Lechonera La Isla

"Hit up the Langston Hughes House on 127th Street, then grab lunch at this tiny counter-service spot that’s been around for over 30 years. Beneath the neon sign that spells its name with an upside-down pig, you’ll spot roast pork, sausage, and cuchifrito hanging in the window. Inside, you’ll find all the straightforward Puerto Rican classics: stewed bacalao, rellenos de papa, pollo rostizado, pastelillos, and morcilla. The go-tos here are the roast chicken and lechón with crackly skin." - marisel salazar, bryan kim

"The Dish: Lechón The perfect bite exists, and it consists of crisp lechón splashed with pique. At Lechonera La Isla, an East Harlem Puerto Rican spot that’s been open since 1991, the fatty pork and sweet, vinegar-based hot sauce fuse together on an atomic level, bringing out the best in one another. Grab a stool at the counter in the little room with morcilla and chicharron displayed in the window, order a big platter with rice and beans, and pace yourself." - bryan kim, sonal shah, willa moore, will hartman, molly fitzpatrick, neha talreja

"Hit up the Langston Hughes House on 127th Street, then grab lunch at this tiny counter that’s been around for over 30 years. Beneath the neon sign that spells its name with an upside-down pig, you’ll spot roast pork, sausage, and cuchifrito hanging in the window. Inside, you’ll find all the straightforward Puerto Rican classics: stewed bacalao, rellenos de papa, pollo rostizado, pastelillos, and morcilla. Our go-tos here are the roast chicken and lechón with crackly skin." - neha talreja, sonal shah, hannah albertine

"Hit up the Langston Hughes House on 127th Street, then grab lunch at this tiny counter-service spot that’s been around for over 30 years. Beneath the neon sign that spells its name with an upside-down pig, you’ll spot roast pork, sausage, and cuchifrito hanging in the window. Inside, you’ll find all the straightforward Puerto Rican classics: stewed bacalao, rellenos de papa, pollo rostizado, pastelillos, and morcilla. The go-tos here are the roast chicken and lechón with crackly skin. photo credit: Bryan Kim" - Marisel Salazar