What the Heck Is an Alcapurria? A Puerto Rico Street Food Guide

Puerto Rican street food including alcapurrias, empanadillas, bacalaítos and pinchos served at a beachside kiosk in Puerto Rico.

We are hungry. Pretty much always.

Puerto Rico's food scene is trending and beautiful restaurants are putting the island in the ring for "best of" competitions such-as James Beard.

This isn't about any of those. Here are the best of the best OG street foods.

Street Food: The OG

Long before food trucks were cool and delivery apps were invented, the real "fast food" was being fried up in the neighbor's kitchen. Then came the kiosks, and the rest is history.

Alcapurria

A fritter made from green banana and yautía mash, stuffed with seasoned meat or crab and fried until golden brown. If you're at the right spot, these are shaped in a leaf and prepared to order.

Crispy outside. Savory inside. It's a move.

Empanadilla

Most often known as empanadas and sometimes called pastelillos (there's a difference but we can never get it quite right), empanadillas are of course, a Puerto Rican hand pie. 

Filled with everything from beef and chicken to seafood and pizza combinations, they're crispy, portable and DELICIOUS!

Bacalaito

Think elephant ear... but make it cod. Ok weird comparison but the bacalaito is THE GOAT of Puerto Rican street food. Fried up extra crispy, the good kind of greasy and a little bit salty - best paired with a Medalla (or two!). Thank us later.

Pincho

If Puerto Rico had an official street food, pinchos would be in the conversation. Marinated chicken or pork grilled over charcoal and served on a stick. Slathered in bbq sauce (and hot sauce if you're at our favorite spot!) and finished with a piece of bread jammed on the end, obviously!

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Street food in Puerto Rico isn't fancy. It's food that is meant to be eaten sitting on the beach, leaning against a cooler or standing at a roadside kiosk waiting for the next batch to come out of the fryer.

Dare we say that street food is the perfect way to recharge during an epic scooter or Can Am adventure?

You won't find these showstoppers on the beaten path, but if you're one of our renters, we'll point you towards the best of the best! Buen Provecho!