Cafe Viejo San Juan brings Puerto Rican home cooking to Waco

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Tuesday August 02, 2011

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Cafe Viejo San Juan brings Puerto Rican home cooking to Waco

By Jessica Chia

Joseph and Alexandra Parrilla opened Waco’s only Puerto Rican restaurant, Café Viejo San Juan, just four months ago at 1428 LaSalle Ave. The Parrillas cook everything themselves using the same methods Joseph Parrilla’s grandmother cooked with in Puerto Rico, even if it means extra time and effort.

The family takes great pride in its food, cooking every dish fresh to order. Parrilla said he decided to open the cafe because he got tired of driving to San Antonio and Killeen for the nearest Puerto Rican restaurants, and said the growing Puerto Rican community in Waco has really embraced his cafe. As a Puerto Rican, I can vouch for the authenticity of the food served, although the real hook for me was a tie between taste and customer service.

I had just stopped in to ask Parrilla a few quick questions and leave, but as soon as he found out I hadn’t eaten he and his wife whipped up a steaming bowl of mofongo con camarones, which is a plantain-mash dish with broth and shrimp. I was still enjoying the meal when he brought out a sweet coconut dessert topped with a bit of Puerto Rican rum.

Parrilla sat across the table from me and explained his plans for the future of the restaurant. He wants to create a welcoming, relaxing environment where customers can enjoy great food and have a good time.

As of now, customers can watch tv on the large flat-screen, access the free wireless Internet and chat up the Parillas. In the future, Parrilla plans to put in a sound system and outdoor seating to better accommodate customers that want to smoke or simply enjoy the outdoors.

“We’ll play meringue, salsa and other Latin music so people can dance if they want to,” said Parrilla.

“I don’t want this to be another restaurant where people come in and sit down and that’s it. I want people to be able to enjoy themselves and have a good time here,” said Parrilla. “For us, it’s all about the customer.”

Joseph and Alexandra Parilla are pictured here with their two daughters, Keyshla Parrilla, 15, (middle) and Tatiana Parrilla, 9 (far right).

6 Comments | Post a comment

joseph parrilla

Feb. 09, 2012, 9:00AM

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well mis jody the first ting i have to say is not a weird place we dont sell beer or wine yet in here if a costumer ask i will go and buy the beer for the costumer whit there own money 5.00 a beer i dont think so the prices are right evreting in here i have to go 1hour away to get my produce so im sorry you think the restaurant is weird and all that stuff but ty for you imput att the owner joseph parrilla bonilla

chowser

Nov. 08, 2011, 8:27PM

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Friendly family-run who aim to please. They had some nice, unique deserts, like some coco coconut bars. Just FYI though, if you prefer lighter fare, mofongo is a pretty heavy dish. I don't know about the other items - but you might want to ask them for suggestions to suit your preferences. Heck, where else will you ever get to try PR food, though? Worth trying here at least once just to check it off your bucket list, IMO. :)

Jody

Oct. 14, 2011, 6:28PM

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My husband and I went there todqy and they have lead you to believe that they have their liquor license and we ordered a beer and the waiter told us he would go to the conveince store and buy it and then charge $5.00 a beer. Wind and beer are on the menu. We don't mind paying for good food, bu the prices of the entrees are very pricey for that area and the restuarant. We did not order, but got up and left. Waco Trib ou need to check these things out. It is a very weird place.

joseph parrilla

Aug. 25, 2011, 11:46AM

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well mis carol my name is joseph parrilla im the owner if cafe viejo san juan im really sorry the you are disapointed butbif you know about puertorican food you shut now the this is 100% comida puertorriquena so come and try us again the meal will be for free for you ty sincerily jp

Carol Ringwald

Aug. 19, 2011, 9:39PM

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We visited Cafe Viego San Juan and were very disappointed with the food. To call a dish 'Mufungo' it must include pork rinds, which were non-existent inthe dishes we ordered. This is not authentic Puerto Rican flood in my book. Sorry, but we will not return

Lisa

Aug. 06, 2011, 5:50PM

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We ate there yesterday, and plan to eat there again tomorrow for a birthday celebration. The food is amazing! Joseph came out several times to make sure everything was to our liking! This is definitely a new favorite place to eat! Oh, make sure you try the homemade flan!