Friend and I returned for another meal at Batey. The same server, that we had last time, greeted and seated us. The chicharrones were served as we looked over the menu. Friend ordered the chicken breast with the garlicky plantains, I ordered the eggplant with rice, and a side order of fried plantains. As before, the food was delicious. There was a huge amount of eggplant covered in a sauce that was delicious. The rice had chunks of tender sweet potatoes in it. The plantains were hot and sweet. Friend's chicken was cut into tender, juicy pieces and her plantains were garlicky as advertised. There is a comforting consistency to this place. The chef was out talking to customers; the server was busy but checked back in with the customers on a regular basis. We'll go back. read more

Having never had Puerto Rican food, we ventured in to Batey recently and were blown away by the warmth and customer service. Unassuming from the exterior, the place definitely gives off an authentic vibe. And it was crowded! Started with cocktails: him a Batey Colada and me, a guava martini. Both were delicious but the martini did not need green olives - it's a sweeter drink and the olives made it kinda weird. Next was the appetizer round: Bolitas de Queso - amazing balls of melted cheese with a pineapple guava rum sauce to die for. Tried the Alcapurrias - plantains stuffed with beef. We didn't care for those. Main dishes were El Cacique for me and for him Churrasco Chimichurri with added shrimp. Both were incredibly flavorful and like nothing we've ever had. Again, we have never had Puerto Rican food. The texture of the pastele threw me off a little but it was good. The roasted pork of my dish was tender and delicious. For dessert we shared a pastelillo de guayaba - a puff pastry with guava. Light and delicious. I was intrigued by the Puerto Rican sodas however when I saw that they serve malta - I had to have it. Haven't had one since I was a kid growing up with Cuban neighbors. Although Puerto Rican food may not be on the top of my favorites, I can't rate Batey anything other than 5 stars. Excellent customer service, obviously authentic, beautiful presentation. I encourage you to give it a shot! read more

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Wow my friends invited myself and my wife to this restaurant. I'm so happy they did. It was fantastic. I don't know if I would've ever tried it if I was not invited. It's near the Total Wine and Target off Oracle. The food is fantastic as well as the service. They make you feel at home and very welcome. This is a must try place. read more

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I've been here several times and enjoyed their food when they were working solely out of the food truck. It's great to have a delicious Puerto Rican restaurant in town that reminds me of home!! I typically get the el cacique since it has all of my favorites - arroz con gandules, tostones, pernil, and a pastel! The piña coladas are good too and so cute. read more

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Very clean with friendly and attentive staff. When you get seated they serve you crispy and flavorful pork rinds. The food was fantastic. I ordered a mofongo and it was covered by their amazing sauce and tasty and juicy shrimp read more

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We were seated promptly and welcomed warmly for our anniversary dinner (they did not know it was our anniversary though)! The decor was super cute and the paintings were beautiful all over the walls. The waitress brought us complimentary fresh chicharrones at the start. Then, we got the yuca frita which was sooooo good, and hubby ate the ceviche mixto which came with tostones. He seemed to enjoy it. For entrees, we got the pork house special and the mofongo con camerones. I loved the tostones, pork, and rice that came with our dish. The mofongo was so flavorful and much more texturally interesting than mashed potatoes (I can see why Bad Bunny loves it hahah). The sauces were delish, and the portions were large. We also got a passionfruit and rum cocktail that was dangerously delicious. Please come and visit this awesome hidden gem! read more

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One of the best restaurants in the city. The food is deliciously cooked and the food is amazing. The staff is welcoming and always happy. One of my favorite dishes was the plantains! Sweet and garlic are both good! read more

This was a nice change of pace. We went there on a Friday at lunchtime. My friend had been there a few times, so he had some recommendations. I ordered the Chicharrones De Pollo (fried chicken) with a side of Yucca Frita Al Ajillo (Fried Yucca). They both were very tasty. The chicken was not overcooked, and the breading did not overpower the chicken. The dipping sauce was a sweet addition. For dessert, I chose the Flan De Queso. It reminded me of Mexican Flan, which was a bit heavier than the Mexican variety. I think it was the addition of the cream cheese. The place was decorated with umbrellas on the ceiling. My friend said there is a street in Puerto Rico covered with umbrellas. I appreciated the decor. Really, the only negative was the service. Our waitress tried, but she was overwhelmed by the number of patrons. Apparently, someone called out, and there were lots of customers. What was frustrating is the apparent owner did not pick up the slack. Most of the time we were there, he just stood behind the bar. There were no orders; he just stood there surveying the slow service. He went to fool around with the cash register for a long time when no one was there to pay or place an order. He FINALLY decided to pick up a FEW plates and deliver them to the tables. I don't hold the server responsible. She was a victim of the process. The owner was exasperated by a bad situation and allowed poor customer service in his restaurant. read more

Batey Puerto Rican Gastronomy - Chicharrones De Pollo (fried chicken) with Yucca Frita Al Ajillo (fried yucca) and nice dipping sauce. - Puerto Rican Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

Food was fantastic! We came here because our friends invited us. I am so happy they did! I had the special pork chunks & hubby had chicken with rice. Also tried empanadas & cheese balls. Both were awesome!! Service was excellent & the atmosphere was cozy. The owner even told us a story about the painting on the wall read more

Batey Puerto Rican Gastronomy - Chicken rice n beans - Puerto Rican Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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Went here after a workout at my gym nearby and I'm so glad I did. I ordered the shrimp mofongo, the grilled chicken with rice, and the special of the day -- a Tripleta (a sandwich with three kinds of meat) which came with a side salad. I got everything to go so my two sons and I could share. The staff was super friendly and took my order right away. They let me know it would be about a 20-minute wait, which was perfect because the shopping center has a bunch of stores I like to walk around in. Everything was delicious. I loved the garlicky grilled chicken with the rice. The mofongo was also really good -- it was my first time trying it, and my son said it tasted like mashed potatoes (which I agree with, in the best way ). The Tripleta was my favorite, although one of my sons thought the sauce made it a little too sweet. Only suggestion would be a sampler plate -- I'd love to try more of the menu without committing to full portions because everything looked amazing. Will definitely be back! read more

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Great find! Never in my life did I expect to find a Puerto Rican restaurant in Tucson, AZ. Never! So, I'm on my way to my hotel after flying in, do a quick restaurant search, and "Batey" pops up as one of the options. I thought to myself, "Oh, I know what that word means...it's Taíno language!" A little more research and boom! it's a Boricua restaurant. Jackpot! I walked in and was greeted by a very friendly waiter. The restaurant is beautifully decorated with tons of Puerto Rican décor...paintings, umbrellas, art, you name it. They have a small bar at the end of the main hall that looks pretty cozy. The place smelled incredible, just like a true Puerto Rican spot should. I ordered the lobster mofongo plate to go. I wished I could've dined in, but I was exhausted from my flight and ready to crash at the hotel. I also ordered two alcapurrias. Back at the hotel, I finally sat down to enjoy the meal. The mofongo was great -- soft, garlicky, and that lobster sauce was money! Yes, it was that good. The alcapurrias, however, were just okay; they didn't seem freshly made. But not a dealbreaker! This place delivers. If you're an Arizonan who's never tried Puerto Rican food, go to this place. You'll be amazed! read more

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Nice, friendly and fast service. Neat & cute place with enough choice and all delicious!! Plenty of parking read more

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Some of the best most flavorful food I've has while Tuscon. The menu was smaller but they do those items very well. The two women on staff were so kind. The atmosphere is casual and chill with Peurto Rican art and symbolism all around. I ordered the Cacique and oh my god was that pork flavorful and tender, like a cross between pork belly and brisket. The tamale on the side was also a delightful surprise. I shared two desserts the Tembleke and Pasteilillo de Guayaba were both just delightful. Parking is ample as its in a large plaza. read more

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The Paella was excellent. Loaded with seafood and savory. Very different than spanish paella.

Today I had the pleasure of dining at this fine establishment. Not only was the staff INCREDIBLE, but the food was amazing! I truly enjoyed the feeling in the restaurant, it's a family owned business run by two of the kindest people I have ever met. I will continue to return to this place and look forward to trying more of their menu! I would give this a 5/5!!!! The Mofongo Relleno de Camarones had an amazing taste that went to well with the pique. It wasn't too spicy, but just enough to keep this Latina happy! The shrimp was cooked very well and wasn't chewy or raw. 8/10 The empanadas were different, crunchy on the outside but soft on the inside. I got to try all three, beef, chicken, and pizza. I was very impressed with the different flavors. 7/10 Arroz y Frijoles- the rice wasn't over cooked and dry, it was perfect with the beans. The beans had different vegetables in them, and I truly enjoyed the beans. I'm very picky about beans but these exceeded my expectations. These habichuelas were to die for. Rice 7/10. beans 9/10 Sabor a campo was amazing! It had a smoked taste, and a sweetness coming from the tamarindo. This was a very tasty alcoholic beverage if you like a little bit of spice. 9/10. The chef had a moment to come and talk to us and recommended his Mofongo relleno de camarones and it did not disappoint. Chef Carlos and his wife had such a welcoming atmosphere, I will recommend this to any and every one, and look forward to joining them on their Latino night, a DJ comes and plays the Latina music of our dreams on the last Saturday of every month! If you want to try amazing Puerto Rican food that is quality and tasty, this is the spot to try!! First 5/5 review since starting on yelp read more

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They have amazing food! It made me feel like I was in Puerto Rico and my bf who is Puerto Rican said the food tasted like his grandmothers cooking. It was so good we ended up ordering more to go. The drink was pretty good, not amazing but good. The service was quick and they were friendly. Definitely wish we lived closer because we would be there all the time. read more

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Super nice and friendly service. New to Puerto Rican food? They will take the time to describe the dishes prior to ordering. They start you off with chicharrones which are super delicious. My dining partner is typically not a fan of chicharrones but didn't seem to mind this time as they scarfed this down. We had the Empanada sampler, the el cacique, and the mofongo rellenos de camarones and ended the meal with tembleke. Food was savory and fresh. I found the mofongo a little too salty but everything else was delicious and I enjoyed the leftovers the next day. I really like the garlic where it was too overpowering but enough to know it was garlicky. The 'tamal' (pastel) is not like tamales I have had- these are made from starchy root vegetables. At first I wasn't sure... but after the third bite I was sold. Portions were large. The tembleke dessert was soooo good and a way to end the night perfectly well. read more

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You have to try this place! Amazing food, authentic, beautiful craft cocktails, large portion sizes- it's a little hidden gem for Tucson foodies! read more

The staff were very friendly, the food and sauces were very good. I went in for a late lunch and had the Yucca Fries they were so good and that sauce on the side was beautiful. I also tried the empanada sampler and was not disappointed. The crab empanada was very good, along with the fun pizza one and then a beef empanada with yummy sauces. I will definitely go back. The decor was fun, love the umbrellas. read more

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I came here with a friend for lunch at the end of September. I ordered the Grilled Chicken Breast and the garlic sauce was overpowering. He tried the Chicharrones de Pollo and wasn't a fan either. Service, however, was excellent. read more

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This place was a hit for our family. I was not very familiar with Puerto Rican food . My son had learned about PR food in class and wanted to get mufungo and Yuka fries. The kids menu is really good. My son got steak and Yuka fries. We loved the Coco Rico drink. I will return many times I can tell. read more

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I'm am Puerto Rican and Polish. So always on the hunt for good pierogi and good Puerto Rican food. Yes, I can cook some of my favorite dishes in both nationalities, but don't want to anymore Batey's pastel's were amazing. Haven't tasted anything as good except when made by family. So good, my sister bought a dozen to take home. Tostones were nice and garlicky, rice and gandules was perfect. My son lived his shrimp mofungo, pork chop and sautéed onion served with crispy pork fat Delicious Sadly I don't live in Tucson or I'd be back. But we left with enough leftovers for a couple of meals So if you're in town and want to experience authentic Puerto Rican food, this is the spot! read more

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Our very hospitable waitress whom I believe was the owner asked if we wanted some chicharones as soon as she seated us. I was like...no need to ask, just bring it. Lol. Omg, I wanted a whole bag of it. Out of all the Latin cuisines, Puerto Rican is my favorite. Some of the items like the roast pork can be on the saltier side. I believe they brine it. I suggest you take each bite with some of the rice to balance it out. Here is what we ordered: - El Cacique - Chuleta Kan Kan (Pork Chop) - Berenjena A La Criolla (Eggplant) Presentation: 10/10 Taste/Food: 10/10 Service: 10/10 Their rice and beans aren't just any rice and beans, it's like a little pot of stew with carrots and peas in it. Two of the other dishes we ordered came with pigeon rice. So good! We got to chat with the owner for a bit. Opened in 2024, I wish them all the best. Authentic and absolutely delicious! They take great pride in what they serve. read more

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Iliana the hostess was so friendly and they were so busy that she became our waiter as well. We were seated fairly quickly and given the menus. The restaurant gave you island vibes the colors were really pretty and they had plenty of tables inside. We started with some empanadas & fried yucca with garlic. The flavor was so good. My main dish was Mofongo with Shrimp. It was the best mofongo I have ever had! It was so garlicky & flavorful. The portion was big and I was able to still eat it at another meal. I can't wait to be back in AZ to go back and I hope this restaurant is still there. read more

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A taste of Puerto Rico in Tucson Had a craving for something new and something nostalgic- @batey_pr_gastronomy_az was the answer! Open for only about 5 months now - this family owned business is a must-visit! When they say Gastronomy - they mean it! Everthing is comfortable but elevated. The ingredients are fresh and vibrant; the aromatics and use of spices are perfectly balanced! The fritters and bolitas were both delicious and mixing and matching the sauces was a pro move. The El Cacique was out of this world- and we saw most tables getting at least one plate delivered! We were not leaving without dessert and oh my word we honestly couldn't decide which we preferred! Staff were kind and happy to answer our questions and again many of them are family. The atmosphere is very relaxed with music and conversation flowing in the open seating dining area. 10/10 will be back... and soon! read more

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Service was great. The choices are varied enough for most people. It's bright and airy. The food was okay. Really just alright. The chicken was dry and clearly not a high qualify. The mofongo was bland, most of it was. The sauces were great, if the rest of the dishes were at that level I would've rated them higher and more importantly I would've come back. read more

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We were seated right away and served a plate of chicharrones and our drink order taken. Great service by Frances. We asked for recommendations and she suggested Canoa or the El Cacique. We both ordered the El Cacique and it was a lot of food. It came with tender roasted pork, pigeon pea rice, plantains, and pastel. It was delicious. It was busy for a weekday evening. Frances checked on us often and you can tell there were a lot of regular customers. It's a must try! read more

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This has been on my foodie list to try! As soon as you walk in you feel the PR vibes, the decor is so fun and inviting! Our server was kind and explained the menu to us. Out of everything we tried we loved the appetizer which were the empanada and my dish which was the mofongo. read more

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Excellent dining experience! I write this as I eat the leftover Mofongo from the day before. First of all, service was outstanding! I wish I remembered server's name but she was very friendly and welcoming. (She was working on Superbowl Sunday wearing a greenish t shirt)Actually the whole restaurant just felt very welcoming and homey. The restaurant interior is colorful and reminds you of a typical Puerto Rican/Caribbean restaurant. As for food, WOW! I had a Mofongo Relleno. It was sooo tasty with amazing flavor and presentation. Even the left over still tastes grear. My boyfriend's carne Frito was good as well. I CAN'T WAIT TO GO BACK! read more

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A welcoming atmosphere from the moment you arrive. Warm and friendly staff. This place makes you feel happy. The entrees are robust and generous and comforting. It's like visiting a relative you haven't seen in a long time and you've missed. My husband and I, being extra hungry, started with a Pina Colada and the Yuca Frita Al Ajillo. This filled us up quickly, and we knew we'd be bringing some of our dinner home! We shared the El Cacique (delicious) and the Mofongo Relleno Camorones (so tasty)! This is vibrant good food in a casual, vibrant good atmosphere. Be sure to bring your appetite. read more

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One of the best carribean cuisine spots in Tucson. Everything we have had there so far has been phenomenal. There desert are some of the best Latin deserts I've had. The staff is always amazing and the inside transports you to tropical paradise. read more

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I completely enjoyed my experience here last night! Our waitress was from Puerto Rico, and was familiar with the country and the dishes. We were brought chicharrones to start at no cost. We got the corn fritters with Batey sauce to start. They were crispy and delicious, and the creamy sauce was flavorful and delicious! My friend had the mofongo with shrimp. The shrimp were huge and sauce was flavorful - lots of garlic! It a heap of mofongo! I enjoyed my cacique more than I anticipated! The pork was juicy and full of flavor! The pigeon pea rice had a ton of texture and flavor and I loved the tostones with batey sauce! My least favorite thing on the plate was the pastel. It was a bit bland for me. Puerto Rico isn't known for their spice, but this didn't have much flavor at all. The ambiance is super cute, and there's a cute bar in the back of the restaurant. I love the umbrellas covering the ceiling! read more

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Ventured down from Oro Valley to try Batey Puerto Rican Gastronomy. Everything we ordered was amazing. The empanada sampler, Canoa, And Yuca fries were fresh, flavorful and blew our minds. What an amazing addition to the Tucson dining scene. The staff were friendly and helpful. Can't wait to go back! read more

Never a poor experience at this Puerto Rican joint. The mofongo is a seafood dish that's excellent, along with the paella. But I have to say, the pork dishes are amazing, especially the giant pieces of pork cooked right. The flavors are absolutely incredible here, and service is great too. I also love the Puerto Rican decorations! read more

Food was ok, I've had the real deal in Puerto Rico so it's hard to compare. My husband complained that everything tasted like fried fish, I didn't get that. Otherwise presentation was there. read more

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I tried it again tonight a month apart from my previous visit. I got the yucca frittes and the crab empanada. The yucca frittes were fine. The crab empanada was terrible and inedible. I called before hand to ask what was in it and the woman said crab. I asked if there was any cheese? Or anything else and she said no just crab. It was oddly wet with an overpowering marinade that makes it taste like it's rancid. I cannot place what the flavor is suppose to be at all. I'm not sure why the person who took my order wasn't more specific about what was in it Extremely disappointing. Update: I got a refund and found out the marinade was wine and beer BEWARE!!!!!!!!! read more

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My husband & I stopped in for date night & loved it. I had never tried Puerto Rican food, & was delighted to find many things gluten or dairy free I could eat. My husband got chiccharones con pollo & I got the best grilled eggplant dish. We were so full otherwise we would've tried dessert too. Service was 10/10. Food was 10/10. read more

Batey Puerto Rican Gastronomy - Puerto Rican Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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When this place was first opening a friend had excitedly told me about it, so every single time I go by I tell myself to stop and we FINALLY did! I'm a little sad I wasted all that time I could have been eating here. This place was so so good and the service was great. First off it's small but super super cute! Lots of colorful umbrellas on the ceilings and fun paintings. I liked the different pictures of Puerto Rico, since I'm a typical American who knows nothing. Onto the food... We started with the Empanada Sampler and could have easily eaten two or three more plates! My husband had the Pork Pieces and I had the Mofongo with Shrimp. I'm happily eating our leftovers and can't wait to go back again. This is a great spot and a much needed change of pace for Tucson. read more

The food was the real deal, great Puerto Rican food!!. A little pricey but worth it. (you pay for quality ingredients)We had to start, a terrific "coquito" drink. This was followed by the empanada sampler, the were crispy on the outside and moist in the inside, perfect and very tasty. We had an order of fried "Yuca " sprinkled with garlic. Outstanding taste. We then ordered the delicious Mofongo with shrimp on red sauce. This met every Puerto Rican expectation!! Fresh plantains and delicious sauce. We ended with the "Tembleke", this was slightly overly sweet, but with great flavor. Unfortunately we missed the live music by a couple hours. We will be returning!! read more

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I was dying to try this new restaurant and it did not disappoint. The inside is so bright and colorful and makes you feel like you left Tucson. The chicharrones are brought as a starter, I had to ask for them because our server wasn't the greatest. I had El Cacique which was absolutely delicious. It comes with pigeon pea rice, pastel-a tamale kinda thing that's made with plantains instead of masa, roasted pork, and tostones (smashed fried plantains). The pork blew me away, I could eat a whole plate of that and the pigeon pea rice. The pastel was just ok and I didn't love the tostones, they were too garlicky. I see other pictures with a dipping sauce which I guess they forgot. I wish they offered a non starchy veggie side, as there aren't many options besides plantains. The portion size is very generous, I took half of my food home. I cannot wait to go back and try more items. read more

Batey Puerto Rican Gastronomy - El Cacique - Puerto Rican Near Me - Tucson, Arizona