Lechonera La Piraña

First and foremost, it’s PASTELILLOS COÑO!
Secondly, the pulpo salad is ALWAYS on point. Don’t know what that «chef» character is talking about. If you show up late, you deserve no rice, you deserve the remnants of whatever pernil is left. We don’t need no outsiders coming late only to complain. The community apologizes for the «out of whack» décor IN THE FOOD TRUCK. Good God, man. You’re sad.
There’s a reason why this spot has been here for a long time and that’s the fantastic food.

I wish I could give this more stars. I’m actually reluctant to even write a review, because it’s just such a delicious secret, but other people should know how great this is. I’ve fallen in love with the succulent and tender roast pork here, the seafood salad is great and the empanadas are unreal. To tie the experience together is machete-​wielding «Pirañas», the perpetually cheerful and friendly man behind the whole experience who treats his customers like family members. Lechon is tough to pull off, since the pork often gets dry, but Pirañas is able to knock it out of the ballpark, cooking with love, the right flavors and a delicious slow cook. It’s a full experience with more personality than any food truck I’ve ever had before or since. You better come hungry.

We arrived just in time for the lechon which was chopped fresh for us, had a delicious juicy seasoned taste accompanied with arroz con gandules. The chicken pastelillos were delicious, fresh fried and with deliciously seasoned meat. This place is a total gem of the South Bronx, one of the many reasons I love living here.

The one star is only for the octopus salad which was ok. First the man had run out of rice. Second the pernil was not well seasoned and was very tuff to chew. Third the girl at the counter was grabbing the food with her hands then dealing with money. I had to tell her to use a napkin to grab my empanadas. He claimed that was his daughter which I find it hard to believe but that’s neither here nor there. The only empanadas available were the shrimp ones which we don’t eat. The alcapurria was all dough with like a teaspoon of meat and undercooked. The place looked dirty and the area where the wagon is located was dirty. Zimmerman must be trying to get Spanish viewers to watch his show because to recommend this place in his show is completely bogus. Maybe the people from that area are used to this type of food but not me. This is strictly my opinion.

If you don’t know Angel, you don’t know the neighborhood. This guy IS the corner of 152^nd and Wales. You could spend hours sitting on his couch eating lechon and arroz con gandules and watching the world go by. The spirit of Aguadilla in the South Bronx

The food at this place is incredible. Truly something special.
I am not from Puerto Rico. I’ve never even been there. I have many friends who tell me try PR food. I tried many PR restaurants and was never impressed. I find it boring, lacking flavor. If you want to try real food from Puerto Rico this is the real deal.
I tried the lechon with rice (twice). The pork was so moist and juicy. So full of flavor. I also tried the octopus salad. I like all mariscos but usually in Latin restaurants this is basically crap. This was by far the best I ever tried. It is like comparing your grandmas secret recipe to crap in the deli. So so delicious. Like the first time I ever had enselada de pulpo.
And the portions? I’m a 280lb guy. I didn’t eat half of my order. I gave my leftovers to my roommate who is old Puerto Rican and hasn’t been back to the island for 20 years. It almost brought tears to his eyes. He said this is what it is like at the best lechoneras back home.
It has been a hobby of mine to try different foods from different places for many years. This is one of the first where I can say I was just blown away with the flavor and quality of everything. I give the highest ratings to this establishment.
This place is deep in the South Bronx. Area shady as hell but you are not in the USA anymore. You are in a real lechonera in the mountains of Puerto Rico. As real as it gets and everything is oh so good.

He is at the Vendy Plaza every Sunday. The portions are more than generous but the meat can be dry. The garlic sauce helps with some of the dryness. The crunch of the skin with the meat will fill your mouth with porky goodness. The flavors will be a nice porky party in your mouth.

Very good food fresh nice service the rice is a Lil dry but that seafood salad oh lord its worth every penny

It’s not every day when you can ride your bike to the South Bronx and be treated like a family member. I stumbled upon Angel’s fortress of Lechonara on a Saturday afternoon not knowing what to expect. When we finally found his spot, there were a few locals hovering around his trailer. As we stepped into his trailer, we didn’t even have to speak, he knew we came far to try his home style cooking. He quickly started feeding us, and at that moment I can’t explain how much of a thrilling experience it is to have someone so passionate about their food feed you. «Wait, you have to try this», «here’s some hot sauce», «this is real Puerto Rican cooking», «We’re all the same». He’s inspiring, and he even let us walk with him to show us his oven, where he quickly took out another batch of roasted pork. The highlight was when he let us take a picture with him, and he allowed me to hold his signature machete. There’s not much else to say, no need to get all foodie here, just support him in what he does, because we need more people like this in neighborhoods to help sustain the community. I truly respect and admire his craft. He does it for the love of the food and his culture, at one point, I had to ask him, «how much do I owe you for all this food?» His response, «I don’t care about money.» The Bronx is where it’s at, real people working hard, living hard, and keeping it real. You’re the man Angel! I don’t think I will ever find food that tasted so dam good, he doesn’t just feed your appetite, he feeds your soul.

I had pavochon and it changed my life. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!