Chef Ana Calderón will serve vegan renditions of Puerto Rican classics at 384 E 138th St in Mott Haven, Bronx, on June 13, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. The El Coquí Verde pop-up arrives for one night, with Calderón aiming to bring new flavors to the South Bronx’s culinary scene.

Chef Ana Calderón is launching her first South Bronx pop-up at 384 E 138th St, just off Bruckner Blvd, bringing a vegan twist to Puerto Rican staples for one night only. Calderón, a Queens native, previously ran kitchens in Williamsburg but chose Mott Haven for her El Coquí Verde concept after a year-long hunt for a South Bronx location. “I want to feed my community without compromising on tradition or flavor,” Calderón told NYC Pulse in her Bronx prep kitchen.

The menu for Thursday’s event leans into nostalgia, with vegan mofongo mashed from green plantains, a pastelón stacked with house-made plant-based ‘picadillo,’ and coconut tembleque for dessert. Calderón expects to serve over 150 diners, with Mott Haven locals and Brooklyn regulars RSVPing on Instagram as of Tuesday. Dishes are priced from $10 to $18, with a no-reservations, first-come-first-served policy.

Local residents say the arrival of vegan Puerto Rican food fills a gap in the area’s growing plant-based scene. “We have amazing lechoneras, but nothing like this,” said Luis Rosario, organizer of the Bruckner Market Collective. The pop-up will operate inside a converted event space next to La Morada; Calderón is in talks with the landlord for a possible monthly residency if turnout is strong.

Calderón’s move comes as Mott Haven’s food scene diversifies with new operators—La Lonchería opening nearby last month and Harlem’s Seasoned Vegan II set to launch this fall. Calderón hopes to break the misconception that vegan food can’t be “real” Boricua food. “Mofongo is for everybody,” she said, sprinkling cilantro on a mound of plantains.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where and when is El Coquí Verde pop-up happening?

The El Coquí Verde pop-up is Thursday, June 13, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. at 384 E 138th St in Mott Haven, Bronx. It is a one-night event, and walk-ins are encouraged. The space is located just off Bruckner Blvd, near the Cypress Ave 6 train stop.

What vegan Puerto Rican dishes will be offered?

Chef Ana Calderón is serving vegan mofongo, pastelón (plantain lasagna), coconut tembleque, and rotating sides. All dishes are 100% plant-based, using house-made vegan proteins and traditional Puerto Rican flavors, with prices between $10 and $18.

Will there be more pop-ups or a permanent location?

If the turnout meets expectations, Calderón is negotiating with the landlord at 384 E 138th St for a monthly residency. She is also considering pop-ups in Harlem and Jackson Heights later this summer, depending on demand and feedback from Thursday’s event.

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