08/02/09

I hope they find a new location!

by randomstuffmpls

I really liked their food. Tender meat. Good empanadas. Sad when saw they're closed & hope they find another location and reopen. We need to keep the ethnic restaurants going in town. Fusion ethnic-inspired food is fine, but I prefer the 'plain' stuff! I never thought their location was run-down or 'divey'. Decor is what I would expect from a family owned neighborhood restaurant.

• Pros: good food, reasonable prices, always could find parking

06/06/09

this place WAS great but is closed

by Qjo

this great place closed last summer and was replaced by a stank bar. I dont really know if the bar is stank, i just miss my puerto rican food.

• Pros: only place for puerto rican food
• Cons: its closed

06/25/08

Excellent Puerto Rican Food!!!!!!!!

by MassageOn

I was born in Puerto Rico, and the food at this restraunt is the closest to anything from San Juan I have ever had!!! My husband and I visited and we are sure to go back time and again. My parents are coming into town and we are going to take them there for sure! You will not find another restraunt with this quality of food for the price. Excellent Excellent Excellent

• Pros: Food, service, prices, selection
• Cons: Location, not much decoration inside

01/19/08

Best food in the twin cities and a good value

by nrertl

Puerta Azul is a jewel. Order #24 on the menu, the mango chicken, and you'll never be disappointed. Long after moving away from St. Paul, my wife and I still drive across the Twin Cities to frequent this small restaurant. They'll never impress you with the outside of facade and the atmosphere is nothing special, but the servers are experienced and kind. The food that comes through the door leading to the small kitchen is both sweet, spicy and smoky at once (the black beans are amazing). Judge not until you've experienced it. Puerta Azul is simply the best find that I've ever stumbled across.

• Pros: The Food!
• Cons: Ambience and atmosphere, although the art on the wall is unique

05/29/07

Love the food

by ackermanamy

The food at puerto azul is the reason to come here. It's not the most nicely decorated restaurant in the cities, but I think the food makes up for it. From my dining experience, I had great service. I really enjoyed the coconut flan for dessert (be sure to save room). It's a nice, quiet restaurant - perfect for great peoplewatching and conversation. I'll definitely come back.

• Pros: food
• Cons: decor

02/17/07

OK Food, OK service. Just OK

by prmn

I moved to MN last year but was born and raised in Puerto Rico. I went to Puerta Azul

with some friends so the could try some "puertorican food". I have to say I wasn't impressed and neither were they. The place is a bit run down but actually that is how most of the local "cafeterias" in Puerto Rico look like, except that in Puerto Rico they are noisy and salsa music is playing. Food is OK. It's a fact that puertorican food is not spicy so don't go looking for spice, it is however savory and I guess this is as close as I'll get unless I cook it at home. The tostones are good, the "yuca al mojo" is OK, the rice and beans are lacking. The pernil (roasted pork) was good. The "bistec encebollado" (cube steak with caramelized onions) was dry. And no mofongo (mashed fried plntains with garlic and salt) except for Mondays ???

I was also sort of disappointed that they close a bit early. OK experience but I will probably not go back.

• Pros: parking,prompt seating

12/17/06

Great food, but restaurant needs some work

by newtomn

I was born and raised in Puerto Rico, and I'm new to Minnesota. Went to Puerta Azul last night with my husband and a friend. Had the tostones as an appetizer; these were awesome!! Everything else we ordered was very good. Although I was very dissapointed they only have mofongo on Mondays. I have to say that people would be lining up outside the door to come to Puerta Azul, if only the management paid a little more attention. The servers were not friendly at all, and very slow. Also, how about some Puerto Rican decor?!! A coqui, a Puerto Rican flag, some gallos or some nice pictures would make the place so awesome. Also, some traditional music would really get the crowd going...not classical music which is what was playing last night. Also, the bathrooms looked very unkept and could easily made a lot nicer. Overall, the food was great, but the atmosphere and service have a lot to be desired.

• Pros: Food, prices
• Cons: poor service, terrible atmosphere

If the namesake bright blue door doesn't make you smile, the tasty dishes, low prices and splashy colors surely will.

by Contributor

In Short
In fall 1999, Moji and Sonia Gonzales Sadr moved their West Bank eatery across the river to a little storefront in Merriam Park. This Puerto Rican restaurant quickly established itself as an ethnic treasure. Sonia Gonzales Sadr grew up in Puerto Rico, and the recipes are either traditional or her own variations. Beans or fried plantains are served with most entrees, such as pork kebabs marinated in garlic and ginger and fish in Spanish sauce.

06/10/06

No

by chicago227

I'm Puerto Rican, new to the area from Chicago. Went there during theweek, the service was fine, no air conditioning soit was a little sticky, tight seating and theworst Puert Rican food I've ever tasted. It was like an experiment gone wrong. I ordered the Pernil (roasted Pork), the awful taste...I don't even know what it tasted like, but it wasn't anything good. Never going back, the only thing good was the coke.

• Cons: Street parking

02/22/06

Great Food, Could Improve Atmosphere

by sswan

Puerta Azul is CLOSED. It is now the Blue Door Pub

We went here for dinner with another couple on a cold Friday night. First, the high point, which is the food. Two of us had the roasted pork which was fantastic. Another enjoyed a stuffed chicken item. My wife is vegetarian and was put off by the lack of such menu items, leaving just the rice and beans. They refused to dress this up with some vegetables which put her off a little. Nevertheless she was won over by the rice and beans. The tomato based sauce used on all their dishes is fantastic.

Nothing special about the atmosphere. First the restaurant was cold. Turn up the heat, make us comfortable. Second, they could liven the place up more. They need to hype the Puerto Rican connection. Give me some culture. Have the atmosphere match the food and you'll have something truly great.

We'll be back.

• Pros: Pork, Sauce
• Cons: Cold, Atmosphere