Yolanda’s Tamales

These are best tamales in NYC! 😋 Yolanda and her husband are the kindest people, true hard-working, loving, members of the community. And I've ordered ahead several times, to take to my family in Chicago, DC, etc. There are so many options, and you can get them spicy or not. It's good to call ahead just to make sure it's a day they're at the corner. SOooo delicious, and I always feel happy after seeing them.

Delicious tamales and delicious juice “água de Jamaica”. Yolanda and the husband are also super friendly. Highly recommended!! 😋 Located directly at NE exit of subway line 1, 145th.

Yolanda’s tamales are little bundles of soft corn delight! The oaxaqueño was off the charts. Take the time to talk to her and her husband - they are kind hard working people. So happy to have found them!

Highly recommend Yolanda’s tamales 🫔 They’re huge & delicious! This is my second year ordering in a large batch for Christmas. This year, I ordered the ones made from mole de puerco and pollo con salsa verde. Traveled over an hour from Brooklyn for these — will be ordering again soon!

Yolanda is our go-to street food vendor in Harlem. It’s quick to get one or two tamales but she also does larger orders which we’ve done in the past—a big success with our group of friends. Try the pork or green chili chicken along with either a corn chocolate, or jamaica (hibiscus) drink 👌

The tamales made by Yolanda are the best. My family has tried all the options. Our favorite is spicy chicken with the green sauce. Don’t miss out if you are a tamale fan.

Yolandas tamales are the best tamales in Harlem! Try the salsa verde ones (careful they’re spicy), and get the champurrado atole to soothe the spiciness of the tamal.

Yolanda sells the best tamales! Try her arroz con leche too it won’t disappoint! Also, she’s a very cheerful lady you’ll enjoy!

Always has my tamales fresh and piping hot when I order ahead! Best tamales In the city!

Best tamales on NYC. PERIOD. Willing to argue with differing opinions The lady that sells the tamales is the sweetest person.

A legendary spot that fully lives up to the reputation! Tamales were absolutely amazing and the prices were great. We got one of each and were not disappointed. By the 145th 1 stop NE corner

GOD BLESS Yolanda & her tamales! When I first moved to this area, I saw her on the map. So I went out looking for a restaurant named Yolanda's Tamales. Never found it bc Yolanda's Tamales is a tiny stand outside the 137th subway. This little stand is on the map though! That's when you know they're good.

Lovely woman, amazing tamales. A few different options including chicken, beef and vegetarian. Really enjoyed the queso + jalapeño.

I was worried after reading an earlier report that Yolanda was no longer actively selling, but I texted her and she confirmed she is there every day except Wednesdays. Such good tamales - I bought 20 so I can have a good supply in the freezer.

I don't like to be the bearer of bad news but when I walked down Broadway this Friday afternoon between 136th and 138th Streets, Yolanda's was nowhere to be found. When I called the number listed on here for them there was no answer. It's rather hard to be optimistic at this point

I order thru the web page, I got the best tamales I had in NYC, great service and not expensive at all!! Support small businesses

So, so good. Got one cheese and one frijole. Surprisingly spicy, so delicious. Found a new addiction.

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 137th, but also by 145th 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.

Today Yolanda was being recognized by Pix 11 news for her contribution to the community! I found out she has a Yelp from the reporter after giving her a rave review. I thought I'd follow suit here! Yolanda makes THE BEST tamales and I hope she gets a huge boon in business following her television debut!!

Amazing. Authentic. She's the nicest person too. I get a tamale or two whenever I see her around. They're always warm and always $1.00.

Yolanda's tamales are the best. Real authentic flavors. I love them and she's so nice :-) I've never had a complaint nor issue with my purchase. Sometimes she does have a line but it's definitely worth the wait.

So good!!! Got my dad hooked too so i have to get him a big bag every time he visits from jersey. He loves the ones that are Nice and spicy, but i always get the mild ones cause i can't handle the spice

I rarely post reviews, but for Yolanda, I'll make an exception. I've lived in the neighborhood for a few years now, and without fail, ANY time I see Yolanda out and I have cash on me, I will buy a few tamales. They're delicious, super reasonably priced even after the recent increase to $1.50 each, and she's so nice. I usually see her on the NE corner of 145th & Broadway, but I think she's also by the 137th stop sometimes. Definitely pick some up if you see her out there! I recommend the cheese or spicy pork.

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.

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.

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 yelp 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.

Best tamales ever, they are always so fresh and tasty. Also the atole is great. She is very nice and attentive I will buy whenever i'm on my way to school and cash in my pocket.

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 137th Street and Broadway just outside of the uptown 1 Train subway stop.

I love visiting Yolanda when I get off the 137th st 1 subway!! Her tamales are as good as they get, they're hot & fresh & SO affordable. And Yolanda is the cutest, nicest lady. She'll brighten your day.

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

Pros: - Cheap! $1.00 - She stands with her cart on the corner of Broadway and 137th near the entrance to the 1 train at the City College 137th stop Cons: - None. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 137th & 138th 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.

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.

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.

We just had Yolanda's tamales for the first time and they were awesome. We're from Texas and these were as good as any we've ever had. $1.50 per.

Lives up to the hype! I've been meaning to check out Yolanda's tamales for a week now because of all the great Yelp reviews, but even though I ride the 1 train every day at 145th I only spotted her just yesterday right outside the station with her distinctive blue cooler. I finally bought 2 spicy tamales today for dinner, and I am not disappointed. Now, I nowhere near consider myself a tamale expert, but these are definitely some very delicious bites of tender chicken, soft dough, and fragrant seasoning. My expectations were not low after reading all these glowing reviews, and Yolanda met them. For $1.50 each this is truly a great value of a meal. I actually didn't eat the tamales until 4 hours after I bought them, and they were still warm and fresh! At this point I feel as though it looks like I've been paid to write this review, but my taste buds are honest and my wallet is guilt-free. For such a cheap price, even if you don't love the taste as much as I do, what have you got to lose by trying one for yourself?

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

We felt like secret agents trying to find Yolanda! Turns out she was the super nice smiling lady subtly on the corner with a giant cooler. As we cautiously approached her, she beckoned us closer and opened the cooler....revealing a giant bag full of tamales! So cheap and yummy! Definitely need more than one per person to be full. All delicious but the spicy chicken is the BEST! Best bang for your buck.

I didnt know that a tamale could change my life. Find this woman and buy a tamale, or three, from her right now. Spicy chicken is what was recommended to me, and I can't disagree. I can't wait to try her other types. Corner of 145th and Broadway. Enjoy!

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

Bomb TAMALES!!!! Coming from a small little cooler cart, these will blow you away. Real authentic food.

I've been going to her for almost a decade. She used to be by city college 1 train (137st). Now, she's by the 145 1 train. Only 1.50$ each and amazingly delicious. Plus, she is a sweetheart and always smiling. :)

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.

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!

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

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

SIX STARS!!!! Yolanda is a gift from God and her tamales are the best I've ever tasted. I'm now buying from her at least once each week, if not more.

Best tamales I have found in the states. I have spent months in Mexico and these are the real deal. I tad spicy for people with bland palates but I love them. Her cart and her are hard to spot since they are so small, but find her and you will be rewarded. Forget McDonalds, this is the original homemade fast food.

I stop to get these delicious tamales often. They are sold right when I exit the Subway going home, so easy to get one and go. Always spot on!

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.

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.

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.

Does anyone know where Yolanda has moved with her Tamales. I walk everyday to Broadway and 137th near the entrance to the 1 train to look for her and she is no where in site. Please let me know where she has moved to.

Yolanda made 60 tamales for my party with just one day notice. I was a little nervous to just order and pick up without any kind of receipt or guarantee, but everything worked seamlessly--and the tamales were amazing. Will definitely order again.