El Cerrito del Carmen Restaurant

- 2024 McDonald Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11223

For New Yorkers seeking a true taste of authentic Central American and Latin cuisine, El Cerrito del Carmen Restaurant stands out as a beloved local gem in Brooklyn. Located at 2024 McDonald Ave, this eatery has earned a reputation for serving up genuine, high-quality dishes that consistently please its customers. Far more than just a restaurant, it is a culinary destination that brings the rich, diverse flavors of El Salvador, Guatemala, and other Latin American regions right to the Gravesend neighborhood.

The cuisine at El Cerrito del Carmen is expansive, covering everything from traditional Salvadoran appetizers and flavorful Mexican fare to hearty International dishes. Patrons rave about the quality, noting that the food represents "quality at its best" and serves as reliable "comfort food." A key highlight is the restaurant's signature sazón (seasoning), which is consistently praised for adding an incredible depth of flavor to meat and poultry dishes. The menu is structured to cater to any appetite, offering a variety of meats, chicken, seafood, and vegetarian-friendly options, alongside popular Latin American staples like Pupusas, Baleadas, and Bandeja Paisa.

With an impressive 4.7-star rating and hundreds of customer reviews, El Cerrito del Carmen has built a loyal following among local Brooklyn users. The combination of excellent cooking, notably friendly and pleasant staff, and the convenience of being a highly accessible neighborhood spot makes it a go-to choice for a satisfying breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Whether you are craving the rich warmth of a traditional soup, the perfect savory bite of a pupusa, or a classic steak or seafood dish prepared with authentic flair, this Brooklyn restaurant promises a pleasant and memorable dining experience.

The wide-ranging menu also ensures that it is an ideal option for group dining, where everyone, from steak lovers to seafood aficionados and those craving traditional Latin stews, can find something to enjoy. It has successfully established itself as a reliable fixture in the 11223 area for anyone seeking delicious, authentic, and generously portioned Central American cooking.

El Cerrito del Carmen Restaurant is conveniently situated at 2024 McDonald Ave, in the Gravesend section of Brooklyn, NY 11223, USA. This location on a major thoroughfare makes it highly accessible for residents throughout South Brooklyn and surrounding neighborhoods.

For New Yorkers utilizing the city’s public transportation system, the restaurant is positioned near various local bus routes on McDonald Avenue, offering easy connectivity. While not directly adjacent to an express subway stop, the location is a straightforward trip for those coming from neighboring areas. For individuals traveling by car, McDonald Avenue provides direct access, and the Gravesend neighborhood generally offers street parking options, although typical New York City parking vigilance is always advised. The easy-to-find address, coupled with its consistent service hours, ensures that delicious, authentic Central American comfort food is readily available for both dine-in customers and those using takeout and delivery services. Its presence in the 11223 zip code establishes it as a central and dependable eatery in this part of Brooklyn.

The restaurant maintains extensive operating hours to accommodate the busy schedules of New York City residents. For delivery services, they are open from Monday through Friday starting at 11:00 AM and closing at 10:00 PM. On weekends (Saturday and Sunday), they open earlier for delivery at 10:00 AM, closing at 10:00 PM. Pickup hours are even more generous, running from 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM every day of the week, ensuring flexibility for late lunches or evening cravings.

El Cerrito del Carmen Restaurant focuses on maximum convenience and flexibility for its diverse New York customer base.

• Full-Service Dine-In: Patrons are welcome to enjoy their meals inside the restaurant, which is described as group-friendly.
• Takeout and Pickup: Orders can be placed by phone or through various online platforms for quick and easy pickup.
• Extensive Delivery Options: The restaurant partners with major delivery services, making it a popular 'go-to place to Uber' for comfort food delivery across the local area.
• Online Ordering: Full menu and ordering capabilities are available through multiple platforms, allowing customers to easily customize and track their orders.
• All-Day Breakfast: A comprehensive breakfast menu is served throughout the day, including various egg dishes, omelets, and traditional options like Baleadas.
• Specialty Beverage Service: They offer a selection of freshly made drinks, including popular natural fruit juices (Jugos Naturales) and Central American sodas.

El Cerrito del Carmen is celebrated within the Brooklyn community for several key features and menu items that highlight its commitment to authentic Latin cuisine.

• Authentic Central American Cuisine: The primary feature is its focus on high-quality El Salvadoran and Central American specialties, which many patrons praise for tasting like "home."
• Superior Seasoning (Sazón): Customer reviews specifically highlight the excellent seasoning, or "sazón," used on their meats, particularly on the fried pork chops (chuletas), making them a signature dish.
• Highly Recommended Pupusas: The menu includes an array of traditional Salvadoran appetizers, with the pupusas (stuffed corn tortillas) receiving high praise as "among the best" some customers have ever had, including the pupusas revueltas (mixed).
• Diverse Seafood Selection: The menu features a full section of Mariscos (Seafood), including Salmon al Horno (Baked Salmon), Mojarra Frita (Fried Tilapia Fish), Camarones al Ajillo (Garlic Shrimp), and a highly-rated Sopa De Mariscos (Seafood Soup).
• Hearty Latin American Classics: Favorite dishes such as Bandeja Paisa (Colombian Specialty), Chicharron De Cerdo (Fried Pork Chunks), and various soups (Sopa De Res and Sopa De Pollo) are highlighted as popular choices.
• Generous Side Options: Main courses are typically served with a selection of two side options, including traditional choices like rice, beans, salad, fried plantains (maduros or tostones), French fries, or boiled vegetables.

For New York residents looking to connect with El Cerrito del Carmen Restaurant to place an order or inquire about their menu, here is the official contact information:

Address: 2024 McDonald Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11223, USA

Phone: (718) 339-7907

For the discerning New York diner, choosing a meal at El Cerrito del Carmen is all about experiencing the authentic Latin American flavors that have earned this restaurant its loyal customer base. Based on positive customer feedback and menu highlights, three categories stand out as must-try selections.

The first and most highly-rated choices are the Pupusas. These savory, stuffed corn tortillas, particularly the pupusas revueltas (a mixed variety typically including pork, beans, and cheese), are consistently cited as being among the best available. For a quick, flavorful, and authentic Salvadoran appetizer or light meal, the Pupusas are an unparalleled choice and a staple of the menu.

Secondly, any dish featuring the restaurant’s renowned sazón is a guaranteed win. The Chuleta Frita (Fried Pork Chop) is explicitly highlighted by customers for benefiting from this exceptional seasoning, making it a favorite comfort food order. Served with a choice of sides like rice and beans, this dish embodies the flavorful, hearty cooking style the restaurant is known for. While the T-Bone Steak might sometimes lack the punch of the house seasoning, the pork chops and other meats like the Chicharron De Cerdo (Fried Pork Chunks) are celebrated for their superb flavor.

Finally, the soups, or Sopas, are an essential part of the experience. The menu offers a variety, including the popular Sopa De Res (Beef Soup) and the Sopa De Mariscos (Seafood Soup). These are often described as hearty, warming, and highly recommendable, perfect for a cold Brooklyn evening or when you need some genuine comfort food. The seafood soup, in particular, is a top choice, combining shrimp, fish, and clams in a flavorful broth.

In summary, when visiting or ordering from El Cerrito del Carmen, you should prioritize the traditional items that showcase the restaurant's praised sazón and quality: the Pupusas, the expertly seasoned Chuletas, and a comforting bowl of their signature soups. This is where the true quality of this Brooklyn establishment shines brightest.

El Cerrito del Carmen Restaurant

2024 McDonald Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11223, USA