Since Puerto Rico’s gastronomy is widely known for its deep-fried snacks (frituras) also eaten as appetizers or side dishes, it is worth highlighting places where travelers and locals may eat this yummy food. So, we share the following list of five food establishments, including kiosks also known as chinchorros, which you may like exploring to savor Puerto Rican frituras.

1) Pescadería Don Candi

Among the fried snacks served at this chinchorro, the coconut dough fritters (arepas de coco) are a favorite. You have the option of eating arepas filled with seafood such as crabmeat, stewed conch, shrimp, and octopus. Besides other fried appetizers, you may order fried fresh fish such as red snapper.

Address: Route 987, Km 2.1, Las Croabas Fishing Village, Municipality of Fajardo

Current operating hours: Thursday- Monday, 11:00 am - 7:00 pm

2) Kiosko El Boricua

The alcapurrias crafted at this kiosk are famous. You may eat these filled with seafood, such as crabmeat, conch, shrimp and octopus. The kiosk also serves giant codfish fritters known as bacalaítos and pastelillos (fried dough turnovers) filled with seafood, such as shrimp, lobster, crabmeat, octopus, conch, and codfish, among other typical fried appetizers.

Address: Route 187, Km. 8.0, Piñones sector, Municipality of Loíza

T: 787-596-1684

Current operating hours: Thursday- Monday, 10:00 am - 6:00 pm

3) Plátano Loco

This small establishment specializes in food made of green plantain, a starchy fruit which locals typically eat as a side dish and that has become emblematic of Puerto Rico’s culture. Tostones (fried green plantain slices), platanutres (plantain chips), doughy-like plantain sticks, and straight cut-plantain fries are among the deep-fried snacks or side dishes you may eat at this place. Main courses are also available.

Address: Pico de Piedra Beach’s entrance road (near Route 115), Municipality of Aguada

T: 787-252-1409

Current operating hours: Thursday- Sunday, 11:00 am - 9:00 pm

4) Kaplash

At this place, you may eat awesome deep-fried dough turnovers known as empanadillas or pastelillos and filled with fresh seafood, such as conch, crabmeat, shrimp, octopus, fish and seafood mix. Among other Puerto Rican fried food appetizers or side dishes you may order are: surullitos (fried cornmeal sticks), fried local cheese, tostones, and fried breadfruit slices known as tostones de pana. Other local dishes are available.

Address: Route 115 Km. 7, Municipality of Añasco

T: 787-826-4582

Current operating hours: Monday-Thursday, 11:00 am - 9:00 pm, Friday-Sunday, 10:00 am - 10:00 pm (to-go food if you arrive half hour before closing time).

5) Hacienda El Flamboyán

Artisanal pastelillos are the specialty fried appetizers at this place. You may eat pastelillos filled with octopus, shrimp, pionono (meat and sweet plantain), chicken or meat, among other ingredients. Other dishes are available.

Address: Route 186, Km 10.5, Cubuy neighborhood, Municipality of Canóvanas

T: 787-383-3088, 939-459-1511

Current operating hours: Thursday-Sunday, 11:00 am-10:00 pm

Whether you want to eat Puerto Rican fried snacks for the first time or are searching for different food establishments where you can order this food, the above list may be handy. Enjoy the gastronomic journey and tasty food!