"Right off the 1 train at 242nd Street, this family-run restaurant is an excellent pick-up option for a Van Cortlandt Park picnic. The Peruvian spot has pollo a la brasa (a whole chicken is around $20), chaufa, and combo plates, but we’re especially fond of their empanadas. If for some reason you don’t like the smell of hot butter, these are not for you. But if you belong to the other 99% of the world’s population, the moment you open a box of fresh-from-the-oven Claudy's empanadas will be a very memorable one. There’s butter nearly seeping from the pastry, and the fillings are great too. Grab a fruity, toasted corn-flavored chicha morada from the fridge while you’re at it. photo credit: Will Hartman photo credit: Will Hartman photo credit: Will Hartman photo credit: Will Hartman Food Rundown Aji De Gallina With cozily cooked chicken, this aji de gallina empanada has a bit of heat, and eats like a creamy chicken pot pie with more flavor. Get this. photo credit: Will Hartman Chicharron If you’re a fan of tender pork and sweet onions in a salsa criolla, you’ll like this. Every few bites, the crunchy pork skin and empanada pastry clash slightly though." - Will Hartman
