2 questions....

[racegirl-24]

Can anyone recommend an inexpensive/moderate restaurant for local fare for lunch or dinner? And does anyone know if there is a liquor store near the Caribe Hilton? I used Priceline for the first time & got this hotel & after reading the reviews, found out you cannot eat or drink there due to the cost. I'm not spending $18 for 2 draft beers or $32 for 2 Pina Colada's. I already know about Bombonera for breakfast - that place sounds really good.

Any suggestions appreciated.

[Dirkgun]

There is a restarant just down the street from Marriott Miramar in San JUan called "Los Pinos" the cabbies probably know it it is on Ponce De Leon ave just between ensenada and Salva streets I believe. They have great food and great prices. alot of locals go there so it is not a tourist trap.:cool:

[Kikkycat]

We stayed next to the Caribe Hilton last year (at the Normandie) and enjoyed lunch a short walk away at Escambron Beach Club. It was very reasonable we thought.

 

We didn't find a liquor store (or, actually a grocery store since they sell liquors in grocery stores there) within walking distance but there was a small convenience market on the main road near the Hilton where we got soda & water - they did sell beer, wine and liquor there too but didn't have a huge selection.

[racegirl-24]

appreciate the detailed info. :)

[Zada]

If you are looking for some delicious Puerto Rican food you can't beat the roadside carts. We stayed at the Sheraton Old San Juan and ventured out in search of a good meal. While the burgers at Chicago Burger Co. (at the hotel) looked good, at $9 a pop with extra for cheese and toppings, it seemed too steep a price for a burger.

 

We ended up enjoying two incredible meals just around the corner near a little waterfront park. The street vendors we ate from were Native Snack (for lunch) and Tico Tripletas (for dinner). Native Snack offered a variety of deep fried goodies of which I can heartily recommend the empanadillas and the rellenos de papas. The rellenos are stuffed, fried potatoes with seasoned beef and we tried both a beef and chicken empanadilla thoroughly enjoying both. Three potatoes, two empanadillas and three beverages came to under $13.

 

The tripleta is a three-meat sandwich served on a sub roll consisting of a mixture of sliced ham, beef and chicken (real chicken, not chicken loaf) chopped up Philly cheesesteak style. It is a pretty mighty sandwich and ran $5.50.

 

Not far away was a stand offering funnel-cake like fried dough for a mere $2.25. The little donuts (starts with a C but I'm having a brain fart right now) are served fresh from the oil and covered in cinnamon sugar.

 

Among the other offerings from the vendors were "circus candy" (candy apples, fresh cotton candy and popcorn) as well as homemade Puerto Rican candy, a burger and hot dog joint, a pizza place as well as knock-off handbags, small toys, handmade jewelry and artwork.

 

The park was perhaps a five minute walk west of the Sheraton along the waterfront (just north and west of Pier 1 - Carnival docks at Pier 4 for reference).

[cinnam0n]

Dirkgun, is the menu for Los Pinos in English? We'd love to try it in March!

[orquidia]

Dirkgun, is the menu for Los Pinos in English? We'd love to try it in March!

 

it is in spanish, this place is not in the ''tourist circuit'', they prepare Mofongo.

[cinnam0n]

I know it is not a tourist stop - that is why we want to go there. I just wondered if we would have a problem with the menu and ordering.

[cinnam0n]

Well, I will reply to my own post since I now know first hand - lol. We are in San Juan and had both supper last night and breakfast this morning at Los Pinos. The menu is in both Spanish and English and we very much enjoyed our meals there. The breakfasts in particular are excellent and very economical. Staff was friendly and spoke English. Here is their menu

[orquidia]

Well, I will reply to my own post since I now know first hand - lol. We are in San Juan and had both supper last night and breakfast this morning at Los Pinos. The menu is in both Spanish and English and we very much enjoyed our meals there. The breakfasts in particular are excellent and very economical. Staff was friendly and spoke English. Here is their menu

i guess they are becoming more tourist friendly since they opened the convention center and the new sheraton which both are close by.