Grubby: Izalco

If, by some chance an outside reader has stumbled upon this blog, I should explain that I lead a
motley gaggle of degenerates on weekly excursions in search of food, delicious encounters, kitsch, booze and general bizarreness. Food Adventure #2 took the crew on Robert Sietsema's trail of the great El Salvadoran cuisine of Queens. In one afternoon we hit up three resturaunts in two different Queens neighborhoods. Pupusas aplenty.




Our first stop took us to Woodside and the delicious Izalco. Izalco won the prize for best all-around Salvadoran, thanks I'm sure to a 4-foot abuelita in the kitchen. Tons-o-kitsch here with mirrored ceilings, stuffed armadillo and a "pink clam" not attached to a woman in the women's bathroom.

Pupusas came with a beautiful rainbow slaw of vinegar and spice. The horchata and tamarindo was enjoyed by most (I preferred Gallo). "Enchiladas" bore no resemblance to the mole and cheese creations of Mexico. These were more like tostadas with a bunch of salsa-ey chopped stuff on top. Superb. The salpicon is a must try. Micro-chopped beef, onions, lime, parsley, etc, served as a cold "salad". The soft elote tamales may have been my fav.

Really, every meal should come with sides of crema. The sweet cream made the fried plantains.


We left full, but with two more restaurants on our list we needed some liquid sustenance...

Info: 64-05 Roosevelt, Queens

Grubby: El Comal

All the way at the end of the Queens lines lies Jamaica. I think this place is chock-full of grub.

The second stop on our food adventure led us to El Comal. Holly God - the pupusas in this place! This was good shit. The best, Jerry, the best!

The masa-based pupusas tasted so fresh. They were fluffy - almost pancake-y. We enjoyed with frijoles y queso and, of course, the revueltas with shredded pork and queso.

Dominican Presidente was had all around. A few of us dug into some fried chicken which was "good but nothing special".


It is way the hell out there and the decor is better left unmentioned, but the pupusas were worth every minute on that train.

Info: 148-62 Hillside Ave.

Grubby: Rincon Resturante

At this point, we were near pupusa delirium and pregnant with pupusa babies, but we had to carry on! This was a mission and goddamnit we weren't go home until fully sated.

The second we stepped into Rincon, we knew we had made the right choice, as we were met by Victoria, the paper mache giraffe. Safari decor, done in a big way. The dreadlocked photographer has a jungle backdrop in every inch of the resturaunt.


We ordered Presidentes and a pitcher of sangria post-haste. The sangria was a fine cherry on top of the day (the second pitcher, which arrived without us ordering was the coup).


After eating amazing Salvadoran food all-day, the grub was nothing bragable, with a single exception: deep-fried tamales. Oh man. The crispy fried shell and almost creamy corn meal inside, draped in crema with a little bit of crumbly queso blanco. Shit - it's good.

Flan with real whipped cream sealed the deal. If you are going to make the trek to Jamaica, go ahead and plan on doing this and El Comal. You won't regret it.






Info: 92-15 149th St.