Barrio Chino

08/06/11

Extremely Disappointing

by EatNY1 at Citysearch

I was craving guacamole and came across great reviews for Barrio Chino so decided to go check it out with my husband. The ambiance was super cute, but the positive review ends there. The guacamole came out very watery. My pollo tacos had the after taste of dog food (not trying to be dramatic, but that's all I can think to compare it to). It seemed as though they threw in some scraped up pieces of meat from a dirty grill. Very disappointed in my meal and definitely will not be returning.

04/18/10

BAD SERVICE

by chdm at Citysearch

We tried to make a reservation for Sat and were told it was a walk-in, we don't take any reservations. So we showed up early around 6:30 to go here for dinner and was told there was a 30-45minute wait, but nobody is waiting ahead of us.

A table opens up and we ask him if we can take the table, he says no you have to wait 45minutes. We ask him why, and the host says well there are people on the list ahead of you and i'm going to give them a few minutes, we ask him how many more minutes? He says 5minutes. 20 minutes pass and the table is still free sitting there by itself. A couple seats open up at the bar and he asks us whether he wants us those instead. We tell him we want the table and give the bar to the people who are not here, and he says no I'm not going to do that even though it has been 30 minutes he has been saving the table for someone who is not there. He actually started shouting "do you want the bar or not?" in a completely inappropriate manner.

It turns out that the host was actually calling his buddies to save the table for them, while they took their leisurely time, and making paying customers who were right then and there wait. I was a frequent customer here but never going to come here after this, they don't deserve any business with the cronyism shown by this this guy.

Management should re-evaulate the types of people they hire over here.

11/24/09

HORRIBLE SERVICE

by Gator12 at Citysearch

I have been to Barrio Chino a few times and never had a real problem with the late and few is ok and reasonable. Nothing special. Went there on a Monday night and was told a 30 minutes. After an hour was told "another 30". After complaining to Joe was not given an apology and was told "too bad" Will never go back.

12/29/08

best Tequila list in town

by karynzinha at Citysearch

This tiny little LES staple is my favorite Mexican place in NYC. Sure, its crowded, and you always have to wait for a table; i saw Sofia Coppola and her entourage turned away because the place was so full. But give your cell # to the friendly bar staff and head across the street to Little Giant for a warm up cocktail. The freshly prepared sangrita served with your Cazadores is worth the wait.

• Pros: perfectly poured margaritas & amazing tilapia tacos
• Cons: waiting for a table

11/24/08

mmm jalapeno margaritas

by NicoleNewYork at Citysearch

Crazy... i've been asked to wait an hour on a Monday night for a table at this place, and I would have done it if i didn't have to get up early for work. That's how good the drinks are- the jalapeno grapefruit margaritas are my favorite.The food is consistently good, and the atmosphere is always cozy and fun.