Don Pepe Restaurant
84-07 Northern Blvd.
Jackson Heights, NY 11372
Cuisine: Traditional Colombian
Hours: Sunday to Thursday 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday
24 hours
Credit: Not yet (Delivers: yes)
This casual, Colombian coffee shop is too much of a bargain to pass up.
Located among a strip of Spanish-style restaurants on Northern Boulevard and a big
Columbian community, Don Pepe offers fresh, traditional food, without being heavy.
Whether you are there in the morning, noon or night, expect a copious
meal at low prices. Breakfast ranges in price from $2 to $7. Lunch and dinner ranges from
$3 to $15.
If you are curious about the Arepas Rellenas (stuffed corn cake) or Carne
Assada (grilled top round steak) just ask the charming owner, Rafael Luque,
who is more than helpful when he explains the dishes. Luque is a 33-year-old Colombian
native and Bay Ridge, Brooklyn resident opened Don Pepe just two months ago.
The restaurant has a jovial air to it as two overhanging T.V. sets are always showing
Latin videos or silly soap operas with women in miniskirts. The walls are painted in
orange and a light blue with stars, and patches of brick.
A great dinner choice is the Chulete a la Parilla (8.50). These grilled pork
chops are charred to perfection and retain its juciness. This dish is served with rice,
beans, salad, sweet plaintains and corn cake. If you want an all-encompassing taste of a
meal, go for the Bandeja Paisa ($9), flavorful grilled or grounded beef with sides
that includes egg, avocado, corn cake and sweet plaintain.
Monday’s special includes a large of Don Pepe’s Meatball soup ($5) which
simmers with potatoes, carrots and rice. Think of mother’s chicken soup, except with
meatballs.
The daily lunches at Don Pepe cost about $5 and the menu depends on the day. Their
special lentil soup, which is served in a beef beer sauce with potato, is for Tuesdays.
Don Pepe is always busy breakfast time and serves Caldo de Huevo con Arepa ($4),
an egg soup with corn cake, served with chocolate.
What’s not to miss are the many combinations of Arepas Rellenas, the
stuffed corn cakes. Try it stuffed with chopped meat, with porkskin, or simply ham and
cheese.
For drinks Don Pepe is stocked with the traditional Pony Malta and makes Limonada, a
bitter lemonade. Their natural jucies are amazing. They are made on the spot and can mixed
with water or with milk.
— Nick Abadjian
