Cibao

"This Dominican spot on the corner of Clinton and Rivington has been open in the neighborhood for over 40 years, and is my go-to when I’m looking for a sandwich that’s under $7. Their Cubano comes on a hard, crusty roll that holds all of the shredded pork shoulder, ham, cheese, and pickles in tightly. I’ve had this sandwich for a casual weeknight meal many times, most often when it’s 7:30pm and I’m still “brainstorming” dinner. Add on a side of crispy tostones, and know the spot is cash-only." - carlo mantuano

"Cibao is a little dinerette on the Lower East Side that’s been feeding the neighborhood mofongo, cubanos, and carne guisada since it opened in 1978. The corner spot is full of green tables with glass tabletops, and has a big menu with lots of seafood options on it. Go for the mofongo camarones with butterflied shrimp. It’s dense, packed with ocean flavors and just as much garlic. Order a side of fried plantains to round out your meal. " - willa moore, bryan kim, molly fitzpatrick, will hartman, sonal shah

"Decades ago there were probably two dozen Dominican and Puerto Rican cafes on the Lower East Side, with menus that rotated on a weekly basis, and often with similar decor and design: twirling stools along a lunch counter, a heated cabinet for rotisserie chickens, and a press for hot sandwiches. Named after a region in Puerto Rico’s northwest, Cibao is one of a very few remaining, owned by Milagro Thina. Cuban sandwiches make a popular quick lunch, but there are also nourishing meal-size soups, pork roasts, paprika-rubbed chickens, and red and black beans served with yellow and white rice." - Robert Sietsema, Eater Staff

"This Dominican spot on the corner of Clinton and Rivington has been open in the neighborhood for over 40 years, and is one of our go-to spots when we’re looking for a sandwich that’s under $7. Their Cubano comes on a hard, crusty roll that holds all of the shredded pork shoulder, ham, cheese, and pickles in tightly. Add on a side of crispy tostones. photo credit: David A. Lee photo credit: David A. Lee photo credit: David A. Lee photo credit: David A. Lee" - Carlo Mantuano