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We’re pretty sure Carmelo Anthony won’t be eating his own Carnegie Deli sandwich after every game. Have you seen that thing? 

So, knowing that Melo likes to reconnect to his Puerto RIcan roots through food, we’ve come up with a list of some of the best restaurants that could speak to the New York Knick and Brooklyn Boricua’s soul.

We travelled from Brooklyn to El Barrio, and from The Bronx to The Lower East side so Melo won’t have to—and La La won’t ever have to peel a platano again, if she doesn’t want to. In these establishments, which boast the best in Nuyorican cuisine and includes an entertaining astmosphere of live music, DJ’s and dancing, Melo can refuel and reconnect with la isla bonita. 

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Camaradas is known for its lively atmosphere and food. Most days and nights it’s filled with locals—young, hip professionals of varying Latin American and Caribbean backgrounds as well as curious gringos from Brooklyn and Queens. The best night Melo should go is the first Monday of the month because that’s when fellow Boricua and Nuyorican Bobbito Garcia’s party lets you burn off that mofongo (boiled mashed plantains with seafood or meat) and boiled yuca (cassava) with garlic and onions you scarf down at dinner. 

For a menu and music listings visit CamaradasElBarrio.com.

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Interior, Camaradas. The Puerto Rican Bistro is one of the livest places to dine and dance in Spanish Harlem.

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Also in El Barrio is La Fonda BoriCua, a combination restaurant and lounge that serves typical, homestyle Puerto Rican food as well as live Latin jazz.

Last time we were there, we sat at the counter and inhaled plates of roast chicken, yellow rice and black beans, tostones (deep fried, disc shaped plantains) washed down with scalding cafe con leche.

For a menu and music listings visit FondaBoricua. com 

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Camaromofongo: Mofongo with shrimp and a salad, is a La Fonda speciality.

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Sticking with El Barrio, we pray that Melo checks out El Coqui and Cuchifritos, two of a handful of Puerto Rican restaurants that specialize in fried food fare in Spanish Harlem.

Cuchifritos are typically restaurants that offer everything fried. And you can’t have good Puerto Rican food without feasting on the crunchy goodness of chicharrones, fried pork rinds, and fritters. On the next page check out what else Melo can eat at a cuchifritos (like he don’t know).

2000 3rd Avenue between 109 7 110 Street, 212 427 3952

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Cuchifritos offers rice and beans, alcapurrias (torpedo-shaped fritters made with casava flour), bacalao (codfish fritters) and pasteles (plantain flour) and tamales.

Cuchifritos/168 E 116th St (between 3rd Ave & Lexington Ave) – Spanish Harl