Puerta Azul

I am very sad that Puerta Azul has closed its doors. If anyone knows why, please let me know. We lived in the Twin Cities for a few years and while working in Eagan we would go to St. Paul for lunch at Puerta Azul. Yes, that's how good the food and service was. We would call with our order and it would be ready and freshly made, by the time we got there. We were regulars in the restaurant as we would go there at least once a week. I cannot believe my beloved restaurant has closed. We have moved out of state for a few years now but whenever we were in the area we would go to this restaurant. \r \r BTW: I am born and raised Puerto Rican and for those whom gave a bad review I am not sure where in the island you grew up. The food here was as good, if not better, than many restaurants throughout the island. The Mofongo on Mondays was b/c they would only make mofongo with very green plantains and Monday was the day they would get shipment of green plantains. When we wanted mofongo we would make sure we were there on Mondays, they were the best!\r \r I'm very sad the place has closed :( Pros: Cozy, ambiance, service, easy parking, family friendly. more

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 more

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 more

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 more

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 more

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 more

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

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 more

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 more

Puerta Azul is CLOSED. It is now the Blue Door Pub\r \r 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.\r \r 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.\r \r We'll be back. Pros: Pork, Sauce Cons: Cold, Atmosphere more

This has been the best food I've had in a long time. We got seated right away and the service was great. This is a great place for a date. I recommend the mango chicken. Pros: Food, Service more

A group of about 12 of us went to celebrate a friend's birthday. The food is great, but they close the kitchen at 8 PM, some friends that showed up late were not able to order anything to eat, and pretty much watch us eat the rest of the evening. There is usually only ONE waitress/hostess for the whole restaurant. We order wine and she did not even let us taste the wine and she did not our a single cup of wine either (very rude). She had issues also serving the food and confused some plates. Still, we were having a good time, enjoying the food and having some laughs, and at 9 o'clock, the turn the lights on/off, a sign that after we paid the $200 + bill we were not welcome :o( I highly recommend the food, but don't have high expectations for the service. Pros: food Cons: service, space more

At first glance Puerto Azul looks kind of, well...crappy. But the food can't be beat. My husband and I, and our two friends all enjoyed it immensely! We also thought the prices were quite reasonable! We spent about $60 for dinner and a round a coronas. Pros: food, service, easy parking more

I can't believe we have lived 3 blocks from Puerto Azul for 6 years and never visited! This place is wonderful. My husband and I had talked about walking over to Azul for dinner some night but finally did it and wow! were we pleasantly surprised! The food was fabulous - I had the roast pork and my husband had the arroz con pollo. Both were great. The pork was melt-in-your-mouth good. The helpings were big, the wine list good and the service was really great. We will go back often now that we know what we were missing! It seems like a great place for small groups - feastive and fun; a nice family-run place. But they only have 2 larger tables - so you would need to reserve for larger groups - otherwise just walk in - even on a friday night at 7:30. Pros: Food, Service, Atmosphere more

The food at Puerta Azul is AMAZING! My fiance and I stopped in for dinner on a whim. From the outside, it looks sort of like a hole-in-the-wall, so we were expecting a cheap dinner. When we saw in the window-posted menu that most of the entrees were $13-$16, we almost didn't go in. Am I ever glad that we did! The decor is fairly basic, and from the look of the place you'd think that the prices seem a bit high. However, the food is 100% worth it! Ever bit was delicious. I'll definitely be going back. more

I don't care whether it's ""authentic"" Puerto Rican or not, the food is delicious and different from anything else in the area. I love this place and go there about once a month. I am addicted to the Arroz con Pollo and almost always order it, but I have taken many different people here and have never heard one complaint about anything on the menu. It's a great place to go if you're looking for something interesting yet unpretentious. My one complaint would be that service can sometimes be a bit slow, although it has improved a lot in the past year. Pros: great food, inexpensive more

found in this quaint yet sincere bistro. The menu includes many beef, chicken, or fish entrees, excellently presented with appropriate bean and vegetable based side dishes. The bright pastel decor coupled with the homegrown art pieces (created by serving staff), create a warm and cheerful Carribean ambience. This Puerto Rican owned culinary delight is like a brief vacation to the island itself. Pros: Romantic, Excellent Food, Great Service Cons: Reservations needed more