El Gran Castillo De Jagua 🇩🇴

"El Gran Castillo de Jagua feels like a true neighborhood spot—on the menu, for example, the asopao is called “soupy rice,” which sounds like one of those things a regular called it once, and it just stuck. The Prospect Heights staple has served breakfast, lunch, and dinner since 1983, and it works for any of those meals. In the morning, order mangu with queso frito, and at lunch or dinner get a spread of roast chicken, mofongo with roast pork, and of course, that soupy rice. " - willa moore, bryan kim, molly fitzpatrick, will hartman, sonal shah

"Where else were you going to get rice, beans, and pernil for less than $10? Affordable meats, like carne guisada and rotisserie chicken are available at this local institution with fried plantains and other sides at bargain prices. You can order takeout from the steam table at the back of the restaurant, or sit down for a full meal in the dining room." - Eater Staff

"The Dominican food at El Gran Castillo de Jagua rivals what you’ll find in Washington Heights and Inwood. The menu is enormous, with mofongo, fried fish, juicy rotisserie chicken, and pernil that tastes like it was cooked in its own flavorful pork fat for days. Come here for dinner on a casual weeknight and watch whichever sport they’re playing on the TV, or for their special sancocho on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays." - Bryan Kim, Hannah Albertine, Nikko Duren

"After fans mourned that this Dominican spot would be shuttering after losing its lease last December, the neighborhood fixture thankfully returned just a few months later. Steam trays are filled with chicken, plantains, yellow rice, and beans: It’s easy to be full enough without spending more than $10 on fuel." - Eater Staff

"Neighborhood staple El Gran Castillo de Jagua announced its permanent closure last week, concluding a 34-year run in Prospect Heights. “We are sad to inform you that after thirty-four years, El Gran Castillo de Jagua will be closing its doors after losing our lease,” owner Sergio Olivio shared in a post on Facebook. The beloved Dominican restaurant closed once before in 2013, after losing its lease at its previous location on the corner of Flatbush Avenue and Park Place." - Emma Orlow