El Maguey y La Tuna

10/16/09

fro real mexican food lovers..

by librana at Citysearch

i used to live in new york and this was my favorite mexican restaurant (and i went all over the place looking for authentic mexican food)...now it's a must stop whenever i return to the city...the food is great, the pozole (hominy soup) is the best i've had ...their mole one of the best...try the fried banana desert, delicious...but what makes this place so special is the way the owner makes everybody feel at home...it's small but cozy...it's a no frills place where you go if you want real food and real people...

• Pros: excellent food, service,
• Cons: a little bit cramped (but cozy)

09/03/09

u guys r fools

by trumexx3 at Citysearch

to the ppl that r looking for tex-mex...go elsewhere! this is not tex-mex!! it is typical,authentic mexican food!!! i come from the same small town in mexico as the owners do, and let me tell u, this place is the real deal!! so to the guy looking for cheese && lettuce on his tacos, go to tacobell!!! and also, go back to texas, new york doesn't want you!!

• Pros: awesome food!!
• Cons: too far from me

11/29/07

It's Mexican food. Not Tex-Mex.

by alpearsall at Citysearch

This is not Tex-Mex (there is a difference), so don't come here expecting it. But if you want good, honest, downhome Mexican food like they make on the border (which is where I grew up), this is your place and it will not disappoint. The meat is pulled, not ground. The emphasis is on flavor and not heat index (and if you want your salsa spicier, they have hotter salsa in the back; just ask for it - I usually mix a spoonful or two of the hotter stuff into the milder stuff). I have always loved everything I've ordered, but my favorite thing is their posole, and they make it just like my mom does. When I can't get on a plane and I need a taste of home, I come here. It's well worth the trip to the LES.

• Pros: casual, good food, friendly service
• Cons: small, not much in the way of ambience

09/12/07

Best in New York, Average in Texas.

by surfguido at Citysearch

After reading all the positive reviews, I was very excited about trekking to the outer region known as lower very east side. I should have known reading the menu online that it might disappoint. To caveat, I've spent most of my adult life in Texas, and I like the basics tex mex/american - my favorite things are far from adventurous: beef tacos or fajitas - but I've had enchiladas, mole, etc. Alas, I never realized it could be so hard to get basics downs like chips and salsa - I like my chips very thin and crispy, and I like my salsa basic with kick - literally roasted roma tomatoes, Serrano peppers, salt and pepper. Unfortunately, this place was average on all this - hard thick chips that chipped my teeth, and a very mild/sweet salsa which had cilantro and onions, but no kick. They didn't even have ground beef tacos - and the only toppings they had on their tacos were onions, guacamole, and pico. 90% of tacos I've eaten in Texas come with lettuce and cheese. Server recommended the mole chicken - I went with the Steak Asada which was basically the steak fajita not chopped - oversalted and well done - I like my meat a little rare. The positives was the service was good and friendly, and the margaritas were tasty and strong - and cheap during happy hour $4 from 6-9pm. Unlike many here, my search will go on, and Chipotle will still sadly reign as the best tex mex, particularly for the value - next up though is Mexi Mama's.

• Pros: Tasty, strong, and reasonably priced (during happy hour) margaritas.
• Cons: Chips, Salsa, Tex/Mex American not good, location

09/10/07

Great Food for Little Money

by jamesb1234 at Citysearch

We found this place to be really tasty and economical. Service was very friendly. Not the best looking place, but really felt like we were taken care of. I am not a big fan of Mexican food and they really won me over. Best of what the LES used to be.

07/18/07

GREAT FOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by flawless88 at Citysearch

Great food for a reasonable price, was not a big fan of Mexican food till someone brought me to this restaurant. Food is real good and there desserts left me licking my fingers, honestly I left saying I will definitely come back , very nice date spot. The customer service is real good everyone is friendly and make you feel at home, good date spot good food that wont wipe away your finances, nice atmosphere good food will recommend it to anyone!!!!

• Pros: FOOD

05/06/07

Definitely NOT the best Mexican in NYC

by virago7 at Citysearch

Poor service, no ambiance, below-average food, and over-priced. Granted it was busy due to Cinco de Mayo, but it was completely chaotic -- our order was messed up and on numerous occasions they put food on our table that was for someone else and just picked up the dishes w/o any apologies. The prices were raised for the special "holiday" menu which was similar the regular menu .

Will certainly not be going back and do not recommend it at all.

• Pros: Seemingly authentic atmosphere
• Cons: bad service, over-priced, below average photo

02/28/07

As good as it gets in New York

by negasong at Citysearch

I give this restaurant a ten out of ten only because it is in New York, where it's way easier to get good anything than it is to get good Mexican food. The waitstaff is always extremely courteous and friendly, and the food is about as good as you are going to get in New York (Oh my god! Somebody actually grills their fajitas instead of sauteing them with 9,000 green bell peppers!). If you are from the southwest, it won't make you reminisce, but you're not gonna do better 'till you go home to visit the 'rents. Delivery is a crapshoot - sometimes fine - sometimes not so much - You're better off dining in.

• Pros: It ain't the southwest, but it's as good as it gets in NY

12/10/06

Quality Mexican in Alphabet City

by Clowwwn at Citysearch

This homey Mexican is cozy and unpretentious, serving all the classics and a few home-style specialties. We had the Enchiladas al Maguey and Mole Verde, both of which were very good. The green mole sauce was fresh, just spicy enough, and delicious. The rice 'n' beans were a bit on the stale side, but so it goes. Service was very good. The overall rating is porbably erring on the high side, but the quality and the authenticity are there.

• Pros: Food, service, drinks
• Cons: Too far on the LES

11/21/06

Good food, Great dessert

by nychica5 at Citysearch

Good authentic mexican food. The location leaves a little to be desired, but the food and service make up for it. I would recommend definitely getting the hot chocolate. I felt as though I was in heaven when I drank it. No need to make reservations, it doesn't seem to get crowded.

• Pros: Inexpensive, dessert, service
• Cons: Location