Crocante In Orlando: Solid Puerto Rican Food On the Mainland
Puerto Rico is the first Latin American place I visited and while I was there I ate a lot of pork and had a great trip. I don’t think I’ve had Puerto Rican food in years since that vacation.
That changed today and Crocante exceeded my expectations. Maybe it’s because I didn’t do much restaurant research while I was in Puerto Rico, but this restaurant here in Orlando was better than most places I had over in San Juan without the slow service.
Seafood Rice
First dish we got was the seafood rice which the closest thing I can compare it to is paella. My first thought was the serving was kind of small for the $36 price tag and there wasn’t much visible seafood in the rice other than the shrimp on top. The flavor was really good though. The creamy sauce they drizzled on top added some richness to the umami packed rice. The shrimp were perfectly cooked, snappy and plump, and the plantain crisps on top were a nice garnish that added a light crunch to every bite.
Roti Kan Kan Tray
We also got the roti grill mixed tray which contained a lot of their meat options.
The chicken was decent. I never order chicken at restaurants other than fried chicken because I fear it being dry, especially if it’s roast chicken, but this was well cooked. Not dripping with juice but it was tender and well seasoned. Reminded me of a better Costco rotisserie chicken. Not my favorite but I wouldn’t be mad about getting it.
The chicken sausage was just alright, a bit dry but very flavorful. It was better with some chimichurri.
I preferred the blood sausage surprisingly. I’ve eaten organ meat plenty of times so blood is an ingredient I’ve had before. It’s not irony, it’s very savory with an almost crumbly texture, but the addition of the rice and fat gave the sausage more of a bite. I liked it but it was a little salty.
My favorite from the plate was the skirt steak. Skirt steak, I’m thinking okay good beefy flavor but usually more of a chew. But this steak which we ordered medium rare was very tender. I could see the fibers of the steak barely holding together in some pieces. It was my favorite from the meat tray and the accompanying chimichurri added some nice acidity and herbaceousness.
The Sides
I won’t go into detail on the sides since they’re not a focal point, but the salad was a typical average salad and the cornbread was good. It’s more like the northern style cornbread which is on the sweeter side like a muffin. The tostones were good too and this is coming from someone that typically doesn’t like them, but fresh out the fryer when they’re crispy and tender it’s great filler food.
The Verdict: Is Crocante Worth It?
Crocante exceeded my expectations and will be my go to if I’m ever craving Puerto Rican and Latin cuisine in general. The skirt steak alone is worth the visit and the seafood rice, despite the small looking portion for $36, delivers on flavor. This is a spot that takes the food seriously without the slow service I experienced at most places in San Juan.
Tips for Visiting Crocante in Orlando
- Get the skirt steak medium rare, it’s the best thing on the meat tray
- The seafood rice is worth it despite looking small for $36, the flavor and quality is there
- Blood sausage is surprisingly good if you’re open to it
- Skip ordering chicken unless you just want something safe and familiar
- Solid option for Latin cuisine beyond the typical Cuban spots in Orlando
Have you tried Crocante in Orlando? How does it compare to other Puerto Rican food you’ve had?
