Los Dos Molinos

(212) 505-1574

119 E 18th St (nr. Park Ave. South)
New York, NY 10003 40.7368 -73.9874

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Neighborhoods: Gramercy Park, Midtown, Union Square

Hours:

Tue-Thu, noon-2:30pm and 5pm-10:30pm

Fri, noon-2:30pm and 5pm-11:30pm

Sat, 3pm-11:30pm

Sun, noon-5pm

Mon, closed

Price:

$$

Last updated 4.14.11

Category:

Restaurants

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Lunch Spot, Group Dining

Cuisine:

Mexican

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About Los Dos Molinos

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

The Scene – If you can make your way through the gauntlet of baseball-capped margarita-drinkers at the bar, you'll find a brightly colored room, with Hopi dolls and Native American paintings lining the walls. The first New York outpost of a popular Phoenix spot, Los Dos Molinos serves the hybrid cuisine of New Mexico. A tacos and burittos menu gets beefed up with specialites like pork ribs marinated in red chili, enchiladas topped with a fried egg and, for dessert, a fruit "chimi" a la mode.

Editor's Tips

What to Drink:
The extensive margarita selection includes offbeat flavors like coconut and prickly pear ($12 per glass, or $43 per pitcher).
Know Before You Go:
For a good seat, get there early, as the restaurant doesn't take reservations.
ambiance
80.0% positive
  1. “have eaten at this restaurant numerous times and think the food, margaritas, and atmosphere are great.”
  2. “went in december and the christmas decorations were great.”
  3. “little overpriced (3 margarits, 2 dishes - $100)Young crowd, fun atmosphere and oh yeah, DID I MENTION THE MARGARITAS!”
  4. “The Carne Adovada is amazing and the decor, while cheesy, reminds us of being in Old Town in Albuquerque with all of the Kachina dolls.”
  5. “Because its never insanely crowded, so cozy for dates, the service is pleasant, the food is delicious, the magaritas well poured and the cost is insanely reasonable.”
dessert
100.0% positive
  1. “What an amazing mixture of textures and flavor, and to top it off, the dessert called "Sopapilla" was unique.”
drinks
50.0% positive
  1. “actually had to go up to the bar and ask for my check because I was so sick of looking at our plates of nasty food.”
  2. “This excellent mexican restaurant and bar has all home cooked food by members of the family.”
  3. “Expensive drinks, bad food, and even worse service”
  4. “can enjoy a nice spicy pizza for 7 bucks have drinks and it doesn't hurt the pocket too much.”
  5. “From the moment we walked into the door we were questioned numerous times about our commitment to order food, not just drinks.”
  6. “The food is authentic, the service (particularly at the bar) is good, and the margaritas are delicious.”
food quality
64.28999900817871% positive
  1. “This is one of my favorite little "gems" for decent Tex Mex style food here in NYC.”
  2. “It seemd to be a huge undertaking to actually get menus and order our food.”
  3. “This excellent mexican restaurant and bar has all home cooked food by members of the family.”
  4. “Great margaritas, UNREAL salsa & sauces.”
  5. “I've been going into Los Dos for dinner for a while now and was hoping they would have happy hour because as you know everyones counting pennies nowadays and although I love their food and margs.”
  6. “little overpriced (3 margarits, 2 dishes - $100)Young crowd, fun atmosphere and oh yeah, DID I MENTION THE MARGARITAS!”
  7. “There are two problems with Los Dos Molinos: (1) the food is much too spicy, and (2) the service is unacceptable.”
  8. “BAD BAD BAD example of New Mexican food!”
  9. “The food is incredibly tasty, and if you like hot food this is your place!”
  10. “We were all shocked at how mild the salsas were - I even asked about it, three of us ordered the roasted pork special with green chili (waiter recommended).”
  11. “Food was good - very spicy.”
  12. “hate bland food, particularly bland mexican food.”
  13. “If you like spicy you'll love this place.”
  14. “have eaten at this restaurant numerous times and think the food, margaritas, and atmosphere are great.”
  15. “The food is AWESOME.”
  16. “Los Dos Molinos has excellent food by Arizona standards, and I can tell you, you all don't have the selection we do in the Southwest.”
  17. “We told him how super spicy everything was and how great the food is.”
  18. “have been frequenting the place for about 4 years, and the food is AMAZING (if you can stand the serious heat of their REAL "new mexican hatch chilies”
  19. “the food is mediocre.”
  20. “ordered a super expensive burrito and it was about a 1 on the scale to 10.”
  21. “Expensive drinks, bad food, and even worse service”
  22. “The spicy spaghetti sauce they call red chili was terrible and it?”
  23. “With little advertising, a family out west has created a restaurant with flair, amazing food and a die hard following.”
  24. “No contest: hands down the best Mexican food in the Valley, regarded as the place to go when you are done with watered down taco bell food that other places peddle.”
  25. “From the moment we walked into the door we were questioned numerous times about our commitment to order food, not just drinks.”
  26. “actually had to go up to the bar and ask for my check because I was so sick of looking at our plates of nasty food.”
  27. “side of rice and beans was $7 (boiled rice with no flavor and runny beans) slapped on a dirty plate!”
  28. “order the pork.”
  29. “think this place has some of the best Mexican food in NYC but would recommend checking your bill closely.”
  30. “These owners should be ashamed of themselves for representing the fantastic cuisine that comes from New Mexico.”
  31. “Both the salsa roja and the salsa verde (traditionally a bit 'cooler') were essentially inedible, and the pork burro put me over the top.”
  32. “Food was great but beware, they aren't kidding when they say spicy!”
  33. “If you can handle spicy (and this is a warning coming from someone who grew up eating hot roasted green chiles to cure a sore throat), order the carne adovada - it's worth the sweating and next-day stomach pain!”
  34. “can enjoy a nice spicy pizza for 7 bucks have drinks and it doesn't hurt the pocket too much.”
  35. “Too spicy and lousy service”
  36. “The food was great, good spicyness.”
  37. “The food is authentic, the service (particularly at the bar) is good, and the margaritas are delicious.”
  38. “If you can handle the heat the salsa does actually have a great flavor, just be ready to ~ fire the next day.”
  39. “Because its never insanely crowded, so cozy for dates, the service is pleasant, the food is delicious, the magaritas well poured and the cost is insanely reasonable.”
  40. “can go to any decent mexican restaurant and get 2 (much larger) cheese enchiladas with flavorful rice and solid beans for about $12 at a chain and $15 at a standalone.”
  41. “Great food and margaritas but check you bill closely.”
  42. “The food was horrible looking, tasted even worse, the service was non existent, the management was unfriendly and add insult to injury, the food was way overpriced.”
menu variety
50.0% positive
  1. “The menu is wonderful and the margeritas are out of this world!”
  2. “It seemd to be a huge undertaking to actually get menus and order our food.”
  3. “From our questions about the menu to our compliants regarding the lack of ANY alcohol in the $12 margarita, every member of the staff was extremely rude and disrespectful.”
  4. “The service is always the best and if you want to modify or substitute anything on the menu they are also very accomodating.”
  5. “Los Dos Molinos has excellent food by Arizona standards, and I can tell you, you all don't have the selection we do in the Southwest.”
  6. “This place serves up possibly the worst service in the city - from the time you walk in until the time they ask you to leave (which if you read the fine print on the menus, the 2-hour table limit is only one of the rules they have).”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “it's my favorite mexican restaurant in new york.”
  2. “In New York during 8/02, I took a friend who is a native New Yorker to the "other" Los Dos, and after dinner he proclaimed "That is now my favorite restaurant in the city”
  3. “No contest: hands down the best Mexican food in the Valley, regarded as the place to go when you are done with watered down taco bell food that other places peddle.”
  4. “Los Dos Molinos, NYC is as good as the ones in Phoenix (this place is not a chain).”
service
33.3299994468689% positive
  1. “Because its never insanely crowded, so cozy for dates, the service is pleasant, the food is delicious, the magaritas well poured and the cost is insanely reasonable.”
  2. “There are two problems with Los Dos Molinos: (1) the food is much too spicy, and (2) the service is unacceptable.”
  3. “We were all shocked at how mild the salsas were - I even asked about it, three of us ordered the roasted pork special with green chili (waiter recommended).”
  4. “And good luck getting a refill on that pitcher -- the service is completely unacceptable.”
  5. “Expensive drinks, bad food, and even worse service”
  6. “This place serves up possibly the worst service in the city - from the time you walk in until the time they ask you to leave (which if you read the fine print on the menus, the 2-hour table limit is only one of the rules they have).”
  7. “Perhaps there is a segment of the population that likes to pay to be ignored, get lousy service, and get rushed out of restaurants.”
  8. “The whole place seemed like it was under some very bad management because you could see how every step of service within the place was lacking.”
  9. “The service was offensive.”
  10. “The food was horrible looking, tasted even worse, the service was non existent, the management was unfriendly and add insult to injury, the food was way overpriced.”
  11. “Too spicy and lousy service”
  12. “crowd is good and the staff are welcoming.”
  13. “The food is authentic, the service (particularly at the bar) is good, and the margaritas are delicious.”
  14. “The service is always the best and if you want to modify or substitute anything on the menu they are also very accomodating.”
  15. “From our questions about the menu to our compliants regarding the lack of ANY alcohol in the $12 margarita, every member of the staff was extremely rude and disrespectful.”
value
50.0% positive
  1. “can enjoy a nice spicy pizza for 7 bucks have drinks and it doesn't hurt the pocket too much.”
  2. “ordered a super expensive burrito and it was about a 1 on the scale to 10.”
  3. “little overpriced (3 margarits, 2 dishes - $100)Young crowd, fun atmosphere and oh yeah, DID I MENTION THE MARGARITAS!”
  4. “It seemd to be a huge undertaking to actually get menus and order our food.”
  5. “The food was horrible looking, tasted even worse, the service was non existent, the management was unfriendly and add insult to injury, the food was way overpriced.”
  6. “If you can handle spicy (and this is a warning coming from someone who grew up eating hot roasted green chiles to cure a sore throat), order the carne adovada - it's worth the sweating and next-day stomach pain!”
1 Star Rating: Poor

10/04/09

Overpriced not very good Mexican

by katsea at Citysearch

Went for dinner at Los Dos Molinos with a group of five. Four of us were drinking the "Ulimate Margaritas" at $17/gl as a group we had 12 total. They're good but not $17 good. We ordered the nachos which were basically tortilla chips with spicy chili topped with cheese. I wouldn't call these nachos. Go to Mexican Radio if you want great Nachos. We also had their guacamole, which was flavorless. Rosa Mexican and Dos Caminos have much better guac. It tasted like chopped salted avocado and not much more than that. I had the green chili enchilada which was fine but nothing special. Whatever you do, check you bill and be careful when asking for sides of anything because you get charged between $3-$7 for the small stuff. Nothing is itemized on the check and they overcharged our group and added gratuity without telling us. It does say on the menu that 18% gratuity will be added to your group of 6 or more but we were 5 and would have left 20% if we had been informed of the added gratuity. I would highly recommend taking your business elsewhere unless you want bland but spicy overpriced New York Mexican food. I've been peeing from my butt all day and believe me, it's just as spicy coming out.

  • Pros: good margaritas
  • Cons: confusing check, food makes you pee from your butt
4 Star Rating: Recommended

01/25/09

Nice and spicy

by trimiami at Citysearch

I really liked this place, too bad it's gotten a lot of bad reviews. I went in december and the christmas decorations were great. It was a small very busy place, with busy decor, I loved it. I didn't mind the wait cause the margaritas are great to have while you wait. If you like spicy you'll love this place. The food was great, good spicyness. I didn't see a problem with the service.

  • Pros: food, decor, margaritas
4 Star Rating: Recommended

10/24/08

MY FAVORITE DINNER SPOT IS NOW OPEN FOR HAPPY HOUR!!!!!

by PeterAZ603 at Citysearch

I've been going into Los Dos for dinner for a while now and was hoping they would have happy hour because as you know everyones counting pennies nowadays and although I love their food and margs. It can get kind of pricey.....now I can go in during the week with friends (and I don't have to wait an hour to be seated). Tuesday through Friday 5-7pm and for 7 bucks I can get a small margarita (their small usually go for 11 or a draft beer for 4 and bottle beers for 5. I can enjoy a nice spicy pizza for 7 bucks have drinks and it doesn't hurt the pocket too much... Just don't tell too many people this is between you and me.

1 Star Rating: Poor

09/05/08

HORRIBLE! OVERPRICED! STAY AWAY

by bignavs at Citysearch

Do your self a favor and cross this one off your list.

I just spent $25 dollars on a

1. cheese enchilada plate (just one small cheese enchillada). Are you kidding me! Small and the sauce was spicy but had no flavor!

2. a side of rice and beans was $7 (boiled rice with no flavor and runny beans) slapped on a dirty plate!

Left hungry and extremely disappointed!

I can go to any decent mexican restaurant and get 2 (much larger) cheese enchiladas with flavorful rice and solid beans for about $12 at a chain and $15 at a standalone.

Even Taco Bell is far superior!

Would have loved to try the Margarittas - but $12-$14 for a glass and a fortune for a pitcher!!

  • Pros: None
  • Cons: Tiny serving of spicy yet unflavorful food for a fortune!
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

06/30/08

SUPERB MEXICAN FOOD! AND DRINKS!!!!

by elledriver2008 at Citysearch

I love going here for lunch. The menu is wonderful and the margeritas are out of this world! The service is always the best and if you want to modify or substitute anything on the menu they are also very accomodating. This is my favorite Mexican Restaurant by far and I will continue dropping in. They also have a very lively night life with happy hour.

  • Pros: SUPERB FOOD & DRINKS EXCELLENT SERVICE
  • Cons: CLOSED MONDAYS DURING THE DAY

The Details on Los Dos Molinos

Place Categories:

  • great mexican food
  • worst worse service
  • great margaritas
  • favorite mexican restaurant
  • good service
  • worst place
  • disrespectful member
  • amazing carne adovada
  • big drinks
  • overpriced mexican
  • best hottest mexican
  • great good spicyness
  • great atmosphere
  • worst restaurant
  • insanely reasonable cost
  • pleasant escape
  • nice spice
  • good crowd
  • order pork
  • good ice water
  • recommended waiter
  • overpriced margarits
  • overpriced fun atmosphere
  • very exotic owner
  • overpriced young crowd