One diner drove 40 minutes after spotting a Puerto Rican kitchen on TikTok, and the trip paid off. The pernil here gets called juicy, savory, and tender, and the mofongo comes in bi and tri versions.
That alone got my attention. Then I learned the food leaves in sturdy reusable to-go trays that keep everything warm for a while.
Some families carry those trays to a nearby park for a picnic. Others order a dozen pasteles at the holidays.
I like how a takeout counter in Washington became the place people bring visiting relatives.
The menu reaches well past pernil, too. There’s arroz con gandules, crispy alcapurrias, guava juice, and tembleque for dessert.
So what makes a plate worth that kind of drive, and how do you plan the trip without wasting a single bite?
A Little Taste Of Old San Juan Right Off Pacific Highway
OSJ International Restaurant sits in Lakewood, Washington, and the name carries a sweet clue. OSJ stands for Old San Juan, the historic heart of Puerto Rico’s capital.
That nod to the island sets the tone for the whole menu. Expect Puerto Rican comfort food, with a few other Latin favorites mixed in for good measure.
The place holds a 4.6-star rating across more than 800 Google reviews. That’s a lot of happy people for a spot many folks find by accident.
For South Sound families, the appeal is pretty simple. It’s described as the only Puerto Rican option around, so cravings tend to point straight here.
Transplants from the East Coast, Miami, and the Caribbean have all landed at this counter. Plenty arrived after months of searching for flavors that tasted like home.
First-timers show up, too, sometimes nudged along by a relative from the island. One newcomer’s brother-in-law, who’s from Puerto Rico, gave the food a 10 out of 10.
That mix makes the kitchen feel bigger than its footprint. Part neighborhood takeout, part homesick cure, it fills a gap the region clearly needed filled.
Not bad for a building along a busy highway in Pierce County.
The Mother-And-Daughter Team Behind The Counter
Hospitality might be the secret ingredient here. OSJ International Restaurant is family-owned, run by an owner and her daughter.
The pair gets described as warm, attentive, and genuinely invested in every first visit. That kind of care is hard to fake across hundreds of orders.
One group even got a table set up so they could eat on site. The dining room was closed, but the kitchen made room anyway.
Small gestures like that explain the loyalty. People don’t just come back for the rice, though the rice certainly helps.
Staff have also been known to bring out a tablet with photos of every dish. For a newcomer staring at words like alcapurria, that’s a real kindness.
Kids benefit from that visual menu, too. Pointing at a picture beats sounding out unfamiliar names when tummies are rumbling.
The owners respond to feedback online and thank diners for their support. It feels personal, which suits a kitchen named after a Puerto Rican neighborhood.
Families who feel welcome tend to bring their relatives back. That’s exactly how a local takeout counter turns into a tradition worth sharing.
Pernil That Earns The Long Drive
Slow-roasted pork shoulder is a Puerto Rican holiday classic, and it stars here. The pernil at OSJ International Restaurant gets praised as juicy, savory, and tender.
One group paired it with arroz con gandules and empanadas and loved every bite. Another diner called out the roasted pork special alongside the oxtail.
The pork crackling has fans, too. One diner who drove 40 minutes described it as juicy and tender.
Fair warning for crunch purists, though. One Puerto Rican diner wished the chicharrones were crispier, like the traditional style, while still enjoying the flavor.
Arroz con gandules is the natural sidekick. It’s rice cooked with pigeon peas, and it’s one of the most talked-about dishes on the menu.
The rice gets described as soft and full of flavor. Some diners say it tastes close to what their own families make at home.
That’s high praise from people raised on the real thing. It’s also why a single tray can justify a trip across Pierce County.
Hungry teenagers in the back seat? Portions are generous enough that leftovers often happen.
Mofongo In Single, Double, And Triple Form
Mashed fried plantains packed into a dome. That’s mofongo, and this kitchen offers it in bi and tri versions alongside the classic.
Those combo versions mix plantain with other starchy staples. It’s a fun way to sample more without ordering three separate plates.
Toppings swing wide here. Carne frita mofongo and chicharrones with mofongo both show up among family orders.
Lobster mofongo appears on the menu as well. One diner found the lobster a bit firm, though full of flavor.
A Puerto Rican diner noted the mofongo tasted great even without sauce. When the base holds up alone, you know the kitchen respects it.
Plantains star elsewhere too, so no one misses out. Tostones are the savory, smashed, crispy kind, while maduros are ripe, sweet, and soft.
The maduros have been described as bright and not too oily. The tostones earn compliments for being cooked just right.
Kids who balk at new food often warm up to sweet maduros quickly. It’s a gentle doorway into island cooking for picky eaters.
Fritters, Sandwiches, And A Surprising Number Of Vegan Picks
Fried snacks might steal the show if you let them. Alcapurrias here are crispy fritters loaded with beef.
Rellenos de papa are potato balls stuffed with meat and fried golden. Both come with mayoketchup, the beloved Puerto Rican dipping sauce.
The jibarito sandwich deserves its own spotlight. It swaps bread for flattened fried plantains and fills them with steak.
One East Coast transplant hunted for a good jibarito for months before finding this one. It comes with white rice and beans or yellow rice.
Bacalaitos, the codfish fritters, also have fans. So do the empanadas, which one mom said her kids loved.
Plant-based eaters get real choices, which surprises many people. Vegan and vegetarian options come up often, including a vegetarian ropa vieja.
Dairy-free diners have appreciated the range as well. That flexibility matters when a whole family shares one big order.
Beyond Puerto Rico, the menu wanders a bit. Colombian bandeja paisa, Argentine churrasco with chimichurri, Cuban-style ropa vieja, and paella gallega all make appearances.
The “International” in the name isn’t just for show.
Guava Juice, Tembleque, And Candy From Childhood
Thirsty? The guava juice comes big and refreshing, and fresh jugos earn steady praise.
One diner claimed they’d never had better limonadas anywhere. Malta India, the Caribbean malt soda, has also been recommended for a taste of the islands.
Tembleque closes things out sweetly. It’s a coconut pudding that jiggles, and the name roughly means trembling.
A Puerto Rican diner called it amazing. That’s the kind of endorsement worth trusting on a dessert.
Shelves have also held packaged treats like Cameo and Bimbo cookies. For grandparents raised on the island, those wrappers can feel like a time machine.
Kids may not get the nostalgia yet. They’ll still happily accept a cookie and a story about where it came from.
Holidays bring a special rhythm, too. Some families order at least a dozen pasteles and a bottle or two of coquito for celebrations.
Pasteles are labor-intensive, so buying them ready-made saves hours. Heads up, though, coquito traditionally contains rum, so it’s a grown-up item.
A holiday order paired with tembleque makes a festive table without the kitchen marathon.
Your Trays Are Ready, Now Find A Picnic Table
Takeout is the name of the game right now. The dining room has been closed for in-person eating since the pandemic.
A sign has hinted at reopening for a while. Renovations may be underway, but no firm date has been shared, so plan on to-go.
That’s honestly not a bad deal for families. The reusable to-go trays are sturdy and hold heat well.
Some diners carry their meal straight to a nearby park. A Puerto Rican picnic beats a soggy sandwich any day.
Washington weather does get a vote, of course. On drizzly days, the car or the kitchen table works just fine.
Value is another plus. Prices get described as reasonable, and plates often stretch into leftovers.
One family found the bandeja paisa big enough to feed two people. Another said the food could last two days.
For budget-minded parents, that changes the math nicely. One order can cover dinner and tomorrow’s lunch.
Grandparents also skip the hassle of a crowded dining room. Grab the food, find a bench, and eat at your own pace.
Plan Around Those Midweek Closed Days
Mondays and Tuesdays are a no-go, so mark the calendar. OSJ International Restaurant opens Wednesday through Friday from 11:30 AM to 7 PM.
Saturday hours run noon to 7 PM. Sunday is shorter, from 1 to 6 PM.
You’ll find it at 12822 Pacific Hwy SW, Lakewood, WA 98499. Parking is plentiful once you spot the building.
Spotting it can be the tricky part after dark. The lot has been described as dim, so give yourself a minute to look.
Big groups should expect a wait. One party of ten ordered on the spot and waited about 45 minutes.
Even smaller orders can take around half an hour. Calling ahead is the smart move for hungry kids.
So is it worth the drive? For anyone missing island cooking, or curious to try it, the answer looks like a confident yes.
Washington families get warm hospitality, generous trays, and a menu full of delicious discoveries. Just leave room in the car for leftovers and a bag of fritters for the ride home.
