188 Bakery Cuchifrito’s

I’m not Dominican but this food is crate here are some pictures so yah can see how it is. the food is grate, there is a variety of food and I was crazy looking at it. So I decided to buy what ever look delicious to me. and I don’t regret it. The food is so good. THE ONLY BAD THING IS THAT THEY DON’T DO DELIVERY.

This neighborhood favorite was incredibly crowded at 9pm. There were two lines. One for the lottery and scratch offs and one for the counter. The deal was they both were in the middle of the joint. Be comfy. But not too comfy because as soon as you make eye contact with a counter person, spit that order. Asking for an item not currently on their hot line is tricky. I wanted the chicharrones de pollo, or massive chicken chunks. only. Like three orders though. A nod from the counter lady to the grill cook. A stare from the cook to me. Multiple nods and a smile from me. And a esta bien acknowledgement nod in return got the order going. No nod back means no hookup. The Avena juice is a chilled oatmeal drink. And it is delicious. The Parda juice is an acquired taste, i think. But I love it. Toss in a couple of pastelitos, or fried patties, filled with cheese or ground beef. The work menu is complete. The spot is still packed.

So, what’s the deal with this greasy cuchifrito joint? It is quintessential Puerto Rican food. You do not get better falvorful, heart clogging, artery inducing food. Starting from the alcapurrias, to the Mofongo and their incredible asopao, it’s a throw back to a place in time. Cuchifrito joints like these have become as rare as oxtails and patitas in a bean stew. Its a cultural relic that must be preserved. So, if you find yourself near and around Fordham Road, pay tribute to this restaurant and order yourself a healthy serving of rice and beans with chuletas and a side salad. I guarantee you, you’ll crawl out of there so full, you’ll forget to eat till breakfast next day.

There were so many options that my plate filled up to fast! Everything was DELICIOUS and I will definitely eat here again next time I’m in New York city. So glad we stopped here

I grew up in Washington Heights where all the Cuchifrito places are now becoming extinct.
I came here because Anthony Bourdaine did, and because it’s fairly easy to get to off the 207 St. Exit off the Major Deegan, or cross the 207St. bridge from Manhattan.
You better be prepared for the Bronx Experience, LOL! You got all types wandering through here, talking to themselves or complimenting your clothing, which to me means they want to steal it, I’m no fool. The poor Lotto Lady is in a small plexiglass bird cage for protection. Mostly people are here for the super tasty latin food at very affordable prices.
Doesn’t matter, that’s the Bronx, and you are not coming here for the sparse décor, you’re coming here for great tasting food and dirt cheap. I bought enough food for 6 people at just under 30 bucks with tax, and it was delicious:
2 Chickens, L Plate of Rice, L Beans, Plate of Yuca w Red Onions, YUM! God Bless the Bronx.

Tastey food but too much rice not enough meat and be getting more fat or bones then meat where’s the meat man

Food was ok, nothing impressive, the mofongo was good and the people very friendly. Was disappointed with the fruit drinks not been natural.

Really good and cheap food at this local cuchifritos! I love their chicharron and their pernil !! Very good snacks and tasty treats all for very cheap. Be prepared to speak Spanish

It taste so gud even 5 day later car wait! Make me bad Gass! Fartfart. But still so taste 5 star!

Great food. Nice people. The reason why they don’t get a 5 is because they get a lot of people but don’t prioritize orders. It’s not first come first serve… it is Whoever can yell their order the loudest and fastest. Also they allow panhandlers in their shop which gets annoying day after day.

Bourdain got me here but I’ll definitely be returning on my own. Great food here. Brush up on your Spanish. We were fortunate enough to get a cheerful young lady that was very helpful.
As a big fan of pork belly, the chicharones are amazing. They’re purchased by the pound so we bought enough to take home too. The pork chop was a little saltier than I’d have liked. The rice/​beans, soup, plantains are all standard fare. The tamales were a little on the dry side but delicious nonetheless.
I hope to return soon and will recommend to others.

Came by for a Latin breakfast. I’m surprised the options in the neighborhood are slim but that’s besides the point.
It’s a very small restaurant with limited seating. You can either sit at the breakfast bar or at 1 of the 2 coffee tables set up.
It’s not glamorous or fancy. It’s a spot for cheap Latin food. It’s purpose is food, not to please the eye especially with its overwhelming signs on the walls.
If you want to play lotto, there’s a guy set up in a booth inside waiting to give you your winning ticket.
Now the food. I ordered, as Dominicans call it, mangu con los tres golpes which is a bed of smashed plantain with fried cheese, fried salami and eggs on top. The smashed plantains (Mangu) was salty. The salami and cheese carried that salt. The eggs had no salt — go figure. I did ask for egg whites which was at no cost. Overall it was a good dish — I almost finished it. Beware, it’s incredibly filling.
There’s a lot of fountain juice options but they are not freshly juiced. It’s sweet water with a frozen packet of flavored lemon, parcha, mango, and more.
Tips: cheap, salty Latin food. Best as take out. Accepts cards.
Happy dining!

A true abundance. The largest selection of drinks, food, and hand painted signs I have ever seen in the Puerto Rican/​NYC style. Quality is very good and the turnover is max so whatever it is, it will be fresh. You’ll get a top 5 NYC version of every item on the menu here. The staff are very nice and there’s no concern about language barriers as long as you know English or Spanish.

Down home cooking with super friendly staff. Though not a place to go if you’re watching your cholesterol. Everything was very tasty and the milk shakes packed a punch of fruit.

Very hard to resist coming in here. The smell of awesomeness as you past by and the display makes you hit the brakes and go in. Prices are just right. Nice selection of juices to go with your meals. Food is just as excellent anytime you go in especially late nights. The waitresses are all great too. Just wish the place was bigger.

They got very good Puertorican food! Delicious alcapurrias and platanos rellenos. I also recommend the flan, the way they make it here gives it a unique taste. Rather than the usual flan taste, this one here almost tastes like crème brûlée. I wouldnt go out of my way to eat here, but if you’re in the area it’s worth it.

Definitely expect a food coma after eating here. Very heavy and satisfying meals. I enjoyed the chicharrón con queso. Meat lovers will be delighted.

Saw the show with Bourdain… been here twice… seating is a challenge but the food is freakin awesome… you can take the B, D train to 188^th st or the 4 train to Fordam Rd… the restaurant is in between the two train lines… near the grand concourse… oh if you are looking for a bathroom go the Marshal’s on the second floor. that’s the only place I know where you can use.

Delicious puerto rican food. This is primarily a take-​out place, since seating is VERY limited and crowded.
Menu is extensive and can be difficult to navigate if you don’t speak spanish. When you enter, the walls are entirely covered with all sorts of dishes that you can order — it can be quite overwhelming.
I have heard from multiple people that their chicken and pork dishes are amazing.
So far, I/​we have only tried a few items but liked: barbecue chicken, rice and beans, sweet plantains — these were the best, Tres leche is soooooooo good.
I did not like the Mofongo, but this was my first time trying it. It was too dry for me even with the gravy.
Will definitely go back here. Staff is friendly and helpful. Vegetarian options are limited to rice and beans, mofongo, and salads.

«Parts Unknown» got me here. Anthony Bourdain’s visit to the Bronx as an «exotic destination» turned up this gem, the Sine Qua Non of Latino cuisine.
No, it’s not Cubano, or Mexicano — it’s quintessential Puerto Rican cooking, and they do the heck out of it.
My initial ignorance of the cuisine led me to choose the eponymous «Cuchifritos» on my first visit… I did see them being dished out on «Parts Unknown,» but it turns out (I learned later) on Anthony’s on-​camera plate was a load of Chicharrones. I got there and didn’t know how to order it!
Chicharrones (per se) are not on the menu at 188 Cuchifritos, but they are in the window. Chicharrones are such a staple, they’re assumed in Puerto Rican cuisine. Chicharrones defaults to mean deep-​fried, un-​breaded Pork Belly. The skin is a dream of crispiness. It’s like an hallucination of uncured bacon in its ultimate state. Here, It’s beyond description delicious.
A variant — Chicharrones de Pollo — is on the menu, and it’s astonishing. A chicken lover’s delight. Eat your heart out, Buffalo Wings!
The Cuchifritos, which I did experience, were plenty tasty, but I was disturbed later to discover they’re tripe. Served with blood sausage, they were a little challenging for my palate. I’ll grow into them, I’m sure.
No, it’s all about the Chicharrones here for me.
And, the indescribably savory yellow rice, black beans, diverse and vibrant salad with pink pickled onions, and sublime Flan.
You gotta go here if you’re a pig or chicken lover. This is the stuff!
The 4 Fordham Road stop is a block north and half a block east of the place.
GO.