Pork With Crisp Edges
Fried pork sets the tone here. The kitchen also turns out chicharrones, with the same pull toward crackling edges and rich, salty bites. On the plate, fried batata brings a softer sweetness, while tostones add a firmer, green-banana crunch.
Those sides matter because they change the pace of the meal. A plate can lean heavy and crisp, or shift toward something starchy and calm. A diner can choose one path or the other, then keep eating at a steady pace while the hot food stays front and center. The pork stays the anchor. The sides do the shaping.
For someone searching for Dominican food New York, the draw is direct. The order lands fast, and the plate keeps moving from crackle to softness with each bite. Fried batata brings a sweet note that sits beside the salt. Tostones bring a firmer bite that holds its shape until the last piece.

Good to Know
- Planning your visit
- Accepts reservations Reservations are accepted, so guests can plan ahead for a table before arriving.
- Parking
- Paid street parking Paid street parking is available near the restaurant, so drivers should allow time to find a space and pay at the curb.
- Accessibility
- Wheelchair-accessible car park · Wheelchair-accessible seating A wheelchair-accessible car park and wheelchair-accessible seating are available, so guests can plan for arrival and dining with mobility needs in mind.
- Payment
- Credit cards · Debit cards · NFC mobile payments Credit cards, debit cards, and NFC mobile payments are accepted, so guests can choose a card or tap payment at checkout.
- Who comes here
- Family friendly Family friendly means groups with children can plan a meal here without needing a separate arrangement.
- Atmosphere
- Casual · Lively · Quiet Casual, lively, and quiet all apply here, so guests can expect a straightforward dining room that can suit different visit styles.
Opening Hours
- Monday 10 AM–9 PM
- Tuesday 10 AM–9 PM
- Wednesday 10 AM–9 PM
- Thursday 10 AM–9 PM
- Friday 10 AM–9 PM
- Saturday 10 AM–9 PM
- Sunday 10 AM–9 PM
Gallery
How The Visit Works
The room supports dine-in and takeaway. Counter service keeps the pace direct, with the order moving from the front to the kitchen and then back to the guest. Table service is also available, so a meal can unfold at a slower pace once the food is set down.
A solo lunch can stay brief. A table meal can stretch longer. Guests can choose a seat, place the order, and wait for the plate or bag to come back from the kitchen. The flow stays simple. Nothing needs a long pause. For anyone looking for a St Nicholas Ave Dominican restaurant, the practical part starts with choosing how to eat and ends with food ready for the table or the road.
Wheelchair-accessible car park and wheelchair-accessible seating are part of the visit, so arrival and seating both have clear access points. The parking space near the entrance and the seating inside give the visit two usable points of access.

About Elsa La Reina Del Chicharron
Elsa La Reina Del Chicharron serves traditional Dominican food at 1249 St Nicholas Ave in New York. The restaurant focuses on fried pork and other comfort dishes in an unassuming setting. It opens every day from 10 AM to 9 PM.
The menu centers on chicharrones, fry pork, tostones, yuca, mofongo, sweet potatoes, fried batata, and green banana. Those plates bring crisp edges, tender centers, and simple seasoning to the table. The kitchen also serves local specialty items, with lunch and dinner service built around quick bites and small plates. A meal can move fast here. Counter service gives guests a direct path from ordering to the plate, and table service keeps the pace steady for a longer sit-down.
Guests can dine in, order takeaway, or arrange delivery. Solo diners have a place here. Family meals fit too. Reservations are accepted. The room suits a casual stop, with a lively side and a quiet side. Food arrives for lunch or dinner, and the format stays simple from the first order to the last bite.
Practical details support the visit. The restaurant accepts credit cards, debit cards, and NFC mobile payments. Wheelchair-accessible car parking and wheelchair-accessible seating are available. Paid street parking is part of the address area, and the restaurant also offers on-site services.

Open Every Day
Elsa La Reina Del Chicharron sits at 1249 St Nicholas Ave, New York, NY 10032, United States. The address places the restaurant on a busy Manhattan avenue, easy to name and easy to find on a route through Washington Heights.
Hours stay steady through the week. Monday through Sunday, the restaurant opens at 10 AM and closes at 9 PM. That schedule covers lunch, dinner, and the stretch between them, so the same address works for an early plate or a later stop. It also keeps the week simple: the door follows the same rhythm every day.
For a Dominican restaurant New York visit, the location and hours do a lot of the planning. The meal starts with the address, then moves into the day’s timing. The front door sits on St Nicholas Ave, and the same hours apply on every day of the week.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the opening hours?
The restaurant is open Monday through Sunday from 10 AM to 9 PM. That schedule gives guests the same dining window every day, so lunch and dinner both fit easily into a weekday or weekend plan.
Can a table be reserved?
Reservations are accepted. Guests who want a set arrival time can plan ahead and secure a table before they leave home, which helps when the dining room is busy.
How can payment be handled?
Credit cards, debit cards, and NFC mobile payments are accepted. Guests can bring a card or use a tap payment at the register, which keeps checkout simple after a meal of fried pork or small plates.
Is there parking nearby?
Paid street parking is available. Drivers should allow time to find a space near 1249 St Nicholas Ave and pay at the curb before heading in.
Is the restaurant accessible?
A wheelchair-accessible car park and wheelchair-accessible seating are available. Guests can plan an arrival by car and expect a place to sit that supports mobility needs.
What kinds of meals are served?
The restaurant serves lunch and dinner, with comfort food, small plates, and a local specialty on the menu. Guests can choose a quick bite or sit down for a fuller meal, depending on the visit they want.









