Nena La Rubia

Though the proprietors may speak little English, "It's our pleasure to serve you" say the cups, and the smiles.

Amid cries of "peso, peso, peso, peso" from vendors of household goods and sundries, the unnamed stand of Nena La Rubia quietly serves cupful after cupful of liquid Dominican dessert, also for a "peso," figuratively, one buck. The thick beverage called habichuelas con dulce (ah-bee-Cway-lahs con Dool-say, "beans with sweets") combines creamed red beans, coconut milk, and spices; milk crackers float on top, while whole beans or chunks of sweet potato sometimes await below (there's no telling). In the Dominican Republic, families traditionally prepare it at Christmastime and around Easter; in Washington Heights, this stand does a brisk business all year 'round.

Also shown below: a similar, whole-kernel corn dessert called chaca ($1); a firm corn pudding called majarete (mah-hah-Ray-tay; $2); and the stand (in the middle distance), accompanied by orange thermal containers that hold reserves of the two more-liquid desserts.

Nena La Rubia
Stand on West 182nd St. near the southeast corner with St. Nicholas Ave.
Early afternoon till about 9:00

Comments

[mooms]

Hi! Nice write-up. Been trying to find their cart all week, 4-7pm. There are stands selling fried snacks between 181-2 and St. Nich and a taco truck on the SE corner of 182. Lots of people selling habichuelas containers from tables on the street. Am I too early or am I looking in the wrong place? Do they stand in front of a particular store? Do I sound desperate? :-).
Thanks!

[mooms]

Aha--found it! They were (sadly) out of the majarete. Habichuelas con dulce were a hit. The Kid liked the chaca best. Thanks for the update.

[youth ministries]

Would like to give the store a visit too!