We’re in the process of teaching girlchild how to cook (because what kind of parents would we be if we sent her off into the big bad world in a few years without the ability to cook for herself?), and we decided to start with good old Puerto Rican comfort food. You just plain old can’t get Puerto Rican food in Columbus. Mexican, sure. Spanish and Brazilian? You bet. We’ve even got a Venezuelan restaurant. But not a Puerto Rican joint to be found anywhere within a couple hundred miles. I’m still convinced I’d make a killing if I opened up a Puerto Rican takeout place in town.
So here’s what we made – chicken leg quarters seasoned with Adobo and Sazon and fried, arroz con gandules (rice with pigeon peas), fried plantains and picadillo (ground beef) filled empenadas.
Not pictured: the tres leches cake still in process, which we started today, but should have started yesterday because it needs to soak overnight.
Delicious. I don’t quite miss Vineland (New Jersey) as much after eating dinner. There’s a killer Puerto Rican takeout place in Vineland on the Blvd somewhere near Axtell Ave. I’ve been craving that food for months. This is almost as good. Girlchild is nursing a burn, but at least now she knows how to make this stuff.
March 16th, 2007 at 3:07 pm
Costelo’s ( I believe it is one l) on Cleveland Ave. opened in late February?? I just noticed it driving by Sunday. It is Puerto Rican and Italian. Columbus Business First has something about it today.
Where is the Venezuelan restaurant?
August 2nd, 2007 at 12:01 pm
I really would love for someone would open up a Puerto Rican Restaurant in.columbus ohio.
October 1st, 2009 at 9:35 pm
im purto ricann and i luv to eat that food
October 17th, 2009 at 9:28 pm
Costelo's is located at 6140 Cleveland Avenue. hey offer great portions and delicious food. I am from the East coast and was pleasantly surprised that I could get delicious Puerto Rican cuisine in Columbus.
November 30th, -0001 at 12:00 am
me too… i been wanting too do that myself!! Becuz i can cook my boricua a#$ off! LOL
April 16th, 2012 at 2:24 pm
Sadly Costellos is no longer serving thru the actual restaurant. I believe they mentioned they will do catering. so sad, only place i knew of puerto rican food in columbus ohio
May 6th, 2012 at 3:13 am
[...] of many of the recipes I’ve featured on this site, like Roast Pork and Rice and Beans and Chicken Legs and Empenadas. In any case, most times I also pair it with another Goya seasoning called Sazon, which is MSG (I [...]