By Cliff Lewis

Lancaster City is home to a thriving Latino and Hispanic culture—and we certainly have the shops to prove it. There is La Cocina on E King, La Costena on W King, Cocina Mexicana on N Prince, and 2009 brings us Rice and Beans Latin Kitchen, located at 249 North Queen Street. Despite its humble name, Rice and Beans offers a rich and varied selection of Spanish dishes and brings its own unique contribution to Lancaster’s culinary scene.

The quaint coziness of the shop is evident before one even enters its doors. A tastefully rustic front sign and the presence of colorful potted plants suggest the genuine care and affection being poured into this little establishment. Inside the décor is simple and down-home, an arrangement of cool earth tones with the gentle green accents of decorative plants.

The menu provides a variety of specials and entrees incorporating steak, chicken, seafood, plantains, and, of course, rice and beans. Perhaps the most interesting items on the menu are the Mashed Plantain dishes, or “Mofongos.” Mofongo is a tight mound of mashed plantains, prepared with generous amounts of garlic and served with a small bowl of dark, broth-like gravy. The Mofongos can be ordered with shrimp, chicken, pork, fish, or “fried meat”—small cuts of crispy beef that mingle especially well with the gravy. A tall glass of passion fruit juice is a great way to wash it all down.

With a full dinner ringing in at about $10, Rice and Beans maintains the standard of affordability set by many other Lancaster City ethnic restaurants.

Only a few doors away from the culturally thriving 300 block of North Queen, Rice and Beans seems like a good fit for this lively section of Downtown Lancaster. It offers yet another opportunity to find fresh, exotic dining options for everyday diner prices.