The Freakin Rican

Will always recommend this restaurant. If you want authentic Puerto Rican food come here. Promise you will not be dissapointed. The staff are amazing, even if you have to sometimes wait for a table when with a group because of no reservations just know its worth the wait so be patient.

Freakin Rican was recommended by a family member. The atmosphere is pretty cool, and the service was solid.<br><br>I got the Puerto Rican pernil with arroz con gandules and ordered a pastele on the side. The pernil was really tasty—I’d definitely get that again. The arroz, though, completely threw me off. It looked like it was going to be flavorful, but it honestly had almost no taste. I even went back for a few more bites just to make sure I wasn’t tripping, but nope—still bland. I ended up mixing it with the rest of my food and adding salt just to give it some flavor. After we left, everyone in our group said the same thing about the arroz.<br><br>The pasteles were decent—something I’d try again. My sister has never liked pasteles, but this was the first time she actually enjoyed one, which surprised all of us.<br><br>My kid ordered the crispy wings, and when they say jumbo, they mean it. It was way too much for one kid—honestly enough to feed 3–4 kids.<br><br>Overall, not a bad experience, just not super memorable. I’d probably try a few other Puerto Rican spots before coming back.

Authentic Puerto Rican flavors. The pasteles is a must. Service was super friendly. Everything was reasonably priced. Will definitely be back. Only thing I would change is the frequency the coqui plays, can be annoying after a while.

If you’re looking for authentic flavors and a cozy atmosphere, this is it. It’s a small, intimate space that captures that true island "vibe" perfectly. The food was the highlight—amazing presentation and even better taste. A photo truly doesn't do justice to the flavors here! 🍲

Stopped in for a late lunch while in town for work and had a solid experience overall. The pernil was tender and well pulled but the skin lacked that signature crunch you expect from a proper cuero — if you know PR food, you know that's the difference maker. The arroz con gandules was decent but could've used a stronger sofrito base. Maduros were fine. The real stars were the besito de coco — absolutely nailed it — and the coffee, which was legitimately strong and exactly what I needed.<br><br>The vibe in the restaurant is warm and lively, and the staff has genuine personality that makes the whole experience feel welcoming. Service was attentive and the energy was great.<br><br>For authentic PR food in NJ, it's a solid option and worth visiting. Just hoping the pernil gets that cuero crispy next time — that's the soul of the dish. Will be back to give it another shot.

Went to the Freakin Rican restaurant and was impressed with the food and the staff. Friendly staff good music and the decor. I would recommend this place to anyone looking for a good meal and the atmosphere reminds me of the culture of Puerto Rico culture.

If you’re around give it a try. Everything is flavorful, the staff is nice.<br><br>Update: We returned and I brought my mom. This time, The alcapurria was a little under done. When the masa cooks properly it stiffens up and gets dark due to being cooked. These were still creamy and light inside. The owner made it a point to inform me I was wrong. So I guess every other time I’ve had them they have been wrong. This is still an awesome place to eat. Staff is very welcoming and patient. The food is delicious. The trifongo was really really good. I would recommend. If you’re in the area stop in and hopefully you have a nice experience.

If you don't have Abuelita's house to visit anymore, The Freakin Rican is the best place to go to for authentic and delicious Puerto Rican food. 🇵🇷 The atmosphere, the vibe, the aromas are all amazing. I always buy the adobo and sofrito! Bring your Abuelita for the pernil and pasteles! She will love it.

This is my opinion. I am Puerto Rican. I ordered arror con gandules and pernil the lunch special. A chicken soup. One bacalaito. And pasteles and small chicken soup which was not as I expected to be as well.<br>The pasteles taste good there are pretty small for the price, expensive. The arror con gandules and pernil was ok something seems missing with the taste I've visited Margaritas, in the Bronx and they are less expensive and the taste is memorable unfortunately this meal isn't. For the $45 dollars I expected it to leave me wanting more. Again this is only my opinion maybe it was just that day. I wish them the best! I will revisit Margaritas 915 Avenue St John The Bronx, NY 10455 and Sofrito on 679 riverside dr. Enjoy everyone not every place is for everyone. Hope you do enjoy our Puerto Rican food no matter where you go!😊

Came with a group of nine, and for a small 30-seat spot the staff handled it relatively well. Mateo was clearly juggling a lot but kept things moving smoothly and fixed my inexplicably burnt grilled chicken right away. The arroz con gandules and beans were heavy on cumin, and that’s mostly what you tasted. The salmon was delicious, the Cubano with real pan sobao pressed in garlic butter was excellent, and the boneless chicharrones, calamari with guava BBQ, and house shakes were all hits. The flan and budín were exquisite and the perfect sweet finish. Overall, seasoning could be more balanced, but great service and effort made it a solid experience.

An excellent experience, the food was really good and the service was good too. We enjoyed the Mofongo massively, and the Chicharron de pollo was really excellent. I’d happily come back, and enjoyed everything that I had.

Second time here so that tells you its definitely worth a visit if you haven't been here yet. I'm from Bushwick where amazing Spanish food used to be in abundance not so much anymore so I took a trip to AQ one night in search of PR food since I had just returned from PR and missed the abundance of amazing places to eat that they had there on the island found this place and TBH I went in thinking like this not going to compare to Mami or anything in PR well did I feel like I got slapped with flan in the face 😂 the food held up! For one i had one of the best bacalitos 2nd to Mamis of course perfect crispy around the edges and nicely filled in the middle wifee had the alcapurria and swears by it she a alcapurria fanatic I went with the shrimp mofongo for the second time because it didn't disappoint the 1st time was a hit the 2nd time around also wifee went simple with the fried chicken breast satisfying the star to that dish is the beans well seasoned very flavorful very similar to Mami wife had pernil the 1st time around and loved it she explores the menu a little more im more of if its not broke dont fix it unless I'm craving something specific all and all I will continue to frequent this place you have two new regulars in us keep putting your love into your food establishments like these are needed especially since alot of places are not cooking it the traditional way i feel like its becoming a lost art you are appreciated from these NeWyorK Ricans 🇵🇷💯💯💯

Tasty food, big portions, authentic Caribbean flavor, and attentive service. Only $13 for the lunch special, and it comes with a drink. Music was a tiny bit loud but I guess that’s authentic too lol

A recommendation that went above the hype. I came to dine here with my parents and they are VERY critical of Puerto Rican food as natives. With each bite of the fritura we tried: alcapurrias, sorrullitos with mayoketchup, and relleno de papa my family and I were immersed back into the pueblos in Puerto Rico. They liked the food so much they said they would come back and that is saying something. Also, when you come in the coqui sounds go off. This place is a must eat at! The pasteles are awarding winning and we think they are good as people who make pasteles every Christmas. The Tripleta tastes better than the ones I have had in PR honestly.

A Taste of Home in NYC: The Freakin Rican Delivers!<br><br>On our recent visit to NYC from New Hampshire, my daughters and I made it a point to stop at The Freakin Rican—and wow, am I glad we did! From the moment we walked in and heard the cheerful coquí frog chime, we knew we were somewhere special. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, with just the right touch of Puerto Rican flair.<br><br>Now, let’s talk about the food. Every dish felt like a love letter to the island. We tried the mofongo (perfection!), arroz con gandules, pasteles, and plátanos maduros. Each bite tasted just like home—rich, flavorful, and comforting. The pasteles were such a hit that I couldn’t leave without buying a dozen frozen ones to share with family and friends back in New Hampshire.<br><br>If you’re craving authentic Puerto Rican comfort food in the heart of NYC, The Freakin Rican is a must-visit. We left with full bellies, happy hearts, and plans to come back on our next trip. Highly recommend!