Best Mexican food in NYC
Okay, we've debated Thai - let's go to my other love - Mexican food. I'm from south Texas, so obviously this is of great importance to me. So far, the best I've encountered is Rosa Mexicano (Lincoln Center) - though it's not your traditional, down and dirty Tex Mex, it's the best derivation I've found (and I love their queso flameado and margaritas).
What are your faves?
livetoeat
Jul 20, 2006 02:56PM
Are you asking about Tex-Mex or Mexican? Different animals.
My favorite Mexican is Zarela, but I'm looking forward to trying her son Aaron's new Centrico. I don't really like Tex-Mex.
http://petercherches.blogspot.com
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Zarela? Really? I used to eat there many years ago, but recent reports have it heading way downhill and not worth going to anymore.
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For some reason Bruni seems to have it in for Zarela. Anyway, on recent visits the snapper hash, cochinita de pibil & lamb barbacoa were all great, as was the pan de arroz.
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That's good to hear. I've been cooking with her recipes for almost 20 years and will be back in the city next month.
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I went to Zarela's about 2 yrs ago and all the food was really well prepared and excellent. But the Pan de Arroz.... I was stuffed from all the other stuff but could not in good conscience leave even one piece; it was that good. Never had anything like it before.
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I have been to Centrico with my fiance, and I really enjoyed it. The food was very well done. The desserts were very bad though...we had a molten chocolate cake and it came out fully cooked and way too hot...we sent it back and the same thing happened again.
I hope they fixed their desserts, but the food itself was outstanding.
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Best I've had is Downtown Bakery - really only a takeout place but it is the only place I've been to in Manhattan that comes close to the flavor of San Diego.
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Tell more. Donde esta Downtown Bakery?
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downtown bakery is great. 1st Ave between 4th and 5th.
totally cheap & cheerful.
mole tacos for $6 are my weekly ritual.
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i have not spent much time in mexico (or south texas for that matter) so i can't chime in on authenticity. my comments are solely on food, ambiance, service in general.
i did eat at centrico once and thought it was decent. i'd say it's on par w/ zarela.
i'm not a big rosa mexicano fan.
you may try mi cocina (hudson/jane) - falls under the "good but not memorable" category, but they do have a nice garden and varied menu.
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Two places: Mercadito and Alma.
I've only been to Mercadito on Ave B, so I can't speak for the 7th Ave location, but it was pretty good. Not absolutely one hundred percent the best I've ever been to, but pretty decent, food fairly fresh, and small portions allowing you to try more. Their queso fundido was good, and I love their huevos rancheros. Their drinks are amazing.
Alma is definitely my favorite. It's in Red Hook, Brooklyn, a trek for most, but it's so worth it. The view is amazing, the food is great, lots of options (I adore their chilaquiles), and portions generous.
I've also heard great things about Castro's, in E Williamsburg/Bushwick. Confirmations?
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Mercadito is nowhere near the "down and dirty Tex Mex" the OP mentioned. They're more of a fusion-y upscaling of a baja-inflected cuisine. Problem is they take the fruit way, way too far. When I went it was with a group of 6. Tried all the ceviches, all the guacs, many of the tacos. The only one worth mentioning was the battered baja fish tacos, which were indeed superb, but not what a Texan is likely to be familiar with.
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Last time I went to Zarela, we were all underwhelmed, and one of us found his food literally inedible. He sent it back and was so disheartened that he didn't even order a salad or something to replace it. Cafe Frida was disappointing as well.
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I gotta agree, Zarela is really not as wonderful as it used to be. The zoo like atmosphere and the high prices don't help.
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My favorite to this point is Suenos (17th bet. 8th & 9th Aves). The owner/chef, Sue Torres, is quite gifted and really enjoys presenting cuisine from all parts of Mexico (she used to be at Hell's Kitchen and before that at the Rocking Horse).
I thought Centrico was excellent and particulary enjoyed the short rib (and I'm not a big meat guy).
I also really enjoyed Pampano because of its seafood emphasis.
Next on my list Mercadito for its fish tacos.
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i really like itzocan cafe for their lunch burritos. the tequila lime shrimp burrito is especially good. i also really like the shrimp tacos at cafe el portal. itzocan is on e. 9th st. (i think) by the park and cafe el portal is in noho.
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For some reason, I always forget about Itzocan when people ask about Mexican - I always enjoy Bistro Itzocan on Lexington.
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itzocan seems more fusion mexican/french to me for dinner. i've never had lunch there, though. it is very good.
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I agree - it is "fusion" - but the ingredients are primarily Mexican, IMHO - didn't know they were open for lunch.
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I've only been to each place once, but I thought Bistro Itzocan was more "fusion" than Itzocan Cafe, and that both were wonderful. But neither is Tex-Mex, as requested by the OP.
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you know, AppleSister, that's what i always thought too, but i realized recently that their menu is almost identical. i think it's the difference in the atmosphere that led us to think that (well, led me to, at least). their food is great. the huitlacoche souffle is amazing--but much better uptown, where it is finished with truffle oil. downtown, i recently had it served with multiple competing fruity sauces that didn't add much to the dish.
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For some reason there was no reply button on rose water's post.
When I had the souffle at Itzocan downtown last month it did have the truffle oil, and it was one of the most sensual things I've ever had in a restaurant. Link to my review:
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/...
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Mas Mezcal on east 85th street is excellent- they have a nice mix of tex mex and authentic mexican food
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I saw this post for big enchilada and we went over tonight. We loved it, and coming from California, we know Mexican and this was the real thing. The mole with the enchilada was aamazing. Just wish we could find good refried beans somewhere...
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One place that gets a lot of praise on here is Pio Maya for hole in the wall cheap Mexican (8th Street between 5th and 6th Ave). Gotta tell you, I went once and wasn't impressed, but I'm willing to chalk it up to ordering the wrong thing and try again.
I got the quarter chicken (way dry) with boiled yuca (tasteless), which came with a small container of some mystery red condiment (tasteless). The side order of tostones was quite good though.
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I love Pio Maya. Try their burritos, which are among the best in NYC even though you have to eat them with knife and fork. Also, excellent tortas. My other go-to mexican place is Tulcingo del Valle, which serves some of the best tortas in the city. Try the torta al pastor with avocado instead of guac.
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I ate at Agave in the West Village recently. I had the kobe beef fajitas which were cooked perfectly, rare enough for me not to complain. I forget what my friend had, but she was happy. We also had this crazy cheese dip appetizer which was yummy and the drinks were strong and not watered down.
I second Alma, my favorite place to eat on a nice summer day in Bklyn. Another great Mexican place in Bklyn is Maria's in Park Slope, though this is the NYC board so you prob don't want to trek out there.
Mexicana Mama's is also good, though I got pretty drunk there and can't give you details except I remember thinking..yum.
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El Maguey y la Tuna, 321 E. Houston St., is unpretentious, charming, and cheap. I especially like their mole poblano and enchiladas verdes. My wife is from the Rio Grande Valley, and she pronounces it the most authentic place she's seen in Manhattan. Tulcingo del Valle, 665 10th Ave., is another fine Puebla-style place.
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i really enjoyed my first visit here about a year ago. their pozole is amazing. my friend who took me, though, has mentioned their food has taken a serious downturn since then. i can't report firsthand, but i was disappointed to hear this. have you been recently?
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If you were asking about El Maguey y la Tuna, I have been there a few times in the last two months and I love love their food. In my top 3 for mexican in the city....
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You say NYC, but do you mean Manhattan only? If you search on the Outerboroughs board you'll see tons of places.
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Taqueria y Fonda on A'dam and 106th. I haven't been to any of the other mentioned places so can't speak for comparison but this place is sick sick sick. The first burrito I got there was a religious experience (on later tries it failed to meet my expectations but was still very good). Small storefront, great ambience if you like a mexican jukebox and glass fridge filled with mexican beers. Also try tacos dorados. The mole is also good if you like that kind of thing
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I like the meat at Taqueria y Fonda, but I personally think their burritos are pretty bad.
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my absolute favorite is el rey del sol on 14th street between 7th and 8th ave. they have delicious classic cheese enchiladas. i can't get enough!! the margaritas are weak, though.
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I went there on Cinco ey Mayo and paid $9 for a 12 oz. Tecate. Ouch.
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el rey del sol makes awesome fresh fruit margaritas, but I've found their food to be very, very average.
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Itzocan and Suenos and Mexicana Mama. (there's a new one w/more ambience on E 12th now too)
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I lived in New York for 9 years until last month. I've talked to many people from the south and from Texas who live in the city. I don't think there is any such thing as good Tex-Mex in NYC. I like Rosa Mexicano but it ain't Tex-Mex. I live in Spain now and have heard that there is abosolutely no good Mexican or Tex-Mex food in Spain. Pity me. At least you're a short plane ride from Texas or from Louisiana where my favorite Tex-Mex restaurant is, Superior Grill.
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Nice shout out to Superior Grill, which is VERY good. I lived in Texas for ten years and have lived in NYC for five. Sadly, there is no Tex-Mex here in NYC. You have to move on and enjoy other types of food. I like Los Dos Molinos on 17th b/w Park and Irving which is New Mexico-Mexican. That being said, there are some excellent real Mexican places but in general, you'll have to leave Manhattan to find them.
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Speaking of Mexican, has anyone tried the new Gabriela's on 94th and Columbus? After much waiting, I hear they finally opened. Is it safe to go there yet? I can't stand going to brand new places that haven't got the kinks worked out yet...anyone tried it yet?
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My wife and I went about a month ago, and although the place looks great, the food was just ok. By comparison, we went to Cilantro's on 2nd Ave and East 89th the next night and had a far better meal, for a much better price.
Still, since we live around the corner from Gabriela's, I imagine we'll end up giving it another chance at some point this summer, while it's still margarita weather.
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Love Mi Cocina, Mexicana Mama also that little rest on Irving Place... Can't remember the name unfortunately...
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There is a Mexican restaurant on Irving Place?
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I think you mean Los Dos Molinos. It's on 17th, just off Irving.
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Yes, that's it! I always forget the name...Thanks..
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I think I'd be pretty disappointed if I were new here and looking for good Mexican food and came upon this thread. Although this is a Manhattan board, it seems like no one has ventured into the Mexican neighborhoods of NYC, where there's a lot of good cooking being done. So let's see, so far we have these places mentioned in this thread:
Zarela, Rosa Mexicana, Downtown Bakery, Mercadito, Alma, Centrico, Mi Cocina, Suenos, Pampano, Itzocan Cafe, Big Enchilada, Pio Maya, Agave, El Maguy y la Tuna, Taqueria y Fonda, El Rey del Sol, Gabrielas, Tulcingo del Valle
I can nix just about all of them, save Taqueria y Fonda and Pio Maya (I haven't been to these two) from any "best of" list. By the way, Big Enchilada was singled out a while ago by Jim Leff as "one of the 3-4 most awful restaurants in the entire city." See thread http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/...
Out of the given list, I would probably prefer some kind of chef-driven fusiony Mexican, since there's likely to be some soul in the food. But whenever I've tried more or less traditional items at the high-end places listed here, I've always come away thinking I could have had a better version of those dishes if I got it in Jackson Heights or Sunset Park.
In Manhattan, my suggestion is to start in Spanish Harlem around 116th St, a vibrant Mexican neighborhood. Then maybe the handful of places on the far west side. Then get on the subway and get to the other boroughs. You can even use the search engine here to help guide your way.
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Yes...116th!!! There are at least 3 tasty spots on 116th between 2nd & 3rd. (I believe they are all owned by the same people.) One specializes in seafood and has a beautiful outdoor area. Sorry, I can't remember the names of any of them.
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The title of the post is best Mexican in NYC, and I agree with Eric that (though I've eaten years ago in four or five great places on 116 St near 3 av and also 3 av south of 116)if best is what you want, you have to check out the Outer Boroughs board... here's just one example of what you'll find. http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/...
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big enchilada isn't THAT bad. i like it. it's not fancy, but it's strangely addictive. i would not go so far as to say it's one of the 3-4 most awful restaurants in the entire city! as other posters who replied to that thread contended. it's not a destination restaurant, i.e. i wouldn't travel more than 10 blocks to visit, but if you're around there and hungry and want something cheap, it's quite satisfying. i guess it may not belong on the "best mexican" list, though. my bad. and thanks for the kyoto tip, i really appreciate it!
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So, you've nixed every restaurant mentioned. Any specific places in manhattan you would deign recommend? "Spanish Harlem" and the "far west side" aren't very helpful, esp. since you've already dinged two suggestions (tulcingo and tehuitzingo) in the latter...
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Not sure I can really recommend anywhere in Manhattan. The meals I've had at the two far west side places were good, but not as good as what I get in Queens (so not worth the schlep for me). I haven't checked out the scene in Spanish Harlem in over a year, so I don't have any specific recommendations there, but it's the largest Mexican neighborhood in Manhattan that I know of, and worth checking out. I think that's very helpful to point out. If you want specific info, then go explore up there and let us know what you find. Also, since Queens is part of NYC, I'd recommend Taqueria Coatzingo in Jackson Heights. That's my regular stop.
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La Hacienda is a famous place on 116th and, because of its fame, we went last Thursday evening, round 7.30. The first disappointment was that the place was empty. It looked down-at-heel, and, in truth, the food wasn't great. What was great was the service. The waiter / maitre d' was the most charming and helpful guy you could imagine, going as far as to furnish our 9-year-old with two fried eggs, with beans and rice on the side. All done with a gentle smile, not at all condescending.
As we were walking home from La Hacienda, we spotted a much smaller, and livelier-looking, place, about four or five houses east, on the same block. I've forgotten the name. Does anyone know this place?
- Sean
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El Paso Taqueria on Lex and 104th is excellent. Great horchata, tortilla soup, chilaquiles, burritos, tacos, and enchiladas. And cheap!
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Is this the place on the northwest corner of the intersection? Walk-up taco counter on 104th? If so, it was pretty good, especially the al pastor, carved from a spit right in front of you, and a very flavorful (read: deliciously greasy) chorizo. Haven't been in a year though, so excuse my haziness.
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nope, it's on the SW corner, and is more of a casual sit-down place. but i'm also a fan--i especially like their sopes.
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I can't speak for anything above 80th street, but Del Valle is really worth chekcing out. There Torta is one of the best sandwiches in nyc. I've had them with lengua or cebeza, and they've both been great. Lots of other things to try.
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I used to live a few blocks from El Maguey Y La Tuna on Houston/B and used to go like twice a week. Ohhh it was good. But for cheap counter service, I love Zarazoga - the pork tacos. It's on like Ave A and 13th in a bodega. Matamoros on Bedford/7th in Williamsburg too