With his future on the Patriots in question, Chad Ochocinco is trying to do good by anyone he can -- in this case NYC -- dropping nearly $8,000 on a massive fried chicken dinner last night ... for 200 local fans.
In case you don't follow him on Twitter -- the football stud sent an open invite to anyone in the New York area ... offering a free dinner to the first 200 people to show up at the famous Sylvia's soul food restaurant in Harlem.
Needless to say, hordes of people came -- just check our video for proof -- and sources tell us, Ocho treated the hungry mob to a full array of Southern-style deliciousness ... including BBQ ribs, fried chicken, mac & cheese, and red velvet cupcakes.
Sources at the restaurant tell TMZ, Ocho spent $7,914 on grub altogether -- but they wouldn't specify how much he tipped.
Now if only Ocho could make more than 15 catches a season...