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Categories: Latin American, Caribbean
Neighborhoods: Flatiron, Kips Baywith any $100 purchase. Check out our catering menu for your holiday office or house parties. gift certificates available.
Announced 5 days ago23rd St-Park Ave S (6)
23rd St-Broadway (R, W)
Mon-Fri. 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Sat. 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
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WOW!!
Why the heck did I wait this long to eat from here? I've passed by here so often and finally decided to go in today. That had to be the best decision I've made all day. They don't make their tortillas from scratch but it seems everything else is freshly made from the stewed meats to the salsas. I saw many people order the rice and bean platter and while it did look delicious, I didn't really want to fill up on rice so I went with a burrito.
Him: "You want white or yellow rice?"
Me: "No rice please.
Him: You want salad instead?
Me (surprised that he's thoughtful enough to offer something different): Yeah, that'd be great!!
Him: What kind of bean?
Me: Red.
He thoughtfullly scooped the beans out of their juices into a mesh strainer and pressed the beans a bit, rendering them almost into bean mushy heaven.
Him: What kind of meat you want?
Me: What do you have?
Him: Well, this one is beef marinaded in caribbean seasonings. This other one is stewed beef..
Me: I'll have the stewed beef.
My burrito then gets passed to the Toppings guy who asks me:
Him: What toppings you want?
Me: Salsa.
Him: Guac?
Me: Yes.
Him: Sour Cream.
Me: No
Him: Which cheese?
Me (pointing to the whiter of the two)
Him: Anything else?
Me: Jalapenos and hot sauce.
I realize by now how humongous the pile of food on the tortilla is. And I'm amazed when he's able to turn that into what has to be the biggest burrito I've ever seen. It barely wraps around once and the tortilla had to be at least 15 inches across when everything started. I tell myself there's NO WAY I can finish that much food and already plot how I'll scoop out the meat and eat that first.
For all this food, I get charged $8.62. The guac is an extra dollar and the stewed meat is probably an extra $0.75 but for close to a pound of burrito, I can't complain.
Moral of the story: I CAN eat all that. In less than 20 mins. Everything is super fresh and this was probably the best burrito I've had since I've lived in TX. Service here is great. The guys that work the counter are friendly and helpful. They are sanitary (all wear gloves). They don't skimp on portions either and while I don't know how good it was for me to devour the burrito that fast, my tummy was quite happy. I've already convinced the guys at work to order from here later on the week.
Very niiiiice.
Who would have known that this shitty looking little place could have delicious food inside.
Don't be like me and walk past it daily for 6 months without once stepping in - you will regret it.
So I was in the area and came across this restaurant and didn't know what to expect. Took out my iphone, looked up the Yelp app and surprisingly this place had good review so I decided to give it a shot.
The food was pretty good. I had the small Carne Caribena with rice and beans. It was very flavorful and for a "small" size, it was a actually pretty big. It came with sour cream and you can add other toppings if you like. Total cost was less than $5.00. For good food that tastes home-made, that was pretty good. Glad I decided to give it a try.
I'm having the Puerto Rican Pernil Sandwich, which is roast pork with spices, mojito, and cheese, and it's excellent. Don't be put off by the steam tables --the food is good and the bread is fresh. The place is tiny with only six chairs, so get it to go and sit in front of Baruch College on 25th St.
However, I thought the pork was overseasoned with too much garlic and salt. For the price I'm willing to be a bit more generous but it's not something I'd go back for regularly.
[I went back and had a Burrito Grande without any sauce and it was much better. Not too salty.]
Loved the sweet smiley guy behind the counter but the burrito just didn't satisfy. Errant ordering or is Latin Thing just not my thing?
Watch out... for good things do come in small packages!!!! This food was awesome n soooooo tasty. I took my mom on a date n she actually pick this spot out. See mom always know!!! The Ecuadorian chicken wow, flavor, juicy, n the perfect amount. They pack your container sky high with the little extra sides for ex: the diced tomatoes, cheese, sour cream, etc. Great prices n good food! What more can I say? Also the small size plate is a good portion for a small!!!
I came here after seeing the rave reviews on Yelp. It's a pretty small place and was empty compared to Baoguette.
I ordered the small size because I'm on a diet, but it turned out to be the perfect amount and very filling.
You first order what "form" you want. I went with rice and beans. Then the meat, Ecuadorian chicken. Then red or black beans. On top, I went with diced tomatoes and onions, corn, lettuce, sour cream, and chipotle hot sauce.
The chicken was so unbelievably moist and tender. It's better and cheaper than La Posada, which is in the area. The value was fantastic, the small was around $4.50. I asked and apprently they're still doing the $5 burrito if you mention Yelp on Saturdays. Their burrito was so huge and they only charged me $4.50 for some reason. Nice!
I tried a sample of the tomato carne, which was okay. Their pernil sandwich is really fantastic, huge and so filling, though I wish they had Baoguette quality bread. The pollo negro isn't as good as the Ecuadorian. Stick with the Ecuadorian chicken, even if you might be a pork or beef lover.
Baoguette next door might be a fan favorite, but try this for a change.
I ventured out with five of my colleagues to get lunch; the destination was Baoguette. But apparently everyone in a ten-block radius decided it was a banh mi day. I don't like lines, and I beat my own drum in March, as my mother might say....so I went next door to Latin Thing, which for some unfathomable reason, was empty around 12:45 pm. So much the better for me.
I walked up to the counter and took my time, chatted the guy up. He was more than happy to construct an ENORMOUS burrito with the Ecuadorian chicken, black beans, lettuce, pico de gallo, sour cream, guacamole, olives, corn and the spicy chipotle sauce. I was still in and out in 5 minutes. It cost me $7, and was easily enough food for two people. It was wonderful. The chicken was tender, the ingredients were all fresh, and the sauce gave it a nice little kick in the pants.
Cheap. Quick. Delicious. That's everything I want at lunchtime. Although, I am a bit peeved that I wasn't offered the Hot Chick Discount someone mentioned in another review.
If there was a way to make love to this 'hole in the wall' eatery, I would.
$8 for one of the juiciest, most delicious pork sandwiches I've ever had.
Very friendly and quick service...just go here. Now! I have no witty remarks or further comments about the food. Get over there!
thats what im talking about!
if you get the small, its more than enough. if you get the bigger size its like 2-3 meals.
straight up. dont let the cheesy signage fool you. i ate here cause the line at baogette was too long. btw bao is overrated.
latin thing is where its at. if they are closed go get a 3 piece and rice and beans at popeyes.
My husband and I HAVE to get dinner from Latin Thing at least once a week now. I gladly walk an extra 20 blocks on my way home from work just to get food from Latin thing--the meats are SO tender and flavorful and the sauces are SO delicious. An added plus is how friendly the workers are there.
We always get a burrito and a large platter loaded with the chipotle sauce. If I could, I would buy a bottle of that magical sauce and eat it with every meal.
If I had to have one complaint, it would be that they don't have chips (so I always have to make an extra stop somewhere else because we LOVE tortilla chips on burrito night), but that would never stop me from getting this delicious delicious food.
Latin Thing is not only delicious, it's easy on the wallet. Top that off with the friendliest staff ever, and you've got a winner.
The menu makes it really easy to order (describes the combos, types of meat, etc). The staff there is so friendly. Every time I've been there, the person helping me was so patient and helpful while I made special requests or asked questions. They always offer samples too. I'm particularly in love with the pernil and the maduros.
I just can't believe the quantity and quality of food you can get for the price, all while ordering in a pleasant environment.
The only downsides: The place is so small, there's really no eating in! Also, they seem to close sort of early. Bummer when you're craving it after an evening workout!
Incredible.
They give a discount if you're a Baruch or SVA student (10%) and they even have an account on http://upromise.com which is kind of awesome too.
Aside from all that, their food is really really good. I use to babysit for a wonderful Puerto Rican family who fed me rice and beans every night for dinner and it was my favorite food ever. These guys make it just as good and are the best I've found in the city.
The only negative is that they haven't expanded yet! More space guys, make this in to a place people can take a seat in : ]
I stopped by Latin Thing for lunch the other day. The place is sweltering, which probably does great things for their drink sales (and explains why a place with so many customers needs just three places to sit).
It's a one-pass cafeteria-style serving arrangement. Pick what you want (burrito, rice and beans, etc.), a meat, sauce, lots of toppings of all manner and description.
The staff are friendly and brutally efficient; I was in and out in under five minutes, despite being fifth or so in line to be served. Low points: as mentioned, you can't get a seat (and wouldn't want one if you could) -- but Madison Square Park is about two blocks away, so that's not a tragedy.
I was smitten by the incredibly friendly and laid-back service.
He offered me a discount before we could even establish a rapport. And I wasn't looking exceptionally good that day so I know it couldn't have been the Hot Chick Discount. He was patient as I decided what else to throw into my concoction. He asked me how my day was. And when I told him I'd be sitting at one of the three small tables, he encouraged me to stay as long as I wanted. This guy was just so damn NICE, for lack of a better word.
Add that to solid food, great prices, and the fact that I can get airline miles from eating here, and you get 5 stars, baby.
A hole in the wall restaurant that you will walk by unless you hear about it word of mouth.
It only holds six but the lack of space is totally dealable since their food is so tasty.
Tasty fresh Hispanic cuisine. Incredible beef and roast pork dishes!
Inexpensive, large portions and quick service!
The food here is excellent and feels much more authentic than a Chipotle or Qdoba. Rather than everything being tex mex, flavors are attributed to the Carribean and Latin America.
I've tried the pollo negro (soy sauce & Dominican oregano) and pernil (spiced Puerto Rican roast pork) in plates and burritos, both were juicy and savory (and actually look like the meat they're supposed to be, not diced cubes like the chain restaurants). I also like the choice yellow rice more than the standard issue white rice, but that's available also.
This joint is almost strictly take-out, as there are only 2 or 3 two-seat tables, and I'll issue a warning on the platters that the beans and sauce may leak if you're not careful carrying your meal.
Also, at $6-$7, the price right and the service is always extremely friendly.
I travel to NYC for business every three months or so, and have had my fill of overpriced, high-brow places (yet, all of them good). Today, I wanted to find nice place that's truly a "hole in the wall"...where to go? Yelp of course...and I was not disappointed.
Not two blocks from my hotel, I walked over to Latin Thing - to grab a late, quick meal (I just didn't want to wait an hour in one of the popular local places on Park). I was surprised at the small size - it was take out.
I order the Pollo Negro - delicious! Complete with yellow rice, beans, salad. The guy behind the counter was very cool - he asked right away if this was my first time, and then he set me up with the right toppings.
It smelled so good - I rushed back to the hotel room to enjoy - delicious! Did I mention it only cost me $8? What a deal! If you are NYC and looking for a quick lunch or a low-attitude dinner, you gotta try Latin Thing.
take out-
great sevice , very polite and good with explaining the different dishes.
a bit on the heavy side,
co worker did not like the beef stew ( dry and tasteless)
Pollo Negro was good but again heavy , served in a foil container with the rice beans salad and meat kinda mush up all together. Then again i do like my rice and sauce separated - no sogginess going on you know what mean.....that's what i'll do next time and try the salad!
My boyfriend and I were watching a concert tonight in Madison Square park and he busted out the Yelp App on his iphone. This place was highly recommended. HOLY SHIT! This is such a great place to eat. Sorry Shake Shack, you have some major competition when this secret is out. I had a Ecuadorian Chicken and black chicken burrito combo. Sooooo great! Alot of food, but for the price you can't beat it!
I really like this place, have ordered from them a few times now and have never been let down. Prices are awesome for $10 you can get a huge meal (the guac is only like $3.00 and is at least a cup size portion!)...I usually order the pollo negro it is very flavorful!
Just thinking about eating here again makes my panties wet.
Whoa WTF where'd that come from???
Okay, so I am seriously craving this place right now, and not because the only thing I ate today was string cheese and graham crackers. No, it's because it's really delicious, cheap, and fast. Kind of like your mom.
Secret lunch spots seem to be popping up all over the place near my office and I'm certainly not complaining! Latin Thing suffers from a seriously odd name and it really is hard to determine whether the cuisine is Spanish, Mexican, Puerto Rican...Latin? What I do know is, they offer cheap, gut-busting lunch options with a crazy variety of flavor. Feel like a stewed carne burrito with jalapeno dressing? No problemo. Craving some shrimp ceviche? Claro que si!
The chart topper here so far is the Pernil, a slow-roasted seasoned pork that you can devour in burrito, plate or salad form. Keep in mind that they only have 2 small table and 4 chairs total so prepare to take it with you. And don't skimp on the napkins...those burritos are bursting at the seams!
Holy mojito! This place is AMAZING. I've been eating here for about a year and it gets better every time I go! The Pernil is some of the best I've ever, ever had. Their Ecuadorian chicken is mouth watering - and I hate chicken! They make all their own sauces, meats, tortillas, everything from scratch and it's all delightful! I just recently got hooked on their Cuban sandwich made with their pernil.... uh, you'll never go back to a typical Cuban again! I've tried just about everything here, and I've yet to have even a mediocre experience.
Their platters are an incredible deal, they start at $4.50 for a small and $6.95 for a large. The small is huge. It's your choice of rice, beans, meat, veggies, toppings - I'm ridiculously stuffed after that! I mean, where can you get an incredible lunch or dinner for less than $5??? Plus they offer a 10% student discount!
And on top of all that - they are really nice people. Always smiling, happy, willing to help, give you a taste and generally pleasant. It's no wonder I have lunch here about twice a week.
cheap, delicious and got the job done.
I was pressed for time and i was going to take my girlfriend out to dinner later so i needed a cheap place to fill up before heading back to my daily activities. then i saw the sign for latin thing.
i walked in and there were two tables in a small room with friendly guys behind the counter. i ordered my food (pollo negro with yellow rice and lettuce) and i really didnt know what to expect.
well considering i didnt have any expectations, i was happy with the outcome. it was delicious and each bite sent me straight to the first time i ate comida latina.
So, for the food and the taste bud induced trips down memory lane i give it 5 stars.
Absolutely love this place and regret initially ignoring it when it opened.
First time I ever walked in I was barely hungry and in a rush for class. Walked in for a quick bite and got hooked - it was like a worm so good the fish didn't mind biting into it.
The place is tiny and unassuming, a sign outside with small steps leading into a dining area of about 4 seats with a medium sized fern taking up half the entire real estate. So I soak it in and check out the 4 or so options of meat and I show some interest in their Ecuatorian Chicken - the guy behind the counter noted my interest and said "hold on" to go and bring out a damn fresh serving straight out the kitchen! That does not happen at restaurants...
To skip forward, my favorite dishes are the Ecuatorian and the Dominican chicken which seem to be in constant rotation. Both have such a unique taste with delicious pulled pieces of chicken that's just so juicy from simmering in the sauces they've got.
My favorite part about coming here is when I'm barely even hungry - even though for me it's still a hunger that could put obese to shame. I'll come in here and just get yellow rice with red beans. Then pile on fresh onions, jalapenos, homemade chipotle hot sauce, and cilantro.
Ring that up please.
Barely $3?
Oh joy!
Even their small serving size they will load up for you and it's still such a great deal. Be prepared when ordering large because you will be put to the test - although there's no shame in bitching out because I've been told rice and beans makes Grade-A breakfast when fried!
I hate dishing out 5 star reviews, but Latin Thing is absolutely wonderful. I got the pollo negro with rice and beans. Do kids still use the term "da bomb"? Cause like, it was seriously DA bomb.
As far as latin food goes, this is the best I've ever had (With apologies to my best friend's Abeula)! The chicken tasted the way I always wish it would. Succulent and flavorful. 2 teeny tiny tables were pretty depressing, but since we snagged one it wasn't much of an issue.
this is why I fucking love NYC. If, for some reason, you want a mediocre $5 sub then by all means, waste your lunch. Or you could find a fantastic, tiny little hole in the wall & get a giant takeout container of flavorful, ethnic food. A mountain of options dished out by friendly staff - you will leave here happy!
Very good and cheap latin food for the starving Baruch student or office workers in the hood. The folks there are always very nice and the portions are ridiculous for the price.
Best thing on the menu is the pernil.
1 star off for the mushy rice.
Other than that, I have no complaints about Latin Thing. The Ecuadorian chicken was moist and flavorful. The chicken comes with red beans, yellow rice, lettuce, cheese, salsa, sour cream and etc. The place gets packed during lunch hours. It is a quick business transaction for good food.
The food is abundant for the price. My boyfriend comes here all the time and he told me the price used to be $5.50, but now it is $6.29 with a student discount. The price keeps going up, but I'll still come back for more.
I got the Cuban sandwich with chicken marinaded in tomato sauce with cilantro, and then topped it off with hot cayenne sauce. I also got roasted peppers, onions, salsa, and fresh lettuce on the Cuban sandwich, and I couldn't have been more pleased. This is perfect for a lunch stop, they get you in, get you out. Very friendly workers, fresh food,and well toasted everything. I highly recommend it for anybody looking for a bit of a Latin infused meal. Oh--and don't forget to ask about their student discount! One of the few places in NY that I have seen who honors this wonderful bargain.
Man's best friend and cure to the munchies. Some of the best hunger quenching food in the Kips Bay area. It's a blast of yummy flavor that satisfies the pallet.
After realizing that I was shoveling the wonderful rice & beans plate with pollo negro down my throat, I had to stop and take a breath... then presume the shoveling. I just came here for lunch, in the rain (largely due to the reviews I'd read and the fact that I can't stand eating at the office). What everyone has said before is accurate. The staff is easy going and very friendly, the food is delicious, and I do plan on adding this one as a staple in my work-lunch routine. Fortunately I arrived today not a moment before the lunch crowd rushed in, so I had my pick of the 3 tables they have. Wouldn't bank on having a table available all the time though as the place is quite... cozy. And it's very affordable to boot.
I came to Latin Thing on a recommendation from a co-worker and was not disappointed. The place is very small so don't expect to be able to eat your food here. I got a burrito with the stewed chicken and it was very unique (in a good way). It's definitely different than the traditional west coast burrito, but its not trying to be which is kind of cool. I'd go back again next time I'm NY!
Latin Thing has become one of my favorite places to go for lunch, and therefore, I had to increase my rating to 5 stars! Every time I am eating here, I keep thinking to myself how delicious everything is... the chicken, the sauces, the rice. There's no part of the meal that's not awesome!
I walked by this restaurant one day and the aroma seeping out of the doors onto the sidewalk blew me… Read more »
I usually order a vegetarian burrito at this little spot and despite its simplicity, I keep going back. The addition of maduros/plantains to the burrito is really nice. Plus the chipotle hot sauce rocks. Very friendly guys, delicious food. My only complaint might be the price, but it's really only a dollar or so more than I pay at a lunch cart, so it's not too bad.
As a Puerto Rican I have to admit this place makes some pretty decent comida Latina. Of course its not like mom's but its definitely a good place to check out. I like the pork and stewed beef with, of course, white rice and red habichuelas. I would not suggest eating in the place as there are only 3 tables that are right next to the line. This place is tiny! The food prices are also pretty affordable considering the amount of food served. Overall I like this place, has a nice Latin home cooked feel to it.
Great cheap eats place. I had the small Carne Caribena with yellow rice and black beans. It was filling and just the right size for $4.50. The meat was tender and full of flavor.
I've tried everything on the menu, and Latin thing usually comes through for me. Good pollo negro and pernil. Well priced, good people working there. Solid.
Absolutely amazing food... the PERFECT lunch spot. Under 10 bucks gets you a massive meal with some of the most deliciously slow cooked meats I have ever tasted.
Neighborhood: Murray Hill
Category: Mexican
Neighborhood: Murray Hill
Category: Mexican
Neighborhood: Kips Bay
Category: Mexican
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