Two fresh batches of pastelitos emerge from the kitchen. One batch is filled with shrimp, one, with fish; both cool, and shed excess fry oil, in the same paper-towel-lined basket. To the untrained eye they're an indiscriminate heap of deep-fried half-moons. How does the counterwoman tell them apart?
For this twosome, the in-house code is almost self-evident: A notch indicates shrimp, a "fin" means fish (first photo below). Many other businesses use similar systems to keep track of what's what. As for the dozen-plus other varieties at this Dominican corner shop ($1 to $3 each), further codebreaking is in order.
Cautionary note: Fresh, plump pastelitos may be both juicy and hot, as you can see from the leavings shown below. Lean forward.
Pastelitos Elvys
255 Wilson Ave. (at Harman St.), Bushwick, Brooklyn
347-985-2399
Closed Sunday
