Midtown Lunch

At the end of November, a Latin American/Caribbean casual dining restaurant opened on South Street. Latin Flavor serves Puerto Rican, Cuban, and Dominican food. This news peaked my taste bud’s interests because most Caribbean restaurants we have to work with in Philly are either fancy or super far from Center City.  I wondered if this spot could stand up to the amazing Puerto Rican, Cuban, and Dominican food I have tried up in North Philly: Isla Nena, El Principe, El Lechonera Principe, Cibao, El Rey de Fritura, Shining Star, Porky’s Point, and Freddy and Tony’s. Looking back at those reviews, I can only grimace with pride about how much fatty pork I have already consumed in my lifetime. Time for more. Because we all know that the “Latin Flavor” is often fatty, delicious pork.

Some pressed garlic bread was brought to the table to start. You can easily use this place for take out, but sit down service is available and friendly.

I ordered yuca fries, that came with two zesty dipping sauces.

For something less traditional- fries, cheese with bacon. This was as good as you might expect, as in, very very good. It also had a zesty sauce on it, making it a little more interesting; you can feel less bad for ordering fries at a Caribbean restaurant.

If you order the papas rellenas, and you should because fried potato balls  stuffed with meat are always awesome, make sure they remember to bring the rich, meat gravy. Ours came after we had mostly finished ours, and our last bites with the rich, meat sauce on it were most magnificent.

We dabbled in to entrees; they come with your choice of rice and a small salad and plantains and are all under $12. The yellow rice and sweet plantains are both excellent.  I was not great about sharing the plantains. The beef stew was flavorful, but a bit dry, though not to the point of making it unenjoyable.  The roast pork was chopped in to glistening chunks. Some of the skin was a little too chewy to swallow, but the rest of the meat was shreds of soft, prime  swine. While the pork was not quite as good as what they serve up North (as in, North Philly) or down South (as in, the islands of the Caribbean) it is a worthy stop that is much more accessible for Center City people.  Great for lunch, or a BYO dinner, and if only they stayed open late… it would be most perfect for a weekend late night snack. Drunk pork is always a win.

THE + (What somebody who likes this place would say)

• Legit Caribbean food that you don’t need a car for

THE – (What somebody who doesn’t like this place would say)

• Not vegetarian friendly
• Beef was a little dry

Latin Flavors, 627 South St, 267  519-2027