New York-based Venezuelan restaurant El Cocotero has officially opened its first Jersey City outpost. Located at 749 Bergen Avenue in McGinley Square, El Cocotero offers Venezuelan food that goes above and beyond arepas.
Here you’ll dive deep into Latin American food with dishes like sancocho (short ribs and vegetable soup), mondongo (tripe with vegetable soup), chivo en coco (young goat stewed in coconut/pepper sauce), and various Venezuelan seafood dishes.
Of course, there will also be many arepas — corn pockets baked and stuffed with everything from chicharrón (pork rind) to shredded beef and cheese.
El Cocotero’s tiny, New York outpost has won accolades from Eater, New York Mag, and Serious Eats. (We’ve tried it before and dishes are indeed generous and flavorful).
Their Jersey City restaurant will be open daily from 11am to 11pm.
