Though it’s been set to open for weeks, the sign hanging on the door of 139 Essex St. still says “opening very soon.” The windows are still dark and customers have yet to fill the chairs, but within, owner Jonathan Hernandez is hard at work preparing for his second restaurant’s opening. The original Patacon Pisao, located in Elmhurst, has already proven to be a favorite among food bloggers, but what really started it all was the family-owned Patacon Pisao food truck, which operates in Washington Heights.
When we stopped by to learn more about the restaurant, Hernandez said that because of delays related to Con Edison service, opening day has been put off multiple times, but the restaurant should be launching its trademark plantain sandwiches and other Venezuelan fare within three weeks.
Hernandez warns that it won’t be your typical Latin American restaurant experience. There aren’t any tacos or guacamole on the menu, but the restaurant makes up for that by offering other delicious options that have been designed to cater to the tastebuds. Cachapas, or sweet corn cakes, for example, are just one of the items that have proven to be popular at the Patacon Pisao located in Queens. Both savory and sweet, like many of the menu items, the dish offers a well-rounded and one-of-a-kind flavor. For a sneak peek of what might be on the LES Patacon Pisao’s menu, click here.
the elmhurst joint is a regular visit for me. this place is a gem!
“There aren’t any tacos or guacamole on the menu…”
Yeah. Because this isn’t a Mexican place. This is a Venezuelan place. All of Latin America doesn’t eat the same thing, y’know.
actually you do need to remind white people of this.