Don Emilio Restaurant Introduce
For New Yorkers in search of authentic, deeply flavorful, and affordable Latin American cuisine, Don Emilio Restaurant is a cherished fixture in the Brooklyn community. Located on Liberty Avenue in the 11208 area, this establishment has built a loyal following based on its commitment to delicious food, generous portions, and exceptional value. While officially categorized simply as a "Restaurant," a closer look at its celebrated menu reveals a strong foundation in Dominican and Caribbean comfort food, offering a taste of home to many in the neighborhood.
Don Emilio Restaurant is renowned for creating an experience where quality and quantity go hand-in-hand, a rare find in the bustling New York dining scene. Customers consistently rave about the food being "delicious and flavorful" and appreciate that the prices are "very reasonable for the amount of food served." The atmosphere is Casual, focusing entirely on the quality of the meal and the speed of service. The constant presence of a line, even during off-peak hours, is a powerful testament to the community's trust and loyalty to Don Emilio’s culinary offerings.
The menu is rich with staple dishes of Latin American and Caribbean cooking, focusing on satisfying, traditional plates. Diners frequent Don Emilio for their daily meals, as it is highly Popular for Lunch and Dinner, and also serves as a great spot for Solo dining. Beyond its dine-in and takeout services, Don Emilio is a critical resource for the community, providing extensive Catering for family, social, and corporate events, known for its ability to satisfy large crowds with its ample and delicious spread.
Don Emilio Restaurant is conveniently situated at 1159 Liberty Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11208, USA. This location places it in a dynamic and safe section of East New York, Brooklyn, making it highly accessible for both local residents and those traveling from other parts of New York City.
The accessibility features of the restaurant highlight its commitment to serving the entire community:
- Transit Proximity: The restaurant is highly accessible via public transportation, noted by customers as being only a four-minute walk from the train station, an enormous convenience for transit-reliant New Yorkers.
- Physical Access: The establishment features a Wheelchair accessible entrance, ensuring that all guests can easily enter the dining space.
- Parking: While the neighborhood is described as safe and quiet with available shopping, the restaurant utilizes Paid street parking for those who choose to drive.
- Neighborhood Feel: Located in an area characterized as safe and quiet with a lot of shopping, a visit to Don Emilio can easily be combined with other errands or outings in the area, contributing to its status as a valuable local resource.
The restaurant's spacious interior and commitment to cleanliness, including "clean and huge" bathrooms, further enhance the comfort and appeal of this location.
Don Emilio Restaurant provides a focused yet versatile array of dining and food service options tailored to meet the fast-paced needs of Brooklyn residents. The services prioritize convenience, value, and the enjoyment of authentic Dominican and Latin comfort food.
The main services available are:
- Dining Options: Customers can enjoy their meals inside the large space with traditional Dine-in service for Lunch and Dinner. The atmosphere is comfortably Casual, perfect for everyday meals.
- Takeout Service: For those on the go or preferring to eat at home, efficient Takeout service is a key feature, backed by staff praised for working fast.
- Catering Services: A significant part of Don Emilio’s business, the restaurant offers Catering for events and parties, celebrated for its ability to provide "delicious" and abundant food that allows guests to have seconds and take food home, making it ideal for family gatherings, classroom parties, and large events.
- Kid-Friendly Dining: The restaurant is recognized as Good for kids, making it a great choice for families in the neighborhood.
- Payment Flexibility: Accepts modern payment methods, including Credit cards and Debit cards, ensuring a quick and hassle-free checkout experience.
- Comfort and Quickness: The menu is built around Comfort food, Quick bite, and Small plates, catering to various appetites and time constraints.
What truly sets Don Emilio Restaurant apart in the highly competitive Brooklyn dining landscape are the signature features that contribute to its loyal customer base and consistent flow of business. These elements showcase why the restaurant is considered a neighborhood institution.
The primary highlights include:
- Exceptional Value and Portion Size: The restaurant is famous for providing a tremendous value proposition. Customers frequently mention the "amazing" food for a "great price," highlighting the generous amount of food served which often means guests can take leftovers home.
- Authentic and Flavorful Cooking: The food is consistently described as "delicious and flavorful" with a clear focus on high-quality Latin comfort dishes, including popular items like Tostones and various rice preparations (Arroz Blanco O Amarillo O Chofan O Moro).
- High Customer Loyalty and Demand: The presence of "always a line" is a unique highlight, reflecting the restaurant’s popularity and the deep loyalty from its customer base, signifying that waiting is worthwhile for the quality of food.
- Strategic Marketing and Sensory Appeal: A unique, yet effective, highlight is the restaurant's unintentional but "intelligent" way of attracting patrons—the appreciation for the vent "sharing the smell of their chicken to people passing by," which is a powerful and sensory promotion for their delicious spread.
- Speed and Service Quality: Despite the high volume and frequent lines, the staff is praised for working fast, and the overall service is described as "wonderful," which maintains a positive experience even during busy periods.
- Infrastructure and Space: The restaurant is noted for having a large space and clean amenities, providing a comfortable dining environment even when serving a steady stream of customers.
For all inquiries, including placing a takeout order, asking about the menu, or discussing catering options for your next event in Brooklyn, you can contact Don Emilio Restaurant using the details below:
Address: 1159 Liberty Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11208, USA
Phone: (347) 240-5914
Mobile Phone: +1 347-240-5914
When visiting Don Emilio Restaurant, the key to a satisfying experience is embracing the rich tradition of Dominican and Latin American comfort food for which they are known. The menu offers a wealth of classic, hearty dishes that are consistently praised by the local community.
Starches and Sides are Essential: In this cuisine, the Acompañantes (Sides Orders) are just as important as the main dishes and are truly what Don Emilio excels at. Do not miss the Tostones (fried green plantains) or the Maduros (sweet plantains), both foundational staples that perfectly complement any meat or stew. For a variety of rice, choose the Arroz Blanco O Amarillo O Chofan O Moro—selecting from white, yellow, fried, or mixed rice ensures you get a generous and flavorful base for your meal.
Flavorful Appetizers for a Quick Bite: For a quick snack or to start your meal, the smaller items are excellent choices and priced affordably. The Pastelito De Pollo, Carne O Queso (small savory turnovers) or the Chulitos are perfect examples of the "Small plates" and "Quick bite" offerings that allow you to sample the rich flavors without committing to a full meal.
The Unseen Star—The Chicken: Although specific full entrees are not explicitly detailed in the provided menu snippet, the customer review mentioning the tempting smell of "their chicken to people passing by" strongly suggests that any chicken dish, likely including Pollo Guisado (Chicken Stew) or Pollo Entero (Whole Chicken) as is common in Dominican restaurants (as indicated by similar local menus), is a celebrated must-try. This dish is part of the "delicious spread" that creates high demand.
Catering for Value: If you are planning an event in the New York area, the catering service is worth choosing. Given the emphasis on generous portions and reasonable prices, booking Don Emilio ensures that your guests will be well-fed with "delicious and flavorful" food, a proven success for parties and family gatherings.
By choosing Don Emilio, New York diners are not just getting a meal; they are securing a flavorful, filling, and cost-effective experience that highlights the best of Latin American comfort food culture right here in Brooklyn.
Don Emilio Restaurant Services
Acompañantes, Sides Orders
- Tostones $8.00
- Maduros $3.00
- Papa Frita $8.00
- Arroz Blanco O Amarillo O Chofan O Moro $6.00
- Guineo $5.00
- Yuca Cassava $5.00
- Espaguetis Spaguetti $3.00
- Pasteles En Hoja De Pollo O Cerdo $5.00
- Pastelito De Pollo, Carne O Queso $2.00
- Chicken, Meat Or Cheese
- Arepa De Yuca $2.00
- Chulitos $2.00
Don Emilio Restaurant Details
Service options
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Popular for
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
Offerings
- Comfort food
- Quick bite
- Small plates
Dining options
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Catering
Atmosphere
- Casual
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
Children
- Good for kids
Parking
- Paid street parking
Don Emilio Restaurant Photos










Don Emilio Restaurant Location
Don Emilio Restaurant
1159 Liberty Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11208, USA
Don Emilio Restaurant Reviews
pricesthe neighborhoodchicharronseasonedsaltylunch
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1This restaurant is great! The food is delicious and flavorful. There is always a line (no matter if it’s a slow or peak busy time) which reflects the loyalty from their customers. Their prices are very reasonable for the amount of food served. This restaurant also caters food for events and parties. My five year old recently celebrated with family, friends and his whole classroom where everyone had seconds plus most guests took food home with them. The staff here work fast and are great. The service here is wonderful and I love how large the space is. Bathrooms are clean and huge. I appreciate the vent sharing the smell of their chicken to people passing by the restaurant. Not sure if that is by design but it’s an intelligent way to attract people to the delicious spread of food available at Don Emilio’s. Try it, I’m positive you will frequent here. God bless everyone at Don Emilio’s! The neighborhood is also safe and quiet with a lot of shopping. It’s a four minute walk from the train station so I encourage you to stop by and try Don Emilio’s for yourself.
December 24 · Vanesa PaulinoAll this food for a great price. Food was amazing. 100 percent recommend.
May 01 · Vladimir LachapelleI’ve ordered numerous times from Don Emilio’s, from just a sit-down breakfast between coworkers to a quick-to-go lunch for myself and even a few catered events for over 100+ people, and every time, I’m beyond satisfied with it all. Everything is always on point, from the quality of the food to the service and prices. I can count on this place for all my catering needs. The staff is always very welcoming and super friendly, always willing to work with any request. I'm glad we have a new addition to the neighborhood.
March 18 · Vanessa T.As far as the food goes it was very good definitely enjoyed it. Would like the staff to be more attentive to their dine in patrons when they are ready to pay for their meal or when they need a takeout plate.
July 20 · Joel JI love Don Emilio’s ! The food never fails, the meats are so tasty, juicy and soft. And the service is so nice ! They’re very patient with you and it’s a fast service. Lunch specials are my go to!
March 23 · Kari
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