Fricking yum Amazing flavor Great value Friendly staff Have to add more characters to post read more

Best chicharron on Earth, you hear me? I can only make it out here once or twice a year so all I do is yearn in between visits. The first time I ordered from here it was a shot in the dark but my food arrived with a sweet, thank you message on the bag and pure magic on the inside. Visiting is always a pleasure as well! Very warm staff who recommended I try their house-made garlic sauce which elevated a dish that already broke the scale. I think I'm ready to put somebody on payroll just so they can fetch this for me on a regular basis since I'm out of range on all delivery apps. I hear they're under new management as of the last year or so and I hope the quality of the food and kindness of the staff still remains. Stopping by will be my first order of business in 2026. **Can somebody local please update with their new phone number, the one listed is no longer accurate** read more

A counter with a row of stools in a small shop that mostly does takeout. No AC, no bathroom and the radiant heat from the lamps up front left one side of me kind of warm. Notwithstanding, enjoyed the pernil (roast pork) yellow rice and beans. read more

Came here because of a great Yelp review and I was not disappointed! The freshly made alcapurrias were great: full of tasty beef and not at all greasy. I will be back to sample the rest, especially the pernil. Definitely recommend it. read more

This little shop tucked away in east Harlem is worth a visit solely for the food. Made with love you can taste in whatever you order I had a flavorful chicken thigh with some of the best rice and beans I've tasted on the side. Service was quick and staff were very friendly. The whole restaurant is a cozy hole in the wall with some stools by a countertop to sit and enjoy. (I also had a sample of the chicharron, having that satisfying top crunch and a tender lower chew) When you're close by this place. Stop by and enjoy it. read more

I love this place! I don't think there are many Puerto Rican restaurants left in the city, so I was delighted to discover this small counter-service restaurant serving traditional Puerto Rican fare. The pork was tender and flavorful, served with crispy skin. The arroz con gandules (rice and pigeon peas) was delicious! Overall, the whole meal was excellent. They are also very generous with their portion sizes. I also ordered an alcapurria (yucca and beef fritter) to go. Additionally, service was wonderful. 5 stars. read more

Lechonera La Isla - Puerto Rican Near Me - New York, New York

Old owners gone. New owners and staff not familiar with history or quality of food. SHAME

Omg such a great hole in d wall place. I went to Puerto Rico and the Lechoneras on d street were nasty. This place is delicious. The pork is on point and the rice is bomb. Great older man so nice. read more

Lechonera La Isla - Puerto Rican Near Me - New York, New York

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This is the best place to eat good authentic Puerto Rican food. I visit this amazing restaurant 6 years ago and we have been dreaming to visit again. It was amazing as I remember. Thank you so much! read more

I knew the location would be convenient for meeting friends, but the staff made it worth repeating. The menu items satisfy. The environment impresses. My meal was clearly made with passion. The employees may favor some customers but never fail with orders. This restaurant deserves consideration. read more

excellent very tasty food the roasted chicken is the best i ever had the porkchops and ribs are excellent the bloodsausage is uniquely fantastic service is pleasant read more

The meals are prepared with care and taste consistent. Staff provide calm and professional service. The restaurant is neat and well arranged. Dining here always feels comfortable. read more

This place makes food that makes you close your eyes to enjoy fully. Employees are efficient while maintaining connections. We have made countless family memories here. The food is hearty and the prices make sense. I will dine here again. read more

Lechonera La Isla has mastered the art of hospitality! Appealing cuisine. Remarkably helpful workers. Convenient setting with remarkably accommodating staff. Each taste melted instantly as I tried to make it last forever. I've been converted to a regular here. read more

The home cooked food is incredible and the staff could not have been more accommodating. A great experience!!!

The porky, crunchy-on-the-outside, fatty melt-in-your-mouth on the inside Puerto Rican lechon fix you need. Yes, you need these chicharrones. You need them now, in fact. An intimate ambiance and nice staff as well. read more

Chicharron is freshly made crispy and very tasty. I purchased $100.00 worth for a party. Highlight recommended.

This isn't entirely for seafood lovers. Much less for Vegans or Vegetarians. Already, I had no place in here- but keep my ašš in the car. But hubs loves pernil in all its glory and when he hears about a Puerto Rican spot serving roast pork, he wants to try it and see if it measures up to his Puerto Rican mom's pernil when she used to make it- or his. He caught sight of Lechonera's storefront on 2nd Ave & 125th a few months ago on his way home from the city and made it a point to come here. And since we were already out on a late Wednesday afternoon, he went all in. Place looks small- but has the essentials: pastelillos, Morsilla, Rotisserie Chicken, Stewed Cod Fish, papa rellena, etc. Hubs decided on one of those small, round aluminum, plastic covered plates with pernil and another with rotisserie chicken parts. He felt the star of his show was good with a mix of chunks and slices of juicy pernil- but it wasn't what he totally expected as it missed that crunchy chicharron skin and a bit more seasoning. For good measure, this is definitely a low, low, low-key place with soul-satisfying foods for those who enjoy....pork. Based on rating though, these folks have earned enough bragging rights for their Lechón and other cuchifrito offerings. read more

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Outstanding lechon in this tiny spot that only has about 5 seats at a walk up counter. Pork is well seasoned and full of flavor and equally tender too. Awesome little unassuming spot for some top notch rice beans and crispy lechon that reminds me of grandmas kitchen read more

Lechonera La Isla - Front of store - Puerto Rican Near Me - New York, New York

Great food! I love their pork, melts in my mouth. Empanadas are tasty as well. Tried fried chicken also good.

I went to Randall's Island, and this spot was right next to the 125th Harlem stop on the 4/5/6 subway stop. The food here is good, but it is pricey. I think it was $25 for 3 empanadas and a plate of pernil and chicharron with rice and beans. I thought cochifritos were pretty good. It was crispy, delicious, arteries clogging good. He offered me some garlic sauce and it did live up to its hype. I would return, but they have no bathroom or place to wash your hands...or space to really sit down and eat. It has like four or five stools and a countertop. It defines cozy. read more

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Great little spot in Spanish Harlem. Inside is kind of tight with bar seating. Window has the goods- lots of meat with lots of flavor. The roast pork belly is crispy and packs lots of taste, and the rice and beans are delicious too. I love finding little spots like this. Service is as good as it needs to be, and the owner fellow is really cool to talk to. read more

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Cozy little spot in the neighborhood. Owned by a friendly old couple who are also the chefs. The pork is tasty and the skin is golden crispy. A little fatty of course but who cares on a rainy cold Saturday morning? Blood sausage is an acquired taste and texture. Make sure to ask for the spicy vege/pico which will bring out the best flavor of the meat! If you haven't tried the Puerto Rico Kola, make sure to get one there too. read more

Lechonera La Isla - Blood sausage - Puerto Rican Near Me - New York, New York

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Food is very delicious. It has that real authentic Puerto Rico flavor. Love the food and the presentation.

Love the rice. Crispy pork was really good. Great portion size. Fried plantains were nice to snack on. read more

Small PR food joint. Service is friendly and welcoming. There isn't much seating, only about 8 or so counter seats. The pork is excellent although the oxtail looked delicious as well. Plantains are excellent. Definitely get the garlic sauce and the hot pepper sauce. Overall an excellent spot for authentic PR food. They take credit card as well. read more

I went here once when visiting New York and think about it all the time. The owner, which an article online says is Daniel but is not Daniel, is awesome. Get the blood sausage. Get lunch for breakfast. Eat your beans and rice with a spoon. None of the pictures on here reflect the fact that you can actually dine in the restaurant, and I worry it's depressing turnout. There are like four seats. read more

Lechonera La Isla - Blood sausage - Puerto Rican Near Me - New York, New York

Morning is the best time to go and when it's the freshest. Hands down. Just go! There comes a point where you have to Dive into the Pool of crackling aromatic Pork from the Pernils, full of meat paired with rice and beans or Yuka Yes Yuka a hint of that garlic sauce and pickled onions with peppers. Chicken banging also no Joke. Wash it down with Coconut soda or Ting ! Just Go! Pay that $25 and enjoy the moment. Go in the morning and get it Now read more

I ordered through grubhub and their chicharon credo meal was worth $16 with rice and beans. I understand the rising price but the cost and the portion was just a total rip off. The rice was not even a cup. As per the website the container will be 7 inch plate. But my order came with this little plastic container that can only feed a child. Never ordering from them ever read more

Lechonera La Isla - $16 worth of meal. Total rip off - Puerto Rican Near Me - New York, New York

So I've been passing by this spot for years, no decades. But I am a creature of habit and "I buy chicharon and frituras on 116". Today I was feeling adventurous so I decided to pop in. The spot is unassumng from the outside, which usually means the food is going to be banging. It was. I was greeted by a guy that seemed unimpressed by how good the food was, but if you can eat it all the time I guess you can be. He was super patient, accommodating and nice. I ordered the chicharon, but he gave me pernil. I'm glad he did because lord. This pernil had me thinking of Baby Jesus. It was like eating my mom's pernil, but without having to battle my siblings for the crispy skin. I got rice and beans, mojo, and gravy from the carne guisada. I don't really cook rice, or beans, but they were so good it had me questioning how Joseph handled all that drama. I literally thought about Columbus and wanted to ask him how could he? Because if the descendants of the Tainos cook like this he shouldn't have. In conclusion GO. read more

Excellent!! I was born in San Juan, PR but raised in Cayey, little town 30 minutes of San Juan ( capital of Puerto Rico ). Cayey is the home of Guavate , Pork Land!!!! So I know if the pork is good or not hahaha. First I am not into eat pork every day but once in awhile is good. I like to walk, so I found this place walking my dog. When I saw the yelp review I knew this place was a must!!! I have been here a couple of times and every time the server is very nice and attentive! It's a very little place, so I always order to go. Food! Pork! Excellent! If you like chicharron ( fried pork) tell them to put more hahahha. People love chicharron , I am not big fan but my hubby is ! . For what I have seen the pork combination is 10 dollars and pernil combination is 11 dollars. Sauce - they have a garlic sauce! Is mojito ! And is home made ! Excellent! Rice and beans are great. This place is awesome!!! Kudos to the Chef ! read more

Lechonera La Isla - Puerto Rican Near Me - New York, New York

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Amazing !!! In town for a work trip and a friends birthday and we just wanted authentic Puerto Rican food in Harlem and we got just that. The man at the counter was so inviting and made us so full and happy. JUST GO HERE. So worth it. read more

Lechonera La Isla - Oxtail Stew/Rabo Guisado (Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday) - Puerto Rican Near Me - New York, New York

This was my first time trying Puerto Rican food. After the long journey from Queens and through Harlem, we finally made it to this place. The restaurant is very small and not ideal for groups, but there are a couple of seats available if you'd like to get a quick bite to eat. I'm not sure of the name of the meal that I ordered, but was excited to try it - the food smelled amazing! I made sure to add the garlic sauce on top. I didn't have the opportunity to sit down and enjoy my meal since I had a flight to catch, so I had to carry my meal in a plastic bag. I regret not holding my meal upright because I believe this caused the garlic sauce to leak from the container. Once I finally got to the airport, I had the opportunity to try the food. It was decent, definitely not mind blowing. I'd say it was somewhat bland in nature, and some of the pork had of inedible fat. I think it would have been more satisfying with some sauce n' seasoning. I think the leakage definitely contributed to the lack of flavor/ extra oomph. Overall, very filling meal and pretty good with the addition of seasoning and hot sauce. I'd like to sit down and enjoy my meal the next time I visit this restaurant for a more accurate review. Stay tuned for updates! read more

Lechonera La Isla - Puerto Rican Near Me - New York, New York

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The lechon, chicharrón and chicken are delicious. Add yellow rice, beans, easy garlic sauce and those pickled onions and chiles are so good. The owners are super friendly and welcoming. read more

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Lechonera La Isla is the perfect example of why not to pass by a hole in the wall restaurant. My husband and I discovered this place because it is close to the NY Proton Center in East Harlem. It might not be the best in terms of ambiance but if you want really amazing, quick, and fresh puerto rican food, made by someone that really cares about what they do and what they serve, this is the place to go. If you don't know what to get, put your trust in them and they will hook you up. read more

Chicharrón was chewy and spongy. No skin- all rubbery meat...Ugh! So disappointed- will not be ordering from this place again. Rice and beans were ok. Delivery was fast but taste and TEXTURE of pork is NASTY. Spent $25 for rice and beans - pork is not edible---- YUCK!!! read more

Lechonera La Isla - Chewy/ rubbery Chicharrón...... YUCK!!! - Puerto Rican Near Me - New York, New York

I love this atmosphere very peaceful and home vibes. the owner was very respectful and nice. THE FOOD HIT I loved it. I would definitely come back you get a decent amount of food for a good price and it tas phenomena. read more

I came at 6 pm and most of the stuffs were sold out. They only had pernil, pastelitos, and few pieces of chicken. I ordered a rice beans pernil combo and extra side of pernil. Pernil was tender, flavorful and moist. Pernil came with crunchy shin ( loveThe server added the garlic sauce to the meat, which made a big different in flavor. The restaurant is small and there are seats over the counter. They do not have bathroom. I think it is a good place order to go or small group. I definitely will come back to try their chicharron. read more

Lechonera La Isla - Pernil with rice and beans - Puerto Rican Near Me - New York, New York

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The Chicharron with beans + rice was bomb with the plaintains & sauce they pour over with the red onion on top. Perfection! I appreciate this mom & pop spots that have been in the neighborhood & community for years. I make a conscious effort to ensure that I support these establishments & businesses so they stay here....food for thought. I did take out so I can enjoy it at home. You know it is legit when it comes in an aluminum container! read more

Lechonera La Isla - Puerto Rican Near Me - New York, New York

Absolutely delicious food and incredible service. John and Jennifer are a gift to NYC, keeping mouthwatering Boricua food accessible to all. Made the trip to purchase a catering tray worth of pernil that ended up being the ultimate crowd pleaser at my son's graduation party. We also got a few other things from the menu while we waited for John to load up the tray. Everything they serve there is fantastic, made with love and accuracy. Whether you're a Boricua looking for food that reminds you of home or trying Puerto Rican food for the first time, this is the spot. read more