I've been going to La Isla since I was a child, and it honestly warms my heart to see this place…read morestill standing strong. To survive the sands of time and continue feeding the community the way they do says everything. La Isla is more than a restaurant--it's family. It's home. It's el barrio. I have my all-time favorites that I've been ordering since childhood, and this visit was no different. I wanted pasteles with rice and a coco drink, and that's exactly what I got. No disappointments, just comfort food done right. The food is always good, the atmosphere feels familiar and welcoming, and the service is fast and solid. Walking into La Isla feels like being back home, like being surrounded by family, even if you're just stopping in for a quick meal. If you know, you know. And if you don't--this is your sign to go experience it.

Their cuchifritos are good. Alcapurria, bacalitos, relleno de papa. Food? Nope. It tastes like…read morethere wasn't no love put into it. El Nuevo Caribeno over on 105th & Lex is the better bet. just order or get there at noon. Go to these places at NOON. Throughout the day the food ain't as good at most of these places.

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.

La Fonda, Puerto Rican Restaurant is located in East Spanish Harlem on East 106 St. between…read moreLexington & 3rd Ave's., closer to 3rd Ave. La Fonda looks small but when you walk inside they have a nice big long bar, in the back there's a small stage where performers play & sing Spanish music on certain days. Then you have the long dining area with many tables along both walls. The place is well lit, clean & tastefully decorated with its PuertoRican theme. The staff is bilingual, friendly & quick. The traditional Puerto Rican food is delicious, especially the tender Pernil (Roast Sliced Pork) & Arroz con Gandules (Rice & Pigeon Peas). The Cocktails are good as well. They also cater to private events. So if you're visiting Spanish Harlem go in & enjoy. Good for an intimate dinner for 2, families & groups.

Yum! This place was within walking distance of where I was staying and my friend recommended it to…read moreme. All the other restaurants were jampacked with people watching the FIFA games. This place didn't have a TV so we were able to grab a seat and some food. Their chicken Chicharron is absolutely delicious. Arroz con gandulees also a hit. There is plenty of seating which I appreciate when all the other places are so small. I went back again.

Good location, staff speaks Spanish, Food is very good. Nice, low lights, wooden tables. Has a bar…read moreand the service is fast. It's now one of my regular spot. Just a few blocks from the 6 train at 103 station. Food portions are a bit small but it does fill you up.

Never go here. If you do end up visiting this less‑than‑stellar establishment, avoid the bistec…read moreencebollado at all costs. I'm not even sure what kind of meat they used, but it definitely wasn't cubed steak. The pork chops were fried far too hard, the rice started off promising but quickly fell flat, and the beans were just okay--they serve white beans, and I'm used to pink. The alcapurria was passable, but the masa was mediocre and the filling wasn't beef; it tasted more like chicken or turkey. Honestly, disregard this entire review and save yourself the trouble--don't even bother coming to the 116th St. cuchifritos.

Cuchifritos 168 E. 116th. St…read more New York, NY 10029 Coca Drink Alcapurria Pasteles En Hoja Blood Sausage My curiosity has led me to East Harlem to explore traditional Puerto Rican cuisine. The prices are very reasonable and the taste of the food was pretty decent. However, the attraction was lacking. Coca drink: The coconut beverage was cool and refreshing. It was definitely the next best thing to slurping from an actual coconut. Alcapurria: The Alcapurria had equal ratio of meat and fritter filling. Pasteles En Hoja: I have to admit that the artistic look of this meal was not eye catching. The pasteles reminded me of vomit, but tasted like a tamale. Blood Sausage: The blood sausage has a physical resemblance of feces. Identifying one of the meats as "blood" is not the best idea. In the end, it was a sausage link. Surprisingly, all the dishes still tasted decent. Whenever I come across plates that don't look attractive I'll always keep an open mind and will definitely try everything. #alcapurria #pasteles #bloodsausage #cuchifritos #cocodrink

cocotazo is a small restaurant located in Manhattan East Harlem.cocotazo food ok if you're willing…read moreto spend $40 a plate. the owner was not friendly at all this person felt kind of entitled some staff members were nice others not so much. What I could say is try it for yourself and come to your own conclusion. once is enough for me being a small business owner myself I believe that being personable, humble and friendly overtakes all of the things.

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.

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

Don't eat here, I ask for an order of chicken stew and rice , in separate containers and she has…read morethe 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 .

So sorry to hear that you're closed. Tried to support you during and after Covid. Good music and…read moredelicious food in the neighborhood. This place was an oasis in a sea of fast food spots.

It was a long, eventful rollercoaster of day... desperately in need of some sustenance, we looked…read morefor a spot in route to our final destination. With one of my favs, we decided to visit Amor Cubano, based on a found memory of their champagne mojitos. It was a cold Saturday night in January and all the stars aligned. We pulled and found parking right outside the door. We entered and was seated immediately without reservation even though it was crowded and the first week of NY restaurant week. We perused both the regular and restaurant week menu. In an attempt to keep it simple we went the regular menu and ordered everything at once. Of course two champagne mojitos and empanadas to start. For entrées, we went with Arroz Con Pollo (for me) and Churrasco- grilled skirt steak (for my partner in crime). Customer service was good, food came quick and hit the spot. We enjoyed it all while listing to the live band. This was a nice ending to an eventful day. Just A Note: A tag on IG... gets you a spin of the bonus wheel. I snagged a gift card for my next visit.

The ambience was very lively, and the server was very responsive. The food was incredible; it was…read moredefinitely some of the best Puerto Rican cuisine I've had on the east coast. The mofongo was off the chain, and the beef empanadas were equally fantabulous. The pasteles were perfectly seasoned. Everything was delicious.

The service here is great. There was only one server taking care of everyone, and he was quick,…read moreattentive and very friendly. This spot is adorably decorated to channel those tropical Caribbean vibes, and the sound of the coqui playing in the background was a lovely touch. As for the food, I ordered the grilled pork chops and arroz con gandules (rice with pigeon peas), and a salad. I love the addition of the salad and the slice of avocado. The rice and the pork chops, on the other hand, left me wanting a little more. It was seasoned for sure, but that soulful Puerto Rican flavor wasn't fully there.