A name change for Yoli Restaurant on 3rd Street

Photos by Stacie Joy 

A new-name era is underway at Yoli Restaurant ... which is now going by Leon's Cafe over at 274 E. Third St. between Avenue C and Avenue D.

However, not much else is different at the inexpensive quick-serve restaurant specializing in homestyle Dominican cuisine. EVG contributor Stacie Joy stopped by the other day to learn that pretty much everything is the same: kitchen staff, phone number, hours of operation (7 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and menu items ...  

A worker explained that longtime manager Yolanda Garcia is spending more time at home these days. (We're not sure where Leon came from.)

Also the same: no website, third-party delivery apps or Instagram account. 

You can call (212) 420-1075 for delivery...

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.