La Ilusion Restaurant

This place is a hidden gem. It’s super cheap $ 5 – 7 a plate of food (a lot, maybe enough for 2). So many choices to pick. You honestly can’t go wrong with anything there. I occasionally stop by on my lunch break and have tried just about everything they offer. Exceptional service! Great food! Deserts — old school style flan, the best! Feel right at home when you walk in. Highly recommend. :)

Attended an event that was catered by La Ilusion Restaurant, and the food was spectacular! Had Lechón Asado, Roast Chicken, and Congrí (black beans and white rice cooked together).

In a area with so many restaurants it’s one of those places you walk by and say «Wow there’s a lot of people inside I need to check that place out» then forget about it until you pass it again and say the same thing… fast forward three/​four years later you go in.
Their exterior sign reads «Comidas Criollas’ which translates to Creole Cooking. Don’t be a dumbo coming here expecting gumbo. In the Spanish speaking islands, «criollo» refers to Spanish Americans of European descent. Hence, «cocina criolla» is the cuisine created by the European (mostly Spanish) colonists using their traditional recipes coalesced with native Caribbean foods and cooking styles. Consequently, you will find both native and Spanish influences, cooking techniques, and ingredients in Puerto Rican cuisine.
The motto on their menu reads: Aqui Se Come «Bueno, Bonito Y Barato»
Translation (as per Google)? Here You Eat «Good, Nice and Cheap»
Ding Ding Ding, we have a winner for most accurate slogan ever!!!
I ordered the Pernil Asado with yellow rice and black beans. I also ordered a chicken empanada. Total cost $ 6. Cheap! Especially considering the amount you get. I took mine to go but eat in orders seemed even larger!!!
The rice was fine… it was cooked properly but lacked any distinguishable flavor. The black beans seemed like they were heated out of a can with no added flavor or doctoring. Mixed together… they were the typical beans and rice you would get at 85% of the places on or along Bergenline Ave. The pork ranged from end areas that were tough and dry to center pieces that were moist and tender (which was the bulk of the meat). The flavor of the pork was mostly delicious (the dry pieces, which were minimal, were the only bad pieces). Dish also came with some fried banana pieces that were tasty. All in all Good! Could have been very good if rice and beans were better.
The place is stripped down, no frills. You walk in and it looks like a trailer that was converted to a diner. Despite my bastardization of the Spanish language the woman behind the counter was helpful and «Nice».
As mentioned before this place can get packed with locales. I’m sure the chief draw is that you get a ton of food for under $ 7 (most dishes are $ 5). For cheap eats this place is good! I’ll be back.