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La Fusta Restaurant
Category: Restaurants Argentine Argentine [Edit]
8032 Baxter AveElmhurst, NY 11373
Neighborhood: Elmhurst
(718) 429-8222
- Nearest Transit:
-
Elmhurst Av (E, M, R)
82 St - Jackson Hts (7)
Jackson Hts - Roosevelt Av (E, F, M, R)
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
57 reviews for La Fusta Restaurant
Review Highlights
"The panqueque con dulce de leche is spectacular."
(in 5 reviews)
"The shrimp avocado salad is to die for and the flab steak..."
(in 3 reviews)
"Wines and Sangria were both very tasty."
(in 14 reviews)
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57 reviews in English
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Review from ben c.
La fusta American grill.....WOW! I came here with a bunch of church friends for dinner. EVERYTHING was delicious. Even the appetizers and bread was good! We sat in the corner so the waiter didn't come over as often. But it wasnt hard to flag someone down and get service. I wish this place was closer to me! Actually, that's probably not a good idea, I'll have clogged arteries from all the yummy meat! hahaha. Come here if you love meat, you won't be disappointed!
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Review from Michael G.
Floral Park, NY
12/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
I used to say that "you don't make friends with salad", however, after eating the insalate con camarrones, at La Fusta, I will no longer subscribe to that belief.
Being known for their delicious grilled meats, its hard to believe that someone woul order a salad here, but trust me, its worth it.
Not to be missed are their famous homemade empanadas, each one is a flaky meat pie filled with perfectly seasoned beef, egg and an olive in the middle.
The parillada, or grilled meat platter is what to eat here. A mound of skirt steak, sausage and sweet breads, that are cooked to perfection.
And what better to wash all this down, than a pitcher of their homemade sangria! Be warned, its super delicious, and it has a nasty habit of creeping up on you. -
Review from Crystal W.
New York, NY
11/6/2011
A few friends and I gathered here for a good ol' fashioned steak dinner here awhile ago and it was a lot of fun. The place itself has a certain stateliness that comes with being a neighborhood establishment, but the funny juxtaposition of its location (across from the Elmhurst Medical Center, resulting in a lot of customers in medical garb), its staff (the bartender eagerly showed us the astronomy app on his new iPad as we left) and finally the Argentinian flair lends a uniquely Queensian air to the whole affair.
We ordered the mixed grill and a skirt steak, along with some salad, a lot of red wine and left stuffed to the gills. No dessert, but everyone was a happy and sleepy camper.Listed in: QEC
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Review from Alice L.
9/29/2011
The night just begins right... there's bread... and chimmichurri on the table. Is the chimmichurri for the steak later? Nah, we haven't ordered yet - they don't know we are having steak - it MUST be for the bread! HOLY COW is it delicious - more chimmichurri please - side of bread with that!
We don't know what to order for drinks and the waiter suggests the Sangria, boy do I Love this Sangria! First of all, the glass is HUGE! Lock it in with the great fruity not too sweet taste and we've got a winner!
Then the grilled skirt steak comes out. I love taking pictures of my food but let me tell you, this steak wasn't on the table long. It quickly found a home in my happy tummy.
This is definitely a place I would continue to bring guests to - Beautiful authentic decor, wonderful ambiance and fantastic food- and Sangria! - Sold! -
Review from Jimmy w.
1/25/2012 2 photos
i pass by here a lot and it always seem to be in a lost forgotten corner. my friend and i were walking to our next grub adventure. we were planning to get asian but we saw this pretty sight and thought lets give it a whirl. i love the scenery. its like stepping in an olive garden/ italian styled eatery. we ordered calamari, tripe soup, and seafood with noodles. the waiter was great because i knew a lot of the dishes had dairy that i couldnt have. he went to the chef to check which one that didnt have diary. they spelled tripe wrong in the menu and i thought i was getting a triple combo soup. it was spelled triple but it was actually tripe. the appetizer bread was very warm to the touch. their olive oil, scallion and garlic sauce was great on the bread. the tripe soup was good too. my friend loved it. i thought it was ok. i had better for 6.50. i was happy it wasnt watered down. the calamari needed to be fried a little more. i felt like it was too much dough and too soggy. it also needed a little bit more flavor. the shrimp in the noodles were great and succulent but the whole sauce was too salty for me. besides the shrimp, it was filled with many clam pieces and noodles. i loved the decor but i need a little more from the food. i was happy the water they gave us didnt taste like soap water. the waiters were very kind and great. all in all it cost around $40. its an argentian restaurant.
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Review from Jeff O.
Woodside, NY
8/29/2011
Food is very good, portions are double what you'd consider normal. Our skirt steak was literally the size of my forearm and half my hand. The staff is extremely nice and accommodating. I'm glad I went, but I first need to go to Gauchito before I come back.
Listed in: Elmhurst: UN eating
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Review from Adam M.
New York, NY
7/5/2011
La Fusta, me gusta!
The Argentine Mixed Grill for two was brilliant. Don't woos out and order the 'American' version - go for the real deal with blood sausage and chinchulines along with the delicious steak, italian sausage and chops.
Savor every bite of meaty goodness, BUT save room for dessert. The panqueque con dulce de leche is spectacular!!
The only reason La Fusta didn't get 5 stars, was the service was a bit unattentive (forgot to bring our drinks, forgot one dessert) and because they didn't have the alfajores listed on their online menu.
And yes, depriving me of more dulce de leche is definitely reason to drop one star! -
Review from JulieJuli A.
New York, NY
11/8/2010 1 Check-in Here
Julie
3 1/2 Stars
I felt like steak but i was no where near Luger's nor did i have a coveted reservation. The next best is to head to Queens a find a nice piece of skirt steak.
La Fusta seems to be quite popular in a pretty deserted part of Elmhurst across from the Hospital. But the place was packed and i had to wait 20min for a table. Must be good.
And it was. Kind of hit and miss but the meal definitely served it's purpose.
Started with calamari and i say skip it as the squid was chewy and just not good. I should have ordered the empanadas... DUHHHH I'm at a latino spot, not an Italian place......
Like I said, all I wanted was a nice piece of skirt steak. But because the menu had sooo much and my eyes were just bulging out as all the food past by, I had to consider other options... BAM... what do you know. They have a combo meat dish.. Argentenian style or American style. I went American, what can I say... I can't do the blood sausage that's in the Arg style.
So the combo comes with a skirt steak, several pieces of beef short ribs, chicken, sausage, a large pork chop and some more beef.... Wow, big enough to share with 2 dudes and possibly even 3 peeps.
The verdict??? Pork chop was too thick and didn't retain the juicyness. Short ribs were too thick and a bit fatty. (bottom line is that no one can do short ribs like Korean BBQ) Sausage was great, and i just didn't want to waste my appetite on chicken.
The star was the skirt steak and i will be back and all I want is the skirt steak. The meal comes with fries and mashed potato so you def get your money's worth. Host and bartendar were excellent and make the place feel welcoming. -
Review from d'N'L m.
Brooklyn, NY
7/31/2010
4.5
Crack that whip..
Last night we had a garlic and wine filled feast.. Delicious meat, a cool and friendly environment.. Whats not to enjoy?
This place is an Argentinian Steak House.. Which means... You order steak.. I normally go with the skirt steak served medium rare..
I really enjoy restaurants that have older male waiters.. I don't know what it is but, i like it.. It's like going to a barber to get your hair cut.. something about it feels a little more old school..
When we first started talking to the waiter, I joked with him that we wanted a couple of orders of chicken fingers off the child's menu.. He took it one step further and brought out an order for us.. I must say, the best damn chicken strips I have ever had.. Marinated in hot sauce and then breaded and fried.. beautiful pieces of white chicken breast meat..
We started with avocado and shrimp salad.. This is a large watercress salad with shrimp, avocado, hearts of palm onion and sliced egg.. The salad is huge.. Can feed four.. I highly recommend.. Dressed subtly, understated but, perfect.. Reminded me of a salad we get at Antoines in New Orleans.
We also had a calves tongue.. Served cold but was grilled at one point.. this was delicious.. it was topped with spicy pickled veg..
On to the skirt steak and french fries.. we ordered them with garlic and parsley..
The condiment for the table was the chimmicurri sauce.. it was very coarse. chunks of garlic and parsley floating in oil essentially.. we put it on everything, even the bread..
sangria was lovely.. not overly sweet... no pitcher filled half way with ice.. they put the ice in the glasses.. what a concept..
People next to us ordered a mixed grilled plate that could have fed 6 people.. they also ordered rigatoni carbonara.. A real light summer meal.. It looked awesome though..
Definitely coming back.. We had a great night! -
Review from Natalia V.
Ridgewood, NY
So this place is AMAZING!
I've been going to La Fusta for more than 10 years now, my family and I really like it and enjoy every meal we have over there.
Our order for the most part stays the same...their house salad or shrimp with avocado salad are the best! (i sometimes order a salad with a empanada carne just for any day to go cuz im always thinking about it! hehehe) They always say to skip the bread, cant do that...its always too fresh and warm to skip on it...
as entrees we order La Parrillada which for two people is enough for four people....how is the meat? Perfect, is the best way to describe it...juicy and perfectly well done! The sides? get the broccoli and spinach which are delicious.
And the dessert either the Flan with caramelo or the Panqueque quemado al ron are the best.
Really guys if you have never been there, its so worth it! The service has always been good and they are ALL very friendly :) Plus, i dont know for sure if its something for the everyday but last time they had a Jazz player...and really what is better than good food and good music all in one?
PS: VERY IMPORTANT- the sangria is NICE -
Review from Paigee C.
New York, NY
6/22/2011
great place for groups and bdays. Not over-rated at all. Go for mainly the argentinian steaks. you can't go wrong. everything else is too filling. they have this huge entree with all different meats: blood sausages, steaks, etc and it's just too much food, but good food it is!
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Review from Jade H.
11/3/2010
This is a great place for meat. The meat is done so amazingly juicy and flavorful. Portions are made for a man of the mountain! You want to know who does blood sausage well? Here it is, man! I say man because I'm addressing the man of the mountain.
I came here a couple of times as a guest of someone else so I am not sure about the price. The guest made all the food recommendations. I can only comment about how good this food is! -
Review from Bradley C.
Jackson Heights, NY
1/30/2011
La Fusta came highly recommended from the guy we bought our car from out in Long Island and since it's just a few blocks from home and I love Latin food, we had to try it. We went with no reservation on a Friday night and had to wait about 45 minutes but that's to be expected. The place was packed. The good news is we had a chance to talk to the manager at the bar while we waited, great guy, first generation Argentine.
The car salesman said to get the shrimp salad and he wasn't kidding. Can't recommend it highly enough, fabulous. Naturally we had steaks - it's an Argentine steak house so keep the chicken, thanks. Ridiculously good. Just absurd. Wife had the skirt steak, I had I don't even remember what cut but they were both perfect. Not sure I've ever had a better steak that I didn't prepare.
I skipped desert for another drink - had to explain what a vodka gimlet was. Wife had the tres leche thing, also very good even though I don't really go for sweets. For the 2 of us, the salad, great big steaks, desert and maybe a few too many drinks was $100. Not cheap, but definitely a bargain for the quality of the steaks. I want to go back immediately, for the salad as much as the steaks. My kinda cuisine for sure. -
Review from Ana S.
Brooklyn, NY
4/20/2010 8 photos
DeliciosooooO! I have eaten take-out for lunch at this place twice and I absolutely salivate over their food. This is a great Argentinian restaurant with a great variety of dishes on their menu. Kinda hard to decide what to order when they all sound, look and smell sooo MmmMm...mmmM..MmmmM..! (I hope you understood my lack of words there) The following are descriptions of some dishes I highly recommend. I am not sure of the dish's exact name. Sorry!
1. meat empanadas
2. watercress, avocado, shrimp, egg, tomato, cucumber with a lemony taste salad
3. skirt steak!!!
4. ravioli in a peachy colored sauce
5. sausage!
6. grilled chicken (not bad)
This is pretty much all I have tried during both lunch take-out. Buen provecho! -
Review from Yvonne W.
New York, NY
8/8/2009
Came here for dinner tonight and really enjoyed it. Yelpers are not exaggerating when they say that the skirt steak is incredible and HUGE -- really huge! We shared the 1/2 grilled skirt steak with mashed potatoes as well as the avocado, watercress, and shrimp salad. The 1/2 grilled skirt steak was $15.50, yet it was more than enough to feed the two of us; I have a good portion waiting for me for dinner tomorrow night. :) Not only that, but it was cooked to perfection - perfectly medium rare, juicy, a little fatty, and with great meaty texture. The grilled taste was delicious. This place is definitely a really good value for not just the quality but the quantity of food that you get. Thank God this place is in Elmhurst and not in Manhattan, otherwise the prices would probably be 2x as much and I wouldn't be as happy.
The watercress/avocado/shrimp salad also had lima beans, hearts of palm, and tomato chunks in it, and it was really good and quite a large order as well. The combination of the different ingredients was really pretty in terms of presentation, and the salad itself was dressed perfectly. The only problem with it was that the shrimp was overcooked to the point that it was rubbery, but other than that, I really liked this salad and would get it again.
We also shared a large pitcher of sangria, and it's perfect here! It's sweet and juicy, and the alcohol content wasn't watered down at all. The service here is pretty nice, and they don't rush you to pay your check and leave the way a lot of places do, and they actually wait until you request the check to give it to you.
The ambiance here is pretty festive - it's dimly but warmly lit with lots of photographs that make the place feel homey yet intimate. It's not pretentious at all, but it's not too casual at the same time. I think it's a perfect restaurant to pick for a small party or gathering since the food and ambiance are good, and you wouldn't need to break the bank. We'll definitely be back here for the steaks. What a find in Elmhurst!Listed in: Why I Love Queens
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Review from Jessica R.
Queens, NY
3/2/2010
La Fusta captures Argentinean food... it's that simple. It has probably the most authentic and best tasting Chimichurri (a sort of sauce used on your beef), and I loved it so much I was adding it to all my food! The skirt steak is practically melt in your mouth soft even when cooked well done (now that is rare!!). Oh and the sangria.... wow! Never has sangria done it's job until now!
I would recommend to pass by this little restaurant if you're in queens, very convenient to the 7 train, 82nd street, or R,V (Elmhurst Avenue). Nothing negative to say about this place, I just wish it were a little bit bigger because it felt a bit cramped, but the small space also made the service more attentive and they treat you like family. -
Review from Nicolas L.
San Francisco, CA
10/30/2009
La Fusta has been a second home to me since I was seven years old.
As soon as I was old enough to go to restaurants I started dragging all my friends here. Mind you, it wasn't to expose them to new things or support one of my favorite restaurants but so I could stuff my face with bites from everyone's dishes. YOU!- you'll want the mixed grill! YOU!- you'll want the gnocci! YOU!- you'll want the milanesa with a fried eggs and french fries! YOU!- you'll want the spinach caneloni with white sauce!
Definitely one of my most genius plots ever. -
Review from Alex F.
Manhattan, NY
7/1/2011
I love it. I go back every six months or so, for special occasions, and can't get enough. The food is excellent, ambiance enjoyable-- and the sangria comes in enormous pitchers, so can't complain.
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Review from Sal S.
New York, NY
9/14/2008
A local favorite in my backyard. Great place to come if you're craving steak and don't want to put a dent in your wallet. Argentinean flavor from the food and down to the decor. It's cozy for a dinner of 2 and there's an adjacent room big enough to accommodate a dinner party of 12+ people.
Top favorites of mine:
"La Fusta" Shrimp Avocado Salad with hearts of palm
Grilled Skirt Steak - you could order a full size or half size; juicy & well seasoned
Shrimp a la Fusta with spinach & rice - battered butterfly shrimp in a carbonara sauce
Grilled Shell Steak - savory and juicy
Service is a bit slow. If you're in a hurry to leave, just ask for the check while you're ordering dessert. Otherwise you could sit there all night to finish off the second pitcher of sangria.Listed in: Good for Groups
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Review from Franny A.
9/17/2009 1 photo
Oh, La Fusta restuarante autentico Argentino across from Elmhurst hospital. Went here for dinner with my Queens food group.
Consumed: Chicken empanada and shortribs with garlicky spinach. Tried other diners morcilla(blood sausage), beef empanada, skirt steak.
Orgasmic and food envied were my short ribs with garlicky spinach. The short ribs were cooked to perfection, salty, meaty and delish to the max. There were ooooohs and ahs at the meat and the short ribs were tdf. You can order sides of french fries, mashed or veggies with your entree..
There is a chimichuri like sauce served at the onset with soft bread. This spot across from Elmhurst hospital and is not cheap with meat starting at $14, but it is well worth it. There are also pasta dishes, but with meat this amazing what is the point. I also spent a month in Argentina and this place rocks!Listed in: Old School Spots
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Review from Monica L.
Sunnyside, NY
4/9/2009
If you're a steak lover, boy this is the place. The "Bife de Lomo" is the best steak that you can find in NYC. Along with the sangria.
The place is not fancy at all, but who cares about the premises, when the steak almost could melt in your mouth?
The service is excellent.
I've been in both locations, and I'm a fan. No doubt. -
Review from Chad T.
8/29/2009
When you go for the skirt steak, make sure to order it "skin on". You can cut it off before you eat, but it's better to cook the flavors in.
I would just skip all the sides and go for the meat. Flab (hanger) steak, chorizo, it's all good. Go crazy and come back for more! -
Review from D H.
San Francisco, CA
12/28/2007
This is a great Argentinian steak house. Order the beef with chimichurri sauce -- delicious! They also serve a nice salad w/shrimp, watercress, avocado that I enjoy.
Order the balcarce which is a special dessert made with dried merengue (or something like it) -- it's very light & not like anything I've had elsewhere.
The place is on the smallish side so better for small groups, or make reservations if you are bringing a bigger group.
Enjoy! -
Review from Jan Y.
Long Island City, NY
3/3/2010
INCONSISTANT! Came here 2 times and orderd the skirt steak. The first time was very flavorful and the steak was VERY tender. The second time had absolutely no flavor whatsoever (I had to add salt and pepper) & chewy.
I suggest not to order any pasta here - Horrific, over cooked noodles yuck! (about 10 min over cooked).
Pork chops - Dry.
The Sangria was decent.
IF you MUST come I suggest ordering the skirt steak (cross your fingers and hope you get the tasty version) and the sangria.
Oh I forgot to mention the best thing they serve here is the bread and oil/garlic sauce they serve before your meal. -
Review from Veronica N.
New York, NY
12/25/2009
I was super excited to come to this restaurant after I read the reviews, though I was slight disappointed. It's right across the street from Elmhurst Hospital but parking wasn't really a problem. We had to stand at the door for a little bit before we were seated. Overall the waiters aren't extremely attentive, you have to call for their attention. Though the busboy kind of made up for the waiters lack of attention.
They start you off with bread, butter and this great oil/garlic dipping sauce which I loved. My table of 2 ordered the Broiled Salmon with a side of Spinach/vegetables and half Grilled Skirt Steak with Fries. Both were cooked perfectly, very moist and tender while the portions for everything was generous. Ended up taking leftovers home since we couldn't finish it.
The restaurant itself is a nice neighborhood spot, the experience was "okay." While I'm glad I came here I wouldn't come back since there's so many other restaurants I'd like to try ot prefer. -
Review from Amy C.
Elmhurst, NY
2/24/2011
I first tried this place because of the Trick or Eat even that took place at Elmhurst during halloween where you can go to different restaurant around Elmhurst to sample for free. Then my friend also recommended this place so I took my sister to eat here. We had an appetizer of 3 empanadas and and Grilled chicken. Loved it!
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Review from Lisa R.
Queens, NY
11/2/2010
I came here for the Trick or Eat and WOW. I rarely like empanadas, but theirs were delicious! I could have drank the garlic and cilantro sauce that came with it straight up. I can't wait to come back here to try more. The atmosphere and service were excellent too.
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Review from Peter Y.
12/2/2008
Worked up an appetite grocery shopping the night before Thanksgiving. I was fiending for skirt steak while I was strolling the meat section at the markets. I would usually go to my default location at La Portena to satisfy my craving but I was talked into trying a different place by my gf and her friends.
I was delighted to see various offal dishes on their menu. We started off with an order of blood sausage and tripe soup. Both were adequately prepared, but I wasn't blown away. For our main dishes, the gf had short ribs and I got the skirt steak medium rare. Unfortunately, both came out with a higher level of doneness than ordered. The Russian Salad (potato salad) I got on the side was just ok.
Small tables, dim lighting makes for a cozy atmosphere and intimate ambiance. Some mention the slow service, but I'm not quite sure if that's accurate. It seemed more to me like they were backing off to let us talk and enjoy our meal. Overall, it was a good meal but i think I'd rather go back to La Portena. It's in the same neighborhood too. -
Review from T B.
Manhattan, NY
12/30/2010
This place is amazing! The shrimp avocado salad is to die for and the flab steak is huge! It can feed 2 people. You will have a nice dinner here, I promise you. The apple in my Sangria had the label on it but it didnt stop me from picking it out and drinking it.
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Review from Linda C.
Queens, NY
9/10/2010
I have not eaten in the restaurant but we have catered lunch from them numerous times.
unfortunately, their prices keep going up and we could no longer afford them.
their skirt steaks, beef empanadas,and watercress & shrimp salads are outstanding.
if money is no object, definitely use them as a caterer.Listed in: Elmhurst's Eats
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Review from Marie Z.
New York, NY
2/22/2011
La Fusta is one of those places I've walked by millions of times and never really noticed. Its really in an unfortunate location, on a desolate street across from Hell-hurst hospital. My husband heard it was good so we tried it for his birthday a few years back. The decor is really cool inside and the menu has a wide array of stuff available. I had the skirt steak with rice and fries. The waiter was very nice and answered all of my questions ( I don't eat meat a lot so am a bit clueless about the different cuts). My steak came out thin, hardly any fat, well done and juicy. The sauce they give you for the steak is divine. Even the rice was good. The first time we were here we had a meat platter that was very impressive. They also have chicken, pasta and fish here. Lucky for me I can walk here! Too expensive for just a night out, but definitely worth it for special occasions.
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Review from Kiet L.
7/2/2010
Everything at La Fusta is generous. The owners, the staff and the portions. We had a large party and walked in with 3 out of 15 people, and they were very courteous and accommodating even though the other 12 were late... very late. The specialty here is meat, and they were all great. Cooked to order and most were on point. My skirt steak was ordered medium rare, and it came out medium rare. My side of sauteed spinach that came with it was a huge, huge plate of garlicky, fresh spinach. So good, and definitely filling. The great part is unlike most steak houses, the sides here come with the steak. The chimichurri sauce is amazing. I dipped my steak, bread and everything else that was edible in it. The price is very reasonable too. You will definitely get your money's worth, and have a great dining experience here.
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Review from Jennifer C.
Fresh Meadows, NY
5/24/2010
literally AS GOOD AS IT GETS :) portions are HUGE.. i usually get half a skirt steak and i can't finish..
my usual:
-watercress salad with avocado, shrimp, egg, tomato, cucumber in a lemony dressing..
-the melted mozzerella and prociutto on a hot metal plate
-a morcilla (blood sausage) VERY well done.
-half a skirt steak medium- they season it so well i never have to add anything
**when you order the potatoes.. MAKE SURE to ask for the fries with roasted chopped garlic and parsely!**
**DONT FORGET THE CHIMICHURRI SAUCE! dont plan on kissing anyone that night =X**
NOW THATS WHAT I CALL A LAST SUPPER! -
Review from Andrew K.
8/2/2010
I've passed by this restaurant so many times but finally decided to try it out. They serve authentic Argentinian food and it was very good. They start you off with bread which is really soft and they give you this chimmichurri sauce which is amazing. I got the avocado salad with shrimp which I highly recommend. The calamari was ok but nothing special. The Fusta grill comes with grilled skirt steak, grilled, pork, grilled sausage and grilled chicken and the portion for 1 is huge and enough for 2. All the steaks are huge portions and you can easily share it with 2 people or get the half size. I think the skirt steak tastes the best here and it is the flat thin one. The fries that come with each steak comes in a big plate and we had alot of leftovers among 4 of us even though we ordered only 3 dishes. I would definitely come back here again.
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Review from Amy C.
New York, NY
11/5/2010
Talk about tender meats! This place is GOOD! (good enough to get 4 of the 6 Manhattan-ites in our party out to Queens on a chilly fall Saturday).
Recommended by an Argentinian friend, we arrived with high expectations, and boy did it deliver! We tried appetizers of grilled cheese with prosciutto along with the avocado salad with shrimp (they are *generous* with the toppings!). For the main course, four of us ordered the mixed grill platter with mashed potatoes to share, wondering if it would be enough... and it was huge! Definitely big enough for another person to have shared. For a mini mountain of meat, I was impressed to find that most of it was tender goodness. (We also heard grunts of approval about the skirt steak and the grilled chicken too).
Unassuming restaurant + food prepared well + great prices for portion sizes... this place = YUM. -
Review from David L.
8/15/2008
Authentic, authentic, authentic. It's the best thing about the place (waiters, decor, clientelle, relaxed atmosphere, quality of meat, friendliness) and it's the worst thing about the place (lack of imagination, lack of innovation, their inconsistency, resting on their laurels, relying on their clientelle who want traditional comforting food but not really wanting to push the envelope or go out of their way to impress)...
The flab steak (which came with the highest recommendation from the manager) (which should actually be "flap" -- although I can understand the misunderstanding, because neither translation is very familiar or precisely defined in English), rare of course, is sometimes phenomenal and sometimes just average -- one time it comes out almost 2 inches tall and 8 inches wide, the next time it comes out only 1 inch tall and 6 inches wide -- but it's always super flavorful and super tender...
The stuffed dry-grilled tripe really wasn't for me. And the is the only time I've never enjoyed tripe. At first I thought perhaps it wasn't cleaned, then after some research I found out it was stuffed with liver and/or kidneys... Also I had the kidneys (which the waiter very politely advised I might want to try a 1/2 order, which doesn't actually exist on the menu but he created an exception for me and my sense of adventure without obligating me to anything too undesirable) which were similarly dry-grilled (aka not juicy, not succulent) and a bit unpleasant...
The "chorizo" which is actually a steak (rather than a sausage) is very good but for my tastes a bit overpriced and inferior to the flab/flap... The shell steak is fine, the short ribs are fine... I've never had any of the pastas or Italian inspired dishes... I had a truly terrible "rolled flank steak" salad, which was cold and fatty and not fresh and completely flavorless (even though it must've contained at least 20 ingredients, all of which were barely edible)... The beef tongue salad is pretty good. The beef empanada used to be amazing, but the last time I ordered it came out bready and cold in the center, they changed the recipe... The black sausage is one of the best I've had in New York City... The tomato with oregano salad isn't what you'd expect. It's a few slices of tomato with dried oregano... It could be cheaper, it's not very good, sometimes the tomatoes are completely green (not ripe)... I love, for dessert, the flaming rum banana crepe and the egg-cake with milk jelly (flan con dulce de leche)...
The menu has changed recently, many things taken off and all of the "crowd-pleasers" have increased in price. For example, they USED TO offer cheap carafes of house Malbec or Cabernet Sauvignon, but now everything's about twice as expensive as it once was...
I always feel a bit weird that La Fusta is right across from a hospital... When I first discovered this place I really loved it, I tried to visit frequently, but after my last visit I don't think I'll be coming back again.Listed in: Places I'd like to like (NYC)
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Review from Dani B.
New York, NY
4/24/2008
This is the real deal, Argentinean style. Been here twice, both times a Sat eve ~9pm. Never had to wait to be seated -- I heard the place was expanded a couple years back and that it's still family run (originally papa and now the son). The parilla (grilled meats) = sabroso...nice and juicy. The dulce de leche panqueque is excellent. Never felt rushed here, the service is laid back but doesn't forget about you. It's a great spot for a date or a nice dinner with a small group of friends.
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Review from Mika Z.
Queens, NY
6/3/2008
Wow! This place is great. We actually ordered too much food! That's fine...I didn't have to cook dinner the next day. Our waiter's English was not too good but the young guy (manager or owner?) came by our table to offer menu suggestions. Super friendly! To start we ordered the Tortilla De Papas (potato omelet $11.50) and the Avocado Salad with Shrimps (highly recommend this salad...delish! $13.50). For our main course we shared the Grilled Skirt Steak with Mashed Potatoes...yummy ($24.00)! I'm embarrassed to say that this is my first visit and I've lived nearby for so long! I'll definitely be back again.
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Review from Henry C.
Woodside, NY
9/7/2009
As someone who travels yearly to Argentina and comes from an Argentinean family, I can easily say that this is hands down the best Argentinean restaurant in NYC. They've been here for 30 years or so and will probably be here for another 30 if the world doesn't come to an end. Vacio is a very Argentine cut...it's from the flank and more fibrous than a skirt steak with the same flavor profile...have it here!!! I like it nice and rare to medium rare....butter!!!! Everything is outstanding and just like a typical restaurant in Buenos Aires! Service is non intrusive, attentive and always very cordial and warm no matter how busy or not! 10 puntos La Fusta!
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Review from Loretta P.
Astoria, NY
3/31/2008
If it weren't for the name and address being the same, I'd wonder if I was in the same place described here! The bread was good, but other than that, everything else was so bad that a part of me wanted to ask for a discount or to just not pay for the meal. And I'm not super picky or obnoxious about food, either. I like a lot of different things and don't expect perfection. But to me this food was inedible, and I had been HUNGRY. I ordered chicken with mushroom sauce. The sauce wasn't what I think of as mushroom sauce -- it was tomato based, and frankly, it just tasted... bad. Just bad. Like Chef Boyardee that had been left out in the sun. Or like the mushrooms were old. Or both. What I could taste of the chicken underneath seemed good, but how can I tell? My friend had a half roasted chicken, and I tasted it. It was ok in flavor, maybe, but so dry as to be inedible. My side of spinach was good, though, and so was my friend's mashed potatoes. Maybe we just went on a bad day, or ordered the wrong thing. But we both left hungry and in a bad mood, and feeling like we had been taken advantage of to spend $30 or so on a terrible lunch.
I'm giving it two stars because the service was ok and the sides and bread tasted good. It was just everything else that was bad.
