"The focus at Coqui should be the platter of carne frita, mamposteao, and tostones al ajillo. We don’t want to call the mamposteao a side. That isn’t fair to the bright yellow pile of rice and beans that tastes like the collective labor of one hundred Puerto Rican grandmothers. The juicy pork chunks lathered in grilled onions are also delicious. There aren’t many tables inside this casual walk-in spot, which might be why most people take their orders to go. But even if you don’t dine in, take a second to admire the mural of the Puerto Rican flag on the wall." - mariana trabanino