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    Que Chevere

    4.1 (75 reviews)
    Updated 3 months ago

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    Mofongo Platter with pernil
    Troy L.

    I ordered the mofongo ($15) with pernil ( $4) Good portions for the price. The mofongo was dry. My only issue was my order wasn't ready at the stated time and the cashier had trouble understanding my order.

    the inside of a restaurant
    Dan M.

    Que Chevre is a great Puerto Rican stand in the basement level Essex Market. It's a bit tucked away, but don't miss it because it is one the stars of the market. Too few people are familiar with mofongo, one of the world's great culinary treasures. It's a delightful mound of garlicky mashed plaintains mixed with your choice of meat. We went with shrimp. The portions are generous, and the flavors are tasty. They also offer create your own bowls, so we tried a chicken bowl with arroz con gandules. The rice was so good, really elevated. The market has public tables out between the stands for seating. We grabbed a beer at the Market Line bar (also in the market just a few steps from Que Chevre), and they have about 50 beers on tap. Great combo. The market blasts bumping beats for ambiance, and the mix of the music and mofongo gave us strong La Placita de Santurce vibes. Good stuff.

    Mofongo with Pernil (Roast Pork)
    Elaine T.

    Came to Essex Market with a friend for dinner early Sunday evening, and this place looked the most intriguing to us as we've never had Puerto Rican food. Ordering was quick and we got our food within 5 minutes. We got the mofongo with pernil (pork), which is their speciality. The plantains were very plain and starchy, which served as a good complement to the incredibly salty pork. We were also given sauces on the side: the green sauce was our favorite by far for its tang that helped to counteract the saltiness. Points to the massive portions--the bowl was quite large and packed with all meat. Definitely a good deal for ~$19 after tax and tip.

    Arroz con Gandules with a side of beans.  Best meal of the week!
    J C.

    YES - EAT HERE! Outstanding flavor in the shrimp and the sauce that it comes in! The Arroz con Gandules (yellow rice) is exquisitely prepared - screaming with colorful spices and a rich depth of flavor. The side order of beans were a perfect balance if beans and gravy. EVERYTHING WAS WONDERFULLY DELICIOUS! You want authentic, flavorful food? Bottom line; EAT HERE!

    Restaurant sign
    Kendrick G.

    Disclaimer: This is a TAKEOUT review Que Chevere, whose name means "how fantastic," is run by Michael Petrovitch, who opened the restaurant as an homage to his Puerto Rican heritage. It is located on the lower level of the newly revamped Essex Market on the Lower East Side. I love Puerto Rican food and there really aren't any in my neighborhood (Lower East Side) so I usually get some when I'm either visiting my family back home in East NY Brooklyn or if I'm uptown. I was pleased to stumble upon this highly rated little gem on the NYC Restaurant Week 2021 website. I took advantage of the $20.21 "To-Go" special. There were three options to choose from: 1) Pernil with arroz con gandules and ensalada de papa 2) Rotisserie chicken with arroz con gandules and ensalada de papa 3) Vegetarian mofongo, ensalada verde and two pastelillos de queso I went with option #2 and was pleased with my choice. The chicken was well seasoned and juicy. The arroz con gandules were okay. It was a bit on the salty side. I was quite surprised by that. Anyone who knows me knows that I absolutely despise onions in potato salad, macaroni salad and coleslaw (mainly because of the taste once everything is mixed together and it tends to have a really weird taste). However, Que Chevere's ensalada de papa was surprisingly delicious despite it having onions in it. It didn't have that overpowering "onion-y" taste. Not sure how they were able to mask it but that was a job well done! I would actually order it again. I look forward to returning to try other things, especially since it's right in my neighborhood. A wonderful addition to the Lower East Side! Sidebar: I loved the fact that I was able to order in advance and they sent me notifications about my order status. The order was ready super quick! When I arrived the order was already bagged and ready to go!

    Menu
    Cathy K.

    So glad I ventured downstairs of the Essex Market tucked away in the back right corner. It was a sleepy Sunday morning but this place had quite a few fellow curious onlookers and regulars lined up. Looks family owned and the food is cooked with love. Pastelillos are 3.50 with a good amount of filling, liked the beef better than chicken, which I found a little dry. San Juan bowl is $18, my fault that I didn't read the tiny print: rice and beans are NOT included. Just chicken breast, 3 tostones and small scoop of cabbage salad. A very good alternative if you're calorie or carb conscious, but maybe disappointing if you're not lol. I usually prefer dark meat, but the breast was surprisingly juicy and tender, actually tasted good 2 days later. Only complaint is food came to $29 with tip, not necessarily an everyday place for me but would visit again if nearby.

    I was looking forward to trying this and was very disappointed. To call this Puerto Rican cuisine is insane. The rice was mushy and had zero flavor. The chicken was not real chicharron. The maduros were okay. But for $17, this was garbage.

    Sarah L.

    Que Chevere is such a great find within Essex Market (located downstairs in the Market Line) and all their food is truly made with LOVE FROM PUERTO RICO. They offer such delicious and authentic Puerto Rican food - I absolutely loved the shrimp mofongo, the shrimp was sooo good and cooked perfectly, it had a ton of flavor. You must try their amazing empanadas - I tried a beef one and it was great, also loved the salsas it came with.

    Chicken and Cheese Empanada
    Dee W.

    I came to Essex Market craving a snack and came across Que Chevere's empanadas. I ordered both the chicken and the cheese but honestly should have just ordered one because they are huge! Service was fast and friendly and the empanadas were delicious! They even gave me a variety of salsas to pair with them which had the right amount of kick! I would honestly buy a bottle if their sold their salsa to-go!

    Devon O.

    You would never think for a moment that a place so small could pack such big flavor. A lot of people will say the very same, but no, this is JUST LIKE eating ON the island. 1st having this, I really couldn't believe that in the basement of a market, I would be in San Juan having dinner. The rice, arroz gandules, theres so much pride and love in this rice. It has to be someone's abuela's recipe, they were taught so well. In this time it's extremely unfortunate I did not get to try the pernil, but the chicharron de pollo damn near made me forget all about it. That and the potato salad, don't tell my grandma I had potato salad that was this good outside of her house! We also had the mofongo, this did not blow me away like everything else, but the sauce was a perfect balance with the shrimp and the texture of the plantains. Pro tip, that pique is not for the average hot sauce user, be wary, but don't be afraid, it tastes good on everything. Try it first! I loved every bit of the food, excited to come back and try the pernil. For more pics and foods, please follow me on IG @verytrueoso thank you!

    Janet R.

    HEALTH/SAFETY CODE VIOLATION!!! In all honesty it would be NO stars. Eat at your own risk! Glass found in food. After voicing my opinion via their Instagram page, I was blocked. Mind you, I was discreet during the entire incident while customers were behind me. Incident occurred on Sunday, August 15, 2021. Below is the IG private message I sent them: Extremely disappointed with my first experience earlier this morning. As a fellow Puerto Rican I'm always on the lookout to find a true Puerto Rican spot to support other fellow Puerto Rican's. Coming all the way from the east end of Long Island, to try your place. We started with three alcapurrias. Then placed our orders for three different entrees. To our surprise one of the alcapurrias had a large piece of glass from what appeared to be from a bottle of Malta India. When my niece took her first bite she felt something cut the inside of her mouth. We immediately brought this to the attention of the person behind the counter and requested that our orders be cancelled and refunded. After that experience, I'm sorry but I would not be able to trust the establishment. The reason I'm reaching out is because I found it odd, that after the person speaking to the owner (Mike), to advise him of what occurred and to confirm that he could refund (void/cancel) my order, it was I that had to instruct the workers to inspect and throw out the other alcapurrias. The glass was apparently inside the meat not the "masa". Unfortunately, I had to leave and was not able to stay long enough to see that they even took the precaution to throw out the other remaining alcapurrias. (END) No comment or any other form of communication from whoever is running their IG page. This lacks professionalism and customer service.

    Yuca beef empanada.  Oily. Don't get

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    Ask the Community - Que Chevere

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    Casa Adela - Flan

    Casa Adela

    4.2(690 reviews)
    2.0 miAlphabet City, East Village
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    A must go. I've been wanting to check it out since I saw a YouTube video on it, and in my first NYC…read moretrip I decided to trek all the way to it to try it myself. First time having Puerto Rican food. Would go again. Food was amazing. The mofongo con pernil was perfect. The service was great. I had a small conversation with the waiter and I felt right at home talking to a family member. The restaurant is small and well kept and it felt like I was at grandma's house eating something personally made by her. Go check it out.

    It's a four. It's a solid four…read more I arrived a little after 4pm with the intent on getting a 1/2 rotisserie chicken. I'm guessing they sold a lot already that day as the chicken still had to cook for approximately 2 more hours at that point. With that, I opted for the pernil. It was flavorful but some pieces were slightly dry. I may have gotten the end of a batch, because the guy next to me also ordered pernil and all of the pieces looked juicy and were hot. The vibe inside is authentic Puerto Rican. They've got the checkered tablecloth along with the condiments on all tables. The place is small - wait to be seated if you're eating there or order at the counter if you placing an order to go. I also got arroz con gandules, black beans, tostones & a salad. Yes, I brought home leftovers. At the moment, they're selling bottles of coquito for the holidays. It's a little steep in my opinion, at $45 per bottle. Cash only. But, they will also accept Venmo & Zelle. I think there was a third option to electronically send money. A very affordable meal for sure. Without tip, my total came to just under $27. A neighborhood spot and a NYC institution... Casa Adela.

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    Casa Adela - Please believe the hype, this is your abuelas cooking. Arroz con gandules, pernil and sorullo with cheese and gauyaba was fire.

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    The Freakin Rican - Mofongo

    The Freakin Rican

    4.0(490 reviews)
    5.9 miAstoria
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    The food was amazing & great customer service. The food didn't take long either for the wait .read more

    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.

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

    Cocotazo

    4.5(75 reviews)
    7.1 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.

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    Paintings for sale.

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    EL Rinconcito Restaurant

    EL Rinconcito Restaurant

    4.0(28 reviews)
    2.0 miAlphabet City, East Village

    El Rinconcito is a popular, family-owned Spanish-American restaurant in NYC's Lower East Side known…read morefor authentic, affordable Latin comfort food like roasted chicken, pernil, and mofongo, with a cozy, lively atmosphere and large portions. It offers a mix of Spanish, Dominican, and Puerto Rican dishes, including empanadas, sandwiches, and seafood, and is praised for its friendly service and value, though some find the drinks mediocre. The restaurant recently moved to a new location on Avenue C. Karrie didn't just serve us food--she showed real character. We came up a couple of dollars short, and without hesitation or obligation, she stepped in and helped us out. That kind of compassion is rare and unforgettable. Her service was warm, professional, and sincere from start to finish. The entire staff was welcoming, and the food is Absolutely unreal with an amazing Authentic Caribbean dishes bursting with flavor--hands down some of the best you'll find in New York City. El Rinconcito isn't just a restaurant; it's a place with heart. If you want incredible food and people who genuinely care, this is it. Highly recommended. And for this mi familia at El rinconcito this is hands down the number one best Latin cuisine spots to try out ..

    My job ordered food from here once and it was great, so I was excited to finally try it in person…read more Service was good; friendly, attentive, and everything came out at a reasonable pace. The seating was comfortable, making it an easy place to sit and enjoy the meal. I ordered the pernil, and the skin was, dare I say, perfect... crispy, flavorful, exactly what you want. Unfortunately, the meat itself was pretty lean and ended up a bit dry. The maduros were a bigger letdown; when I had them before, they were ripe and sweet, but this time they came out dry as hell. I sent them back, and to their credit, they took them off the bill without any issue. My friend enjoyed his Cuban panini, and while the pork chicharrón had a few off pieces, it was decent overall. So overall, I'd say this place can be really good, but there's definitely a consistency issue. When they get it right, it's excellent; it just doesn't seem to be that way every time.

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    Kiosko 787 - Shredded Sofrito Chicken Empanadilla

    Kiosko 787

    4.0(172 reviews)
    2.3 miGowanus
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    The food was good and brought me back to when I last took a trip to PR. Very traditional flavors…read moreand on point. The place had a traditional PR vibe. Service was good. I would def go back.

    On Friday, 2/13, while visiting NY, we were looking for Puerto Rican cuisine after another…read moreManhattan restaurant we planned to visit turned out to be permanently closed with no online update. We found Kiosko 787 while searching nearby options. We tried calling three times, but the phone would ring, play a greeting, and disconnect. Despite that, we decided to give it a try and arrived around 2:30 pm. The exterior was colorful and inviting, reminiscent of Old San Juan. Inside was smaller than expected but vibrant and cozy. The restaurant was empty except for one hostess on her phone. When we asked to dine in (party of five), she immediately asked if we had a reservation and told us reservations had to be made online. She explained they do not answer the phone as it's only for online orders and business information. After waiting a few minutes, she was able to seat us. Three people in our group had never tried Puerto Rican food, so we were excited to introduce them. We ordered drinks and the Picadera Sampler, which was excellent -- flavorful fried chicken chunks and delicious fried cheese. We finished the entire platter. For entrées, two of us ordered the Chuleta Kan Kan to share, and the other three also shared one, adding a mofongo as an extra side. The menu describes it as a "mega thick cut pork chop" and shows a large cut including belly and rib, which is why we chose to share. When the dishes arrived, the pork chops were normal-sized, thin, and nothing like the description or photo. We jokingly renamed them "Chuleta Can't Can't." The server dropped off the plates without knives or checking in and remained distracted on her phone. When we asked about the size, we were told the butcher sends different cuts. We asked about adding extra meat, but were told we would need to purchase another full entrée as they could not sell us a portion of meat, even when we asked if carne frita/pork chunks or a pork chop would be an option. The pork was thin, overcooked, and dry. The rice and pigeon peas were bland and heavy on tomato paste or sauce flavor. The mofongo, however, was moist and delicious with a garlicky butter sauce. Shortly after, another staff member brought out an additional pork chop that they "found in the kitchen," which was appreciated but also very dry. Given we were the only table (aside from one later customer), more proactive service and a heads-up about portion sizes would have helped manage expectations and given us the chance to order differently. The restaurant was also extremely warm. When we mentioned the heat, the response was dismissive. We really wanted this to be a great introduction to Puerto Rican cuisine for our friends. Unfortunately, the service and misleading entrée presentation fell short. The Picadera Sampler and mofongo were the only highlights and the reason for the 2-star rating.

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    Lechonera La Piraña - Coconut shrimp

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    4.4(82 reviews)
    9.4 miMott Haven
    $

    Let's start off by making it known he is world famous for a reason. The hospitality this man gives…read moreyou and the service is unmatched. He is very energetic and has a very welcoming persona. He has been serving lechon for over 30 years and you can see why it's been a hit. He sells 3 items. Lechon(pork) with rice&beans. Coconut shrimp and chicken empanadas. He gives out samples of all his food so don't be afraid to try it before you buy it. Make sure you have cash and it is a cash only spot. Everything is $20 per plate expect the empanadas I believe those were $3 each. The pork itself was fall off the bone tender. For me I just couldn't eat it all. This was one of those dishes that I got tired of eating. Maybe it was the amount of garlic he adds over it was overwhelming. The shrimp had a great flavor but we're cold. Same with the chicken empanadas. For spending $70 the only item that was hot was the pork. Lechon(pork) 6/10 Shrimp 6/10 Empanadas 6/10

    A truly unique and wild ride. Nothing could have prepared me for the hour plus we spent getting…read moreplates from the infamous Piraña de Lechonara food truck from Chef Jimenez. The line felt like a party with the guy on a scooter handing out 190 proof vodka to the guests. When you finally make your way into the truck be prepared to be greeted with warmth and a chunk of lechon right into your hand. Want to try the pulpo (octopus salad)? I hope you washed your hands because he will scoop a sample right into your palm. Chef Jimenez will tell you his life story while waving his machete and smoking a blunt. Nothing seems off limits here because you have somehow, in a matter of minutes, become nothing less than family. At $22 a plate, with rice and peas, a very generous serving of lechon and topped with a green banana, you'll walk away with a full stomach and a warmed heart. The unpredictable nature of this means you can't come wanting to control time or have an efficient food pickup. If you want that go to Cuchifritos in East Harlem. The rice and peas were a little burnt tasting but who cares? It was a party in the middle of the Bronx and more memorable than any food truck I've been to.

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    3.9(3.3k reviews)
    4.0 miTheater District, Midtown West
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    Came to Havana Central for dinner and had an enjoyable meal…read more This restaurant is ALWAYS packed, as soon as you enter, you're hit with sounds of happy customers, and the decor is elegantly tropical. Our Server, Ramon, did an exceptional job. The staff did a great job at clearing finished items and everyone's timing was spot on. We started with the Tostones Rellenos con picadillo (Green plantains stuffed with ground beef). This was a great starter. Large enough to share and I enjoyed the drizzled sweet sauce and whole olives. Our entrees were: Palomilla Steak Platter (thin cut sirloin steak) and the Ropa Vieja (shredded flank steak). Both dishes were accompanied by white rice and we chose black beans and a side salad. This was the first time that I've seen Palomilla Steak presented totally cut into strips and it was a welcomed sight. The Ropa Vieja was perfectly seasoned and the amount of meat was thoroughly enjoyed. I capped off the meal with a Cortadito (A cortado is a Spanish coffee beverage consisting of equal parts espresso and warm, lightly steamed milk. The name comes from the Spanish verb cortar (to cut), meaning the milk "cuts" the acidity and intensity of the espresso. I appreciated the cookie on the side and each sip was amazing. Havana Central has various choices, to accommodate your time of day: lunch specials, a pre-theater menu, and a Happy Hour.

    I love Havana Central! My favorite restaurant in the area because I love Cuban food so maybe I'm…read moreslightly biased but the service is fast, friendly, and efficient! The atmosphere and ambiance is so authentico! Can't wait to go back! It's a must in NYC! Shoutout to German, Carlos, Aaron, Jeremy and the fantastic staff! ¡Viva Cuba Libre! Cuba

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    Interior of the restaurant

    Havana Central - Lightly dusted, crispy Calamari

    Lightly dusted, crispy Calamari

    Havana Central - Blackberry mojito

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    Blackberry mojito

    Que Chevere - puertorican - Updated May 2026

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