lovely and friendly, with the unshakeable dignity of a man who has lived his life well; his family was kind and shared their bug spray with us since we were being eaten alive by mosquitos) and the ass-kicking stuffed mofongo. And do have a specialty cocktail for dessert and not an appetizer like we did. Many use ice cream as an ingredient. They're delicious, but sweet!

Favorite Dish: Stuffed mofongo, chef's special dressing. See above!