Reviews of El Rincon Tropical (Restaurant)

Gail Fogle

The best Puerto Rican food in Va Beach.

Kevin Cabrera

Great Puerto rican food and nice atmosphere. The only thing is that they close the restaurant randomly, so looking at times online wouldn't help. You would have to call them first to check.

G CP

Great tasting food and really fresh. I was a faithful customer of De Rican chef but the quality has gone down the which prompted me to give thos place a try. I was pleasantly surprised at the quality and rich flavors. I will definitely take the trip here add its my new Puerto Rican food spot. Nicely done!!

Alan Jim

I absolutely love the food here the people are nice they could be a little more cheery I mean you take what you can get. The pernil is AMAZING

Arcilio Diaz

Excellent staff. Delicious Puerto Rican food. A must in Virginia Beach.

Michelle A

We were welcomed with open arms and very friendly. The waiter took our drinks and then it was a disaster on our orders. My family and I had our foods served individually every 5 minutes and had to be returned several ocassions because they were cold. The waiter basically forgot what brings on our order, which were the sides, and they were delivered when we just finished eating. No dressing on our salads, they even gave us a drink without anyone asking for it and it was charged. We got better servers at McDonalds than this place which supposedly to be called a “great restaurant” Sorry to say, they give us Puerto Ricans a bad reputation. I do not recommend this restaurant to my fellow Puerto Ricans who would like to eat traditional food, and for those who like to try Hispanic plates. I can recommend to go to De Rican Chef and compare its service and food that is a whole lot better. My parents even said that we should have listened to my little brother on going to McDonalds. *drops microphone*

Milton Rodriguez

Very Puerto Rican flavored food

P Nyce

Best Puerto Rican food in the 757!

Josh Hayfer

Excellent Cuban. Best I've had in the area

Lai Shawn love

Had a blast

Glenda Santana

Excellent food and good service

Zone 07

Place does not look clean and a bit run down. I've been to places that look run down but not dirty; this is not one of them, even their sign is half burnt out. The Alcapurria appetizer was too greasy and salty. Also ordered a Pastelon which tasted rather good except I wish they would've use shredded cheese instead of sliced. Ordered the Pernil con grandules and they served me a ton of Pernil; it was tasty, juicy and tender except the rice wasn't fresh which took away from the Pernil. I wouldn't recommend this place for people trying something new or on a first date. I won't be back; there are better places.

Christopher Vega

Great Puertorican Rest,

Michael H

Small restaurant, great service, reasonably priced, and the food is amazing.

Patricia Velasquez

Good food! Excellent taste and generous portions!!! We will come back tomorrow

David Lee

Always great experience

Rafael Martinez

Great food. Wonderful atmosphere. This is definitely going to be a regular spot for me.

JUDITH LAZCANO

DONT COME HERE! food is not authentic , my meat was very salty and my friends food had no taste! Only good thing was our waiter but that's because we were the only ones there! Other then that it's not worth it ! Size portions are small too

Elaine Perez

Food was just "ok." The pernil was a huge disappointment which is too bad as we were really looking forward to it. It lacked flavor. The beans (both black and red) also lacked flavor. Ambiance was nice. Service was good.

shari gaines

Delicious authentic food feels like I'm at home. Love it recommended

Jason

Authentic Puerto Rican food. Flavors are just right, and not overpowering. The pork I had was not dry at all and the service was attentive and nice. I definitely recommend

Jazmin Johnson

I wish i could give 0 stars. Worst food I have ate. My pork was so dry and hard as a rock I couldn't even bite into it. The whole place smelled dirty and looked dirty. It took 15 mins to get one drink. And our server who I don't wanna call out but her name started with a Y was so rude and acted angry everytime she came to our table. Just don't bother wasting your time here. I served and bartended for years and always tend to find good in places but there was nothing here.

D

Two words. Cuban Sandwich. Your welcome.

Larry H

New owners. Great food. Excellent service. Recently gave it a try under new owners. You will enjoy it. Give it a try.

Kathleen Parks

We had a wonderful time! The atmosphere was relaxed, food was amazing & staff was attentive. We will definitely return soon.

Catherine Duffoo

Amazing food! Definitely going back every time we come back to VA Beach. Great taste authentic food. Great service as well :)

rob perez

This place has been renovated aced the food is even better. The colors are bright and welcoming. They did a complete 360 on this place. Wow.

Rhyan Thongsavanh

Five stars for the food. Staff was nice and fun, it was the food that got this review. Different from All the Mexican food that we have in Va Beach. This is not tacos and fajitas, this is Miami. That just because I don’t want to say the wrong county. Bottom line is go eat here.

Karene I.

I had a great time here. The food is amazing i really felt like i was back in P.R. if you are looking for a great place to eat, give this place a shot. Trust me you wont be disappointed.

Angel Rentas Santana

Nice friendly Latino group....Caliente music

ztate08

Our waitress was friendly and helpful, her service was good. The food on the other hand was either bland or too salty. The fried food we ordered was extra greasy. The place was clean but a little outdated. The price I paid does not reflect the quality of food I ate.

Jose Pagan

Good Food..

Walter Black

Good food good service

Carlos Santacruz

nice Puerto Rican cousin. The taste is good if you are in to trying different things. Uses alot of garlic port an plantain. Price is high and service is not the best

william drummond

Great restaurant. Great service and amazing food. It's worth the hour drive . ❤❤❤❤❤

Rachel Rodriguez

Food was delicious. Friendly staff, great customer service.

Eddy

Glad to be back in HR, will definitely be a frequent eater at this place. Family owned, friendly staff, and mouthwatering Hispanic food.

Ewanya Watson

Good food but waitress we had was bad and so many flies we had to fan the flies away while trying to enjoy our food, so we just got our food to go.

Roe E. D.

Google keeps pressing me to say something about this place so let me ... N. O. It’s been what ... a month or so and I can still taste the dried out meat and hard rice that was more than likely sitting out for a while. Ain’t been back. Ain’t gon be back.

Juan Dipini

Food was awesome, and the Margaritas prepared by Shailyn was the best my girl has had..

Reynold Rose

The food is good everytime and great service

Elizabeth Estremera

Food is TRULY authentic!!! Our first time there and we ordered it to go. It took 30 minutes and it was so worth every moment!!! We can't wait to go back. #comidaboricua

jose rodriguez

Best place for Caribbean food in Hampton Roads

Duncan Bain

Quaint restaurant with nice bar area. The food was okay but not great. Service was okay.

Nestor Escobales

Excellent food. Nice athmosphere. Family oriented. Highly recommended.

TIM WHITNEY

Very good food. My waitress was Sarah. Great service. Will definitely be coming back!

Pius Aghadiuno

Nice restaurant, friendly staff. Waitress who took our order was nice and professional. She communicated the food portion, type and price. No surprises. Food was good. Will visit next time we are in town.

Stephanie Mrosek

Amazing typical food from the island! Portions are huge!

RICHIE RUIZ

Awesome spot. Too bad I didnt come here when I first started my vacation! I would have come a few more times!

Roy Miniel

This little piece of haven is a must stop can't go wrong

Katie Garcia

The food was ok. Another review said service was odd which is the best way to describe it.... the food was very greasy and oil dripped out of everything. $3 for ONE empanada which was not that great. The service was slow and there was no air conditioning. It was so hot inside making it uncomfortable to eat. Ceiling fans are also lower than the can lights in the ceiling so it was like a strobe light the whole time. I don't think I'll be back.

Joseph Kruse

Wings on Wednesday! Hands down better tasting wings than hooters!

Clev Starr

Food is great. Salsa night is good on Fridays

Deeps Ph

The food is really good, by far the best one in Virginia Beach. I am removing one star because their hour of operation is random. They were closed during the hour of operation and we were turned back twice so call before hand.

alfonso clark

Not bad

Carlos Avendano

GO FOR THE "ALCAPURRIAS" AND ENJOY ONE OF THE BEST BORICUAS APPETIZERS!!

Customer 757

So I called to order some food for my daughter because she loves this place. Always asking to come here. We always ate here as guests with a family friend who happens to work at the barber shop next door. Anyways, the waitress who answered put me on hold and seemed very busy. Funny thing she mentions the kids menu to her customers there. Well being a patience guy, I just wait in the parking lot for her to return. I hear a lot of normal restaurant background noise. After 20 minutes, I decide to drive to mount trashmore with the speaker on. After viewing lake, I hear the phone hang up. Got to be kidding, after nearly 30 minutes you just hang up and not even check on your customer? Very poor service. Really felt like she took the call to get a customer off her back at that moment or this lady needs some ginkgo bilubo to help her memory. Management needs to have a better system when customers who call in. Didn’t miss the food drench in salt anyways. Not good for those with those who have high blood pressure. Which this waitress seems to have being so stressed out by the customers she had there during that moment.

Carlos Maldonado

Fantastic place to sit down and have good Puerto Rican food feels like you’re back home except for the part where your mother yells at you LOL

william ayala

Excellent authentic Puerto Rican food. You definitely have to try it.

Johnny Dozier

Really good Spanish good

George Cuadrado

Great Puerto Rican food fantastic

Christina Holland

I absolutely love their food! If I could eat there everyday I would! Go check it out if you have not already-you will not be disappointed!

Angela Showers

My favorite spot! I love their red beans and yellow rice.

Jeanette J Montes

Really good food, excellent flavor and everything cooked like home!

Gilberto De Leon

Awesome food, Will come back for more

Hector Padua

Great PEOPLE, food music

Yannis Nevratakis

Good place to dance.

Ryan Lopez

Food was amazing! Had the two pork chops and a lot of rice. Portions are huge, which is one of the best reasons I like coming here. The horchata was amazing, super cinnamony and just amazing. Definitely recommend this place for boricua food lovers.

Antonio Martinez

Just ordered from el rincon tropical and got home and I felt robbed I have been in Hampton Roads area since since 1984 and have seen how slowly but surely we are getting more spanish restaurants in this area but the amount of food that they serve for lunch will have you feeling robbed I have been to mostly all spanish restaurant in this area and in NY FL SC NC DE I am a tractor trailer driver so I have been to a few latin restaurants in my day but I have to say That I have never been to a latin restaurant that charges you separate for rice separate for beans and separate for whatever else you ordered I paid $11.00 for rice and beans and pork shoulder this is legal robbery this is the 1st restaurant I have ever been to that does this and with that said I will not b going there again and will advise anyone that ask me where to get latin food against this place will send them down the street to the yaroa which they give you the same portion for less

Samone Campbell

As soon as we walked through the door, we felt welcomed. The staff was wonderful & friendly....the food taste just like it came from my grandma's kitchen. I will definitely be back again! Feels like I'm back in the Bronx (New York)

Mz NV

DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY HERE!!! So my husband and I are from Philadelphia and we have been craving some good Spanish food and read the reviews so we decided to go to El Rincon. BIG MISTAKE.!!!!From the time we walked in the door the host was not friendly and had no customers service skills. We spent over $30 for portions that won't have even filled up my 12 year old. It however was not just about the portions and the price but the food was not worth the tray it was in. I don't know who is writing these reviews because it you are a true Puerto Rican you would not be giving these rave reviews. I miss Philadelphia and their food. If you are every in Philadelphia go to Fred and Tony's, now that's good Puerto Rican food. OVERLY PRICED, NO TASTE. Very unhappy!!!. We have since been to De Rican Chef, they were still a bit pricey but the food has much better taste.

Rafael Bueno

Outstanding Puerto Rican food, superb staff. Great prices

Kennet Valentin

good food excellent

Ray Deliz

Great REAL PUERTORICAN food!

Allison Fehrman

I came for paint nite and was surprised by the excellent food. The smashed plantain and yucca is amazingly delicious! The sweet fried plantains were so good I went back for more! The staff was extremely friendly and inviting! I can't wait to go back again.

PAUL CARDONA

A little disappointed that I've tried 3 times this week to get lunch between 2-3pm and they've been closed when the hours say 11am-8pm Sun-Thur and 11am-2am Fri and Sat...what's goin on?? Are they open or not??

JAnice Juarbe

Love it! Great food, great music!!

Bonita Mita

Order the tostones with shrimp! A must! Everything was excellent. Probably the best Puerto rican food I've ever had. Highly recommended.

Anthony J

I had a dish with pork and it was very good. Also the brown rice is extra but is well worth it. Foods good, service is good. The restaurant is nothing fancy, but the food and service make up for it.

Zugie Kostyal

The best food! And such wonderful service!

Samuel Eli

The great place to take your family to eat Caribbean food from Puerto Rico great flavors great drinks also Dance the Night Away from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. salsa night Friday night fantastic

Ivan Rios

Great food and service.

Orlando Bolden

Great food and environment!

Somali Esland

Food is always good.

Patrick Blackwell

Best Cuban sandwich in town

Bape God757

Good Vibes

Patricia Betancourt

Food is delicious. And they have a great lunch special from 11am to 3PM.

Edwin Acevedo

Good food, festive ambience, and good music diversity. Not to mention, mature crowd.

Jesus Acevedo

Great Puertorican food, incredible service and fair prices. This was our first time here and will not be the last. Take it from us full blown Puertorican, born and raised in the Island. This food is authentic. Very happy, highly recommended.

N Vo

Food was good but took too long to cook, not worth the wait unless you do take-out. A little pricey for the kind of food you get. Could do just as well as cooking at home.

Nydia Ruiz

It was so cool to hear people who speak your language....that roll of the rrrrrrrr just love it. They were not cheap with the food and it was authentic like my grandmothers food from Puerto Rico....awesome flavors

Michele Ewing

I LOVE this place! The waitress was phenomenal and the food was fantastic!

Rene Diaz

Really delicious food tostones rellenos delicious

Jaazaniah Gustave

Food was nasty wasnt even worth the 60 dollars that was spent wont b going there anymore

Steven Cuevas

First time being there the food was good but the service could have been better being that there was only two tables to be served. They forgot our friends meal saying they thought it was take out and didn't even let us know that they closed at 0800pm. SMH

Cosme S. Omar

Amazing food great prices

joey hathorn

Good was delicious, staff was excellent

Charisse Morales

Truly authentic Puerto Rican food loved it

Willie Active Lawn

Great food as always. Staff was great as well.

Monet Freeman

DJ Rico Fulatino was AMAZING

Ernesto Roubert

Love it. Great food, price, and portion. Very tasty. Awesome service and attention. Felt like I was back in Puerto Rico.

Danny Fernandez

My first time there and I will be coming again. The waitress was kind and helpful. I miss my Dominican/Borikua (Caribbean) food and this is good enough for me. Thank you.

Wilbert Johnson

Best food I've had in a long time, along with exceptional service. The food is so flavorful, facility is clean, and I will definitely be coming back.

Jose Fernandez

Not the fanciest, but food is good. Im Puerto Rican and I eat here, close to what we get back home.

Paula Banks

Best Spanish Food I have had since leaving NY!! The sweet plantains are absolutely delicious and the Flan is amazing! Great service and atmosphere! Highly Recommend

Crystal Taylor

We weren't greeted when we walked in took over 15 minutes to be seated and it wasn't even packed. Our appitzerers took over 30 minutes to come out. It was good but our main course took an hour and was cold. They did discount our bill. Just wish we had better service.

Perfecttdetail

Great food and friendly staff

Francis Capitano

If you want to wake up your taste buds you must dine at El Rincon. A Caribbean flair with some of the tastiest treats we've had since we traveled to the islands. The grilled chicken is excellent, the skirt steak is excellent, the shrimp is excellent. Don't take my word for it, visit them and discover for yourself.

Jeffrey Matos

Great food..the best in hampton roads

N. Garcia

Really good food, nice vibe...love it!

Michael Simmons

The food was generally good for the price paid. My big complaint was the lack of customer service. We ordered higher-tier beers based upon the price quoted by the waitress ... bill arrives and the price per beer was higher ... waitress admits she provided the wrong price ... manager's response = "sorry, that's what the price is" ... zero attempt to provide a discount, a free drink, a package of saltines, not a thing. No class shown. I didn't fuss or push back, just decided to not return if this was how my business was valued. I had ordered several drinks based upon what the waitress told me the price would be ... on top of 2 meals that night ... and I had been there a few times up til then. It's a matter of principle that I haven't been back $ince.

Liz Bass

Just like home cooking Large portions, and the Coquetto hits the spot...

Crystal Sheak Sheak

Service was nice. Our food took 35 minutes from the time we ordered to the time we got our plate. We ordered the appetizer sampler. The food was so bland, it tasted like bland oil, which dropped out of everything. We were thankful for the dipping dressing. It was the best thing on the plate. When the bill came, there was a gratuity already added. It was just two of us and normally a gratuity already added is for large groups. I really wanted to enjoy it. :-(

Amanda G Gonzalez Torres

It wasn't terrible. My husband order a mofongo con carne frita, the plantain in the mofongo was uncooked it was white in the inside. My food wasn't that bad but the price could be better.

Yuleidys Vega

Was in town for less than 24 hours. Stopped here with my grandma and daughter for something to eat. My grandmother is a tough critic. She lives in the Dominican republic and is here visiting. Well you did not manage to impress her. Or me for that matter. The black beans were over seasoned and it seemed like it was mixed with pinto beans as well. Anyways, there were a bunch of flies flying around the tables which I wouldn’t have minded if the servers offered to move us to a different area or did something about the flies. The amount of rice that you serve is simply not enough for an adult. My child is two and she ate all my rice. Lol. I did get a side order of rice but it was arroz con gandules instead of just plain white. She did not like the arroz con gandules and I did not blame her. I wasn’t impress.

tony rice

The place overall was great the atmosphere depending when you go is OK nothing bad remember it is a bar and grill but it has both feelings in there so let's get to the food. The food was phenomenal I got the skirt steak and it was great the price is OK especially on the week days so definitely 10/10 for me hope it helped

Mike Gray

Very good customer service Great food

Erika Diaz

Half the items on the lunch special menu are no longer being served. I got the white rice, beans, and pernil. The pernil was good but could have had more seasoning. It is disappointing they don’t make the crunchy skin on top “cuero.” Not enough rice included and it was just half of a small styrofoam cup of beans. Still gave 3 stars for the good conversation I had with the server while I waited. And the place is clean which makes the food worth going back for.

Elsa Foston

Great food. Best Yuca I've ever tasted! They could use more staff but other than that it was a great experience!

Clara Camp

The Pork Chops were over cooked,hard as a rock, and not seasoned, so were the tostones , very bland, but the rice an d beans were excellent. The waitress was pleasant, but did not have a friendly attitude and didn't make us feel comfortable. .. very serious.

FLY -BILL

Great food

Dilsat Dorsey

Alots of fun, friendly atmosphere.

Oscar Lissa

Took us one drink to leave the place

Ana Ron

Food was excellent, waiter was extremely helpful.

Samvit Shastri

Service took a long time. Not a big deal. We laughed it off. Ordered the mofongo for $15.50. Menu states very clearly at the bottom that the dinners “comes with Yellow or White Rice & Black Beans”. Got the check with a $5 charge for the rice and beans. Waiter gave some bs explanation that certain dishes don’t come with the sides. Which is absolutely nowhere on the menu. Seeing the other review where they charged the party of two gratuity, this seems like a restaurant where they try and scam customers out of $5-$10 whenever possible. Will NEVER come back here

Zinnia Rodriguez

We arrived only to find the place packed with as family birthday party. Bambi, our waitress quickly seated us at the only table left, took our order and within 20 minutes we were eating. Food delicious, prices great. Thank you Bambi you were awsome!!!

kaela

If I can give no stars I would. I have been eating here for years. The portion size has changed. For the price you would think you would have enough for seconds. Quality and quantity has changed. No attention to details on the order. I was sent the wrong beans twice for a to go order. This is not the first time I have been disappointed with my order. I get the pernil every time I go and I have been dissatisfied with the last 4 times I have went. Out of loyalty I kept coming back but I will not be back. If you are from up north this is not comparable in price nor portions. Pork is also not done enough for my liking. Sad I have to let this place go.

Joel Barreto

Tripleta con tostones (check), mofongo con carne frita (check), pincho (check). This is the taste of caribbean!!! Puerto Rico. Nice environment, great service and awesome food. Other that this items, I get to see the piña colada, topped with orange, strawberry, and whip cream, the alcapurrias and the chuleta can can (a must to get next time for me)

Jesenia Diaz

Amazing Puerto Rican food I loved everything

toni shannon

Great food! Great staff! Awesome atmosphere!

Fran Cintron

One of the only 2 exclusively Puerto Rican restaurants in the area. A little small but the food is always great.

Locale Love

Overpriced under cooked, small portions. Plantains taste better at local chinese place around the corner. Cake is bad. Service is ODD. Just make it like NYC.

Maria-Cristina Gavilan

It wasn't bad and quick service. The pernil was pretty good but the tostones weren't the best. Either way pretty decent spot for Latino food. I stopped in for lunch and portion size was good and food came out fairly quickly, not the prettiest of places on the inside, had some patio seating.

my favorites Dede Pinero

This was my 1st time visiting this restaurant. The food was very good, service was very good and we had a warm, sincere welcome. I will go vack again when my family comes for a visit

I CC

Flavorful! Excellent costumer service.

Brandon Bogue

This place has food so good I close my eyes and disappear. The steak omg. They have great music to move too after 10 and the waitstaff is super friendly. Love! Amore!

Justin Coultman

Great food served with a smile

Brenda Walker

My family and I loved going here when we all lived in Virginia Beach. The owner is so nice and engages on a level of genuine care when talking to you. The menu is great and the food is tasty. They have events randomly as well and we celebrated a few big events with the El Rincon family!

Latasha D.

Great food and music.

Tiana Perez

It was great food.

ared tend

I felt like I was at home! The food was out of this world amazing and the service is great! I will be back over and over and over again until they know me by name. lol

Chase Carmines

Great food, very clean. Wait was a little long for lunch but no big deal. I'll be back again.

Nina Baez

food and service was amazing.

J B

Went here twice - the first time the food was awesome (the Yucca is amazing!) and the wait staff was great. The second time the food took forever - it took over an hour to get our food, and then it was cold. The waitress was awful - never checked on us, couldn't get a drink refill, took over 2:30 to get 2 beers, food, and a check. Meanwhile, we could see her at the bar flirting with her friends, while the other waitresses around us had to keep prodding her to take our order, refill our drinks, etc. Finally, she went into the kitchen and never came back - had to get a manager to give us our bill. Unsure if the food was good at this point, as it was cold.

Aimee Cartagena

Very poor service. We were the ONLY customers for about 20 minutes. Order our food plus a to go order. Drinks took 10 minutes to get (2 sodas 1 water). Then we got our food about 30 minutes after we placed our order. Then people started coming in. When we were done eating, he gave us our bill. He totally forgot about our to go order. He went to put it in and came back to tell us the last order was sold to another customer. SERIOUSLY? I placed the order way before anyone came in to eat. Food was great, service was AWFUL.

Luis Ortiz

Good food

Audra A. Anderson

Puerto Rican food was sooooo good

melanie forti

Nice restaurant however we were kindy of pushed to leave. The waitress started billing us while some of us were still eating, what of we wanted to order desert or some drinks? Also, all the food was missing true boricua seasoning it was all bland. Portions are good for the price. The alcapurrias are good. Don't order the flan de queso it tastes like milk with water and a tiny bit of sugar. I wouldn't recommend a Boricua to visit.

Elmest Guzman

Fantastic food, good price... A little corner of PR in the middle of VA

Sentry One

I've been here many times over the years and I usually have an amazing experience from service to food but today was different. I took my son here and we were seated and ordered our drinks and placed my food order since I always get the same thing. We waited almost 40 minutes before leaving. Our server never came to the table to apologize for the excessive wait. There was maybe 15 people in the restaurant and our orders were simple grilled chicken and pork shoulder. Courtesy would have been to at least see if we needed refills on drinks and tell us why we hadn't gotten our food.

Renita Townsend

Food is amazing every time.

Mike Hill

Great food, atmosphere, and overall great experience. Much recommend!

Ginneva Melendez

Food was awesome. 1st time visit with my husband on Saturday night. Authentic food we had Churrasco omg with different sides beans taste like my grandmother make them. I love the mojito

Jacob Sullivan

Extremely accomodating, wonderful staff, very understanding. Definetly worth the visit. Gonna definitely be returning.

Jose Leon

Love this place, food is great and good music!

Daniel Duke

Amazing food, good atmosphere, friendly wait staff

Rosa Martinez

Small and great place to dance salsa or Latin music. No formal clothes to wear. Staff and customers are nice and friendly. Air conditioning is working better than before.