May 5, 2004
Happy Cinco de Mayo
It's Cinco de Mayo, and while most don't really know what the day stands for (it's not Mexican independence day, if that's what you thought), many do take advantage of it to eat Mexican food and drink margaritas, which Gothamist supports as a reason to have a holiday.
Citysearch has an editors' roundup of places for eat, or find a Mexican restaurant in Manhattan using Menupages. Also, NY magazine said Maroon's has the best margarita, Pampano the best quesedilla, and Bar@ Etats-Unis the best guacamole. Or, check out some Cinco de Mayo recipes from Epicurious and Tabasco. And learn how the day is usually celebrated, from How Stuff Works.
Gothamist on margaritas. And what are your suggestions for good Mexican food in the city? Or for Cinco de Mayo plans?
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If you want truly authentic regional Mexican food without battling the language barrier or boldly going where few 7 trains have gone before, you must eat at Zarela on 2nd Ave between 49th and 50th. I bet they will have a gorgeous Mole Poblano in honor of Battle of Puebla Day.
And if you're in Chicago--where good Mexican is easier to come by--drop a few pesos for an extraordinary tasting menu at Ixcapuzalco in Logan Square, or Chef Geno Bahena's other great place, Generoso in River North.
Good Mexican food in the city? Which city would that be? Not New York, that's for sure.
By the way, Generoso is the lunch place connected to Chilpancingo, the dinner place.
I think it stands for my birthday.
ITZOCAN CAFE
I've been to just about every top restaurant in New York, and the food in this east village hole in the wall stands up to any of it. Authentic Mexican food...creative dishes...seriously some of the best food in NYC, period. Entrees top out at about 16 bucks, and they deliver as well...9th and ave. A. If you live in the hood, go to menupages and order in one night. The restaurant only has 6 tables, so its tough to get in. Don’t forget to ask for the specials...you will not regret it.
Try Zocala's on East 82nd for some of the best margaritas and chips/salsa. As an ex-Texan, I'm pretty picky about Mexican food, but this place is fabulous!
While I am admittedly posting this from a Burritoville which is overworked and taking way too long to make my single burrito, I have to recommend Los Amigos in Astoria (right at the Ditmars stop). Good selection, good prices, reasonably good service, and it's authentic enough for my tastes. The beef soft tacos are to die for, and they're $6 for a plate of three.
Happy Birthday, kh. And touche, Coolfer Glenn, but short of making a run to Texas or California, help a blog out!
The margaritas at Zarela's are the best in the city, but they should come with a warning. I think the restaurant record is 5.
The bar area is also kinda small, so today might not be the best time to try it.
short of Rosa Mexicana and their awesome tableside guacamole, Mexican Radio gets my vote evry time because the food and margaritas are great, the prices are decent and they have XX on tap - it makes all the difference.
One more thing: beware of Tex-Mex food masquerading as Mexican. No offense to the Texicans in the crowd, but it's a whole different cuisine. For example, Tex-Mex has burritos and hard-shell "tacos." Also, a lot of dishes made with ground beef, and flour where there should be corn.
As a neurotic purist, I shun Margaritas on Battle of Puebla day, because in Puebla they don't really *do* ice, and prefer their tequila in a 3-oz shot glass with a chaser of "sangre," or Bloody Mary mix.
dont know about the best but Jesus Taco on 145th st has the worst...heisrisenamen!
Tex -Mex IS Mexican in much the same way Sicilian food is still Italian. Tex-Mex IS diff from Mexican food on the border and south of the Border, but it is a type of authentic Mexican food. If she were still alive, you could ask my granmother who for 98 years ate almost exclusively Tex-Mex food and for about 91 of those years cooked it herself. And no, I am not talking about taco bell-type junk. I mean caracoles and calabasita, mole that doesn't come from a jar, barbacoa, menudo, cabrito ...stuff you won't find in any so-called Tex-Mex restaurant in NYC. You can't get good Tex-Mex in New York City, (unless you come to my place when my mom's visiting)but you can get some awesome Mex-Mex food at Zarelas.
Honey, I didn't mean to offend, only to draw an important distinction, in the spirit of honoring Battle of *Puebla* Day, not Battle of the Alamo Day, which is in March. Tex-Mex is authentically Tex-Mex, it's own thing. You cannot know how I love barbacoa . . .
Anybody know where to get good quesadillas? With Flor the Calabaza or Huitlacoche? I'm hungry!
Thanks for clearing that up, larry. Try
Maria's Mexican Bistro
Union street beween 4 and 5 avenues in Brooklyn. Last time I went there it seemed as if everything on the menu had Huitlacoche in it. My biggest complaint: they do not make their own corn tortillas like Zarela's does.
It's my birthday, too. Happy b-day kh.
has anyone tried getting food from the truck at the corner of 96th and broadway? they are there almost every day, with billows of grease smoke blowing up the street, and it smells horrible for hours even after theyre gone, yet there are always long lines of people, apparently Mexican, buying food from them. I've always been curious, but never dared, it just stinks too much. But I guess its the real deal...
I'm looking for some information, if anyone can help. There was (up until the 1970's) an authentic Mexican restaurant on East 45th St. off 7th called The Alamao Chili House. It was my introduction to real Mexican food and it's closing still haunts me - it was later taken over by a fast-food Tex-Mex chain and then closed. If there is anyone who remembers this place or (praise be) has their recipe for what I now know is black bean chili, please speak up!
Tres de Mayo Pub Crawl!
Saturday, May 3rd. 12pm-8pm
Ariba! Ariba! Celebrate Cinco De Mayo early this year!
Round up your friends it’s time for a pub crawl through the streets of New York to all of our favorite cantinas.
WHAT YOU GET FOR YOUR $$:
$1 Bud Light Drafts
$2 Coronas
$2 Dos Equis
$2 Margaritas
$3 Sauza Tequila Shots
Tickets only $15 for a limited time. BUY NOW!
http://newyork.going.com/cincodemayo
Erika@yourpartyplanning.com