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    La Isla Cuchifrito

    4.2 (41 reviews)
    Open 7:00 am - 10:00 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

    La Isla Cuchifrito Photos

    Business Info

    LA ISLA CUCHIFRITO ATMOSPHERE

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

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    Like entering your  Titi's house...
    AmErica A.

    All I remember is getting off the Subway and wandering for a bit and my brother in law and his wife doing a quick search to stumble on "puerto rican eats". I mean it was a MUST seeing my bff is puerto rican and I've had the blessings of the tasting the cuisine made by old skool boricua....MUST! My BIL and SIL left it up to me to order because they were not familiar. Told them you can go wrong with chicken, arroz con gandules and some habichuelas guisadas. Honestly the aroma from the meats and goodies lure you before you even see the restaurant. So welcoming when you are familiar. Then you stumble upon it and in the store front is a glass window with a buffet of their carnes, sausage and groumet pastellilos well lit by heating lamps hanging from above. It's a small place so plan on taking your food to-go unless you are lucky enough to snag a bar stool at the counter. So while my BIL and SIL ordered their roasted chicken, rice and beans...my attention was diverted to the carne frita and the platanos maduros. When I had my SIL try the carne frita she added a small order a la carte. Then you have your choice of sauces to top your "bowl" with and I chose the mojo and I was NOT disappointed. I know that typically the mojo are for tostones but on that carne frito was fire to say the least. Honestly, one bowl can feed two people. I can't pay enough praises to the women that were behind the counter. They were attentive and allowed me to taste several things before deciding on what I wanted and I wasn't given attitude for it. I had to use the restroom at the McDonalds across the street and left my husband to finish ordering and pay and he said an older lady was willing to give up her seat at the counter because she knew he was not from there. If that isn't hospitality at it's finest I don't know what is. Hard not to fall in love with a place that welcomes you and makes you feel at home. If this is what Jenny from the Block was eating whilst growing up here, I can see where that booty came from. Thank you Bronx for sharing your home with me and leaving a lasting impression.

    Chicken plate
    Alexander T.

    Got the chicken with red rice. Decent for $8. Fast service. Should've asked for dark meat. They give you massive amounts of rice and beans.

    pernil
    A W.

    Fire as usual. Woman behind the counter went heavy handed with me. Lit. Been coming here for years and still do although I live in Harlem

    a variety of food items
    Michelle T.

    This place aroma is amazing. We figured it must be good if this is the only place on the block that has a line that wraps around. For $8, you get a meat with rice and beans. Amazing prices and delicious choices. The chuchifritos are $2 each. We ordered the permit with rice and beans. Definitely a hefty amount but the only thing was pernil was a bit dry. The chicharron is sooooooo crunchy, savory, and delicious. I was totally in love with that dish.

    Chinola/parcha
    Marietta C.

    24 hour Puerto Rican fast food in the Bronx! Found this super genuine hole in the wall (literally) Puerto Rican hot spot. This place is on and popping and they have fresh food coming out at all times. Small little spot, gets packed, order to go or stay in and dine on the little bar area (sits like 8 people). The food was good (for fast-food-ish), staff was so nice and accommodating. My only concern is not sure how up to health code this place is. Don't mean to bash it because the ladies that work here really stole my heart they're such nice people. However, I don't want to know what happens behind the scenes since the place is very questionable. Like I said, food is delicious and very very cheap. We ordered enough food for two people and drink for only $10! This included rice, beans, sweet plantains, tostones and passion fruit medium size drink. Everything was delicious. This little spot is right by the hospital so this food is definitely worth it if you feel like eating like home away from home. Open 24 hours. Alcapurrias, mofongo, mondongo, arroz con habichuelas and much more!

    Alcapurria
    Yvette S.

    I've been coming here since I was a kid. Is divey but ohh how I love me a good authentic divey home in the wall yummy spot. My all time picks Are always frin the fritura section old the menu. In this order of favorites Morcilla (blood sausage) Relleno de Papa = potato ball with a yummy center filled with ground beef (but if you want to step this up a bit be sure of ask for beef gravy) you can thank me later. Alcapurrias are yummy made of yucca w/ meat center And of course a nice crunchy piece of Chicharron with limes too squeeze directly on top right before every bite full.

    Outside storefront at night
    Cassandra S.

    Decent in a pinch, late night was hungry , ate. Next day while I didn't find it overly impressive, or memorable , or clean the only thing going through my mind was ..... did you die though? Thankfully I didn't so Three stars it is.

    Julian P.

    The best Puerto Rican food in NYC, delicious and excellent prices! The pernil sandwich was $6!! They have a lunch special (beans, rice and chicken $4). People who work there are very nice, I recommend the pernil sandwich, roast sandwich and empanadaas!!

    Pernil Sandwich
    Meghan A.

    My husband and I were trying to go back to La Morada for Sunday lunch, but sadly, they were closed. As we walked up 3rd Ave., my husband, armed with his yelp app, looked for a Plan B. He asked what I was in the mood for, and my only criteria was "something legit." He stumbled upon La Isla Cuchifrito, with its photos of stews, beans, and rice, and we were off. La Isla Cuchifrito is a semi-hole in the wall Puerto Rican restaurant on the main drag of East 149th St., and a quick walk from the 2/4/5 subway stop. When we walked in, there was a small bunch of locals ordering plates to go, but we chose to eat at the diner counter. The 2 servers were busy, brusque, and I spoke only Spanish. They have a menu of stewed meats with sides, rotisserie chickens glistening in the window, savory pastries, and sandwiches. I, being an unapologetic bread hound, asked for a pernil (pork shoulder) sandwich. Our server asked what else I'd like on it, and after fumbling around in bad Spanish, she loaded me up with a Cuban-type sandwich composed of pernil, ham, tomato, lettuce, provolone, and BUTTER... hold the mustard. My sandwich came out, and I was so excited. This was a SANDWICH. A gut bomb. A meaty two meal's worth extravaganza. As I tasted the juicy stewed pernil, the powerful flavor of garlic hit my tongue. I love garlic, and the pernil was just so garlicky! I wolfed down half of the sandwich, and somehow good judgment kicked in, and I wrapped the other half up to go. My husband ordered a straight pernil plate with beans and rice. This was great too, as the beans had a great depth of flavor, and the server gave him a big hunk of crispy pork skin. My generous husband let me have a bite of the pork skin, and it was awesome. I was pretty satisfied with our lunch here. It's not the most user-friendly spot for a gringuita such as myself, but the food was really great.

    Authentic Puerto Rican Cuisine!
    Edwin H.

    Don't expect fine dinning, but do expect awesome Cuchifrito that will bring you back to the good 'ol days.

    Pernil with yellow rice.

    Came here today for the first time after working in this neighborhood for over a year. How did I miss this place? Had the Pernil with yellow rice ($6.50) and it was great! Limited counter seating so it's more of a take-out spot. Super fast lines. The menu is all in Spanish so you better know what you want lol. They speak perfect English, so no worries there. Cash only so be prepared.

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    2 years ago

    Classic Latin food generous portions, and at affordable prices. My go to places when, I was a home style meal.

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    8 years ago

    I like this food no matter where or where the location would be cause I grew up eating Spanish food. So I will go back over and over again.

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    13 years ago

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    10 years ago

    Best authentic PR food in the BX!!!!! Expect great tasting eats! No. 2 bus leaves you right in front of it..go NOW :)

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    11 years ago

    Food was magnificant and delicious. Relleno de papas was the biggest i have ever seen. Alcapurria was delicious... Pio nono was out :(

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    10 years ago

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

    La Fonda

    3.2(370 reviews)
    2.1 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.

    I came to try the Coquito hot chocolate. Along with it a ham and cheese sandwich with powdered…read moresugar on top and received a complimentary brownie with guava. When I tell you everything from the service to the food was five star, I mean I just felt like I knew the people in there for years. The restaurant had Christmas music playing and it was very early in the day so I got to see the whole space of the restaurant. This place feels like home. I would bring my family and friends here for a group gathering, breakfast, dinner, drinks whatever. It's was such a pleasure to visit a restaurant with that kind of atmosphere. I will say this, RUN! Don't walk to get that hot chocolate. It's gonna be around for a limited time and I ask the creator of the drink to keep it around all winter, but he wouldn't guaranteed it. I know for a fact I will have another before the new year arrives. It was so sweet and creamy and the chocolate goes so well with the coconut flavor and spices I'm drooling just writing about it. The sandwich was go to. Who knew powdered sugar would add a sweetness to go along with the salty taste of the ham and cheese. It also had a nice crunch to it that I personally loved because it added texture to it. Just go I can't explain anything further you have to check it out yourself! Two thumbs up and Happy Yelping!

    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)
    0.3 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)
    1.9 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 Freakin Rican - Mofongo

    The Freakin Rican

    4.0(491 reviews)
    4.3 miAstoria
    $$

    Ate here today for lunch on a holiday called Eid. This was definitely my first time eating Puerto…read moreRican food that I got the fried fish filets over arroz mamposteao (mixed Puerto Rican fried rice) that comes with pork and beans with Puerto Rican soda. As an overall, it was absolutely delicious and amazing. I couldn't agree more about it and many thanks to my polite and friendliest server named Diego for keeping me company and welcome. Finally, I would definitely eat and come back again next time! :)

    I visited Freakin' Rican on March 20, 2026 during restaurant hopping with my sister, and I really…read morewanted to love this place--but it fell short for me. First, the customer service was excellent--the host was friendly, attentive, and welcoming. The space itself is very small, about 9-10 tables total, but gave you that eating with your family vibe, talking at the table and listening to spanish music. The bathroom was clean but it had a shower, which was definitely... different. Now for the food. I ordered the fried red snapper with yellow rice and pigeon peas, salad and unfortunately it had no flavor at all. The rice was dry and tasted like there was no sofrito or seasoning, which was disappointing for a Puerto Rican spot. My sister's pork chops were actually very good--probably the highlight of the meal. They also don't serve alcohol, so I had a Coco Rico while my sister had water. Overall, while the service was great, the food didn't live up to the hype for me. I expected bold, authentic Puerto Rican flavors, and it just wasn't there. Also, I wish they offered plain Yellow Spanish Rice as well as white rice options. I'm glad I tried it, but I won't be returning. If you go, try the pork chops--that's your best bet. And if you're really looking for authentic Puerto Rican food, you're better off heading to Sofrito in Manhattan or grabbing cuchifritos uptown--they don't miss.

    Photos
    The Freakin Rican
    The Freakin Rican
    The Freakin Rican - House hot sauce. Tasty with a mango tang

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    House hot sauce. Tasty with a mango tang

    La Isla Cuchifrito - puertorican - Updated May 2026

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