188 Bakery Cuchifritos — Restaurant in New York

188 Bakery Cuchifritos is another delicious spot we found in the Fordham Heights area of the Bronx! It's a lively and boisterous spot that oftentimes has lines out the door full of eager and hungry patrons, looking to get their fill on all Puerto Rican things delicious from rice and beans, pernil, lechon, to endless fried snacks!  "Cuchifritos" literally means "fried pig," though it also generally refers to Puerto-Rican style soul food and the neighborhood takeout spots that sell them.

One of the biggest highlights we got from here was the alcapurria, which is a popular and ubiquitous fritter in Puerto Rico. Typically, the dough surrounding the meat filling is made from a masa made of mixed green banana. It's also usually seasoned with lard, making it super rich, annatto for its orangey color, plus garlic and salt. Once filled with minced meat, it is then deep-fried to perfection, and it's truly a work of art: it's super crispy and crunchy on the outside. OMG, it was SO satisfying to bite into! And the meat filling literally just spills out. It's extremely moist, tender, meaty, and juicy on the inside -- well spiced and just screaming with rich flavor. This little snack is definitely the opposite of "bland!" This specific location when we went last autumn was takeout only, so we ate this on the street, and I could NOT have been happier! I almost was tempted to run back in to get another one, or ten!!

Cuchifritos has multiple locations, and its original spot on 116th Street in Harlem has been around for over 50 years now! You must check it out if you have an inkling for Puerto Rican...

If you are from the beautiful island of Puerto Rico, and you're missing going to "chinchorrear", this is the place to come! Yes, is worth the long ride to the Bronx. No; is not going to be as good as going to Cangrejos or Loiza, or the beautiful Cordillera Central and its pueblos de la montaña. So do not expect the morcilla to be spicy or a bit crunchy; or the alcapurrias to more meat than mass. "This is New York City after all. But even if is not the "real" thing, is good enough to keep you sane until you make your (hopefully) yearly pilgrimage back to our island nation to enjoy the real stuff.

Stay away from the Jugo de Ajonjoli. It taste like sugar and cinnamon. The Guanabana was not that bad, but heaps of sugar. Again, just a fix until you do your yearly visit...

Where do I begin? While street Parking can be an issue; the location is still perfect. It's easy to get to, they always have fresh food, which is great. I live over in Pelham Pkwy; where there are at least 3 Spanish Restaurants within walking distance of our home. However; I have no problem driving across Fordham Rd, up Fordham traffic, because I know that when I order they're not likely to tell me they don't have anymore of what I want. The Prices are STILL the most Affordable, the food portions are plenty, and you get exactly what You want to satisfy your hunger. This is The Bronx Spot for Great Customer Service, Great Authentic Spanish food, and fair Pricing, in an Economy and City that seems to have forgotten the family and the hard...