Two UWS Restaurants Added To Michelin List Of Best Affordable Eats

UPPER WEST SIDE, NY — A pair of restaurants on the Upper West Side just received recognition from the top culinary review organization in the world.

The 2022 NYC Michelin Bib Gourmands — a selective guide of 124 affordable dining options in New York City and Westchester — now includes two neighborhood spots: a Korean chicken restaurant and a Mexican eatery.

A total of 18 new Bib Gourmand restaurants were added to the list of joints where you can order two courses and a glass of wine or dessert for under $49.

Here are the two new ones from the Upper West Side.

Chick Chick: 618 Amsterdam Ave.

Chick Chick opened in March of 2021 with a goal of bringing Korean inspired chicken to the UWS.

The owner and chef Jun Park serves up different types of fried chicken, ramen, sandwiches, fried rice, and salads.

Here's what the Michelin Guide had to say about it.

"Asian cooking with Korean leanings is what this team does best, so await—with bated breath—the likes of piping-hot fried chicken, its crisp amber skin and ivory meat permeated with spicy gochujang and sweet peanut sauce."

You can find out more about Chick Chick on its website.

Covacha: 368 Columbus Ave.

Covacha opened in April 2021 in the former home of the popular Cafe Frida.

The eatery is under the same ownership of Cristina Castaneda, who also runs other successful neighborhood spots El Mitote and Ella Social.

Covacha focuses on authentic Mexican cuisine from the Jalisco region of the country.

The menu offers different types of guacamoles, frescos, covachas (regional small dishes), tostadas, while also dishing out more heavy-hitting entrees such as beef, fish, shrimp, and pork buns.

Here's what the Michelin Guide had to say about it.

"Every item offered here is an amalgam of smoky, sweet and unique flavors. Think of delicious and messy shrimp ajillo with hollandaise to torta ahogadas with birote salado, pork and oregano-spiked tomato sauce."

You can find out more about Covacha on its website.

Here's the full list of the new NYC eateries added to the Bib Gourmands.