La Fonda opened its doors in 1996, when Jorge Ayala purchased George & Gina’s, a luncheonette that had been a neighborhood icon. La Fonda has now become famous in its own right, serving up some of the most authentic Puerto Rican eats north of San Juan, like octopus salad and slow-roasted pernil. Don’t miss out on the famous arroz con pollo (rice with chicken), which Bobby Flay tried to top on his Food Network show Throwdown! with Bobby Flay. Bobby didn’t win.