Absolutely a must go to Good Eats! I am a New Yorker and in my time in PA I had yet to find an authentic quality owned Spanish restaurant. That was until I stepped inside El Merengue Restaurant. It is a cute spot for family and friends with great Dominican decor and most importantly FOOD. I really liked the use of the space and how clean it was. It was spacious and cozy at the same time. The moment you walk in the staff is really nice and instantly makes you feel at home. You can sit in or take out. They also do catering which is cool. The food was a 10/10. My partner and I tried the steak, chicken, fried plantains and beans. Simple but easy to mess up. Everything was Perfection. Not a single complaint. Definitely a must go.

Come to this restaurant if you want to enjoy authentic Dominican food. This restaurant offers delicious food at a reasonable price. Clean premises and friendly staff.

THIS HANDS DOWN IS THE BEST DOMINICAN RESTAURANT IN ALLL THE POCONOS!!! Being from NYC I know GOOD food! The flavors is like they have wela in the back putting her heart and soul into everything. Living here for the past 5 years I FINALLY found a spot I can call home . Y mas que soy DOMINICANA YO SE LO QUE ES COMIDA BUENA . If you are ever in this area you NEED to come eat here . My husband and I have been back 2 times in the last 3 days !!!

"A Taste of the Caribbean in the Poconos – El Merengue Restaurant" We visited El Merengue Restaurant in the Poconos for dinner, and it felt like a quick escape to the Caribbean! The exterior is vibrant and colorful, reminiscent of a true Caribbean setting. Upon entering, we were greeted warmly by the staff and promptly seated. The staff was courteous and attentive, answering our questions and offering great recommendations. The aroma of fresh Caribbean food filled the air as we browsed the menu. Much of their food is displayed behind glass, steaming and fresh, allowing you to simply point and choose. We ordered a few dishes, including rice, red beans, and pernil (pulled pork), which was packed with flavor and juicy tenderness—a burst of excitement with every bite! We also tried the empanadas (beef and cheese), made fresh to order, which took a bit to prepare but was absolutely worth the wait. Their alcapurria—a Caribbean favorite with beef and potatoes wrapped in fried plantains—was perfectly seasoned, and the chicken and garlic mofongo was deliciously fresh, made from scratch with unbeatable flavor. The food here was absolutely amazing. El Merengue is a true “diamond in the rough” in the Poconos, and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for an authentic Caribbean meal. Don’t miss the chance to try this hidden gem if you’re in the area! Food: (5 stars) Service: (5 stars)

Everyone is so friendly and caring. They greet and serve food with a smile and like to make sure everything is well with your order. I ate ribs with red beans, rice, and plantains. And I also ordered raspberry tea and they gave me it in a cute tea set. Highly recommend going here!

Such a cute little place and probably the best food I had while on this trip! As soon as you walk in it’s like coming into a cozy little home. They have a large variety of food to chose from and some of the food is displayed in buffet style so you get an idea of what you would like to have. We had the chicken fingers and fries along with the Costillas guisadas which were amazing! Can’t go wrong with choosing this place as your go to food!

Always delicious food! And their servings are plentiful . They make the best batida de papaya (Papaya smoothie Dominican style).

One of the most authentic Spanish restaurant around the area. The food is super delicious and fresh. The restaurant is small but very clean and vibrant. The prices and portions are reasonable.