Eats & Seats: A fat girl's guide to the culinary world.: Bonao Restaurant

In an area where there is an overabundance of Hispanic restaurants; Bonao is the needle in the haystack. Bonao is not a fancy restaurant, more like a hole in the wall. Maybe just a bit bigger than a living room. But their amazing food makes up for the lack of atmosphere.

349 Oak St

Perth Amboy, NJ 08861

(732) 442-6490

Dine in or Carry out

Bring CASH they do not take plastic!

This restaurant unfortunately is not wheelchair assessable. There are some steps into the restaurant, and it’s tight to move around. Even reaching the narrow bathroom it’s a bit of a hassle. But if you are willing to take your time to figure it out you will be fine. Chairs are wood and strong with a cushion. Tables are a little close but if I could fit so will any person. There is no need to wait for seating. There’s table and counter sitting available.

Around this area there are too many Hispanic restaurant but that does not mean they all cook the same food or well. For along time I have been looking for a Dominican restaurant that will assimilate to my grandmother food. No other Dominican restaurant compares to this one.

My partner in crime this time is my sister and my 6-month-old cousin. This place is usually pack between 11am and 1pm and 3pm and 6pm. We were lucky enough to stop by just as lunchtime was winding down. This restaurant has a great and simple menu with very affordable prices as well.

My sister and cousin.

The menu is extremely simple but their flavors are a definite win. After we sat down they were kind enough to give me a peeled orange to feed my niece. The little monster smelled the familiar food and started to cause a ruckus. We had already talked about what we wanted to eat. Our main goal: GOAT STEW!!

I smell food! Feed me!

nom nom nommm

mmmmm

Happy! ^_^ lol

To some this is an exotic or strange dish. To my family and me this is a treat. We are fans of a good goat stew with rice or yucca and lots of sauce. Yummm!

We made our order that consisted of white rice for my sister, yellow with corn for me, red beans, goat stew, and an extra side of Chicharron. Dominican chicharron is a beautiful thing. A section of pork belly cut in to cubes, seasoned and pan-fried to perfection. The end result is a beautiful rainbow of goodness: Crispy skin, glistening fat, and tender meat. Nothing better than to take a piece and soak it in lime juice, and take a big bite. Letting the saltiness and fat of the meat come together with the sourness of the lime becoming a whole new experience.

White Rice

Yellow Rice with Corn

Red Beans

Goat Stew

Chicharron

With every bite you can taste the cilantro, garlic, peppers, and onions used to season everything. Each plate on its own was a pleasure but once you make the perfect bite of rice, meat, and beans it becomes a symphony of taste. The yellow rice with sweet yellow corn it’s a delight. With every bite not only you get the savory taste of the seasoned rice but a burst of sweetness every time you bite a cornel of corn. The rice goes well with thick sauce of the meat and the beans.

Chicharron is not the only specialty in this place, but their fresh natural juices are also a treat. They are squeeze or blended in front of you. My favorite is the carrot and orange juice. They are all refreshing and delicious.