El Bajareque

"Before Wynwood was Wynwood, it was a predominantly Puerto Rican neighborhood known as Little San Juan, and El Bajareque is one of the last reminders of that. This place has been around for more than 40 years and it feels like little has changed since then. It’s a small spot with some tables and countertop seating. You might hear laughter coming from the kitchen and the staff will probably address at least three customers by name while you’re there. The food is mostly familiar Puerto Rican classics like mofongo, chicharrones de pollo, and alcapurrias - order all three if you have a hungry eating partner or just want a ton of leftovers. Food Rundown video credit: Ryan Pfeffer Bacalaito This flat sheet of fried cod is more fritter than fish, but still very enjoyable—especially when you squeeze some mayoketchup on it. video credit: Ryan Pfeffer Alcapurria De Carne It’s meaty, thick, and should also be devoured with a heavy squeeze of mayoketchup. video credit: Mariana Trabanino Jibarito De Camarones This is Puerto Rico’s version of a toston sandwich. Don’t even think about eating this with your hands. Instead use your knife and fork to make sure you get breaded shrimp, toston, and potato sticks in every bite. Oh, and, in case you haven’t sensed the pattern here, squeeze some mayoketchup on it too. video credit: Ryan Pfeffer Mofongo Con Masitas de Cerdo The pork chunks are a little dry but the broth is there to moisten each piece and give it new life. It’s a large dish so you’ll definitely have leftovers (this is good news)." - Ryan Pfeffer & Mariana Trabanino

"Before Wynwood was Wynwood, it was a predominantly Puerto Rican neighborhood known as Little San Juan, and El Bajareque is one of the last remaining reminders of that. This place has been around for more than 40 years and it feels like little has changed since then (this is a good thing). It’s a small spot with some tables and countertop seating. The food is mostly familiar classics like mofongo, chicharrones de pollo, and alcapurrias—order all three if you have a hungry eating partner or just want a ton of leftovers." - ryan pfeffer, virginia otazo, mariana trabanino

"Before Wynwood was Wynwood, it was a predominantly Puerto Rican neighborhood known as Little San Juan, and El Bajareque is one of the last reminders of that. This place has been around for more than 40 years and it feels like little has changed since then. It’s a small spot with some tables and countertop seating. The food is mostly familiar Puerto Rican classics like mofongo, chicharrones de pollo, and alcapurrias—order all three if you have a hungry eating partner or just want a ton of leftovers." - ryan pfeffer

"Before Wynwood was Wynwood, it was a predominantly Puerto Rican neighborhood known as Little San Juan, and El Bajareque is one of the last reminders of that. This place has been around for more than 40 years and it feels like little has changed since then. It’s a small spot with some tables, countertop seating, and really good food. They have familiar Puerto Rican classics like mofongo, chicharrones de pollo, and alcapurrias—order all three if you have a hungry eating partner or just want a ton of leftovers." - ryan pfeffer, virginia otazo

"As Wynwood continues to change, this old school restaurant remains a reminder of the neighborhood’s Puerto Rican roots. Wynwood dates back to the 1930s when New Yorkers moved to Miami during the city’s building boom, relocating their manufacturing businesses here. With a mass influx of immigrants in the 1960s, Miami’s Fashion District became ground zero for jobs. A large portion of those immigrants were Puerto Ricans who settled in Wynwood, creating a small enclave. Bajareque is sadly the only brick and mortar Puerto Rican restaurant to survive the neighborhood’s rapid development and gentrification, and it’s absolutely worth a visit. Whether you grab a seat at a table or the counter, come here to taste a diverse array of Puerto Rican cuisine with a plate of lechon, mofongo, arroz con gandules, and tostones." - Mandy Baca