Mexicana Mama Centro
(212) 253-7594
47 E 12th St
New York,
NY
10003
40.7336
-73.9917
Neighborhoods: Downtown, Greenwich Village
What People Are Saying About Mexicana Mama Centro
The Editor
Kathleen Squires
Citysearch
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 panella cheese-stuffed enchiladas to the smoky poblano strips and cooling cream topping the chile-roasted chicken, pork and chorizo mini-tacos. Envueltos de chilorio, long-stewed pork rolled into tortillas, is infused with a rich jus and a flavor that's hard to stop thinking about. The cheesecake-like flan, garnished with caramel and nuts, is equally peerless.
User Reviews
zottington
February 21, 2009
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.
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cmaigret
January 13, 2009
On Friday January 2nd around 7:15pm my husband, my brother and I showed up at the restaurant and were told that the wait would be 25 minutes. We put our name down for 3 people. 15 or 20 minutes later, I came back to check on our reservation. There was a couple in front of me who were told that there would be a 5 or 10 minute wait for a table for 2. When the hostess saw me she said the table would be ready in 5 minutes. I said Great! Two side by side tables for 2 were being freed near the door by the hostess station. After the tables were cleared the hostess pulled a chair from the entrance area and said that she was going to accomodate the 3 of us on one of the tables (for 2) and was going to give the other table to the couple who had arrived 5 minutes before. She was clearly embarrassed to have to say that and she said that her manager wanted to do it this way so that they could have 5 diners in a space made for 4. Now my husband and my brother are both over 6 ft 2 so there was no way we could squeeze the 3 of us in the space. So we asked to see the manager. She came and defended her point. Take it or leave it. I stressed that we lived here and were no touris, that we'd come to the restaurant regularly, that she could not treat us this way but to no avail. We left, disgusted, and will never go back. Frankly, the food is not the greatest at this place, they don't accept credit cards, and this is no way to treat paying customers.
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tastesmythe
November 11, 2008
Truly mediocre in every way. The only thing that was good about our meal was the tequila, which they did not make. $18 fish tacos are a joke. This is Mexican food for people who just don't know better. I am from Texas and lived for 9 years in California. This restaurant wouldn't stay open in either of those two states.
read full reviewThe Details on Mexicana Mama Centro
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.
Category:
Payment Methods:
Restaurant Special Features:
Local Favorite, Food Delivery, Dine At The Bar
