Taino Puerto Rican Cuisine opens in Cape Coral
New restaurant opens on Pine Island Road serving authentic Puerto Rican food
Frankie Triguero was about to leave.
The New Yorker, who grew up in Puerto Rico, spent decades in the restaurant industry, working as a dishwasher, busboy, waiter and captain in executive dining rooms, including the famous Rainbow Room at Rockefeller Center.
After moving to Southwest Florida 20 years ago, other service positions followed – Ariani in Cape Coral, Tarpon Lodge on Pine Island and Malia Island Fusion Cuisine on Sanibel, to name a few.
After the latter was finally closed, Triguero was ready to give up.
“I wanted to get out of the industry,” he says. “But then this came out of the blue.”
Triguero is referring to his Taino Puerto Rican Cuisine on Pine Island Road in Cape Coral, which he owns with chefs Julio Medina and Jaime Vega.
The opening took place on May 14 at the other end of Royal Oak Plaza, where Matthew’s Pizza Kitchen is the main attraction, across from Kia of Cape Coral, in the space previously occupied by Puerto Rican restaurants A Fuego and WOW Sandwich & Grill.
“I found out (A Fuego) had closed its doors,” Triguero said. “I made friends here. I just wanted to help, so we kept talking. And now look what happened.”
Customer service comes first
In three months, thanks to Triguero, Taino has built a loyal customer base.
“Mediocrity is unacceptable,” he said. “Hospitality is a big thing for me.”
This can be seen in the way he greets you warmly when you come in, checks on you during your meal, and sincerely thanks you as you leave.
“We’re excited about what we’re doing here,” he said. “The ambience, the service, the food. Many of our regular customers come to us and they send us more customers.”
They come – and return – for Pernil, Alcapurrias, Arroz Con Gandules, Tostones and Mofongo.
“It’s all very authentic,” said Triguero.
Don’t worry if you’re not familiar with Puerto Rican food.
“Puerto Rican food is not mainstream,” Triguero said. “I encourage my staff – who speak English and Spanish – to explain the dishes.”
And they do.
Our waiter guided us effortlessly through the daily specials and the three-flap menu – “new ones coming” – without fading for a moment.
Authentic Puerto Rican food on the menu
“You may not know Pollo a la Parilla,” Triguero said. “But you know grilled chicken, rice and beans. The thing about Puerto Rican food is the flavors. Our dishes are distinctive. It’s the flavors that give them life. It’s not spicy, it’s flavorful.”
Our alcapurrias (cassava stuffed with spiced beef) were delicious.
Likewise the fork-tender pernil (fried pork) with rice, beans and tostones (fried green plantains).
We were also big fans of the mofongo (mashed plantains) topped with perfectly seasoned chicken and a wonderful homemade flan.
Taino also serves other chicken, pork, steak and seafood dishes, as well as salads, sandwiches, kids’ meals and desserts.
“Everything is homemade,” Triguero said. “Sauces, desserts, everything.”
When choosing the name, the owners decided on Taino, the indigenous people of Puerto Rico.
“We wanted to stay true to the culture,” he said.
A large hand-painted mural of the island is one of the first things you see when you enter the restaurant.
Triguero stands in front, ready to greet his customers or wish them good night.
And it’s exactly where it belongs.
Jean Le Boeuf is the brand under which our restaurant critics have written for over 40 years. This article was written by editor Robyn George. Contact: [email protected]
Taino cuisine from Puerto Rico
303 NE3rd Ave., Suite 15, Cape Coral
Price: $$
Call: (239) 257-1650
Hours: Tuesday to Friday 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.; Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.; Sunday 11:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Monday closed
Website: tainofc.com or follow us on Facebook and Instagram
Sweet addition: The unique cafe in Fort Myers offers a lot of deliciousness and we couldn’t be more pleased
Sample menu
Tostones rellenos con pollo (stuffed with chicken), $11
Pastrami sandwich, $12
Caesar salad with grilled chicken, $16
Chuleta frita (fried pork chop) with two sides, $16
Churrasco (grilled flank steak), $25
Mofongo con Chicharron (pork skin), $9
*Opening hours and prices are subject to change
Meaning of the symbols
$: The average main course costs less than $15
$$: $15-$25
$$$: $25 to $35
$$$$: $35-45
$$$$$: $45 and up
