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    Cuchifritos

    3.5 (249 reviews)
    Closed 10:00 am - 8:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Order Cuchifritos Takeout or Delivery

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    CUCHIFRITOS ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Cuchifritos

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    Reviews With Photos

    Dani K.

    If you don't know how to make your own Puerto Rican food this spot will do you justice, however if you're familiar with the cuisine and you have enough time on your hands to make it at home my suggestion would be to just take the time to make it yourself. The ladies were sweet and helpful when I ordered. I spent about $75 and ordered one of everything. I took a few bites of each item and was much as I appreciated not having to cook and still enjoy such amazing menu items I also realized my cooking is far superior and I was thankful that I learned from one of the greatest Nuyorican chefs.

    Amanda L.

    Authentic food and prices are absolutely reasonable. Fast service and while it can get packed, the line moves fairly quickly. No tables are present so it's definitely a place where you order your food to go. Definitely recommend.

    chicharron
    Edwin R.

    Chuchifritos is one of those neighborhood institutions that will never go away. I've been going here since I was a kid. When I'm in the area, this is one of the places I have to stop at while visiting family in the area. You walk up and you start seeing all the good fried food at the window front of the of the restaurant. See all the chicken pastelitos, relleno de papas , alcapurrias, chicharron etc all goodness frituras they have to offer. Always always get the rice and beans you can not get anything without it it's a must, you can ask them to put some mojo de ajo (garlic sauce) on just about anything you want or on the side I promise you its succulent. My go to meal is always the rotisserie chicken-white rice and beans and always sided with some from fried alcapurrias or pastelitos. They also have fish, pork chops, blood sausage, tostones, yuca & passionfruit drinks. The place is clean and the service is friendly this is a more to go spot so pull up and take out and make sure you tip the girls maybe they'll put a little more Mojo sauce on your Chicharons This place is east of Harlem on 116th street if you're coming by train take the 6 line stop to 116 either way north or south bound.

    Near by street.
    Sunshine T.

    The restaurant is clean but locked have to press buzzer, casual outfits, Staff was friendly and attentive.Spoke English.Prices was reasonable $9.00 Service was timely. You get a table number. Staff brings your order to your table. Food was delicious and filling. Recommend this place for a quick bite in Harlem.

    Abram R.

    This Cuchifritos place has changed a lot. It has been over 15 yrs I been here. The quality of food and service has gone down. I ordered a number of items to take out and after tasting it was not very good at all Potato con carne was greasy and not much meat and very little taste. See pictures below of the other orders. The food very greasy and not much meat. I will not return. Was really looking forward today but like everything else, food does change and its quality. That is why I give it a 1

    Cuchifrito
    Tamika V.

    The Spanish food here has consistently been excellent since my childhood. This family-run establishment is incredibly welcoming and supportive of the neighborhood. On September 7, 2024, I visited with my cousin, who hadn't been back to Harlem since 2000. We had a wonderful time together, enjoying delicious food and spending quality time with our aunt at her home for dinner and a movie. It was a memorable and enjoyable experience.

    Papa rellena
    Santia G.

    Looking for quick, yummy, well priced Puerto Rican food in Harlem? Cuchifritos should be your go to then. This spot is located right off 116st and 3rd ave. You can order at the window or go inside; they used to have seats to eat in but now it's straight to go. Classic PR food here; frituras, soups including sancocho, meats, rices, beans, traditional fruits juices that they offer up to gallon sizes. Prices are awesome; $2.25 - $2.75 for frituras, $1 - $4 for juices, $8 and up for meals. They also have lunch specials and meal specials. They charge 4% if you pay by card. This trip I went with the alcapurrias, meat, chicken, and cheese patelillos, papa rellena and parcha juice. Pastelillos are large sized with a medium size serving of the meat or cheese, very crunchy. Alcapurrias, delicious, crunchy, potaoe-y meaty goodness. Thumbs up with the parcha juice and papa rellena. All frituras are a good size and were $2.25 each. They packaged them in separate plastic bags, then placed in a large brown bag and into another plastic bag. Heads up, their frituras are fried so naturally are greasy foods. I've had their rice, beans and pernil previously and good tasting food as well. Would recommend for anyone looking for good ol' Puerto Rican food in the area.

    Morcilla
    Victoria L.

    Passed by this place full of fried goodies while walking to get chopped cheese and returned here to find out it was Puerto Rican...just the type of snacks I want to find! Morcilla (blood sausage) - skin had a nice bite to it and there's stuff/peas(?) inside that makes it interesting. I would get it again. Alcapurria (meat in mashed taro) - nicely fried and the meat savory; not super sweet which is just how I like it. I like this a lot, better than the piñoño. Would get this again. Piñoño (meat in mashed plantain) - great first bite. This is good but just a little too sweet for me. Those who like sweet + savory will like this. I am coming back for the pasteillas ...once my tongue is de-inflamed

    Alcapurria
    Lisalee M.

    The food is very good, especially the service. The ladies there are wonderful. Very attentive. Only dislike that I have is all the homeless people standing in front of the business, almost blocking the entrance. They also don't have any seating at all. We ordered 1/2 lb chicharron, 4 alcapurrias, 1 empanada, and 1 papa rellena and 2 fruity drinks all came to $22. Pretty good price.

    2. Pernil Combo Arroz Blanco con Habichuelas Maduros Pasteles Criollos de Carne
    Robert D.

    This is my second time eating at this place, and it's amazing. The pernil is juicy and tender and beyond flavorful. The rice and beans blow my mind. I know basic but, I don't EVEN like beans, but I love these. The meat Pastelitos are delish, could have a tiny more filling but really good. And lastly the maduros are soft and sweet, flavored really well. Top notch and order #3 and #4 are definitley on the horizon.

    Chinola

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    1 year ago

    Chicken tastes like water. Service great but food not the best. Bruh idk why I would eat something named cuchi

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    10 months ago

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    3 years ago

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    1 year ago

    Very rude and racist.... the act like they speak English to avoid you. And they speak English very well.

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    2 years ago

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    1 year ago

    Excellent and authentic! I have been coming here for many, many, years, and it's the family go to place for the best Cuchifritos!

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    Page 1 of 7

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    La Fonda - Avocado Toast w/ Poached eggs, served on Tostones (Plantains - Great for Gluten Free Individuals).

    La Fonda

    3.2(371 reviews)
    0.5 miEast Harlem
    $$

    Alright. So this is my official review for La Fonda -- the restaurant I told y'all is connected to…read moreAbuelita's Desserts. Same location, same love, same culture. First of all, sometimes I don't even realize how Puerto Rican I am until it's time to eat. And then it hits me. Heavy. If you know, you know. My mom and I had been low-key grieving this old Chinito Spanish spot on 116th that we grew up on. That place was a staple. Birthdays, celebrations, random Sundays -- we were there. And the chuletas? Elite. The Spanish food was honestly better than the Chinese food, and it was that beautiful cultural fusion that only East Harlem really understands. Asian families who lived in Puerto Rico, speaking Spanish, cooking with that blend of spices -- it was magic. When it closed, it felt like we lost a piece of home. So ever since, we've been like... where are we getting our chuletas now? And let me explain something very clearly: when it comes to a Rican and her chuletas, we do not play games. Don't tell me you make a good pork chop and then serve me something dry or bland. No ma'am. I'm looking for: * That crisp but tender edge. * The smell that hits you before the plate even lands. * The cebolla on top. * The juices already doing what they need to do so I don't have to add a single thing. * That perfect bite when the rice and chuleta meet on the fork. So when we saw La Fonda attached to Abuelita's, we were curious. A guy inside was recommending dishes, saying he comes all the time for lunch. My mom spots "chuletas" on the menu and immediately says, "Let's try it." And I'm nervous. Because what if it's not right? What if it's breaded? I didn't want breaded. I just wanted it fried. Simple. Classic. Done correctly. Baby. When I tell you I was NOT disappointed? I have found my new chuleta spot. Perfectly fried. Flavorful. Juicy. That bite with the rice? Exactly what I've been missing. You can choose your rice. My mom got yellow rice with red beans. I asked for the rice of the day -- and listen, that rice of the day was a moment. Yellow rice mixed with little pieces of chicharrón, some plátano in there, beans -- just layered with flavor. That's the kind of rice you don't leave behind. My mom also ordered the corn fritters. Did I taste them? No. Because she tore them down before I could blink. And when my mom goes quiet and just wolfs her plate? I already know it's good. The ambiance? Beautiful. The bar area feels very Puerto Rican -- colorful, warm, nostalgic. On the other side, there's spacious seating if you want to dine in properly. It's quaint but roomy. Comfortable. It feels like somewhere you can celebrate something or just come in on a random Tuesday because you need good food. And the food? Delicious. Period. If you're looking for authentic Puerto Rican food in East Harlem that actually hits the way it's supposed to hit, go to La Fonda. Try it. Get the chuletas (trust me). And then come back and tell me what you think. Because these spots? They have my heart.

    Service is slow but the food is excellent. It took too long to just get drinks. They had one waiter…read morefor all the tables.

    Photos
    La Fonda - Our Mimosa Towers - flavors available and bottomless options.

    Our Mimosa Towers - flavors available and bottomless options.

    La Fonda - Shrimp Pinchos served with our serve passion-fruit sauce.

    Shrimp Pinchos served with our serve passion-fruit sauce.

    La Fonda - $10 virgins piña colada in plastic cups!!! This is unacceptable and should not be allowed

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    $10 virgins piña colada in plastic cups!!! This is unacceptable and should not be allowed

    El Rincón Boricua

    El Rincón Boricua

    4.4(10 reviews)
    1.9 miMelrose

    I had family coming to visit and they requested for PR food…read more Then It hit me, there's no more puertorican food places left! If you really think about it the Dominican food has taken over the Bx. I searched, and found this place. The moment you step in you are greeted with the warmest blessings. The 2 beautiful people that worked there made our time there so memorable. The food was out of this world let me tell you. Also, I will say it is AFFORDABLE. portion size was huge and the place was so CLEAN. Food: Pernil: 10/10 flavorful and tender Yellow (arroz con gandules) and Black rice with the beans: 10/10 both were good and couldn't even decide which one was better Pulpo 9/10 : fresh and tangy, cut into small pieces so you can top it on your rice Alcapurrias: 8/10 great and made differently then what I'm used to but it was sooo good I'd come again for this alone Juices: Ask them to try the juices and they will let you. We tried it all. Came home with passion fruit (parcha) and guyaba (guanabana) Delicious 10/10 It was so fresh and they don't add too much ice so you get all the juice taste. All in all I'm coming here from now on. A true BX staple for the community and a true essence of the Bori pride resides here. If you miss PR, come here.

    One of the few real PR restaurants left...food is delicious, workers are very nice. I had the…read moremeatballs (albondigas) with arroz con gandules. Tasted homemade, well seasoned, tender. Rice was the way I like it - soft, not too oily, flavorful. I will go back with my bf who was born and raised in PR to see what he thinks, but I'm already a fan. They also have a lot of variety so I plan on trying something new next time. The lady working there said that sometimes they make guanimes (some people call them guanimos) which I have never been able to find outside of PR. I hope I get to try them at this place. So glad I found this spot and recommend you all check it out.

    Photos
    El Rincón Boricua - Background

    Background

    El Rincón Boricua - Arroz con gandules and plantains

    Arroz con gandules and plantains

    El Rincón Boricua - Dine in or take out

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    Dine in or take out

    Cocotazo - Arroz con gandules peril maduros green salad and potato salad

    Cocotazo

    4.5(75 reviews)
    0.4 miEast Harlem

    Food was great, the service was also great ,the server was fantastic,she was very friendly knew her…read moremenus well explained dishes and specials well. The whole experience for since I was alone my husband could not attend was great ,I felt at home in the surroundings made a few friends ,atmosphere was cozy and family oriented.

    If you want authentic, homemade Puerto Rican food - this is the place to be! I felt like I was at…read moremy 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.

    Photos
    Cocotazo - Paintings for sale.

    Paintings for sale.

    Cocotazo - Rican Sandwich

    Rican Sandwich

    Cocotazo - View of Spanish Harlem

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    View of Spanish Harlem

    The Lexington Social - Lexington Burger

    The Lexington Social

    3.7(229 reviews)
    0.6 miEast Harlem
    $$

    This place is a hole in the wall. I was in the area and hoping this would be a hidden gem but it…read morewas definitely not. The "empanadas" on their menu are nowhere near an actual empanada. The dough was raw and gummy. When you open it up it had zero filling in it. I had hope for the flatbread and it looked pretty decent when it came out but I was quickly disappointed. The dough was again gummy, the cheese was not fully melted and the sun-dried tomatoes were very chewy. The hamburger was overcooked, dry, and the patty was all falling apart like a chop steak instead of a burger. The roasted potatoes on the side actually tasted good but tasted more fried than roasted. The service was not great at all and after seeing we were not happy with the food, they didn't even bother to ask how it was. They were then uncomfortable and afraid to come over to the table. I will never return to this place again and I recommend you find a place much better next time!

    This review is for a Monday happy hour. I arrived and it was pretty empty. I sat at the bar. I…read moreordered a sangria, it was good. I ordered The Lexington Burger. The restaurant had an open kitchen. I requested my burger to be medium well. Watching them cook the burger I was hesitant, but it came out perfect. As time passed the restaurant did get busier. Overall, the service was great, and they do have a good happy hour. I will return.

    Photos
    The Lexington Social
    The Lexington Social - Lexington Burger

    Lexington Burger

    The Lexington Social - Inside

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    Inside

    Cuchifritos - puertorican - Updated May 2026

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