Mexican in NYC?
My husband is partial to a decent burrito and I enjoy a good fajita and margarita. I am yet to stumble across a Mexican restaurant on my visits to NYC. Can anyone point me in the right direction? Entrees no more than around $15-$20.
Thanks
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Mexican food in the capital of the world? Why yes. The Mexican population is the largest group of Latino's/Hispanic's after Dominicans and Puertoricans in this city. I am talking a population of over 250,000 people. I may not know exact restaurants but I do know key neighborhoods that one should go to when in search of restaurants that serve great and authentic Mexican food, authentic products that are used in Mexican Cuisine, or Mexican Bakeries and more. They are the following: East Harlem (Spanish Harlem)* in Manhattan, Bushwick and Sunset Park in Brooklyn, Corona and Elmhurst in Queens, Mott Haven and Fordham in the Bronx, as for Staten Island well I do not know where. These are neighborhoods that have high concentrations of people of Mexican descent. Most of the restaurants that you find here are family-owned establishments that cater to low-income workers but most of the time the food is almost what you will find south of the border. Most of the Mexican population here in NYC and the tri-state area come from central states of Mexico. States such as Puebla**, Morelos, Guerrero, and Oaxaca, so you will see a great deal of Mole since the Mole sauces are popular in these states and legend has it that Mole comes from the state of Puebla. There is a great usage of Mexican herbs, vegetables and fruits that are sometimes only known in Mexico and more commonly known vegetables and fruits, and overall a bigger emphasis on fresher ingredients, qualities that are known in the foods that come from this region in Mexico.
* Spanish Harlem is sometimes referred to as the epicenter of Mexico in New York, kind of like a Mexican version of a Chinatown.
** Most of the Mexican population in NYC is from Puebla, to the point that sometimes NYC is referred to as Puebla York, a nickname given to the city by people in Mexico and in NY since most Poblanos (people from Puebla) who immigrate to USA end up in NYC.›1 Reply -
I agree about Taco Taco. My fiancee is on the UES and I was happy with their food. I live in White Plains, though, and there's some great Mexican in Weschester. (I know that's a haul for someone trying to find something in the city). That's mostly because there tends to be more Mexicans north of the city (including myself). Believe it or not, Poughkeepsie has a large Oaxacan population and I've had some of the best mole poblano up there - but I digress. NYC is just not the place to find the most authentic Mexican (although I wouldn't necessarily call fajitas and burritos authentic). If you're willing to take a trip to the outer boroughs you'll find some decent taquerias.
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Any thoughts on Crema or Sinigual?
I tried Crema this week and was a little disappointed with the food (mostly unremarkable) and the service (a little too relaxed -- e.g., "how's everything, boss?").
I was at Sinigual a few months ago, and really enjoyed the food. Service was average, but sincere. Not sure what hardcore hounds think (it is a chain, after all), but I thought it was good. Better than El Paso in East Harlem, where I've eaten a million times.
Wondering what other people think.
Note: I'm vegetarian.
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El Paso Taqueria
1643 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10029Sinigual
150 E 42nd St, New York, NY 10017›2 Replies -
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E Eto
Jul 24, 2009 09:49 PM
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/566630
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/310833
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/316261
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/519199
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/495780
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/198704
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/420021
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/377085
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/240514 -
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re: DJIllies
i used to live in the ues and i heard a lot about it so i gave maz mezcal a couple of tries but i was disappointed both times. not to say that the food isn't good but it didn't live up to the hype. i just came back from a food tour in cali so maybe i'll try it again to compare.
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Definitely try Cilantro!
There are 3 of them in NYC: http://www.cilantronyc.com/485_columb...
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Even though it is a chain, I think Rosa Mexicano is great. Unfortunately, I haven't had the opportunity to try any other Mexican restaurants.
But from heresay Zarela, Mercadito, Pampano and Tolochinghe (spelling??) are supposedly the best.
I was always interested about Mama Mexicano also.
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Spends Rent on Food
Jul 14, 2009 08:53 AM
While Los Dos Molinos (18th between park Ave South and Irving) is more southwestern than mexican, I think they do a fantastic job on their burritos and enchiladas. Definitely worth a trip.
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gracenotesnyc
Jul 14, 2009 08:38 AM
Have you tried Mexicana Mama? I'm a big fan of their burritos and salsas and both locations have great service.
@kelea - completely agree about Dos Caminos - I made the mistake of going there for my birthday with some friends three years ago and it was possibly the worst meal I've ever had in New York. Not worth a visit.
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Grew up in Texas, moved to California, have lived here for 6 years. You will not find the Tex- Mex you find in Austin or Dallas nor the Hatch chili sauces you would find in New Mexico nor the dirt cheap corner Wahoo's you would find in LA in New York City. But guess what: you wouldn't find that stuff in Mexico either! New Yorkers are funny about their Mexican food. We would never accept just a plain red sauce joint as Great Italian but that's what we want in our Great Mexican joints: low brow. Consider the post below: Maya is tremendous, but if you're only used to eating combo plates or expect your Mexican to always be cheap, you won't be happy.
I think there is tons of fantastic Mexican food in New York City but you might have to get beyond whatever your home town regional take on Mexican was. I was incredulous when I moved here when I couldn't find $9.99 Comida Completa plates that included a Dos XX or a margarita. Turns out there's a lot of great Mexican in the city though especially if you look beyond things that are wrapped in flour tortillas. I live on the East Side so most of my places are convenient to the 4/5/6.
Zarela: this restaurant has been here for 20 years. The owner lived in El Paso, moved to Veracruz and has run this restaurant since. It has a lot of Veracruz style dishes so there's going to be a lot of fishes with sauce wrapped in banana leaves and stuff. It prices out at around $18 an entree and the drinks aren't dirt cheap. It's towards the high of your range but you should try it if you're here because it's great.
Pampano and Pampano Taqueria: Pampano the restaurant is over your $20 per entree range. It's a high end Richard Sandoval place and you should try it. Pampano Taqueria is the bomb however even though it's located in the absolute worst place you could imagine (food court atrium of an office building). KILLER tacos, good tortas and good burritos. Tacos are $2.95 and burritos cap out at $8.00. I don't know if you can buy beer here. Right now it's only open until 4:00 but starting in August they will be open until 9:00. 3rd at 49th.
Taco Taco: 2nd Avenue between 89th and 90th. Here you start getting into more combo plates and "basic" Mexican. Good margaritas, great carnitas. This is a small restaurant and can be a little slow but my wife and I love it (she's from SoCal so she also has a serious opinion about Mexican food). Burritos are bigger than your head and cost $10. Entrees like carne asada or chiles rellenos are no more than $15. Decent enchiladas. On weekends they have brunch and the eggs in guajillo sauce are sublime. I really like this place.
El Paso: 97th and Lexington. This restaurant used to be on the west side of the street but in the last few weeks they opened up on the east side in a bigger, fancier spot with a garden. I'm assuming the food is the same post move but PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE eat the enchiladas here before you say there aren't any good enchiladas in the city. You can get chicken beef or cheese in red or green sauce. Good margaritas...this place is super and my favorite Mexican in the city. They also have a spot on 116th which brings up my final rec:
Anything on 116 between 2nd and 3rd but most importantly TACO MIX: there are a lot of Mexican places in this stretch of Spanish Harlem. Any of the restaurants are decent and are going to be authentic. However TACO MIX is to my mind the best taco place in the city. It's just a taco stand with maybe two chairs in the back, and it will help if you know a little Spanish, but this place is spectacular. The tacos are all about $2. The al pastor taco is ridiculous and they have crazy things like pig ear if you're feeling adventurous. I really recommend this place, especially on a warm Saturday when you can check out the Mexican markets after you eat.
All of those places are great and while El Paso or Taco Taco are going to offer the most casual/ laid back/ combo plate and a margarita experience I really recommend trying some of the higher end spots as well. Also, eat where Mexicans eat. Go to Sunset Park or Spanish Harlem.
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re: jgradieoakes
iFat
Jul 13, 2009 07:53 PM
Wow, jgradieoakes - that was one of the best posts i've seen in a while, good info in there and thanks for taking the time to do that. i've always heard about pampano taqueria being amazing but have been scared off by the waits. i'm going tomorrow.
I like Mole on the LES as well as Pinche Taqueria in Soho & now Noho... Both very solid. Also, Zargoza is my go-to local spot on Ave A for a nice pair of cheap, authentic tacos ($5 for two and it'll fill you up). Also, i have a really soft spot for Mexican Radio, their burritos are great. It's just a bit on the pricey side.
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re: jgradieoakes
LeahBaila
Jul 14, 2009 05:30 AM
Completely agree with you on Taco Taco. Been meaning to hit "El Paso," as it also happens to be the town in Texas where I grew up.
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re: jgradieoakes
kattyeyes
Jul 19, 2009 05:09 PM
jgradieoakes, I found your post yesterday before we somewhat spontaneously decided to head to Manhattan for the day. Zarela sounds great--I checked their website and saw they're open for lunch. Parked and headed into the restaurant, only to hear a voice yell from the back..."We open at 5!" (maybe they even said 4). Whatever the case, the hours on their site are incorrect. I was so bummed--but I will save this recommendation for another visit. Thanks, anyway.
Hey, restaurants--how 'bout posting your real hours on your websites? Just a thought!
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re: jgradieoakes
Thank you, jgradieoakes, I can't wait to try the place you mentioned with the pigs ears.
There is some tasty food if you mingle where the Mexican New Yorkers eat. Some good trucks around the city with things like goat and tongue tacos. I ran across one on the upper west side, but can't remember the exact street.
There is a truck on Lexington and 86th, north side. The food is home cooking, not fancy, and you might best take it home to really enjoy it.. But i do see people eating right at the side of the truck at a counter... I get various tacos and so far the lengue has been my fave.
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re: omnidora
I tried the truck at 86th and Lex a few weeks ago and it was totally satisfying. Good tip. Will try the lengue tacos.
You should for sure check out Taco Mix. I don't know what it's called but they have a convex cooker that they cook the meats on and all the juices run down to a well and simmer everything. Meatapalooza...lots of crazy things that I had to google translate when I got home.
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re: jgradieoakes
bigjeff
Jul 24, 2009 06:34 PM
amazing post; been meaning to go to El Paso sometime (they only have one location or two) and have a classy "sit-down" meal. the only place I went to consistently (and this was way back in high school when burritoville was the rage) was mexico lindo in the east 20s; that place was fancy!
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abbs
Jul 13, 2009 03:29 PM
just went to dos caminos and im just gonna through this out there...the guac was worth the trip. mmm it was tasty!
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re: abbs
kelea
Jul 13, 2009 03:38 PM
Sorry but minus the guac, the rest of the food at dos caminos is sub par for me. and $12 for guac is just not right...
Pampano tacqueria has one of the better tacos in the city in my opinion but this is only available in the atrium and not the restaurant location. I'm a fan of Pinche on Mott as well
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re: kelea
Totally agree about Dos Caminos -- overpriced, not authentic...kind of anglicized Mexican food.
I love El Paso, as noted by OP, but it is on 97th between Park & Madison, as well as 104th & Lex (the one with the garden, I think, that jgradieoakes -- who sounds incredibly knowledgeable -- refers to) and 116th St.
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Of all the cuisines repped in NYC, Mexican is probably the weakest. On top of that, if you're talking burrito, you're talking a certain type of Mexican, not that shi-shi Maya-type crap. Mercadito is down in Alphabet City, not sure if they have a burrito but you can Google, their fish tacos are great, so there's hope. If you want more upscale, fish-centered, look to Pampano in East Midtown. Otherwise, if you must have the burritos and fajitas, I would just go to Benny's or Harry's -- nothing great, and I dare to say I like Chipotle better, but I don't think you'll find better in Manhattan.
