La Esquina with its wrought iron gates and candelabras has an ultra glamorous look, and could easily pass off as one of the hippest joint in the city. And what's more, the food evenly matches the decor. Try the tacos, avocado soups, tortillas, and many more tasty dishes to engage your taste buds. And it's not only the food that has people coming back for more, the choice of 70 varieties of tequilas do the trick!
If authentic Mexican is what you're after, then you need to take a trip to Lupe's East L.A. Kitchen. This popular restaurant has an understated decor, but its ambiance is full-fledged FIESTA! All the Mexican standards are found here, including great tortilla chips with salsa, burritos, enchiladas, quesadillas and tacos, but the cazuelitas and coconut flan for dessert come highly recommended. An interesting vegetarian menu is also available. The staff is friendly, the atmosphere is energetic and the food is top notch without hurting your wallet.
Barrio Chino is a small little eatery tucked between Orchard and Ludlow Streets. The interiors are simple and rustic, with exposed brick and mismatched furniture. The menu offers Mexican delights like fish tacos, enchiladas and also serves small bites and brunch. However, its not just the food that draws crowds here, but the delicious concoctions from the bar - especially the margaritas. When in this part of New York, a visit here is definitely recommended for its tasty creations.
Gran Electrica is an authentic Mexican restaurant, inspired by Mexican cooking styles and techniques. The menu showcases a variety of dishes from across Mexico and the bar infuses Mexican flavors with seasonal ingredients, offering refreshing cocktails and drinks. The decor is dedicated to the liveliness of Mexican art and painting with beautifully designed wallpaper and ambient lights. The food is fresh and delicious. Whatever the occasion, be it birthdays, brunches, or weekend dates, you can celebrate it with style, great food, and the vibrant energy of Gran Electrica.
The Black Ant is the venture of Jorge Guzman and Chef Mario Hernandez. This contemporary Mexican diner with its ant-themed wall art has a funky yet sleek look. Their creatively inspired menu is crafted to suit all palates ranging from the adventurous to the prudent ones. These include dishes like Black Ant Guacamole, pata de mula y cerdo (blood clams, avocado, pied de cochon, bruja-pitiona salsa, chicharron dust), tlayuda con chapulines (sauteed grasshoppers in a tortilla), taco de chivo revolcado, pollo de plaza (guajillo jerk roasted chicken) and cerdo en mol (roasted pig suckling). Complement your meal with artisanal cocktails. Enjoy happy hour with tequila and mezcal as well. You can be sure of a fabulous dining experience.
Tortaria is a restaurant/bar that offers visitors an innovative twist on Mexican food, here the chefs focus on tortas (sandwiches) and taquitos (little rolled tacos) and the bartenders emphasize the innumerable amount of variety within the world of tequila. The food is magnificent and it is one of the only restaurants in New York City that highlight the torta; the diner has choices like the milanesa de pollo and pulled pork or the more intrepid crispy eggplant among many others. The bartenders also know their tequila, because they can pair up a couple of shots for your meal that come from a bottle that is definitely not your father's. Right off bustling Union Square, Tortaria is a great place for lunch, dinner or even just for a quick drink at their bar reminiscent of a roadside stand in Mexico.
Established by brothers Oliver and Leo Kremer, Dos Toros Taqueria brings burritos from the San Francisco Bay Area to Union Square. These Bay Area-born brothers opened this restaurant as a tribute to their favorite haunt, Gordo's Taqueria. At Dos Toros, you can feast on a delicious variety of tacos, burritos and quesadillas. This place has been lauded for serving the best tacos in the city by countless publications, so it's safe to say the secret is out. A recommendation by the brothers themselves and much approved by their regulars is the burrito with guacamole.
One of many outlets, this restaurant is known for its mouth-watering Mexican food so famous that it's difficult to get inside, even when you have a reservation! But once seated, events take a turn for the better. Helpful hints from the staff help patrons start off. Red and white wines may be paired with meals, but the recommended house favorite is the frozen pomegranate margarita. Things get hotter as the aromas waft out, and even spicier as the food hits the palate. Guacamole en molcajete, empanadas de jaiba and enchiladas are what patrons appreciate the most. Desserts are good enough, but the focus here is on the food. A bit pricey, it may seem, but definitely worth it for a unique culinary escapade!
This longtime Murray Hill favorite features both classic and contemporary Mexican cooking. With a large list of premium tequilas and an impressive selection of Spanish wines, the food is not the only attraction. Appetizers include nachos, as well as dishes like chorizo, sauteed clams in white Rioja wine and ceviche de pescado (red snapper marinated in citrus juices). Seafood selections include daily specials like lubina al pasilla (chili rubbed and pan seared Chilean sea bass). El Parador is decorated with white stucco walls, cozy booths and soft lighting.Â
Hand-picked from Mexican culture, Sinigual puts together a menu of delectable traditional Mexican recipes like chicken quesadilla, fresh fish tacos, Tres Mariachis (a combination of enchilada, taco and taquito) and their famous yuca fries. Accompanying these are margaritas and Mexican beer that add to the mood. While the main meal is heavy, do not forget to leave space for desserts like deep fried ice-cream, chocolate flan brulee and crepas de cajetas.
Tulcingo Del Valle is a tiny cozy place with a homely ambiance, serving delectable Mexican preparations. The food served here stays true to the original recipes and does not take it easy on the spice. You can choose from their variety of tacos, burritos, enchiladas, fajitas and platters and accompany it with a cool shake or a juice. A popular favorite of the locals are their burritos which have mouthwatering sumptuous fillings. If you are a fan of those fiery flavors, this is one place you should visit. Keep your change ready as they accept only cash payments.
Toloache gets its name from a famed Mexican plant that is an ingredient in love potions. Chef Julian Medina, inspired by his Mexican roots, opened Toloache in the heart of the Theater District. Head there before a show for a fusion of flavors and a wide selection of tequila. The menu is a contemporary take on Latin cuisine. Enjoy suckling pork grilled over the wood-fired oven with one of their exotic margaritas. The decor of hand-painted tiles, vibrant yellow walls, and ornate lamps set the perfect scene for your great meal.