ARP dollars in Action: Dina’s Authentic Dominican Kitchen

Story by: Michael Outlaw, Community Liaison, City of Erie | Photos by: Monica Z. Gustin, Digital Media and Design Specialist, City of Erie

The moment you open the doors of Erie’s Flagship City Food Hall, you will be greeted with the subtle, authentic culinary aromas of the Dominican Republic: Pollo guisado (stewed chicken), cerdo guisado (stewed pork), and carne de res guisado (stewed beef). All of these are great when paired with rice and beans, or green pigeon peas.

Dina’s Authentic Dominican Kitchen owner Dina Csir, at front, serves food with fellow cook Juan Christians, at back, at the downtown Erie Flagship City Food Hall, 22 N Park Row, on April 11, 2023. MONICA Z. GUSTIN/CITY OF ERIE

For those with a sweet tooth, make sure to try the flan carmel custard cake, dulce de coco (coconut candy), or arroz con leche (rice pudding). These Dominican delicacies all can be experienced at Dina’s Authentic Dominican Kitchen.

“If anyone asks where to eat,” said owner Dina Csir, “Just say, ‘Vamos Donde Dina’s.’”

Dina Csir, 32, was born and raised in Hato Mayor Del Rey, Dominican Republic. She met her husband John while he was on a missionary trip there in 2012. They married in her hometown in 2013, and eventually moved to Erie, where John is from, to start their business and raise their three children. “Erie is where we have chosen to call home,” said John.

Dina and John Csir, owners of Dina’s Authentic Dominican Kitchen, stand outside of their space in the downtown Erie Flagship City Food Hall, 22N Park Row, on April 11, 2023. Dina Csir, 32, was born and raised in Hato Mayor Del Rey, Dominican Republic where she met her husband in 2012 while he was visiting for a missionary trip. They later married in her hometown in 2013, and eventually moved to Erie. MONICA Z. GUSTIN/CITY OF ERIE

Dina said her passion for cooking traditional dishes came from watching her madre (mother) and abuelita (grandmother). As a child, she remembers family, friends, and neighbors gathering around the kitchen table to eat; even strangers felt like family.

But now, as a small business owner, resources are limited. Thanks to a $2,500 American Rescue Plan (ARP) grant from the City of Erie, Dina was able to purchase necessary kitchen equipment, including calderos, which are the type of pot used to cook most of Dina’s authentic Dominican food.

“If you have a dream, work hard, and go for it.”
Dina Cisr, co-owner of Dina’s Authentic Dominican Kitchen

Dina’s Authentic Dominican Kitchen owner Dina Csir lifts caldero lid, a pot with raised sides used to braise meats, and cook rice and beans, at the downtown Erie Flagship City Food Hall on April 11, 2023. The calderos had to be specialty ordered from Cleveland. Csir used ARP funds from the City of Erie to purchase some of these pots.

The Csirs also used the ARP funds to broaden their market outreach through billboards, social media, and online advertising. Dina said that outreach helped to draw travelers to Erie from cities like Buffalo, and as far away as the West Coast.

Dina’s Authentic Dominican Kitchen owner Dina Csir serves food with fellow cook Juan Christians at the Flagship City Food Hall in downtown Erie, PA on April 11, 2023.

Dina and John are thankful for the community’s continued support and their customer’s love for authentic Dominican food.

Dina’s restaurant journey hasn’t always been easy, but she has persevered.

“If you have a dream,” she said, “Work hard, and go for it.”

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