La Isla - Hamden: A Taste of Puerto Rican Comfort Food

Changed my whole day for the better! Staff was very friendly, helpful and kind. This take out really feels like home cooked comfort food. Their food is the real deal! It would be a great place to sit and eat, decor is fun too. They have all the stews and specials you would expect. Meat lovers AND vegetarians would be happy to visit this place. Their plant based meat is Beyond brand. The person I visited with got chicken empanadas and really enjoyed them. We found out you have to come early to get some of the more popular empanadas, if you are worried they won't have what you want, staff said you can order earlier in the day to pick up for later on. You'll be glad you did! Even if they don't have the special you had in mind there are so many other things to try. I wasn't in a great mood before I stopped in here but they were so pleasant and the food is amazing that I can't help but smile. I have kind of a restricted diet so I eat a lot of white rice and... I would go out of my way to get even the plain rice here again I'm not even joking. I ate a bunch of my rice and it was so perfectly amazingly fluffy and good I almost forgot about my sweet plantains which were *heavenly*.

To start off, I rarely give 10’s and this is one of those occasions. 10/10 all across the board. The service was great, the tiny shop was clean and has a nice vibe (even the bathroom was finished well). The food is the star of the show with the two chicken dishes we ordered having perfectly tender chicken and since I had never tried Puerto Rican food before and for the first time my expectations are now set very high. If you live in Hamden or nearby, definitely try this place. As a final note, 10/10 would 110% recommend :) P.S. I wanted to try their flan but sadly they didn’t have it but next time I come I will definetly try it and update this review.

Nice clean place, the food was just like mama makes DELICIOUS! I would recommend to anyone. All the workers were so friendly and nice

Delicious. Enough said. The only complaints I’ve had were not food related. Rice, seasoned to perfection, pork belly was porkin’ and the cups were deliciously filled with shredded pork and their pork plantain cups, great. I could probably eat just the rice alone, but luckily it can pair with some delicious protein. The empanada I had was good as well and held itself well for breakfast the next morning. The restaurant is relatively small but is equipped with a handful of tables for those who would rather dine in. The parking lot isn’t huge, but I have never had a problem getting in or out in a timely manner. They have desserts there as well. I always ordered to go as I was always on the move. Got everything in a decent time, and staff will always greet you. The only problem I had was when I ordered an extra side of pork belly (extra money), I didn’t receive one. So, make sure you check your takeout order before leaving! If This place is sort of close to Quinnipiac University and if you haven’t tried, you probably should. If I’m ever back in town I will surely love to come back, maybe try the wings next time!

Amazing service, pricey but worth it. The baked chicken with yellow rice and beans was amazing. Tasted even better the next day. Also, a side of sweet plantains, good! I would go back again to try the wings

We ordered a little of everything. Coming from Vegas we don’t have this type of cuisine. I did enjoy the single piece of chicken and the veggies in the chicken stew.

The food was very delicious and tasted like a home cooked meal and the service was exceptional. I don’t have to wait too long and the hostess was very nice I’ll definitely recommend anyone to come here to eat.

Was hiking in the area and decided to try a new place. As soon as I walked in it was clean, and well set up. The workers/owners were kind, skilled, and you could taste the passion in the food. Delicious! The chicken wings were fantastic and the chicken sandwich with the Mayo ketchup was phenomenal. Pinã Colada was the perfect cherry on top. Loved it! Keep up the good work, I can see this place getting very well known in the future.