So after seeing all the posts flooding my Facebook about Puerto Rico Cafe, in Manassas, VA., we decided to make the one-hour drive to Manassas, yesterday, to see what all the hype was about. If you're even thinking about indulging in amazing Puerto Rican food, you need to make the drive to Puerto Rico Cafe in Manassas, VA. I'm serious, it's absolutely worth it. My Scottish fiancé and I (I'm Panamanian) literally drove from Frederick, MD, to Manassas, VA, just to eat there, and I would 100% do it again without hesitation. From the very first bite, I felt like I was back in Puerto Rico during my short but unforgettable year living there. The smells, the flavors, the warmth it hit me right in the soul. The carne frita...Perfect. Crispy edges, juicy pork, seasoned exactly how it should be flavorful and comforting in that "this tastes like home" kind of way. You can't fake that kind of flavor. It reminded me of my mom's cooking and even the food from my beautiful Panama. The pollo en crema de ajo was incredible. The sauce was creamy and full of real garlic flavor, but not overpowering, just perfectly balanced. My husband, who grew up eating completely different British/Scottish food, would not stop talking about it. That says a lot. The pollo en salsa criolla was just as delicious tender chicken with peppers and onions in that classic criollo sauce that tastes like it's been simmering all afternoon. The arroz blanco and arroz con guandules were cooked to perfection not mushy or sticky, but fluffy just like well-cooked rice should be. The yucca wasn't oily; they were crispy, nicely golden brown, and the tostones (patacones in my country) were crispy and lightly salted. And the desserts... listen. The quesitos con guayaba were flaky and buttery, filled with perfectly sweet guava. The pastelillos de guayaba were crispy on the outside, sweet and slightly tangy on the inside. We should have ordered more, I'm not even joking. Now we also ordered parcha and guava homemade juices to go. Nothing completes a meal without a sweet pucker of juice. This wasn't just lunch or dinner. It was an experience. If you're craving authentic Puerto Rican food made with love, this is it. We didn't just find a café we found a little piece of the island right here in Virginia. Thank you for the amazing experience, from a Panamanian and Scotsman. We will definitely be returning. read more

Fantastic! I'm Puerto Rican and this is the best Puerto Rican food in the DMV. We got multiple empanadillas peril, ensalada de papa, and some tostones. It was great! I just got back from San Juan last week and this was better than some of the restaurants there. read more

Amazing Puerto Rican food! There are not many Puerto Rican spots here and coming from Florida, that's a huge bummer. So that basically means I'll drive pretty far to try something if it's authentic. This place definitely fits the bill! They have a rotating menu and are only open on the weekends, so you have to check in advance to see what they're serving that day. My husband and I came on a Sunday and they were already sold out of the pernil which I really wanted to try. We got the carne guisada and the bbq chicken and both were amazing! We also loved the juices and the food had tons of flavor, and also loved their alcapurrias and empanadas too. read more

Food and quality are second to none! Love the portion sizes and authentic flavors! Fees like im eating at a vacation! Love the new patio addition being built by a sexy shirtless puerto rican wolverine! Dinner and a show read more

It is the 3rd year that I try to reach out for holiday catering. Once again, no one answers. No response to messages. I had been finally contacted last year - only after leaving a negative review here- and I was assured they got me for this year. And again nothing. I'm done. read more

Authentic Puerto Rican food, always on point.The empanadillas are amazing! El pernil with the sauce PiKe Tu, takes you to another level. Always thankful to have them so close to us. read more

Are you kidding me? This is the best Puerto Rican cooking outside of my abuela's kitchen. (sorry guys ) The flavor is always spot on and the hospitality is unmatched. Always a smile, always a good time. It's our go-to spot when we're craving goodness. read more

Best food I had in along time it's a taste of home straight from the island highly recommend this place very friendly and wonderful come and visit them in Manassas VA read more

Great customer service plus authentic and delicious food makes this a new go-to spot. Keep it up! Will be coming back for more. read more

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Its super hard to find actual puerto rican food around here, so when I found this little place about a year ago I was very happy to see that I could get fresh alcapurrias without having to make them myself. It's always a blast being able to share the food I grew up with. read more

I've been hearing about this place for sometime now, and finally got to check it out. They are only open on Saturday and Sunday. They are set up in a small trailer with a window to order from. There's a few small tables in the parking lot to sit at, so mostly a takeout place. Ordered the roasted pork that came with two sides. I got the rice with ham and pigeon peas and yucca fries for $17.99. It's a generous portion so you can definitely split it with someone. The pork is delicious, tender and flavorful. The rice was tasty and the Yucca were cooked perfectly. I also got a homemade guava juice on the side which was very refreshing. I am looking forward to going back and trying other things on the menu. I wish they would add may be a Friday to allow for more opportunity to visit. read more

Puerto Rico Cafe - Roasted Pork, yucca, rice with ham & pigeon peas, and guava juice - Puerto Rican Near Me - Manassas, Virginia

One of the few puerto rican restaurants in the area and it's actually good! It's more of a food truck style, and their menu varies so follow them on instagram, they are good about posting the most updated menu weekly. They are also usually only open on the weekends. The food is so good, I grew up eating Puerto Rican food so it's nice to have a place with this food. The staff is super friendly. I think they are a family owned business and they are all cooking it up in there even in the hot summer days. They are amazing! I love that sometimes they have other small businesses, usually puerto rican, also selling their things like desserts and art for example. Also even though it's a food truck type of place they do have places to sit outside if it's not raining which is nice! Go try it!! read more

The food today was good for my first time I really could get used to this ! Can't wait to go back for a bigger menu, today was promotion day but I really want try other things they have ! The only problem they need to open everyday or at least Monday Wednesday Friday Saturday Sunday!!!!!!Great job PR Cafe !!!! read more

I've never been a fan of pizza empanadas until I ordered them from the Puerto Rico cafe WOW everything I ordered was delicious read more

Puerto Rico Cafe - Puerto Rican Near Me - Manassas, Virginia

Excellent, authentic Puerto Rican food. Very nice people run it. Try one of each thing, they're all good.

This place is a hidden gem! I truly recommend Puerto Rico Cafe for delicious authentic food, great service, and generous portions. Their pernil and carne frita are amazing. Their arroz con gandules is so good. They even recently had Chuleta Kan Kan!! On Sundays, they have sold fresh pan sobao. They also have the greatest homemade quesitos. I love this place!! read more

Puerto Rico Cafe - Chuleta Kan Kan. It was delicious! It was a special order. I hope they bring it back!! - Puerto Rican Near Me - Manassas, Virginia

I got the the Pernil, arroz con gandules, and tostones. THEY TASTE LIKE MY GRANDMA MADE This place is awesome, food is great, got it quickly with friendly service, and for the portion you get, it's well priced. If you miss Puerto Rico, or just wanna taste good food, come to this spot. read more

Puerto Rico Cafe - Their menu - Puerto Rican Near Me - Manassas, Virginia

If you're looking for a family atmosphere with the best authentic Puerto Rican food then this is your place. Food and service is a 10 out of 10. read more

We had been searching for a good Puerto Rican restaurant in the greater metro DC area and Puerto Rico Cafe definitely tops the list! Their pernil and habichuelas guisadas are so flavorful. They seem to have a rotating menu because when we went back, they had other items like ensalada de bacalao. Some things to know: They have some seating area under a tent. Seemed like they don't have public bathroom. Either way, we thoroughly enjoyed everything we had and so glad to have found a Puerto Rican restaurant that we can recommend to others who are looking for PR cuisine! read more

What a great find. Thank you Yelp friends. We tried the Pernil, yellow rice, pink beans, yucca fries and sweet plantains. Delicious. Large portions so we had leftovers. Would have loved to try the garlic chicken but they were out. Next time! Only open Sat and Sun but would highly recommend this gem if you are in the area. Plenty of nearby street parking and close to down town Manassas. read more

Excellent food. My best advice is to call before going. This is no ordinary restaurant. But when you go there you will understand that wait is worth waiting for. read more

This is the best Puerto Rican restaurant in Northern Virginia by a mile. The food was authentic and it felt like I was eating in Puerto Rico. The staff was friendly, kind and welcoming to me and my family. The exteriors are nice. The pernil was delicious, the arroz con gandules was exceptional and the quesitos con guayaba simply amazing. Overall outstanding experience, I highly recommend it, we will be back. read more

Excellent, friendly service. Outstanding professionalism displayed, Food was ok. Puerto Rico Cafe has plenty of outdoor seating. read more

Puerto Rico Cafe - rice and beans in a styrofoam container - Puerto Rican Near Me - Manassas, Virginia

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Excellent Food!! We will definitely be coming back. The arroz con gandules and pernil was delicious.

The food here is quite amazing it's always fresh and tasty I've been here 3 separate times and have yet to find anything not worth trying. The owner works in the kitchen and always is ready to greet and serve so its always a positive energy when you order. The puerto rico cafe is a go to spot for great food, good vibes and A positive experience. read more

Food is amazing, just like any restaurant with PR goodies, you will pay a bit more. Love me some pan sobao

Delicious! My mom was from Puerto Rico. Missed her cooking and now I can go back in time. Best Puerto Rican food. You will love it.

100% authentic Puerto Rican food. We ordered 2 arroz con gandules with pernil (rice and pigeon peas/ pork shoulder), and 5 alcapurias de guineo (plantain croquette with ground beef). It was delicious! The food was well seasoned and the portions were big (it comfortably fed my family of 5). The owner is very personable and the staff was polite and quick. I would definitely recommend you check them out! read more