Danaiza Ortiz & Nelson Trinidad
What’s little, but makes a lot of noise?
El Coqui—both the tiny frog known for its loud chirps, and Harrisburg’s newest bar that may be small, but is causing a buzz downtown.
Owner Nelson Trinidad hoped that would be true of his bar and grill, which opened in November on S. 4th Street, near the train station. The name is symbolic of the small, but mighty nature of the business, but also represents a piece of his Puerto Rican culture that a native will easily recognize. El Coqui is a frog indigenous to the country.
So when a Puerto Rican sees the little green guy on the large sign out front, they’ll know they’re about to get a taste of home, Trinidad explained. But if the frog isn’t enough of a sign, there’s also a large picture of old San Juan by the front door.
When you visit El Coqui, you’ll likely be greeted by Danaiza Ortiz, who helps run the business. She loves chatting up customers and making sure that everyone who steps through the door feels welcome.
The bar looks dramatically different than it used to, as Trinidad invested months into renovating the space, which was Pints Bar and Grill. It now has a brighter, more modern feel.
Trinidad was born in New York, but was raised and lived most of his life in Puerto Rico, his mother’s homeland, before moving to Pennsylvania. Since he was a kid, Trinidad dreamed of owning his own business. He was inspired by both of his enterprising parents. His father owns a restaurant in the Dominican Republic, and his mother owned a bodega on Derry Street.
“I feel happy,” said Trinidad, with Ortiz providing interpretation. “It’s a mission accomplished.”
El Coqui offers authentic Puerto Rican dishes and drinks. On the menu are cultural staples like mofongo, fried and mashed plantains, and arroz mamposteao, Puerto Rican rice and beans. From the bar, customers can order a piña colada or a Medalla beer, both popular on the Caribbean island.
Even the music in the bar is Puerto Rican. Trinidad and Ortiz want their customers to feel at home.
“We want people to feel like they’re back home in a little bar,” Ortiz said.
On Friday and Saturday nights, El Coqui turns up the music for late-night dancing, often with a DJ onsite. Customers can reserve VIP seating areas, sit at the bar or salsa the night away.
Customer Stephanie Purcell, originally from Puerto Rico, has lived in the Harrisburg area for six years. She’s found maybe one or two other local Puerto Rican restaurants, but none that also offers nightlife. She loved the atmosphere at El Coqui and the opportunity to meet others from her home country.
“I feel like I’m home,” she said. “It’s my food and my people.”
There are many people who, even after only a few months, have become regulars, Ortiz explained. Customers have even come from surrounding cities like Lancaster and York. She and Trinidad have loved watching people find a sense of home and community at their bar, something that can be hard sometimes.
“You feel like you have a piece of back home, some place that they speak the same language, and it’s the food that you know,” Trinidad said.
El Coqui Bar & Grill is located at 25 S. 4th St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit their Facebook page.
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