Elsa La Reina del Chicharron

My last visit to Elsa La Reina del Chicharrón was nothing short of amazing. Elsa truly lives up to her name the queen of chicharrón! perfectly seasoned pork, and the flavor doesn’t disappoint. The chicharrón was crispy, juicy, and full of that authentic sazón that’s hard to find anywhere else in the city. You can tell everything is made with love and pride. The service was friendly, fast, and made me feel like family. If you’re in New York and haven’t been to Elsa yet, you’re seriously missing out. She’s simply the best nobody does it like Elsa!

They have almost all the Dominican Classic foods you could ever ask for. Fresh! An area to sit and they do take out as well. The Mofongo is absolutely bussin

I really wanted to like this place, but it was not possible. The staff were all very nice, but the food wasn't good. The meat was dry to the bone and extremely salty. It was hard for me to eat and even harder for me to enjoy. I don't really remember what the other dish was, but it was the opposite. It was bland and unappetizing. It's not meant to be a dine in restaurant, but there is a table that you can sit at. It's worth mentioning that there is no air-conditioning and in front of you is a dumpster.

I’ve heard that the food here is quite good; unfortunately, I couldn’t try it due to the incredibly poor service. I asked the older woman at the counter if they would be preparing any fresh chicharrón, as the one on display looked really dry and dull. She responded that it was all they had. I had to repeat myself several times to get her to prepare me a pound of it, as she seemed more interested in the conversation happening next to her. When she asked what I wanted with the chicharrón, I told her multiple times, but they still wrapped my food without the batatas. As I was telling the other lady who was ringing me up that the batatas were missing, a fresh platter of chicharrón arrived. When I respectfully questioned it, the older lady serving me became very rude and insisted that I take it because she had already cut it up I walked out without my order as the service was ridiculously terrible and I felt beyond disrespected. This isn’t the first time I’ve experienced this; the older lady usually has a very negative attitude, and the service is consistently poor. I will not be returning nor would I recommend this place to anyone.

The best chicharron in town! Delicious. They also make to order mofongo if you are willing to wait 12-15 minutes. Would recommend.

The service at this place is really poor. There's an older lady who makes it very difficult to place an order. I won't be returning, and I recommend avoiding this place at all costs unless you want your day ruined by a frustrating experience just trying to order food.

I went out today with my partner to Elsa La Reina and we ordered two mofongos de queso and a yuca in the side. They got one of the mofongos correct, but served the other as a chicken mofongo by error. Mistakes happen — I understand. The real issue was how I was treated. When my partner respectfully told them that there was a mistake, the person taking the orders began yelling at me that I actually did order the chicken mofongo. It was an uncomfortable and unnecessary confrontation. Besides that, the yuca was forgotten, and I waited a few minutes longer for it, which would have been fine if the problem had been solved respectfully. Unfortunately, nobody apologized — neither the counter person nor the cashier when I was paying. The food itself was fine, but the service was horrible. I will not be returning.

This place is probably has the best Spanish food in the area. Aside from the chicharrón (pork chunck) that they are known for. The rice orders with any selection of meat are going to be top tier. The flavor is spot on and the seasoning reminds me of my mothers cooking. I’m telling you order besides the chicharrón and you will thank me later. Possibly the best Rabo(oxtail) in Dyckman. The best mofongo in Dyckman and the best meats. The only thing I don’t like is the servers rushing you. I know you guys wanna keep the line moving but they could come off rude at times.

Elsa La Reina del Chicharrón isn't just a restaurant; it's a pilgrimage site for chicharrón aficionados. From the moment you step inside, you're enveloped in the tantalizing aroma of sizzling pork crackling, a symphony of flavors that will have your mouth watering. The star of the show, of course, is the chicharrón itself. Crispy, golden-brown, and incredibly flavorful, it's the perfect balance of salty, savory, and slightly smoky. But Elsa's isn't just about the chicharrón. The service is warm and welcoming, and the atmosphere is lively and energetic. Whether you're dining with friends, family, or simply enjoying a solo feast, Elsa La Reina del Chicharrón is the perfect place to experience the magic of Dominican cuisine. Highlights: * Exceptional Chicharrón: Crispy, flavorful, and perfectly cooked. * Authentic Dominican. Cuisine: A wide variety of delicious dishes beyond chicharrón. * Vibrant Atmosphere: Lively and energetic, perfect for a celebratory meal. * Excellent Service: Warm and welcoming staff. Verdict: Elsa La Reina del Chicharrón is a must-visit for any food lover, especially those with a passion for Dominican. cuisine. It's a true gem that offers an unforgettable dining experience.

I've never had Chicharron before so this was such an exciting eat for me. Came here during lunch and there was already quite a line. The menu seemed pretty extensive and I saw a lot of people not ordering Chicharron, so definitely will be back next time to try more items. I ordered the Chicharron with beans and it was delicious! I appreciate how crispy the pork was, even though it was a bit thick. There was a perfect juicy layer that separated the crisp pork skin from the tender meat. I wish there was a little bit more spice/flavor to the chicharron to accompany the heap of rice they gave us, but I guess that's what the beans were for which I was a big fan of. Honestly, I'm really not the expert on Chicharron but I had a good first experience here and I'm excited to learn and try more about Dominican dishes.

This place!!! I mainly get their soup so I can't comment on any else but there is always a line at lunch time so I am guessing their other food options slap. No back to the soup; it's delicioso! I've had the traditional Dominican sanocho soup (hope I spelled that right, don't come for me), chicken, and beef soup. All were great! It's one of my favorite spots when I am in the area. The restaurant is small so it's limited seati

Rude customer service. Overpriced and the food wasn't edible. Completely burnt. Don't not go or waste your money.

We really just came here to try the Chicharron (which was crunchy and yummy) but the beans were surprisingly the star of the show. I am not a bean person, I always skip beans in my Chipotle order but these beans are amazing on their own or on rice. The lunch is really affordable for what you get and the waiters are kind of impatient but nice. There is some bar seating on the right side of this place but it's otherwise pretty small and more of a grab and go spot.

What I really like of the chicharrón that they make is that is really crunchy and juicy , and the service is great and nice too and really fast sometime the service is slow but it because they are so much people .

The food is first class, we just had chicharron to go, and it was dreamy and delicious, crunchy and soft all at the same time. Worth the trip up the A line if you are wondering about going.. Service was OK. Ambiance A-OK.

Nice workers service is fast respectful and clean. Food is very good. From almost all the other places around I will choose this one better off and I'm sure food will not go to waste.

Closest thing to being in Dominican Republic I need my weekly fix. Half a pound with fried yuca. Yummy!

It used to be the best chicharrones ever. Not no more. I just bought some and I had to throw them away. The meat was hard it seems they didn't even boiled the meat before they fried them. Elsa is no longer La Reina De Los Chicharrones.

OMGISH..,,I was at my salon and remembered about this place. I spoke to young lady told it was only for me because my son his vegan....she said the $10 ordered will me perfect...I did had it delivered to the salon around 2pm with fried sweet potatoes. I was so happy so delicious and fresh! And very quick delivery. Thank you , At Elsa's all for your delicious pork rinds. Mil gracias

We had been visiting my mother in law in the Bronx for decades, hitting up the 188 Bakery Cuchifritos. Then someone mentioned Elsa's. Absolutely THE BEST Chichirrones I've ever tasted, in NYC or the Republica Dominicana. They always offer a sample. Melt in your mouth fat, just the right amount of meat and wonderfully crunchy skin. Wow! And all the standard sides. Don't get me wrong, 188 is great, it was good enough for Anthony Bourdain, but for Chicharrones, hit up the Queen. Get plenty cause they disappear quickly back at the apartment.

The best of the BEST of Dominican Chicharron! And other side orders: la batata, el mofongo ect! But this review is for the location 4840 Broadway Ave NY

The service here is bad, the employees are rude. So I walked in today and asked the female working the counter if they're still serving a breakfast plate called "Mangu". She answered "no"; so then I kindly asked in Spanish... "Amiga y que tienen en el estin hoy?" (My friend, so what food are you guys serving today?). The counter lady replied "food!!" with a very bad attitude. Then she screamed "who's next?" I decided to leave once she did not give me the days menu. Good food, bad service, they'll rush you out.

3.5 stars. I didn't realize they have three locations. This place is just a couple of blocks from my apartment. From outside, you wouldn't give it much, but walk inside, order some chicharron and put it in your mouth... Nothing else will matter. Sometimes it's better than others, which - I guess - depends on how much time has passed since they toasted the last load of delectable deep fried pork belly. Quick, tasty and affordable... three attributes that when combined often deliver good results.

the line here was huge, that's how you know the food is good. they speak spanish but luckily for me my boyfriend is dominican so he ordered for us. i got mofongo chicharron with salsa roja. so good! very crispy. tasted fresh. they added pickled onions because i requested it. my boyfriend got fried chicken and fries and loved it. we also got the passion fruit drink. prices are very reasonable and portions are huge. the food is fried but not greasy/soggy. very crispy and didn't make us feel sick. would come here again. much better than the overpriced spots in dykeman - just to note, they don't have space to eat- this is a place to pick up your food for take out.

En la 173 y saint nicholas las empleadas son perrisimas..me trataron muy mal..me hablaron mal como si estuviera pidiendo..horrible experiencia..no apoye este negocio..

Omg they are. The best in inwood . It's also where I met my girlfriend that was a plus , but instead I was buying for 1 now for 2 thank you

If I could leave zero stars I would. Horrible service and a complete waste of time. Don't even bother with delivery. You'll never get your food. Waste of time.

For me I don't think there will be a next time. If you visit, I suggest everyone stick to the pork! I came in and decided to try their pastalitos or empanadas. I have never had anyone take so long to make something so simple! I had to ask a few times if it was ready or if it Would-be ready soon. And in some cases the ladies behind the counter acted like didn't hear me. It took forever! I got there at around noon and already they were saying that they were out of food items. I kept it simple and ordered 1 chicken 1 beef and 1 cheese pastelito. The cheese was not fully cooked and one bite was rather cold. My friend had the chicken and she was very underwhelmed with the flavor. I took one look at the beef and ended up throwing it out. What a waste of time and a waste of money.

The chciharon was amazing. I also got the chicken mofongo, plantains and sweet potatoes - delicious sauce comes with the mofongo and the portions are a pretty good size. We all had happy tummys after.

Muy perra la empleadas que asisten como que uno le está pidiendo y es pagar por una comida y no regalado. Con una actitud y sin necesidad en la mañana cuando uno va a desayunar y lo tratan como animales. Tienen que ser servicial y no como lo perro no trabaje donde se da servicio al cliente. No se que cambio paso pero el mangu estaba malísimo no majado bien como en bola y amargo. Quedamos muy decepcionados y frecuentamos cuando visitamos NY. También el jugo

When my husband and I walked in on Saturday for lunch, there was a line waiting (a good sign the place is probably good), in addition to the yelp reviews we read about this being the best chicharrón. We ordered a plate of chicharrón and tostones to share- we decided to get a smaller portion that ended up being $9, instead of the $15 plate that was recommended by the staff for two. Not exactly sure how they calculate the price, but they do weigh the chicharrón (the price on the scale screen is not $9 so they probably take into account the sides you order). I asked for the salsa de ajo (garlic sauce) as per recommendation by another yelp reviewer. In the end, we were satisfied and did not feel too unhealthy splitting the smaller plate. It was the perfect amount for us without going overboard. Definitely use the lime all over the chicharrón! And the garlic sauce helped with the dryness from the tostones and chicharrón. For the price it was good. A few pieces of the meat was really good but others were too dry for my liking, especially paired with the dry tostones (which were good nonetheless). If in the neighborhood, I will come again so that I can try the mofongo with chicharrón. I recommend to visit if you've never been!

Mofongo - bomb, chicharron - bomb, tostones - bomb. They didn't speak English but that was my problem, not theirs. I will definitely come back.

TIPS - Pork Chicharron and fried batatas. That's what you get here. Wash it all down with a Country Club. Tostones optional. MY THOUGHTS Another fantastic no frills restaurant in NYC. I once made the mistake of getting the boneless chicken Chicharron and that was all the confirmation I needed. The pork Chicharron may not be super healthy but it's what you come here for. VERY tasty. This might be a dish you try once or twice a year for your heart's sake but man you will be looking forward to those two times! Complement it with some fried batatas and tostones and you have achieved perfection. Absolutely worth the drive and calories.

This place is over priced and food is overrated. Chicken was salty.. potato salad had no flavor. I didn't get a salad or plantains with my family order. Just a disappointment.

We travel far to get their chicharrón. Their red beans are sooo tasty and I know that's random but they are super tasty. We've tried their carne guisada but we always go back to the chicharrón.

The atmosphere looked somewhat appealing so I decided to give this place a shot with my family. For starters I ordered two Morir Soñando and they were both extremely acidic. I ordered a sopa de Mondongo And my wife ordered the Chicharron al ajillo. We place an order of spaghetti for my daughter from the kids menu. For starters all entrees that came out to our table were enormous. The sopa de Mondongo was so bad!! The flavor did not compliment the pork at all! Just awful ingredients accompanied by some stale rice! My wife's Chicharron al ajillo was drowned in ajillo! But the fried yucca was great. My daughter spaghetti look like it was sitting out for two days And someone just came in sprinkled Parmesan cheese to make it look fresh. My daughter just took a look at it and push the plate away. The only reason I would ever go back to this place is if someone Told me I left my wallet there by accident. My only question is how did this restaurant even survive the pandemic?

I love this place. The food is tasty and fresh. They are not terribly close so I don't eat it as often as I'd like. They do have delivery for a limited area so if you're in the delivery zone, go for it. Great food and very reasonable prices.

Def wont regret eating here the chicharron with sweet potato is very juicy and flavorful. I try not to eat this very much as it is quite fattening but its so darn good and addicting. This is the only thing i get here but i do see people going here as well for the breakfast

My favorite guilty pleasure. omg . From the mofongo to the chicharron con tostones . Just everything is amazing! Ofcourse its all fried and too much isnt good all the time, but i always make sure to grab me some whenever im in the area! I just cant resist!

Come to Elsa La Reina Del Chicharron, it's totally worth it. It's in a great location and we were really pleased with our experience. I was totally impressed with Batata, it was done perfectly. Outstanding food. Staff are very charming and service is really fast. Elsa La Reina Del Chicharron - Loved it.

This place is a tiny hole-in-the-wall on the corner of Broadway and Academy. Merengue blasts from the speakers and there is a constant flow of people, all of whom seem to be regulars. And for these reasons and more, I was immediately in love. There are take-out menus next to the register, in both English and Spanish, with extensive offerings. The name may say "chicharron," but they also have mofongo, different rices, stews, and lunch specials. Of course, I was there for the fried pork. The chicharron stares you in the face as soon as you step to the counter, and even if you aren't there for it, chances are you'll end up with some. I ordered half a pound. It was measured on a scale, then hacked into pieces with a huge cleaver. I could barely contain my excitement as it was loaded into a small foam container with a wedge of lime and passed on to the cashier. This goodness cost me $6. I've had some good chicharron, but this is the best I've had to-date. It was beautifully crispy, and I had no qualms about walking down the street gnawing porky bits from the pieces with bone. A squeeze of lime was a very nice touch. I do not know if anyone speaks English there, so if you don't, you may just have to point at what is on the take-out menu. Obviously it helps if you speak Spanish. If you are an adopted-by-white-people Korean girl who teaches and speaks Spanish, it is even more fun to order and surprise people. I cannot wait to go back and try the mofongo.

I had never heard of Chicharron until my boyfriend introduced me to this delicious delicacy. It's meaty, fatty, crunchy, salty goodness. You might gain five pounds in one visit, but it's definitely worth it. I daydream about this stuff. I just wish it wasn't so damn unhealthy for you.

They overcharge a higher price than what's listed on the menu. Bad service and attitude.

Go in and ask exactly what their known for, CHICHARONS! You will not regret it. This is a small little place with all the right ingredients. Ask for Chicharons with whatever side youd like. Personally, Ill have them with Totones. Get your order, sprinkle the meat with lime, and take it down with a good ol country club. This is exactly what this restaurant is about. Just note that this place does not have actual tables so it can get a little crowded.

Ehhh it's really not " all that" the pork was too dry for me-- I've had better. I ordered a few other items; typical rice a beans nothing major.

Wow!! For years every one has been telling me about how good this place is. I just haven't had a chance to grab a bite myself. I recently had an event in my house and every one came into the subject to talk if there was a Elsa Chicharon spot near by. I remember seen one around and decided to google the place and location. Some gave me the list of everything that we were going to order. List looked something like this. Chicharron - Was salty and hard, Its suppose to be crispy in the outside and moised in the inside. It was just hard and dry all around. Habichuela con duelce - Salty. Torta de maíz - Burn on the bottom and not cooked right in the middle. Majarete - Was okay not very flavorful . Arroz con leche - Tasted burn. I looked online and they have so many different locations spread threw the boroughs of New York City, So maybe it's understandable that before when it was just one business the owner was the one making these dishes. Now it might be just workers that think they know what they doing and shes not being aware off how bad they are doing. Hope i can visit this location or any other location and get a better experience.

Hands down, the best Chicharron you will ever have. I have tried Chicharron from numerous places in several different cities but nothing compares to the freshness and crunchiness of Elsa's. My favorites are the Chicharron Mofongo ($12) & the Fried Batata with Chicharron combo ($10). Please keep in mind that this location is ideal for takeout; this is not a sit down restaurant but there are a few high stools to sit on if you do want to dine in.

Speedy service and it felt like I was at home. I love the homey feeling when going out to eat or ordering food. Mmmm 8 pieces of crispy, fried, juicy, delicious pork! The butcher cuts the chicharron in front of you, which I thought was neat. So much chicharron, it was heaven! Definitely coming back here. I also ordered a quipe and that was good. Chicken quipe and fried on the spot.

This was my first trip to Inwood and like a true yelpy I immediately turned to yelp to look for some yummy places to explore. Two things popped into my mind: 1. monfongo and 2. chicharrones. Elsa was one of the first restaurants to pop up and I immediately got sold on the photos of chicharrones. That crispy fried skin and juicy fatty pork looked so darn delicious, it was all I could think about eating for the entire day. When we arrived there was a line out the door waiting to order. Fantastic, a line means demand, and demand means it must be good. I lucked out because I had sent friends to this place ahead of me and they were right in the front of the line to order. We got a half $5 order of fried pork and monfongo with red sauce. Both were excellent! Mmmm, I'm still thinking of that mofongo! I think you could probably share a mofongo with 4 people. The hubby and I barely got through half of it and another couple we were with only ate half of their monfongo too. Perhaps this place is not the best place to go eat right before you're going to a party to dance the night away. It's good but really really heavy. I felt like I had a brick of fried plantains sitting in my stomach which acted as a paperweight because it was hard for me to dance around. It was totally worth it though. I want to come back and order a ton of those chicharrones! I wonder how they would taste if I froze them and heated them up in a toaster over? I guess I shall soon find out in due time!

Came in for some food but decided to only order 2 beef pastelitos. They decided to have a conversation amongst themselves about how they didnt have pastelitos ready but could give us empanadas because we wouldn't know the difference. Then since they were taking forever to decide whether to put the time to fry up two beef pastelitos or pulling a fast one, they ended up giving us cheese pastelitos. Normally that wouldn't be a problem except my friend is allergic and could have ended up in the hospital. Won't be coming here again. Oh and it wasn't even busy, we were the only ones in the restaurant.

Had some time to kill while cruising through Dyckman and the stomach was asking me for Mofongo. Found parking in front of Elsa's and made my way into this tiny but charming eatery. Elsa and her staff of 2 were hospitable and accommodating. It took about twenty minutes to prepare my meal, but hey, it was fresh and made from scratch. This was the best mofongo I've ever had. If you're in the area and in the mood for Dominican comfort food, this place throws down. Ask for the red sauce on the side. You'll be happy you did.

Dear baby Jesus, Thank you for letting Elsa be an instrumental part of my childhood, adolescence, and now adult hood. By far the best Chicharron (a.k.a deep fried pork belly) known to man! I've been eating this stuff since I was a kid. Sure it will eventually clog a main artery and send me away for ever, but i'd rather die knowing I had the best chicharron on earth, than by second hand smoke, over exercising, or just crossing the street and getting hit by a truck. Yup, if and when I die, please let it be because I was enjoying myself and in a state of bliss, whether that be at a dining table, or in bed! Ps. the natural fruit juices aren't 1/2 bad either, for all you health freak who want to indulge and cut 1/2 the guilt out of it! ;) I really wish I could get some of Elsa down here in Miami!!

I recently moved to Inwood and discovered Elsa Restaurant last week. Since then I've been 3 times. As previous reviewers have stated it is true that they are clearly not too fond of folks that don't speak any Spanish. This especially applies to the old lady that is usually hacking up the incredibly succulent hunks of chicharron. Also, there is not a single sign in english, nor have I seen another gringo in there. I see these all as positive things as far as the food. If you don't speak Spanish just learn a few basic words. Hola, gracias, de nada, chicharron, arroz y frijoles. That's really all you need to know. They have warmed up to me considerably since my second visit. And really, shame on you if you live in NYC and don't speak any Spanish. The bottom line is this place makes the best chicharron I have ever had. They actually have a fairly extensive menu, but I have never seen anyone getting anything else besides different sides. With that being said, make sure you get some of their pickled red onions with your pork. Seating consists of about 5 stools, so I suggest getting it to go and hitting the park or just bring it home. If you get rice & beans they serve the beans in a separate container, so nothing gets soggy, especially the chicharron. The pork chunks are comprised of a thin layer of incredibly crispy, salty and spiced skin, followed by a healthy layer of fat and then a good layer of meat. The platter for one is under $10 and I have yet to finish it in one sitting.

Small place. Most people take their food home, so you can probably get one of the 4 seats they have. The guy did speak English, so if you don't speak Spanish, don't be discouraged. They continuously bring out the chicharron from the oven and chop it right in front of you. They charge it by weight and it can get expensive so don't go overboard. (in terms of chicharron prices). It's really good though. If you like fried food and you can eat pork, you should try it.

Hands down the best place to get chicharrones (deep fried pork). The skin is crispy and mouth watering tastey. When you walk by or pass the corner while on the bus, you always get the incredible aroma of Elsa's Chicharrones. It is pretty much a take out place, although they have a few seats along the wall, but the place is so crowded by the lines that it's not worth eating there. They offer other dishes like chicken, pernil, rice and beans, mofongo, mangu, etc. The chicharrones and the mofongos (mashed plantains with chicharrones inside) are the best, and a once weekly for me. Mofongos take about 25 minutes to make, and they do deliver as long as it's before 7ish. They also make fresh juices like passion fruit (parcha to them) and things like empanadas. Pros - fresh daily Cons - long lines, you need to speak spanish here, cash only

I was hungry earlier today and I had to eat something quick. As I went through the list of restaurants on yelp, this restaurant seemed very exciting since every review contained a word "chicharrones" on it. I have never had this dish as well as a fried pork belly dish. So here is how it went down with my little spanish. I said "chicharrones" and "yuca"(I love anything with Yuca) por favor. I realized there was a section of daily lunch specials on their paper menu ( it was around 2pm) so I asked "lunch special chicharrones?". The lady went "rice and beans...$7". I went "yuca and chicharrones?" and she was back with $8. Great!!! "Gracias!" I smiled. She smiled back. Their Chicharrones was a simple fried pork belly dish in perfection. I couldn't believe how not greasy they tasted with hard crisp on the skin yet melting belly inside. It is lightly salted and they gave me a piece of lime. Yuca was also very nice. Very simple clean side dish of yuca since I have declined onion option(only because I don't like onion on any dish), and it did go very good with chicharrones. I can see how easily this dish can be very greasy and overwhelming elsewhere. This place is good.

Great Spanish food lots of grease I love it!!!!! I wish they put lil more limes on the order!!!