It seems like I’ve been doing this for so long that I’ve covered all the old time spots, but that is so far from true.
While I’ve been to El Castillo de Jagua, the Dominican gem in the heart of the Lower East Side, I’ve never written about it on these pages. I think I must have first visited there long before I started writing about food. I’ve stopped by since, but amazingly had never had one of their most iconic dishes. The traditional Dominican breakfast known as Mangú.
I first took the plunge when developing the Lower East Side Food Tour for Devour tours and I’m kicking myself that I hadn’t sung its praises sooner.
For those not familiar with the hearty, traditional Dominican dish, mangú is almost like mashed potatoes, but made with plantains. It’s chunky, buttery, and just a bit sweet. It’s almost always topped with tangy pickled red onions.
And then things get interesting when you decide how many “glopes” or “hits” you would like to pair with the mangú. In my mind, you have to get both the squeaky fried cheese (known as Queso de Frier) and the meaty salty fried Dominican salami. Unless you’re vegetarian or watching your cholesterol, those are non-negotiable.
Then you could certainly add a fried egg or some avocado to balance things out.
This is hearty diner-like Dominican food and a true taste of New York and the Lower East Side. It’s a must-try to say you’ve tasted New York food. And so sorry that I’m only telling you about it now. Price: $7-$12
