Punta Cana Expands Its Brand Of Modern Dominican Food

Rockville Centre, NY — The owner of Punta Cana Grill, a Dominic fast casual eatery, is on a mission to bring Dominican food and culture to a wider audience on Long Island. Jon Romero opened his first Dominican grill in Westbury, then opened a second restaurant in Huntington Village. Now he's expanded to Rockville Centre — Punta Cana opened two weeks ago at 1 N. Park Avenue.

“I'm trying to bring Dominican culture and food to places where there isn’t Dominican food," Romero told Patch. The 30-year-old sole owner says that although he's strongly rooted in Dominican culture, he also wants to modernize Dominican eateries by bringing them into the digital age: he's focusing on online ordering, using third-party delivery services and has made an app for Punta Cana.

The fast casual lunch and dinner spot offers build your own bowls, with a range of protein and vegetarian options. There are also grilled meat plates, combo platters and salads. Romero says they will soon start serving wine and beer, including the classic Dominican Presidente brand. The eatery will stay open late on Friday and Saturday nights, serving empanadas and desserts until 2 a.m.

The reception has been positive so far, he said, with a lot of positive reviews and repeat customers. The Westbury resident says he plans to expand westward on Long Island and hopefully into the tri-state area in the next couple of years.

Everywhere he opens a restaurant, however, Romero focuses on educating the local customers about Dominican food and culture.

"Our goal is to get everyone to taste our food and learn about our culture."