BuenoBite Comes to Western Puerto Rico with a Simple Idea: Save Food and Discover New Businesses

What happens to food that a restaurant, bakery, or other food business does not expect to sell, even though it is still in excellent condition?

That question is at the heart of BuenoBite, an app that connects consumers with restaurants, bakeries, and other food businesses that have surplus food they want to sell at a reduced price through what BuenoBite calls Surprise Bags.

The concept is designed to benefit both sides. Businesses can generate additional revenue and introduce themselves to new customers, while consumers can get good food at at least 60% off and discover places they may not have known about.

To learn more about the project, we spoke with its creators, Thais and Dray, who recently moved to Puerto Rico and are working to expand BuenoBite, including its presence in the western region.

How Did BuenoBite Get Started?

Thais and Dray come from the technology industry and already had their own company before moving to Puerto Rico.

Before moving to the island, they were familiar with platforms that let consumers purchase surplus food from businesses at discounted prices. After settling in Puerto Rico, they noticed that there was not a similar option available here.

They saw an opportunity to bring the concept to the island.

As they explain, BuenoBite made sense for Puerto Rico because it could give businesses a way to earn additional income from food that might otherwise go unsold, while also helping reduce food waste.

That is how BuenoBite got its start.

What Are BuenoBite’s Surprise Bags?

The concept is simple.

Participating businesses can list a Surprise Bag filled with surplus food that is still in good condition, but that the business does not expect to sell through its normal operations.

The exact contents of each bag can vary, which means consumers find out what is inside when they pick it up.

The bags are sold at a reduced price, with a discount of at least 60%.

For consumers, the appeal goes beyond the savings. It is also a chance to discover new restaurants, bakeries, and other local businesses.

Someone might open the app looking for a Surprise Bag and end up discovering a business they have never visited before.

How Does BuenoBite Work for Consumers?

When users open the app, they can browse available Surprise Bags and see which ones have upcoming pickup times or are located near them.

They can also explore participating businesses, including businesses that have posted Surprise Bags in the past.

If they find a place they like, they can save it as a favorite and receive notifications when it posts again or when a Surprise Bag becomes available in their area.

After making a purchase, the consumer simply visits the business during the pickup window shown in the app.

The result is a combination of savings, discovery, and a different way to connect with local businesses.

What Businesses Can Participate in BuenoBite?

The platform is open to any type of food business, as long as it has the permits required for its type of business and location in Puerto Rico.

That can include restaurants, bakeries, and other businesses that work with food.

There is also no cost to join BuenoBite.

For businesses, the platform can provide a way to turn some of their surplus food into additional revenue while reaching people who may not have visited the business before.

Businesses interested in participating can register through the BuenoBite website or reach out through its social media channels and WhatsApp.

BuenoBite Is Looking to Grow in Western Puerto Rico

Expanding into western Puerto Rico is one of the project’s next steps.

Thais and Dray told us they are working to bring more businesses onto the platform throughout the region, particularly in Mayagüez.

One business in the area that is already part of BuenoBite is El Cucubano, which regularly posts Surprise Bags on the platform.

The goal is to continue adding restaurants, bakeries, and other businesses throughout the region so consumers have more options to choose from.

For What’s Up Rincón, this growth is particularly interesting because it connects with two things that are important to our community: supporting local businesses and finding new ways to make use of food that has already been produced.

A Special Connection to the West

Although Thais and Dray recently moved to Puerto Rico and do not yet have family connections in the west, the region already held a special place among their favorite parts of the island.

Before moving here, they had the opportunity to visit Puerto Rico, explore some of its beaches, and experience a bioluminescent bay.

Those experiences made the west one of the regions they enjoyed most during their visits.

Now, they hope to share the region with their families when they come to Puerto Rico.

A Simple Idea with Room to Grow

BuenoBite starts with a situation that many food businesses face: they may have food they do not expect to sell, even though it is still perfectly good.

The idea is to connect that surplus with people who are willing to discover what is available, pay less, and try new businesses.

For businesses, that can mean an opportunity to generate additional revenue and attract new customers. For consumers, it means getting food at a discount while discovering new places. And for both, it offers another way to make use of food that has already been produced.

As BuenoBite continues expanding throughout Puerto Rico, bringing more businesses in the west onto the platform could give consumers even more opportunities to discover local restaurants and other food businesses through a Surprise Bag.

If you want to see which businesses are participating and check out the Surprise Bags currently available, search for BuenoBite in your app store.

Businesses interested in participating can register with BuenoBite or get in touch through @buenobitepr or WhatsApp at 787-367-0152.