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El Retorno Vacano Ventas
Address
7240 E Pine St, Tulsa, Oklahoma, 74115
Phone
+1 918-361-0306Hours
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El Retorno Vacano Ventas is a family-run thrift store located in Tulsa, Oklahoma that specializes in authentic Puerto Rican cuisine. According to customer reviews, this establishment previously operated as a food truck before opening its current brick-and-mortar location.
The store has received positive reviews from customers who have discovered this "hidden gem" for Puerto Rican food in Tulsa.
One reviewer, Robert Shewmake, describes his experience visiting El Retorno Vacano Ventas: "If you love Puerto Rican food, I've found a hidden gem for you...This family-run restaurant is serving up some seriously authentic Puerto Rican dishes." He goes on to praise the "rich Caribbean flavor" of the marinated skirt steak, rice and beans, and plantains he ordered, noting that the salsa rosada had "just the right twang."
Another customer, Ryan Howell, had a similar positive impression, writing: "El Retorno did not disappoint. The family that operates this restaurant is extremely friendly and excited to share their cuisine with you. We had 2 types of Mufongo, burrifungos, empanadasillas, and tostones...All the food was authentic as could be and we felt like we were back in PR."
Customers describe a "clean and thoughtfully arranged" dining area where a "kind lady" verbally presents the daily menu options. The lack of fountain drinks is noted, but reviewers understand this is a common limitation for smaller, family-run establishments.
Overall, El Retorno Vacano Ventas appears to be a unique and authentic Puerto Rican dining experience in Tulsa, offering customers a taste of the Caribbean through its family-operated, home-cooked specialties.
2 reviews
Robert Shewmake
If you love Puerto Rican food, I’ve found a hidden gem for you. Last weekend, I was in Tulsa to grab one of my favorite Topo Chicos when I stumbled across El Retorno De Los Vaconos. This family-run restaurant is serving up some seriously authentic Puerto Rican dishes. There was a bit of confusion at first—wasn’t sure if it was table service or counter ordering—but the dining area was clean and thoughtfully arranged. I took a seat, and a kind lady came out to give me the verbal menu of the day (no printed menus here). I ordered one of my all-time favorites: marinated skirt steak with rice and beans, plus plantains. It took about 15 minutes to come out, but it was so worth the wait. That skirt steak was packed with rich Caribbean flavor, perfectly seasoned. The plantains came with a bottle of salsa rosada that had just the right twang—exactly how I like it. Just a heads up, they don’t have fountain drinks, only bottled or canned options, which isn’t my favorite—but I get it, not every spot can swing the soda setup. From what I gathered, the family ran a food truck for a while before opening this brick-and-mortar location, and I’m so glad they did. I’m already looking forward to going back. If you’re in Tulsa and craving some real-deal Puerto Rican food, give this spot a try! Rob Score 8.9/10.0 — at El Retorno De Los Vacanos.
Thank you for your support in our humble restaurant. Hoop to see you soon. Many blessings.
Ryan Howell
We just returned from Puerto Rico a couple months ago and were excited to continue our Caribbean dining adventures. El Retorno did not disappoint. The family that operates this restaurant is extremely friendly and excited to share their cuisine with you. We had 2 types of Mufongo, burrifungos, empanadasillas, and tostones. (There were 4 of us so we tried to sample it all). All the food was authentic as could be and we felt like we were back in PR. They had Puerto Rican drinks too and were working on getting their liquor license to make REAL Piña coladas. We will be back!
Thank you for your support and we enjoyed talking to everyone in our humble restaurant. We look forward to seeing everyone again soon. Many blessings.