OK for a quick bite but lacking flavor. Was in the area so it was quick and easy, but wouldn't recommend coming here read more

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Don't eat here, I ask for an order of chicken stew and rice , in separate containers and she has the nerve to ask me only put 2 pieces of chicken and I'm like what I want an order a plate so proceeded to give me with no carrots , potatoes sauce like bro I'm not new here do you know what chicken stew omg lol been eating in this neighbor for over 30 years never I get charge $15 for 2 pieces of chicken and rice like lady was buggin looking at me saying the sign says bro no where sign says 2 pieces of chicken this ain't. KFC I had to walk out what a disgrace to Spanish Harlem the old owners were way down to earth lol sorry guys the only cuchifritos left is 104 th and 3rd la isla and 116 between 3 rd and lex the originals spot . read more

El Chevere Cuchifrito is right next door to the El Chevere Bakery. I've been there and didn't realize the shed outside was seating for a restaurant. If you are looking for a place to go for Cinco de Mayo this is a good place for fresh food prepared daily. It's right next door to the bakery. This place is a pork lovers paradise. When I walked into the restaurant there's stools at a bar. The employees were cleaning behind the counter and bringing out the meat for the day. You can see the food selections in the front window and there's an extensive menu on the wall as you enter. Prices are very very reasonable. It's a comfortable, although fancy outdoor seating shed. I prefer to sit inside at the counter or purchase something to take home for later. The reviews are good so you may want to give El Chevere Cuchifrito a try. I had a good experience. read more

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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 read more

El Chevere Cuchifrito - moldy pastry I bit into from this disgusting place - Dominican Near Me - New York, New York

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

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

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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 read more

El Chevere Cuchifrito - Paid $5 for this during the 116st festival, price gouging the hood is a bad look... - Dominican Near Me - New York, New York

best Cuban sandwich I've ever had and I've been to Cuba . go. Eat. Be blessed. As for the reviews on the prices- Just because it's in east harlem doesn't mean the price won't reflect the quality of the food. I've been to casa mono many a times cos I live in Gramercy, the food doesn't hold a candle and it's 3x as much. Check yourself be blessed read more

This place is very expensive!!l I went to order rice, beans and pork. This place tried to charge me $18. When I said never mind, the worker instantly had an attitude. I instead ordered 2 empanadas... price came out to $8. The food is a hit or miss. Very inconsistent. read more

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

El Chevere Cuchifrito - Carne Mofongo - Dominican Near Me - New York, New York

I ordered for delivery through DoorDash. Have no complaints about DoorDash delivery service which is great. The food was horrible. I ordered Boiled cassava w/garlic, it was hard, bland and barely cooked. 1 sausage (morcilla), it was hard and nasty tasting. 1 green banana that was also barely cooked. 1 Cassava with meat (alcapurria de yuca) they sent two. It was good until it got to the ground meat. Last but not least for fritura they sent me lengua and it was disgusting looking. Basically it was all disappointing. First and last time I order anything from here. Never again. Gave it a try after reading reviews and am disgusted. Lesson learned. Not everyone knows what's good Puertorican food. read more

Don't know what happened but the food is not the same, been coming here for sometime now. They used to have good sandwiches, but I just got the worst pernil sandwich ever. My stomach is turning and I'm nauseous, my hubby got tostones and chicharrón de pollo the tostones are ripe, not what we wanted. And the chicharrón de pollo is chicken strips. Sorry you guys messed up my lunch. read more

I am so in love with this place. Like seriously so in love. I am on the west side of Harlem but I will go to El Chevere for their Sunday sancocho. So so so tasty. When I am hungry and I do not know what to eat, I will just drive to El Chevere and get whatever stands out to me. No matter what I get, I always get an alcapurria for the road. They give you huge portions and they are reasonably priced. The customer service is always super sweet too. Okay, now I want some. :( read more

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. read more

El Chevere Cuchifrito - cuban sandwich, te amo - Dominican Near Me - New York, New York

There's something going on with the ladies at the front; one day I come in and I'm charged $4 for an item and when I come in 2 days later for the same item (same size), I'm charged double the price. The owner of this business should look into what these ladies' agenda is. My theory is that they over charge certain customers and take that extra charged money at the end of the day home. My next complaint will be written with the BBB as this is illegal read more

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. read more

El Chevere Cuchifrito - menu pt1 - Dominican Near Me - New York, New York

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

Cuchifritos! Try to say that 10 times fast. El Chevere is about 2 blocks from my place and this is a legit Puerto Rican diner in East Harlem. They serve up some good soups and beans and rice but it's the stuff lining their window display that you'll want to get your hands on. Of course, I'm referring to the gloriously golden and fantastically fried up chunks of cuchifritos. There are the usual suspects of chicharrones, bacalaoitos, and of course fried chicken. Prices here are decent. You can get a full meal here for less than $10 easily. The chicharrones are crispy on the outside, breaking into shards of delicious pork skin as soon as you sink your teeth into them. The meat is incredibly tender and juicy. You will get some overly fried pieces but honestly, that's just something you're going to have to live with. This isn't per se, if you know what I mean. The soups here are also some of my favorite. They're deeply flavorful and full of meats and potatoes. Definitely sticks to your ribs. Most employees only speak Spanish here so redownload that duolingo app. Definitely a great neighborhood spot to fill up for cheap. Just remember to get that cholesterol checked at your next health maintenance visit. read more

The worst Latin Caribbean food I have tasted in New York for sure. TOO EXPENSIVE FOR LOW QUALITY FOOD. This is not Puerto Rican food for sure because Puerto Rican food is delicious and Puerto Rican cooks take pride in their preparation as well as what quality they serve to people. This has to be Dominican because the worker was Dominican. No shade just simply stating the facts. There are plenty of other Dominican restaurants in New York that offer the same food items for way less and exceptional quality, so this is a shame that Dominicans run this restaurant. Try Molino's in the Bronx by the Yankee Stadium. Everything my husband and I tried at El Chevere in East Harlem was disgusting. The rice tasted EXACTLY like that cheap Goya yellow rice box which tastes awful and costs no more than 2 bucks. The chicken, pernil, and beef stew were all lacking in taste too-no flavor what so ever. I would not ever voluntarily come back here to eat. I do not recommend this restaurant at all. Another zero star restaurant. A total disgrace to Latin Caribbean food. read more

Overpriced.... Terrible service. Confusing menu. Ordered something off of the wall menu at $4.50... Came out to$22.50. when I got home all of the gravy was all over the bag (even after I asked her to be mindful of that). Had to ask for garlic on the side(which should have been included, she placed it upside down, naturally spilling all over. I asked for mondongo, got a huge potato with pig feet bones. Morcilla, quajito and oreja...dried out and the orejita was full of hair. Ugh!!! Wouldn't even buy a bottled water there. read more

Indeed eating here is as good as it gets. If you're looking for Spanish food, don't bother heading anywhere else. You want half a chicken with rice and beans (with flavor) for under 10 dollars?, the cuchifritos is the place to go. With most of these places, expect a hole in the wall atmosphere, you have the regulars, the loud guy, and the laughter. All beautiful things which make dinning-in a nice little adventure. Onto the food. Rice and beans are prepared just like mom used to make, flavor is the keynote here. No other place will cover your chicken in gravy or serve you sesame seed juice with so much flavor, and for such a cheap price. Expect to wait for you big meals as platters like, pernil, chuleta, and a cuban sandwhich, will take quite a while, but well worth it. On that note, order the Cuban (cubano) and enjoy the very filling meal. Frankly, any place that sells a potato filled with meat for a dollar is going to be the spot for me. As I've posted on another review, hole in the walls have to bust their ass to keep you in your seat and still compete with bigger food chains. This one has been in business since I was a kid, and a Mc Donalds opened right across from it...which doesn't stop them from being packed on Mondays and Fridays. I've never been greeted with an attitude and the chefs know how to cook. What else can you ask for? good spanish food for ridiculously cheap prices served to you by good people. read more

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. read more

El Chevere Cuchifrito - This Cuban sandwich is not only tasty but enormous. This is only half. Great leftovers for dinner tonight - Dominican Near Me - New York, New York

One of my favorite cuchifritos spots in El Barrio! Servings are hefty and prices are wonderful. Truly hope gentrification doesn't push them out the neighborhood. read more

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I have been really craving real cuchifrito (not quchifrito) for a really long time now and this place definitely hit the spot! I ordered the cuban sandwich which was recommended by my fellow yelpers and as I waited I had a patelito, a alcapurilla and a stuffed potatoe ball. The potatoe ball was amazing! It was perfectly fried but not greasy and the middle was perfectly soft and stuffed. I can say the same about the alcapurilla and the patelito. When I got my cuban sandwich it tasted great! The lady that was there really hooked it up. The only slight problem that i can say is that the bread was a little under toasted but still it was a great sandwich. The plus I must add is that the place looked really clean amd the people were friendly with good service. read more

El Chevere Cuchifrito - Cuban sandwich. Off the hook! - Dominican Near Me - New York, New York

This place let me tell you is horrible horrible and disgusting. They overcharged me $249 dollars for food that was $24 dollars. Screw my money for other things I had to buy and now I have to wait for my refund until who knows how long. This employee didn't know how to mess with the credit card machine, which if you don't know how to work the machine, then you should of not even put your hands on it and mess with people's credit cards and overcharge you. I WILL NEVER COME BACK TO THIS PLACE EVER AGAIN. THANKS FOR RUINING MY WEEKEND. read more

The chicken is a bit bland and the yucca was mushy, the madurro were good, but you can't really mess them up. The mangoo is good and when I can't get coffee next door at the bakery, this is my second choice for a coffee, and a morning oatmeal read more

Great Puerto Rican food. Fast and cheap! However it's not called el Coqui, it's called El Chevere, a little confusing. Definitely a hole in the wall type place with very limited counter seating but great if you're in the area. read more

El Chevere Cuchifrito - I'm sitting at the last seat in the back. Small place but so good. - Dominican Near Me - New York, New York

Love, love El Chevere. A true staple and gem of East HarleGreat food at reasonable prices. Recommend the pernil (cooked to perfection and seasoned just righ: ) and chicken dishes. read more

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

When you think about El Barrio, at least when I do, I think about Spanish Harlem, Nuyorican Swag and eateries that are rapidly disappearing from the area - thanks gentrification. This spot is a cuchifrito done right. Its been here longer than anyone in my generation and is a staple of the community that is rapidly losing its identity. The food is fried, greasy,and definitely bad for you - which creates that deliciously wicked appeal that Latinos in NYC often crave. What else is there to say, morsilla, empanadas, guineitos - you name it. The price is right, the frituras are on point, and everytime you go into this place, you experience one of the few remaining authentic Barrio eateries. read more

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.

One of the few cuchifritos left in the city! And the food tastes authentic!! Whenever I'm in that neighborhood it's a must. And I must have an alcapurria. They are so big and filling and simply delicious. read more

We specifically went to El Coqui to get some alcapurrias. The setup was a long counter with stools, similar to the old fashioned diners but that was the sum of the eat-in space. Definitely no frills, unless you count the patient friendly service. Our server bantered with the other customers and nicely gave us samples of the juices so we could decide. The parcha juice (passion fruit) won the day! We ordered alcapurrias -surprisingly large so that I had to scale back the order, mofongo con chicharron, a pastel and a couple of drinks. The cup sizes are old fashioned cup sizes, so be prepared for that, and a mountain of tasty food at reasonable prices. read more

The neighborhoods are changing and places like this are disappearing, so please, if you like the food and atmosphere eat here all you can! I know I will. The change from El Coqui to the new management was as seamless as can be, with many of the awesome dishes retained and the quality and authenticity retained. The beef stew is as good as ever and I'll keep coming back even though I moved from Morningside Heights to Hoboken NJ. Whatever you may have to say about how things change, at least it didn't go away! Great trip on the foodie circuit as well. read more

Really good Puerto Rican food, although i think the only person working there that was Boriqua was the cook, all good though - great food, cheap prices.. I think it may have got bought out by Cuchifritos - since thats what its called now. read more

This place is delicious! I love their food and their prices are reasonable. The reason im giving this place 1 star is because there was a homeless man standing inside the restaurant and it smelled really badly. The ladies didnt even ask him to leave... someone bought him food and he touched the ketchup bottle and everything.... the ladies didnt clean it which i find very unsanitary and disgusting. Its a restaurant, where food is being served and the lady didnt wash her hands or anything after touching his hand. This place needs to be more clean and cautious. Very upset after this experience makes me think twice about buying food here. read more

I loved this place! It was my first time and my cousin and I were in the area, craving some Puerto Rican food and this place satisfied out cravings and some! It was clean, an A grade, the food was fresh and the employees were so welcoming and catering! The customer service was amazing and so were the prices. The locals Deff come and eat here, which I enjoy because that's how I know it's delicious food! Loved it! read more

Sadly El Coqui is no more. It is now called El Chevere and is under Dominican management (as opposed to Puerto Rican). The menu is basically the same bit the flavors are a bit different. Some of my favorites from El Coqui are nearly as good - the pollo guisada (chicken stew), pernil (roast pork) and alcapurrias (fried mashed yucca stuffed with beef) are super yummy. Their rice is OK - not bad, not great. Sadly, the one dish that would send me driving up the FDR from Brooklyn to El Coqui - the pasteles - are pretty bad here now. Don't bother. If anyone knows where the old man from El Coqui went, please let me know so I can order a lifetime supply of pasteles. On a positive note, El Chevere's flan was some of the best I've ever had. Super rich and thick and the caramel was thick too, not runny. Save room for flan, it's worth it. Another positive is that for a cuchifrito, this place is usually really clean. read more

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

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