La Isla Bonita
Posted by RPP
22 Mar 2008
6 Comments
As we mentioned in our most recent Restaurant Openings Report, La Isla Bonita is now up and running at 2201 N Roxboro Rd. It is a Central American place run by some nice folks from Honduras.
It is pretty cool inside. They have a couple of pool tables and a jukebox that has a bunch of songs I have obviously never heard of.
I ordered a barbacoa torta and a cheese pupusa. The torta was quite tasty, and they have several different varieties available. I will definitely go back for it.
The pupusa came fully loaded, which as I understand it is the correct way to serve it. It was nice to try something different, but I must admit I think I prefer the plainer ones served at other establishments in the area.
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wow! they’ve really cleaned it up in there!! My husband and i went into that place about 3 incarnations ago when it finally became something after being empty for years. It had to be THE sketchiest place we’ve ever walked into, but it was daytime, weekend, and there were families along with the sketchy ones there, so we felt just fine…
I got the most amazing camarones criollos that composed the most gorgeous platter with smooth delicious refritos, fresh made thick tortillas squares of white cheese, rice and salad. My husband got this unreal whole fish with all the other stuff. both dishes for under 10 bucks.
he eyeballed a group of shifty guys chowing down on these massive bowls of stew that literally had a crab claw hanging over the side and he proclaimed “I’m comin back for that!!
unfortunately they shut down a couple of weeks later.
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Good to know this joint is Honduran owned, as it was previously, and that it looks much better inside. Though I’m not sure what’s up with the name. La Isla Bonita is typically a reference to Puerto Rico (especially if you ask a Nuyorican).
I will confirm, however, that a pupusa without the ensalada just ain’t right. What may improve your experience is a jar of encurtido (pickled stuff: peppers, carrots, onions, and such). You could settle for pickled jalapenos, but it wouldn’t be as flavorful.
And that soup with the claw, that’s sopa de mariscos. Delicious many places, but I’ve had a great one at Cuscatleco. Also try the mondongo there, a big tripe soup.
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From another carpedurhamite:
I had pollo en tajadas there once when I visited during the previous incarnation. The pollo was covered in a sauce and laid on a bed of tajadas (fried plaintain) and shredded cabbage. My dining companion had the tacos, which were fried. (That’s how they roll in Central America). It was pretty damned delicious. They have definitely remodeled some…thanks, coblogger! I am looking forward to checking it out.
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I went there at 11 PM one Friday night, and there was security at the door, it turns into a miniature night club. No food was served but they had more variety of beer than I expected.
I can see how this could be called sketchy, but really what defines that? No, people aren’t dressed to the nines to eat there, but I couldn’t say you can judge a book by its cover. People who work in manual labor may not appear as un-sketchy as white middle class folks are accustomed to seeing at chain Mexican restaurants, but these places are where it’s at for authentic cuisine. When my friend and I left, the owner thanked us for our business, and asked us to come again during normal hours so we could try the food. He then took the time to explain some different dishes to me. I would consider that great customer service and not sketchy at all.
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Went back to order food. The folks were great, sanitaion score was 96, and the food was amazing. I ordered off the Honduran menu and it was a new taste to me, and delicious. The food was given in hefty portions and I highly recommend this place.
Pupusas were decent and they looked to be authentically hand made. Repollo with the pupusas was slightly picante.
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I never ever see cars or people here when I pass by. Does anyone know the deal with La Isla Bonita these days? Did it shut down again?
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