Can be a bit of a language barrier, but I've always been able to get by whenever I've visited over…read morethe years. Great food, strong drinks, & a beautiful atmosphere what more can you ask for. I think some evenings they have Latin music & dancing too.

Authentic Dominican flavors done right!"…read more I ordered the bistec and a bowl of sancocho, and both dishes blew me away. The bistec was seasoned beautifully -- tender, juicy, and full of that classic Dominican flavor that's hard to find outside of the island. The sancocho tasted like it came straight out of an abuela's kitchen: hearty, rich, and layered with flavors that warm you from the inside out. I've tried a lot of Dominican restaurants, and honestly, this place stands out as better than most. Everything tasted authentic, fresh, and made with love. If you're looking for real Dominican comfort food, this spot is it.

A Home-Cooked Feel with a Few Rough Edges…read more My first visit to Dona Maria started on a positive note with a warm, friendly greeting that made me feel welcome right away. I ordered the Calisticas with chicken and the Pernil (braised pork). The crispy plantains were one of the highlights of the meal, providing a nice texture and crunch. The pork was tender and juicy, although I unexpectedly encountered a large bone joint in one portion. The chicken cups were less successful. They were noticeably oily and lacked the juicy, flavorful bite I was expecting. The standout flavor of the meal was actually the chimichurri sauce. It added brightness and depth, and I found myself pouring it over nearly everything on the plate. Overall, the experience felt very much like eating at a friend's home--comforting, unpretentious, and made with care. That home-style atmosphere extended to the food preparation as well, which appeared informal (I did see prep without gloves) and may not appeal to guests who expect a more polished restaurant experience. While there were some enjoyable elements, particularly the hospitality, plantains, pork, and chimichurri, the execution of several dishes was inconsistent. A decent meal with a welcoming spirit, but not one that fully lived up to its potential.

We arrived at 7:20 PM and it is now 8:31 PM -- and we still have not received our food. This…read moreexperience has been beyond frustrating. When we first walked in, we stood at the front door for about six minutes with no acknowledgment from any staff. It became obvious no one was coming to seat us, so I had to walk toward the back and ask someone if we could be seated. That should have been the first red flag. After finally being seated, it took nearly twenty minutes for someone to come take our order. Now, over an hour later, we are still sitting here without food. No updates. No apologies. No sense of urgency. This level of service is completely unacceptable. Waiting over an hour for food without any communication is ridiculous. Unfortunately, this was a very disappointing experience, and I would not recommend this restaurant based on the service alone.

The restaurant is very clean. I've met the new owners Leannette and Karla, super nice!…read moreFood is incredible, very garlicky how it should be Love their bifteck encebollado with tostones. They have Puerto Rican bread, coffee and quesitos. Love this place!

Updated 3/2025 The…read morelady who took my order over the phone was a darling. A complete sweetheart. I wanted pernil but was told it wouldn't be ready for another two hours. So I ordered pork chops, white rice, and beans. I got home and could tell everything was old. The food didn't look or taste like it was made fresh. I didn't ear more than one bite. In the trash it went. Maybe it was an off day I'm not sure. I'll return and give it another try as I like to support small businesses and the customer service is always top notch here.

Came in just for a few drinks and vibes…read more Very cute place, I love the flora arch in front of the place. The salsa choices that were given to us along with chips were great, me and my bf have been going around to see who has the best lol.

We came here looking for a convenient place to eat after an afternoon at the DMA. The high ceilings…read moreand chartreuse accents were inviting, and the service was welcoming. I decided on the milanesa de pollo after looking at some photos and my partner got the chicken enchiladas. We snacked on complimentary chips and salsa on the meantime. The milanesa de pollo was beautiful, with generous pieces of chicken, a smattering of charred corn, and a fresh arugula salad to alleviate some of the deep-fried guilt. Sadly the enchiladas were less enticing -- the tortilla wrap was kind of rubbery and the chicken was unseasoned and stringy. The service could also be more attentive, since we ran out of water for a bit. Not a bad choice if you're in the area, but maybe do some research beforehand on what people recommend.

Lovely woman working the register; the food is pretty spectacular, and the place was crowded. Eddie…read moreand I loved the food which was the curried chicken, rice n peas, Mac n cheese pie, and the plantains. They were out of a lot of stuff since we came in after lunch rush, but the food that was still there was pretty damn delicious. The chicken was dark meat and super tender fall off the bone. The Mac and cheese pie had so much flavor packed in it. The rice and peas was nice and sturdy and soaked up the curry. Would come back again 10/10 recommend.

Wait time for the food was around 40 minutes. The cashier was friendly and helpful, and she can…read moredefinitely scream! When calling out customer names for orders, she literally screams at the top of her lungs. The boss should probably get her a microphone. The food was delicious, and the place was clean.

i usually hate strip malls but this place radiates all the bright, local energy to feel like home…read more our waiter was manning the whole floor, making drinks, and so charming and helpful with guiding us through the menu. food was insanely delicious and we will definitely be back to work our way through the menu!! must visit. cuban restaurants are a rarity in dallas. everything made with love.

Food was okay. I got ropa vieja with a side of beans, rice, and plantains. It was good enough to…read moreeat but was lacking flavor. I wish I saw some of the peppers & onions that are usually cooked in it but was just meat and sauce. The beans were absolutely flavorless which was disappointing. The fried meat pies were good. I can't think of the name of the dish with the potato ball with meat in it but it lacked flavor as well. The waitresses were nice. Likely won't be a go to for Cuban/Caribbean food.

My favorite spot !!!! Order from here all the time !…read moreReminds me of abuela's cooking. Gonna miss it when I move

BFF is Puerto Rican and anytime visiting a new state we always seek out his native cuisine…read more This place is tucked away in a strip mall so if you blink an eye you'll miss it. Essentially a hole in the wall, you order at the counter as there are no servers in the dining room. Dining area is a good size with most tables seating four. I wanted to order the mofongo de bistec; however, they were out so I settled for the mofongo de carne Molino. BFF ordered the carne guisada con arroz y habichuelas. My entree was delicious but the mofongo didn't appear to be made the way I've had it in the past but it was still very tasty and delicious. I tasted the carne guisada and it was a little dry but still flavorful. If you're in a hurry, order ahead of time as this isn't fast food and you will be waiting a while. No paper menus nor QR code menus are available, so either look online or you have to order from their digital menu upon ordering. Overall, this place is worth coming to with just a few shortcomings but I'd eat here often if I lived in the area.

If you're anywhere near Arlington, TX, you have to check out La Perle Des Antilles. This place is a…read moretrue hidden gem serving authentic Haitian flavors that hit the soul. I ordered the lunch special -- Haitian fried chicken in sauce, crispy Haitian fritters (Marinade), white rice, black beans (sauce pwa nwa), and pickliz -- and let me tell you... WOW. And yes, you absolutely need to pair it with a cold Cola Couronne to complete the experience. The chicken was perfectly crispy on the outside and incredibly moist and tender on the inside, drenched in rich, flavorful sauce. The white rice was cooked just right, fluffy and fresh. And the black beans (sauce pwa nwa)... hmmmmmm. So well-seasoned, hearty, and comforting -- you can taste the love in every bite. The pickliz added that perfect spicy kick to balance everything out. The Marinade fritters were golden, crispy, and packed with flavor -- the perfect starter or side. And the best part? All of this was just $14. You can't beat that for the quality and portion size. I highly encourage everyone to go support this restaurant. If you want authentic Haitian cuisine done right, La Perle Des Antilles is the spot. I'll definitely be back! make sure you bring cash.

The food is amazing. The wife and I practically order the whole menu when we visit. The only thing…read moreI recommend is calling ahead and placing your order for certain items like the "Legume". If you know Haitian food you know most of the dishes can't be prepared on the spot but rather take a lot of time and preparation so if they run out, you may be out of luck.