Yolanda’s Tamales

NOTE: On 1÷19÷16, I texted the owner, Yolanda, to verify her location and hours. She is now at 145^th and Broadway, in front of the furniture («muebleria») store from 8 AM to 3 PM at the entrance to the 1 train («tren 1»).
Yolanda’s tamales are the best of all the tamale vendors I’ve found from vendors at the intersection of Broadway and West 145^th Street in Manhattan (east side of Broadway, both north and south sides). In the past she has been at 137^th, which explains why I don’t always see her. Her tamales are plump, moist, hot, very fresh, and very tasty. The other vendors are usually okay, but lately I’ve been disappointed with the quality, consistency, and freshness of other vendors.
Yolanda always has a smile, and I look for her first. When I don’t see her, I move on and hope to catch her another day.
FROM HER OFFICIAL BUSINESS CARD («TAMALES MEXICANOS»):
«Ofrece a su distinguida clientela Tamales Oaxaqueños, Tamales Dulces, y Tamales de Frijoles. Al Minorea $ 1.50 y al por Mayor otro precio.»
TRANSLATION:
It offers to its distinguished clientele Oaxacan Tamales, Sweet Tamales and Beans Tamales. At Minorea $ 1.50 Wholesale another price.

Great food. Of course don’t let the shopping cart and cooler throw you. Every friend and family I got these for gave it 100%. Buy 10, eat 2 – 3, freeze the rest for later.

Simply the best tamales around! Served warm and with a huge smile. Great as a snack or a complete meal. This is a MUST HAVE :-)

Yolanda is a doll. I asked her to cater a party at my office and she did it perfectly. I love to grab a tamale and get on the 1 train.
The only reason for the 4 stars is because my mom and family make tamales all the time and I know how good they can truly be. She’s making them for the public, but for the average Joe, not Jose, they are great.

The best tomales I’ve ever eaten. Also, the only tamales I’ve ever eaten. So they are also the worst tamales I’ve ever eaten. But, I really liked them, so I emphasize the best part more than the worst part

Holy shit.
I’m sorry for my crassness, but the expletive was only way to convey my true feelings. I honestly didn’t even like my previous experiences with things labeled as tamales, but based on these Unilocal reviews (and the $ 1.50 price tag — come on!!) I decided to give it a try. Again, holy shit. Soooo delicious! I couldn’t eat it fast enough, and again up to this point I had never even liked tamales. I am now a believer!
Treat yourself — try Yolanda. If you live anywhere on the west side it would honestly even be worth a subway ride uptown (or down). It’s. That. Good.

Let’s talk about Yolanda and her tamales.
The idea:
I know next to nothing about tamales. I understand what they are, but have never tasted them. I saw the reviews for Yolanda’s Tamale Stand, and was interested. $ 1.50 for a tamale sounds great!
The ordering experience:
I ordered a spicy chicken tamale, which Yolanda recommended (She said «Spicy better»). Then she quickly added «Dos?» And I was like «Ehhhh why not?» As she puts the tamales in the tin foil she adds «Tres?» And I laughed at how hard she was up selling. Good for her.
The tamales themselves:
My first impression was disappointment there wasn’t more meat. The spice level wasn’t that spicy, but I overall enjoyed it. The more I ate, the less I enjoyed the tamale. I should have just ordered one. The chicken seemed more like canned chicken than fresh. Kind of rubbery and a mix of white and dark meat, but the corn and spicy sauce was good!
Overall:
Re-​reading my review, I seem harsh, but the product was good. Maybe just recommend either not getting the chicken, or maybe that’s just what tamales taste like! Definitely worth checking out.

The tamales were really good and truly authentic. Plus it’s a great deal at $ 1.50 each. Talk about good fast food!

After reading all of these reviews, I just had to find you and have you vetted by my personal Oaxacan. The outcome: The only thing that would make this any more authentic is fresh ground corn from Mexico.
«Yolanda,» you are legit.
She is by 137^th, but also by 145^th in the afternoons (thanks, JJ). My personal favorites are the puerco, pollo, and Oaxacaqueño (whenever they are around). The flavors and spices are amazing. My office is actually forming a pool so that we can clean her out and leave some in our office freezer for a rainy day.

Her name is not Yolanda but who cares. These Tamales are the most authentic Mexican specialty in New York, I dare to say even in the United States. The only way to compare her artwork is to go to Mexico and eat some Tamales. But if you don’t want to go to Mexico, then Mexico has come to you in the form of Yolanda.

I’m Mexican. I grew up eating tamales. These are the real deal. Amazing. Like crack. Yolanda is my woman.

I just love her tamales, they’re very delicious, and they have saved the day many times when I come home hungry and without intentions of cooking. I also love the fact that she’s right by the subway station.

We used to live right down the street from her, and her tamales were our almost daily staple. Then we had to move to Astoria, and we really missed her and her tamales all these years, even in food-​rich Astoria. Nothing compares, and the frozen tamales from Trader Joes are utterly poor substitutes. Her tamales were always a hit at parties too. We are looking to move back to Harlem, and found that she has 5 stars, and I had to pitch in. It’s true. We will be getting her tamales again when we move back.

AMAZING! I love this lady. I order 45 tamales for my last new years party and they were a total hit! I order from her again and again

Pros:
— Cheap! $ 1.00
— She stands with her cart on the corner of Broadway and 137^th near the entrance to the 1 train at the City College 137^th stop
Cons:
— None.
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My Experience:
You’re rushing to the train in the morning to work or school? Didn’t have time to eat breakfast before you left the house? No time to stand in line at a bodega to have a quick meal made? Not to worry. Yolanda is here! She stands in the corner with her cart on Broadway between 137^th & 138^th with Tamales already made warm and ready for you to eat for only $ 1.00 … you can’t complain about that! It’s easy, convenient, good and cheap. It’s worth the 5 star for the $ 1 you pay.

Great tamales and friendly service. I grab them morning and night as I get on and off the subway. Being a native Texan living in the Northeast, good Mexican food has been hard to find. Yolanda’s hits the spot!

Hungry? Broke? Craving something hot & full of flavor?
Yolanda’s $ 1 Tamales to the rescue!
Cheap, delicious, filling & served with a smile– these tamales are perfect for a quick snack, a filling meal (after all, one is never enough) or a party.

She’s moved to 145^th and Broadway on the N.E. corner.
Still $ 1. Still so good. So friendly. Best tamales I’ve had.
Nothing else to say!

My brother, Greg, brought tamales from Yolanda’s Tamales to my birthday party a few years ago and I do have to say they are some of the best tamales I’ve ever had. Growing up in Southern California, we use to get tamales for Christmas and I think these might be better. Yolanda’s tamales are made with good corn meal dough and are nice and spicy. I think I am going to have to take a trip up to West Harlem before this Christmas holiday.

If you’re up in West Harlem, be sure to stop by Yolanda’s Tamales. These tamales are the best in New York hands down! At only $ 1 a piece, you can’t find a more delicious and affordable deal in town. If you call ahead Yolanda’s Tamales will also deliver. Perfect for a brunch party. Yolanda is back in her original location at 3380 Broadway on the North East corner of 137^th Street and Broadway just outside of the uptown 1 Train subway stop.