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    Lechonera La Piraña

    4.4 (82 reviews)
    InexpensivePuerto Rican
    Closed Closed
    Updated over 3 months ago

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    Andrew K.

    I truly had no idea what I was getting into when I stepped onto this line. And even thinking about it now I'm not sure I could explain it. Come early. Get on line and be comfortable with that. We got to know the couple next to us and it was a lovely experience, even waiting for ultimately about an hour on line. If you're interested, there is a man with a bottle of Smirnoff and an electric scooter bustling up and down the line offering free shots of vodka while you wait. At some point, you see the chef himself leave this ?caravan? of a restaurant to grab a machete. Don't question that. Then you see him leave again to walk down the street to grab the pork that has been cooking streetside in a cooker. The pictures don't do it justice (but there are tons). The service then starts. It can be a little slow, as each party is invited into the caravan to discuss the meal and try a taste of something (it differed each time) on the machete. And the friendliness of the chef is unparalleled-he truly loves what he does. Ultimately, though, the food is the reason people wait for the NYT #6 restaurant. And I get it. I don't love pork cooked this way so much, but even this made me a bit of a believer. We got it with the plantain, shrimp, and octopus. Was worried 2 portions (cash only, 30$ each) would be too much food, and I was right. But not the worst leftovers to have. Overall, this place is an experience.

    Israel R.

    This place is amazing and Mr. Piraña the best my wife and I went for the food on Saturday we got there early and we had a blast we loved his company and we will go again. If you love roast pork you are gonna love it.. The service was amazing he served ower food and we went home right after that to enjoy ower meal everything was on point.. The ambiance was the best we met lots of good people from Florida, Connecticut we where please with the food and the service we will be back to see Mr. Piraña..

    He went and got me a new pork !!!
    Charlie L.

    This food is amazing the most incredible Pernil you would have in your life I'm telling you I been to Puerto Rico and no one has ever been even close to this guys pork oh Pernil, and he is an amazing person love him already, drove from Boston Massachusetts just for he's pork and boy it's amazing !!! Actually I'm going back Next weekend with my whole Family and that's all I'm saying !!!

    $30 is over priced for this plate I'm just saying and then he gave me a pork full of fat and blubber it was gross smh

    Amanda L.

    It was so worth the wait!!! Hands down the best lechon I have ever had. My boyfriend and I made the trip up to the Bronx from Manhattan on a Saturday afternoon to get a taste of this iconic street food. We arrived around 12:30 and waited about an hour or so to get our food. People were very friendly in line and there are bodegas across the street to get drinks and snacks to enjoy while waiting. We got 2 lechon rice boxes: one with octopus salad and the other with shrimp. Both were equally delicious with an explosion of flavor with every bite and the freshest and crispiest lechon skin I've ever had. We watched the chef chop up the lechon in front of us and he even handed us a piping hot sampler piece right off of his machete. Everything was assembled by the chef and topped with fresh garlic and hot sauce. There's a park nearby with benches and tables to enjoy your food ASAP. Overall such a fun and unique dining experience, I highly recommend this spot for the tastiest lechon of your life.

    This is everything in one plate. It was delicious.
    Jeso J.

    the best place to get Puerto Rican food from a real Boricua!! He literally does everything himself assuring that you will get real great food highly recommend this place to anybody who wants real fantastic tasting Puerto Rican food

    LONG line
    Alfredo D.

    First a warning for the faint of heart- if you are really a stickler for cleanliness and hygiene this place is NOT for you. No sink on site, he walks up the block to a lock box for the cooked pig (lechon) and he smokes while serving. The other MAJOR downside is the service is SUPER SLOW. I waited an hour and a half on a long line where all the owner Angel did was serve food and talk, and talk, and talk... He posed a lot for pictures as well. Having written all of the above I will STILL give them 5 stars. The food is THAT GOOD. All he sells is lechon with rice and peas (arroz con gandules), octopus ceviche and what he called shrimp ceviche but it is clearly cooked... He would be a rich man if he sold drinks, desert, other sides... But DAMN is what he sells AMAZINGLY delicious! He is only open on the weekends from 11 until he sells out. I was told to get there at noon if I want fast-ish service.

    Lechon and Pulpo
    Irvin N.

    This how we do in the (South) Bronx!!! Nothing quite encapsulates the Bronx like a visit to Lechonera La Piraña.. a man full of Puerto Rican/Bronx pride, endless energy, love, and unsolicited kindness. From a food truck and an age old oven he is producing some of the best food in all of NYC. Beer in one hand, machete in the other, he is happy to feed new and old faces! In need of his special Mofongo with chicharron pieces mashed in again

    Pirana taking a sec to pose for a pic while serving Delicious dishes!!!
    theresa f.

    Pirana is a staple in the neighborhood.... Since moving out of the city, my family travels 1 hr 1/2 to for the "Pirana experience" Great service , delicious food; good music WE LOVE this spot!!! It's a MUST TRY

    Half pulpo / half lechon
    Shawn H.

    Amazing. First visit got half pulpo / half lechon, with a shrimp empanada on the side, and it was all excellent. I'd probably get more empanadas next time, and sub out the pulpo for the simpler lechon with rice. Also, we came later in the day and the line was short, which was a nice surprise.

    Inside the truck is a bench and waiting area, blasting classic PR salsa

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    5 months ago

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    5 months ago

    Not bad a bit overrated he needs to be more attentive for the people standing online waiting for food, talks too much

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    6 months ago

    The pork is hella juicy and delicious. If you come by the hood do stop by... only Sat-Sun though ‍

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    3 years ago

    The pork is absolutely incredible no question some of the best roast pork I've ever had.

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    4 years ago

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    Lechonera La Piraña Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Lechonera La Piraña

    Will he be open tomorrow, Sunday?

    Open Saturday and Sundays from 12pm 5 when he runs out of food he's gone

    Can you pay with credit card/debitcard?

    As far as I know..only cash.

    How much does the lechon(pork & rice) cost?

    $14

    Does anyone know if he's back in the Bronx?

    Yes sat and Sundays

    Does he serve chicken or beef? I don't eat pork unfortunately.

    Only the pastelillos. I think he has the chicken and shrimp ones. But pernil is what hes known for

    We took a trip out to the location last weekend and He wasn't there. A local said He moved. Does anyone know where to?

    He moved to 102st and park ave (Harlem)..I think inside a market

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    El Rincón Boricua

    El Rincón Boricua

    4.4(10 reviews)
    0.6 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)
    2.4 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

    Barrio BX

    Barrio BX

    4.1(206 reviews)
    3.1 miUnionport
    $$

    Was visiting New York from Chicago and dropped into Barrio randomly. What a great spot for weekend…read morebrunch. Live dj, great bartenders and eats. Street park Dj Rob-Lo was spinning latin and house beats in a Sunday afternoon. The music was a fun vibe making many butts move in their seats. Bartender and service were amazing, very attentive and prompt. Samantha helped us pick out food and was super nice.she recommended the bottomless drinks for brunch 90 min unlimited all you can drink sangria, mimosas or rum punch. The rum punch was tasty and she kept us topped off. Finally the food was on another level. Got the Arepa and Tripleta both were quality portions were pretty big and season perfectly. Side of yuka frita was great and perfectly seasoned. If you are visiting or simply looking for a fun time or a great bite you should give Barrio a try you wont regret it.

    Came to Saturday brunch yesterday and had a great time and experience. It was my first time at the…read morecastle hill location. I went a few times at the tremont location. It's def an upgrade and more spacious. They decorated it nicely. Music and food were great. So were the drinks. I especially loved the flan and my pina colada. Service was good also. I wish there were more restrooms, there's only 2. And i also wish they took reservations, it's walk in only. I will def be back though

    Photos
    Barrio BX
    Barrio BX
    Barrio BX - Passion fruit margarita ft. Boriqua aesthetics

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    Passion fruit margarita ft. Boriqua aesthetics

    La Isla Cuchifrito - Pernil and yellow rice

    La Isla Cuchifrito

    4.2(41 reviews)
    0.9 miMott Haven
    $

    BLAST-FROM-THY-PAST GANGSTER PARADISE*KITCHEN*CUCHIFRITOS…read moreTruth be told this flagship SAVOURY EATERY dating back into greater than fifty years will forever be pricelessly MISSED eternally! On many memorable cuisine days of the freshly specially CUCHIFRITOS menu dishes (using: Achiote Oil, Sofrito, Adobo, Aceite Oliva, Lard, Butter) truly having that unique Cuchifritos aroma fragrance, delicacy taste, unbelievable texture of Puerto Rican & Cuban hints of grandmas aboriginal TAINO secret recipe covert ingredients! Between the Mofongo marisco o puerco, Pollo or Steak with Rice and Cubano & Chicken-Steak Sandwiches, and warmth of Pollo stew, Sancocho, Sopon de Patidas de Cerdo, Fricassee de Pollo, Asopao de Camarones, Sopa Pollo de fideos, Chuleta de Jardinera, and the bizarre saucy marinated favorites of PIG'S ears, tongue, stomach, morsillas (blood pudding), Chicharrones, pasteles, yucca-plátanos con pescado! Yet didn't serve another two favorite El Jibarito o Tripleta? FRITURAS: Tostones, Alcapurria, Bacalaitos, Empanadillas, Pastelillos, Croqueta, relleno Papá, Pastellon, Pernil, Arepas de Coco, Ensalada de Bacalao & Pulpo o Ceviche, Bistec "beefsteak" encebollado and también los lo Potres de Flan, Tembleque, Flancocho, Queso, Arroz Dulce, Mallorca, pebidas de Coco, Guava con crema, tamarindo. People often came to this business regardless of the community deterioration of police statistics because of the reminiscent 1970-1970s blends of "comida" preparations hard to literally find that older no frills mixed combinations of methodology to "cosinando" dexterity not prevelant anymore as past Chefs either AGED or DIED with their extraordinary TAINO style Caribbean Island RITUALS like Caldo Santo (Holy Good Friday FISH Stew)! The older Misses working at this establishment had no choice but to be sarcastic strong Spanish women given the recidivism of Rift-Raft in this neighborhood of mix populace, especially a zip code of delinquents, criminals, and dastardly venomous attitudes of gypsy homeless, gang bangers, anger management loud-mouths entering the restaurant to cause arguments, disturbances, beggars pleading for tasty Latino Spanish's food of mamma's familiar morsels. These were the cheap eats of tasty MEALS of separated or divorce, and broken family authentic tasting home cuisine missed from mamma, wifey, side-Biscuit girlfriend,and death of homestyle cooker, and missed Holidays foods of those gone & remembered!

    It was a busy Thursday afternoon visiting an old favorite. We sat at the counter space and…read morepatiently waited for 1 of the women to serve us. It was very busy, but they can keep up well. Very pleasant we ordered from the variety of pre made food and one order from the kitchen only menu. We tried the roasted chicken with rice and red beans, 2 chicken Empanadas, and 1 order of fried pork chops with green plaintain (chuleta frita con tostones). Took about 10 minutes to come out, and it was very fresh and delicious. The chops were well seasoned and crispy. The tostones were freshly made and crispy. I put a ton of their homemade mojito (garlic) sauce all over everything, and my son proceeded to follow me with his meal. Their chicken was roasted perfectly. Moist and tender with flavors. They have a huge rotisserie pit behind the wall and out the way to save space. Genius. The Rice and beans were standard yet authentic. The Empanadas were a little dry, but I had to show my eldest about ketchu-mayo lol iykyk, then he liked it. He's a bit inexperienced in the cuchifrito area and almost got a brand drink. I had to cut him off and direct him to the fountain drinks because ,uh-uh, we drink from the house in a great cuchifrito spot son! I got him the passion fruit, and I got my usual sesame seed. He looked at me crazy y'all lmao I let him try my sesame drink, and he was somewhat impressed with it. But he loved his passion fruit already. The service was attentive, and I honestly don't know how the ladies balance it all. He was pleasantly surprised at the bill $32. 2 full large meals, 2 drinks, 2 Empanadas, and 1 alcapurria because I had to grab one when I saw the cook dump a fresh batch. I went home thinking damn I should have grabbed 3 more. They were loading fresh cuchifritos and I shouldn't have held back. Later always comes and left overs are always welcomed. Overall, we both loved it. Even taught him a few things in there. For the culture and the price point he loved it even more. I know for sure we will be back.

    Photos
    La Isla Cuchifrito - TYPICAL PUERTO RICAN CUBAN DISH

    TYPICAL PUERTO RICAN CUBAN DISH

    La Isla Cuchifrito - Chicken plate

    Chicken plate

    La Isla Cuchifrito

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    Lechonera La Piraña - puertorican - Updated May 2026

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