Authentic Puerto Rican Eatery Opens on West Dedham Street

A new Puerto Rican restaurant has officially opened in the South End. 

Vejigante Restaurant, which serves authentic Puerto Rican cuisine, opened on West Dedham Street on July 19th in the spot that used to house Don Ricardo's, a Peruvian and Brazilian restaurant, according to the Boston Business Journal. 

The restaurant will serve lunch and dinner, and include traditional Puerto Rican fare as well as other Puerto-Rican inspired dishes. 

"It combines authentic Puerto Rican cuisine by Cordon Bleu trained Chef Randy Muñoz and traditional décor to indulge both your sense of taste and sight," says a description on the new restaurant's Facebook page. 

Behind the new restaurant venture are Hector and Nivia Piña, who own Merengue, a long-time successful Dominican restaurant in Roxbury. 

The restaurant is named after a vejigante,  a clown-like character in Puerto Rican festival celebrations. 

The hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Sunday - Wednesday, and 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.