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Posts from the ‘Latin American’ Category

Empanadas del Parque

Definitely the best of the bunch of empanada places I tried for a New York Post article. The
empanadas were made with care and delicacy. And while they get a little
creative with fillings–banana and Nutella or ham and pineapple–they don't
go overboard with novelty. Plus, they have a freezer case filled with
amazing fresh fruit helados.


Empanadas del Parque *
56-27 Van Doren St., Corona, NY

Papa’s Empanadas

1/2

Papa's was by far the craziest of all the empanada places I visited for a New York Post
article
. They're needlessly multicultural with pastries dubbed Polish
(sauerkraut and kielbasa), Lebanese (ground beef, pine nuts, tomatoes) and
of course, USA (apples and cinnamon). The owner said it's his wife who comes
up with all the wacky flavors like cheeseburger and peanut butter and
banana, a.k.a The Elvis. I would totally go here all the time if it were in
my neighborhood. Carroll Gardens is pretty humorless when it comes to
dining. (7/30/05)


Papa’s Empanadas
* 25-51 Steinway St., Astoria, NY

Pollo Campero

Closed: hmm, that was short lived. (7/05)

I think Pollo Campero is meant to mean more to homesick Central Americans than run of the mill North Americans. Though, an appreciation of fried chicken is practically universal. I'd heard about travelers smuggling Pollo Campero chicken on planes from Guatemala to loved ones in the States, so I figured it must be something worth checking out. And I was especially convinced since I always have a soft spot in my heart for businesses in my old neighborhood, Sunset Park. (Their first NYC location was in Corona, but I don't get out that way very frequently.)

The sunny orange-and-yellow color scheme and pot-bellied bird logo were more than enough to entice me. But I was also fascinated by a fast food menu that listed horchata and flan. The chicken is pretty much fried chicken. The coating is light and not heavily seasoned, and I sort of prefer a thicker, crispy crust. Sides include rice, tostones and chili-spiked, meaty, soupy beans (my choice) and of course starchy classics french fries and mashed potatoes. The salsa bar with red, green and a deeper red smoky mystery condiment (my personal favorite—chipotle? tomato?) was a nice touch.

I hate to say it because the concept and even the execution of Pollo Campero is alluring, but its probably not worth going out of your way for their fried chicken. But definitely do stop in if you happen to be near a location—I hear Spanish Harlem is next on their list (do they still say Spanish Harlem or has that gone the way of Alphabet City).

Pollo Campero * 4506 Fifth Ave., Brooklyn, NY

Cafe Con Leche

1/2 I don't care how many Seinfeld reruns I see, the Upper West Side scares me. I know that's not a fair assessment of this restaurant. In fact, my cubano was perfectly fine. It's just that I feel out of sorts when I'm in this neck of the woods, and even numerous bottles of Negro Modelo won't help. But if I'm ever attending a Christmas performance in the west 80s by my boyfriend's coworker's choir, I wouldn't be averse to popping in for some pernil.

Caf Con Leche * 424 Amsterdam Ave., New York, NY