Tropical taste of the island comes to New Philadelphia
In Puerto Rico the cuisine is known as “cocina criolla.” It makes use of native ingredients and preparation techniques to create something similar to others in the Caribbean but with a flavor all its own and for which it is well recognized, like this plantain and pork sandwich, a regular menu item.
The area now supports a variety of opportunities to sample the foods of various cultures and levels of cuisine. Mexico, Thailand, Japan, China, fine dining, bistro fare, it’s all here, ready to be discovered and tasted.
And now a tiny new restaurant in New Philadelphia brings another part of the map to area palates. The Caribbean Restaurant opened Jan. 23 and offers a full taste of the authentic family cuisine of Puerto Rico.
The restaurant is owned and staffed by a family of immigrants who have created numerous offerings from the islands that make up the U.S. territory in the Caribbean Sea.
The restaurant at 415 E. High Ave. is one of two side-by-side businesses owned by Hector Gonzalez. The other is Diamond Tip Barbershop, specializing in tight razor cuts for men.
“The barbershop has been open for a year, and I worked at another shop in town before that,” Gonzalez said.
He was encouraged to start the restaurant next door when the space became available. The Caribbean features a carryout menu of authentic fare with a small dining area to enjoy the meals onsite as well.
“All of the food we offer is authentic to Puerto Rico,” Gonzalez said. “There are pork, chicken and beef dishes with sauces, rice and beans.”
The restaurant is filled with the scent of the dishes available, and Gonzalez described the flavor as “similar to Mexican, but it’s not spicy at all.”
Gonzalez’s journey to New Philadelphia began with the initial one to the U.S. mainland by his father, Jose Miguel Gonzalez. Hector Gonzalez began in South Dakota, where another brother lived.
He made the trip to Ohio in a marathon 23-hour drive and began bringing his skills as a barber into play. Barbering, in fact, has been his occupation throughout life. “None of us really had restaurant experience. We knew we loved the food and wanted to share it,” he said.
The Caribbean is a welcoming place with the family members — Hector, Jose and brother Miguel — taking obvious joy in presenting and sharing the cuisine they’ve all known throughout their lives.
The one-page menu, in both Spanish and English, offers several meats cooked in a fried crust, salads, fried yuca, vegetables, stews and chicken, and shrimp and pork in sauces. There are daily features and specials offered.
The food of Puerto Rico has been influenced by numerous cultures. The cuisine, beginning with the native Tiano population, has roots in Spain and other parts of Europe, Africa and Asia. With close association with the United States since the late 19th century, the territory has been greatly influenced by the ingredients available from there.
In Puerto Rico the cuisine is known as “cocina criolla.” It makes use of native ingredients and preparation techniques to create something similar to others in the Caribbean but with a flavor all its own and for which it is well recognized.
The Caribbean Restaurant is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.