¡Vaya al Cocotero!
El Cocotero
228 West 18th Street
See map here
If you’re sick of the traditional UWS burrito, I highly recommend you venture down to Chelsea to get a real Spanish food fix. El Cocotero is a Venezuelan restaurant my friend Bettina raves about. Luckily, my other friend Hillary, Bettina and I had the time to venture down for lunch right before classes started. May I just say right off the bat, that once you try an arepa, you may never want to settle for a burrito again…
Bettina, being the Venezuelan native that she is, ordered for us Tequeños, a.k.a. mini fried cheese sticks (I can’t think of a better way to describe them). We are currently trying to figure out how we can make them here at school…NOMS CHEESE.
As for me, I decided to order an arepa—a baked and stuffed white corn pocket (Venezuelan pita pocket, if you will), that I had been dying to try. Mine was stuffed with guasacaca (Venezuelan guacamole!), avocado, and tomato. (Yes, I enjoy eating avocado in as many forms as possible at each meal.)
Hillary and Bettina ordered Asado Negro (slow braised beef eye round cooked in red wine & onions) complete with rice, beans, and sweet plantains. While the plate may look big, it tasted too good to leave anything unfinished.
Overall, this lunch expedition was not only a great catch-up with friends, but an enjoyable journey for our tummies. I plan to go back to El Cocotero soon and you should too!
Pro tip: There have a great lunch special here Monday-Friday from 11:30-3:30pm, if you’re looking for a Friday afternoon adventure!