Family-Owned Puerto Rican Restaurant Is Success Story In Newark

NEWARK, NJ — Taino’s Kitchen, a family-owned Puerto Rican restaurant that has been making a name for itself in Newark, has expanded its footprint in New Jersey’s largest city with a new location downtown.

Taino’s Kitchen has operated since 2014 at 849 Mount Prospect Avenue in the North Ward of Newark. On Monday evening, its owner – Mayttee Cordero – stood alongside city officials and supporters to cut the ribbon on the eatery’s latest venture, a new location at 85 Halsey Street.

Signature dishes at the restaurant will include mofongo and traditional appetizers such as alcapurrias, empanadas and relleno de papa – which attendees at the ribbon cutting event got to taste.

Cordero said she is proud to share a piece of Puerto Rico with downtown Newark and showcase their roots, culture, pride “and most importantly our authentic flavor.”

“As a young Latina entrepreneur, I feel blessed to open Taino’s Kitchen, ‘The shortcut to Puerto Rico,’ in downtown Newark,” Cordero said.

Guests including Mayor Ras Baraka and Deputy Mayor for Community Engagement Jacqueline Quiles praised the food and the restaurant’s owner.

“Taino’s Kitchen already represents the culinary talent, business expertise, and entrepreneurial spirit of our city’s Puerto Rican community at its original site,” Baraka said. “The restaurant’s expansion to our downtown will add to its luster as an attraction to visitors and enhance the neighborhood’s economy.”

Quiles said Cordero’s latest venture will be a great addition to the neighborhood.

“Congratulations to Taino’s Kitchen on starting their second restaurant,” Quiles said.

Newark’s newest restaurant also got a big thumbs up from Marcus Randolph, CEO and president of Invest Newark.

“Today we celebrated the success story of a Newark resident and business owner reaching a milestone – opening a second location,” Randolph said. “We celebrate their investment in Newark, and wish them much success in the New Year.”

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