I took my favorite Nuyorican here for her birthday so she could enjoy a taste of home, and Cocotazo delivered. Even though I arrived an hour late for my reservation, the hostess graciously found a way to seat us. They don't serve alcohol, but there's a liquor store around the corner, and with a $20 corkage fee, our bottle of sangria paired perfectly with dinner. The space is nostalgic, modern, and incredibly welcoming. Hearing La India playing while we enjoyed bacalaitos and pastelillos was the perfect touch. Our entrées: pastelón, blackened salmon, and La Gallina were all outstanding. The birthday celebration was unforgettable, with singing, maracas, and music, followed by delicious bread pudding and tres leches cake. Chef Francis even stopped by our table! My friend realized she had missed the blood sausage on the menu, and they surprised her with a complimentary order to take home. That thoughtful gesture perfectly captured the warmth and hospitality of Cocotazo. The standout dishes for me were the bacalaito and the pastelón, both are must-orders. I also recommend making a reservation in advance on Resy. If you're driving, street parking can be tough, but there's a convenient parking lot just one block away at 409 E. 110th St. read more

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Our waitress was friendly, attentive, and provided excellent service. Unfortunately, the same couldn't be said for the host and the kitchen staff, who seemed almost annoyed that we had walked in and asked for a table???? Hopefully it was just an off day. The food was okay, but it didn't quite live up to my expectations. The arroz con gandules was on the dry side, and the meat could have used more seasoning, particularly salt, to bring out the flavor. Overall, it wasn't a bad meal, but it wasn't memorable enough for me to make the trip again. While I'd like to believe this was an off day, based on this experience I probably wouldn't go out of my way to return. Super excited to try the food but did not meet expectations. Restaurant itself is small and cute. Sounds of coqui in the bathroom. read more

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I've been contemplating writing this review for actually a few months now because I wasn't sure if I really wanted to review Cocotazo again knowing that I didn't have the best experience since she opened her restaurant. However I think it's important to be truthful about the positives and negatives about dining at cocotazo. The positives- My family and I went on a Sunday afternoon in March without a reservation. It's a small place so it was packed out! The owners wife said there would be a wait and would accommodate us when she could which was 100% fine with us. She seated us about 30 mins later and we were thrilled. We have been supporting Cocotazo since she was in La Marqueta. The atmosphere was culturally decorated and paying true homage to Puerto Rico. A loving memory of our homeland in its simplicity and strength. The restaurant itself is dedicated to good food and its rich history. The wife of the owner is so sweet and the staff were welcoming. We ordered alcapurria, a coki bowl, la gallina and pastelon. The food took a bit long to come out but we were not complaining because the food has always been fresh! The negatives- The alcapurria was literally so small on this big plate that it was kind of comical. It tasted good but left more to be desired. They ran out of La Gallina but said they could substitute it with fried chicken and my friend was okay with that. She tried the chicken and saw it was a little pink close to the bone and she was uncomfortable with the cooking done on it and politely told the waitress that she thought it was raw. The chef came out and seemed pretty frustrated. She came out with the chicken torn apart to show my friend the chickens doneness. The chef then asked her how she liked it cooked and left. The interaction felt frustrated and defensive to me as well. I was actually pretty surprised given previous experiences were always nice. We appreciated her coming out to address the concern but we just wanted to make sure the food was safe to eat. We were hoping for something more reassuring. The interaction left us feeling disappointed. Now I have no issue paying for quality food but I do feel like the prices are a bit steep. The coki bowl by itself is almost $30. The economy is horrible right now and inflation is at an all time high for sure. Someone's gotta pay the overhead at the restaurant and the staff etc so I understand but we are all feeling the same pain. It would be hard to dine here often and they do not offer lunch specials to my knowledge. Also PR food at its core is simple, amazing, flavorful and not typically expensive. It's humble food and that is not an insult. Being Puerto Rican myself I truly appreciate the intention and thoughtfulness put into the restaurant and menu. Its authenticity shines bright and puts a spotlight on the culture. The music was good and reminded me of home. The diners were playing dominos. It's traditional. The real downside was the interaction with the chef and the prices. For myself I would try it again once I saved up a little bit more coin lol. Otherwise take my interaction with a grain of salt and let it be information or knowledge for you. I encourage you to try it for yourself and taste Puerto Rico. read more

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I came here and I made a reservation which I definitely recommend if you don't want to wait. So let's get to the food so it was good but it was not memorable. It was four of us and we ordered three meals out of the three meals. I ordered the steak which would have benefited from seasoning. The food my mom and sister ordered was good and my niece's food was also good. They ordered the baked chicken with rice and beans and the pernil bowl. What really stood out from the meal was the red beans and the appetizer of bacalaitos. The place is really nice has great natural lighting and I loved the decorations. I would definitely come again to try their sandwiches. You should come and try it for yourself. read more

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Cocotazo was an ok but not a very memorable restaurant as I thought it might have been . Started out with their beef alcapuria which was super bland and the accompanying sauce didn't do anything to elevate it whatsoever . I had the gallina which was their baked or rotisserie chicken with rice and beans and plantains . This was a safe meal and tasted good with the standout being the plantains and the chicken . I also was able to have a taste of their salmon option and I thought it was well cooked and tender but also a little bit on the bland side. I ended up ordering their cheese puff pastry and flan for dessert . I didn't take a picture of it ,but the flan slice was very tiny , and cut in a very irregular almost butchered yet close to triangular shape . I didn't end up eating it because I felt it was tampered with. I initially placed it as a dine in option and it didn't appear in that shape when it was in the table . I don't know what happened in the mix after I asked for it to go but I wasn't going to chance eating it at that point . Overall cocotazo was an ok experience. Even the service felt abit off to be frank . Id probably revisit cocotazo but for their pastries . They did look appetizing and the cheese puff was quite good . read more

Cocotazo - La Gallina - Puerto Rican Near Me - New York, New York

If you want authentic, homemade Puerto Rican food - this is the place to be! I felt like I was at my tia's house, waiting for food to be prepared. Some of the dishes are named after family members, which I thought was lovely, and there are family portraits all over the restaurant. It really felt like we were transported to someone's living room! I was chatting with a fellow diner at the table next to me, and we were raving about how comfortable and at home we felt. The chef Frances Roman also took the time to check in on each table and the people waiting outside the restaurant to see how they were enjoying the food and if they had any questions. The hospitality here is top tier! I ordered the bacalitos to start, which are cod fish fritters. They were nice and crispy. The sauce it came with really enhanced the flavor! I also ordered the guava and cheese pastelillos. Both pastelillos were also crisped to perfection. For my main dish, I had The Rican sandwich, which is a nice twist on the Cuban sandwich. The sandwich is made with pernil, Swiss, pickled onions, and the chef's own special garlic mayo sauce. It was absolutely delicious!! Cocotazo also has freshly, homemade juices. I recommend the Chi Chi Rodriguez, which is a mix of tamarind and passion fruit. It's not overly sweet. If you'd like to try the main dishes, I do recommend arriving hungry! The portions are super generous, and you will leave with happy and full bellies. read more

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Came for a quick bite for lunch after hearing so much about this place from IG it did not disappoint nice decor friendly and knowledgeable staff. Clean and the bachata music was nice. I was dancing in my seat. I had the bacalaitos and the tripleta. Delicious o will def will back next time will be for dinner. Good eats in El Barrio read more

Cocotazo - Bacalaitos - Puerto Rican Near Me - New York, New York

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Not a good experience here. The food needs salt doesn't taste like abuleas food; . After sitting down for a few minutes, the waitress came over to tell me that she would be right with me and then went to take care of two ladies who had just been seated. One of the ladies wasn't sure what she wanted, so the waitress said she would come back. Instead of coming to take my order, she actually waited for the lady to make up her mind. Unbelievable. The pernil wasn't fresh and was dry. The alcapurrias were tasty but small. The bread pudding was also dry. The menu has limited options. read more

Cocotazo - Accapurias - Puerto Rican Near Me - New York, New York

What happened to the seasoning? The food was pretty bland today. Whoever made the food today needs a Cocotaso! I won't be returning, best of luck. read more

Very disappointed with the bistec encebollado it was more like grilled steak and grilled onions with no seasoning. I did enjoy the arrow con gandules, it was great. read more

Had a great dinner here. We made reservations ahead of time. We did sit at the community table since we were a party of two. We started with the bacalaito, it was so good! For the entree I went with the Coki, tasted just like how my mom made it. My daughter had the Rican, which she devoured. To drink, I started with a Parcha and finished with a Kola champagne. We were too stuffed for a dessert. Would definitely be back to try something else. read more

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First thing first, if you're lost (like we were) due to Google Maps and Yelp misdirecting you, then please note that Cocotazo is INSIDE the nearby La Marqueta, which hosts a few boutique shops and other food stands, such as a Filipino food place (Mama T, which I also recommend), a vegan soul food place, and an afro-Caribbean eatery. Seating inside La Marqueta is plentiful and it's quiet and temperature controlled inside, with security guard for safety, and bathrooms. Staff at Cocotazo itself was very pleasant and our order was ready in about 6-8 minutes. Prices are fair, about $16-32 per entree. We ordered the Rican sandwich and the Coki bowl, both containing pulled pork. Both were quite good. I enjoyed the softness of the tender pork compared to the crunchy texture of the bread, and the flavor was delicious (especially the Coki rice). I'd happily return here again. read more

Cocotazo - The Rican Sandwich - Puerto Rican Near Me - New York, New York

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What a joke !!!!! You require a credit card for a 2 person rsvp Michelin star restaurants don't even ask for that please, Read the room.

The customer service was poor. The waiter took too long to take our orders and while serving and picking up items off the table he would continue to reach in front and across me brushing his arm against my breast. The food wasn't nothing to talk about. We will not be returning. read more

I was missioned to check out the new Puerto Rican restaurants location. Happy to see chef Frances on premise totally with pride cooking her favorites. The staff was amazing and helpful in making my visit welcoming and the vibe in the restaurant was authentic and pure. The food hit the omg taste bud with reminiscent of my mom's cooking and home cooked taste. Did not have time for a meal but the bacaloaito and Alcapuria were excellent. Tamarino and coco Lima drinks were great. Other persons dishes looked amazing. This place is cozy and certainly will be packed during prime time so reserve! Looking forward to seeing the restaurant thrive. read more

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I ordered the Blackened Salmon , it was delicious and refreshing with salad & tostones. The taramindo beverage so good. Must check this place out. read more

Cocotazo - Puerto Rican Near Me - New York, New York

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Food is good, although there are other places in the area with a better attitude. They need to acknowledge customers and smile.

My experience at cocotazo was 2 fold. I enjoyed my food. However my spouse didn't enjoy the pernil she ordered which was dry. The ambiance was great, very home like. Our waitress was friendly and accommodating. The owner's wife was at the front door as the host, warm friendly greeting was not given. She was not welcoming at all and acted like she didnt hear me when I spoke to her. After a few times of trying to get the owner's attention and being told "one second" she finally came over. We just wanted to compliment her restaurant's decor. She made small talk and we explained we had come all the way from the upper North Bronx area. We all posed for a picture together which her wife declined to join us for. We wish them well. l am not sure if I will go back due to treatment like that. read more

The food was so good and the service was excellent. I love the way the place looks, it's like being in someone's home. I definitely would be going back again and again. The chef is good people. read more

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Made the trek from Queens to try this place out. Overall-- disappointing. Cute space and nice decor but even with a very limited menu, items were not available. Food seriously needed seasoning/salt and more flavor. Pastelillos were small and overcooked and tostones were as hard as a rock! Service was also lacking. Waiter didn't give us appetizer plates. Then no spoons to serve beans. He never came back to see if everything was okay. And we had to ask for more water. Way more hype than substance. Finally- kinda cold atmosphere. Didn't feel welcomed. Won't be back. read more

#6 on the list‽‽‽ what¿ No this restaurant definitely beats out El Rincon and rinconcito hands down and the chef at Cocotazo is truly blessed with a gift. Close your eyes as you eat, listen for the coqui sounds in the background past the music. Makes you feel like your on the island. # 6 I dont think so, definitely top 3 for sure. Must have is The guava ribs with her mashed Malaga, The salmon and her bistec encebollado​. read more

First impressions: The decor is cute and immediately reminded me of walking into my abuelita's house. Unfortunately, the menu is very limited and missing several Puerto Rican staples, such as pasteles, carne guisada, and maltas, just to name a few. The service was subpar from start to finish. They were also out of multiple menu items, but there was no notice or heads up unless a customer specifically asked. I only found out they were out of maduros and another item because I overheard another customer asking about the menu. I ordered La Gallina and was initially told they were out of the chicken. The waiter said they could substitute it with "something like a chicken stew," so I agreed to give it a try. However, when my meal arrived, it was served with the bone in piece of chicken, as advertised. Apparently they did have the chicken after all. The dish was also advertised as coming with maduros, but it was served with tostones instead. Though I knew this thanks to previously overhearing the customer, none of the staff mentioned the substitution to me personally. The chicken portion was disappointingly small, just one small chicken leg quarter, and the arroz con gandules was bland. Considering the price, it definitely wasn't worth it. When I paid my bill, the waiter asked how everything was and then told me I was "lucky" they still had the proper chicken in the back. I found that comment odd, especially since I had been told they didn't have any. It also felt a bit ironic because the meal wasn't particularly memorable. Overall, the food did not live up to the hype. Outside of my abuelita's cooking of course, I've had much better Puerto Rican food elsewhere. In my opinion, the restaurant's popularity seems to be driven more by social media buzz than by the quality of the food. read more

I'm always looking for good Puerto Rican food. Growing up in PR during my younger yrs., it is nostalgic when you eat food that tastes and reminds you of home. The place is cute, a little small, but the decor is spot on with nice little touches of PR which make you reminisce. It was the counter for me made of decorative blocks like the typical porches (balcon) of homes in PR, loved it. Let's get into the food. We started with the Bacalaitos and Alcapurrias ( beef n crab)... Delicious, especially the crab Alcapurrias which are my favorite but can only get in PR. It was on point. Disappointed that they didn't have the Relleno De Papa. We tried the Coki n the Gallina. Both plates were good but I expected more flavor especially the pernil. Pernil was tender, wish it had more of a garlic flavor, the arroz con gandules n potatoe salad was good, nice pairing. The rice and beans were good wish we would have asked for chicken breast, we got dark meat, not the best. The juices were 10/10 the jugo de Parcha n Coco Limon were refreshing. The portions were generous. The table next to us ordered the ceviche which was a special, which the gentleman who served us didn't tell us, it was plated so beautifully. Hope to try next time. Serves was a bit slow. I didn't realize that the to go orders closed early... want to order a Tripleta to go for later. Prices were reasonable. I loved the salsa playing in the background. It was nice to see Chef Francese front and center, wish her much success. Nice experience, would recommend n hope to have the opportunity to return. read more

Cocotazo - Bacalaitos n Alcapurrias - Puerto Rican Near Me - New York, New York

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I love having Cocotazo in the neighborhood. They were great when they were at La Marqueta, but somehow it's even better now in their own space. We've tried a variety of items on the menu and honestly you can't really go wrong. We've had la gallina many times and it's always excellent. My kids love the rice and beans, and the pastelón and the coki are both standouts as well. Everything feels flavorful, comforting, and well made. The vibe is also great. There's salsa music playing and the whole place has a warm, welcoming energy. It's the kind of environment where you can just relax, bop your head to the music, and maybe even do a little step while you wait for your food. Really happy to have a place like this in the neighborhood. read more

Was in the neighborhood and decided that I had to go and finally try Cocotazo. Cocotazo being one of my fave words growing up and I earned my few shares of them lol. Anyways on to the business. The chef and owner Frances is a sweet heart. She's friendly and just gives you that homey vibe. She runs the restaurant with her wife. I loved the decor! The food was gooood. We got the gallina plate, the tripleta, alcapurrias, beef pastelito and a chicken pastelito. The rice and beans were bomb! My daughter ate them up, the chicken pastelito had sooo much flavor. The tripleta is delicious it was messy to eat but that made the sandwich even better. The alcapurria was sooo good. Definitely come here try the food especially if you need that homey comfort vibe. read more

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When we first arrived around 3:30pm, they had sold out of food. We came back at 4pm and there was already a line outside, but the wait to be seated wasn't long at all. Cocotazo never misses when it comes to bold Caribbean flavors. I ordered the Coki Bowl with bistec and chi chi Rodriguez, and everything was on point. The bistec was tender, juicy, and perfectly seasoned, cooked medium just right. The rice was perfectly cooked and soaked up all the flavors, while the sauces tied everything together without overpowering the dish. Portions were generous, ingredients tasted fresh, and every bite was satisfying. If you're looking for real Caribbean comfort food done right, Cocotazo is absolutely worth it. read more

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The food was amazing, and the people were welcoming. Also they have a run club on Thursday. read more

Cocotazo - Me eating the food - Puerto Rican Near Me - New York, New York

Amazing food . And the staff very friendly and amazing. Definitely a spot to stop by and try some great Puerto Rican food. read more

Cocotazo - Puerto Rican Near Me - New York, New York

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So the service was very good but the food was not at all what I expected. Very small place with 1 bathroom. I could have gotten more food at a better price, some where else. Did not do it for me at all. The prices were on the high side as well. I personally will pass on this joint. IMO. read more

Authentic PR food. The service and ambiance is great! Home away from home meal. The Chef greets you and ensures that you enjoy your meal. read more

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I went in July with some friends and I honestly don't understand what the hype is about. It was lousy. Atmosphere and staff was nice but the food was nothing like authentic Puerto rican food. It was tasteless. I had the salmon entree (my salmon and that of my friend) was raw, very bland. We got two tostones that were hard as a rock and it came with a nouveau green salad with the dressing having bits of mango. For dessert they only had bread pudding which had no caramel sauce and also was not up to par. I'm sorry but I will not be going back there. Expensive and tasteless. Also, no drinks. It is a BYOB place. Also, another friend had the triplets sandwich. They were not happy, it was also tasteless. Not a good experience when you are craving real Puerto Rican food. read more

Sadly, Cocotazo did not meet expectations. The food was average at best, the space is extremely small and crowded, and the customer service left a lot to be desired. I felt that concerns were met with an attitude rather than professionalism. There are many restaurants that offer better food and a more welcoming experience. I won't be returning. read more

August 20,2026 @ 4:18 pm. I'm in town from North Carolina and my son and his friend from Hawaii. We got together at my mom's house because I was staying with her and it is just 2 blocks away from her home. My mom is emotionally and physically handicapped and needs her scooter to get everywhere because she can't stand for long periods of time. I am also handicapped but can walk a small distance and carry my breathing equipment. We got to the restaurant that has a sticker on the door that they are handicapped accommodating. I went in and there was no one to greet us right away, the restaurant was very small (around 6- 8 small tables inside). I asked if there was anyway that they could accommodate us due to the scooter and also because my mom has 2 Yorkie, that are her service dogs. They are very small and trained very well and kept in a small pet carrier. I specifically told the hostess all of this, so that she would know the situation and let us know, if they could accommodate us. She went into the kitchen to talk to someone, came back out and told me to wait 5 minutes so they could clean the table and make room for my mom. 5 minutes turned into 15 minutes and a large group of 8 went in and were seated immediately where they were supposedly cleaning for us. I finally went in to inquire because I have breathing issues and I was standing up outside more than I should have due to my health issues. The hostess walked me outside and proceeded to tell me that she did not realize there were 2 dogs and that they could not accommodate us! I said to her ,"How did you not realize it, when I specifically told you when we first arrived and you haven't heard or seen them whike we were there waiting in the heat. Beyond the time you told us the table would be ready. She then asked what type of service dogs they were and I said emotional, not remembering that my mom has lymphoma and lupus and they are trained for that also and seizures. My mom's cancer is in remission but that's why her dogs have been trained and she has the documents to prove so. We tried to get her to see the paperwork but she refused, staring that they don't recognize emotional supports dogs. I felt horrible because we waited so long and we're misled. The owner was there and never came out. The hostess had the nerve to ask if we wanted to do a takeout order and I was embarrassed because I told my son and his friend that the restaurant was new and I heard it was good, so we were all excited to eat there and celebrate my son's birthday. What a let down! Also the place is the size of a small bodega and with that type of way of doing business, it won't be long before it becomes one. Also the menu is very pricey, which normally I wouldn't mind, if the food, service, drinks and accommodations were worth it, and they certainly were not. We went looking elsewhere and located La Fonda Puerto Rican Restaurant! What an amazing experience hospitality, accommodations, drinks, music and of course the food! So delicious, Authentic and how they serve your food is so pretty. The waiters were so very nice and attentive! It was a wonderful experience and made our day better and taught us that Just because a few people talk a place up, doesn't mean it is. Those review could be from friends and family. So buyers beware! Cocotazo deserves a Cocotazo! read more

Wow, great pork guava ribs and empanadas. The tamarindo water is good too. Its a beautiful place with great atmosphere. Im so glad we came here. I didn't eat this good when I went to Puerto Rico lol this is better than anything I had read more

Cocotazo - Guava ribs - Puerto Rican Near Me - New York, New York

I got there before it opened on Saturday, they sat down multiple tables of 2 ahead of me and because I was a table of 3 made me wait even longer, there was a single person that wanted to go but they don't serve to go on weekends which made no sense to me ! They took my # and said they were gonna call me when the table was available and they never did, if the take your # y do I need to wait standing outside of the restaurant! read more

I hear nothing but great things about this restaurant. Food is authentic and it feeds your soul beside your stomach.

Thank you to Chef Francis and her staff for making our mother's 93rd birthday so special. We first reached out by text to see if we could get in, and they were wonderful in accommodating us on Saturday, April 25, 2026. Not only did they accommodate us, but they also sang "Happy Birthday" to her and gave us delicious pastries. Chef Francis then quieted the restaurant to give a special shout-out to our mother for turning 93. The amazing food and warm atmosphere made us feel like family. Thank you all for a truly memorable evening. read more

Good delicious authentic puertorican food at affordable prices Love the rice con gandules, potato salad, and maduros . The peril nice and moist the way is cooked at home. The portions enough to satisfy your hunger and bring home. I'm happy it's closer to home so I can visit more often The alcapurrias so flavorful read more

Came here during the 116th Festival. Here goes my venting.... 1. There should be a separate To Go line, in addition to a line for quick bites and dine ins for more efficiency. 2. Get rid of that table that you have on the side of the register and get more Steam Tables to store more food. After what felt like an eternity, (an hour and a half on line to be exact,) I'd finally reached the register. $65 for two Coki plates, 2 alcapurrias, and 2 jugo de parcha. When I pay my food, they tell us it's another 15 minutes for your food to arrive to your table. Please make it make sense! What broke the Camels back for me was that my husband who had been waiting for about an hour on line, and who had taken a seat right next to the register which I suggested be removed was ask to move because the owners family had arrived. Now mind you, didn't ask if he was with a party, if he was ordering, etc... nada!!! And get this, they had food within minutes of getting there. I even heard one family member say order the alcapurria and just take them home. Like seriously, you have ppl waiting on line, who are eager to be on their merry way and enjoy festivities outside. Where is the Customer appreciation in this? I finally eat my food and guess what? Its not all that! Im not sure if it was because I had just arrived from the Island just days prior and still had the taste of the Guavate Lechón in my mouth, but COCOTAZO WAS MEDIOCRE at best! . It's not a restaurant im eager to get back to. In fact, I highly doubt I'll ever be returning . It was a one and done for me! Efficiency gets a 0 Service gets a 0 Food 1 Ambiance 1 Creativity with a Puerto Rican bodega feel, = 1 Total 3 stars read more

Cocotazo - Puerto Rican Near Me - New York, New York

I have known about Cocotazo since they were in La Marqueta, but didn't have a chance to check them out until now. They are now located at 109st 1st Ave. I must say it was all it was hyped to be and then some. I ordered the crab Alcapurria and bacalaito frito for starters and the main dish Coki bowl. Koodos to the chef and entire staff. The food, ambiance and service was excellent. I definitely recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for some incredibly delicious authentic Puerto Rican cuisine that takes you back to mami or abuela's kitchen. A MUST TRY!! read more