Cafe Ollin, Spanish Harlem, NYC

One of my friends and I always walk and yak for many miles in the city, stopping somewhere for a cheap eats. This time we walked from one end of Central Park to the other stopping in at the in-spring-bloom Conservatory Garden. It’s the six-acre only formal garden in the park with three smaller gardens, each with a distinct style: Italian, French, and English. She had been to, and recommended Cafe Ollin on 108th Street in Spanish Harlem not far from the gardens in the north east corner of Central Park.

Cafe Ollin offers authentic Mexican food at reasonable prices. I started with their fresh sangria ($6.50) as we looked over the menu.

We shared their three chicken enchiladas in a tomatillo sauce, served with rice and black beans ($12). What I’d recommend for a fill-the-tummy meal is their cemita with spicy pork ($9.50). I had first sampled this sandwich earlier this year at Villa Cemita in alphabet city. Cafe Ollin’s version consists of an oversized sesame seed bun, filled with spicy pork, lettuce, tomatoes, chipotle, Oaxaca cheese, avocado, mayo and beans. Cheap, tasty eats for sure!
– bonnie

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Cafe Ollin
Spanish Harlem
339 East 108th Street
New York, NY 10029
(212) 828-3644

About the Author: Bonnie Tandy Leblang

Blogger Bonnie Tandy Leblang has been covering food since before it was hip to do so! She’s penned magazine, newspaper and syndicated food columns in addition to cookbooks. Follow her on twitter @BonnieBOTB and on Instagram@BiteoftheBest and at @BonnieBOTB "I eat for a living!” is her mantra, sharing what she’s sampled so you’ll know where (or where not) to go, plus what food products and gadgets to try. For her full bio go to the about us page.

Cafe Ollin, Spanish Harlem, NYC