A master fry cook is at work at La Isla, judging from two outstanding snacks bigjeff sampled. He was knocked out by an alcapurria (meat-filled taro bite) and a papa rellena (meat-stuffed potato ball), both beautifully crisp outside and very soft inside. The fillings, he adds, were far tastier than those at other Puerto Rican cuchifritos joints: “This place was really really good.”
La Isla [East Harlem]
1883 Third Avenue (at E. 104th Street), Manhattan
212-534-0002
Board Link: Just moved to Harlem! What’s good eats?
well, the alcapurria is cassava/yucca and not taro but ya, really really good. not tough at all yet, still toothsome, with a truly crisp crunchy outside as well. seriously, a textural feat that I haven’t tasted anywhere else.
went back today and was kinda disappointed; went for the bacailito and it had some cod flavor but was hard, uncrisp and not good. the papa rellena was still good, the alacapurria was good but the chicken empanada was the typical (so-so). my first visit there was after midnight so maybe it was actually the result of sitting out all day under the heat lamps to give that nice crisp exterior; we picked these up around noon so they weren’t sitting out for a half-a-day. i feel i have to downgrade my enthusiasm for the place! will have to hit it up again for additional random sample.
oh and the price for all frituras went up to $1.25
ok, I know I’m the only one reading/updating but . . . . . that place is hot action! I go back to my original hypothesis after a third try; this place rocks! see the thread for an update.
No, you’re not the only one. I check in, but obviously not often enough! Appreciate the original posts – and many others too.