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Metropolitan Ave-Lorimer St (G, L)
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I love Mexican food and I can overlook questionably clean establishments for good carne and home made tortillas.
And that's exactly what I did when I ate at Yola's.
Tiny place with fresh food (I had two soft steak tacos) at prices that make sense.
Perfect seasoning, meat cooked just right (tender, juicy) and I gripped the communal salsa bottle with my inner confidence that my body was built to fight off germs.
I'll definitely head back the next time I'm in the neighborhood and want a quick bite before a night out.
Solid, reliable, quick, and easily accessible.
Their current rating of 3.5 reflects this place well. It seems Yola's has been suffering from a string of negative reviews, but mind you, this place isnt terrible as they say.... nor is it as exalted as the positive reviews suggest.
Good food from a hole in the wall? yes.
NYC's best kept secret? no.
When ordering, i suggest just going crazy on tacos. They do it well.
Here's the deal, Yola's. Slash your prices in half and I'll double my rating.
$9 for a burrito? I can head over three blocks to Grand Morelos and pay $7 for TWO burritos - and they're better.
$2.75 for a taco? I cad head up to Mesa Coyoacan and pay $3 a taco, and they're much, much better.
This place is decent, but by no means the best. I cringe when people recommend it as "the best tacos in Brooklyn", cuz it aint the truth! The tacos and nachos are good in a pinch when you need something fast and are in the area, but it is in no way a destination restaurant!
Decent Mexican food by New York standards.
Tasty chicken tinga, with tamales probably the best item on the menu. Beans and rice could use more flavor. Their nachos make a great drunk snack. Both red and green hot sauces are flavorless and watery.
Wouldn't go out of my way to eat at Yola's, but would stop by or order delivery if I found myself in the neighborhood.
I used to go here often because it's the closest Mexican place to where I live, but they raised the prices and the quality has not gone up. A veggie burrito is $8 or $9 now. It doesn't have a lot of flavor, they skimp on the beans, cheese and generally have little or no guac in there unless you pay extra. One single taco with rice and beans is $2.75. That's just insulting. These aren't special tacos. You can go down to Graham ave to Loco burrito and get 3 similar tacos for $2.75. Three. It's beans an tortillas, who are they kidding?
Central/North Williamsburg doesn't have much good Mexcian food. The Endless Summar taco truck on Bedford is decent. I've heard good things about the truck at Union Pool. But I think you'll have to venture south to Grand or past, or north to Greenpoint to get decent Mexican food. As for my neighborhood, I prefer Burrito Loco to this place -- same stuff, 25-50% cheaper.
Hands down. the WORST. "mexican food." I have ever tasted.
I haven't written a Yelp review in over a year. As I type I am halfway through my two fish tacos from Yola's; this review just could not wait.
Yola's Cafe, how can I put this nicely? You make both me and my stomach upset. Your burritos taste like cardboard and your hot sauce tastes like watered down tomato juice. You are right across the street from my favorite mexican restaurant, "El Moderno" so why would I ever come and see you again? You are the type of place Dan Humphrey would take a girl on a first date. Just be thankful that there is a never ending supply of unsuspecting hipsters who wander in here at all times of night because they realize that they're starving because eating is so "not cool".
I only ever get the steak quesadilla. It's around $9, but you get 2 quesadillas for that price. Perfect hangover food you can save for later (snack? more drunk food later? whatev) with a pile of guacamole on top and a nice side of sour cream and hot sauce. They also have super cheap diner options (side of fries, burger) which is nice if you don't want to spend a lot of $$ at Kellogg's Diner across the street.
Once I went in while they were playing Total Recall in dubbed Spanish, and that alone made the trip worthwhile.
To be honest I only ever order the Tortas from Yola's Cafe. There are like 10 different protein options so i don't really get tired of them.
The food itself is probably only worthy of 3 stars, but I am a pretty picky eater and they almost always get my order right. I'd say they've got it right about 98% of the time so that is definitely worth the extra star. nothing worse than walking all the way home, sitting down, cracking that coke zero, only to find heaps of unwanted jalapenos all up on your junk.
Another reason i like this place is the older grey-haired guy who is usually running it in the daytime. Although i'm sure he calls everyone "papi" i feel like he calls me "papi" in that way where he is stoked i'm there and wishes he wasn't so busy so he could sit and talk about stuff.
Two TV screens broadcasting some amazingly stupid show made me feel dizzy last night ...
Hence I would suggest you sit outside or just get your food and run away.
My steak burrito was acceptable and my friend's milanese chicken sandwich looked huge and juicy, but I lived in Mexico City for a while and I think I know how these things should taste.
Worst. Service. Ever.
Ever.
Please don't order from here.
I fulfilled a long time wish today to go to Yola's Café. I walk by the small basement establishment most days and peeped in but today in anticipation of my partner's trip to Dubai, we decided we all needed some Mexican.
For three of us we ordered two tacos each, soft, rice and beans and fries covered in chili and cheese (non sequitur I know but tasty).
My carnitas tacos were very good and came with two tortillas each so essentially I made myself four tacos: very filling. I really loved the guacamole on top and the meat was in large chunks, ie real meat. The rice and beans were great except there was more bean sauce than beans. Hmm... at the end of the pot or is that a habit?
Next time I want to try the funky date and rice drinks they have mixing behind the counter.
My friends and I were happy hour-ing at Barcade around the corner when it was strongly suggested that I should eat if I continued to consume massive amounts of microbrew.
My boozing buds suggested that I try Yola's, and I was pleased with my experience. First, there was a line nearly out the door of this tiny hole-in-the-wall. (I'm sure the owners are loving gentrification.) I love Mexican food and was happy with my two ground beef tacos, because it was served with a cup of green tomatillo sauce on the side that gave the meal a lot more flavor and made it less dry. Finally, each taco was $3 so I barely noticed the dent in my beer fund.
There were a couple diners crammed into the few tables in the restaurant, and their food looked really tasty, especially the nachos. I'd definitely go back again for a cheap meal between the bars.
Cash only.
I like this place because its more like "Mexican food on OUR terms", and that's respectable.
Sure they open when they feel like it, and will deliver when they can, but its one of those places you're just glad is there.
It is kind of a little tight and awkward waiting for your food in this 250sq ft basement-style hole in the wall, but it is worth it. Huge amounts of food without breaking the bank. AWESOME mushroom quesadillas. It's a perfect place to order from, and walk to the park with your bounty for a picnic.
What I liked: Great mexican food, cheap.
What I didn't like: Doesn't take credit cards, delivery is slow, ordering over the phone can be complicated.
What I had: Enchilladas, Chicken Mole Sandwich
Final thoughts: This is a great place for cheap mexican food. I highly recommend it for take out.
Though this establishment is literally a hole in the wall in an increasingly gentrified neighborhood however the food is not to be missed. It offers authentice Mexican cuisine but delivered fast. Their fish soft tacos are excellent. Delicate and flavorful!
Right off the L at Lorimer Street.
But bring cash as they don't accept debit/credit.
Yay
Cheap chorizo tacos
Fresh guacamole
LA taco-truck vibe
Boo
No credit cards
Brooklyn location (the Bronx needs love, too!)
But we can still be friends...as long as you continue to feed me when I'm wasted and broke.
I love this place. They have cheap, good Mexican food. Although it's more of a take out/delivery place (it's the size of a closet), while you're there you are refreshed by the industrial strength AC unit (which keeps the place at 64 degrees) and entertained by the Univision that's on the surprisingly nice TV.
They have very, very, good burritos. Not only are these jokers substantial, they come with sour cream and guacamole. One burrito is a fairly hearty $7 meal. Their tacos are also great. The flour tortillas they use for the soft tacos are always fresh and all tacos come with guacamole and fresh cilantro. They also have Coke in those old timey bottles. As any connoisseur of carbonated beverages knows, ice cold Coke out of the bottle is on a whole different level.
My only complaint about Yola's is that they don't always open at noon when they're supposed to. They also don't start delivery until 1 PM which sucks if you want lunch. They also don't make the flan until 1 or 2. Am I the only one who likes the occasional flan with my lunch? The other complaint is that it usually takes about 20-30 minutes to get anything made. That being said, it's still one of my favorite Mexican places in Brooklyn. The food is that good.
I want to like this place for their simple, non-fancy food. But you know what? It's kind of expensive for what it is. And ordering is annoying. And it often takes way too long (for example, I just waited 50 minutes for a burrito, which I asked them to just forget about).
Get it together or close up shop. I won't be going here again; in fact, I've just ripped up our menu.
Decent food for take away and delivery. If you are not big fun of spices let them know in advance cause the peppers are partying at Yola's Cafe.
Blah and bland... I judge a Mexican place by it's tacos. Last night I went to Barcade, around the corner, and of course I got hungry -- it took me 30 minutes to get one carne enchilada taco -- it took me another 30 minutes to get one cecina taco -- the hot sauces aren't hot, neither the green nor the red -- the meat isn't greasy, thankfully, but it's definitely not fresh -- even the tortillas were stale... I've been a couple times previously -- the nachos were limp and soggy and flavorless, the guacamole was laughable and the beans were impenetrable -- the mushroom enchiladas were barely edible... I suppose, of course, I'll return at some point in the future, but only because I don't know anywhere else in the area for about the same price.
I have lost hope of finding a Mexican food that serves....well....mexican food. I know most people didn't grow up 2 hours from Mexico, nor or they used to eating 1 dollar tacos from carts and having a tamale lady make her daily rounds through your neighborhood. It's a damn shame considering all the culture New York encompasses.
Back to Yola Cafe....I gave it 2 stars for the guac. It was fresh and very home made. My husband got the beans and rice...the rice was actually pretty decent but the beans-no beuno. They were watery, tasteless and lacked the animal lard we all like to pretend isn't the magical secret ingredient that makes authentic frijoles taste like angels came from heaven and stewed them in a pot for you.
skip Yola Cafe.
I give up!!
Cheap, good, quick Mexican food. Done and DONER.
Yola's is the perfect place to stop by if you're looking for a quick bite or an end of the night munchie to soak up those beers before hopping on the L.
I'm hooked on their guacamole and fish tacos.
I loves me some yola's! i always get the carnitas tacos and a side of rice and beans. with a mexican soda it comes out to about $12 and it's so worth it. don't expect atmosphere--there's 3 tables and a bar--but it doesn't matter; at yola's it's all about the food. (the BF gets the chorizo burrito and i think he might love it more than he loves me.)
I had two soft tacos with "Chicken Tinga" ("shredded chicken with chipotle sauce") and my mouth was on FIRE. Just so you know.
It's a tiny place but they do have seating for about 8 people (including 4-5 bar stool seats.) The tacos were about $2.25 each.
I don't like spicy food to end up in my mouth or stomach without lots of warning (of which there was none), hence only 3 stars. Otherwise not much to complain about - it's a fast little Mexican joint, bright lights and no frills, but nice staff and if you like spicy, you're in the right place!!
YOLAS!!!! What would I do without you?
Yes, delivery may take an hour even if you live a block away... I'll put that out there. I am still going to give this tiny spot 5 stars because I always just go and pick the food up!
Tortas = Best ever
Burritos = Easily a meal for 2 and a true taste sensation. (Try the Chicken Tinga)
Nachos = Perfection
You get the idea... It may be a literal "hole-in-the-wall", but make sure you don't overlook this gem.
This is some of the best Mexican food I have had in New York, and I'm saying this as a Los Angeles native. I've eaten in every time, though, so the food was probably in better shape than had I gotten it delivered.
The chicken mole, which I believe might be a new dish, is really fantastic. I had it in some enchiladas, but I believe it is also offered in tamales. I tried the chicken tinga, and the chorizo as well, and both were really, really good (not bland at all - extremely juicy and flavorful!). The corn tortillas used for the tacos and enchiladas are absolutely incredible. In fact, they are definitely amongst the best corn tortillas I have had in New York. The chicken is high quality, and not too greasy. My vegetarian eating buddy has had the vegetable burrito and the veggie enchiladas, and was very impressed with both dishes. I really enjoyed the rice and refried beans, as well.
If you are a vegetarian, your options are limited. You might be better off going to a Mexican-American restaurant, like the one across the street. For those of you who aren't, please try something other than the regular chicken. There are a bunch of delicious meat options, if you're willing to be a little adventurous.
UPDATE: Every time I've gone back, I've tried something new, and it has all been really good. I don't understand how this restaurant has been so poorly reviewed, but then again, I've never had it delivered. My most recent favorite is the mushroom quesadilla, which is enormous. The carne enchilada tacos are also incredible, as are their tamales. BEST THING THERE: the flan. Their flan is the best $2 dessert I've eaten in New York, hands down.
They have just about every flavor Jarritos, Sidral, Bimbo, and numerous other imported Mexican drinks. They also have exceptionally delicious horchata.
This is really solid Mexican food, and will fill you to the brim for under $10. Not sure if it's worth a trek from Manhattan, but anyone living in the area should ABSOLUTELY check it out. I plan on going frequently and will be bringing my local friends along.
I'm into it. I have been looking for something that is close to mexican food since moving here. Coming from California, lets just say, the closer you are to mexico, the better the food. 3000 plus miles is a bit of a stretch. This place was great though. I had a killer Carnitas burrito, and the Carnitas was fresh! Yay for me. I'll be going back to check out the Tortas and Taco's next.
Yola's - it Na-cho' momma's place.
Quick
Good
Yummy
Cheap
They can do their tacos like real Mexicans...soft tortillas, with lots of cilantro and onions.
The nachos and tostadas are good too.
The sauces they give you are so-so. I usually just use Tapatio.
Overall, it's better than most Mexican food I've tried in New York, even more expensive places. This is how I remember the Mexican food in Southern Cali, just above the border.
Go there. Go there now.
While some of the burritos are filled with meat so dry it induces a cough, others are filled with meat so sloppy it's almost like it's filled with stew (i'm talking grey, pub-type mystery stew, not red, mexican, pulled pork-type wonderfullness).
Eat in. Even if it means elbows and asses in your face. Or pick it up and carry it daintily home. This shit doesn't deliver well at all.
Oh. And it needs SO MUCH sour cream. All over it. Buy a bucket of breakstones and slather before consumption. Don't ask why. Just trust me.
After returning to Brooklyn after a 2.5 year vacation in CA, I was prepared to be disappointed about the state of Mexican food in NYC. But I have to say, Yola's is tasty. I see that the other reviews are mixed, so maybe you should try it yourself and (gasp) form your own opinion.
I'll definitely go back to Yola's.
Small and slow, but delicious and fresh. Huge burritos, and a great green sauce. Right across from Lorimer L stop. Its always a tough choice between Hanas next door and Yolas, so I try to alternate between them, as to not upset the other.
loooove yola's. my favorite greasy mexican place. their nachos astound me, the quesadillas are fluffy and spicy, and the horchata makes me go weak in the knees. sadly it is cash only but i still love yola's. whenever im drunk and at union pool, i go here. oh man, yola's. crave you every day, ma.
yola brings me the unhealthy mexican food experience i periodically crave when i'm tired of the overpriced hipster mex joints surrounding the area. i don't need the vegan smaller portioned taco with feta.. i need huge dirty greaseball burrito with chorizo or chicken mole...
gracias yola.... muchas gracias
note- they don't accept credit card anymore
I miss this place.
So many drunken nights walking towards the G train and I had to make that difficult decision of whether or not I wanted Hana or Yola's.... Well, Yola's always won if it was early enough and they were still open.
Burritos are excellent. The nachos, divine.
Now if only I hadn't been suddenly stricken with that whole inability to digest lactose, even with the help of lactaid... but enough about my digestive system... EAT AT YOLA'S
Unfortunatley, they don't have many vegetarian options. Maybe that's why I'm just not lovin' it , the whole lack of veggie stuff on the menu. I'm hispanic, love me mexican food, but I don't love Yolas as much as other options in Brooklyn.
tacos before tacos were cool
you HAVE to try the green salsa on whatever you order. even dessert. it's that good.
it's super tiny, like 3 or so 2 seaters inside and a couple of tables outside (sometimes)... nobody really eats in. it's got NO atmosphere.
Love the shrimp quesadillas. just something about them... yummm. That's all I've tried here but I hear many of the menu items are delicious. Main reasons for why I like it? because it reminds me of San Franciscan Mexican and it is cheap cheap cheap. I always call ahead and order for take out because the it is a super small place and sometimes takes a while to get your food.
Yola's is Williamsburgs best answer to Mexican food. It's fresh, clean and tasty. No it's not LA, Mexico or even the Tamale Lady, but for late-night cravings, hangovers or lazy nights in Williamsburg...this is the place to get a Mexican food fix.
Neighborhood: Williamsburg - South Side
Category: Wine Bars
Neighborhood: Williamsburg - South Side
Category: Mexican
Neighborhood: East Williamsburg
Category: Mexican
Neighborhood: Williamsburg - South Side
Category: Italian
Neighborhood: Greenpoint
Category: Mexican
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