La Gran Cabana

I was on a walkabout in Washington Heights when I stumbled past this unassuming Latin diner.
The words Fried Chicken Restaurant on the marquee caught my attention as did the steaming plates of pollo frito, chicharrones and pollo a la brasa on display in the window.
I grabbed a 9-​piece fried chicken to go and felt pretty good about myself. The order comes with 3 legs, 3 wings and 3 thighs, along with frieds, but the nice dude behind the counter floated me a pechuga (breast) on the house, as well.
The chicken is pretty damn good. I’m not going to get crazy and say it’s one of the best fried chickens in the city, but it was crunchy, meaty, salty and muy bueno.
When you’re jonesing for pollo frito, La Gran Cabana is a good spot to go.

There is something to be said about some Hispanic restaurants (diners). Having been to my share of them, from Bushwick to Washington heights, and even back home in PR, they all carry loads of food!
La Gran Cabana is no exception. The whole name though is La Gran Cabana Fried Chicken Restaurant. This place is a Hispanic diner. Nothing less. They display some of their delicacies on steamers next to the window as it is customary in most places like this. From outside you can see a selection of chicken, friend and broiled, yuca, empanadas, chicharron (pork rinds), chuletas (pork chops) and other goodies. Sometimes just passing by you just wonder how good the stuff is? It always looks pretty tasty!
Well, there is no fantasy here. The food is very consistent. Rice and beans are usually good, tasty. The pork rinds are OK… they didn’t have that much salt which is expected of this type of food. Their broiled chicken is not much to write home about… tasty but at times a bit dry. They have other items, like cuajos, mollejas and fried fish… The cuajos are good! Nicely stewed with a flavorful broth that mixes well with rice. They also make chicken stew, and beef stew. These are well made. The flavor varies from a bit bland to very tasty though. As for their fried chicken, well its very tasty. Might be saltier than some new yorkers might like, but for the most part its very good. My GF dies for it. We have come by here before going all the way up to Inwood just for the chicken. Tostones are a good side here. Hmm i was forgetting, the mofongo is very nice too. Pretty big to feed two nicely spiced with garlic and pieces of pork rinds. Im getting hungry!
I am sorry for the mess of words, but if you come here, you will understand what i mean. There is food every where. of all different sorts. From average to good most times. Its a very reliable place to get fed at, and also very cheap… You can get a meal for 3 or 4 without breaking 10.00 bucks! Or maybe they just don’t know how to add! i really don’t know. Not all is really cheap, but for the most part. It’s all good stuff! Now… go eat!