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El Castillo de Jagua

Latin American Restaurant and Caribbean Restaurant$$$$

Lower East Side, New York

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8.2^/10

123

ratings

Ranked #4 for Latin American restaurants in New York
"Simple rice and beans."(4 Tips)
"REAL HIDDEN GEM! Get the chulent."(3 Tips)
"quick bite and a deal try the best cubano in the city."(8 Tips)
"The baked chicken is so tender I started tearing up 😋"(4 Tips)

49 Tips and reviews

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Cuban sandwiches
chulent
beef stew
best dominican
rice and beans
daily specials
hidden gem
baked chicken
fried plantains
great value
good for a quick meal
authentic
meats
good for groups
family-friendly
casual
coffee
pork
mofongo
inexpensive
(15 more)

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WILLIAM COOPERFebruary 19, 2018
Everything here is awesome. My softball team (pictured) comes here a lot after games. The chulent is incredible. Better than my own mother's. Your mother too. Arroz con pollo siempre!
Dory MintzDecember 3, 2017
Came here because we heard rave reviews about the platanos, but this place has EVERYTHING. I view the waitresses, not as friends, but as family. This place is a gem!!!
Upvoted Mar 13
Z NobOctober 22, 2017
Amazing hidden spot. Look at the happy customers in that picture. GET THE MOFONGO, so good, so cheap. This is mamish amazing. Everything is great!!!
Josh AgusDecember 30, 2017
Brought three friends for their first experience- And I quote: “best Dominican food South of Houston.” “Can’t get enough cheese empanada.” “Please send more beans.”
Josh AgusDecember 3, 2017
The chulent is to die for! One of the best hidden gems in the lower east side.
Z NobNovember 19, 2017
REAL HIDDEN GEM! Get the chulent. I love this place. You can’t beat the vibes.
Etan GrosingerJanuary 4, 2018
THE CHICKEN SOUP IS AMAZING. So hearty. I love this place. Best service. Real authentic family feel
Mike FriedmanDecember 25, 2015
Refreshingly unpretentious, no-frills Dominican grub spot in the LES. "Small" 1/4 Baked Chicken is served wiith a mountain of yellow rice and beans for ~$7 and will send you home with leftovers.
Robert MOctober 9, 2013
Good Dominican food til midnight, daily specials, but Camaron-fongo is where it's at. Monfongo (smashed fried plantain) with camarones (shrimp ) with a garlic sauce hit the spot
Chaplain MontalvoApril 18, 2019
Been here 25+ times
The Beef Stew is Awesome! The one dish specials are also good for a fast lunch. Sandwiches are just plain good!
Serious EatsApril 25, 2013
At just $5, you'll be hard pressed to find a better Cuban sandwich in the Lower East Side.
Untapped CitiesJuly 20, 2012
After the cast of 'How To Make it in America' began eating here between takes, the restaurant was soon transformed into a filming location. Find out more: Read more
Tori GrantMarch 25, 2018
Only thing better than the empanadas here are the mammmis. Rated by Pianko himself a whopping “TENOUTOFTEN”!
Dan PyatetskyJanuary 26, 2020
Great whole chicken, enjoyed the pernil too.
Kimmie OhhDecember 2, 2019
Their daily specials are delicious! Get their pernil!
The MaharlikansMarch 24, 2013
get the beef stew and mofongo, but for a quick bite and a deal try the best cubano in the city.
Dylan OusleyJuly 24, 2014
Been here 5+ times
Half chicken with rice and beans, can't go wrong. Cafe con leche for desert.
Jeffrey EngJuly 22, 2012
Been here 5+ times
Get the morir soñando - it's like a creamsicle milkshake! Also, they make a damn good Cuban sandwich
Terry SonMarch 18, 2014
Get the cubano and maybe a side of fried plantains if you're feeling naughty.
Heidi BSeptember 13, 2013
I had the lunch special - every day $6.50- today i had the pork
Raúl JimenezMay 30, 2015
After many years the food is still good. Might need a face lift and the bathroom needs a little more attention
Z NobDecember 6, 2017
Simple rice and beans. Vegetarian dream.
Yuri VictorDecember 7, 2019
Daily special plates are always good.
Dan ScavoneAugust 11, 2018
Been here 10+ times
Haven’t had a bad dish yet. The Spanish coffee is rocket fuel!!
Jake SinsheimerSeptember 1, 2014
Been here 5+ times
Pre-buttered bread is legitimately definitive
Katie EytchDecember 15, 2015
The baked chicken is so tender I started tearing up 😋
Samantha KaleemMarch 22, 2019
Been here 25+ times
Everything is good here. 🤤🤤
Miguel SenquizJune 30, 2011
One of the only spots in Manhattan to get a real Cuban sandwich
Gerald SotoOctober 12, 2011
Been here 10+ times
Great place for Slow Carb Dieters. 4 hour Body. But choose, choose wisely.
Neky RomeroAugust 18, 2014
Been here 50+ times
One of the homie spots. Cheap eats
Sherina DavisAugust 12, 2014
Lunch specials and sandwiches
Cesar R.August 11, 2011
Been here 5+ times
Homemade beef stew with rice and beans for $6? Sure
Gayle FuguittAugust 1, 2017
Been here 5+ times
All, plus service
Jen DigneyAugust 22, 2013
Get the mofongo! "It looks like cat food but its good"
Drizzy DreaApril 17, 2014
Oxtails tasted very tomato-y and rather spicy for my liking....not puerto rican abuela style...do not recommend :(
Arthur T.April 10, 2013
Cubanos are great here!!
Amanda TheilerApril 28, 2015
cuban sandwich $5
Braulio MotusJuly 25, 2011
Back of the menu has great combination plates.
John SpaldingAugust 4, 2013
Awful. Just awful. Cool was handling breakfast meat with his bare hands. And that's *not* what she said! Got charged more than the menu price. Seriously?
Gerald SotoAugust 29, 2011
Been here 10+ times
Sit at the counter for best service.
Kathy LienAugust 22, 2013
Mofunga is great!
AjaApril 17, 2010
Order a nice chilled glass of red wine. Refreshing! :-|
Chantae VetriceFebruary 26, 2012
Been here 5+ times
Best Dominican & Cuban food...
Carlo MirasolJanuary 16, 2012
Tres leches is sublime
Alex FriasJanuary 23, 2013
Don't come in a hurry.
FoodspottingDecember 9, 2010
Try the Baked Chicken
Richard SarrachAugust 20, 2011
Cubano sandwich
KaHeeOctober 16, 2011
Baked chicken was mehhhh
Jose JimenezJanuary 27, 2011
Mofongo. Yes.

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El Castillo de Jagua

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