Chica & The Don: A Trendy Latin American Eatery in NYC

Chica & The Don Introduce

Introduction / Overview

Step into a world of vibrant flavors and lively atmosphere at Chica & The Don, a standout Latin American restaurant in the heart of New York City. This is a place where every detail, from the unique floral decor to the curated music, is designed to create a captivating experience. It’s a trendy, upscale-casual spot that perfectly balances a festive, upbeat vibe with refined, expertly prepared cuisine.

Chica & The Don is a celebration of Latin American culture, blending traditions and flavors from across the continent with a modern culinary twist. The menu offers a fantastic array of comfort food, small plates, and hearty entrees that are perfect for sharing with friends or enjoying on your own. As a Black-owned, Latino-owned, and women-owned business, it brings a unique and authentic perspective to the city's dining scene. Whether you're coming for a celebratory dinner, a get-together with friends, or a solo dining adventure, you'll find the atmosphere inviting and the food truly memorable.

Location and Accessibility

Located at 24 E 21st St, New York, NY 10010, USA, Chica & The Don enjoys a prime spot in a bustling and easily accessible part of Manhattan. Its location is ideal for residents and tourists alike, nestled in a neighborhood known for its vibrant nightlife and dining options.

Getting to the restaurant is straightforward, with multiple public transit options nearby. For those driving, there are various parking solutions, including free and paid street parking, as well as paid parking garages and lots, providing flexibility for your visit. The establishment is also committed to accessibility, with a wheelchair-accessible entrance, parking lot, restroom, and seating, ensuring all guests can dine comfortably.

Services Offered

Dine-in: Enjoy the full, immersive dining experience in the restaurant's beautifully decorated space. Table service is available, and reservations are recommended, especially for dinner.
Takeout & Delivery: For those who prefer to eat at home, Chica & The Don offers convenient takeout and delivery services, including curbside pickup and no-contact delivery.
Outdoor Seating: On a beautiful day or evening, enjoy your meal on our outdoor patio, which provides a lovely setting for dining al fresco.
Brunch Service: In addition to dinner, Chica & The Don also serves a popular brunch, offering a unique and flavorful twist on morning favorites.
Catering: Planning an event? The restaurant offers catering services to bring its delicious food and vibrant flavors to your next party or gathering.
Private Dining: For more intimate gatherings, a private dining room is available, providing a perfect setting for special occasions with friends and family.

Features / Highlights

Great Cocktails & Live Music: The bar is a major highlight, known for its creative and delicious cocktails. On weekends, live music adds a dynamic energy to the atmosphere, creating a fun and festive mood.
Unique & Inviting Ambiance: The decor is described as unique and inviting, with a distinct floral theme that sets it apart. The atmosphere is both casual and trendy, making it a great spot for any occasion.
Late-Night Food: The kitchen stays open late, offering a great selection of food for those late-night cravings.
Friendly & Impeccable Service: The staff is consistently praised for being friendly and attentive. Servers are known for their great sense of humor and for providing excellent recommendations for both food and drinks.
Diverse Menu: The menu offers a wide variety of Latin-inspired dishes, from traditional favorites like Guacamole and Tostones to more unique options like Roasted Chicken and Tiger Prawns & Arepas.
Dietary Accommodations: The restaurant offers a variety of vegan and vegetarian options, as well as organic dishes, catering to a wide range of dietary needs.
Family-Friendly: With high chairs available and a welcoming attitude towards kids, Chica & The Don is a great place for families to dine together. The availability of a private room is a major plus for groups with children.
Pet-Friendly: For those with furry companions, dogs are welcome both inside and in the outdoor seating area.

Contact Information

Address: 24 E 21st St, New York, NY 10010, USA
Phone: (646) 649-4805

What is worth choosing

What makes Chica & The Don a truly special destination in New York City is its ability to deliver a full-sensory dining experience. The moment you walk in, the atmosphere takes over, creating a memorable "vibe" that feels like a mini-vacation. The unique floral decor and lively music set a positive and celebratory tone that is perfect for a night out.

When it comes to the food, the menu is filled with flavorful, well-prepared dishes. While some small plate prices, like for the empanadas, may seem a bit high, the quality and taste are often worth it. The main dishes are where the restaurant truly shines. The Roasted Chicken is a standout, praised for its flavor and show-stopping tableside flaming. The Birria Empanadas are also a must-try. For a full-flavored meal, the Oxtail and the Blue Crab & Shrimp Fried Rice are also excellent choices.

Beyond the food, the drinks are a key part of the experience. The bar is a highlight, and the bartenders are known for crafting exceptional cocktails. Whether you go for a classic like a Margarita or one of their unique concoctions, you're in for a treat. The staff, like the server Ezekiel who was praised for his humor and recommendations, is dedicated to making your visit a great one.

Despite a few minor service and pricing quirks mentioned in some reviews, the overall consensus is overwhelmingly positive. The combination of an inviting atmosphere, impeccable service, and delicious food and drinks makes Chica & The Don a top choice for anyone looking for a vibrant and unforgettable Latin American dining experience in New York City.

Chica & The Don Menu

Apps
Guacamole $19.50
avocado, tomato, red onion, cilantro, house-made plantain chips. *Gluten Free
Garlic & Saffron Shrimp $21.50
sauteed shrimp, saffron butter, white wine, lemon, tostones (dairy, allium, gluten tostones)
Mexican Cesar (Copy) $19.00
Quesadilla Short Rib $25.50
braised short rib, maduro, 3 cheese blend, mexican crema, pico de gallo
Chicharron $19.50
puffed chicharron, spiced vinegar, lime
Chicken Wings $21.50
chicken wings, mango habanero sauce, sofrito tzatziki
Elote Ribs $16.50
charred corn kernels, tajin, kewpie, cotija
Disco Fries $17.50
crispy fries, house-made chorizo, salsa rosada
Tuna Taco $25.50
yellow fin, gochujang sesame mayo, avocado, chili crisp cured lemon
Crab Tostada $23.50
blue crab, manchego mornay, grilled corn, cabbage slaw, pickled red onion, cotija cheese
Shrimp And Snapper Ceviche $25.50
guava leche de tigre, cara cara orange, jalapeño, radish
Chicken Empanda $15.50
herb marinated chicken, sofrito rojo
Birria Empanada $17.50
braised short rib, onions, oaxaca cheese, birria consomé
Shrimp Empanada $17.50
lobster, shrimp, red pepper, tomato, jalapeño, papaya, aged gouda
Spinach And Cheese $15.50
3 cheese blend and spinach

Main
Ropa Vieja $42.00
bell pepper, tomatoes, coconut turmeric broth
Burger $28.00
aged gouda, curtido, chimichurri mayo, house-made bun
1/2 Pollo Asado $28.00
herb brined chicken, aji verde, annatto saffron oil flamed table side
Roasted Chicken $64.00
Oxtail $36.00
braised oxtail, red onion, tomatoes, french fries, white rice
Tiger Prawns & Arepas $38.00
Blur Crab & Shrimp Fried Rice $42.00
lobster and shrimp fried rice Peruvian style
NY Strip Steak $48.00
10 oz. pan seared prime strip steak marinated with citrus and jalapeno, chimichurri
Catch Of The Day $38.00
seasonal whole white fish, fennel and orange escabeche

Sides
Yuca Fries $13.50
crispy yuca fries, salsa rosada
Side Ensalada Aguacate $16.50
avocado, baby gem lettuce, cara cara orange, avocado dressing
Side Gallo Pinto $13.50
black beans and rice Nicaraguan style
Maduros $13.50
Tostones $13.50
fried green plantains
Crispy Brussel Sprouts $13.50
Side Of Chips $4.50
Extra Sauce $4.00
White Rice $6.50

Sweets
Platano Sundae $13.50
Tres Leches $13.50
Flan $13.50
Churro Doughnuts $13.50

Chica & The Don Details

From the business
Identifies as Black-owned
Identifies as Latino-owned
Identifies as women-owned

Service options
Outdoor seating
Curbside pickup
No-contact delivery
Delivery
Takeout
Dine-in

Highlights
Fast service
Great cocktails
Live music

Popular for
Dinner
Solo dining

Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Wheelchair accessible restroom
Wheelchair accessible seating
Assistive hearing loop

Offerings
Alcohol
Beer
Cocktails
Coffee
Comfort food
Happy hour drinks
Happy hour food
Hard liquor
Late-night food
Organic dishes
Private dining room
Small plates
Vegan options
Vegetarian options
Wine

Dining options
Brunch
Dinner
Catering
Counter service
Dessert
Seating
Table service

Amenities
Bar onsite
Gender-neutral restroom
Restroom
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi

Atmosphere
Casual
Cozy
Trendy

Crowd
Family-friendly
Groups
LGBTQ+ friendly
Tourists
Transgender safespace

Planning
Dinner reservations recommended
Accepts reservations

Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards

Children
Good for kids
High chairs

Parking
Free street parking
Paid parking garage
Paid parking lot
Paid street parking
Parking

Pets
Dogs allowed
Dogs allowed inside
Dogs allowed outside

Chica & The Don Photos

Chica & The Don Location

Chica & The Don

New York New York County New York East 21st Street

24 E 21st St, New York, NY 10010, USA

Chica & The Don Reviews

An average rating of ★4.7 from 307 user reviews.

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★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1

I LOVE THIS PLACE!!!! I came here for dinner on the weekend. As soon as you walk in, you notice the ambiance and the floral decor is unique and very inviting. EZEKIEL was our server, and he was great. He had a great sense of humor and he also made some great recommendation with the cocktails and the food. The staff was very friendly, food was amazing and had great flavors. They also played music which added to the mood of feeling like you were in another country dining out. What a Vibe🩶🩶🩶
April 03 · Paul Velazquez
Had a really good time here for a get together with friends, which included 3 kids under 4 years old. The private room was perfect as we weren’t yelling over one another. The drinks were good and the food was good as well. The service was truly impeccable, wait staff is great. 4 stars because they charged $14 for 2 empanadas, which sucked, but I got to remind myself to not buy empanadas anymore in restaurants and then 2) they only had one high chair and no changing table. Come on now, that stuff isn’t that expensive.
August 12 · Erika Fernandez
I had an amazing experience at Chica & The Don in NYC. From the moment I walked in, the vibe was just right—trendy yet comfortable, with a warm and inviting atmosphere. It felt like the kind of place where you could have a laid-back dinner or a fun night out with friends.For me, the food and drinks were the real highlights. I ordered the roasted chicken, and it was easily one of the best I’ve ever had. The skin was crispy, the meat was juicy, and the seasoning was perfect. When the chicken came to the table, there was a short flambe show that was mesmerizing. Every bite was packed with flavor. I also tried a few other dishes, including the ceviche and the short rib y maduro quesadilla, and they were just as impressive. The flavors were bold but well-balanced, and you could tell the chefs put real thought into every dish.The cocktails were another standout. I went with a few recommendations from the bartender, and each drink was well-crafted, refreshing, and not too sweet. The bar had a great energy, especially as the night went on. Since they stay open late, it’s a perfect spot for drinks after dinner without feeling rushed. They also have a party room that has quite the atmosphere!Service was attentive and the staff made great recommendations. Overall, Chica & The Don delivered on both food and atmosphere, making it a spot I’d return to. Whether you’re looking for a great meal or a late-night cocktail, this place has it all.
March 22 · C No
I came to the restaurant 30 mins earlier before my reservation and decided to sit at the bar to wait for my friend. I order a drink and it wasn’t popping. Okay , cool. I decided to order my usual drink aka Tito with club soda and a splash of cranberry juice. You can’t mess up this drink and thankfully bartender didn’t. My friend arrived and we got our table. We order two apps which were the blue crab and ceviche. Ehhhh it was alright. It wasn’t busting and the ceviche def need more vinegar. Now go to the entree. We got the oxtail and fries cause I love oxtail. Shoot I love meat, period. My oh my the dish was beyond salty. Listen , I’m Asian and we MSG pro life. This was beyond salty. The working manager ask how was everything and I told him. He said “oh I’m the main bartender manager but i do go around and find out about service.” He apologized and I would think as a woman who used to have a family own Chinese restaurant, he will either take some dollars of the bill or something. He did give two free lychee shots. Not bad. So my friend told them it’s my birthday and I thought okay maybe a small dessert they might bring out. Lol they didn’t and honestly I wasn’t into sweet dishes so I told my friend I’m good with desserts. Will I come back? A hard no. The light was dim as heck. I get the vibe and the atmosphere is cute , but listen I gotta see the menu to order food and take pictures to post this review. Oh, worst of all was the food service was s l o w. Listen, it wasn’t busy for it to be slow. Two dishes were basically cold. We did get the guacamole which was 2 min boom service. The manager took forever to give us the dessert menu since my friend wanted something sweet. She end up asking the busboy for a menu. The waiter was busy being busy. Yeah and food ain’t cheap ! Last time.
April 23 · Linda L
came here without much expectation because i haven’t heard of this place (live in the neighborhood), but was pleasantly surprised by dishes. shrimp and snapper ceviche was excellent, as well as oxtail saltado was. lobster pieces inside lobster empanada were just perfectly cooked.ashif, our seever, was quick and attentive, with a good set of recommendations.this has a good potential to be the neighborhood favorite, and i plan to come back often.the only suggestion i have is that it’s pretty dark and a bit of light would go better with interior decors and music.
April 06 · KyungHyun Cho