Mexicana Mama Centro

(212) 253-7594

47 E 12th St
New York, NY 10003 40.7336 -73.9917

Get Map & Directions »

Neighborhoods: Greenwich Village, Downtown

Price:

$$

Last updated 8.14.11

Category:

Restaurants

Payment Methods:

Cash

Restaurant Special Features:

Local Favorite, Food Delivery, Dine At The Bar

Cuisine:

Mexican

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About Mexicana Mama Centro

Featured Review

Kathleen Squires

Contributor

The Scene – Fans of the tiny original West Village location won't mind walking a few extra blocks east for an abundance of elbow room and a more generous dose of atmosphere. Exposed brick niches trimmed with white iron work and a folky mural of a Mexico City lunch counter bring charm to the room. A spacious bar adds another facet the original sorely lacks. – – The Draw – One taste of the expertly layered spicing of each dish and you'll never go back to a red and green sauce cantina again. The flavors pack power, from the piquant, raisin-tinged mole smothering the…

Editor's Tips

What to Drink:
Mexican beer is on offer along with potent margaritas.
The Extras:
The tiny original on Hudson Street features more daily specials, but much less seating.
ambiance
85.71000099182129% positive
  1. “On the plus side, the decor is very pretty, and the waiters were trying to be helpful.”
  2. “The specials are amazing and the decor is adorable.”
  3. “The ambiance was so pleasant.”
  4. “She had never been there before, and I recommended it for good Mexican food, great atmosphere and impeccable service.”
  5. “Festive atmosphere, good flavor and great service!”
  6. “Our party had a fun time sampling the drink specials, I recommend the jalapeno margarita or any margarita.”
  7. “But that's the atmosphere that was the worst for me.”
dessert
100.0% positive
  1. “Delicious, yummy sauces, tasty dessert, good margaritas, and very friendly service - what more can you ask for?”
  2. “The dessert was very good, however.”
  3. “We had the chocolate cake of tres leches which was delicious.”
drinks
33.3299994468689% positive
  1. “The service was very slow and they repeatedly mixed up our drink orders.”
  2. “Our party had a fun time sampling the drink specials, I recommend the jalapeno margarita or any margarita.”
  3. “Average food and drinks, rude manager, unpleasant overall”
food quality
71.14999771118164% positive
  1. “Everyone really enjoyed their entrees, but the hangar steak with chorizo was the overwhelming favorite.”
  2. “My friends took me to this place and the food was awesome.”
  3. “awesome flavored margaritas, the salsa was like none I've ever had before.”
  4. “Incredible service, best Mexican food in Manhattan”
  5. “good food, but claustrophopic seating”
  6. “The margaritas are absolutely fabulous, made with fresh fruit and lime juice.”
  7. “The special salsas that we tried were phenomenal and the guac was delicious as always.”
  8. “could have saved myself around $60 & had much better & more authentic mexican food had i gone to our regular local spot The Big Enchilada 1/2 a block away.”
  9. “they use fresh lime juice.”
  10. “(try La Esquina or Cafe Habana if that's what your looking for) I live down the block from this spot ,me & my girlfriend tried it the other night,the food was indeed diferent from most mexican spots in that none of it tasted mexican,the guacamole was basi”
  11. “Delicious, yummy sauces, tasty dessert, good margaritas, and very friendly service - what more can you ask for?”
  12. “The chicken mole burrito was also a bit soggy and nothing special, again for that price could get a much better more authentic burrito around the corner.”
  13. “We had the chocolate cake of tres leches which was delicious.”
  14. “The mole sauce was good, but definitely not worth the wait, or the slow, rude service.”
  15. “The food was unbelievable, and no explanation I can write here will do it justice, --- The more important thing to mention is that this is the kind of place where not only is the service well-paced, but the employees are happy to be there and take the tim”
  16. “Average, not authentic mexican”
  17. “Great food, friendly service”
  18. “bad food, bad service, bad neighbors, bad, bad, bad”
  19. “We got two expensive appetizers, two margaritas, chips and salsa for over $50.”
  20. “The portions are great, and the food is always tasty.”
  21. “overpriced food, the worst margarita i have ever had (choked on the fumes) inattentive service, alienating manager makes you feel you are not welcome.”
  22. “usually frequent Rosa Mexicano which is very close to where I live, and while Mexicana Mama has less variety and is smaller, the food and service are fabulous.”
  23. “poor neighborhood relations but good food”
  24. “The food here is not bad, but they charge you for chips and salsa (unheard of where I come from)!”
  25. “She had never been there before, and I recommended it for good Mexican food, great atmosphere and impeccable service.”
  26. “Average food and drinks, rude manager, unpleasant overall”
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. “The house margaritas are good (they are strictly on the rocks) and the menu was expanded greatly by the number of specials, which were inventive and very good.”
  2. “usually frequent Rosa Mexicano which is very close to where I live, and while Mexicana Mama has less variety and is smaller, the food and service are fabulous.”
return potential
100.0% positive
  1. “highly recommend this place and will go there again.”
service
60.60999870300293% positive
  1. “Our service was outstanding.”
  2. “The mole sauce was good, but definitely not worth the wait, or the slow, rude service.”
  3. “The staff was EXTREMELY rude.”
  4. “The place is adorable, and the entire staff is super friendly and down to earth.”
  5. “She had never been there before, and I recommended it for good Mexican food, great atmosphere and impeccable service.”
  6. “The service was very slow and they repeatedly mixed up our drink orders.”
  7. “The staff was really great with helping us choose our order too.”
  8. “overpriced food, the worst margarita i have ever had (choked on the fumes) inattentive service, alienating manager makes you feel you are not welcome.”
  9. “the place was indeed packed and that made the service slow and a bit rude.”
  10. “Incredible service, best Mexican food in Manhattan”
  11. “On the plus side, the decor is very pretty, and the waiters were trying to be helpful.”
  12. “usually frequent Rosa Mexicano which is very close to where I live, and while Mexicana Mama has less variety and is smaller, the food and service are fabulous.”
  13. “Our service was great.”
  14. “Great food, friendly service”
  15. “bad food, bad service, bad neighbors, bad, bad, bad”
  16. “Average food and drinks, rude manager, unpleasant overall”
  17. “Delicious, yummy sauces, tasty dessert, good margaritas, and very friendly service - what more can you ask for?”
  18. “Festive atmosphere, good flavor and great service!”
  19. “Zero people's skills and very unpleasant vibe.”
  20. “The service is always friendly and knowledgeable and even when busy, ensures that the restaurant experience is above par.”
  21. “The blonde woman manager was really weird and rude.”
  22. “The food was unbelievable, and no explanation I can write here will do it justice, --- The more important thing to mention is that this is the kind of place where not only is the service well-paced, but the employees are happy to be there and take the tim”
value
46.66999816894531% positive
  1. “The mole sauce was good, but definitely not worth the wait, or the slow, rude service.”
  2. “The chicken mole burrito was also a bit soggy and nothing special, again for that price could get a much better more authentic burrito around the corner.”
  3. “We got two expensive appetizers, two margaritas, chips and salsa for over $50.”
  4. “overpriced food, the worst margarita i have ever had (choked on the fumes) inattentive service, alienating manager makes you feel you are not welcome.”
  5. “The portions are great, and the food is always tasty.”
wait time
11.109999418258667% positive
  1. “The mole sauce was good, but definitely not worth the wait, or the slow, rude service.”
  2. “the place was indeed packed and that made the service slow and a bit rude.”
  3. “The service was very slow and they repeatedly mixed up our drink orders.”
4 Star Rating: Recommended

11/23/10

Bext Mexican in NYC!

by johnsonr

Best Mexican in NYC!

I love Mexicana Mama! Not only is the food fantastic, (comforting, delicious, with a perfect balance of traditional and modern flavors) but the decor is warm and inviting, and the staff is great!

Mexicana is on of my favorite neighborhood spots. Yes, the space is small on first glance, but I promise once you settle in with a fresh margarita and some guac you won't even notice.

The pork tacos are one of my favorites, and the special salsa is always amazing. The entree specials are also always delicious. I recently had the pistachio crusted snapper served with a spicy chocolate sauce, which was rich but a perfect balance of sweet/spicy/savory yum! my b/f had the fish tacos and they we're also very good.

1 Star Rating: Poor

03/23/10

POISONED! Run away!!!!!!!

by mrdiningout

My partner and I thought we'd try a new Mexican in the neighborhood. Sat down, service friendly. Ordered two $13 margaritas that came in a shot glass-and only half full. Chips and guac-passable. He ordred special mahi-mahi tacos; small and fish was all flaked inside like it was left-overs. I ordered Checken enchiladas-how can you go wrong here? Terrible flavorless mush. Accompanied by a small bowl of bean mush and cheap rice. 24 hours later I was slammed with food poisoning. And we paid $100 for two!

  • Pros: None
  • Cons: Terrible flavorless low quality food
1 Star Rating: Poor

12/12/09

Awful - go at your own risk

by mermshirley

bad food, bad service, bad neighbors, bad, bad, bad

  • Pros: none
  • Cons: everything is bad
4 Star Rating: Recommended

09/12/09

Great food, friendly service

by NewYorking

My friends took me to this place and the food was awesome. Delicious, yummy sauces, tasty dessert, good margaritas, and very friendly service - what more can you ask for? I usually frequent Rosa Mexicano which is very close to where I live, and while Mexicana Mama has less variety and is smaller, the food and service are fabulous. And the wait time is not that long. I highly recommend this place and will go there again.

  • Pros: Yummy food
2 Star Rating: Below Average

02/21/09

good food, but claustrophopic seating

by zottington

The food here is not bad, but they charge you for chips and salsa (unheard of where I come from)! The whole dining experience would be greatly improved by removing a couple of tables. Do they really need to pack us in like sardines, just to make a few extra bucks? We will never go back.

  • Pros: freindly service, decent food
  • Cons: too crowded, expensive

The Details on Mexicana Mama Centro

Place Categories:

  • friendly service
  • good mexican food
  • rude service
  • good house margaritas
  • favorite mexican
  • worst atmosphere
  • worst margarita
  • authentic burrito
  • really great entire staff
  • fresh lime juice
  • awesome flavored margaritas
  • bad neighbors
  • dry chicken
  • tasty delicious
  • rude staff
  • amazing specials
  • good claustrophopic seating
  • very pretty decor
  • favorite hangar steak
  • good mole sauce
  • very good dessert
  • expensive salsa
  • pleasant ambiance
  • rude blonde woman manager
  • terrible flavorless
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