El Castillo De Jagua 2

"This Lower East Side standby, open at 8 a.m. every morning for breakfast, is a bastion of Dominican food, with regular diner classics like burgers, two-egg breakfasts, and sirloins with mushroom sauce thrown in. Nevertheless, the emphasis is still on homestyle island fare, including shrimp mofongo, chicharrons de pollo, and arroz con gandules. But the decor is pure diner, sporting a lunch counter lined with twirling stools." - Melissa McCart, Robert Sietsema

"Dominican restaurants used to be a predominant feature of Lower East Side dininig — and El Castillo is one of the few remaining, but luckily one of the best. Not only does it offer a classic Cuban sandwich, but it one ups that sainted formula with a Dominican sandwich, which flies paper Dominican flags. Fricasseed chicken and pork roast pernil also totally up to snuff, and the setting is diner-like and comfortable." - Robert Sietsema, Eater Staff

"Nothing is quite like the classic Dominican breakfast at this Lower East Side mainstay. Reflecting the diverse culinary roots of the island republic, it features a belt-busting combination of elements including two eggs your way, slices of fried salami and fried Dominican cheese, and pickled purple onions atop the center of attention: mangu, a mash of plantains — all for $12." - Eater Staff

"It’s possible you’ve spent far too much of your life not ordering from El Castillo De Jagua 2. It’s time to change that. There are two locations of this Caribbean restaurant (hence the number 2), but the spot on Grand Street has more lunch options. Get a big pile of mofongo, or a platter with pernil, rice, and red beans. Sure, after consuming heaps of pork and fried green plantains, you may not want to work for the rest of the day. But you never wanted to in the first place. We haven’t been here yet, but want you to know this spot exists." - Team Infatuation

"The Dominican lunch counter is a Lower East Side classic, and El Castillo is one of its most distinguished representatives. Steam-table dishes rotate on a daily basis and include the garlicky roast pork pernil, the chicken stew called pollo guisado, and for organ lovers, a tripe soup called mondongo, but there are many made-to-order dishes, too. For the budget minded a Cuban sandwich is just the thing." - Robert Sietsema