The umbrella alley was spectacular, and the owner herself, Brenda Torres, helped us park by the front of the restaurant. My girlfriend and I had an assortment of Puerto Rican buffet specialties, which you order first cafeteria style, and then you can sit to enjoy it or order takeout. We sampled pernil (roasted pork shoulder), rice with red kidney beans, rice with pigeon peas(gandules), alcapurrias, and fried ripe plantain. It could appeal to more clients if they offered table service. It was delicious food and made for a great lunch stop while traveling south on I-95. read more

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This restaurant is the BEST in Connecticut. Ive been eating at this place for 17 years and every time feels like the first time. The food is always fresh and delicious. Brenda the owner is the nicest always friendly and so as the staff, always going above and beyond to make sure people feel welcome. Today I had tostone y camarones y una ensalada verde. Me encanta como Brenda la prepara. Medi una jartera tremenda la comida estaba brutal rica. Como el primer dia que comi de este lugar, mi restaurante FAVORITO y se que tambien sera el tuyo gracias Brenda porciempre ser mui amable. read more

Good decor, good staff. The portions of food are well balanced with the prices. There's always a line; to me this is a telltale sign of great food. read more

Been to Criollisimo a couple times now. Now I've never traveled to any Spanish destinations yet but if the food is anything like Criollisimo then I would be very happy. The service here is amazing, the food is outstanding every time. You couldn't ask for a better group of people that work here. While some restaurants lost quality during COVID, Criollisimo still has amazing food. I'm not gonna even try to spell what I ate but everything was delicious. read more

If I could give this place 10 stars I would. A friend recommended this amazing place because I wanted real Spanish food. Stepped in on Saturday and the first thing I noticed was how clean it was, 6ft distance enforced and a long line. I ordered the tilapia over yellow rice with beans, bacalao salad and beef patties. We had a long way home so we had the patties for the ride. O m g. Reminded me of my grandmother, AHHHHMAZING!!!! Tasted so fresh, not greasy. Everything else was amazing once I tried at home. Definitely wished they were open Sunday cause I would've had more! Def a must try y'all! read more

They are amazing the food is good the people are awesome clean attention to details and they accommodated 14 of my family members and 3 toddlers... and the prices are reasonable.... #boricua read more

What?! Rice and peas (giandulas) was very, very good. That being said I've never gotten a good Pernil here. It's always either not moist or served with too much fat (rendering what meat is left an oily kinda moist). Service is best described as cheerless. The neighborhood might be described as scary (we know it's not that bad). There are other options nearby, but you should try this place once. I have a friend who's very fond of their food - he's Puerto Rican and says their plantains are some of the best he's had. I don't care for fried plantains. read more

I absolutely enjoyed my meal! Classic simple Arroz Blanco con Habichuelas y Pernil, AYE, AYE, AYE, Que Ricoooo!!!! I didn't know whether to eat it slow and savor it Or just chow it down!! I Love that we have Criollismos & You will too!! read more

Food tasted plain. Missing the Puerto Rican flavors. Not only that but we paid $50 for more potatoes than meat in our entrees. Mondongo had more potatoes and had more pork feet type meat. The oxtail also had more potatoe than meat. Both flavor profiles didn't make me feel like I was in Puerto Rico. Very disappointed. read more

Where can I start. One thing I can say is the food is good food and that's the only reason why I kept going back but after this you will not be getting another penny from me. I've been to this location multiple times and I have always had terrible customer service. People who are cashing you out and serving you the food don't speak any English at all or even if they do they won't speak it to you. Every time I've been there you guys have always over charged me on food, I don't know if its because I'm not Spanish and want Spanish food that it has to cost me an arm and leg every time. 2 plates of food costed me $47. You up charged me on everything without explaining what I'm paying for. Even after the fact you said "well its on the menu" so now you speak English. My card information was stolen here and used in some random city in Mexico. Pretty sure it was done here, didn't call to complain because my bank gave me my money back. You guys are terrible and should learn to run and mange a restaurant. I HIGHLY recommend that NO ONE from a difference RACE or ETHNICITY eats here or they will over charge you without telling you. You guys are terrible, highly disappointed. I thought it was the only time but you guys did this to me more than 5 times! Terrible Management and Customer Service...Good Food though but y'all SUCK. You only get 1 star for your food everything else SUCKS!!!!! read more

Cafeteria style on one side with to go and dine in plates, tables on the other to walk over and sit. Large selection of meats and fish, rice, stew, and various stuffed items. I had the pernil, slow cooked pork shoulder with some chili, garlic, and other spices. Think pulled pork but with authentic flavors and no sauce. It was a large serving and tasty and moist. The yellow rice was gandules, with pigeon peas and olives. Finished my plate off with a papas rellenas, fried potato ball with meat filling. Overall, everything was delicious and filling. Prices are a couple bucks more than other lunch stops but worth it for a large plate of authentic and tasty food. read more

Honestly, it is 12:30 the height of lunch and there is only 2 people serving, and they do not seem to be considering there is a line out the door. Seems like they don't even care that they have a line out the door. I don't think I will come back because the device is so bad and disconnected to the customers. read more

Best Puerto Rican food restaurant in New Britain. I specifically love this place because they are very clean and always have a lot of food options. The food portions are generous and whether you order to dine in or to go they provide you with quick efficient service read more

I always enjoy when I can find a good Spanish restaurant. An this place is ok, I ordered the fried pork, yellow rice with pinto beans, yuca, sweet plantains and a potato ball. Now I know that seems like a lot of food and yes it is but don't judge me I saved half of it for later . This place is what you would expect any Spanish food place to be. They are getting a 3-star rating because the food was extremely salty, almost unbearable to where you can't eat it Unless you like a lot of salt on your food. I'm not ruling this spot out since it was ok. The best part was the potato ball. Definitely trying something different next time. read more

Criollisimo Restaurant - Fried pork, yellow rice with pinto beans, Yuka, and sweet plantains - Spanish Near Me - New Britain, Connecticut

Great food and service, Love this place. I cook amazing Puerto rrican food this is the only place i can go feel like home. read more

Criollisimo Restaurant - Mofingo with pernil!! Avocado salad delicious!!! - Spanish Near Me - New Britain, Connecticut

Amazing Puerto Rican food. I love their mofongo and portions are pretty good for the price. read more

Criollisimo Restaurant - Spanish Near Me - New Britain, Connecticut

My favorite spot to get Puerto Rican food and it's local! Every time I visit this spot, I want to eat all the things. They give you good portions for a reasonable price. Usually I order a plate to go but today I opted for empanadillas (one beef, one chicken) and some sweet plantains. Be warned, this place gets packed during lunch time and there's typically a line to the door. You order the food at a deli-like counter and each order is packed to your specifications. I recommend getting arroz con gandules (rice with peas) and pernil (roast pork) for about $8. They also offer soups, potato balls, and a variety of meats and authentic dishes. The best part about today's visit was the plantains. They came out piping hot with a crunch on the outside and major sweetness on the inside. I loved everything about those plantains. And they weren't soaked in oil! The beef empanadilla was my favorite and full of flavor. Next time, I'll leave the chicken there. It was eh. For the two empanadillas and the plantains, I paid $7. Almost wished I had ordered a plate to go as I could've had two meals from that. But I was satisfied nonetheless. If you've never had Puerto Rican food or you've had difficultly finding a good spot, this is for you! read more

Great Puerto Rican food at a very fair price. Love the Shrimp Salad and the Pork Chop dinner. I have never had a bad meal here. Take it to go or dine in! read more

Awesome food great staff clean restaurant everything here is a 10 I have been back several times and brung family and co-workers her definitely a must try read more

Great food, affordable price, great presentation. Unorganized ordering process, ended up getting skipped several times. Good food for sure read more

Criollisimo Restaurant - $8 plus tax. Great stop - Spanish Near Me - New Britain, Connecticut

Absolutely the best authentic Puerto Rican food around. I've taken clients here from all over the USA, not one has left food on their plate. They offer Generous servings and great salads & fried treats. read more

DELICIOUSS!! We got arroz con gandules, pernil, tostones, and empanadas (beef and chicken). The pernil was the best I've had! Plus the customer service was great. On the way out my husband got a little cup of Tres Leches to go and he said it was delicious. Customer service was great.. they were so nice and worked very quickly. Definitely going back soon! read more

I spoke to the owner Brenda about catering a party for a high profile business and she was very very very rude When I asked to repeat the prices she was rude stating I already told you and stated they were busy. That is a rude to run a business very very poor customer service. read more

My first visit and I was thoroughly impressed. Being Puerto Rican I don't often go to Spanish restaurants because it doesn't get any better than home. This is the exception, the food was amazing and the attention was perfect. I will definitely go back for lunch or dinner. The pastelon was really good and the pernil was delicious with of course the cuerito. read more

I'll give this restaurant 0 stars for customer service, I placed an order over the phone for 13 alcapurias, When I asked her for the price she hummered the phone on me then I called back and she said sorry we're busy so when she tells me the price I tell her to place the order and she said " 25 minutes your alcapurrias will be ready" I show up 30 minutes later my order has not even been made and when I ask why she said "cause she didnt" So she places the order and then I have to wait another 30 minutes and when I told her That I should have not have to wait 30 minutes It should have been done already, she gets an attitude with me Because I'm upset that they did not my prepare my order, Then has the audacity to tell me I'm not feeling well today so either want the order or not, Yeah I will country isn't a crisis with covid and this womanShe is not feeling well if that's the case she should not be preparing food for anybody at this moment if she's not feeling well. Customers are entitled to be upsetIf the orders are not done after they have been told they will be done at a certain time especially when you paid over the phone, Quick to take my money but could have related a message to the kitchen smh read more

Really good food however disappointing portion size 3 pieces of bistec in a $11 meal when I asked for extra meat was told $4 for ONE more piece. Totally unacceptable. If the food wasn't so good I wouldn't come back read more

Delicious succulent pernil, arroz con gandules , and beans too. Step up to the counter and choose your favorite. For $8 you get a couple meals in one ! read more

Best Spanish food in town. When ever I'm in new Britian I do everything I can to get over here. The portions are HUGE!!! If you get lunch here you have dinner too! My son will wait for the empanadas if there are none ready. If you like good spainsh good and you are in the area a stop here is required. read more

Criollisimo Restaurant - Best take out EVER!! - Spanish Near Me - New Britain, Connecticut

Best Puerto Rican food in CT! Food is very delicious and generous portions! Love coming here

Food is always fresh. Rice is very flavorful!! Their pork is delicious!!!! Bistec is always so good on white rice

I might marry a Puerto Rican girl just so her family can make me this everyday! The pork and stuffed plantain were amazing! The steak here is also outstanding. read more

Top notch service here! And you get so much food for around $8. I also love the fact that they cater and deliver, which many restaurants do not do. They are very very generous with the food, and very friendly. Definitely returning here. read more

Criollisimo Restaurant - King Fish, Yellow Rice and Beans - Spanish Near Me - New Britain, Connecticut

Love the food on this place! Hands down the best tostones i have had in the East Cost!

My go-to when I'm in the mood for Puerto Rican food. Brenda (owner) has been doing this for a long time and there's a reason why after all these years there's still lines to the door. I drive from Middletown to get my fix. Mmmmm...now I need to cut this review short to go get some pernil, arroz con gondules and tostones. read more

I've been getting $8.00 plates here since I was in high school (believe me, that's a long time ). I've been away from New Britain for about 5 years, but the Pernil with arroz con gandules that I had yesterday tasted like I never left. It tasted like home and there aren't enough stars in the world for that. Relleno de papa was so good, I put it up as my FB cover photo lbvs read more

Criollisimo catered my wedding of about 150 people. I always heard that their food was great, but they were even more amazing than I expected. The food was perfection. Brenda gave me advice on what to order and everyone loved it. She was amazing and the presentation of the food was amazing. I cannot thank her enough for making my day even better. read more

Hands down the best Spanish food CT has to offer! Authentic, favor filled food. The empanadas are flaky and filled with a piece of heaven! You will not be disappointed. The owner/chef is polite and can cook her butt off! Hats off to the chef! read more

This place is absolutely amazing and everything on the menu is cooked to perfection for a REAL Puerto Rican meal this is the place!!! hands down this restaurant is one of the best in Connecticut very,very clean and amazing service also if you haven't tried it you are truly missing out! read more

I give it a 5 star The best mofongo/shrimps and rice that I had in CT. Let me tell you that I travel all CT Hartford, New Haven, Bridgeport, and many more. The service was amazing it meets the expectations and I'm a type if the service or food don't satisfy I will not return to the place and not recommend it. read more

This place has become a huge disappointment Being a New Britain native it's very sad to see that this restaurant has focused more on that then the focus on food 10 years ago there were no for the best Hispanic food in the area it was casual dining cheap price enough to feed enjoy and be happy with your purchase. Today they are focused on expensive food lousy customer service terrible tasting food they have a loss what it really means to have a family owned and operated business they are too worried and focused about other businesses instead of striving for perfection on there end. Seeing someone handling money touches for taking orders and cashing customers out is very disappointing the lack of staff that they have not only do they have a lack of staff they also have a very good cook two dozen greet customers please lines are out the door in there is no one there and the owner seems to only show her face one is for price or for her benefit overall she lacks customer service and customer support. Not worth it! read more