One of Harlem's best-kept secrets. A real gem in a changing neighborhood.
I'm no connoisseur, but as a humble Gringa who adores authentic Latin food of all stripes, I feel privileged to have this place within blocks of my home. The chicharron gorditas are a divine indulgence from the street food Gods. All of the tortillas are handmade right in front of you with love and care usually reserved for handling an infant. Not too far off since the final product reminds me of a beautiful baby! Offerings are hand-written in English and Spanish, and the women who own and operate this simple business are kind, helpful, and knowledgable.
Additionally, they have a killer squash blossom quesadilla loaded with queso fresco, crisp lettuce, and extra dried chillis on the side (you must!). As an American of Italian descent who grew up eating squash blossoms in pasta or fried and stuffed with ricotta, I was delighted by this unexpected (to me) combination and even more thrilled when the ladies told me where I too could buy the blossoms down the street! Very helpful.
Impressively, the entire operation breaks down at the end of the day without a trace. It's not uncommon to see them scrubbing it down with boiling water and soap after they are done serving the day's customers. They miraculously never leave a trace of litter or other evidence despite how busy they always are.
A great operation and perfect neighbors. Look for the blue tarp and don't' forget to tip! read more
