Union County often gets overlooked, except when it comes to the ongoing central Jersey debate. Even more overlooked is Union County’s Plainfield, which often gets outshined by its neighboring towns. Just a short drive away are Scotch Plains, Watchung and Westfield, all of which instantly stand out as more alluring due to their larger downtown areas, shopping centers and eateries. However, Plainfield houses several authentic, Latin-American restaurants worthy of your visit.
With a large Latinx population, Plainfield boasts an immense number of restaurants that specialize in Latin-American cuisine. Whether you’re a fan of Mexican tacos or Peruvian seafood, Plainfield has all the ingredients for a tasty solo outing or dinner with friends. Read on to see some of my picks for outstanding food in Plainfield.
Carnitas Michuacan
221 Clinton Ave.
This restaurant offers traditional Mexican and Guatemalan dishes. Its sign advertises its “tacos, pan, tamales, and cafe.” Believe what the sign tells you, their tacos are one of the best items on their menu. This traditional dish includes your choice of typical proteins (chicken, steak, pork) topped with zesty guacamole and onions. I recommend the tacos al pastor; this special easily tops the rest of the protein choices. Don’t forget to finish your meal with a classic dessert, pan con cafe, ready for your picking at the front counter.
Los Antojitos Restaurant
25 Watchung Ave.
Whether you’re in the mood for a low-key lunch or want to book their private room for a social gathering, Los Antojitos has you covered. The restaurant says its mission is to “serve exquisite Latin food that represents diverse Hispanic culture with an innovative approach of blending traditional dishes with a creative touch.” Los Antojitos is open seven days a week on Monday through Saturday from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. With such an early opening, it is no surprise that the restaurant’s breakfast plates are some of the best in town. Beans, eggs, plantains, chorizo and avocado are some of the main staples of any good Hispanic breakfast. Their breakfast menu offers a variety of choices for you to mix and match your favorites.
El Gitano Restaurant
164 E. 2nd St.
164 E. 2nd St. houses a small restaurant that offers traditional Mexican food ranging from tacos, tamales, fajitas and more. But the real star of this hole in the wall is the chilaquiles verdes. These are fried corn tortillas with shredded chicken covered with a flavorful, spicy salsa verde. A side of refried beans, sour cream, and queso fresco complete this tasty dish.
Mi Ranchito Viejo
210 W. Front St. and 1222 W. Front St.
With two locations in Plainfield, Mi Ranchito Viejo is the go-to place when you’re in the mood for pupusas. Pupusas hail from El Salvador and are made of corn flour tortillas filled with either cheese, beans or meat. Or, if you want the best of all worlds, you can order a pupusa revuelta, a pupusa filled with all three options. The pupusas come with a side of Salvadoran cabbage slaw and salsa roja to complete your meal. And if you really want to fit in with the crowd, forget your fork and knife; Salvadorans eat pupusas with their hands.
Punto Peruano
36 Watchung Ave.
Peru is known for its ceviche, so it’s no surprise that Punto Peruano’s seafood is a must-have when visiting Plainfield. But, if you want to skip the obvious choice, I recommend the chaufa de mariscos. This plate tops Peruvian-style fried rice with calamari, shrimp, and other kinds of seafood. The restaurant is open Monday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., so whether you’re an early bird or a late-night foodie, Punto Peruano has your taste buds covered from dusk till dawn.
Did we convince you to take a trip to Union County for some delicious food? Comment below if you’ll be visiting any of these authentic Latin-American restaurants in Plainfield soon.
