Before Hola Island Provisions, there was The Campus Grille. And if you ever ate with us back in Berea, OH, you probably tried our legendary Mofongo — golden fried plantains mashed with garlic, chicharrón, and island spice.
Mofongo wasn’t just another plate on the menu. It was the dish people came back for, the one that connected Cleveland to Puerto Rico. Today, we’re bringing it home to your kitchen — complete with our Puerto Rican Garlic Marinade for that bold, authentic kick.
The History of Mofongo
Mofongo traces back to African fufu, adapted in Puerto Rico with green plantains, Spanish olive oil, and Indigenous Taíno influence. What began as survival food became one of Puerto Rico’s most iconic comfort dishes — hearty, smoky, and unforgettable.
At Campus Grille, our stuffed mofongo bowls became our #1 seller, bridging tradition with a Cleveland twist.
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🛒 Ingredients:
For the Mofongo:
• 4 green plantains
• 3 cloves garlic, minced (or 1 tbsp Hola Puerto Rican Garlic Marinade)
• ½ cup pork cracklings (chicharrón)
• ½ cup olive oil
• Salt + black pepper to taste
• Optional Filling: shrimp, pernil, or roasted chicken
Make-Ahead Garlic Oil (for drizzling):
• 2 tbsp Hola Puerto Rican Garlic Marinade
• 3 cups olive oil
• 1 tsp Spanish paprika
• Salt + freshly ground pepper
Whisk and rest overnight, store in a squeeze bottle.
🥣 Instructions:
1. Prep the plantains: Peel and cut into 1-inch chunks.
2. Fry until golden: Heat oil and fry until crisp outside, tender inside.
3. Mash it up: In a pilón, mash fried plantains with garlic, pork cracklings, and a splash of garlic oil.
4. Shape and serve: Form into a round mound or scoop into a bowl.
• Campus Grille style: Press the mofongo into a bowl and stuff with slow-roasted pernil for the ultimate throwback.
5. Finish with garlic oil: Drizzle generously and top with shrimp, pork, or chicken.
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🌴 Why We Love It
Mofongo tells a story of heritage, resilience, and bold flavor. At Campus Grille, it was our best seller, the one that made people say: “I didn’t know plantains could taste like this.” Now with Hola Island spices, you can recreate that same experience in your own kitchen.
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🔥 Pairs Perfectly With
Classic Puerto Rican Habichuelas (Beans)
Spicy Jamaican Fried Chicken
Cuban Steak with Fresh Chimichurri
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🌴 Take It Further with Hola Island
This recipe comes to life with our Puerto Rican Garlic Marinade — small batch, no dyes, gluten-free, and packed with real Caribbean flavor.
Find it in 45+ stores around Ohio or order online at holaisland.com.
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📸 Share Your Mofongo!
We’d love to see your version of this Campus Grille classic. Tag us @HolaIslandProvisions and use #HolaIslandEats — we might feature your dish on our page!