El Castillo De Jagua

Amazing authentic Dominican food! I was nervous to bring my bf here as he was born and raised in the DR and can be so judgemental of food. We both absolutely loved it. Everything had so much flavor. It was so good! A really nice atmosphere and the service was great.

lovely old school diner me and aru were wondering around hungry and we went here because it looks so lovely perfect sweet details the sign outside is so gorgeous and the food was homey and tasty dragging our sleepy bones back home now after a long hangover day at the cinema x

I’ve tried mofongo at countless places, but this restaurant is simply unmatched! The flavors are rich, authentic, and absolutely unforgettable. The plantains were perfectly mashed, with just the right amount of garlic and seasoning. The portions are generous, and each bite bursts with mouthwatering goodness. The ambiance is warm and inviting, making it the perfect spot for a relaxed and enjoyable meal. The staff is friendly and attentive, ensuring a fantastic dining experience from start to finish. If you’re craving the best mofongo in the city, look no further—this place is a must-visit! Five stars without a doubt!

Delicious! truly stunning! My first bite of this chicken made me feel like I had been transported back to my abuelitas kitchen rest her soul 🥹 prices are fair, portions are huge, everyone who works there is kind, the food is amazing, what more could you want?

AMAZINGGGG!!! Their Cuban sandwich is a must have. It’s amazingly good. The empanada was really good and their batidas (Papaya) is one of the best I’ve had (literally)

Great food, service, amazing waiting time (zero), and spacious. Mercedes D. was super nice, helpful and friendly!

The food was terrific! Great portions and a lot of flavor, this is the place to go if you want top tier Spanish food. In particular I recommend going for both the flan and leche cake for dessert. Too good to pass up

Wasn’t horrible wasn’t my favorite either. Some items seemed to be lacking flavor, thought they could do better. Side vegetables were also not fresh and they gave u too many. Chicarran was alright, mofongo was my favorite. Fried plantains def not the best. Server did forget two of our orders which I thought were just taking a while but we were full so not a big deal to me. Food also seemed to be lukewarm and turned cold quickly.

The waitress Mercedes is an amazing worker very attentive to what customers need at all times. She is the best.

Mercedes is WONDERFUL!!! BUT, the food is a bit pricey, and what bothers me the most is a waitress by the name of Maribel. EVERY single time I go with coworkers, she has the STANK face. In other words, rude and looks miserable to be working there. Somebody please help her.

This is a classic Dominican spot in the LES. I've been here on multiple occasions and the food is always on point. I got me the El Dominicano Sandwich and it was amazing. The bread was good. I like how they had the maduros in the sandwich. The queso frito added that salty cheesy taste. Pickled onions added that pickly taste and the sauce topped it off. Great sandwich. The pork was tough when I had it but I still enjoyed the sandwich and would definitely come back. FOOD REVIEW ON @jefeeatsss

Found this gem through TikTok. The dominicano sandwich is delicious and worth the hype. Savory and sweet. The chicharrones were crispy and warm. Mofongo delicious and authentic. Service: sandwiches are made to order and might take a little bit. I was here on a busy Saturday night and sat immediately Ambiance: feels like an authentic Dominican spot. Food is reasonable priced and everything is delicious.

I ordered from this place today at the last minute The food was okay. There was a barely any meat in my order and it also could've used some more salt. They didn't send any utensils which was disappointing. Clearly I don't want to do dishes which is why I ordered out. Other than that everything else was okay.

Everything was AWESOME!! Went with friends and had a few different dishes. First off, we had the Don Miguel a seafood medley in a mild garlic sauce, the calamari was perfectly cooked, literally perfect! Included shrimp and scallops and served on a hot metal plate. You need this in your life! Pro tip: save some bread to dip in the sauce! Also on the table, Beef Stew, The Dominican Sandwich, Chicharones de Pollo, Maduros, Rice and Beans for all. We also had Paypaya Shakes. There's a reason they've stood the test of time and they're in the "trendy LES". Old school no frills decor (love it!) and SUPER sweet wait staff. Much Bueno!!

I've been a customer of this establishment for years. The food, service and prices are all solid! This place is great.

OMG OMG OMG Ok now this should be a crime to have food this spectacular sold in the city and for the price my lord you can't go wrong. Wanna talk authentic?! yeah well you found it. You can easily compare but why would you,? Try this instead close your eyes and let the aroma bring you back to your grandmother/mother's kitchen. There a reason your reading this review come on :-) just sit back and enjoy the great service and family feel good vibes. Great food, great service and now you're part of the family. Welcome

DELICIOUS This soup saved my life and tasted like my grandma made it The rice was soft and flavorful The beans were wet and delish The avocado was super fresh This came in handy for my hangover! 10/10 I want to go back to NYC just for this

The food here is affordable, generous, and so tasty - what's not to love! If you haven't had Dominican/Cuban food, it's farther from Mexican food than you'd think but so hearty and filling and with really easy to love flavors. The dining area is quite spacious with plenty of indoor tables, as well as a counter in the back where regulars seem to like chatting with the staff. The staff does disproportionately stick to the back, but it's not hard to get the attention of a server when you need it. They DO accept card now unlike previously reported! I recently came with a group, and our table started with an order of tostones which were crispy and already quite filling. We also received complimentary crispy buttered bread which was a nice surprise. However, be warned that if you do get any appetizers or even snack on the bread, the entrees are so big that you might have a lot to take home! My main dish was the weekend special of sancocho, a super filling chicken and pork stew that was literally filled to the brim. The flavor is really meaty and well-seasoned without anything that could put anyone off (not spicy or sour or bitter at all, just very comforting). It also comes with a plate of fluffy white rice to bulk it up, not that it needs it AT ALL. My friends' entrees were also similarly huge and we each ate like half our entrees before we were stuffed. I've also had the yummy mofongo (like a denser mashed potato but made with plantains and meat) served with a thick and meaty broth kind of like birria consomme. Their orange and guanabana shakes are deliciously fruity and creamy, which can help cut the meatiness and carb-ness of the meals here, and are also filled way to the brim of the cup! With such good food and portions for the price, I'd absolutely be a regular if I lived close by - I don't unfortunately, but still can't wait for any excuse to come again!

Service was friendly and quick, but the food? My, oh my. I had the most delicious sandwich, The Dominicano. SO SO good. I have a few dishes on my bucket list with this place so I will be back. I have to try the Cuban next, and those Ox Tails.

no frills, fairly priced and delicious Dominican food! i want to come back and try other options but it's hard not to gravitate towards the arroz con pollo. it's so simple but always hits the spot! they have daily specials but can run out so keep that in mind. the servers are helpful if you have any questions. the food comes out pretty quickly too! their takeout line seems super busy incase you're trying to place an order that way.

Really great authentic place! I got the pork chicharron cracklings - a decent portion with 4 large pieces. ($17) We also got the rice and pigeon peas as a side, as well as a side of maduros. I believe the sides were $4-5, and were also a great portion! I've also tried the rotisserie chicken and the pinto and black beans on separate occasions. I would definitely recommend, and will be back!

After seeing the sandwich pop up on TikTok and Instagram, had to come in to try the Dominican and it did not disappoint! The sandwich was excellent; perfectly seasoned and cooked. Service was quick and friendly but stopped coming by soon after we got our food.

I ordered chicken soup from here and it was really good. Portions are huge and the price is right! My soup came with a huge order of white rice and a large soup all for under $10. The bread that comes to the table is really good as well. I've missed pressed bread with butter since I've left miami. Def coming back for other dishes!

Their service sucked we went in at 8 and the server told us that the kitchen closes in 10 minutes which was ridiculous how do you tell a paying customer that first of all they made us make our order quickly we ordered the steak with peppers and rice and chicken with rice and beans it came the chicken breast which they charged on the receipt extra for was dry AF and the steak was mad chewy total waste of money and time never again and very unclean conditions. Didn't take pics cause there was nothing worth taking pics of. Period ....

This was a homecoming for a native LESer. The food was delicious and plentiful. Staff is friendly and attentive without being pesky. Recommend the pollo gisado. You cannot go wrong.

I went with some friends in the evening and we were turned away because it was close to their closing time. The counter personnel were rude and not nice.

Excellent food, cordial service, nice clean place to eat. The food was ready in a timely fashion.

Got this delivered for me and my two friends. I loveddd all the sides and my friends said they enjoyed the bistec salteado. Great plantains and yellow rice. I thought the shrimp Mofongo itself was ok, but the sauce and the shrimp were perfect! I really didn't enjoy the carne frita. They're bits of pork roasted. Loved the flavor but man was it difficult to eat

My cab driver recommended me to this place and I have to say , IT IS DELICIOUS / flavorful / pack with all kinds of goodness. It's so good , I went twice in one week and back to back . I'm here for work so if you're looking for places to eat , THIS IS A MUST !!!! I dipped my sandwich in the soup so it made every bite that much more amazing. I'm definitely going to be back here before I leave .

The beef empanadas from here are funny. It's literally an egg roll outside with salty ground beef inside. It's not a real empanada that's flakey bread-like on the outside that one would expect. Still decent for the price. The pork cracklings are also overpriced.

I came here last week for a quick bite and the food was great and service was super fast and sweet!

We had an 8:30 Open Table reservation and arrived on time. They told us the kitchen had already closed and would not accommodate us with no good reason. They just stood there saying no. I told them we came from far: took an Uber. It was Mother's Day. Still a rude no.

Good Dominican home cooking. No complaints. Fast service. The Carne guisada was tender, Cuban sandwich was good, rice beans and mofongo de pollo had good flavor but a tiny bit dry. I'd go back.

I used to love coming here. Then for some reason didn't for at least 10 years. How happy I was to find that almost nothing had changed. Still delicious, friendly, homey. Good service, too.

Best Diner In the Lower East Side! Great Food & Servic! Very Clean & the staff is very professional & courteou! would recommend them to anyone visiting the area!

I love this local Dominican Restaurant and apparently everyone else in the neighborhood loves them too because it's hard to get through to call in an order for delivery. They serve all the typical dishes but my favorite is anything that is deep fried because I hate getting my kitchen dirty. So I typically order chuleta, pernil, chicaharron, bistec, fried cheese, salami, fried eggs and so on. However, everything else is tasty. My absolute favorite people are Betzaida & Emily. They are two princesses in my eyes and they are on top of everything.

Comfort food at its best. I love the arroz con gandules and oxtail! It's my favorite Latin place in LES. We also love the mondongo soup but they didn't have it that day.

Great quaint Dominican restaurant. The service was fantastic and the prices were average. I had the Mangu with fried Dominican cheese, salami and egg along with a side of fried plantains, called maduros. The expresso with milk was a definitely a pick-me-up, great way to start the day!

Bad analogy- but I feel Jagua is like that long-standing Broadway play that either gets better with time- or slightly shifts with time. Let's be right on the money though- I think I have a say on this one and have been coming to Jagua on and off- for almost 20 years. During that time, things have changed, portions changed, as well as taste. But on plus side- they ditched the vinyl table covers for faux-wood table tops and "woven" neutral place mats. Don't get me wrong- Dominican food here isn't horrible at all. But it's enough for me to notice obvious differences- or maybe I'm just wishing for Dominican food- the way my Mom makes. With the ever-changing Lower East Side, high rises, chichi Lounges, yada yada yada- it's downright nice to see Castillo is STILL pumping out Dominican food after all these years. Hubby would come here on a daily when he lived in the LES in the late 80s- so I guess these guys are doing something right. Seems small, but Castillo has plenty table seating plus more at the counter. Go in and sit yourself with Merengue, Bachata, Perico Ripiao or Salsa always playing- so you're all good with the music. A few slips along the way, but really nothing to make me not want to return. Will brutally say though- it didn't dawn on me til midway our Lunch- that on my most recent visit with Mom and my hubby- Maduros I ordered, tasted like they've been fried using the same oil for other stuff (Chicken? Meat?- none I eat) and left most behind ;-(. Camarones Enchilados were substantial and good. Mom liked her Mofongo and my hubby always enjoys their double-broiled pork chops. FYI... Forget about all the other "Jagua" restaurants- this right here folks is king. Crowd? A real nice mix of cultures digging in plus prices are real damn good. Service? Very attentive but other times it lacks- so don't take insult if the all Dominican crew on deck isn't smiling ear-to-ear. Just come for the food.

This place is fucking disgusting and they are getting away with it. The rice Moro was burned and the smell that it emits is disgusting no human being should eat here. The bistec saltedo came with three pieces of meat and only a shid load of onions and peppers basically a vegan meal. This place sucks anyone around the area is better off eating a pizza slice.

Ordered from here hoping to get some good Dominican food and I was so disappointed. The food is not good, the fried chicken chunks were so gross and sloppy. Rice was mushy all pegao, the bistec encebollado was so thick and not good at all. To top it off It's expensive too. Never again!

I wanted to treat myself for my birthday and ordered from this place as I have done before. I was enjoying my food when I found a 4" inch piece of string in my rice and beans. I stopped eating after that. I won't be ordering from this restaurant again.

I ordered from here because I thought that maybe I've eaten at this place when I used to live in Gramercy. I ordered the T-bone steak with rice and pink beans, the short ribs with rice and peas, shrimp cocktail, and beef pastelito. The beef pastelito was good but slightly burnt. There was nothing special about it but the price is so low that it's worth it. The price for the shrimp cocktail (description says 8 shrimps) seemed abnormally low so I decided to give it a shot. The shrimp cocktail actually only had 5 shrimps in it which were very small. I wouldn't have minded if the description was correct. The other thing is they threw so much lettuce and tomato into the container which i don't think anyone cares about so it's just a waste. They also threw a lot of cocktail sauce onto the shrimp which sucks since I don't like much sauce when I dip it. The T-bone steak wasn't a T-bone, it was actually a sirloin tip steak. Not sure of all the seasonings that they put into it but it had a lot of vinegar in it I suppose to break it down and make it more tender since they weren't giving the proper cut. The steak was ok but the vinegar taste was annoying and tasted like they splashed it rather than let it sit to break it down because all of the vinegar taste was located right in the center. The short ribs were probably the best of all of the dishes. The meat was very tender and the sauce was good. I forgot to mention the beans... I was trying to scoop out beans to put on the rice and I couldn't find any. Eventually, I decided to drain all the liquid out to see if there were even any beans in the container? Here's what was in the container

If you're looking for something that's fair priced and on Uber eats for delivery. I would recommend this place. It's pretty fast and the food was delicious. The empanadas are good a little pricier Than it was worth but not bad. The queso frito was good too I think it was price fairly the Cuban sandwich was my favorite they toasted the bread beautiful.

Their prices have skyrocketed and the food is just ok nothing to rave about and pay $20.65 for a small plate of rice and beans with a small portion of pernil. Save your money and the trip to what use to be ok.

It doesn't look that impressive from the outside but man, do they serve delicious Latin cuisine (Dominican, Spanish). Inside it is spacious and plain, with a relaxed atmosphere. It would be nice if the AC was really working, as we went on a day that was way too hot and humid. After being seated, we were served complimentary lightly toasted and heavily buttered bread, which was delightfully soft and the melty butter was oh so tasty! The menu is extensive and includes daily specials which are served with rice and beans. I decided to get a steak sandwich ($6.50) and mix of tostones and maduros ($3.50). The steak sandwich was quite large and also came with thick cut french fries. The sandwich had plenty of steak, onion, lettuce, tomato and mayo. The steak was juicy and full of flavor. The bread, however was too tough. The french fries were fluffy and yummy. I really enjoyed the tostones and maduros. Most places one is better than the other, but here they were equally delicious and really gave a huge portion for this. There were more tostones than maduros. The tostones were a hearty size and nicely crispy on the outside with a soft interior. They tasted really good with the accompanying garlic oil sauce, which had a lovely strong garlic taste. The maduros were slightly caramelized and the perfect amount of sweetness. They were also very tender and melted in my mouth. The service was just okay. Our waitress didn't seem to understand English very well, so when I had a couple of questions about the menu, she couldn't answer them definitively and I was left wondering if she took down my order correctly. Thankfully, she did. Later I wanted to know what kind of cake was on the counter and tried asking several different employees at the counter, including the waitress and the hostess. I had to ask 3+ times before someone finally responded and when I asked for an opinion regarding the taste of the cake, the person didn't know. I opted against taking a slice home. Despite the less than satisfactory service, I would actually come back because the food was great and at a very reasonable price. I would like to try one of their main dishes (not just a sandwich) and uniquely flavored smoothies.

I ordered two Cuban sandwiches. Food was hot and good. The service was fast, no issue when I arrived to pick it up.

This is my childhood favorite Spanish restaurant in the Lower East Side. I've been coming here since I was a child and it never disappoints! The owner is usually present and he makes his effort to meet and greet everyone. The food is fresh and all diets are tailored too. If you're craving some Latino food, you should definitely consider this authentic hole in the wall. It's worth venturing out to for sure.

Very good food. the portions were decent. the pernil and rice was spot on. the pernil had tons of flavor. a good option to have if you're looking for Spanish food for a decent price.

I told my best friend that I wanted Spanish food and she suggested this place. We arrived around 6pm and it wasn't too busy in there. It's a Dominican joint. We looked over the daily specials from the steam table and chose the beef stew and Pernil. It was ready within minutes (beauty of ordering from the steam table) and we were on our way back to my friends place to feed her hubby and kids. The rice was on point, beans were cooked to perfection, beef stew was beef stew and the Pernil was juicy and not all dried up. This is comfort food to me. It was perfect and satisfying with plenty of left overs for a late night snack or breakfast the next morning. Everything came in separate tin containers and the beans came in a small plastic container. The price is also very decent for the amount of tasty food that you get. It's a no frills kind of place so you won't be paying $15 for a monfongo, you know.

My grandfather Jorge always loves to order from here. The food has always been amazing for the 6 decades he's lived in the lower east side. We still eat here together.

OMG, try this restaurant esp during Restaurant Week in NYC. Went there for lunch, the food was delicious! Had the Shrimp wontons fir a starter and the beef brisket/veggies over noodles. Just enough spice and terrific flavor. Our server, Jonny was friendly and professional, Mo, the Manger , came over and thanked us for visiting his restaurant. The expanded menu looked yummy.

The best Dominican food EVER. Must try their dominicano sandwich and boneless pork chops. They are to die for!

I threw out most of my meal because the food was so bad. Fried chicken - dry and flavorless. Empanadas - dry chicken and inedible gas station cheese. Black beans - mostly water. Really just an awful meal overall. It's very rare I give a one star review, let alone a one star review based on quality of food alone. I recommend you avoid this place.

Food was insanely good and the portions are huge! The staff is kind and sweet. Just a little in a rush but that's because they're busy, good for them! Environment is cute with good music. 10/10.

A classic cozy Dominican restaurant in the LES. I've been getting food from this location for many years. There's enough tables and seats by the counter if you choose to dine in. I usually stick to their ready hot food section. Chicken, beef stew, rice and beans, chicken soup etc. The food here is pretty tasty and their prices are very reasonable. You can get a quarter chicken with rice and beans or beef stew with rice and beans for $8. They will give you a good portion. The service here is good.

My family and I have ordered food from here for many MANY years. They never disappoint. Everything is tasty - our go to order is fried chicken chunks (with or without bones - both delicious) , red beans, and tostones (just thinking about it is making me hungry). Their sandwiches are delicious too - we have ordered their steak and Cuban sandwiches. If you eat in the restaurant their staff is very friendly and it is across the street from Economy Candy. I highly recommend El Castillo de Jagua and their second location on Grand street is just as tasty.