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    La Cocina De Yala

    3.1 (52 reviews)
    Closed 12:00 pm - 9:00 PM

    La Cocina De Yala Photos

    LA COCINA DE YALA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Trendy
    Good for groups

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    Leah S.

    On our way through New York, we found ourselves in a major traffic jam. We sat on the freeway for a good hour before we decided it was time to get off at the next exit and have some lunch. We hoped that by the time we were done with lunch, whatever the traffic jam was would have abated, and we happened to find Cocina de yalla just off the freeway from where we were stuck. There was convenient parking on the street just a few doors down from the restaurant, so we parked and made our way in. The restaurant was well decorated, with interesting artwork and despite being peak lunch hour, there were only two other diners in the restaurant. We were happy to see that the menu was in Spanish on one side in English on the other, despite the fact that both of us speak some Spanish. The waitress came over to take our order and between her introductory English and our introductory to mediocre Spanish, they ended up bringing someone from the back who was more fluent to take our order. Hubby ordered the mofongo de pollo ($15) and I ordered the canoa de platanos maduros ($12) with a side of yucca fries ($5). I ordered the passion fruit juice ($4) and he ordered a glass of water ($1). As we sat, we looked around to try to entertain ourselves and saw many interesting pieces of artwork and eclectic decor lending to the ambiance of the restaurant. It took us about 15 minutes to set our order and then we waited another hour before the food came out. This is pretty shocking to us, given that there were only two other tables occupied and they were both tables of two so it wasn't like the place was hopping. For our food, the mofongo was dry and oily, with very little seasoning other than the garlic. The chicken alongside the mofongo was very bland although it was cooked well with nice char. The canoa is a dish that I love, however this one was a ripe sweet plantain filled with an extremely greasy ground meat and cheese and was weirdly topped with ketchup which I found to be truly unappetizing. The only thing that was notable about this meal were the yucca fries, which were served very hot with a good smooth texture. The restaurant only takes cash which is a little behind the times in my opinion, and has an ATM in the restaurant but there's a large sign that says " We take no responsibility for this ATM" whatever that means. Prices are extremely reasonable given the quantity of the food, however the quality of the food and the accurate seasoning of the food was extremely low in my opinion. Paired with the absolutely glacial pace of serving after ordering, this is not a restaurant I would return to if I were in the area.

    Tomahawk Steak w/ Yuca fries and salad.
    Adrian P.

    Very excited to be able to try this spot. It's a booming dominican restaurant in the bronx right off i95. Many selections to choose from on the menu as well as daily food choices and fresh juices. Employees are very friendly. I had the massive 32oz tomahawk steak with yuca fries. I was surprised to see that it came with a salad which was a plus. Very tasty and excellently displayed on a cutting board. Very smooth to cut into and full of flavors. The Boca Chica is also another grear selection if you're craving fried fish. I am looking forward to trying more items in the future.

    Outside
    Casandra P.

    We randomly decided to visit and grab lunch and to say the least we were pleasantly surprised. This little space in the Bronx was a touch of Caribbean & homemade in one. They currently have outside seating. We ordered The filet basa and one of their signature boxes. Both were a hit. The fish was nicely cooked, the chicken in our box was moist and the plate appeal was very nice. Be prepared to have trouble parking but if you visiting the Bronx it is without a doubt worth going! FIVE STARS for sure!

    Sabrina S.

    This was an unexpected yet very beautiful small restaurant in the East Bronx. There are amazing and vibrant paintings in the restaurant. The Yala burger was DELICIOUS. I would come back here again. FYI - they only accept cash. I'm not sure if it has changed.

    Churrasco with fries
    Tiffany D.

    Updating. Have gone twice more and the quality has really gone down hill. Not only that but prices have gone up $10+ per entree. One of the times I went all the fried food tasted like it was fried in old oil. And my recent visit a couple days ago the churrasco was bland and I had to ask for more chimichurri sauce, which is ridiculous now that the churrasco is worth $35. Not really worth it anymore when it's out of the way with long waits and more expensive than other places.

    Skirt steak, yucca fries, grilled shrimp topped with pico and Guac!
    Madeline O.

    This spot is definitely a little jewel in an unexpected part of the Bronx. The decor is bright and lively while still maintaining the intimate ambiance! The food is fresh and delicious! This is a perfect date night location but be warned due to its small size, they get full fairly quickly. The restaurant does not serve any type of alcoholic beverages but the juice options make up for it! If you're around the neighborhood definitely stop by. You'll thank me later!!

    Ana M.

    First waited too long for food. Only 4 or 5 tables filled. Food arrives cold, full of flowers and with owner hovering her phone over my meal recording to post on social media. She was very nice, but that only takes you but so far. Yesterday gave a second chance, as I felt for some sancocho. My husband goes to buy in person, and is dismissed for a few minutes until he spoke Spanish ( he looks black, but yes he is Spanish), his nationality should not depict good service. Fast forward, hubby arrives with my sancocho and some pasteles. SUPER EXCITED sancocho full of oil, looked well seasoned but only tasted how salty it was. The pasteles smelled pretty bad, but taste is everything right. OMG they were still raw, and the taste matched the smell. Wouldn't guess in a million years I was eating a pastel. This establishment needs to focus more on their food and less on flowers and social media, maybe then they'll have a prominent chance. Wanted to go back for the Tomahawk steak, but I'm too disappointed.

    a steak with a side salad
    Carlos F.

    Wow! Is all can say the food was really delicious. If you're looking for some good Dominican food I highly recommend this place. The steak was so good. Can't wait to go back !

    Yala burger Tostones Camarones al Ajillo
    Carolina R.

    This is a great place to eat. It is also a very beautiful location. My boyfriend and I went here for my birthday. The staff was very nice and friendly. The food was delicious! We ordered a few things and the yala burger was exquisite. The fried fish was really well seasoned and my favorite, the tamarind and chinola juices were really tasty and fresh! The staff members always came by to our table to ask if we were doing ok. The only thing that I see is extremely unprofessional is the fact that they have to record every single plate when they are bringing it to the guests. Otherwise everything was perfect!

    Claudia B.

    A hot new Latin fusion cuisine with a touch of the Caribbean on 174th Street, BRONX. We have patronized this business since the beginning. You have to check it out- the ambiance, rich decorum, soulful Latin music, crisp alkaline water and delicious entrees. A local must patronize for lunch or dinner. One visit and you will be back for more. Thank you Yala for sharing your passion for food and diligence for excellence.

    Picadera mix from la casina de Yala

    I have been in this restaurant a few times It is such a relaxed place the food is great And there picadera Bandeja are great for party Definitely recommend thi

    Yala Burguer

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    4 years ago

    Great food and service and when it comes to churasco and steak is the #1 place to eat and go in for some

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    5 years ago

    Overated , the food was tasteless. The services is trash, waited over an hour for a fry fist with mash potatoes.

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    8 years ago

    This is one of the best Dominican food I had ever tasted. It's like being in Dominican heaven with an American touch to it.

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    El Rincón Boricua

    El Rincón Boricua

    4.4(10 reviews)
    2.7 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

    Made In Puerto Rico - Seasoned. Doughy. Warm. And Good.

    Made In Puerto Rico

    3.3(554 reviews)
    2.1 miSchuylerville
    $$

    Love this spot! Order the Alcapurias, I stay away from the Coconut Shrimp. Fun, Music level is…read moremoderate and staff is on point. I wish they would redesign the "Back Bar" in the middle of the floor to create an open layout... just me.

    I came here for a team get-together that also lined up with my birthday month, so it was the…read moreperfect chance to celebrate -- and I'm really glad we did. The vibes were amazing from start to finish: great music (major shoutout to the DJ), perfect lighting, and a lively, fun atmosphere that made the night feel special. The food was fantastic and the portions were huge -- seriously, two or three people could've eaten from my plate alone. I ordered the pernil with rice and beans, plus a variety appetizer platter. The pork was juicy (though I do wish the skin was a little crispier), the beans were flavorful, and both the garlic and chimichurri sauces were top-notch. The potato salad was okay, but overall, the meal delivered big flavor and big portions. Since it was my birthday, the team surprised me with a birthday flan and tres leches dessert plate that the restaurant provided. It was the perfect ending -- sweet, creamy, and delicious. The birthday celebration itself was incredible; you truly feel like a superstar. Between the LED signs, the DJ shoutouts, and your name flashing across the booth screen, the energy was unmatched. The drinks were just okay, nothing to write home about, but they got the job done. The only other downsides were the limited parking (especially at night) and the two-hour time limit for our party of ten. Still, it was a fantastic night overall. Great food, great vibes, and a truly fun experience. I'd highly recommend Made in Puerto Rico for birthdays, team outings, or anyone looking for flavorful food and an energetic atmosphere.

    Photos
    Made In Puerto Rico - Bar

    Bar

    Made In Puerto Rico - Ropa vieja n tostones

    Ropa vieja n tostones

    Made In Puerto Rico

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    Ajo & Oregano - Carnita Frita

    Ajo & Oregano

    3.4(542 reviews)
    0.4 miParkchester
    $$

    Amazing authentic food and drinks! The service is also great. Highly recommend. Do not go during…read moreweekend no reservations only walk in

    I was a bit confused about the times for the locations because we noticed 9 p.m. on one and 10 p.m…read more on another. I tried calling the one on Crescent Ave but got no answer after having the phone ring for a while. But I decided to go with this location because Crescent said 9 p.m., and this one said 10 p.m. The location is on a busy street. We did get Lyft, so that wasn't an issue for us. But you might have to walk a bit if there's no parking. It's spacious outside when you first enter, and there are two sides to be seated. We were seated right away and given menus. The decor is cute, and the wall artwork is colorful and lovely. Great music was playing late at night. We did arrive after 8:30, more like 8:45ish. They were out of something we wanted to order, but the server, I think, his green apron, said Juan. I'm not sure if he said his name at the time. As I said, we were hungry, which was the main focus, not to mention arriving before they closed. The appetizers were delicious. I suggest getting two if you have a big group because three pieces on a plate are insufficient for four people. The food came out promptly, everything was delicious, and we enjoyed every bite. I hope to return and get the name of what we ordered. I'll use that as an excuse to return because everything looked good on the menu. I know we got Chicharron, flan, and tres leche, but the names of the dishes Yes, I could look at the menu, which I took a picture of, but I would prefer to go back

    Photos
    Ajo & Oregano
    Ajo & Oregano
    Ajo & Oregano - Passion fruit cocktail

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    Passion fruit cocktail

    La Cocina De Yala - caribbean - Updated June 2026

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