El Maguey y La Tuna

(212) 473-3744

321 E Houston St (Between Attorney St and Ridge St)
New York, NY 10002 40.72109 -73.98284

Get Map & Directions »

Neighborhoods: Lower East Side, Downtown

Hours:

Tue-Sun 11am-11pm

Price:

$$

Last updated 5.13.11

Category:

Restaurants, Catering

Payment Methods:

Visa, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Casual Date Spot, Local Favorite, Romantic Dining, Special Occasion Dining, Brunch, Margaritas, Business Dining, Lunch Spot, Group Dining, Happy Hour, Food Delivery, Carry Out, Cheap Eats, Private Parties

Cuisine:

Mexican

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About El Maguey y La Tuna

Featured Review

Allison Austin

Contributor

The Scene – It takes a few minutes to get used to the lighting--the red bulbs cast a pink veil onto the red-floral vinyl tablecloths. You'll have to go through the kitchen to use the restroom, but it's all part of this diminutive restaurant's charm. Dinner feels like going to a new friend's cramped apartment--expectations are low, and you'll have a better time than you thought you would. – – The Food – The menu is Mexican; authenticity depends on the dish and to some extent, on who's tasting it. Two large, shareable salads--one with grilled cactus, another with…

Editor's Tips

What to Drink:
The restaurant now has a full bar and serves margaritas.
When to Go:
Brunch is served daily from 12pm-4pm. Choose between huevos rancheros, the "El Maguey" omelette with peppers, sausage and guacamole and assorted tortas.
Catering:
Catering is available for any occasion.
ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. “The customer service is real good everyone is friendly and make you feel at home, good date spot good food that wont wipe away your finances, nice atmosphere good food will recommend it to anyone!”
  2. “The ambience is nice and folksy.”
dessert
100.0% positive
  1. “Food is real good and there desserts left me licking my fingers, honestly I left saying I will definitely come back , very nice date spot.”
  2. “Good food, Great dessert”
  3. “try the fried banana desert, delicious.”
  4. “The food was super delicious (and not as pricey as other places) and the dessert tasty with a personal touch.”
drinks
100.0% positive
  1. “I've heard from friends that they also have a great brunch, and you can sit down with a thirst quenching sangria, beer or wine.”
food quality
97.22000122070312% positive
  1. “The customer service is real good everyone is friendly and make you feel at home, good date spot good food that wont wipe away your finances, nice atmosphere good food will recommend it to anyone!”
  2. “The service was great, the salsa is fresh with plenty of cilantro, the burritos were tasty, all around just a great place!”
  3. “The food is as authentic as you're likely to find in NYC and the service is impccable.”
  4. “have been on a hunt all summer to find great Mexican food in NYC, and this is the closest to the real thing that I've had so far.”
  5. “go there at least once a week because the food is amazing.”
  6. “Maguey is the best Mexican food on the LES.”
  7. “The food was outstanding, but that's a given.”
  8. “The food is great.”
  9. “It was served with warm corn tortillas, rice and beans.”
  10. “The food was super delicious (and not as pricey as other places) and the dessert tasty with a personal touch.”
  11. “Great food and friendly fast service”
  12. “The positives was the service was good and friendly, and the margaritas were tasty and strong - and cheap during happy hour $4 from 6-9pm.”
  13. “dine at fine restaurants all over the country in addition to Southern California and Texas, and the food is really authentic.”
  14. “definetly recommend this restaurant to anyone who wants delicious food.”
  15. “In addition to the great food, friendly service made me realize why this is such a local favorite.”
  16. “Enchiladas verdes and Enchiladas Rancheras delicious!”
  17. “The guacamole was delicious -- and they give you a lot of it.”
  18. “Server recommended the mole chicken - I went with the Steak Asada which was basically the steak fajita not chopped - oversalted and well done - I like my meat a little rare.”
  19. “It was my first time in New York and as a El Paso native I was highly suspect that there was any good Mexican food in this city.”
  20. “love the service at this restaurant, but the food tends to be inconsistent in quality and arrangement.”
  21. “The food was delicious, as were the margaritas.”
  22. “And their new margaritas were so tasty, I didn't even realize how strong they were (and cheap)!”
  23. “give this restaurant a ten out of ten only because it is in New York, where it's way easier to get good anything than it is to get good Mexican food.”
  24. “The cheese enchiladas, rice, salsa and margaritas were all excellent.”
  25. “delicious food, excellent service, and a super friendly staff.”
  26. “The waitstaff is always extremely courteous and friendly, and the food is about as good as you are going to get in New York (Oh my god!”
  27. “The first time I ate at this heavenly slice of Mexico I thought to myself, "Finally, REAL Mexican food in NYC!”
  28. “It is the best Mexican food in LES and East Vilage.”
  29. “This restaurant has a lovely, homey feel, mostly attributable to the generosity and knowledge of our waitress and the hearty, extremely tasty food.”
  30. “it is typical,authentic mexican food!”
  31. “have been to this interesting authentic mexican restaurant twice: once alone and once with friends.”
  32. “best Mexican food in town!”
  33. “Being that I'm from Mexico, I know good Mexican food when I taste it.”
  34. “We had a very good time, and the food was GREAT.”
  35. “The salsa tastes fresh, with plenty of cilantro and a little bite.”
  36. “However, after a year of eating at El Maguey Y La Tuna this Mom & Pop restaurant deserves its praise for having the best authentic Mexican food on the Lower East Side.”
  37. “Again, if you want to try great food in an authentic Mexican environment (we talked to the proprietor) then this is the place for you.”
  38. “The waitresses led the entire restaurant into celebration after everyone was drunk off of their yummy sangria.”
  39. “Great food!”
  40. “try the fried banana desert, delicious.”
  41. “Good food, Great dessert”
  42. “The servive the food the price all great!”
  43. “Great food for a reasonable price, was not a big fan of Mexican food till someone brought me to this restaurant.”
  44. “am not a big fan of Mexican food and they really won me over.”
  45. “couple of moles I tried were very tasty too.”
  46. “used to live in new york and this was my favorite mexican restaurant (and i went all over the place looking for authentic mexican food).”
  47. “The best Mexican food ever!”
  48. “The staff was extremely nice and accomodating, and the food was perfect (I had the enchilladas and lots of white sangria).”
  49. “The staff is extremely helpful and nice and the food is amazing.”
  50. “If you want authentic Mexican food and a great time at a good price go here.”
  51. “Just don't be in a rush to get your food they make everything fresh.”
  52. “It was all quite delicious, and I would love to know their secret ingredients or whatever it is that makes the food taste so amazing!”
  53. “The food was delicious, and flavorful.”
  54. “warm and inviting restaurant with unequaled food and a gracious staff to match.”
  55. “Alas, I never realized it could be so hard to get basics downs like chips and salsa - I like my chips very thin and crispy, and I like my salsa basic with kick - literally roasted roma tomatoes, Serrano peppers, salt and pepper.”
  56. “The service is just as wonderful as the food.”
  57. “love their tacos de Carne Asada.”
  58. “the food is great, the pozole (hominy soup) is the best i've had”
  59. “To caveat, I've spent most of my adult life in Texas, and I like the basics tex mex/american - my favorite things are far from adventurous: beef tacos or fajitas - but I've had enchiladas, mole, etc.”
  60. “Many of the dishes have a very unique flavor.”
  61. “The staff is so friendly, the food is home-cooked goodness at an inexpensive price and it's right around the corner from my apartment :) Forget Clinton St - this place is THE neighborhood restaurant.”
  62. “Everything from the way the place is humbly decorated, to Vicente Fernandez singing through the speakers, the friendly staff of people who take real pride in the food they serve and the traditional recipes they love to share.”
  63. “love thier Mole Poblano and their hangover spicy tripe soup!”
  64. “But if you want good, honest, downhome Mexican food like they make on the border (which is where I grew up), this is your place and it will not disappoint.”
  65. “The wait staff is totally friendly and nice and I simply melt over the chicken burritos.”
  66. “The service and food is as good as it gets.”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “I've been coming to this place for years, it's by far the best mexican restaurant in the city.”
  2. “The staff is so friendly, the food is home-cooked goodness at an inexpensive price and it's right around the corner from my apartment :) Forget Clinton St - this place is THE neighborhood restaurant.”
  3. “Again, if you want to try great food in an authentic Mexican environment (we talked to the proprietor) then this is the place for you.”
  4. “If you want real good Mexican Brunch this is the place!”
  5. “I'm on a quest to find the best Mexican restaurant in the city and this is by far the best one.”
  6. “used to live in new york and this was my favorite mexican restaurant (and i went all over the place looking for authentic mexican food).”
  7. “Usually when I find a great little neighborhood restaurant, I try to keep it to myself as long as possible.”
  8. “But if you want good, honest, downhome Mexican food like they make on the border (which is where I grew up), this is your place and it will not disappoint.”
  9. “The service was great, the salsa is fresh with plenty of cilantro, the burritos were tasty, all around just a great place!”
return potential
100.0% positive
  1. “Food is real good and there desserts left me licking my fingers, honestly I left saying I will definitely come back , very nice date spot.”
service
96.90999984741211% positive
  1. “The staff was extremely nice and accomodating, and the food was perfect (I had the enchilladas and lots of white sangria).”
  2. “warm and inviting restaurant with unequaled food and a gracious staff to match.”
  3. “The waitresses led the entire restaurant into celebration after everyone was drunk off of their yummy sangria.”
  4. “It was crowded, so the service was just a little slow (we thought they ran out of plates), but the staff was very friendly and accomodating.”
  5. “This place is nothing fancy, and kinda off the beaten path, but- the service is so wonderful and the staff very warm.”
  6. “delicious food, excellent service, and a super friendly staff.”
  7. “The staff is extremely helpful and nice and the food is amazing.”
  8. “The service in this family run restaurant is friendly, attentive, but unobtrusive.”
  9. “This restaurant has a lovely, homey feel, mostly attributable to the generosity and knowledge of our waitress and the hearty, extremely tasty food.”
  10. “The wait staff is totally friendly and nice and I simply melt over the chicken burritos.”
  11. “The service was great, the salsa is fresh with plenty of cilantro, the burritos were tasty, all around just a great place!”
  12. “Our waitress was very friendly and efficient.”
  13. “love the service at this restaurant, but the food tends to be inconsistent in quality and arrangement.”
  14. “The service and food is as good as it gets.”
  15. “Overall the staff is friendly and polite!”
  16. “The customer service is real good everyone is friendly and make you feel at home, good date spot good food that wont wipe away your finances, nice atmosphere good food will recommend it to anyone!”
  17. “The staff was very friendly and accommodating.”
  18. “The waitstaff is always extremely courteous and friendly, and the food is about as good as you are going to get in New York (Oh my god!”
  19. “In addition to the great food, friendly service made me realize why this is such a local favorite.”
  20. “Everything from the way the place is humbly decorated, to Vicente Fernandez singing through the speakers, the friendly staff of people who take real pride in the food they serve and the traditional recipes they love to share.”
  21. “Great food and friendly fast service”
  22. “The food is as authentic as you're likely to find in NYC and the service is impccable.”
  23. “The staff is so friendly, the food is home-cooked goodness at an inexpensive price and it's right around the corner from my apartment :) Forget Clinton St - this place is THE neighborhood restaurant.”
  24. “The positives was the service was good and friendly, and the margaritas were tasty and strong - and cheap during happy hour $4 from 6-9pm.”
  25. “The service is just as wonderful as the food.”
  26. “Service was very friendly.”
  27. “From the host to the server, the service was excellent.”
value
96.96999549865723% positive
  1. “And their new margaritas were so tasty, I didn't even realize how strong they were (and cheap)!”
  2. “It may be a little chilly to sit by the huge windows on a cold day in winter, as the heat in the small dining room is not evenly distributed.”
  3. “The positives was the service was good and friendly, and the margaritas were tasty and strong - and cheap during happy hour $4 from 6-9pm.”
  4. “The food was super delicious (and not as pricey as other places) and the dessert tasty with a personal touch.”
  5. “The servive the food the price all great!”
  6. “Unlike many here, my search will go on, and Chipotle will still sadly reign as the best tex mex, particularly for the value - next up though is Mexi Mama's.”
  7. “If you want authentic Mexican food and a great time at a good price go here.”
  8. “The staff is so friendly, the food is home-cooked goodness at an inexpensive price and it's right around the corner from my apartment :) Forget Clinton St - this place is THE neighborhood restaurant.”
  9. “Menu offers great selctions, and the prices are just right.”
  10. “The portions were huge, and the prices were dirt cheap.”
  11. “Great food for a reasonable price, was not a big fan of Mexican food till someone brought me to this restaurant.”
wait time
75.0% positive
  1. “It was crowded, so the service was just a little slow (we thought they ran out of plates), but the staff was very friendly and accomodating.”
  2. “Usually when I find a great little neighborhood restaurant, I try to keep it to myself as long as possible.”
4 Star Rating: Recommended

02/07/10

Very Good Choice for a Traditional Mexican Meal

by ortolog at Citysearch

I have been to this interesting authentic mexican restaurant twice: once alone and once with friends. Both times the food lived up to the expectations raised by all the great reviews. The burritos are very delicate and melt in the mouth. A couple of moles I tried were very tasty too. The service in this family run restaurant is friendly, attentive, but unobtrusive. The ambience is nice and folksy. It may be a little chilly to sit by the huge windows on a cold day in winter, as the heat in the small dining room is not evenly distributed. They take reservations, but the place does not seem to be too crowded most of the time.

  • Pros: food, service
  • Cons: climate control, location in the city
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

10/16/09

fro real mexican food lovers..

by librana at Citysearch

i used to live in new york and this was my favorite mexican restaurant (and i went all over the place looking for authentic mexican food)...now it's a must stop whenever i return to the city...the food is great, the pozole (hominy soup) is the best i've had ...their mole one of the best...try the fried banana desert, delicious...but what makes this place so special is the way the owner makes everybody feel at home...it's small but cozy...it's a no frills place where you go if you want real food and real people...

  • Pros: excellent food, service,
  • Cons: a little bit cramped (but cozy)
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

09/03/09

u guys r fools

by trumexx3 at Citysearch

to the ppl that r looking for tex-mex...go elsewhere! this is not tex-mex!! it is typical,authentic mexican food!!! i come from the same small town in mexico as the owners do, and let me tell u, this place is the real deal!! so to the guy looking for cheese && lettuce on his tacos, go to tacobell!!! and also, go back to texas, new york doesn't want you!!

  • Pros: awesome food!!
  • Cons: too far from me
4 Star Rating: Recommended

11/29/07

It's Mexican food. Not Tex-Mex.

by alpearsall at Citysearch

This is not Tex-Mex (there is a difference), so don't come here expecting it. But if you want good, honest, downhome Mexican food like they make on the border (which is where I grew up), this is your place and it will not disappoint. The meat is pulled, not ground. The emphasis is on flavor and not heat index (and if you want your salsa spicier, they have hotter salsa in the back; just ask for it - I usually mix a spoonful or two of the hotter stuff into the milder stuff). I have always loved everything I've ordered, but my favorite thing is their posole, and they make it just like my mom does. When I can't get on a plane and I need a taste of home, I come here. It's well worth the trip to the LES.

  • Pros: casual, good food, friendly service
  • Cons: small, not much in the way of ambience
3 Star Rating: Average

09/12/07

Best in New York, Average in Texas.

by surfguido at Citysearch

After reading all the positive reviews, I was very excited about trekking to the outer region known as lower very east side. I should have known reading the menu online that it might disappoint. To caveat, I've spent most of my adult life in Texas, and I like the basics tex mex/american - my favorite things are far from adventurous: beef tacos or fajitas - but I've had enchiladas, mole, etc. Alas, I never realized it could be so hard to get basics downs like chips and salsa - I like my chips very thin and crispy, and I like my salsa basic with kick - literally roasted roma tomatoes, Serrano peppers, salt and pepper. Unfortunately, this place was average on all this - hard thick chips that chipped my teeth, and a very mild/sweet salsa which had cilantro and onions, but no kick. They didn't even have ground beef tacos - and the only toppings they had on their tacos were onions, guacamole, and pico. 90% of tacos I've eaten in Texas come with lettuce and cheese. Server recommended the mole chicken - I went with the Steak Asada which was basically the steak fajita not chopped - oversalted and well done - I like my meat a little rare. The positives was the service was good and friendly, and the margaritas were tasty and strong - and cheap during happy hour $4 from 6-9pm. Unlike many here, my search will go on, and Chipotle will still sadly reign as the best tex mex, particularly for the value - next up though is Mexi Mama's.

  • Pros: Tasty, strong, and reasonably priced (during happy hour) margaritas.
  • Cons: Chips, Salsa, Tex/Mex American not good, location

The Details on El Maguey y La Tuna

Place Categories:

  • great nice atmosphere good food
  • friendly fast service
  • friendly wait staff
  • best authentic mexican food
  • best authentic mexican restaurant
  • fresh salsa
  • good price
  • always loved everything
  • great dessert
  • not big fan
  • great sangria
  • nice ambience
  • recommend highly
  • not fast joint
  • great mexican brunch
  • warm rice
  • efficient waitress
  • unobtrusive service
  • good downhome mexican food
  • unintentionally great eating places
  • love tripe soup
  • good baseball game
  • huge windows
  • strong new margaritas
  • great place