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110th St-Central Park N (2, 3)
Cathedral Pkwy (B, C)
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I am a Texan who lives in Harlem. For years I have been going out from my neighborhood in Harlem to Queens to get authentic Mexican. There are a couple of passable places on east 116th, but they lack a freshness that truly crafted Mexican food must possess. No more. The tacos al pastor are as authentic as I've had North of Austin, and the cafe con leche is better than I've had even in Mexico City.
The service is extraordinarily friendly and attentive, willing to do what it takes to get you what you need. The salsa's are right on the money, obviously freshly made.
If you like Mexican food, you'll like Lolita's.
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I work near by Lolita's and I have plenty of options to eat anywhere else for lunch...but I always like to order from here instead.
The management are friendly and humorous. They are very quick with your order and if you're within distance, even deliver. I've never had to wait more than 20 minutes for my delivery order.
It's a very small restaurant in Harlem (off Lennox between 112th and 111th st) more of a mom & pop feel to it.
My favorite thing to eat is the Carne Asada burrito. It's SOOO good and tasty. They are definitely not selfish with their meat. You get a huge burrito full of flavor, tangy meat, drizzled with sour cream and chopped tomatoes.
I've ordered other things off the menu....but this is my FAVORITE.
5 star for making my taste buds happy. =)
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LOVE this place.
Food was great -- really delicious and authentic, and everything was really fresh. The guacamole was just what we'd been craving. The waiter was very sweet and took excellent care of us. We will definitely be back soon.
Based on most of the reviews I was expecting WOW but got okay-good. I ordered the chicken enchilada and shrimp quesadilla and asked for tomatillo sauce and habanero sauce. Yes I like it hot! Well they gave me something that wasn't habanero.. which I would've appreciated b/c the chicken was a little on the bland side. The shrimp was good, again not great, but it looked like 1/2 of a quesadilla (for $12?). The prices may have changed b/c they aren't the super cheap prices that were listed in some reviews, but still reasonable. I just wish the food had a tad more flavor. Better than the overhyped Rosa Mexicano. Will try Lolita's again.
Love it! Best place in neighborhood! Delicious, fresh, quality ingredients. Nice, unpretentious people. I only left off one star because the last time I went there, the waiter served me without saying one word to me. I think he was shy and had never waited on tables before (he did speak English, I found out).
The horchata is amazing, get it! Watch out for the chimichanga, it is absolutely huge. I've never had a chimi with beans, lettuce, and rice wrapped up in it, but it seems to work. The mole is tasty and quite classic. The beans and rice aren't anything special, just meh.
The only way I'm able to post a review at 3 am is because of the awful acid reflux keeping me awake. These onion-flavored burps are a nightmare!
The quesadillas use mozzarella. That's an inexcusable sham, and I will never go back.
Highly, highly recommended!!
This is my new favorite restaurant. Absolutely delicious, my friend and I made each other try every single item we ordered. Namely, guac&chips, 3-taco platter, combo platter (chimichanga, taco, quesadilla), side of plantains.
The guacamole was the best I've had in years, and my chicken chimichanga was absolutely incredible. The steak in my taco was also intensely flavorful and delicious, and my friend's pork taco divinely incorporated pineapple somehow. While the chicken in my quesadilla was also amazingly prepared (all of the meat had this perfect chargrilled quality), the quesadilla as a whole was somewhat less mind-blowingly good than the other items. Still, that's hardly shabby. My friend asked for and got a side of plantains/yucca maduros that wasn't listed on the menu, and it was also a big hit.
It's a small place, but there are a bunch of tables, including a few outside. It wasn't busy at all for dine-in - there were only two other groups while we were there, and this was prime-time Saturday night, albeit over Labor Day weekend. The waitress was really sweet, the food came quite promptly, and we were not hurried or given the bill until we asked for it although we stayed a good while after finishing most of the meal. The bill came to $34. It's on the SW corner of 112 and Lenox, a couple blocks from the 2/3 at 110th, although also easy walking distance to other subway stops. The M4 bus runs along 110th for that stretch, and also the M7 will drop you at 116th and Lenox.
Hands-down the best Mexican I've had in the city, and cheap at the beyond-reasonable price. I will be back soon, and repeatedly.
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My grilled veggie burrito left a lot to be desired. It was clear from the odd mix of veggies -- including peas (!) and broccoli -- and their total lack of flavor that the veggies came from a freezer bag. The promised tomatoes, onions, sour cream, lettuce, and cheese also struck me as on the light side. I might give it another try because I'm yet another Californian craving good Mexican in New York, but I'm in no rush to return.
SO good! We finally decided to try this place and it was one of the best decisions we have ever made.
Like many other yelpers who review Mexican food I am from California and have certain standards for quality of Mexican food. This place has def been one of the best places I have tried in the city. We ordered burritos, enchiladas, guacamole and chips, steak nachos, and a chicken quesadilla. The guacamole really stood out...super good. The chips weren't bad either.
The one thing I wasn't a big fan of was the chicken quesadilla...it was missing cheese. Otherwise overall a yummy place and strongly recommended.
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Once upon a time a young lady from Texas made her way to the big ol' city, only to find herself living in a predominately Spanish area once again. Though far away from home, she felt at ease in her new surroundings, nestled in south Harlem between Central Park and the projects. She had had her taste and fill of expensive city food and "theme" eateries all claiming to be "authentic" and "amazing", only to be left disappointed and broke.
Then, one summer, a huge banner was erected across the street. "LOLITA'S Mexican Restaurant" it read. She thought to herself "intriguing, but I probably won't be impressed, as most 'Mexican' food in NYC always fails to impress a girl from near the border". Months went by and she anticipated at least giving this new establishment a chance. Til...one day... GRAND OPENING, it yelled.
She sauntered across west 113th, still in pajamas, and ordered guacamole and chips and huge burrito. Delight delight delight! Never had she experienced such authentic Mexican cuisine in the big apple before.
Alex, a lovely mexicano, excellent server and fellow drinker of real tequila became a close friend, and would have an order of guacamole sent over right away whenever she entered the door. (Which turned out to be at least once a week until she moved to washington heights.. if not more). He was also a whiz and turning whatever liquor and mixers she brought into the restaurant into a delightful cocktail!
Time flew by, and "Molly" as she was known to the entire staff, eventually moved further uptown. No longer a neighbor to this family-run, delicious and affordable establishment, she still dreams of the days when Lolita's was her neighbor and the next fabulous meal was literally, right across the street.
Happily ever after..... enjoy!
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Carne asada burrito was bland and weird tasting. flautas were dry. not anything to try again.
I am a Southern California transplant, and as far as authentic, fresh, real Mexican in New York City, this is the real thing! For those who have been to the legendary Super-Rica in Santa Barbara, the food here is similar.
Regardless of the pseudo-virtues of NYC places such as Rosa Mexicana, there is just something missing in terms of authenticity of flavor. The decor is quite nice too! And the staff are very personable with absolutely no attitude. This place is not to be missed.
This place is awesome. We came from next door getting a tattoo n starved. We came in, the dude working had an awesome attitude. So we ordered, he cracked jokes n we went back next door. They delivered n the food was delicious. Large servings of good food. I ate what I could but even half a buritto was filling as hell. My home girl had the Molè and was talkin about it hours later. It was fresh, home cooked n was just extreme!!
I literally ran into this place on the way back to the 'hood from my jog in the Park. Showed up to make up for that run that very night. Finally, real Mexican food in a truly non-Mexican neighborhood. It's a God-send to know that I don't have to truck it to West Harlem to get my fix. The chips are outstanding, as well as the mole...thank you, Lolita's...for filling the void, and my stomach.
The last time I went, they ran out of delivery menus, hopefully that will be up and running soon! I can't wait.
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Holy mole, I found a good Mexican restaurant in New York City!
Now, I'm a California girl through and through, so I know my Mexican food. When I first came to the big apple and had a hankering for some tacos, I searched for months without finding any that would appeal to my west coast palate. But then, one fall evening, walking home from Amy Ruth's (check out my review!), my friends and I stumbled upon this little gem. It took me a few weeks to summon up the courage to try Lolita's, since I had been so disappointed so many times before, but finally, I did. AND I LOVED IT! The food is authentically Mexican, very fresh and savory. And the guacamole - one of the measures by which I determine the quality of a Mexican restaurant - is fantastic. Honestly some of the best I've had. I've been back a few times now and am consistently pleased with my experience. The only draw back would be the size of the place: teeny tiny. But they do delivery, so when I need a little bit of elbow room with my meal, I can easily call in. Once summer rolls around, I'll have to try out their outdoor patio seating.
Recommendations: the aforementioned guacamole and their chicken mole platter. Que bueno!
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Lolita's has the best Mexican food that I've had in New York (which isn't saying a lot... there is some BAD Mexican in NYC). Not as good as what you can get closer to the border, but it definitely hits the spot. Love the chilaquiles (or however you spell it).
Lolita's Cafe brings to the neighborhood the kind of restaurant South Harlem needs: solid portions of good food for a reasonable price in a relaxed atmosphere. Serving Mexican cuisine from the state of Morelos, a variety of a la carte tacos (pictured) start at $2.75, and dinner entrees range from $8 to $12. Pina coladas are less than $4, but only served virgin until the liquor license comes through. Until then, patrons can bring in their own beer and wine if they have a receipt. In addition to the indoor seating, Lolita's Cafe has three tables outside in a small gated area.
The food was really enjoyed. I rated my chicken burrito 'Mexcellent,' and my new-ish Harlem neighbor's order of 4 enchiladas (two chicken, two beef), looked good enough for me to return the next day with Cheryl and order it for myself. Cheryl said her flautas were made 'the real way,' and having refined her taste for Mexican food when living in Texas, she can be picky.
The story behind the cafe's name is touching (in a good touch way). Prior to meeting up, my neighbor and I made Humbert Humbert (he got it!) and Clare Quilty (I didn't get it!) jokes. When we asked about the name's origin, the owners told us it is named after their mother, whose nickname was Lolita. She had hopes of starting her own restaurant, and after her passing, they opened Lolita's Cafe in her honor. Her photo hangs proudly in the dining room.
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Their nachos are ok. Burittos are not spicy so it kind of bleh. Cant even compare this place to west cost. Also my husband found hair in his buritto
Went again, and my whole opinion has changed. I'll only visit under serious circumstances.
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A great Mexican joint in Central Harlem that truly needs something else than Soul Food. As a… Read more »
This little Mexican joint actually serves Mexican food, and not Salvadoran or Tex-Mex fusion bullshit like I got so accustomed to in DC. It's small but cute, with a nice little outdoor seating area, and the staff was very friendly. I had an enormous serving of steak fajitas for $10. Although they don't have a liquor license (which sucks if you just want a margarita), they do encourage BYOB, and there are plenty of bullet-proof liquor stores right around. I'll have to go back with some Cuervo and re-evaluate.
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This is a great little restaurant in the middle of harlem. I love the fact they have a area outside, so you can dine Al Fresco. Unfortunatly, the scenery isn't that great to look at, unless drug dealers and hoochies tickle you fancy. I also like the salsa and chips they serve you as an appetizer while you wait for you food. I split a Chicken Burrito with mama dukes, it was that big. they don't skimp on portions here, which is great. Depending on your wallet size, it may be considered pricey, but not in my eyes, the prices are just right. What I don't like is that they don't have their liquor licence yet, so you're stuck with virgin Pina Colada's, but they're $3 so drink up!
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As most native Californians and Texans who arrive in New York and hanker for that yummy comfort of having a belly full of flavorful Mexican food I was disappointed. The closest I came to a favorite was Mary Ann's. That was before Lolita's set up shop in Harlem. A cozy, friendly family run restaurant just blocks from the northern end of Central Park is a welcome (and delicious) surprise. I finally had a chance to visit with the Harlem Supper Club. There were about 20 people in the group and we filled the place to capacity. There is room for a couple more tables outside and fortunately the rain took a break so walk in customers either ordered to go or sat at the tables on outside. Lolita's offer the usual fare of burritos, enchiladas, fajitas, etc. Sadly, Lolita's doesn't have a liquor license so you must BYOB. I ordered the chicken burrito and it was very flavorful. The grilled chicken was perfect and there were layers of flavor from cilantro to onion to jalapano. There portions were of a good size and prices were very reasonable. Credit cards accepted. I plan to go back when I crave good Mexican food.
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Lolita's Cafe (its actual name) is excellent. We live about 15 blocks away, and we've taken the hike twice to get this simple, fresh, extremely inexpensive food.
I've twice gotten the tostadas, once plain, with avocado, beans, sour cream, tomatoes and lettuce ($4.99) and once with tinga, which is stewed chicken with red sauce and onions ($6.50). They were extremely crispy and hot, and the ingredients were tasty and fresh. My husband has gotten the mole enchiladas (very nice rich cacao flavor), and the chorizo flautas.
They have lots of traditional Mexican juices, including one made from hibiscus that sounded tasty. They're pretty new and don't have a liquor license yet, so BYOB. The nearest bodega with beer is about three blocks away, on 116th St.
The staff is very friendly and helpful. I tipped much more than 20% on our tiny $20 check.
They must do a ton of take-out and delivery business, because we were only one of two tables seated the whole time we dined, but the kitchen stayed very busy. They consistently deliver to us, even though we're technically outside the delivery range.
Lolit'as is a great spot. We'll be back again and again.
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Lolita's Mexican Restaurant is one of my favorites for mexican. The staff is so friendly and accommodating and I have never had a bad meal there. Lolita's serves up a great brunch as well. Their chorizo and egg scramble is fantastic! They have a charming outdoor area for when the weather is nice too! I highly recommend Lolita's.
Neighborhood: Harlem
Category: Spanish
Neighborhood: Harlem
Category: Italian
Neighborhood: Harlem
Category: Mexican
Neighborhood: East Harlem
Category: Mexican
Neighborhood: Harlem
Category: Mexican
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