Puerto Rican food

[ChefAntDrgn]

Any recommendation on places for Puerto Rican food? Been to sofrito's and while good but overpriced. Thx.

[jptcu]

Casa Adela at 66 Avenue C for some of the best arroz amarillo and colorados around. Their rotisserie chicken and pernil are pretty good too.

-----
Casa Adela
66 Ave C, New York, NY 10009

[Mike R.]

The cuchifrito place on East 103rd Street between Third & Lex also rocks...have a couple of alcapurrias, a bacalaito and wash it down with some capuccino. (If the Good-O Kola is a bit too bubble-gummy for you.)

[MizYellowRose]

There's a great place in The Bronx that we recently tried but since this is the Manhattan forum, I don't think I can mention it here---or can I? If I can mention it, please let me know.

[City Kid]

Great call! I think you are referring to Lechonera El Barrio Restaurant at 172 E 103rd St. A very good, very clean and friendly neighborhood joint. They have great daily specials along with the usuals, including excellent rotisserie chickens, oxtail stew, octopus salad. If you don't know Spanish, pointing and pantomime is the way to go.

-----
Lechonera El Barrio
172 E 103rd St, New York, NY 10029

[laurenc37]

LA FONDA BORICUA... a bit out of the way, but delicious..

they also harbor some secret MEDALLAS if you ask (prican beer)

[ChefAntDrgn]

Where is it?

[laurenc37]

106th and 3rd ave

[chet steadman]

I second this suggestion. Everything I've had there has been great, but the chuletas are incredible.

[ChefAntDrgn]

Perfect. And its on my way home! Thx guys. :)

[boricuagieris]

La Taza de Oro used to be a good restaurant on 7th Avenue, close to 14th Street, where you could find good Puerto Rican Food.

-----
La Taza de Oro
96 8th Ave, New York, NY 10011

[Pan]

Did it go downhill? I would like to assume it hasn't closed.

[MizYellowRose]

I once wanted to try La Taza de Oro but saw one too many reviews saying how filthy the place was. That really put me off.

-----
La Taza de Oro
96 8th Ave, New York, NY 10011

[Pan]

It's definitely not a place that cares much about decor or general appearance. But as long as the food is safe and the prices are low, I don't mind. I don't think the bathrooms were all full of water on the floor, as sometimes happens in Chinatown.

[mcoleman]

it's on 8th Avenue bet 14 & 15

[City Kid]

Honestly, La Taza de Oro is not the most appetizing place, I got food there to go and it was OK, not great...doesn't compare, in my opinion, to La Fonda Boriqua. If you do go to Boriqua, try the chicharrones de pollo con huesos (on the bone), just fabulous!

[hungryinmanhattan]

I am very unfamiliar with PR cooking. I would love to try it. What would you all suggest to order at this restaurant?

[City Kid]

The chicharrones are my favorite, chicken or pork, fried but greaseless. The chicken comes either on or off the bone, the former better in my opinion. Also very good roast pork, rice and beans, fried sweet plantains and non-sweet plaintain cakes called tostones. i have never tried the Puerto Rican specialty mofungo, but that is reputed to be delicious. No menu, not much English so be patient and point out what is in the window if necessary. Great food, great fun!

[small h]

There is indeed a menu (see link, below), and I've had no trouble ordering in English the three or four times I've visited La Fonda Boriqua. I get rice & beans, 'cause that's what I like.

http://www.fondaboricua.com/NN_menus....

And I disagree that La Taza is unappetizing. It's shabby, but it's not dirty. I've mostly been there for breakfast. It's a homey, friendly place.

[City Kid]

Thanks for sharing: I've been there many times and never see a menu!

[small h]

I'm pretty sure it was on the wall, but I wouldn't swear to it. But you're right about having to point at the stuff in the window - that was not written out anywhere.

[MizYellowRose]

My husband liked the bistec encebollado at La Fonda Boricua. I actually liked the chicarrones de pollo sin huesos (without bones). For the rice side dish, they make great arroz con gandules (rice with pigeon peas). Also, the standard rice and beans with red beans is good, too.

-----
La Fonda Boricua
169 E 106th St, New York, NY 10029