There’s no shortage of high-quality, delicious food in our Mile Square city, but that doesn’t make it any less exciting when a new eatery opens its doors. Changó Kitchen, a Cuban-Latin restaurant, opened in the same space Zafra used to be {301 Willow Avenue in Hoboken} shortly after they closed in late 2019. The space underwent a facelift but kept the same beloved-and-delicious Zafra menu plus added some new dishes, including daily specials. Read more below to learn more about what Changó Kitchen is serving up, and do your best not to drool.
How It Become Changó Kitchen
At the end of 2019 the owners of popular local Cuban restaurant Rumba Cubana — Alan and Nairelys Lopez, along with Bergen County NJ Ultimate Chef Carlos Valdez — purchased Zafra with the goal of upgrading the space while continuing to serve the community high-quality Cuban-Latin dishes. “When it comes to Zafras’ menu, we respect it as a staple to our community and also felt it was important to keep everyone from the current staff. We also added some more value to the menu with lower-priced treats as well as new lunch specials,” Carlos told us.
Chango recently added outdoor dining at this downtown eatery, and there are lunch specials served five days a week plus brunch on weekends.
The new owners understood that there was longtime service to the Hoboken community and therefore a strong following, which they wanted to honor. “While it might have been easy to add another successful Rumba Cubana, [we] saw something special in the staff and vibe of the restaurant.”
So, they gave the restaurant some much-needed TLC to fuel another 15 years of successful service to the neighborhood. A major overhaul took place, including a new kitchen, dining room, counters, and bathrooms. The vibe is now updated and modern, with an expanded menu and more specials.
The Incredible Food
If you were previously a Zafra lover, then take a big, long exhale, because Changó Kitchen has kept many of Zafra’s menu favorites while also expanding the offerings to include other Latin-American dishes. Patrons can look forward to items such as mofongo {a classic Puerto Rican dish}, Cuban sandwiches, vegetarian options, and even a kids menu. Changó Kitchen is also serving up traditional Latin desserts — tres leches, flan, and more are available for your sweet-tooth fix.
And let’s not forget brunch {as if that was possible}. The menu boasts huevos rancheros, tamaleros, enchiladas verdes, churrasquero, and more, accompanied by your fave bottle of vino for a refreshing pitcher of sangria. The owners want to create a truly welcoming environment that feels like home {or a fun trip south}, and told us, “We want to extend a warmer climate than ever and let our guests feel on vacation when they visit us.”
Local Deals
Patrons can enjoy lunch specials Monday-Friday from 11:00AM-3:00PM priced between $4-$12 and hospital, healthcare workers, and frontliners can also get 10% off as a thank you for their service during these times.
Plus, if you follow Changó Kitchen on Instagram @changokitchen_official, you can get 10% off your next meal. Changó Kitchen is open Sunday-Thursday from 11:00AM-10:00PM, Friday and Saturday from 11:00AM-11:00PM and brunch is served 11:00AM-3:00PM Saturday and Sunday. Reservations are recommended for outdoor seating, but walk-ins are always welcome. Don’t forget to tell them we sent you!
This post is sponsored by Chango Kitchen.
