Las Palmeras

I had tried this place a few times in the past and the food was fairly good. However, the service at my last visit was awful, which is a shame because this restaurant is really the only place in the area to get Puerto Rican or Peruvian food.

I decided to come with boyfriend one Saturday night while we were craving Latin food. We went in at the 8:30 assuming we had plenty of time. (The sign outside said they were open til 3am). It was completely empty inside except two people sitting at the bar. For some reason, they also had a security guard. We were greeted by a friendly man who sat us down, then called to a woman to service. He then told her to calm down, which I found strange. She said something back to him and went into the kitchen. I could see she was visibly irritated when she came back out.

She didn't say hello or anything, just stood there. We ordered drinks and she said okay and still stood there. I started to feel kind of awkward and just decided to order tostones as an appetizer. She asked in a pretty condescending voice, "Do you even know what those are?". I was surprised and now getting slightly irritated at this point and explained that I was Puerto Rican, I've had them many times. She replied that I didn't look like I was, and still wouldn't put it in our order. I was really taken aback by her rudeness but was starving and wanted to eat. We decided to ignore her and look at the menu for an entree, hoping she would just go put in our order. She finally huffed and walked away, but *still* didn't put in our order. We decided to leave and eat elsewhere.

I'm pretty relaxed with service and have no issues with cold or distant servers, but this was just strange. This happened over a year ago and am just now getting to write this. Perhaps it's my fault for not contacting a manager, but I really just wanted to leave and not deal with her again. At this point I don't want to waste my time going back just in case I get similar service. Next time I crave Puerto Rican food, I'll visit my family or cook it myself.

The food here is delicious! I visited for my first time here today with my boyfriend, who is Puerto Rican and felt a longing for cultural food that he grew up with in New York City. The prices are are very affordable, with appetizers that cost as little as $2. We both enjoyed our meal very much.

The only downside to this restaurant is that it's in a very awkward location in a weird corner of Fox Run Shopping Center where you'd never see it unless you were a regular patron of the area. There was only one other customer while we were having dinner there (at 5pm on a Thursday) which we found to be very unfortunate. Due to the lack of customers, a few menu items weren't available, since they cook based on demand just as anyone would. The restaurant looks like it could benefit form some solid advertising. But I suppose they must be getting some customers if they're still able to pay Pettinaro's though-the-roof retail rent every month.

Be that as it may, we were still very pleased with our experience and plan on visiting again. I do hope that they get more customers and stay in business. Good Latin food (that isn't Mexican) is pretty hard to find here in Delaware!

My first trip to Las Palmeras was bittersweet.  As we saw the signage of the Latin American restaurant, we were immediately excited to find an actual Latin American, yet non-Mexican restaurant in Delaware - a rarity! But our excitement was quickly marred by the few lacking elements of a this latin restaurant.

Pros: LATIN GRUB IN DELAWARE!  Sorry but this is HUGE! It is because of this that I am willing to give Las Palmeras another chance to redeem itself and plan to visit again sometime within the next few weeks.  The restaurant offers an ecclectic mixture of latin american dishes prepared with influences of Peruvian and Puerto Rican cooking. It tries its hand at some Colombian and Cuban dishes but falls short by my standards. The food is inexpensive.There is a touch of home cooking at this restaurant which is endearing. Parking!

Cons: It is hidden away in Fox Run shopping plaza where it appears they receive very few patrons, although I believe they are busier on the weekend and late nightts (latin dancing).  A big disappointment for me was the fact that they do not offer takeout nor delivery...seriously?!? in this day in age you have GOT to offer options to the public...I believe more people would be willing to try the food out if they provided takeout.

(Note: love Mexican food BUT would like to have the option to eat other latin food)