(212) 529-6490

179 Avenue B (nr. 11th St.)
New York, NY 10009 40.727595 -73.97937

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Neighborhoods: Alphabet City, East Village, Downtown

MERCADITO.COM

Hours:

Mon-Wed, 5pm-11pm

Thu-Fri, 5pm-midnight

Sat, noon-midnight

Sun, noon-11pm

Price:

$$

Last updated 10.17.11

Category:

Restaurants

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Lunch Spot, Date Spot, Brunch, Dine At The Bar

Cuisine:

Latin American, Mexican

Notable Chef:

Patricio Sandoval

What People Are Saying About Mercadito

Featured Review

Allison Austin

Contributor

The Scene – With table seating for just 14 inside (there's an enclosed back patio area with additional seating) and a bar that fits about eight, this softly lit, wood-lined jewel box of a place emanates a cozy warmth and a get-to-know-your-neighbor charm. Service is rushed yet friendly, always taking the time to check in and chat. – – The Food – Chef Patricio Sandoval starts with the building blocks of authentic Mexican cuisine and adds his own flair. That means the just-mashed guacamole is brightened with little bits of mint and pineapple, and that shrimp seviche…

Editor's Tips

Know Before You Go:
After opening with a no-reservation policy, the restaurant is now taking reservations.
The Extras:
Want to enjoy Mercadito's authentic cuisine at your next party? Call for catering rates.
What to Drink:
The house margaritas are outstanding, especially the citrus version with orange, grapefruit, lemon and a bit of habanero for zing, and the margarita "de playa" with orange, lime and jicama juices, and a touch of chipotle. For purists, the chelada---beer, lime, Worcestershire and Tabasco.
ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. The atmosphere was quite nice, and that the waitstaff were polite and professional.
  2. Great ambiance, fantastic food
  3. Very intimate setting and great decor!
  4. Had a reservation for 6 people and showed up with 8 - we ended up having to wait a while at the bar, but the manager went totally out of his way to make sure we were having fun and sent us drinks and appetizers to make up for the wait (and some excellent
  5. The place is small, but very cozy & romantic and the Guacamole could be the best in the city.
  6. Top 3 things I look for in a restaurant: great food, fun atmosphere, and affordable prices.
  7. They've got some pretty creative dishes, and the drinks at the bar are a lot of fun.
  8. Ambiance was great, very romantic.
  9. Great atmosphere, good food.
  10. The decor is cool, and it works as a date spot, if you're comfortable with some solid background noise.
  11. Overall, food and atmosphere is good.
  12. Great atmosphere, wonderful food for a great value, and the service was so gracious.
  13. Good drinks and a nice ambiance, but that's about it.
  14. While no longer Pantry (they have kept the coffee lady for breakfast), this restuarant has an amazing romantic ambience with a very warm and inviting feel.
  15. Friendly warm service and cozy atmosphere.
dessert
66.66999816894531% positive
  1. Even the steak picadas were good, but when combined w/ the crispy tortilla, guacamole, and sour cream it did not stand out.
  2. Did the tasting menu, which was a great deal for delicious guacamole, ceviche, tacos and dessert.
  3. Our waitress was awful: forgot items, brought the wrong drinks/food, and failed to offer dessert.
drinks
90.62999725341797% positive
  1. Amazing in every sense of the word, the tacos are the best noth of the border, try the steak tacos & the beer battered fish tacos.
  2. Great idea, tequila bar only, who doesn't like margaritas?
  3. The chef is incredible, the drinks are great and the staff couldnt be nicer.
  4. If you like Sangria, try the white wine Sangria.
  5. While no longer Pantry (they have kept the coffee lady for breakfast), this restuarant has an amazing romantic ambience with a very warm and inviting feel.
  6. The drinks are very good too.
  7. After very nice meal and drinks, the manager had the audacity to come up to come up to me while my finace was in the restroom and ask me if I could go to the bar so he could seat another couple at my table.
  8. Our waitress was awful: forgot items, brought the wrong drinks/food, and failed to offer dessert.
  9. Good drinks and a nice ambiance, but that's about it.
  10. The drink menu is equally interesting and the margaritas are very well done.
  11. The drinks are great, music is great, and it's totally affordable.
  12. Had a reservation for 6 people and showed up with 8 - we ended up having to wait a while at the bar, but the manager went totally out of his way to make sure we were having fun and sent us drinks and appetizers to make up for the wait (and some excellent
  13. They've got some pretty creative dishes, and the drinks at the bar are a lot of fun.
  14. Mercadito has done a wonderful job, bringing authentic mexican dishes and fantastic drinks (the mojito was the BEST I have ever had) to the East Village.
  15. If you follow the servers' recommendations and order several dishes to share with your table you're in for some intense flavors from both the food and drinks.
  16. The service was excellent and the food and drink was just as good.
food quality
90.38999557495117% positive
  1. The food was good, the guacamole was delicious, as was the pork tacos, but the fish tacos and cerviche was simply OK.
  2. The food in this place isn't bad, but don't go there if you're hungry at all unless you're planning on spending a lot of money.
  3. My suggestion: Go to a more authentic restaurant and enjoy better service and a nicer meal.
  4. The new tacos are still the same beautifully prepared skirt steak, but now they are served with fried potatoes - some sort of sharp baby french fries that add no flavor.
  5. Amazing in every sense of the word, the tacos are the best noth of the border, try the steak tacos & the beer battered fish tacos.
  6. am Mexican and the food is unbelievably good.
  7. The service was excellent and the food and drink was just as good.
  8. Poor service, Great food
  9. Great ambiance, fantastic food
  10. The food is good, interesting--and I especially enjoyed the guacamole taster platter.
  11. The food is so fresh, creative, and delicious!
  12. We ordered two margaritas to start things off, and the one named La Playa was actually gross, it was overly spicy, dispite positive reviews.
  13. great food.
  14. Our waitress was awful: forgot items, brought the wrong drinks/food, and failed to offer dessert.
  15. The food was great and we enjoyed the meal, but everything was ruined when a manager approached our table just after we'd paid the bill and asked us to get up so that they could seat another party.
  16. The sangria is delicious and the service is prompt.
  17. The entire interior is authenthic and hand-made wood from Mexico and the food is amazing.
  18. Delicious food, terrible service.
  19. The food is absolutely excellent!
  20. Anything but authentic Mexican food.
  21. NyMag said it had the best fish tacos in the city, while they aren't wrong I wouldn't return simply because of the bad service and unwarranted expense.
  22. Better guacamole than Dos Caminos and the taco de camarones had the best sauce i've ever had with shrimp.
  23. Mercadito has done a wonderful job, bringing authentic mexican dishes and fantastic drinks (the mojito was the BEST I have ever had) to the East Village.
  24. Had a reservation for 6 people and showed up with 8 - we ended up having to wait a while at the bar, but the manager went totally out of his way to make sure we were having fun and sent us drinks and appetizers to make up for the wait (and some excellent
  25. The handmade quesadillas are just delicious.
  26. also knew all about the food, and made some great recommendations.
  27. Ceviche is decent, I'm not into raw food, but my bf is and he quite enjoyed the scallop ceviche.
  28. Also, servers are very knowledgeable and seem to have the answers to any question you might have about a dish.
  29. UPDATE: Have been back several times and although the pace of the meal could be improved, all things considered, its a great place.
  30. Waitstaff was helpful and in following with their recomendations we shared 6-8 dishes and everything was spectacular.
  31. great food
  32. Anyway, best fish tacos I've had in NYC so far.
  33. The food was great, but expect to spend 30 - 40 per person.
  34. My boyfriend and I made sure to tell them that their restaurant is one of a kind, and that everything from start to finish was wonderfully delicious.
  35. They've got some pretty creative dishes, and the drinks at the bar are a lot of fun.
  36. The service was exceptionally slow, and then we were asked (in an extremely condescending way) to leave before we even finished our meal!
  37. After very nice meal and drinks, the manager had the audacity to come up to come up to me while my finace was in the restroom and ask me if I could go to the bar so he could seat another couple at my table.
  38. They use fresh fruit, no juices.
  39. They accidentally brought us the wrong dish, a normal mistake which happens all the time- but they are so focused on making the customer happy that they went out of their way to ensure the rest of the meal was perfect.
  40. wondeful, warm place with fantastic, authentic mexican food.
  41. Great atmosphere, good food.
  42. If you follow the servers' recommendations and order several dishes to share with your table you're in for some intense flavors from both the food and drinks.
  43. We had a great dinner, reasonably priced, and the Fried Plantains were the perfect ending for a great meal.
  44. Even the steak picadas were good, but when combined w/ the crispy tortilla, guacamole, and sour cream it did not stand out.
  45. Their tacos and guacamole are so good.
  46. Besides being a delicious & adorable restaurant.
  47. The tacos are delicious.
  48. The shrimp ceviche & octopus ceviche are the best.
  49. Outrageously rude service; average food
  50. highly recommend mexican cuisine lovers to give a shot
  51. It seems like a great value, with dishes arond $10, until you discover each dish consists of miniscule portions.
  52. Nothing's worse than having a fine meal, getting slightly tipsy on yummy margaritas, and then waiting 45 minutes for a check.
  53. enjoyed the authentic mexican flavours and the cute little Ave. B environment.
  54. Granted the steak and guacamole were tasty, it wasn't worth $10.
  55. Great food in a toght space
  56. I've eaten here several times and the food is great but the service is God-awful.
  57. Did the tasting menu, which was a great deal for delicious guacamole, ceviche, tacos and dessert.
  58. Super fresh ceviche and small tacos will take you straight there.
  59. love my mexican food and am very particular when it comes to it.
  60. The fish tacos are great - but I imagine just about everything on the menu is worth trying.
  61. That would have been fine if the food was delicious or even filling.
  62. They have a lot of awesome flavored margaritas and an amazing guacamole tasting dish.
  63. Great atmosphere, wonderful food for a great value, and the service was so gracious.
  64. Great food, abominable service.
  65. nice pork
  66. the pollo a la brasa was delicious with that corn pico de gallo.
  67. The service was nice, although our food took longer than usual to arrive because it had been brought to the wrong table and accidently eaten.
  68. The food is great, and being from California it's hard to impress me with Mexican.
  69. was going to write this review in spanish because I want my people from Mexico to know that there's a great authentic Mexican restaurant in NYC.
  70. The mango chipotle guac will have you licking the bowl and while the portions seem small at first, I followed the server's recommendations and left completely satisfied with the taste of these amazing mushroom tostadas lingering in my mouth.
  71. great food, friendly service, and killer margaritas.
  72. While the food was good, the bad service completes outweighs any memory of how good it tasted.
  73. Even if the service is sub-par, the quality and taste of the food far outweighs the inadequate service.
  74. The food was excellent, however don't even dare to show up late if you don't want the owner to get antsy although the restaurant is still completely empty.
  75. The best authentic Mexican
  76. Those who don't require a bridge and/or tunnel to reach Mercadito are in for a real treat - great food, attentive service, and excellent margaritas in a small but charming East Village spot.
  77. The tacos are my favorite - they may look small - but they are truly wonderful.
  78. This would be a great place if they could just figure out which food belongs to whom.
  79. The tampiquena steak entree is really good.
  80. Service, delish food and the tab were all to my expectations!
  81. My bf and I ordered way too much food, but wanted to be able to provide an accurate review of the place and provide good recos to our friends and fam.
  82. Fast Service, and 1st Rate food made up for the space.
  83. Top 3 things I look for in a restaurant: great food, fun atmosphere, and affordable prices.
  84. Have been to Mercadito several times previous and agree the food is excellent at a good value.
  85. was disappointed to see that they changed the menu and replaced the amazing lime and mint carne tacos with a sad substitue.
  86. There were three in our party and we ordered three dishes, all of which were tasty, but the total sum of food we received wasn't even enough to feed one of us.
  87. wouldn't say it is the best best value. After our party of 3 ordered the sampler guacomole appetizer, 3 orders of tacos + 2 sides, we still felt hungry. Even so, I would still recommend it to a friend and I would still go back.
  88. The food is delicious and not cheap!
  89. The food is great and tha Management was horendous!
  90. Very small charming restaurant with very good to excellent Mexican food.
  91. Overall, food and atmosphere is good.
  92. The tacos were good but really tiny.
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. The fish tacos are great - but I imagine just about everything on the menu is worth trying.
  2. The menu seems reasonable considering nothing is over $10.
  3. was disappointed to see that they changed the menu and replaced the amazing lime and mint carne tacos with a sad substitue.
  4. Did the tasting menu, which was a great deal for delicious guacamole, ceviche, tacos and dessert.
  5. The drink menu is equally interesting and the margaritas are very well done.
overall
100.0% positive
  1. This would be a great place if they could just figure out which food belongs to whom.
  2. This is a great t little restaurant in an even better part of town.
  3. (punishment to me for betraying my favorite restaurant in town)
  4. was going to write this review in spanish because I want my people from Mexico to know that there's a great authentic Mexican restaurant in NYC.
  5. This is my new favorite restaurant.
  6. UPDATE: Have been back several times and although the pace of the meal could be improved, all things considered, its a great place.
  7. All in all, a great place.
  8. This restaurant would be great if it were cheap but it is not in fact, it is on the pricier side of any Mexican restaurant I have ever been to.
  9. Really nice place.
return potential
41.459999084472656% positive
  1. know my boyfriend and I will be back for many more incredible meals!
  2. NyMag said it had the best fish tacos in the city, while they aren't wrong I wouldn't return simply because of the bad service and unwarranted expense.
  3. wouldn't say it is the best best value. After our party of 3 ordered the sampler guacomole appetizer, 3 orders of tacos + 2 sides, we still felt hungry. Even so, I would still recommend it to a friend and I would still go back.
  4. will never return and will never recommend this place to anyone.
service
70.73999881744385% positive
  1. Those who don't require a bridge and/or tunnel to reach Mercadito are in for a real treat - great food, attentive service, and excellent margaritas in a small but charming East Village spot.
  2. We had a table in the back, which seemed nice, until we were all but forgotten about by our server.
  3. was very impressed by the service and the knowledge of the waitress, she was a good salesperson.
  4. Friendly warm service and cozy atmosphere.
  5. My suggestion: Go to a more authentic restaurant and enjoy better service and a nicer meal.
  6. The sangria is delicious and the service is prompt.
  7. We had a terrible experience with the manager of this establishment.
  8. The service was excellent and the food and drink was just as good.
  9. The chef is incredible, the drinks are great and the staff couldnt be nicer.
  10. Delicious food, terrible service.
  11. went with a big group and the servers were great and didn't rush us out despite it getting busy.
  12. Great food, abominable service.
  13. Since the moment we arrived the staff was very polite and attentive.
  14. Our waitress was awful: forgot items, brought the wrong drinks/food, and failed to offer dessert.
  15. The server was rude, and was insisting so we'd order appetizers.
  16. Even if the service is sub-par, the quality and taste of the food far outweighs the inadequate service.
  17. The food was great and we enjoyed the meal, but everything was ruined when a manager approached our table just after we'd paid the bill and asked us to get up so that they could seat another party.
  18. The service was exceptionally slow, and then we were asked (in an extremely condescending way) to leave before we even finished our meal!
  19. Our waitress was nice, but the management is rude.
  20. Poor service, Great food
  21. Thank God for the pleasant server.
  22. Had a reservation for 6 people and showed up with 8 - we ended up having to wait a while at the bar, but the manager went totally out of his way to make sure we were having fun and sent us drinks and appetizers to make up for the wait (and some excellent
  23. We were served by 1 owner, Darin Rubell who was so friendly and attentive.
  24. Also, servers are very knowledgeable and seem to have the answers to any question you might have about a dish.
  25. we ate in the back room and received and excellent service from Marcelo and the rest of the staff.
  26. After very nice meal and drinks, the manager had the audacity to come up to come up to me while my finace was in the restroom and ask me if I could go to the bar so he could seat another couple at my table.
  27. and terrific bartenders.
  28. horrible staff.
  29. The service was nice, although our food took longer than usual to arrive because it had been brought to the wrong table and accidently eaten.
  30. The mango chipotle guac will have you licking the bowl and while the portions seem small at first, I followed the server's recommendations and left completely satisfied with the taste of these amazing mushroom tostadas lingering in my mouth.
  31. Great atmosphere, wonderful food for a great value, and the service was so gracious.
  32. NyMag said it had the best fish tacos in the city, while they aren't wrong I wouldn't return simply because of the bad service and unwarranted expense.
  33. If you follow the servers' recommendations and order several dishes to share with your table you're in for some intense flavors from both the food and drinks.
  34. While the food was good, the bad service completes outweighs any memory of how good it tasted.
  35. The service is also very bad.
  36. Most importantly the managers there were super cool with getting us seats, despite all the people waiting and all the reservations.
  37. service was terrible.
  38. Outrageously rude service; average food
  39. was going to write this review in spanish because I want my people from Mexico to know that there's a great authentic Mexican restaurant in NYC.
  40. The most personable staff including chef in a delightful place.
  41. The margaritas and service were pretty bad.
  42. great food, friendly service, and killer margaritas.
  43. Casula but friendly service and excellent ceviche.
  44. Take a look at the people giving this place 'awesome' ratings -- it seems the vast majority of them have only reviewed this one particular restaurant.
  45. I've eaten here several times and the food is great but the service is God-awful.
value
74.02999877929688% positive
  1. It seems like a great value, with dishes arond $10, until you discover each dish consists of miniscule portions.
  2. horrible, very expensive place for a big party
  3. The fish tacos are great - but I imagine just about everything on the menu is worth trying.
  4. Had a reservation for 6 people and showed up with 8 - we ended up having to wait a while at the bar, but the manager went totally out of his way to make sure we were having fun and sent us drinks and appetizers to make up for the wait (and some excellent
  5. The drinks are great, music is great, and it's totally affordable.
  6. The food in this place isn't bad, but don't go there if you're hungry at all unless you're planning on spending a lot of money.
  7. This restaurant would be great if it were cheap but it is not in fact, it is on the pricier side of any Mexican restaurant I have ever been to.
  8. The mango chipotle guac will have you licking the bowl and while the portions seem small at first, I followed the server's recommendations and left completely satisfied with the taste of these amazing mushroom tostadas lingering in my mouth.
  9. I've been to other nice tapas restaurants in NYC in much better neighborhoods, and the avg price was about $7 - $8.
  10. The food is delicious and not cheap!
  11. Great atmosphere, wonderful food for a great value, and the service was so gracious.
  12. Have been to Mercadito several times previous and agree the food is excellent at a good value.
  13. Granted the steak and guacamole were tasty, it wasn't worth $10.
  14. margaritas are expensive & not great.
  15. Way too expensive
  16. wouldn't say it is the best best value. After our party of 3 ordered the sampler guacomole appetizer, 3 orders of tacos + 2 sides, we still felt hungry. Even so, I would still recommend it to a friend and I would still go back.
  17. While I'm not going to say the portions are small, I am going to say that the portions are not big.
  18. Top 3 things I look for in a restaurant: great food, fun atmosphere, and affordable prices.
wait time
50.0% positive
  1. Nothing's worse than having a fine meal, getting slightly tipsy on yummy margaritas, and then waiting 45 minutes for a check.
  2. The service was exceptionally slow, and then we were asked (in an extremely condescending way) to leave before we even finished our meal!
1 Star Rating: Poor

02/08/10

worst place ever

by angels2579 at Citysearch

If I could give this place zero stars, I would. I ate in the restaurant once, and the food was definitely not the quality I was hoping for the price. ($14.00 tacos). The other night I decided to order delivery from them since it's a block away from my apartment. 2 hours later it dawned on me that I still had no food in my stomach. I tried calling to check on my order and they hung up on me. Tried calling back and they put me on hold (I hung up after 7 minutes of being on hold). Call back, and they tell me the guy just left on his bike. Since I only live a block away you'd think that he'd be there in approximately 2-5 minutes. 20 minutes later and I was still starving. Call back to ask where my food was and got hung up on YET AGAIN. For $14 tacos, I at least want the food to GET TO MY APARTMENT. It's probably a good thing that I never got my food since the one time I ate there it gave me the runs. Never again.

  • Pros: none
  • Cons: everything
2 Star Rating: Below Average

01/04/10

Horrible! Bad Management!

by CSMobileUser4 at Citysearch

The food is great and tha Management was horendous! Thank God for the pleasant server. I have been in the restaurant industry for a while and I feel bad for the staff. Yikes!!!

1 Star Rating: Poor

12/10/09

Worst Dining Experience Ever-- STAY AWAY

by grade_a at Citysearch

Unfortunately it is impossible to enjoy a dining experience at this restaurant due to the rude manager and wait staff at this establishment. i attended with a group of 7 experienced diners and we were treated so awful none of us would consider returning. We were forced into a prixe fixe menu which wasn't explained to us when we made the reservations. Their version of prixe fixe required everyone in the party has to agree on 2-3 specific dishes, despite various food requirements, and depending on which level of prixe fixe you are willing to buy. Throughout the course of the dinner, we were rushed repeatedly, they wrote down the wrong reservation time (7:15 instead of 7:30) then lectured us for arriving late even after learning they were the ones to make the mistake. They gave us the check with dessert and refused to offer coffee/tea, and asked us to leave before we started eating the desert. The manager smirked at us when we complained about the treatment and the situation was never rectified. There were so many instances in our evening that we were treated with disrespect for the business we were bringing to the restaurant. I would never recommend a person to eat at this restaurant unless they are masochistic and enjoy being treated with disrespect and disdain while paying the perpetrators. Our group was unable to enjoy our precious time together due to our treatment in this establishment. I implore the reader to spend your money elsewhere and support better run businesses.

  • Pros: overshadowed by cons
  • Cons: Rudest Treatment by Manager and Staff Ever!
2 Star Rating: Below Average

10/17/08

horrible, very expensive place for a big party

by ktobiassen at Citysearch

My friend had her birthday party here. Upon arrival, we were told that there would be a price fixe of $30 per person for chips, ceviche, and tacos. Not what I might have chosen, but whatever, fine. We were also informed that there would be a price fixe of $30 per person for open bar. When we explained that several people in our group don't drink, we were basically told tough luck -- opting out of open bar was not an option. This was a 40-year old crowd, generally not big drinkers. With the tax, tip, and kicking in for the birthday girl, it was almost $80 per person for tacos and one or two drinks. I feel robbed and angry.

Take a look at the people giving this place 'awesome' ratings -- it seems the vast majority of them have only reviewed this one particular restaurant. Highly suspicious!

  • Pros: tacos and guacamle are very good
  • Cons: draconian party policies, highway robbery
3 Star Rating: Average

09/16/08

Poor service, Great food

by nycshan at Citysearch

My friends and I had reservations on Saturday night for 8:30. It was raining, so obviously the outside seating was not an option. We had to wait until 9:30 to sit and we had to stand outside in the rain while waiting for our table due to the tight quarters inside. No apologies, no explanation, nada. The food was yummy, though petite...to put it nicely. Our waitress was nice, but the management is rude.

The Details on Mercadito

Place Categories:

  • favorite authentic mexican restaurant
  • friendly better service
  • delicious small tacos
  • great drinks
  • delicious guacamole
  • more incredible nicer meal
  • delicious scallop ceviche
  • great strawberry margaritas
  • great fun atmosphere
  • rude servers
  • pretty creative mexican dishes
  • great value
  • not like margaritas
  • love mercadito
  • attentive staff
  • best fish tacos
  • great ambiance
  • not unique flavor
  • nice hole in the wall
  • romantic ambience
  • great recommendation
  • authentic mexican
  • great authentic mexican food
  • great place
  • bad service