La Caridad 72

"This Cuban-Chinese spot—originally La Caridad 78 because of its location on 78th Street—shocked the neighborhood when it closed during the pandemic after 52 years in business. Diehard fans wandered aimlessly in search of ropa vieja. But at the restaurant's reincarnation on 72nd, all the greatest hits remain. Come for steamy plates of shrimp in sticky-sweet, bright orange devil sauce, and sparkling fried pork chops. The shiny new space has lost a bit of the old-school charm of the original, but the chicharron de pollo is as crispy as ever." - willa moore

"Originally founded by Cuban Chinese immigrant Rafael Lee in 1968, and long operated by his family, La Caridad became an Upper West Side icon at 79th and Broadway. It was tragic when it closed, but popped up again last December on the bustling West 72nd restaurant strip, serving the same cheesy pressed sandwiches, roasted and fricasseed chickens. pot roast, and pernil, in an engagingly retro setting." - Eater Staff

"After 52 years in business on 78th Street, the original La Caridad closed during the pandemic and shook the neighborhood to its core. Upper West Side fried pork chop enthusiasts wandered the streets aimlessly, searching for that familiar post-fry glisten. But at La Caridad's reincarnation on 72nd Street, all the greatest hits remain. Come on a weeknight when the idea of making a reservation somewhere feels annoying, and eat steamy plates of shrimp in a sticky-sweet, bright orange devil sauce, stewy beans, and those sparkling pork chops. (Or, take your order to go and just eat on your couch.) In its shiny space, the restaurant has lost a bit of its old-school charm, but the chicharron de pollo is as crispy as ever, and the Upper West Side regulars are back. photo credit: Willa Moore photo credit: Willa Moore photo credit: Sonal Shah" - Willa Moore

"La Caridad had been an Upper West Side staple of Cuban-Chinese cuisine since 1968, when it closed in 2020, only to move onto West 72nd Street and reopen last year. The Dominican fried chicken (called “cracklings”) is still a signature — small, bone-in pieces, crisp skinned and tasting slightly of their tart marinade. Get it with shrimp fried rice." - Robert Sietsema

"When the absolutely beloved La Caridad 78 closed in 2020, we were devastated—the Chinese/Cuban restaurant had been open for over 50 years. Now, they’re back under new ownership but with the same menu, just a few blocks away on 72nd Street. They’re dishing out Chino Latino combos, and things like egg foo young with roast pork to hungry Upper West Siders. " - Will Hartman, Willa Moore