Parce!
When you think of Bronx eats, you think of Puerto Rican, Dominican, Italian, and Jamaican cuisine. Once in a while we have hidden gems nestled right under our noses. In my early 20's I used to make that trip over the Whitestone Bridge in search for the greatest Colombian eateries the states had to offer. My go-to establishments included Tierras Colombiana's and Natives. I'd even bring back home treats from Mama's Empanadas. I Loved the food so dam much. I wish we had at least one place to get quality Colombian fair in my own borough. I searched and waited, waited and searched some more.
Shrimp x Beef Empanadas
Bandeja Paisa
The Bronx simply wasn't a place Colombians came and settled down in. All my prayers were answered while on a 6 Train ride home. Tired and upset at the seemingly never ending barrages of "Signal Malfunctions" and "Police Investigations," my eyes glanced out and caught a passing glance of an establishment that seemed reminiscent of something I've seen before in Jackson Heights. I saw a bandera Colombiana! The next day I got off at the closest train stop and did my research. Las Camelias on Westchester Ave was the result of my due diligence.
This is your typical hole in the wall hidden gem in the heart of The Bronx. This is the REAL deal. Start with the empanadas and work your way into the bandeja paisa. Wash it down with either una cerveza Aguila or una Colombiana!