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Bonita Closing on Bedford Avenue After Six Years

072409bonita.jpg There's surprising news today that the original Bonita location in Williamsburg will close August 15th, according to Brooklyn Based. Opened some six years ago, the popular Mexican restaurant is part of a Brooklyn restaurant empire that also includes Marlow and Sons, Diner, and a second Bonita in Fort Greene. Co-owner Andrew Tarlow blames the shutter on a sour relationship with the landlord: "He hates me. Always has." Also problematic is his failure to acquire a full liquor license for the location, which only serves wine and beer. Eater points out that nearby hotspot La Superior is, well, superior, and that may have something to do with Bonita's bow. But we're no fans of La Superior's skimpy little one-tortilla tacos; you eat five at $2.50 each and you still walk out hungry. So we'll miss Bonita's big fat burritos, but at least the down-market LA Burrito on Bedford Ave is still hanging in there with their decidedly less-haute Mexican fare. And the taco king of NYC, Papacito's, is still the reigning champ.

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Comments [rss]

  • Papacito's is hardly the taco king of NYC; I think that crown goes to Taco Santana, over on Keap Street. It's not as hipster-friendly as Papacito's, but the tacos are infinitely superior, recalling good old Matamoros on Bedford Ave., god rest its mortal soul.

  • Thischris

    Bonita used to be much better, but like many popular restaurants it just got lazy and coasted on it's rep. Hipsters aren't particularly discerning diners, since they'll cram just about anything into the irony holes under their giant mustaches. Whatever takes Bonitas place, let's just hope it isn't a freaking frozen yogurt chain.

  • zackly76

    I speak as someone who is currently living in Mexico - La Superior is far and away the best Mexican food in Williamsburg, if not NYC.

    The food is authentic and delicioso to an amazing degree...

    Bonita was decent, but definitely was nothing compared to La Superior. As for LA burrito - there's not much worse. Though it's possible that El Loco Burrito was just as bad.

  • matty

    new york and mexican food should not be uttered in the same breath unless there is a negative modifier in the sentence.

  • John Del Signore

    Thank you, guy who lives in Chicago and has never eaten at any of the restaurants mentioned here.

  • matty

    ok guy from upstate new york who probably wouldn't know a good taco from a grasy empinada.

  • endsim

    Bonita's food sucks. Glad it's closing. Now i just wish that bland ass LA Burrito would close too. La Superior is pretty tasty but they are way to tiny for the price. My favorite taco right now is from Union Pool's taco truck.

  • six years and it hasn't been grandfather'd? damn!

  • spnder

    "But we're no fans of La Superior's skimpy little one-tortilla tacos; you eat five at $2.50 each and you still walk out hungry."



    You're on crack. Those things are packed with twice as much stuff as any place on Sunset Park. I'll take delicious fillings over an extra tortilla any day.

  • John Del Signore

    The fillings are skimpy, especially the seafood and veggie options! Also, I can do without their attitude. Seriously overrated.

  • spnder

    I haven't tried the seafood or veggies, but the meat tacos are huge. And I've never gotten attitude their, unless you think unattentive service is attitude.

  • meowster

    umm their meat tacos are not HUGE. You must work there or are not too observant. They actually use specialized 4" tortillas... ie: SMALLER than normal 6".

  • chrissederstrom

    the first time i went to superior i had to throw up in the bathroom. the second time the food seemed okay.



    after bonita is gone i hope somebody tries to edge out savalas for darkest dingiest drug-saturated hipnest. something like that would be great in that space - i mean, you've got the church next door, legion of doom around the corner. could be fun.

  • buttface

    Papacitos' food is okay, but let's be realistic. It's about as exciting as a root canal.

  • meowster

    Was just there last night. Service was atrocious btw. Anyway, we were chatting to a worker and she said the FG location is closing down as well to become a Marlow & Sons. I always got the feeling that the owners of the Diner empire never really put that much time or effort into Bonita. You always see them milling around Diner, Sons and Daughters but never at Bonita. And again... the service sucked and kinda always has, which isn't the case at the other restaurants. Sad nonetheless.

    PS Superior is so f*cking overrated.

  • selenawrites

    Hmm that's too bad but I was just at Bonita in Ft. Greene last night and the food & cocktails were slammin!

  • chuzzlewit

    witness the advantage of the nomad over the permanent settler - if anybody gave Endless Summer any shit, they would simply drive away...vrooooom.

  • NannyState

    May gutter punks infest that vacant location.

  • Vaya con Dios, Bonita.

  • Soggy

    I haven't been to Bonita, but La Superior is f*cking awesome, skimpy tacos be damned. And they don't even have a liquor license.



    That said, it's sad to see a restaurant that was apparently well liked close down because of a vindictive landlord.

  • gossipgirl
  • iamdmg

    this is lame news!

  • gossipgirl

    Very sad! Great for lunch, yummy tacos and good guac!

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