Restaurant Review - Que Chula es Puebla

If you're looking for a reasonably priced restaurant that can still feel like a night out rather than fast food, check out Que Chula es Puebla on Valley Street.  This small restaurant is brightly lit, well-decorated, and most importantly has great food.

The atmosphere is set from the moment you walk in the door, with Spanish music playing and brightly colored tablecloths adorning the tables. While perusing the extensive menu, our waiter brought us warm chips and fresh salsa. I'm not generally a fan of salsa, but the flavor of theirs was amazingly fresh. Every ingredient's taste was noticeable and worked together.

Que Chula es Puebla has a lot to choose from, but it all is reasonably priced.  Prices range from $7 for a Mexican sandwich to $31.75 for mariscada huatulco with lobster tail, but the average entrée is about $13.  There is something for everyone, from appetizers, soups, and salads, to traditional dishes and combination plates.  There is even a vegetarian section and choices for kids.

Since it was a Monday, we skipped the beer and wine menu and ordered Mexican Jarritos sodas. I got mandarin and my boyfriend chose tamarindo. Tamarind is an acquired and hard to describe taste like a more sugary, crisp ginger ale, but the mandarin was like a slightly sweeter orange soda.  For the more adventurous diner, the bar is enormous.  Patrons can choose from margaritas, tequila, daiquiris, wines and more.

The food here is simple, flavorful, and plentiful.  My boyfriend had the torta al pastor, a sandwich made of marinated pork in guajillo sauce and lime juice, served with Mexican style fries.  The fries were basically thinly-sliced, crisp-fried potatoes (like chips), and weren't too special, but the sandwich was expertly-seasoned, with the spices showcasing the flavor of the pork. 

My plate overflowed with the combination named after the restaurant, the que chula es puebla.  Comprised of one sope, one pork tamal, and one tostada de tinga, as well as refried beans and Mexican rice, it was more than filling.  It offered a great mix of flavors and textures.

For diners that want to finish with desert, Que Chula es Puebla's desert and coffee menu rivals its meal menu, offering classic options like flan, as well as more adventurous fair like the "macho" banana, a fried plantain served in a special sauce and lit en flambé at the table.

While our Monday-night visit coincided with only one other group of diners, things get busy at Que Chula es Puebla, especially with live music on weekends and free appetizers during happy hour; Monday to Friday from 3 p.m. - 6 p.m. 

Que Chula es Puebla has a lunch menu that only varies slightly from its dinner menu plus the offer delivery and catering. 

Que Chula es Puebla is located at 180 Valley St., Sleepy Hollow.  Open Sunday to Thursday 12-10 p.m., Friday and Saturday 12-11 p.m.  Telephone: 914-332-0072, or go to www.quechulaespueblarestaurant.com.  Free parking across from building.