CROWN HEIGHTS, BROOKLYN
Tamalería La Madrina
Banana-leaf Oaxaqueño tamales with pork ribs and red sauce from a tiny Nostrand Avenue shop.
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IllustrationA tiny Nostrand Avenue shop from the family behind Taqueria Milear, which opened across the street in 2015. La Madrina followed in 2025 with a tight menu of tamales, taquitos and antojitos made from family recipes.
The tamale to get is the Oaxaqueño: pork ribs in red sauce with hoja santa, wrapped in fudgy masa and a banana leaf. There are chicken in green sauce and jalapeño-and-cheese versions too. Take extra of the red salsa, which is spicy, and the tangy green.
Editor’s tip
Order at least one Oaxaqueño, add a green-sauce chicken tamale, and take both salsas home.
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Editorial draft — core details last reviewed October 14, 2026. Confirm practical details with the official site before you go.