El Sabor Restaurant

I had the Mofongo and it was easily one of the best meals I’ve had in a long time. The owner, Billy, could not have been kinder! He even brought out a complimentary dessert. Will be back for brunch soon!

Highly recommend this restaurant; it's a fusion of puerto rican and mexican food. They made some huge upgrades recently. Top notch food, service, and vibe. I can't wait to bring my family and close friends to experience this wonderful place in the neighborhood. 100% worth the trip to come check out this phenomenal family run restaurant and they have BYOB!

I ordered flautas and a burger for delivery. Delivery was expensive in the app. I got charged $7 when I could have walked 5 min for the food but I chose to meet delivery person at the door and that didn’t even happen. My food was dropped off like trash in the streets. I normally don’t give a review but I tip the delivery person and it was bad service. Plus, the food was expensive and came in small portion. 3 flautas for $17? No avocado and rice as the online menu advertised ? Fries were soggy too. Took them 40 min to get the food ready too. Very disappointed by the experience sadly.

Good food. Good service. Enjoyed my time here . Would definitely recommend and will definitely be back to visit again. The waiter was very accommodating to my needy party.

When we first arrived, we were unsure if the restaurant was even open. The chairs were still on top of the tables, there was barely any food or drinks out front, and the place looked like it had just opened or was still getting ready for the day. Adding to the initial confusion, there were no printed menus available. This Puerto Rican spot operates a little differently—they go by the motto: “You choose what you want to eat and we will make it.” While this made me a bit nervous at first, especially given the quiet and uninviting atmosphere, I decided to give it a shot. We ended up ordering two plates: one with beef stew, rice, beans, and plantains, and another with grilled chicken, rice, beans, and plantains. Do note that plantains are charged extra. We also tried the chicken and cheese empanadas as an appetizer. The food turned out to be delicious—flavorful, fresh, and generously portioned. Both main dishes were satisfying, and the empanadas were crisp and tasty. Prices were reasonable, and they accept both cash and card, which is convenient. Overall, while the ambiance left a lot to be desired at the start, the quality of the food and fair pricing made it a worthwhile experience. If you’re open to a less traditional setup and prioritize taste over presentation, this spot might surprise you.

Wonderful spot for authentic Puerto Rican food. It is family run and really welcoming. The decor is tasteful and it makes you feel like you are on the island. The prices are really affordable.

We came all the way from Allentown and let me tell you it was worth the ride. The food here is fresh and so tasty and the garlic pan sobao bread my goodness is a must have. The owner is very friendly as soon as you walk in and the service was awesome and the place nice and clean.

Being in Norris Square, and the surrounding gardens El Batey, Las Parcelas, Villa African & the butterfly garden, felt like being transported into a pequeña Puerto Rico.. To add to the experience, we stopped into feed ourselves at “El Sabor.” “El Sabor” is a True testament to Puerto Rican Pride. This restaurant maintains all the finishing touches of a Puerto Rican casita with cultural accent pieces. We were met with great service from the owner who was both endearing and excellent. He Swiftly served us with dishes Capturing that were flavorful and colorful mouthful of a delicious eatin. I had the pollo guisado y habichuela con arroz blanco, y maduros con una ensaladita.. topped off with a Kola Champagne India. My daughter (a vegan) had arroz Blanco, habichuela y tostone con ají y una ensaladita. So fresh y por la maceta! We will be back!

Walking into this restaurant, I swear, the interaction I had with the guy who I'm guessing is the owner was the warmest, friendliest interaction I've ever had with a complete stranger in Philly. I got takeout, but this experience was enough to tell me that the service here is really good! There were so many good choices on the menu. I got the pernil asado with rice, beans, and salad. The food was really good and made me regret not getting a side of tostenes or ripe plantains. Looking forward to going back!

Fantastic food, authentic Puerto Rican food. Just recently reopened and it's so worth the visit. Had the pork chops w rice and beans and an app of guacamole w chips. OMG. Had to get a box for half my food. Don't forget the garlic for the tostones. The two of us ate a big meal and didn't even pay $60. Great food and good people. Do yourself a favor and get that food. Yum

The restaurant has a great ambulance with Puerto Rica the theme all around. The staff gave us 100% customer service with recommendations on other idem on the menu. The food was amazing great Puertorican flavour's.

Was visiting friends near Philadelphia and I always make it a point to get quesitos and other Puerto Rican antojos while I'm on the East Coast. Went to El Sabor because El Coqui bakery was closed and let me tell you, believe all the reviews. Ordered some meals to bring home, chuletas, arroz con habichuelas, alcapurrias, pastelillos de carne. Everything was delicious. Like at home on the island. The owner brought out different things for us to try while waiting and everything was just sooo good! Will be returning as soon as we come back to Philly.

This gem is located in Philly. The service was a ten, they are super attentive and made recommendations. The decor was full of puertorican memorabilia and ambiance was welcoming. The food was the real star here. The food was delicious and just like grandma cooking. If you are in the area definitely eat and enjoy.

Excellent service!! Me encanto el almuerzo, estar allí es placentero, sientes que estás en la isla. Mucho éxito y bendiciones Gracias por su servicio Coman pegao es el mejor

I looked around for a spot that could make authentic Puerto Rican food. I came across El Sabor and thought to take a chance. Initially they were very responsive (over text). I sent a list of what food I wanted and we wmarked together to remove some items after being told that I was ordering too much. My party was for 60 people. However, the responsiveness ended after this. I stopped by to taste the food and talk in person. I was offered quite a few things to try, then charged. not that big of a deal. Food was very good, but Billy was too all over the place to just sit with me and get things squared away and finalized. He did ask me to send him an updated list of what I wanted, so I did. A few days later, I sent a reminder for when the date of my party was and received a response. A couple days later I received a message saying that they would call to check in and get a deposit. That never happened. I sent a message the day before my party about time to pick up and deposit and I only received a response about the pick up time. Even when I sent another message asking for price, nothing. My family shows up to pick up the food and although they were told my budget was $500, everything came out to just over $700 with tax. Billy complained about not getting a deposit, how busy he was, all his orders! Very unprofessiona!! I received a large platter of Spanish rice, a small white rice, small beans beans and a SMALL platter of chicken with peppers and a SMALL platter of shredded beef "stew". Regardless of what he says he paid for this meat, it was not chunks! It looked like ground beef! Highly disappointed, but i had no time for the back and forth since I had people at my house. Food was good, but not good enough to be cheated!! Never again!!

So I'm a big critic of restaurants especially being that my husband and are pretty good cooks. We are always told how picky we are. However when I tell you everything was BEYOND good is an understatement. I got fried filet red snapper and my husband got grilled chicken breast. The portion serving is enough for both of us. Plus there corn fritters and Empandas . Will definitely be going back and would definitely give them a 10 if it was possible. Ps. It was my husband birthday also and I had called earlier that day to verify their hours and they remembered my called and bought out a plate with there desserts and a candle and song happy birthday to him.

I was in Philli on work travel and came across El Sabor. The owner and his son were very welcoming and even gave us an appetizer while we waited for our food. I highly recommend this place if you're looking for some great puerto rican food.

When I worked in the neighborhood, I used to come here for breakfast and lunch. The homemade bread is superb. Not on the menu, but they used to make me a panini with their wonderful bread and bacala salad. Highly recommended!

First off, the owner is passionate about his food and his customers. He has a good variety, always fresh. Breakfast, lunch and dinner always a win. Nothing better than going into a restaurant where people are friendly and really want you to be happy with their food.

We were in Philly for the day and decided to get good Puerto Rican Spanish food. We did an internet search and the restaurant El Sabor popped up. Boy were we glad this spot was the one. The food was amazing and the owner and his son treated us as if we were in their home having dinner with them. They were so graceful and courteous. They definitely left a lasting impression on our whole family and anytime we're in Philly, El Sabor is a mandatory stop for us.

What a fantastic restaurant - I happened up upon this place a few years ago and have stopped in a a few times here and there. This past Saturday stepped in with a friend and man, it did NOT disappoint. What a fabulous experience, from the food to the service to the space. It's all made so much better to see and talk to Billy and his son and just watch how excited he gets when he sees you enjoying the food. We had the pork and the chicken and tostones and fried fish and empanadas - we just wanted to stay there and keep eating everything was so, good. And Billy made everything on the spot. Service was fantastic, food was out of this world. Can't say enough!!

I recently moved to Philadelphia and have been nostalgic about the flavors from home. I found this place on google and decided to make the trip to the Norris Square neighborhood and try it out. It was well worth the trip!!!! The restaurant is close to public transit (5 minute walk from septa Berks station) and right across the street from a lovely park. I recommend taking a stroll after your meal! Billy, the owner, greeted me personally within a few seconds of coming in and little did I know that Billy would ask me what food I was on the mood for and boy, did he deliver!!!!!!! He made me seafood rice, carne frita, fried plantains and gandules. After the food I was short of licking my plate clean! Everything was clean, the food was freshly made as well as flavorful and authentic, plus the portion size is generous and affordably priced. The ambience of the place was cozy and friendly as the other patrons were all smiles and seemed to enjoy their meals as well. On the background, authentic Puerto Rican music by El Gran Combo was playing and made me feel right at home in addition to the lovely stone decorations all over the place that resemble life on the island. I cannot recommend this place enough! I look forward to coming back regularly. You should check it out soon too! Come, say hi to Billy, and try his delicious food. You won't regret it.

Came here for lunch and it was worth the trip . We got Aroz con dules with salad . Very authentic and the service was excellent . Very nice owner and will be back to try more .

The customer service is nothing like I have ever experienced. Let's not forget the food - PHENOMENAL!!! Billy and his son took care of us like we were family. We had bistec, mofongo, grilled chicken and arroz con maiz. It's as if my grandmother was cooking. To top it off, Billy gave us flan on the house which was amazing. Many blessings to this family.

This place says open and we ubered back and forth and restaurant was close... someone was inside but wouldn't let us in..kept saying owner was on his way...he had to go pay taxes. What a joke. Ugh

I am currently sitting in the restaurant and eating the food! So authentic and delicious! We came here for my Dad's birthday- he's from Vieques and was very pleased! There are no menus as they prepare the food daily and base the daily menu off what they have but I promise- you will not be disappointed! The owner is super nice and makes sure you are satisfied. The conch mofungo is what I had and absolutely loved it. Tostones, shrimp, grilled fish rice with beans- we had all that too! Go here people!! Go here!!

Somehow I've lived in the neighborhood here for over 5 years but am just now finding out about this gem of a restaurant that's been there for 33 (!) years. WOW. I mean...El Sabor is seriously incredible. The food....so flavorful! And the owner is so amazingly sweet. I will be coming back here often :)

I love this restaurant. Owner is always pleasant. Their food is the bomb always fresh always on point. They are very very clean that's always a plus. Everytime I go here I must always stop by for some steak and onion, or curry chicken.

This place was Amazing! We were searching for some authentic Puerto Rican food and this place hit the spot. We got chuletas, Pollo Guisao white rice and beans and everything was delicious. The prices were good and the service was great. Billy the owner was friendly and makes the food to order. There are no menus, he will make what you want. I can't express how much we enjoyed this food and atmosphere. It was like going to a family members house and them cooking for you.

I assume people are afraid to venture up to Norris Square. This place has some of the best Puerto Rican food in Philly and for a reasonable price you get a stuffed belly's worth of pollo guisado, arroz con habichuelas, among many other traditional favorites. They have seating inside but rarely anyone eats there it seems like. The owner is a great dude, one of the ambassadors for the Norris Square/West Kensington area. It closes early, I would only come for lunch. The people they got working there speak only in Spanish too, so it may be difficult to communicate if not a speaker.

Good service food is really good definitely recommend this to anyone owner is very polite same with the workers

Delicious food, wide variety, and great value. Pastries, bread, and coffee, as well.

Came here for the first time this week with my boyfriend and loved it. Found out about El Sabor through a Lyft driver who is from PR who highly recommended it. When we walked in around 2pm, it didn't really look like there was much food left in the glass, but the owner/chef basically asked us a couple questions and then suggested chicken stew and mofungo which he made for us on the spot. We also got chicken and beef empanada type things and a pastry at the end. Everything was sooo so delicious. My boyfriend and I were practically silent the entire time lol other than to affirm how good the food was. Will definitely be back soon and so glad I live close by'

Live close by I get fresh bread for my Mamma...my baby girl loves the yellow rice with corn and the fried half chicken...I love the alcapurria...root vegetable (plaintain) filled with beef then fried....my boyfriend loves everything on the menu...also have pastries...almost forgot they have coffee.

Great food...great service...family owned. Been here a few times in the past month for breakfast and lunch. Will post pics at next visit.

Puerto Rican Food - The food is great but the later you come the less food you will have to choose from. So go early! They have great pan sobao, a traditional bread of Puerto Rico. Best day to go is Saturday around Noon. Enjoy a great Puerto Rican Lunch or brunch. Ask for Billy -