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    El Chevere Cuchifrito

    3.4 (40 reviews)
    Open • 7:00 am - 9:30 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Order El Chevere Cuchifrito Takeout or Delivery

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    EL CHEVERE CUCHIFRITO ATMOSPHERE

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

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    Recommended Reviews - El Chevere Cuchifrito

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    moldy pastry I bit into from this disgusting place
    Mystique W.

    This is actually now involving both the cuchifritos spot AND the bakery next door. This used to be a really great spot a few years ago. Avoided ordering from here over time because the quality started declining & the food became inconsistent as well as overpriced. This time, being too busy to cook for company and it being the only place open, decided to pick up some combo plates (Maduros, rice and beans, red beans no meat ) three of which came up to $34.00. The rice was extremely salty(on a tingling fingertips and headache level) and lacked the flavors usually found in pr/dr dishes no sofrito, no achiote, just grease and salt. Same with the red beans & gravy which outside of salt just tasted like canned red beans Maduros weren't really sweet, instead of being crispy and caramelized they were extremely dense and soggy as if sitting in its oil. They also had an aftertaste of some type of cleaning product. We were so disappointed that my friend insisted on asking for a refund (I told them to cut their losses ) Either way this friend, after receiving attitudes and pushback from the staff, compromise on meeting with the owner the following day right ? Because whoever owns this place also owns the bakery next door. They offer this Friend a box of pastries valued at what was returned to call things even, my Friend is open to this, thinking they can bring some pastries to their art class and just squash the issue. This woman, after saying they baked the pasties at 6 am that morning, wrapped, sealed and sent off in a pretty box, gave my Friend a whole box of old, stale and MOLDY pastries. (I have a photo of mine attached, and glad to have discovered this before the box was given to students) After this friend (who at this point is very much upset about this situation.) Brings this up this lady denies the whole situation ? Refuses to give $$$ back from the first purchase. Not wanting things to escalate we left. (It's not about 34.00 it's the principle, we have now paid twice for inedible food that was a HEALTH /SANITATION issue, past it being a "taste " or quality issue . In addition to this disgusting experience, afterward my co worker who was visiting that day stopped in there to get a slush is drink from here and she told me she walked out after seeing the staff handle money through the take out window from a crackhead, touch a dirty rag, and then pack food items with old greasy gloves. IF a you happen to be passionate about not dying from food poisoning and or being traumatized by food itself please DO NOT a come here. As a boriqua this place is EXTRA disappointing because east Harlem used to be known for having great cuchifrito spots, this is now pretty much one of two left. And it's a complete joke

    Arguing with me because I found a bee in my Pastelillos

    I found a Bee in my pastelillos. The woman behind the counter cursed me out for noticing! This place is disgusting!!

    Paid $5 for this during the 116st festival, price gouging the hood is a bad look...

    Paid $5 for this during the 116st festival, been coming here for years, quality going down now price gouging the hood is a bad look, aint no tourist during the festival, if u gonna double the price do it right

    Carne Mofongo
    Alexander D.

    Get the carne mofongo if you want to get thick af! Absolutely fire. Extra wet with the mojo sauce

    cuban sandwich, te amo
    Felicia R.

    The most amazing Cuban Sandwich I ever had was from here. Sidenote: I'm from South Florida, and I've had plenty of cubans. El Coqui/El Chevere---from the outside I thought this place was called Cuchifritos! My parents and sister tried other things on the menu, but all 5 stars of this yelp review is for that damn delicious Cuban Sandwich. Such tasty pork! I'm not on this side of town anymore, but if our paths cross again, I'mma GET IT.

    menu pt1
    Michelle Y.

    The number one thing I miss about NYC over LA is the spontaneous food craving adventure. However standard or eclectic the food is that you are pining for, there exists a neighborhood in NYC to deliver you exactly what you want, and it's all a subway ride away. In relation to El Coqui, the craving in question was for delicious beef empanadas, and the elusive Mofongo (ball/bowl of garlic-flavored fried and mashed plantains with pork in the middle). I would drag my then-boyfriend all the way from the financial district up to spanish harlem - initially in search of the famed 'Empanada Lady' cart which proved even more elusive than mofongo - and walk up and down 3rd street until we found just the right window display (and price point) to get me drooling. Honestly, I'm not even sure what we would order. I would just point to the awesome-looking beef and pork stews simmering at the back wall, and have them served up with yellow rice (ah yes, the unhealthiest and arguably tastiest of them all), black beans, and a healthy serving of crushed/minced garlic and hot sauce on the side. So freakin good. Empanadas are tasty but a bit on the greasy side.. wouldn't order more than one of those even between two people. I think the meat in traditional mofongo is actually pork crackling bits, which is how the dish is served at El Coqui, but I tend to prefer it with meat that's a bit softer/more savory to balance out the hard bits that already exist in the plantains. If you ever have a hankering for good homestyle Cuban/PR cuisine and are in the area or don't mind an afternoon adventure into spanish harlem, definitely check out El Coqui. And then maybe go for a swim in the huge public pool at the north side of Central Park.

    This Cuban sandwich is not only tasty but enormous. This is only half. Great leftovers for dinner tonight
    Hector P.

    Fresh alcapurrias and hefty portions make this cuchifritos one of the best. Don't listen to the gringo reviews and stop by for whatever favorites you have in mind. They even have pasteles but I was already stuffed.

    Their mangu was the best I've had in years!!

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    1 year ago

    What can I say. This is my go to quick service neighbourhood spot for tasty latino food. Always a good experience.

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    16 years ago

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    6 years ago

    They was fast and in time. Food was delicious. I am thankful that my favorite Spanish food spots delivers.

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    8 years ago

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    11 years ago

    Had whole chicken, yellow rice and Papa rellenas and they were awesome! So flavorful and delicious. I will definitely return.

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    16 years ago

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    15 years ago

    Its not fancy and looks like a hole in the wall type of place but they have the best roast chicken in the city. The food here is great.

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    7 years ago

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    10 years ago

    Classic Puerto Rican / Dominican food in the middle of Spanish Harlem. Super cheap and huge portions. Roasted pork was amazing.

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    14 years ago

    Good greasy spoon for frituras and cuchifritos--the meals are pretty good too.

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    Zoralie Restaurant - Two delicious lunch specials

    Zoralie Restaurant

    4.3(345 reviews)
    3.2 mi•Hell's Kitchen, Midtown West
    •$

    As a tourist, this is a great local spot. I came here for breakfast and had a plate of mangu…read more(mashed plantains) with dominican sausage, fried cheese, an egg and pickled onions. It was incredible, hearty, savory and simple. I didn't have cash so I zelled them. It's super cheap, delicious, and I love seeing all the locals popping in. Very authentic.

    This place is a hole-in-the-wall in Hell's Kitchen, on a quiet street. There is limited seating…read moreboth indoor & outdoor. The staff are very friendly, despite the limited English skills (and we don't speak Spanish). The restaurant takes cash and Zelle. Both of the below entrees came with rice and (a very small portion of) plantain. *Roast Pork: I assume this was pernil. It had a nice balanced seasoning that was gently savory and went well with the rice. Not a particularly "wet" dish, don't expect a lot of sauce. *Chicken Stew: They gave us two large drumsticks of chicken stew. The marinade / sauce is VERY lightly flavored and I wish the seasoning could be stronger / more interesting. This is not the best Dominican food I ever had but I did appreciate the homey charm and the very low prices. For two servings of roast pork and one serving of chicken stew we paid $40 flat!! It was enough to serve our group of four. I don't know how many other places in Hell's Kitchen or other well-visited parts of Manhattan would be this affordable.

    Photos
    Zoralie Restaurant - Inside

    Inside

    Zoralie Restaurant
    Zoralie Restaurant

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    Margon - Cuban sandwich

    Margon

    4.2(910 reviews)
    3.3 mi•Theater District, Midtown West
    •$$

    Sometimes you don't need a fancy reservation... you just need a tiny spot, loud kitchen, and food…read morethat hits like a heavyweight champ. Walked into Margon Restaurant in Midtown and instantly felt like I found one of NYC's secret cheat codes. Small space, big flavors, zero nonsense. The kind of place where you're elbow-to-elbow with strangers but everyone's united by one thing... serious hunger. Ordered the Cuban sandwich -- pressed, crispy, loaded with roast pork, glazed ham, Swiss, pickles, and mustard. One bite in and I stopped talking... which never happens. This thing didn't just deliver... it showed up early and over-prepared. Then came La Bandera Dominicana Braised beef swimming in savory gravy, yellow rice piled like a mountain, black beans doing their thing, and sweet maduros sitting on top like the victory flag. Simple. Comforting. Dangerous... because now I want it every week. Place gets busy, gets loud, gets chaotic... but it moves like a well-oiled machine. Years of experience and zero attitude. Just good people making great food. In a neighborhood full of tourist traps, this hole-in-the-wall is throwing haymakers. Sometimes the best escape in NYC isn't a rooftop... It's a Cuban sandwich and a plastic tray. And honestly... I'd pick that every time. #nycfood #hiddennyc #midtowneats

    The Food is pretty good overall. The beef stew falls apart nicely. The rice and beans are pretty…read moregood fillers too. Plantain is always good. My main complaint is that they are really stingy on portions. They always give 1 plantain and when I ask for more, the lady gives me a dirty look and says 1 is the limit. Took 1 star off since the meal is not filling enough for me, but I keep coming back because of the flavor.

    Photos
    Margon - People lining up to get their food

    People lining up to get their food

    Margon - Maybe mold on corner piece of Flan. Something go me ill an hour later.

    Maybe mold on corner piece of Flan. Something go me ill an hour later.

    Margon - Closeup of the Cuban Sandwich.

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    Closeup of the Cuban Sandwich.

    Buena Vista Restaurant & Bar - Customers at the table trying our new Spanish dishes

    Buena Vista Restaurant & Bar

    4.6(497 reviews)
    3.7 mi•Midtown West, Hell's Kitchen, Theater District
    •$$$

    Stopped by here with my other half to get a quick bite. It's a cute little spot that was around the…read morecorner from the hotel. We got the fries and the beet salad. Both were great to snack on. Our server was friendly and attentive. Will have to make another visit to check out more of the menu next trip to NYC.

    What a delightful evening!!!! We came here by chance, as we checked in to our hotel and were a…read morebit hungry. Everyone agreed with my suggestion to eat Latin American food and we made a reservation at Buena Vista, not far away from our hotel and also not far from the theater. We came over a bit early, around 5:15 and were immediately seated. We were immediately impressed by the business model. It is a melange of Latin American and Iberian faire with exquisite curation. Their cocktails were absolutely delightful, I had a Pantalones en Fuego, others had an exquisite margarita with passion fruit flavor and a Daiquirí de Fresa, just amazing. Then we ordered interminable Hors d'oeuvres. Their ham croquetas and mushroom croquetas were the rage, as well as the tostoncillos ibéricos and ceviche limeño, The main courses followed, a paella valenciana for two, the magret de pato, a delicious duck dish, and a grilled Argentine parrilla. Not bad for four people. Dessert included churros and tres leches. And of course, a bottle of a great Verdejo. Service was just flawless. We had several staff members all contributing to making our Father's Day evening special. All around us it was festive, with plenty of well dressed Spanish speakers in several tables, and the accents of a half a dozen Spanish speaking countries. Plenty of gringoes too. A beautiful collection of diversity. We left happy, ready to see "Oh Mary" and wanting to return

    Photos
    Buena Vista Restaurant & Bar - Looking toward front

    Looking toward front

    Buena Vista Restaurant & Bar - Plantains were delicious!

    Plantains were delicious!

    Buena Vista Restaurant & Bar - Empanadas

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    Empanadas

    Que Rico - Chicken stew and pernil lunch specials

    Que Rico

    4.6(14 reviews)
    4.3 mi•Kips Bay

    I was craving Dominican food but didn't want to travel all the way uptown, so I was genuinely…read moreshocked to find this gem so close to my hotel. The food was absolutely amazing so good that I came back three days in a row! I ordered the baked chicken with rice and beans, and everything was phenomenal. The chicken was flavorful and perfectly cooked, and the rice and beans were just as delicious. The customer service was also incredible; she was so warm, welcoming, and kind every time I visited. I highly recommend this place. Please support this wonderful local gem.. you will not be disappointed! sorry the food photo isn't perfect. i was hungry!

    $10 lunch special?! In THIS economy?!?! From 12pm-3pm, this…read moreunassuming establishment right by SVA has a hearty lunch waiting for you! I was walking by and the sign noting their lunch special caught my eye- the lunch special consists of rice, beans, some plantains and a protein. They were offering pernil, baked chicken, chicken stew the day I went in. I got the pernil (roast pork) with yellow rice and black beans, and also chicken stew with yellow rice and black beans. Both the pork and chicken were so tender and flavorful, the chicken meat was basically falling off the bone. Extra points for adding some juicy pork skin along with the meat! Very satisfying food, you can easily get 2 meals out of it (they are very generous when packing the food!) Will definitely be back to check out their other offerings, especially the mofongo!

    Photos
    Que Rico
    Que Rico - White rice with red beans, pork shoulder and some yellow plantains.

    White rice with red beans, pork shoulder and some yellow plantains.

    Que Rico

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    El Chevere Cuchifrito - dominican - Updated September 2026

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