Cuchifritos • 1961

Behind bright marquee bulbs on 116th Street, Heriberto Bello's legendary lunch counter has served East Harlem's Puerto Rican soul since 1961—crispy alcapurrias stuffed with ground beef, golden chicharrón, and trays of morcilla that draw lines out the door. The fried treats pile high beneath colorful signs while tropical juices spin in dispensers, and swivel stools fill fast with regulars who've been coming back for decades. Step up to the counter where orders fly in rapid-fire Spanish and leave with a paper bag of the fritters that symbolize home for generations of Nuyoricans.