Popular new restaurant readies for its Puerto Rican Festival debut

On the opening day of their restaurant in early December, Hector Leon and Jessica Diaz set up a hot bar overflowing with traditional Puerto Rican dishes: arroz con gandules, pernil, baked chicken, bacalao, boiled bananas, empanadillas and more. They unlocked the door and took a peek outside. The parking lot was empty.

Leon and Diaz had both grown up in Puerto Rico; they married and then moved to Rochester in 2002. Their other entrepreneurial ventures included a used car dealership and rental properties; Casa Campo, at 1586 E. Main St., was their first restaurant. It had taken them roughly 11 months ― and much of their life savings ― to transform the former La Olla Criolla into the restaurant they envisioned.

Disappointed but undaunted at that quiet opening day, Leon took to social media to show off the food that was available. Soon, the customers started arriving and by the end of the day, the restaurant had sold out of food. On its first Friday in business, it had a long line and Leon felt dizzy from being in constant motion during the lunch rush.

Now, when Leon opens the door at 11 a.m., there are usually customers waiting and the lunch rush begins.

"It's been word of mouth," Diaz said. "It's been great."

Next step: Puerto Rican Festival in Rochester NY

On Thursday, Casa Campo will make its Puerto Rican Festival debut, serving its fare alongside local food vendors Munchies Roc City Empanadas, Robs Kabobs and Tacodero. The festival, which will be held at Innovation Field, will run through Aug. 5.

At Puerto Rican Fest, Casa Campo will serve arroz con gandules (rice with pigeon peas), pernil (roasted pork), baked chicken, pinchos (chicken kabobs), chicharrónes (fried pork rinds) and tostones (twice-fried sweet plantains).

Sure to be a festival hit is a nontraditional creation called tostones locos: twice-fried sliced plantains topped with chopped roasted pork, cheese sauce, lettuce, tomatoes and mayo ketchup. Think of it as a Puerto Rican cousin to loaded nachos.

Leon expects to be inundated at the festival; as a result, the restaurant will be closed Friday and Saturday so its staff can serve there.

More: It's almost time: Puerto Rican Festival announces dates and lineup

What's next at Casa Campo

Leon and Diaz based their restaurant concept on Puerto Rican restaurants they visited in Florida. The spacious restaurant has rustic wood walls and booth and table seating. Its walls are accented by framed pictures of famous Puerto Rican athletes. Creative light fixtures have been fashioned from rum bottles.

In addition to serving grab-and-go meals from a steam table, Casa Campo also offers an a la carte menu of attractively plated dishes including a large selection of seafood: shrimp, octopus, conch, red snapper and salmon.

Soon after Puerto Rican Fest, Casa Campo will add alcoholic beverages including liquor, beer, wine and cider. "We're going to bring Puerto Rico here," Leon said.

Among the offerings will be Puerto Rico's Medalla Light beer in bottles as well as Gasolina branded beverages. PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur will be served from a slushy machine. Cocktails will include passion fruit, coconut and strawberry mojitos as well as sangria, margaritas and more.

Once its bar is up and running, Casa Camp will add table service and expand its hours to stay open later on weekends.

If you go

Casa Campo, at 1586 E. Main St., is open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, but will be closed Friday and Saturday during Puerto Rican Fest. Call (585) 270-4448.

Parking is available in a lot adjacent to the restaurant. It has a spacious dining room for dining in, as well as outdoor picnic tables in the back of its parking lot. Take-out is available; the restaurant doesn't work with delivery apps.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Casa Campo is a popular Puerto Rican restaurant in Rochester NY