Condesa B.
Yelp
La BoriChina - Waterbury, Connecticut
I saw someone mention La BoriChina and knew I had to check it out. Located at 105 Meriden Rd in Waterbury, Connecticut, this place serves Puerto Rican-Chinese fusion--a combination I've only ever had back on the island. I got up, dressed quickly, grabbed a coffee, and headed out, hoping for some fried chicken and Puerto Rican pork fried rice.
The first thing that caught my eye was the drive-through. Around here, drive-throughs are usually just for fast food, so seeing one at a Puerto Rican-Chinese spot felt unexpected in the best way--like watching our food and culture evolve and progress.
The building sits on a small incline, so watch your step when getting out of the car--the sidewalk has yellow-marked elevated sections. Outside, everything was spotless: no moss, no winter mess, and the parking lot was free of garbage. Walking in, the cleanliness continues: the front counter is large and brightly lit, bathrooms are to the left, and tables line both sides. It's mostly takeout-focused, but plenty of seating is available if you want to stay.
Salsa music played, giving the space a warm, welcoming vibe that makes you want to linger. I even checked the restroom before ordering, and I was impressed--not just recently cleaned, but clearly maintained consistently.
Ordering was easy. The employee was friendly, professional, repeated our order back, and handed over a buzzer. From our seats, I could see customers being helped quickly. The only wait was for the food itself--about 23 minutes.
What we ordered (with prices):
* Pork fried rice with pepper steak - $14.99
* Pork fried rice with pork chops - $14.99
* Garlic fried plantains - $5.95
* Three pieces of fried chicken with fries - $9.99
* Large passionfruit drink - $10.00
* Small piña colada with cherry - $8.00
* Coca-Cola - $2.79
* G100 to-go fee - $1.00
Desserts (ordered before leaving):
* Coconut flan - $3.25
* Tres leches - $3.25
Subtotal: $6.50
Food impressions:
* Pork fried rice with pepper steak: Rice was grainy (just how I like it) and pepper steak was soft and well-seasoned, though a couple pieces had cartilage. Fries came with it, but sweet plantains would've been a better fit. Rice needed a touch more salt, and fries were soft rather than crispy, though they tasted fine.
* Pork fried rice with pork chops: Pork was soft, juicy, and pleasantly large. Well-cooked overall, though a little adobo, salt, or pepper would've elevated it.
* Garlic tostones: Slightly soft but flavorful.
* Fried chicken: Crispy without being overdone--the crunch was perfect, though could've used a pinch of salt.
Portion sizes are generous. Two people could easily share one pork fried rice with pork chops.
Drinks:
The specialty drinks came from fountain dispensers, like a classic cuchifrito spot, and were cold and flavorful. I was especially pleased to see a fountain Acerola drink--a rare find I haven't even seen at the Cuchifrito back home. Prices were a bit high ($8 small, $10 large), but I'd still get them again, especially the passionfruit. I LOVE PARCHA!
Service was consistently friendly. The employee who took my dessert order even complimented my handbag, and everyone behind the counter was sweet--eye contact always met with an immediate smile. Everything looked well organized and well-stocked, and all employees were well-groomed and clean. When we walked out, by the time we got to our car right in front, we could see them already cleaning the tables--talk about staying on top of things!
And let me be clear--when I say clean, I mean abuela-and-all-the-Titi's-scrubbing-with-the-hose clean. The kind of clean we do back home.
Would I go back? Definitely! The pepper steak was flavorful, and I'd love more. Next time, I want to try the Mongolian beef and grab another round of fried chicken. Maybe not too often--the drive is an hour and 15 minutes--but it's absolutely worth it for a taste of authentic Puerto Rican-Chinese flavors.