Boca Chica

A great little Latin American restaurant in the east village. High quality homemade food. Amazing cabbage salad accompanies most entres. One of us had the Choclo dish which was very unique and quite good; think inside out chicken tamale with cinnamon raisins yet spicy?! A great vibe and great cocktails!

This review is for takeout only.
I passed this place on my way to happy hour and was intrigued so obviously, after happy hour I needed some food. I walked in late (they closed at 11pm) and no one was in there but they were still open. I had a hard time trying to decide what I wanted to eat so the bartender was really nice enough to point me in the right direction. I wanted a lot of food so he said all of the burritos, the chicken and rice and the pork chops were all great choices. I ended up ordering the burrito cubano ($ 13.95). It was stuffed with roast pork, refried beans, cheese and sofrito. It was delicious but I was there was more roast pork in it.
The burrito came with a big side of rice and a fresh salad. Very happy with my meal. I would definitely order from this place again.

Came here last night, with a bunch of «the crew» from my days in High School. And as far as I can remember everything was awesome. We ordered a margaritas, beers (possibly?) and few appetizers including the guacamole (served with plantain chips, mmmm love plantain chips) and a shrimp dish. For entrée I ordered the steak sandwich which came with Yuca fries.
Sidenote: this was my first time trying yuca fries seriously they were freakin’ awesome. Rather than serving sweet potato fries more establishments should start serving yuca fries. I’ve decided that yuca is an underated food.
Note to self: Eat more yuca fries.
Great times were had by all.

As complimentary there were plantains and some kind of bean sauce you can dip into.
Service was quick. Ordered the Burrito Cubano which was stuff with roast pork, sofrito, beans and cheese. served with rice, beans and salad. The Arroz Con Pollo pan-​latin chicken and yellow rice which was also served with rice, beans and salad. And the Chicharrones De Pollo dominican seasoned crispy chicken. You can the amount for the price and it was more than enough food for the three of us. There wasn’t any sparks to my burrito. The rice and beans were what started my appetite. The chicken was seasoned well. The yellow rice with chicken tasted like something you can get at an hallal cart.

Pretty surprised at all the positive reviews. I ordered the chipotle shrimp, which was OK but nothing amazing. It was a little bland and it was hard to really taste any chipotle flavor. It comes with black beans, salad, and rice, all generously portioned. My friend ordered the Chicharrones De Pollo, Dominican seasoned crispy chicken. He was pretty disappointed with it. I tried it and it was totally bland. It was cooked very nicely, but there was nothing to it. He didn’t come close to finishing it.
The honey chicken wings (Alitas De Pollo) were delicious though, and the meat was falling off the bone. Very sweet but not at all spicy. And the bartender made us the strongest rum and cokes I’ve ever had, and for a reasonable $ 8. Service was fast and friendly, the atmosphere was nice. I wouldn’t mind coming back for drinks and wings, but I’d avoid entrees.

I’m a bit shocked that people rated this restaurant so highly. My friend and I were in the neighborhood to go to another Mexican spot, unaware that it wasn’t open at dinnertime.
So, we went to Boca Chica thinking we’d get some good latin and/​or mexican food.
The plantain chips and black bean dip were very good.
The food came very quickly and portions were quite large. But what it offered in portion size it lacked in flavor. My pernil was very bland.
I wouldn’t go back. There are a million other spots of comparable price, atmosphere, and convenience that are way more authentic and tasty.

Yum!
Delicious mojitos, friendly service. I didn’t stay here long so that’s all I can say but they impressed me enough to get 4 stars.

Came here for my birthday with some girlfriends. I’m a bit confused since I saw in some reviews that the plantain chips and blackbean dip was free? Anyway, it wasn’t for us but we came on a Monday around 6pm so it wasn’t exactly prime time.
I love the bright colors on the outside of this place. It’s funny because when I choose this restaurant, I of course knew it because of it’s bright colors but I didn’t know it was Boca Chica. So when I found the place I looked up and said to myself, «ohhh it’s this place. That totally makes sense-​DUH.»
Anyway, plantain chips and blackbean dip was good but not excellent. The chips were not fresh and they were actually a bit soggy in the middle. But since we came close to the time they opened up, that can be overlooked. We also ordered pinionitos which the waiter recommended over the tostones because the tostones were too similar to the plantain chips. Pinionitos were alright-​not something I would particularly order since it’s banana slices (note sweet not savory) with some seasoned ground beef on top. It almost reminded of the inside of a Shepherd’s pie.
Onto the entrees. One pastel de choclo-​think an tamale meets a pie with chicken, raisins and cinnamon, a chicken special with avocado and penil (my order of course).
Pastel de choclo was very unique because it had sweet and savory flavors to it. My friend was indecisive at first about it but then she quickly gobbled it up. Pernil was of course excellent-​came with yucca. My friend’s chicken was superb-​crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. All platters came with rice, beans and salad. Chicken came with coconut yams (yum but sweet). I definitely recommend this place. Next time I want to get some seafood here. Also, waiter service was great!

The $ 5 wings are now $ 6 wings and the sangria has also gone up a buck… Yeah, a dollar…
Still the best wings, best sangria and most tremendous bang for your buck you will find and one of my favorite cheap eats. Eat like a tick for under $ 30. I’ve been enjoying this east village gem for years. Go during the week and early or you will wait for a table. Casual dining, but the food is so good you walk away feeling satisfied and guilty… like you did something you were not supposed to do and got away with it… Twist your sinister mustache and pass the chips… you evil thing, you…(and yes, I’m talking to the chicken wings).

I’m not sure if the restaurant bears any connection to the Dominican Republic slum/​resort of the same name, but it’s definitely nothing like it. The atmosphere at Boca Chica is sort of «well-​worn Latin bistro,» but it’s still fun and inviting. Very casual and laid-​back, so it’s perfect for a low-​key date or just dinner with friends.
The menu is a mish-​mash of Latin standards skewing Cuban, and you can’t go wrong with a ropa vieja or chuleta. The cocktails are also quite tasty. Prices are decent – more than a hole in the wall of comparable quality, less than a Times Square tourist haunt.

Good location, casual spot and reasonable prices.
We were a party of 8, but the whole party was not there, but the hostess was understanding and still kept our table for us, luckily it did not get too crowded until we were ready to leave.
I ordered the Special– grilled chicken with black beans on top, pureed yams, some sort of slaw made with cabbage, white rice and shared it with my friends and I am so happy I did, because I did not like it enough to have been able to finish it by myself. I was really disappointed with this, just and fyi if you don’t like brand chicken, and tasteless rice and beans topped off with a random sweet potato then DON’T GET THE SPECIAL!
My other friends had Chicharrones De Pollo, a Dominican seasoned crispy chicken and the Grilled Skirt Steak with chimichurri sauce. I really liked the chicharonnes out everything I had to eat.
How could I forget the flan? It was really good, I am glad I shared that as well because I would have been a fatty to eat the whole thing it was soooo good.
White Sangria was fairly good so it was an overall good experience.

Finally made it here.
Super crowded, very loud and not the fastest service.
The complimentary plantain chips and the bean dip are pretty good– not good enough to have made us want to order more.
I had the special– grilled chicken with black beans on top, pureed yams, some sort of slaw made with cabbage, white rice. On the menu this sounded like it would be excellent but unfortunately the dish lacked any real flavor. The slaw was flavorless and same with the bland white rice and black beans. The chicken was tastier but unfortunately was dried out, mainly around the edges. The yam purée was good but wayy too sweet.
Bf had the best dish of the night — shrimp ajiolo — have no idea if I’m spelling that right. The waiter recommended that one and he was right. The shrimp were grilled to perfection, fresh, with excellent flavor (although the tails left on!). The refried style black beans were different than mine and very flavorful. His white rice was also bland, and same with the slaw.
Serve a good green chile sauce with the dishes and I would definitely up the stars!
Overall, fun/​good to try but much more flavorful Latin food to be found elsewhere.

Megan and I had a serious streak of dining luck in New York. We would show up to a place where we would imagine there would be some sort of crazy wait only to find that they could seat us immediately. Then shortly after being seated we’d notice a queue of folks beginning to appear who did indeed have to wait for a seat. The luck of the last table I’m calling it.
Anyway that happened at Boca Chica and I have to say I probably would have waited a good amount of time for the food I ate here. Of course everyone mentioned the fried plantains with black bean dip and yes it is as good as they say. A better version of chips and salsa in my mind. Megan and I also ordered two appetizers to share — a corn on the cob (that they kindly cut in half for us) that was covered in spices and delicious melty cheese and sweet, soft plantains that had been rolled up like sushi and stuffed with meat. Man were both of those delicious.
For my entrée I ordered a crispy chicken dish that looked like a cross between a real chicken leg and the ones that come with an order of wings. So, a middle sized drumstick I suppose? It was super crispy and I thoroughly enjoyed it along with the rice and black beans it was served with.
The bar menu offers up several delicious drinks, even non-​alcoholic fun ones for those of you that don’t imbibe such as homemade limeade. The atmosphere was loud and lively and all in all it was quite a fun place to dine.

Where’s the spice at? I’ll tell you where… in Boca Chica’s Shrimp Ticul –this hot green chili sauce is way too hot! I love spicy food, but this was a gross taste, so overpowering it was un-​pleasant to eat. The shrimp lost all flavor entirely.
I was really excited to try this place after all the great reviews, but in my mind it didn’t really live up to the ‘hype’. I love how everyone is so ‘excited’ about free plantain chips… I mean really people? We did receive these, but they tasted stale, like they had been chilling out for a couple hours.
To top this the service here was sooooooooooo SLOW!!! We had to ask to order drinks, ask for water, and ask to order our meal (a good 15 – 20 after just sitting there!).
The other items ordered were very tasty so I am giving it a A-​OK for that.
What to order:
Grilled Steak Sandwich!
Chuletas Mostaza (grilled pork chops)
Corn on the Cobb –sooooooo good!
Ceviche
Great Margs!
Stay away from the Ticul, it gives me a stomach ache just thinking about it.
Also, only go if you are super patient, because the service leaves much, much, much to be desired!

Damn, my friends Tom, Tricia, and Win had already beaten me to this review! I had set up a night to hang with friends here around 6:30 on a Friday night — best time to go btw, since the seats fill up fast (esp the bar).
Complimentary plantains w/​bean dip is pure geneous. Get our mouths salted up. Order more drinks. My pernil was cooked well, but I was wanting more spice and was hoping there was some crispy skin involved. Friends’ pork chops were also very yummy.
Definitely recommended and worth a trip to the LES as an alternative to the village.

At Boca Chica, it’s all about the mouth, girl.
As in, open wide and indulge in the flavors of Latin America, whether it’s food or drink.
Gathering here with friends on a Friday night revealed a lively scene. The bar was packed, people were queuing up for tables and we were lucky enough to have the best seat in the house. Passers-​by and curious onlookers gaped at our heaping plates of chuletas, ropa vieja and pernil.
While Boca Chica is known for their margaritas (and has probably served up millions in their 15 years in the East Village), I went contrarian with a pisco sour.
It’s the national drink of Peru and that’s Latin America and it went down smooth.
Complimentary plate of plantain chips greet the diner. Be forewarned that the first dish is gratis but this is not unlimited. You’ll pay $ 4 a pop for each plate afterward.
Carafes of tap water are also standard issue, which obviates the need for floating waiter refills that can be unpredictable. We did have to ask for a carafe refill, however.
Prices are wallet friendly and will force any boca to smile. Entrees were mainly hovering around $ 15 and we’re not talking petite size plates either.
My pernil (pork shoulder cooked long and slow) was succulent. I’ve had dry pernil experiences that made me question this dish but Boca Chica erased those memories from my stomach. The pernil came with rice and beans, a few boiled yucca and a side salad. I could have done without the salad but the few greens contributed to the now defunct food pyramid of suggested servings for a healthy diet I suppose.
I also took a bite of a cuban sandwich and chuleta. Both made me wish I was even more gluttonous so I could have more.
The bathroom is a bit small but functional.

— Girls night out: Check
— Drinks: Check
— Complimentary Tostones with Beans: Check
— Spanish Food: Check (Ordered Rice with Shrimp which was AWESOME!)
— Latin Music: Check
What was missing… Guys entertaining us. Otherwise it would have been a perfect night!
Seriously, It’s a good spot to for a small group and enjoy the company with Awesome drinks and great food! Staff was very satisfy, they kept checking our table if needed refills.
Thanks Natasha L. For introducing me this spot. I always walk by, but never had anyone to go with me.

Still my favorite restaurant in NYC. I have been coming here since the 90’s and have brought everyone I know and love here to eat and be merry over the years and they never disappoint. The food is fantastic, plentiful, flavorful and vibrant, just like the ambiance. The walls are adorned with colorful pieces of artwork that bring character and charm to the already hip Latin flavor of the place.
Staff is always friendly and prompt and even if there is a wait and it’s totally packed in here, just put your name down on the list and wait. Go next door and have a drink at La Linea, it could be a while, but it’s worth the wait. Try their tostones which are based with crushed garlic and olive oil and salted to perfection. Also, can’t get enough of their black bean dip and plantain chips… be careful, you may eat too much and not have room for dinner!
All in all, this is an enjoyable place to eat and get together with friends. Even your vegetarian pals will be impressed by their selection. Get your grub on and enjoy the vibe. Your tummy will thank you.

So we settled down at the bar and my boyfriend exclaims, «You have GOT to try the croquettes!» Sold. Two icy cocktails later and we were feeling perfecto.
To start, the bean dip and plantain chips were incredible! The beans are pureed with delicious spices, a superb amount of garlic and a hint of cilantro. But the stars were the Croquetas De Platano — mashed green plantain balls, fried crisp. with a lovely, vinegar based «onion mojo» cucumbery salad. Delicious! And the perfect «snack» on our little self-​guided bar hop around the village.
I’ve gotta come here for brunch one day! And those sandwiches look great.

Boca Chica is a popular East Village spot, and can get crowded — amazingly, we didn’t wait long to be seated. Animal skin prints, a long bar, and fun lanterns add to the tropical ambiance. Not usually a fan of dim lighting, but they make it work. It’s a bit loud inside, so be prepared to raise your voice.
Tasty Latin fare is the perfect accompaniment to good conversation, and Boca Chica delivered, from my delightfully fresh shrimp ceviche ($ 8.5; special) to my plate of alitas de pollo ($ 5; grilled honey wings), easily the most moist, tender, flavorful pieces of meat I’ve had in recent memory.
The wings weren’t spicy as-​advertised so I asked for hot sauce. I got a bowl of a surprisingly zesty, greenish slurry, which did the trick — apply liberally if you like to sweat.
Our server Dawn was friendly, fast, and efficient, clearing plates, and taking requests. She brought us Patron shots (the good stuff, which cost a pretty penny) which made us extra happy. Even though we were a large group, we were never really rushed out.
Yes, yes, the free plantain chips are good, but try the hot sauce! Lordy.