Unlike Guavate which is high in the mountains, Pinoñes is close to the metropolitan area. A short ride from the Isla Verde area of San Juan brings you along the north coast where you’ll find another conclave of roadside eateries in a rustic beachfront setting.
These places are very popular with the locals (and a few adventurous tourists). You can eat Island specialties, drink and socialize for relatively low cost. Another note of interest to we foodies is everything is fresh. You can often watch it being made as you’ll see in the following photos.
Here’s some of the finger food (yes,all fried). This type of eating is called “come y vete” (eat and go/run). 
Alcapurria is one of the most prized of these foods. It begins with a dough made of grated yautia and green plantain which is then stuffed, generally with ground beef. The place we ate in specialized in Alcapurria de Jueyes (crabs).
You can see just how fast the rolling process goes by the blur of this photo. 
The finished product doesn’t last long either. 
Another roadside favorite is Bacalaitos (codfish fritters). 
We went to this particular place, Olga’s, because it specializes in Arroz con Jueyes with Salmorejo on top. It’s crab meat x 2. First it’s cooked with rice and then it’s topped with stewed crabmeat. Could not be more delicious. 
This time we were 10 people around the table. Some of the others ordered Masitas de Puerco with Mofongo (fried pork chunks and mashed plantain). 
Puerto Rican cuisine is not known for ‘heat’, as in spicy. But, they’re not averse to you adding a little ‘piquante’ to your dish and most establishments have their own house-made variety. 
See also I ATE Puerto Rico • Guavate
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It all looks so delicious! I love to try new foods; I’m envious of your trip!
Thanks for sharing your amazing culinry experiences I really enjoy reading about your travels and the unique foods you showcase.
Great to see Puerto Rican cuisine get some attention and stand in the spotlight. I predict this cuisine to get BIG!
I am enjoying living vicariously through you Joan and travelling to Puerto Rico through food…my favourite way to travel.
I am really enjoying Puerto Rican cuisine with you Joan. So much to learn here. I’m familiar with plantains from living in the islands and it’s nice to be able to find them when we visit Florida.
Sam
I would love to visit Puerto Rico! The food looks fantastic.
You would love the food and the ambience.
I remember back in 2002 I had a small 6X6 cuchifrito named “El Carey”, which stands for a Hawksbill Sea Turtle in PR and my last name.
I served Ceviche, Mako Shark Empanadas and Sangria. Had lots of fun and played lots of dominoes. Good memories…
Great trip Joan. Love the rolling Alcapurria photo, must have been awesome to watch. Puerto Rican food is so delicious, and I’ve eaten my fair share even though I have no idea what the dishes were lol. My mother in law just said ven a comer!
The further, the more interesting it’s getting!!!! Wonderful!!!
Mmmm, I bet it would be great to walk through all the flavours and smell comming from the little shops.
The Arroz con Jueyes y Salmorejo sounds too good
Sounds like a wonderful trip and great eats! Fun to see how they roll the Alcapurrias. I had to use parchment paper for mine. I’m looking forward to trying them with a crab filling very soon.
It makes me hungry for bacalaitos and alcapurrias…will be making them soon…keep reminding me of the fun we had
It’s been a long time since I have been to Puerto Rico. Seeing this post makes me want to go back! I did enjoy some local specialties while I was there. The food is very good.
Donde olga is the best place in Pinones to eat Alcapurrias. When i go to P.R. that,s my first stop and coming back is my last stop.
Ciao Joan, lovely your ‘real’ trip in Puerto Rico..so interesting discovering new food! bye!
Great article on Pinones – this place is a must try for any one visiting here. Weekends CSM be VERY busy with long lines of cars trying to get there. But it is well worth it
I am glad you discovered Pinones…is the place for fritters.
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