(718) 619-8890

824 9th Ave (54th Street)
New York, NY 10019 40.7662 -73.9869

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Neighborhoods: Clinton, Midtown

ELCENTRO-NYC.COM

Hours:

Mon 11:30am-11pm

Tue-Thu 11:30am-12am

Fri 11:30am-1am

Sat 10am-1am

Sun 10am-11pm

Price:

$

Last updated 8.16.11

Category:

Restaurants

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Lunch Spot, Food Delivery, Cheap Eats, Bar Scene

Cuisine:

Mexican

Editor's Tips

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What People Are Saying About El Centro

The Owner

El Centro

Owner

El Centro has a good variety on its menu, from tacos to seafood dishes, rooted in its Mexican/Latin concept. Despite the city's steady increase in mexican restaurants, El Centro is worth a visit for their outstanding cuisine and tempting margaritas. Popular dishes amongst customers include the posole and any version of chilaquiles with meat. The menu describes chilaquiles ($11 to $14) as a casserole, which is as good an English word as any for this dish centered around day-old tortilla chips that are cooked to an appetizingly tough-and-tender texture in a sauce like El Centro's salsa roja or…

Provided by CityGrid

Read more from the owner

Featured Review

Erin Behan

Contributor

The Scene – An explosion of color brightens this corner restaurant to near sunglasses-at-night proportions. With the multicolored checkered floor, wall of reflective Mexican tchotchkes, and Jumex-inspired lighting, there's no lack of folksy whimsy. To get in on the sunny disposition, follow the crowd of neighborhood office workers and gay men: Order up an extra-strong margarita and bask in the glow. – – The Food – The fresh, uncomplicated fare does justice to its street-food roots. A starter of grilled corn on the cob, lightly covered with cheese and mayo, leads…

Editor's Tips

What to Drink:
Margaritas are well worth the money, but the restaurant also has a full bar and serves nonalcoholic fruit drinks.
Know Before You Go:
The restaurant delivers on Monday through Friday from noon to 11pm and Saturday and Sunday from 5pm to 11pm.
ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. “The location is fantastic and the decor is festive, so I really wanted to love this place but the food is average.”
  2. “El Centro is how Mexican food should be, fun and cheap with strong drinks.”
  3. “love this place - the bright and shiny decor, the food is de-lish - the tortilla chips and salsa are wonderful.”
  4. “Although the restaurant decor makes the place look really good, it doesn't do much for the food.”
  5. “must say that the decoration is really loud, but this is how it is supposed to be, the food is good and prices quite reasonnable.”
  6. “TOTALLY recommend this great little spot to anyone who is looking to have a fun and enjoyable dinning experience!”
  7. “Its just an all around fun place to hang out with friends and have some delicious food, fantastic drinks, awesome tunes and have a wonderful time.”
  8. “Great food, great price, good service, nice atmosphere.”
  9. “The atmosphere was great -- bright, Oaxacan colors and decorations throughout.”
drinks
92.8600025177002% positive
  1. “This is my favorite restaurant - they have great drinks (the margaritas are awesome - my friend and I love the raspberry and guava flavors - but they also have specialty drinks and sangria.”
  2. “The sangria is not the best but otherwise the drinks are fantastic.”
  3. “Its just an all around fun place to hang out with friends and have some delicious food, fantastic drinks, awesome tunes and have a wonderful time.”
  4. “The drinks are decent.”
  5. “They have great drinks and even better food.”
  6. “Overall, I highly recommend El Centro - go in and enjoy yourself and I am sure you will have great food, drinks, service and conversation!”
  7. “El Centro is how Mexican food should be, fun and cheap with strong drinks.”
food quality
79.54999923706055% positive
  1. “love this place - the bright and shiny decor, the food is de-lish - the tortilla chips and salsa are wonderful.”
  2. “The service was very slow and the food was below par.”
  3. “Great margaritas and authentic Mexican food -- not Tex-Mex.”
  4. “The food was really good too; authentic mexican flavors instead of your standard soft taco and taquito plate.”
  5. “My favorite entree is the Steak Burro which is a giant burrito filled with grilled steak, rice, black beans and guacamole.”
  6. “The location is fantastic and the decor is festive, so I really wanted to love this place but the food is average.”
  7. “With great food, reasonable prices, and attentive service, El Centro's brunch is muy bueno, just not muy Mexicano.”
  8. “asked If I could bring my sun's happy meal for lunch and they said NO.The people are unpolite and they don't care about customers with kids.”
  9. “El Centro is bright and loud but being a huge fan of Mexican food and having spent years in Mexico (Baja and Oaxaca) I would say that the food is the most authentic I've had in NYC.”
  10. “Great food, lively place”
  11. “must say that the decoration is really loud, but this is how it is supposed to be, the food is good and prices quite reasonnable.”
  12. “Quesadillas are tasty, but small (appetizer size), though their fajitas leave something to be desired.”
  13. “Although the restaurant decor makes the place look really good, it doesn't do much for the food.”
  14. “My friend's food wasn't great either, so between that and the rudest service ever, I would definitely not recommend this place!”
  15. “The house margaritas are made with good tequila and fresh lime juice on the rocks.”
  16. “No one wants cold mole sauce over a cold tortilla and lukewarm steak- which is exactly what El Centro served me.”
  17. “They have great drinks and even better food.”
  18. “My favorite is the fish taco, which has mashed potatoes inside (amazing!”
  19. “The food was good, especially the Pozole, which was exceptional.”
  20. “Great food, good prices”
  21. “The burritos are really really good, and I'm a huge fan of their chips and salsa.”
  22. “Despite being overlooked for seating twice, the food was decent.”
  23. “tasty margarita will make those last few post-lunch hours of work fly by.”
  24. “If I hadn't had such great Mexican food before, I would've liked it.”
  25. “Bland, cold food.”
  26. “The food is good but not worth the price.”
  27. “Add a side of fries (a must-have) with a Limon Jarrito and your weekend should be off to a great start.”
  28. “tacos, tostadas, and pozoles all delicious.”
  29. “am from California and have grown up eating authentic Mexican, and this wasn't it.”
  30. “Let's be honest though, NYC simply doesn't have good Mexican food, so why waste your money on a $13 burrito?”
  31. “El Centro is how Mexican food should be, fun and cheap with strong drinks.”
  32. “It's the best burrito I've had anywhere in the city!”
  33. “The enchiladas are delicious.”
  34. “If you are served cold food - send it back.”
  35. “Overall, I highly recommend El Centro - go in and enjoy yourself and I am sure you will have great food, drinks, service and conversation!”
  36. “The service was really slow- the food was relatively bland and, beyond that, cold.”
  37. “Great food, great price, good service, nice atmosphere.”
  38. “ordered a shrimp quesadilla, which was a disgusting fried-type of thing that was literally dripping with oil.”
  39. “did enjoy the chips and salsa.”
  40. “Much like blondcookie82's review, I highly recommend the french toast or the Huevos Beneditos (eggs benedict, if you hadn't figured).”
  41. “wouldn't recommend going if you are looking for good Mexican food.”
  42. “Great tasting food - authentic and well-prepared.”
  43. “The food is also quite good - the soft seafood taco, empanadas and lamb pozoles (a corn based stew) are exceptional.”
  44. “Its just an all around fun place to hang out with friends and have some delicious food, fantastic drinks, awesome tunes and have a wonderful time.”
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. “Staff was pretty great and the menu has plenty to choose from.”
overall
87.5% positive
  1. “My friend's food wasn't great either, so between that and the rudest service ever, I would definitely not recommend this place!”
  2. “This is my favorite restaurant - they have great drinks (the margaritas are awesome - my friend and I love the raspberry and guava flavors - but they also have specialty drinks and sangria.”
  3. “have been to this great restaurant a number of times since they have opened this past winter and I have yet to be disappointed!”
  4. “great neighborhood place”
service
42.5% positive
  1. “mean why have such i cool place full of bad, very bad staff, to the owner a word of advice, CHANGE THE STAFF COMPLETELY.”
  2. “My friend's food wasn't great either, so between that and the rudest service ever, I would definitely not recommend this place!”
  3. “dirty,small and crowded place, with horrible service and management”
  4. “Poor, slow service.”
  5. “In Mexico all service is slow - they don't come to your table unless you ask them too because they consider it rude to interrupt or hurry you away.”
  6. “Dinner got a little crowded but the service was very good.”
  7. “Hostess and management seems a bit clueless and but the wait staff was nice.”
  8. “asked If I could bring my sun's happy meal for lunch and they said NO.The people are unpolite and they don't care about customers with kids.”
  9. “Overall, I highly recommend El Centro - go in and enjoy yourself and I am sure you will have great food, drinks, service and conversation!”
  10. “With great food, reasonable prices, and attentive service, El Centro's brunch is muy bueno, just not muy Mexicano.”
  11. “The service is slow and the waitstaff was incredibly rude.”
  12. “Great food, great price, good service, nice atmosphere.”
  13. “server was so rude i almost got up and smacked him upside down.”
  14. “The service was really slow- the food was relatively bland and, beyond that, cold.”
  15. “The service was very slow and the food was below par.”
  16. “And everyone always says the service is slow or rude or something.”
  17. “Staff is great, they are very friendly.”
  18. “The service is always excellent and friendly.”
  19. “After going to literally hundreds of restaurants in NYC I can honestly say that the service at this place is the worst I have ever encountered.”
  20. “Terrible service”
value
88.88999938964844% positive
  1. “The food is good but not worth the price.”
  2. “Let's be honest though, NYC simply doesn't have good Mexican food, so why waste your money on a $13 burrito?”
  3. “The burritos are really really good, and I'm a huge fan of their chips and salsa.”
  4. “El Centro is bright and loud but being a huge fan of Mexican food and having spent years in Mexico (Baja and Oaxaca) I would say that the food is the most authentic I've had in NYC.”
  5. “With great food, reasonable prices, and attentive service, El Centro's brunch is muy bueno, just not muy Mexicano.”
  6. “El Centro is how Mexican food should be, fun and cheap with strong drinks.”
  7. “Great food, great price, good service, nice atmosphere.”
  8. “must say that the decoration is really loud, but this is how it is supposed to be, the food is good and prices quite reasonnable.”
  9. “Great food, good prices”
wait time
22.219998836517334% positive
  1. “The service is slow and the waitstaff was incredibly rude.”
  2. “And everyone always says the service is slow or rude or something.”
  3. “In Mexico all service is slow - they don't come to your table unless you ask them too because they consider it rude to interrupt or hurry you away.”
  4. “This place is a great quick lunch spot.”
  5. “Poor, slow service.”
  6. “The service was really slow- the food was relatively bland and, beyond that, cold.”
  7. “Waiter was exceptionally slow and when he did grace us with his presence he was downright nasty.”
  8. “The service was very slow and the food was below par.”
  9. “Even the long wait for a table is enjoyable if you get a mango marguerita.”
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

07/12/09

great neighborhood place

by CeceS3 at Citysearch

I'm the idiot who posted the last review about the ripoff because TD Bank told me that the charge on my account was El Centro, when it was in fact another bad mistake from TD Bank.

Moral of the story, don't bank at TD and eat at El Centro!

  • Pros: Great people, great food
  • Cons: None
1 Star Rating: Poor

07/11/09

rip off!

by voisin at Citysearch

I went to El Centro and the next day found out that I had been charged over $3,500 on my credit card for a $46 bill! When I called the restaurant Silvio said it would take a few days to "check it out" when I got furious and demanded that he fix it more quickly he refused to give me the corporate number and told me I would have to wait for a call back. Anyone can make a mistake but three and a half grand?

  • Pros: food and ambiance are good
  • Cons: I was overcharged
2 Star Rating: Below Average

12/03/08

average..

by Lucydan82 at Citysearch

I have been here twice. The food is good but not worth the price. The service is slow and the waitstaff was incredibly rude.I wouldn?t recommend to anyone.

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

10/12/08

Saturday 11 October 2008 - Late Lunch - Opposite side of the room‎

by legalvince at Citysearch

I went to El Centro this saturday (11 October 2008) for a late lunch with a friend, she knew that place and recommended it. I must say that the decoration is really loud, but this is how it is supposed to be, the food is good and prices quite reasonnable.

I felt like I was actually having my (late) lunch with a very pretty girl sitting opposite to me on the other side of the room. I couldn't resist letting her know that I appreciated her (somehow distant) company and expressed my liking. Although my intention was not to get any phone number, had it been given to me, I would have used it maybe for a (less distant) lunch at El Centro, or alternatively for dinner date in Paris, France. This idea still remains open.

Vincent

(con tact would be : legalvince -at- aol -dot- com)

3 Star Rating: Average

05/30/08

You'll Like If You've Never Had Real Mex

by NYGator08 at Citysearch

The location is fantastic and the decor is festive, so I really wanted to love this place but the food is average. I am from California and have grown up eating authentic Mexican, and this wasn't it. The chips and guac was sub-par, margaritas ok, and the tacos I had were pretty flavor-less. If I hadn't had such great Mexican food before, I would've liked it. At least it was cheap!

  • Pros: Great, friendly service
  • Cons: Average food

The Details on El Centro

Place Categories:

  • great mexican food
  • slow service
  • love neighborhood place
  • great margaritas
  • great drinks
  • good price
  • pretty great wait staff
  • fun dinning experience
  • huge fan
  • great little spot
  • small quesadillas
  • really good burrito
  • recommend pozole
  • great lively place
  • exceptionally slow waiter
  • authentic mexican flavors
  • fun el centro
  • favorite restaurant
  • enjoy salsa
  • enjoy tortilla chips
  • perfect neighborhood
  • enjoyable long wait
  • highly recommend french toast
  • happy meal
  • favorite chicken

Message from El Centro

  • Brunch, Lunch & Dinner
  • Mexican/Latin Cuisine
  • Margarita Selection

El Centro has a good variety on its menu, from tacos to seafood dishes, rooted in its Mexican/Latin concept. Despite the city's steady increase in mexican restaurants, El Centro is worth a visit for their outstanding cuisine and tempting margaritas. Popular dishes amongst customers include the posole and any version of chilaquiles with meat. The menu describes chilaquiles ($11 to $14) as a casserole, which is as good an English word as any for this dish centered around day-old tortilla chips that are cooked to an appetizingly tough-and-tender texture in a sauce like El Centro's salsa roja or the mole, and topped with avocado, cheese and more. As for those margaritas, El Centro has classic and frozen at the ready, as well as a few other notable drinks on Manhattan's Mexican drink menus: sangritas, micheladas and the like.