Aries Cafe

Oh the things I do for/​because of you, Unilocal.
Let me preface this by saying I’m not sure I even went to Aries, but it was in a freight elevator entrance, and it was Dominican. No signage anywhere, but it fit the description.
Long line, but there were four people working the counter. The hall is really narrow, so you actually have to watch your back for UPS guys who may run you over.
I liked this place more than El Sabroso (I always find their portions to be too small for the price). At Aries, you somehow get more meat for less money. Plus the option for yellow rice!
I had the chivo (goat), and it was tastier than El Sabroso’s (more pieces also, though not much meat on each, which is to be expected). I will say I like El Sabroso’s beans more.
Overall, give it a go if you’re into elevator meat, but it’s not mindblowing.
Also, there are people selling bootleg DVDs right next to the kitchen.

If you love food adventures like I do, this place is definitely one of the more unique experiences that you can get meal-​wise in this city. Calling Aries Café a café is a bit misleading, as it’s a six-​seat lunch counter inside of a freight elevator hallway in a random building on 37^th St in Midtown, but okay, it’ll do.
For those of you who are easily intimidated by ethic food et. all, stay away! Not for you! This little hole in the wall has no menu whatsoever. You get in line, and you ask them what they have that day and they give it to you. I asked for the goat, but due to the language barrier I think I ended up getting their boneless meat offering instead. Ah well. $ 5 gets you a meat, rice, and beans. If you want two meats, that’ll be two bucks more, and a buck more gets you some amazing platanos. Get them. It’s totally worth it.
The meat, while not goat, was still quite tasty and not tough in the least. The rice and beans were incredibly rich and flavorful, and the platanos were simply out of this world. I generally have an aversion to bananas, and I could eat these for the rest of my life and be perfectly content.
Needless to say, I’ll be back, especially since my internship is only two avenues away.

Chivo!
Men Who Stare At Goats can come look here in this hole in the wall Dominican café.
Aries has a small but tasty selection of to go eats, my favorite of which is their Chivo Guisado, a plateful of rice and beans with stewed goat marinated overnight and sauted with onions and peppers. The Pescado guisado is also quite flavorful, just make sure your plate is heated enough to your liking. I like my food piping hot.
Best thing about it, the price. Lunch was $ 5. How many Subway sandwhiches can a person eat after all?