Rice-n-Beans Puerto Rico Offers Its Full Menu In New ‘El Patio’ 

David & Cindy Cruz of Rice-n-Beans Puerto Rico invite you to check out the beautiful new bar — and enjoy their delicious Puerto Rican cuisine — at the new outdoor “El Patio.” (Photos by Charmaine George)

 The owners of Rice-n-Beans Puerto Rico on Wesley Chapel Blvd., next to the Pinebrook at The Grove plaza in Wesley Chapel, obviously aren’t afraid of working hard. 

The husband-and-wife team of David and Cindy Cruz also have owned DC Accounting for more than 20 years and opened their Rice-n- Beans Express location on S.R. 54 in Lutz a little more than a year ago. 

Churrasco Steak

But, when they purchased the former Cody’s Roadhouse (and Remington’s Steakhouse before Cody’s), there was a nice-sized patio in front of the main building that basically went unused for the first few years after the couple moved Rice-n-Beans from its successful original location in a gas station building on S.R. 54 in Lutz. 

But, that all changed in November, when Cindy and David finally opened their completely redesigned “El Patio” in the formerly unused patio space. And, even though they weren’t sure at first if they wanted it to have its own menu, El Patio is now serving the main Rice-n-Beans Puerto Rico’s full menu, as well as a variety of craft cocktails, beer and wine in El Patio’s beautiful, full-liquor bar (with its own open hours). 

Of course, the main restaurant also is a beautiful place to have authentic Puerto Rican and Latin cuisine and some premium cocktails. It’s just nice to have your choice of settings. 

What About The Food? 

Pretty much from the day it moved to Wesley Chapel from Lutz — where it was much more of a hidden gem that only a few Wesley Chapel residents even knew about — Rice-n-Beans has been voted by our readers as either the #1 or at least one of the Favorite Latin (not Mexican) Restaurants in New Tampa & Wesley Chapel. 

Beef Empanadas

I’m no Puerto Rican cuisine connoisseur but I do enjoy many of the dishes I’ve sampled at Rice-n-Beans. Among my favorite appetizers are the crispy-outside beef empanadas (right), which we also enjoyed as part of the Antojitos Puertorriqueños platter, which also includes a chicken empanada, as well as a sorullito de maiz con queso (a corn & cheese fritter) and an alcapurria de carne, which is a popular Puerto Rican street food item that looks like a sausage but is actually a crispy fritter made from a blend of root vegetables, stuffed with savory seasoned beef and served with a ketchup-and-mayo-based dipping sauce. The restaurant also has empanadas stuffed with shrimp, octopus or pizza. 

Tostones Rellenos de Carne

One of the special items we’ve enjoyed were the tostones rellenos de carne (left) — fried green plantain slices topped with tender steak, onions and red peppers in a tomato-based salsa Criolla (Créole sauce). The tostones rellenos are usually served either plain or topped with shrimp or octopus, but marketing manager Damaris Gutierrez had the kitchen make it with steak for me. Loved it! 

Another special the day we visited was the mofongo relleno de langosta, which combines the Puerto Rican staple dish of twice-fried, garlic-infused mashed green plantains with a full-sized lobster tail and six large shrimp which, of course, I had to take Charmaine’s word about because of my shellfish allergy. She said that both the lobster and shrimp in garlic butter sauce sitting atop the mofongo bowl were delicious on their own, “but they taste even better when you mix in the mashed plantains.” 

Mofongo Relleno de Langosta

The mofongo was definitely eye-catching and popular, as several other tables during our visit either ordered the langosta or the same dish with chicken, steak, shrimp, octopus or “mariscos” (mixed seafood). 

My favorite entrées at Rice-n-Beans include the chicharrons de pollo (bone-in crispy fried chicken), the carne frita (deep fried pork chunks), chuleta Kan-Kan (a Puerto Rican-style pork chop, marinated in garlic rub and fried), the pechuga de pollo (pan-seared chicken breast topped with sautéed onions and garlic or the salsa Criolla mentioned before), and the super-tender churrasco steak (above), which is pan-seared and served with a fresh green vibrant house coriander and cilantro chimichurri sauce (sorry that we forgot to photograph the chimichurri). The churrasco is served with sweet plantains and a side of rice (your choice of white or yellow) and I also got a side of red beans, which also were excellent. 

For you seafood lovers, Rice-n-Beans also offers a filete en salsa (fish filet in salsa Criolla or sautéed in garlic and capers), a chillo frito entero (whole pan-fried red snapper) and mariscada personal — a seafood lover’s delight with shrimp, octopus and lobster served over saffron-infused yellow rice and accompanied by red beans and (you guessed it) crispy tostones. 

The Jibarito Sandwich with Fries

We also wanted to sample a traditional Puerto Rican sandwich on our most recent visit, so Damaris recommended the jibarito (left photo) — which is a sandwich made with twice-fried plantains instead of bread and stuffed with steak (bistec), roasted pork (pernil) or the pollo (grilled chicken) we chose. The jibarito is topped with lettuce, tomato, cheese and a zesty garlic mayo (and served with crispy fries) and Charmaine and I were both surprised at the sandwich’s unique flavor. Savory plantains certainly are a recurring theme at Rice-n-Beans, but if you think you’re not a fan of them, you definitely should try one of the dishes described in this story. 

If you still have room for dessert, Charmaine and I both heartily recommend the flancocho (below right), which is a layer of chocolate cake topped with a thick layer of Puerto Rican-style flan, which is denser and more cake-like than Cuban or Colombian flan. The dessert is topped with whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles and drizzled with chocolate. You might want to add a café con leché and/or an after-dinner cocktail. 

Flancocho Dessert

Other desserts include vanilla, chocolate and even cheese flan, plus tres leches (sponge cake soaked in three milks and topped with whipped cream) and ponque de novia (a shareable, tender cake infused with almond and topped with buttercream frosting). If you bring the kids, they can choose from chicken strips, fried pork chunks, grilled cheese or empanadas. 

Rice-n-Beans also is the place for great entertainment on the weekends, both in the main restaurant and now, also out on El Patio. There’s DJ music, salsa dancing nights and even live performances. For the February schedule, check the Rice-n-Beans website (RicenBeans.com) or visit the restaurant. 

Rice-n-Beans Puerto Rico (27405 Wesley Chapel Blvd.) is open Sat., 11 a.m.-midnight; 11 a.m.-9 p.m. on Sun.; and for dinner only on Tues.-Fri., beginning at 4 p.m. It closes Tues.- Thur. at 9 p.m. & at 11 p.m. on Fri. El Patio is open Fri.-Sat., 5 p.m.-close & noon-6 p.m. on Sun. For more information, visit RicenBeans.com or call (813) 803-7974. 

For Rice N Beans Express (24726 S.R. 54, Lutz), call (813) 428-5077, or visit ”Rice n Beans Express” on Facebook. 

Sunglass KRATE Has Merged With 369 EyeWear At The KRATE At The Grove! 

The combined 369 EyeWear/Sunglass KRATE shop at the KRATE at The Grove container park offers a huge selection of eyeglass and sunglass frames, including (below right) these unique “makeup glasses” that allow you to flip the one lens to either side when putting on makeup. (Photos by Charmaine George) 

After seven years in Florida and four months of being retired, William Toledo decided to create a new business: 369 EyeWear/Stack & Save. 

Licensed optician Jim Lambrou is still on-site to provide custom eyeglass fittings at the revamped shop, which has a variety of options to save you money on your prescription & non-prescription eyewear. 

Toledo has now partnered with James Lambrou, the owner of Sunglass KRATE in the KRATE at The Grove container park in Wesley Chapel and the result is that 369 EyeWear and Sunglass KRATE are now combined in the same former shipping container where Lambrou has had his shop for almost a year. 

Combined, Lambrou, a licensed optician, and Toledo have more than 70 years of experience in the eyeglass industry. Each has contributed different visions to create a new, different and innovative concept. 

They say the intention is to unite two market trends in one place: Fashion and affordable prices for everyone. Knowing that people need more than one pair of glasses (or sunglasses) in today’s fast-paced world, 369 EyeWear, which offers a huge selection of eyeglass frames, from the most fashionable to the most affordable, has made owning multiple pairs of glasses a lot less expensive for everyone — without sacrificing the great looks you want. 

“We now offer ‘stacks’ of 3, 6, 9 or even up to 12 pairs of glasses, with or without prescription lenses, at the price of what you normally would pay for a single pair of glasses,” Jim says. “For example, our famous stack of three pairs can include a clear pair with anti-glare lenses for night-tine driving, another with Blue Shield treatment (perfect for use with electronic monitors) for the office and a pair of prescription sunglasses — all for just $99!” 

The store also now offers a “Celebrity Stack,” where you pay for 12 pairs of glasses, get three pairs now and a new pair every month to complement your ever-changing look on social media for one low price. 

As an introductory offer, 369 EyeWear/Sunglass KRATE is offering its customers two free lens upgrades — such as bifocal, tinted or polycarbonate material lenses — on every pair of glasses. 

With pretty much everything going up in price these days, smarter shopping is required and the 369 “stacks” can help everyone save money on their eyeglasses. 

Plus, unlike online stores, Lambrou is still on-site to custom-fit your glasses, and to make adjustments as you need them. Try getting that kind of service online! 

And, 369 EyeWear has its own factory, so your prescription glasses will be done right and on-time the first time every time! 

So, the next time you’re at the KRATEs, visit 369 EyeWear/Sunglass KRATE at 5827 Grand Oro Ln., #105, for the best deals, best service and best selection! For more information, call (813) 994-6700 or stop in the store and please tell Jim I sent you! — GN 

S.R. 56 At Mansfield/Wiregrass Ranch Blvd. Gets Dual Left Turn Upgrade 

All approaches to the traffic signals on S.R. 56 and Mansfield Blvd. now have dual left turn lanes. The under-construction Orlando Health Hospital is seen here in the background. 

A major traffic pattern change has just been competed at the intersection of Mansfield Blvd./Wiregrass Ranch Blvd. and S.R. 56, as there are now dual left turn lanes in all directions. This change occurred rather quickly last month and only took a few weeks to finish. 

The change was a requirement of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and Pasco County permitting conditions for the new Orlando Health Hospital, being constructed at the northeast corner of the intersection. This means that the hospital paid for and completed the work in advance of its anticipated opening, which is still expected to be sometime in 2026. 

The change was required to help offset and accommodate the additional traffic the hospital is expected to generate at that intersection, which was laid out in Orlando Health’s traffic study, which was submitted in advance of the project for government review. These operational and safety improvements should keep the signal working efficiently long into the future. 

The S.R. 56 intersection with Mansfield/Wiregrass Ranch Blvd.

All of the signals at the intersection had always been designed to accommodate these extra left turn lanes, but they were striped out with paint until needed. The first dual left (from Mansfield Blvd. northbound onto S.R. 56 westbound) was added in 2018 when FDOT contacted Pasco to let the county know that vehicular traffic leaving the schools in the morning was causing backups on Mansfield Blvd., creating a concern — and sometimes long delays — for local residents. 

Safety has always been a concern here as well, as there have been multiple serious crashes involving younger drivers making left turns in front of oncoming traffic under the previous permissive left turn signal. Now, with the dual lefts, all left turns are protected, which means left turns are only permitted with a green arrow, greatly reducing the potential for crashes. 

There’s also still room to add a third through lane in both the westbound and eastbound directions on S.R. 56 in the striped-out area, when needed. 

Meadow Pointe Blvd. Still A Concern 

Meanwhile, safety and efficiency are still concerns with the down stream signal at Meadow Pointe Blvd. and S.R. 56. 

District 2 Pasco County Commissioner Seth Weightman has said that improvements are coming to this intersection as well, an item that the Board of County Commissioners (BOC) passed in July. 

Dual lefts will be added for eastbound traffic on S.R. 56 to turn north onto Meadow Pointe Blvd., which backs up badly during the afternoon rush hour, and dual lefts will be added for northbound traffic on Meadow Pointe Blvd. to turn west onto S.R. 56, which experiences bad back-ups during both the morning and evening rush hours. 

Silva’s Coffee Grind For Real New York Bagels, Breakfast & Lunch! 

Silva’s Coffee Grind owners Hiram & Angela Silva invite you to visit their trailer in front of One-Stop Landscape Supply on S.R. 54 for yummy sandwiches like the pastrami & Swiss (below right) or the egg white triple stack (below left). (Photos by Charmaine George)

A few months ago, when we first told you about Hiram and Angela Silva’s new Silva’s Coffee Grind (located in front of One-Stop Landscape Supply on S.R. 54, a little west of Morris Bridge Rd.), Hiram had told us that he was planning to expand his menu, based on his own creativity, as well as on customer requests. 

“I’ve always loved to cook,” Hiram says. “I’m just having fun with this menu. Obviously, our kitchen inside the trailer isn’t big, so I’m a little limited, but I’ve already added a couple of new items.” 

Hiram says his favorite new item is the egg white triple stack pesto delight (left photo). It offers at least two eggs worth of egg whites, plus juicy turkey, Swiss cheese, fresh green leaf lettuce and Angela’s homemade mayo-pesto spread — and you also can add crispy bacon to it for just $2 more. 

My personal favorite new item, however, is the Boar’s Head pastrami & Swiss topped with sauerkraut, pickles and Thousand Island dressing. I had it the way it’s shown here (below right), on three slices of rye toast, but I definitely plan to try it on a sesame or everything bagel next time. It comes with a free bag of chips, too. 

As I mentioned in my first “Nibbles & Bytes” item about Silva’s back in October, I definitely felt close to these fellow New Yawkas from the get-go, especially because it was obvious how much care Hiram puts into his food. His fried egg, bacon and American (or Swiss) cheese breakfast “sammie” on a toasted sesame bagel definitely reminds me of home. And yes, Hiram is happy to make your egg sandwich with scrambled eggs or even egg whites and put it on a fresh croissant (Jannah’s favorite). 

In addition to the pastrami, I’m also partial to Silva’s turkey pesto BLT and tuna salad sandwiches (the tuna comes with a bag of chips, too). 

And, even though I’m mainly a coffee guy — and Silva’s has delicious brewed coffee (available with flavor shots, like vanilla or caramel) — there also are espresso drinks like hot or iced cappuccinos, lattes, mochas and cafe con leches, hot chocolate, a variety of hot or iced teas, lemonade and smoothies made with real fruit purée, creamy smoothies like toasted marshmallow, lavender and pumpkin spice, as well as vanilla, caramel, double mocha or green tea matcha drinks. Mango or strawberry bursting bobas also can be added to your cold beverage or smoothie. There’s even handmade fruit sorbets. 

But, the one item I haven’t tried yet that I promise I will sample on my next visit is an espresso affogato, which is two scoops of vanilla ice cream with a double shot of espresso poured over it, whipped cream, chocolate syrup and a sprinkle of cookie crumble. Is it a drink? Is it a dessert? YES! 

You also can order a dozen or half-dozen of Silva’s real NY bagels (below) that will be ready for pick-up in 2-3 days. I promise they’re legit — and so are their Silva’s Coffee Grind gift cards! 

Silva’s Coffee Grind is located at 34100 S.R. 54 and is open Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday. It is closed on Sunday. For more information, search “Silvas Coffee Grind” on Facebook or “@ Silvas.coffee. grind” on Instagram. Also, see the ad below for a coupon that gets you 10% off all food and beverages at Silva’s. And please remember to tell Angela and Hiram I sent you! 

Angela makes your favorite coffee drinks and also can sell you a Silva’s gift card.

Raising Cane’s Set To Open Tomorrow (Tuesday, January 28)!

Raising Cane’s, the Baton Rouge, LA-based fast casual fried chicken chain founded by Todd Graves in 1996 that serves only fried chicken fingers (also available on a sandwich), crinkle-cut fries, Texas toast and cole slaw, will open tomorrow at 10 a.m. (at 25934 S.R. 54, Lutz, next to Rock & Brews), as previously announced in the print editions of the Neighborhood News. And we know a lot of you are pretty excited about it!

We were invited to attend the restaurant’s soft pre-opening VIP event earlier today and I have to say that we were all pretty impressed. Yes, the menu is simple, but it’s done right — the chicken fingers are lightly seasoned (NOT at all spicy!), super-crispy outside and moist on the inside. The fries are crispy and tasty (and seemingly not seasoned, other than lightly salted, which I appreciate), the Texas toast is legit and the cole slaw is creamy and has just a hint of sweetness. 

If you only like spicy chicken, this is not the place for you, as even the Thousand Island-style Cane’s sauce offers no heat at all. But, if you like your chicken extra crispy and tasty, Raising Cane’s is definitely worth visiting!

For more info, stop in tomorrow anytime from 10 a.m.-1 a.m., visit RaisingCanes.com or call (813) 559-3590 — and please tell them the Neighborhood News sent you!