Quesadillas Doña Maty

4am is still a scene somewhere. If you need a giant parcel of meat and cheese after a bar crawl or late shift in East Harlem (of course you do), go to Quesadillas Doña Maty on 116th Street. It’s open 24 hours, and you’ll see people come through at all times for to-go orders. The nautical-themed room has potted ferns and decorative hulls on the wall, and on weeknights, it’s a peaceful place to eat tacos and stare at the TV after a late shift. But on weekends, all bets are off. At peak post-bar hours, it’s everyone’s first pit stop before the walk home. (They also have a second location on 110th that closes at 10pm.) 

Their signature quesadillas are about six inches wide, with lightly charred edges and a fistful of meat inside. Instead of pressing it tightly closed, the handmade tortillas are gently folded over to make something more like a giant taco. Don’t pick it up like one though—these are best eaten with a fork and knife, so you don’t spill tinga de pollo or bistec con papas covered in salsa verde on your lap. At $9, one is a satisfying snack, but adding a $5 salsa picada will make it a meal.

photo credit: Alex Staniloff

photo credit: Alex Staniloff

photo credit: Alex Staniloff