"This matriarchal café — which flies the flags of the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and Cuba, reflecting the shifting Latin population of its East Village neighborhood — has been around since at least the late 70s, when it was called the National Café. The space looks pretty much the same, with three tables and a row of padded stools along a lunch counter. Behind the counter are steam-table tubs containing the café’s daily dishes. There’s no printed menu, so check the chalkboard outside before you walk in. The other day the offerings included stewed pig’s feet, paprika roast chickens, and a codfish casserole. Available every day, though, is the roast pork leg or shoulder called pernil." - Robert Sietsema
