[Photo from @casaadelarestaurant in 2015]
Adela Fargas, owner of the Avenue C institution Casa Adela, died yesterday morning, according to friends of the Puerto Rican restaurant.
There wasn't much information immediately available about her death.
Meanwhile, there is a memorial in her honor outside the restaurant here between Fourth Street and Fifth Street...
[Photo by Bayou]
And there are several tributes to Fargas, who was born in 1936, on social media ...
Before opening Casa Adela at 66 Avenue C in 1976, she ran a luncheonette one block to the south. It was there, as a feature in The New York Times from 2015 points out, that she perfected the seasoning for her famed rotisserie chicken.
Said her son Luis Rivera, a longtime manager at Casa Adela, in that article:
“She makes people feel like they are eating from Grandma’s hand,” he said. “Many people, their grandmothers are back home,” he said, meaning in Puerto Rico. “So they come here.”
The viewing for Fargas is Friday from 4-9 p.m. at the Ortiz Funeral Home, 22 First Ave. between First Street and Second Street...
Her son is so nice. He shared that his mother always fed the hungry who knocked on the window. He and his wife and sister would like to keep the restaurant going.
ReplyDeleteMy condolences to the family. Casa Adela is a treasure.
ReplyDeleteRIP Adela. Thank you for all the good food and kindness you shared here in the East Village over the years.
ReplyDeleteI didn't really know Adele but met her once at the restaurant.
ReplyDeleteShe exuded so much positive loving energy.
She will be missed. RIP Adele
It's good to hear that her family will continue providing the community with love and delicious food.
I loved Mrs. Adela and her food and the warm, homey Casa Adela. Deepest condolences to her family and many friends, and much praise and gratitude to her sweet, loving spirit.
ReplyDeleteFirst time I ever had Mofongo was at Adela's. It's a rare place in an ever changing neighborhood. I'm so glad that it will be here to stay. Rest In Peace!
ReplyDeleteMy deepest sympathies to all her family and friends.
ReplyDeleteI've long loved eating at Casa Adela. Was just there a couple of weeks ago for the sancocho after recovering from the latest illness circulating. Better than penicillin.
Mi sentimientos! Condolences to the entire family.
ReplyDeleteThe first time I ate at Casa Adela was during my initial trip to NYC in 2002. I’ve been back to the City about a dozen times since, and each visit was highlighted by lunch at Adela’s. Even though I live 3000 miles away in LA, Adela’s always felt like it was right around the corner from home. The food was tasty and soulful, filled with flavor and steeped in love for the island. I am so grateful to have actually met Adela on one occasion, and the photo that I took with her will always bring a smile to my face. My thoughts and prayers to the entire family.
ReplyDeleteThe queen of Loisaida. Best pollo in the city. I’ll miss her and her hugs so much.
ReplyDeleteRIP Adela.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Adela, for all of the good food and for being an inspiring figure as a businessperson and a human being.
ReplyDelete