La Comadre — Restaurant in New York

Mexico in August? Yes, please! But if you are not traveling to the country, taste a delicious mouthful of real Mexico City at La Comrade in Brooklyn.

In my close to thirty years of an “on again off again” relationships with New York, I’ve managed to scour the corners of the city to find the most authentic ethnic eateries in the state to spice up my life. Ranging from Thai to Sri Lankan to Vietnamese food - and I’ve found the best of the best. Somehow my happy go lucky tiny feet blessed and guided my tummy to the right steps to spot and eat real ethnic each and every time.

So there I was one almost ‘Tulumesque’ sunny morning at La Comrade. The restaurant really peaked my interest due to its colourful decorations - piñatas galore reminding me of my birthdays at Chico and Charlie’s (the first Mexican restaurant in my country of origin - Singapore) and this eateries curious affinity with Frida Kahlo.

Run by the charming Carolina, it’s an immigrant run family business that feels like you are in Spanish Harlem or a sidewalk bodega in Mexico. The sound of Mexican music blares in the back of the restaurant as the sizzle of a hot stove cooks up the Mexican delicacy of the day that you’ve ordered. The storefront view is the most funky and colorful graffiti wall making for a very in the ‘hood vibe’ for people watching malgre the traffic and the rattling train above your head - which all add to the vibe.

The restaurant is nothing fancy and a little rough-around-the edges kinda joint, but it’s oh so Mexican cute which makes it all the more authentic. I embarked on a tasty meal indeed at this restaurant, which started with some horchata - which is effectively rice milk and a light refreshing and sweet flavour. They also offer exotic hibiscus flower juice and tamarind juice which are both more tangy in flavour and a lovely summer drink.

For my main dish I had a pork quesadilla which was just right for an evening bite. I finished off my meal with a crème caramel or flan which was one of the best I’ve had at a Mexican restaurant in New York I must say. It’s New York homemade I was told with a grin.

What I liked about this eatery was that the food was not greasy at all, which Mexican food can often be, especially on street corners or sidewalks. The prices were reasonable and the service was, well, oh so Mexican! That’s to say, friendly and quirky which made the restaurant feel all the more authentic.

The male service staff can be quite gruff and unpleasant so Carolina, the owner, really made all the difference in my impression of this cute and very casual eatery. A meeting with her makes you a return diner for sure as she is so pleasant as the head honcho who runs the restaurant.

The La Comrade eatery is also right under the J train line which takes you right to New York city or in the opposite direction to the airport. So it’s an easy pit stop for the travelers and tourists coming to or leaving the city, who want an ethnic Mexican bite in...

If you’re looking for a fresh & flavorful meal you HAVE to come here. We got the chilaquiles dish and was able to share between 2 people. It was a generous amount on one plate. The food was delicious and I could tell it was made from the heart. We also had the Avena and Horchata. Both were a perfect balance.. sweet but not too sweet. The total cost of our food was more than reasonable & affordable. We will be back ASAP! Thank you again.

Update: I have visited this restaurant twice. My first experience was so pleasant that it made me want to come back. My food was served fresh, the customer service is good and the food is amazing. It's delicious and I can tell that the cooks put love into the food. I highly recommend grabbing a bite to eat here if you want something that is homemade,...

My experience for delivery was horrible! How does the lady that answer the phone to take the orders cant understand simple numbers and letters when you spell out the name of your address to them? I was literally on the phone for 13 mins spelling out the name of my address to this lady! I have her repeat my order to me twice and what happens when i recieve my food, my tostadas have no chicken on them pure vegetarian when i specifically said i wanted chicken. I call them back and she says sorry in spanish "lo siento" but the lady that took your order didnt write down you wanted chicken. Like are you serious?!! She didnt do anything about it. This business is so unprofessional its a...