San Juan Cafe

Excellent Food!!!! I would have taken pictures but it was too good to stop and meddle with a camera! Very authentic Latin American cuisine!
Met there for lunch to celebrate my bud's birthday. My friend and I both ordered the steak and black bean burrito with a side of maduros, which is cooked plantains! The burrito is a large flour tortilla stuffed with grilled seasoned skirt steak and black beans, topped with melted provolone, salsa verde, and sour cream, with lettuce, pick de gallo and guacamole on the side!
He also ordered a Palma Louca, a Brazilian beer that he really loves!
The ladies split an entree, which of course was all preceded by their chips and salsa, which they fry up and season the chips to order! Homemade tortilla chips that are surprisingly not greasy!
Highly recommend for a quiet lunch or a nice dinner out!

What a great lunch. Decided to treat a friend to lunch at a new to her place; she enjoyed it. Started with fresh chips and salsa. Then we ordered our lunch, my friend ordered the burger - the waiter said it was the best burger in town - my friend agrees. I ordered the chicken tacos with lime creama on a soft shell - it came with rice and beans - delish.
I had a gift certificate all we ordered dessert - coconut cake and flan - definitely try the coconut cake; it's awesome. The ambiance is good - and for 2:00 it was fairly busy. This restaurant is also philanthropic minded - they sponsored the food at Big Buddy's 3rd Heart of the Matter Fashion Show in February 2017- be sure to thank them when you visit, and be sure to visit.

Was in town for work and very disappointed I found this joint on my last two days. Came here two nights in a row.

Ordered the quail the first night and it was uber tasty. The flavor was great and the texture in the rice had a nice chew to it.

Night two, ordered the Cornish hen (pic). Don't know why I was all bird for this restaurant. Big Bird was deep fried on top of mixed veggies, topped with grilled onions and stuffed with rice and black beans. Skin was crispy and the meat was moist.. screaming flavor. Highly recommend this dish. Price was right too, I think $17...sizable portion.

The homemade complimentary chip was addicting...wished I held back on the addiction to save room for the main course.

Service was top notch...attentive and polite. Food came out promptly but not sure how it would be if they were busy.

Definitely an underrated restaurant, will be back when I'm in town.

The food here was very solid. My girlfriend ordered the flank steak and bean burrito, which was very tasty with a nice kick. I got a slow roasted pork dish with an excellent side of red beans and rice. Although the food was good, the prices are a bit steep for the elegance of the food and the atmosphere. It is a bit of a hole in the wall, but the staff was pretty friendly. We'd definitely consider stopping in again for some tasty grub.

The Mojito was excellent. To die for. One of the best that I've had.

Ordered the "bifstek encebollado". Excellent tasting. Steak was a little tough, but good. Also ordered amarillos. Very tasty.

We're new to the area and stumbled upon this place while biking recently and we're glad we did. I had the shrimp, which was flavorful (although if you're really hungry it might not be enough) and my husband had the lechon asado which was good, but not great. Unlike the shrimp, it was a little bland so you may want to order something else. However, the coconut cake is delish! Definitely save room for that :)

As for atmosphere, the ceilings could use some love. Maybe pretty them up with some tin ceiling tiles? That would go far in creating a warmer, more welcoming atmosphere.

Best meal in Wilmington. Period. Check my reviews. See where we eat. Awesome staff. Eat here often. Great lunch and dinner. Lots of gluten free options.

You've never had a chili relleno like this one.

They offer really cool cooking classes.

Owner/Chef Billy is putting out some great Latin Fusion cuisine. Started with complimentary nachos and salsa then enjoyed tostones and caviar and tuna tartare. Afterwards, I had picadillo and cornbread. Beverage was house Cab and was pleasant. Took a salad home because food was so outstanding.

Gathered with a group of friends here last night as the lot of us were interested in trying something a little exotic for dinner, and San Juan did not disappoint.

The atmosphere is bright and packed with character, from the artwork hung on salmon-colored textured walls, to the tiny parrot sitting on the back of the toilet in the tropical mural bathrooms (which was either cute or creepy, but we all agreed we were just glad it didn't talk when you sat down). The bar is always packed, and the dining room became more lively as the night wore on. Romantic enough for date night, festive enough for friends night. Parfait.

Drinks were a tiny bit of a hassle (both rounds). I felt for our server, as it was obvious the single bartender for the entire restaurant (who already had a bar full of customers) seemed to be the origin of the hold-up. Also, if you've read enough of my reviews, you know I'm a mojito hound - I'm admittedly finicky when it comes to the proper way to prepare and serve this traditional cocktail. Thankfully, there was no shortage of mint here (or rum, for that matter - this puppy was strong), but I had to ask for a little simple syrup and ended up squirting the lemon from my water in to get enough citrus. If I'm going to pay $9 for a mojito, it should be the real deal.

Fortunately, after the food arrived, any qualms I'd had with my drink were quickly forgotten. The steak mofongo was heavenly - I'd take those savory green mashed plantains over potatoes any day. And the duck entree was filled with so many flavors - sweet and savory bbq duck, sweet winter squash, vinegary pickled something (yep - I can taste it in my mouth as we speak, but I can't remember what it was), and grilled green beans with just a touch of smokey char to them. The entrees aren't large, but never fear. With that much flavor packed into each dish, they're really just saving you from hurting yourself :)

If, per chance, you are left with some room, the flan and coconut cake are both incredible. The flan was nicely set, firm and flavorful without being overly sweet, and topped with the traditional caramelized sauce, which was also nicely balanced. The coconut cake was, firstly, enormous, but also wonderfully moist (I know - I hate that word, too, apologies), and the frosting was dense and just sweet enough to balance the cake.

Everyone was so impressed with the cuisine being served in this is unassuming little strip-mall venue. Definitely something to get you out of your food rut (should you find yourself in one), and explore yet another "hidden" treasure in ILM.

But really, San Juan Cafe, you had me at judgmental bathroom parrot.

I kept getting recommendations to try this place, and finally got a chance to come for dinner. It was really delicious!

I got the Lechon Asado (pork dish). It came with beans, plantains, and rice. The plantains were definitely the best I ever had. The pork was flavorful, as was everything else on my plate.

The atmosphere was really lovely - an assortment of decorations on the wall as well as some interesting music playing that reminded me of salsa dancing. Our waiter was very nice and never left an unfilled glass.

It is awesome that such an authentic and unique place is right here in Wilmington. Highly recommended!