While riding the trolley throughout the town of San Juan, Puerto Rico, I noticed the restaurant Raices, which had been recommended by the hotel concierge.  I decided to stop here after my walk along Constitution Avenue, hoping it would be open for lunch.  I was looking forward to trying more delicious, traditional Puerto Rican cuisine.

As I approached the restaurant, the door was open, so I walked in, not realizing that I was interrupting a staff meeting.  They kindly informed me that they would be open in a few minutes, so I took a place at the bench outside to wait.

Soon after, I was greeted by a lovely young lady wearing a white dress and a white head wrapping, a traditional Puerto Rican costume.  I had worked up an appetite with a few hours of walking the Old Town, so she promptly seated me and took my drink order.  I was so excited to order the pina colada and even more so when it had arrived in a tin cup, helping the drink to stay frozen.

Looking around the restaurant, I enjoyed the beautiful artwork of traditional island color and local scenes.  The picturesque paintings were framed with window shutters to look as though I was looking into Puerto Rican homes or looking outdoors onto pastures and fields.

I asked my server for a recommendation and he reviewed the restaurant’s house specialties.  There were too many fabulous options such as a mahi mahi, creole style stuffed with shrimp in garlic sauce or muslitos campstres which is pork country-style drumsticks in fricassee sauce. There was also a surf and turf option listed on the menu, which looked absolutely delicious.

I decided to order the skirt steak with a chimichurri sauce, which came with a side of mashed green plantains enough to feed two people.   The steak was so tender it melted in my mouth and had a buttery flavor while the chimichurri sauce gave it a wonderful flavor of garlic and oregano.  I asked if they had any hot sauce and the server brought me over a small dish.  With all of the amazing spices, this has to be one of the best hot sauces I had ever eaten.   It had a nice kick but not too hot that I could not enjoy my food.  I asked if there was any way that I could order it from their store in the back, but it was a new recipe of the chef and was not yet available.  I learned that I would be able to order it on their website soon, but until then I would have to call them to request it.

The history of Raices (roots) is quite an interesting one.  The restaurant and store is based on the root principles of the Puerto Rican cooking and its flagship restaurant first opened in the town of Caguas in 2002.   It became so popular that it now has three locations throughout the island…Caguas, Old San Juan and Hato Rey.

The owners take great pride in the history and culture of Puerto Rico.  I loved the unique atmosphere of the restaurant and the period costumes.  The 1940’s style wardrobe of the servers and their impeccable service are just as much a delight as the extraordinary food prepared here.  A visit to Raices is guaranteed to have you leaving the restaurant satisfied and wanting to come back for more.

When you travel do you like to try new foods at the location you are visiting? What has been your most memorable dining experience? I would love to hear your story, so kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Many thanks for reading about our afternoon lunch at Raices!  Wishing you many Happy Travels!

Where to Eat:

Raices Restaurant
#315 Recinte Sur Street
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Telephone:  787 289 2121