Neighborhood mainstay serving traditional Puerto Rican cuisine in a low-key counter-serve setting.
168 E 116th St,
New York, NY 10029
(212) 876-4846

Those strobing colorful 60 watt lightbulbs and the bright signage lets you know you are in EL BARRIO. Cuchifritos has been a staple in East Harlem since 1961. This walk- up counter eatery fries up meat and fish based patties so indulging you will ask for forgiveness, and stirs up juices and lemonades as sweet as your mother’s kisses. Classic Puerto Rican comfort food with origins from the Andalusia region of Spain, Cuchifritos is a term used to describe this style of fried treats. Stop in and enjoy some pieces of glistening guilty pleasures and brush up on your Spanish, while you ask the waitress the name of each food. Absolutely delicious, but not for the faint of hearts.