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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?
Casual
Moderate noise
Dogs allowed
Good for kids

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Recommended Reviews - La Isla Cuchifrito

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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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9 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(371 reviews)
2.1 mi•East 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)
0.3 mi•Melrose

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

La Isla Cuchifrito - puertorican - Updated May 2026

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