A visit to Yoli Restaurant on 3rd Street

Photos and text by Stacie Joy

I dropped by Yoli Restaurant on Third Street near Avenue C Tuesday morning to watch a steady stream of locals and folks who work in the area come by for late breakfast/early lunch.



People lined up the entire time I was there for Dominican-style food from manager Yolanda Garcia (seen below peeling yucca) and her coworkers.







The tiny space is open from 7 a.m. every day until 5 p.m. and serves up island staples like chicharos (a split-pea side dish), platanos maduros (yellow fried plantains), rabo guisado (oxtail stew) and house favorite arroz con pollo (chicken over rice).

Most of the folks I spoke to said they come by almost every day for the $5 lunch special (the catfish was mentioned by many as a must-try) and food “like momma used to make back in the Dominican Republic.”

I was also told that "no one leaves here hungry." The tiny shop has only a few seats but some people ate while standing outside, perched on a stoop nearby, or took their orders packed up for take out.













Yoli Restaurant: Comida Tipica Dominicana is located at 274 E. Third St. between Avenues C and D. Telephone 212.420.1075. Old-school style, no website or seamless, although delivery is available.