Before I get started, here’s an analogy to how I feel about Castillo De Jagua. Brad Pitt was originally married to Jennifer Aniston. They were Hollywood’s darlings. The world thought it would last forever. But things don’t work that way in Tinsel Town. Pitt signs up to do the movie “Mr. And Mrs. Smith” and meets Angelina Jolie. At some point during the shoot they fall in love and Brad Pitt falls out-of love with Jennifer Aniston.  Pitt must believe that Jolie is the TRUE love of his life and they live happily ever after.

Now what does this have to do with a random Dominican restaurant in Brooklyn? Well, think of it this way. I have an obsession with Mexican food and have for all my life. Other cuisines are fabulous, but none have a held a candle, in my eye, to Mexican. That is until the day I tried TRUE Dominican food at Castillo De Jagua.

For the lack of a better term, Castillo De Jagua would be considered a “hole in the wall”. Nothing fancy whatsoever about the decor, tables, menu, look, etc. The place has stature and return customers just based on the food itself.

First off, this place knows their rice. I mean KNOWS! I’ve mentioned great rice in previous posts such as Tierras Colombianas, but nothing really touches this place. The most perfect, fluffiest, butteriest rice on the planet. I was in even as a poured the beans all over my rice and ate scoop after scoop of this plated display of heaven.

I know my tostones. There’s a certain texture and taste that comes along with the perfect one. As a matter of fact, Simply Scrumptious’s own Jessie introduced me to the perfect type. Her grandmother from Puerto Rico is guilty of that recipe. Well, the good people at Castillo must’ve been looking over her shoulder when she wrote this recipe down, because they do infact HAVE IT DOWN! The absolute perfect crispness and texture plus taste. Awesome.

On to the main course. The Bistec Encebollado (Eng translation onion steak) makes me think of murder. What!? Murder?! Yes, and here’s why. If I were to kill a person (let’s hope by accident) I may get thrown in jail. If it was heinous enough, I’d be put on death row. At some point they’d have to execute me. But during the process of that, I’d have to choose a last meal. I’m make someone order take out from Castillo De Jagua and order me that Bistec Encebollado. Dude, the onions and flavors of the steak soooo mouth watering. Come on, look at the photo! That is onion and meat nirvana.

It’s been over a week now and I can still taste it.

South Bronx, Washington Heights, Bushwick, and Spanish Harlem all have a strong Spanish populations as well as some of the best food one can find. For Castillo De Jagua to get situated in Bay Ridge of all places is beyond me. Whatever the reason it’s just dumb luck as it’s only 20 min walking from my house. Sweeet!

Castillo De Jagua

6811 4th Avenue

Brooklyn, NY 11220

Prices: Bistec Encebollado $9, Bistec Salteado $9, Tostones $3

Hours: Daily 11am-10pm

Access: R Train To Bay Ridge Avenue

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