Mercadito Grove

03/30/09

great little bites!

by meem21 at Citysearch

Lots of little bites, worth sharing with friends and trying a lot of things. Loved the strawberry margaritas and queso fundido! Can you really go wrong with melted cheese on little tortillas?

01/04/09

Surprising Gem

by hottfussnyc at Citysearch

My friend and I were walking around at 10 pm in West Village Saturday night and was looking for a place to eat. We randomly tried this place and was SO glad we did! it's the cutest place with great food, drinks, & service. And best of all, we didn't have to wait! It's a small spot, but cozy and a cool place for a date or just drinks/food with friends. I had the steak taco and it was YUMMY! It comes in 4 soft tacos with chunks of grilled juicy steak, potatoes, cheese, etc. I loved it. Can't wait to go back and try their other tacos. My friend had the salad, also very good altho a tad spicy. And we had some wine. All in all, a nice place at reasonable prices. They have a huge tequila menu as well. I'm looking fwd to coming back here with other friends and trying out other dishes.

• Pros: Everything--ambience, food, service, and value
• Cons: Nothing! And I rarely ever say that!

08/31/08

Best service, Best shrimp tacos

by nyclocal12 at Citysearch

Last night my husband and I took out of town friends to Mercadito Grove. I happen to think they make the best shrimp tacos I have ever had and (coming from a bartender of over ten years) truly great margaritas. But, what I was so pleased to learn was that their level of service just continues to improve. Our waiter was EXCELLENT and could not have been nicer or more attentive. Our waters never dipped below halfway without being refilled by a busboy and Felipe, the general manager, was attentive to every table. It is rare to witness such a high standard of service. We are lifelong fans!

• Pros: Outdoor seating, great neighborhood
• Cons: None

08/08/08

Great Happy hour until 7

by hannalovesfood at Citysearch

I go here all the time with my girlfriends after work. Though the dishes are a little pricey, they are delicious! Happy hour consists of $5 strong margaritas and we always get $5 guacamole (very good) with endless chips. Great atmosphere too- definitely sit outside! Great service.

07/28/08

So-so experience

by Squanto222 at Citysearch

I was hungry for some nonspecific Latin food so we checked out Mercadito Grove.

The waitress seemed nice and knocked over a glass of water on our table first thing.

A few minutes later she dropped a glass on the floor right in front of our table.

We were pleasant and understanding, things happen, but she had an attitude

after that. At one point, the manager suggested some cream for the platanos

(which consisted of 4 thin slices of platano - not lengthwise), but he never delivered.

He just walked away.

The jamaica margueritas were very tasty and too expensive. My tacos al pastor

were VERY delicious and VERY SMALL. All in all, 3 people, 4 margueritas, 3 tiny entrees...$97.00

All in all, not worth it.

• Pros: The food and drinks tasted good.
• Cons: Much too expensive. Mediocre service.

10/19/07

WE GAVE UP THE JAZZ TRIP FOR JOSEPH AND SHRIMP TACOS

by londoncalls at Citysearch

WE WALKED BY THIS PLACE TONIGHT LOOKING FOR THE JAZZ AND CAME IN FOR A DRINK, THE COULERFUL MARGARITAS WITH FRUIT CALLED US IN, OUR WAITER WAS ONE OF THE BEST I HAVE EVER HAD IN THE CITY OR EVER TO BE HONEST. I ASKED IF HE MANAGED AND I WAS RIGHT, HE WAS ALSO THE MANAGER AND HE WAS VERY GOOD AT WHAT HE DOES. WE WERE GIVEN RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FOOD, DRINKS AND THE SPECIALS WERE DESCRIBED WITH A PASSION. WE WERE EVEN RECOMMENDED TO A NICE JAZZ CLUB IN THE AREA.

AFTER SOME JAZZ WE CAME BACK FOR A SECOND ROUND OF SHRIMP TACOS AND PAMPERING.

TRY THE MIXED BEER WITH LEMON AND HOT SAUCE WITH A LAGER.

THE BUSBOY WAS ALSO A GENTLMAN.

I WILL COME BACK EVERY TIME I AM IN TOWN FOR JAZZ.

WE ASKED FOR JOSEPH'S CELL PHONE TO MAKE SURE HE IS PRESENT ON OCCASION.

• Pros: OUTDOOR SEATING AND GRACIOUSE HOST
• Cons: SMALL BATHROOMS

08/21/07

Good food but overpriced for what you get

by girlykat at Citysearch

I went to Mercadito with a group of friends for dinner one Friday night. The food (especially the ceviche and guacamole) is delicious. I really enjoyed the fish tacos as well. However, the pitchers of mixed drinks are $45 each and are simply not worth the expenditure. I would probably go back for drinks and a light snack, but if you're looking for a filling meal, a better bet would be to head around the corner to Diable Royale. The food is equally delicious, far cheaper, and much more filling.

• Pros: Food is very high quality
• Cons: Overpriced pitchers, stomach still rumbling after meal

07/23/07

Mexican style tapas: great concept, poor execution

by duffman33 at Citysearch

First, the good:

-It's a charming setting, on one of the most lively West Village blocks.

-The clientele is mostly young and hip, but the vibe is very relaxed - not annoyingly sceney.

-The service is flexible and unrushed - we sat at about 9:15 and didn't leave until almost midnight.

-The guacamole is fantastic - good, crunchy, salty chips and a nice texture to the guac. (I highly recommend the 3 guac sample: regular, mango and pineapple flavored)

-Sharing small plates is fun.

-Very fresh and tasty ceviche.

-They were never stingy with the accoutrements; they refilled the empty chip bowl without asking, gave us more of the crackers that came with the ceviche; when I spilled my half-full drink they gave me a brand new one on the house.

The bad:

-The plates of tacos were pricey for the tiny portion size - $13 for 4 TEENY tacos. (Meant to be shared.)

-The tacos were fairly mediocre - bland, with very little spice or flavor.

-We ordered a pitcher of margaritas. They weren't terrible (although they didn't salt the rim of the glasses - that annoyed me) but nothing to write home about. Next we ordered a pitcher of mojitos - they tasted EXACTLY like the margaritas, with the addition of some mint leaves floating around.

-When we got the check, the pitchers turned out to be $45 apiece - yikes.

Summary: I would definitely recommend this place for drinks and appetizers. The pineapple guacamole alone is worth the trip. But having dinner here - not so much. Small, pricey portions will either leave your stomach rumbling or your wallet way too light.

• Pros: guacamole, ceviche, great atmosphere, friendly service
• Cons: tiny, expensive portions

08/04/06

It has the whole package

by angelines at Citysearch

I've read other reviews, and whole-heartedly disagree. I went to Mercadito last weekend, around 7pm, and had one of the most enjoyable NYC dinners I've had in a long time. I think it is a perfect blend of small size, outstanding service, delicious food, and even more delicious drinks. Our server, Nicole was a sweetheart. She was super-attentive, even when it got crazy, and everything she recommended was superb. I think the price is on par with the neighborhood.

We had tacos de carne and tacos de camaron, and the three-guacamole. I personally don't like to mess with the original, but the mango and pineapple guacamoles are pretty tasty for the unconventional food lovers.

The drinks! I don't like alcohol, so I tried their refrescos! Yumm...they are muddled fruit with soda water and some sugar, and are worth it. My partner had some beer concoction that he loved.

All in all, it was a great evening and I highly encourage you to try it out.

• Pros: Service, food, drinks
• Cons: Size

07/08/06

worst dining experience ever, but nice staff

by sweeply at Citysearch

I went on the rave from another friend, but I do not see the allure. The guacamole was like soup! THey served my friend her drink first and I had to wait 15 minutes for my margarita ($15). Then, they served her salad and main course and left me waiting for my shrimp tacos for 35 minutes. One of the chefs came out and apologized and said it would be right out. 10 minutes later, it still hadn't appeared but eventually, was served by the chef himself who profusely apologized and comped the plate for us, even though we didn't complain. The waiter and chef were gracious and sweet, which I will not forget, but nor will I forget the $15 margaritas whch were served in glasses the size of Dixie cups! So if you are hungry, thirsty and like good food, steer clear. If you like nice people but don't care about any of the above, go right ahead!

• Pros: Nice staff
• Cons: abosolutely terrible food, overpriced tiny drinks