La Panterita

- 6131 John F. Kennedy Blvd, North Bergen, NJ 07047

Introduction / Overview

For New Jersey diners seeking an authentic taste of South America, La Panterita stands out as a vibrant and highly-regarded Ecuadorian restaurant in North Bergen. Nestled conveniently on John F. Kennedy Boulevard, this establishment has quickly garnered a reputation for serving truly traditional and delicious Ecuadorian fare. The atmosphere is consistently described as casual and cozy, making it an ideal setting for various occasions, whether it’s a solo lunch, a casual dinner, or a meal out with the whole family.

La Panterita is celebrated for its commitment to authentic flavors, generous portion sizes, and a menu that features both classic comfort food and unique local specialties. Many patrons, including those from the Ecuadorian community, attest to the authenticity and quality of the cooking. The food is frequently praised as "excellent and delicious fresh and big portions," ensuring that every visitor leaves satisfied. This restaurant is a proud local destination, bringing the rich, diverse culinary traditions of Ecuador directly to the heart of North Bergen, NJ.

The menu is designed to appeal to a wide range of tastes, offering everything from savory small plates and quick bites to hearty, traditional plates. While some reviewers note that prices may be higher than other local spots, they often acknowledge that the food itself is "tasty" and the large portions offer good value. La Panterita aims to provide a welcoming, family-friendly dining experience, capturing the essence of home-cooked Ecuadorian meals right here in Hudson County.

Location and Accessibility

La Panterita is located at 6131 John F. Kennedy Blvd, North Bergen, NJ 07047, USA. This key location places it right on one of North Bergen's major thoroughfares, making it highly visible and accessible to residents and travelers moving between Hudson County and neighboring areas.

Being situated on John F. Kennedy Boulevard, the restaurant is easily reachable by car and public transportation. For drivers, the restaurant utilizes Paid street parking. While parking availability can sometimes be a consideration in busy urban areas, its location on a main boulevard offers proximity to transit options and walking convenience for local patrons. The restaurant’s strategic placement allows it to serve as a convenient and established dining option for the dense North Jersey population.

Services Offered

La Panterita is set up to accommodate various dining preferences, ensuring a flexible and convenient experience for its North Bergen clientele.

• Delivery: The full, authentic menu can be ordered for delivery, allowing residents to enjoy the flavors of Ecuador at home.
• Takeout: Convenient and reliable option for those looking to quickly grab their meals on the go.
• Dine-in: Customers can enjoy a cozy and casual atmosphere, complete with Table service for a more relaxed dining experience.
• Dining Options: Serving customers for Lunch, Dinner, and offering delicious selections for Dessert.
• Specialty Offerings: The menu provides Comfort food, Small plates, Quick bites, and features some Healthy options to suit different cravings.

Features / Highlights

What makes La Panterita a standout choice for local New Jersey food enthusiasts is its focus on authentic Ecuadorian specialities and the overall dining experience:

• Authentic Ecuadorian Cuisine: The restaurant is celebrated for providing a genuine taste of Ecuador, with food that is described as "very authentic" and evoking traditional flavors.
• Local Specialty Dishes: The menu Serves local specialty, with popular items highlighted by customers including the savory ENCEBOLLADO DE ALBACORA and the traditional BOLON MIXTO (a plantain dumpling with cheese and pork rinds, often served with egg).
• Generous Portions: Patrons consistently praise the "good big portions" and the "porciones grandes" (large portions), which contributes to the perception of good value.
• Made-to-Order Sides: The freshness of the food is a notable highlight. For example, the tostones are described as "huge and you could tell they were made to order, not reheated."
• Atmosphere and Crowd: The restaurant offers a Casual and Cozy atmosphere. It is Family-friendly and Good for kids, making it suitable for groups and families, and it is also Popular for Solo dining.
• Highly Recommended Dishes: Specific plates like the breaded fish plate and carne asada plates have received positive feedback for their taste and quality.

What is Worth Choosing

For residents in North Bergen and the surrounding New Jersey area looking to explore the culinary landscape of Ecuador, La Panterita offers several dishes that are highly recommended and considered worth the visit. To truly experience the restaurant’s strengths, start with the celebrated specialties.

The ENCEBOLLADO DE ALBACORA is a must-try. As a hearty and savory soup, it is a quintessential Ecuadorian dish, perfectly representing the restaurant's commitment to authentic local flavors. Similarly, the BOLON MIXTO, a traditional dish featuring a mashed plantain ball with chicharrón (pork rinds), cheese, and egg, is an excellent choice for a robust and flavorful start or light meal.

For a main course, customers have enjoyed the satisfying size and flavor of the carne asada plates. If you prefer seafood, the breaded fish plate is a solid choice. The quality of the side dishes, particularly the fresh, large, and perfectly prepared tostones, should not be overlooked—they are a testament to the restaurant’s commitment to fresh preparation.

While some past reviews mention higher prices compared to competitors and certain internal charging practices (like the automatic tip and charge for to-go containers), the majority consensus remains that the food is undeniably "tasty," "delicious," and served in "big portions." For a local, authentic, and satisfying Ecuadorian meal in North Jersey, La Panterita provides the genuine flavors and atmosphere that make it a local gem.

Contact Information

Address: 6131 John F. Kennedy Blvd, North Bergen, NJ 07047, USA

Phone: (201) 429-9525

La Panterita

6131 John F. Kennedy Blvd, North Bergen, NJ 07047, USA