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Jeremy Osner Oct 22, 2006 02:45 AM

Best-ever chicharrones

In Inwood today, we stopped in at a shop called "la reina de los chicharrones" and it did live up to its name. It's at Broadway and 204th, and their primary business seems to be chicharron, though they have other stuff too. I also saw a lot of people buying soup. The chicharrones are big hunks of fried pork with a serious amount of meat attached to the rinds. They are sold by weight, $10 a pound. No English spoken.

  1. n
    nobody special Oct 22, 2006 08:13 PM

    Oh, I have a weakness for chicharrones. I don't know if Elsa/La Reina serves up the best ever, but it's definitely delicious. Crispy, tender inside, perfect. The chicharron de pollo is good too. Dont' forget to add lemon or lime to bring out the flavor.

    There's a line out the door around lunchtime. The fact that it's all locals means a lot. The taxistas know their chicharron.

    1. squid kun Oct 22, 2006 05:13 PM

      This must be the place ... http://www.lareinadelchicharron.com

      1. s
        sumfrequency Oct 22, 2006 05:08 PM

        yum; la reina is definitely one of the best places for chicharrones in nyc! they also do a fantastic mofongo, with huge chunks of the chicharrones rinds mashed in with the plantains, and with plenty of that addictive vinegary garlic paste throughout as well. it takes a while to prepare though (20 minutes or more) so it's best to call ahead for the mofongo.

        1. k
          kenito799 Oct 22, 2006 05:27 AM

          And you have reached wine Mecca, PJWines us on Bway at 204th. Next time I am grabbing a case of wine I will get some of these chicharrones and see if they are as good as the stand at the Red Hook Ballfields next to the ceviche place--the best chicharrones I have had to date.

          1. j
            Jeremy Osner Oct 22, 2006 02:45 AM

            (Also next door to there is a very nice bakery.)

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