Chicken with Bean Sprouts
Berenjena con Cerdo Lunch Special
Eggplant with pork.
Espagueti con Camarones Lunch Special
Spaghetti with shrimp.
Ropa Vieja Lunch Special
Shredded beef.
Paticas de Cerdo Lunch Special
Pig feet.
Mollejitas Guisada Lunch Special
Gizzard stew.
Orejitas de Cerdo Lunch Special
Pig ears.
Higado Guisado Lunch Special
Beef liver.
Parada Maimón at 345 N 12th St, Philadelphia, isn’t just another Dominican spot in the city—it’s a whole vibe. The moment you walk in, the energy shifts. You’re met with the aroma of freshly cooked mangú, garlic chicken, and oxtail stew that seems to wrap around you like a warm hug. The space isn’t flashy, but it doesn’t need to be. What it lacks in frills, it makes up for in flavor, portions, and authenticity.
Let’s talk food. The menu reads like a love letter to Caribbean comfort. Think plantains fried to golden perfection, tender stewed beef that melts the moment your fork touches it, and rice so flavorful it can stand on its own. I ordered the pernil (slow-roasted pork), and it came out with crackling skin, juicy meat, and just the right amount of seasoning—no sauce needed. My friend went for the pollo guisado, and while I’m not one to steal bites, I definitely did. If you’re into hearty, home-style meals that don’t try too hard but always deliver, this is where your cravings go to rest.
But the magic of this place isn’t just in the dishes—it’s in the people. The staff greets you like family, not customers. They remember faces, suggest your usual, and check in with that subtle warmth that’s rare in fast-paced urban spots. It doesn’t matter if it’s your first or fifth visit, you’ll get the same genuine hospitality.
What also stands out is the location. Nestled right on N 12th St in the heart of Philly’s Callowhill neighborhood, it's close enough to Chinatown and Center City to draw in a diverse crowd—from construction workers grabbing a late lunch to local artists on a break. The vibe is casual, the music is upbeat, and the foot traffic is steady, a good sign any day of the week.
When browsing online reviews, the patterns are hard to miss: words like “authentic,” “portions,” “flavor,” and “friendly” pop up again and again. Sure, there’s the occasional note about wait times during lunch rush—but honestly, that’s just proof people are willing to line up for the real deal. And I’d wait again too.
There’s something about places like this that remind you food doesn’t need reinvention—it just needs soul. Parada Maimón serves that up on every plate.
“ If you are visiting Fort Tryon Park or the Cloisters, you MUST make the 10 minute walk here for lunch. A Family Combo will fill up 4-5 big people easily. You won't want to eat for another two days. The plantains are wonderful and the chicken is even better. The salad is little more than lettuce with cold peas and beets, but someone at the table is always willing to eat it. They aren't always accustomed to taking your order at the table, but they're happy to do so if you have a big group. ”
Courtney F.“ Yesterday I decided to pop into this restaurant to order one of their family-style combos for a picnic. It was a GREAT decision! I ordered Combo B ($16.95), chicharrones de pollo (fried chicken, Dominican style), and there was an enormous tin of rice, beans, a tin of salad, a tin of maduros, and two bottles of water (or soda if you prefer). Also got 2 cups of morir sonando, which totaled $24. Not bad! Even after trekking to the Bronx, the meal stayed fresh and warm, and the food was delicious. The rice and beans were really flavorful, the chicken tender, and the plantains rich. The drinks stayed cool and hit the spot, and were not too sweet and had a perfect creamy flavor! Oh, and of course despite our best efforts, we still had leftovers. I'll be back to try some of the pastelitos and the rotisserie chicken! ”
Shelly H.“ I just ordered from this place for delivery, I chose it because it is one of the few Latin places around where you can order online, as another reviewer mentioned- on Grub Hub. I ordered a few types of pastelitos, the fried pork chops and the ropa vieja. Within minutes of completing my online order, I got a call from the restaurant saying that the ropa vieja wasn't available, and would I like something else. Jose was very patient and helpful. I ended up getting the goat stew which was absolutely delicious as was everything else. It was moist and had lots of tasty sauce. The order of pork chops comes with two big chops. The chicken and cod fish pastelitos were great. The beef ones were ground rather than shredded, so those I wasn't crazy about, but they were all well seasoned and crispy. The food arrived quickly and everything was still hot. My one complaint is that I really wanted some ahi/ salsa verde/ some kind of hot sauce for the pastelitos, but I had some on hand. The portions were plenty for two people with a lot leftover. Definitely my new go- to. ”
HannaH K.“ This place is spot on. I LOVE THIS RESTAURANT SO MUCH! I have become quite a fan of latin food since moving into the heights and let me just say...a lot of restaurants serve up rotisserie chicken, rice and beans, fried plantains ect, but this place really triumphs over the rest. Even something as simple as white rice was seasoned very well. You can tell that they really put some time and effort into perfecting their flavors. Their rotisserie chicken is moist and flavorful and for 16.95 for a family combo w/ a whole chicken is amazing for take out. The family combos are really good deals and can feed 3-4 people easily. I will eat here again...and again...and again! ”
Jocelyn F.Get in touch with our support team
Our open schedules
Day | Checking... |
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Monday | 09:00 AM - 09:00 PM |
Tuesday | 09:00 AM - 09:00 PM |
Wednesday | 09:00 AM - 09:00 PM |
Thursday | 09:00 AM - 09:00 PM |
Friday | 09:00 AM - 09:00 PM |
Saturday | 09:00 AM - 09:00 PM |
Sunday | 09:00 AM - 09:00 PM |
A new taste every day
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