A Food & Drink Tour Of Spanish Harlem - Photo Gallery

<br/><br/>Tucked between the oft-maligned Upper East Side and the larger expanse of <a href="http://gothamist.com/2012/07/24/a_food_drink_tour_of_harlem.php#photo-1">Harlem</a>, Spanish Harlem—or "El Barrio"—boasts a vibrant and diverse cultural identity. From the old-school Italian relics to the myriad taco joints to the next generation of upscale steakhouses and tapas bars, the neighborhood offers flavors and scenes for all tastes. So far, the area has mostly resisted the invasion of soul-crushing corporate eateries in favor of mom-and-pop shops that keep the neighborhood's distinct character alive.<br/><br/><em>We can't include everything so be sure to tell us what we missed in the comments. All photographs by <a href="http://www.samhorine.com">Sam Horine.</a> Be sure to check out his shots of life in the neighborhood at the end of this list.<p> <br/><br/><em>Previously: Food and Drink tours of <a href="http://gothamist.com/2012/01/31/a_food_wine_tour_of_south_park_slop.php#photo-1">South Slope,</a> <a href="http://gothamist.com/2012/04/04/a_food_drink_tour_of_crown_heights.php#photo-1">Crown Heights,</a> <a href="http://gothamist.com/2012/03/28/adam_kubans_food_drink_tour_of_asto.php#photo-1">Astoria,</a> <a href="http://gothamist.com/2011/12/07/bed-stuy_food_tour.php">Bed-Stuy,</a> <a href="http://gothamist.com/2012/04/25/a_food_drink_tour_of_manhattans_chi.php">Chinatown,</a> the <a href="http://gothamist.com/2012/03/01/get_cultured_stuffed_and_loaded_on.php#photo-1">Lower East Side, </a> <a href="http://gothamist.com/2012/05/30/a_food_drink_tour_of_greenpoint.php">Greenpoint,</a>, <a href="http://gothamist.com/2012/06/21/eat_seafood_where_it.php#photo-1">City Island</a> and <a href="http://gothamist.com/2012/07/24/a_food_drink_tour_of_harlem.php#photo-1">Harlem</a>. </em></p></em>

Taco Mix: This tiny taqueria has been shouted out on every food blog in the city for years now and with very good reason: their al pastor tacos totally rock. If a joint has a spit of pork roasting in the window you know they take their meat seriously and that's absolutely the case here. The meat is shaved to order then gets a little extra loving on the flatop next to the tender tortillas they'll soon be nestled into. Order your tacos con todo to get the works—cilantro, raw onion and salsa—then fortify your meal with pickled onions, dried chilies, radish and lime from the self-service containers. Heaven. And at only $2.75 each you won't break the bank when you inevitably order just one more.Don't let the lack of seating or any discernible decor throw you. What it lacks in places to sit it more than makes up for in taste. If you can't snag one of the 3 or 4 chairs in the back, either saddle up to the counter or just hover outside the door; trust me, it won't take you long to finish your food. Taco Mix is located at 234 E 116th Street between 2nd and 3rd Avenues

El Nuevo Caridad: This neighborhood Latin American restaurant offers a range of cuisines, from Cuban to Dominican to Puerto Rican, and generous portions of all of it. They also have a thing for Major League Baseball, which you'll notice from the many photos of players, memorabilia and general sports-themed decor. Their love expands to the menu, too, where you can order off the Hall of Fame section, like the Alfonso Soriano (steak with onions, brown rice and lemonade, $17), the Carlos Beltran (cuban sandwich with a mango shake, $7.50) or the Barry Bonds (grilled chicken with rice, beans and sweet plantains, ($12). The so-called grilled chicken is actually rotisserie chicken that's been finished on the grill, adding some extra smokey flavor and a nice, crisp skin. The fried pork chops, goat stew and mofongo are all killer, as are the accompanying yellow rice and beans, naturally. El Nuevo Caridad is located at El Nuevo Caridad at 116th Street, (212) 860-8187

Ricardo Steakhouse: It's a somewhat unlikely spot to find an upscale steakhouse, but that didn't stop Ricardo from setting down roots back in 2004, and they definitely made good on their gamble. The restaurant packs out almost every night of the week with locals and visitors from other neighborhoods hankering for well-cooked and reasonably-priced steakhouse fare. A tender 16 oz. Rib Eye goes for $32 and includes roasted potatoes and French beans; an 8 oz. Filet with roasted Red Bliss potatoes, garlic spinach and green peppercorn sauce is only $28. You save your pennies not having to order sides a la cart, though you'd be remiss not to order their addictive creamed spinach ($8)—be sure to save some of the buttery grilled bread you get to start the meal so you can dunk it in the creamy mixture. They've also got pastas, fish and other meats on the menu, too, in case someone in your party doesn't drool over beef. Things get pretty raucous on Friday and Saturday nights, so head over on the earlier side if you enjoy actually hearing the people you're sitting with. Try to snag a seat in the back garden area when the weather permits; it's quieter and a little more romantic than the bustling scene inside. Also, make sure you let the restaurant know if it's someone's birthday in your group. Trust us—just do it.Ricardo Steakhouse is located at 2145 2nd Avenue between 110th and 111th Streets, (212) 289-5895; ricardosteakhouse.com

La Nostra Pizzeria: This corner pizza joint has been slinging oversized slices to the neighborhood for years and has a loyal following of local folk who travel from blocks away for their pies. Besides the enormous cheese, pepperoni and Sicilians slices, their crave-worthy BBQ and buffalo chicken pies provide a substantive dinner in a single slice, while their chicken caesar salad slice offers the illusion of diet-friendly fare. If you've got a serious appetite, opt for one of their overstuffed heroes, like the cheese-laden chicken parmesan or meatball varieties.La Nostra Pizzeria is located at 2146 2nd Avenue at 110th Street, (212) 360-7453; lanostranyc.com

Rise and Grind: There are plenty of bodegas in the area but few of them offer a good New York style bagel. Enter Rise & Grind, a year-old coffee shop that not only pours out solid Americanos and iced coffees, but also toasts up a decent Everything when you're in a pinch. Though it only provides a few tables at which to perch, the tiny shop offers free WiFi, a perk you'll see local teachers taking advantage of after classes. It's a very chill vibe, great for getting some work done without too much distraction or for sipping a hot drink on a weekend morning. They also sell pastries, smoothies and hot chocolates if you're in the mood for something sweet.Rise and Grind is located at 2167 2nd Avenue between 111th and 112th, (212) 876-2467; facebook.com/riseandgrindNYC

Cafe Ollin: Tucked away on 108th and 1st, this charming Mexican restaurant constructs some of the most delicious and enormous cemitas in the city. The carnitas filling comes fully loaded with super tender pork, stringy oaxacan cheese, onions, tomatoes, jalapenos, avocado, lettuce and creamy pureed beans. It's a gut buster, for sure, and though you'll be tempted, we recommend not consuming the monstrosity in one sitting. If you can't take a nap immediately following your meal, opt for one of their quesadillas ($7); large, crispy tortillas stuffed with lots of oaxacan cheese—no fakey American in sight, mercifully—and whatever filling you prefer. We dig the vegetarian, which includes peppers, onions, mushrooms and zucchini. Order a side of crema and slather on lots of their salsa roja to complete your meal. Cafe Ollin is located at 339 East 108th Street, (212) 828-3644; cafeollin.com That is half of a cemita

Milk Burger: It may have gotten off to a rocky start, but the power of the delicious burger cannot be denied, and Milk Burger has proved that it can contend with the city's blockbuster burgers. Since opening a few years ago, the burger joint has changed locations, downsized and converted into a mostly takeout/delivery joint, but luckily the quality of the patties has stayed the same.Their regular MilkBurger gets stacked up with a single or double patty ($5.25/7.50), American cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, onions and MilkSauce, a light and tangy mayonnaise-based sauce. If you like a little heat, try to Jalapeno Burger ($6.25) with jalapeno relish and melted Montery Jack cheese. The Hawaiian Burger ($8.25) also rocks and comes topped with Mexican Oaxacan cheese, a griddled slice of ham and fresh sliced pineapple. Don't miss out on getting a milkshake—it's not like you were dieting or anything—or their ridiculously refreshing Mint Lemonade, a fruity citrus slushy blended with fresh mint leaves.Milk Burger is located at 2051 2nd Avenue between 105th and 106th Streets, (212) 360-1988; milkburger.com Hawaiian Burger with Mexican Oaxaca cheese, lettuce, tomato, onions, cooked slices of ham and fresh sliced pineapple

La Fonda Boricua: There was a scare in the neighborhood when after 16 years serving up killer mofongo pollo and other Puerto Rican staples, La Fonda Boricua suddenly closed in 2011. Luckily, it reopened under new management about a year later and everyone breathed a sigh of relief and then started shoveling in the delicious cuisine once again. The aforementioned mofongo, a hearty dish of mashed plantains and meat, is a specialty, best enjoyed after tying on one too many the night before. As Bobby Flay can attest, they do the classics well, like Pernil (roast pork), Bistec Chuleton (rib eye) and Chicharron de poll (deep-fried chicken), which all come with a hearty serving of rice and beans.La Fonda Boricua is located at 169 E 106th Street between 2nd and 3rd Avenues, (212) 410-7292; fondaboricua.com

Moustache Pitza: You'll find all the Middle Eastern stapes at this casual eatery, like salads of hummus and tabouleh, falafel and chicken kebab sandwiches, and moussaka. But they're best known for their pitza, a type of flatbread topped with meats, veggies and spices then baked in the oven. Their namesake pitza ($12) features roasted red bell pepper, tomato, onion, parsley and chili with fresh mozzarella; while the chicken pitza ($13) comes topped with lemon marinated chicken, garlic, red bell pepper and scallions. If you're keeping it simple with an order of labne—creamy, tangy yogurt—be sure to order a side of oven-baked Zatter Bread, fluffy pita generously sprinkled with olive oil, sesame seeds and herbs. Moustache Pitza is located at 1621 Lexington Avenue at 102nd Street, (212) 828-0030; moustachepitza

The Lexington Social: This upscale tapas and cocktail bar arrived in the area a few years ago and draws not only a local clientele but also a crowd from the UES, who migrate north for the potent drinks, refined yet casual atmosphere and the delicious bites. Start with an order of Malfitas ($8), a kind of dumpling stuffed with spinach and ricotta, and the beef sliders ($9), topped with American cheese, avocado and chipotle mayo. Then dive into the specialty cocktail list, which includes the Halley's Comet ($9), made with Maker's mark, blueberry jam, lemon juice and sage; and the Stonewall Jackson ($9) with apricot and plum-infused vodka, fresh peach and a beer float.If cocktails aren't your thing, the thoughtful wine list includes vintages from Spain, Chile and Argentina; the beer offerings include Piraat IPA, Estrella, Spaten and few other sudsy staples. On the weekends, swing by for their reasonably-priced brunch, which includes a Tres Leches French Toast, Ratatouille with poached eggs and an open faced omelette with asparagus and goat cheese.The Lexington Social is located at 1634 Lexington Avenue between 103rd and 104th Streets, (646) 820-7013; lexingtonsocialnyc.com "Haley's Comet" "Aztec Ruin"

Savoy Bakery: From buttery, flakey chocolate croissants to melt-in-your-mouth roast pork buns, this tiny bakery offers a wide range of sweet and savory pastries all baked daily on premises. Their cheese, apple and cherry danish are big sellers, as are the dinner rolls, challah bread and baguettes. New York Style Cheese Cake, Black Forest and Strawberry Shortcake can be purchased whole or by the slice, likewise with seasonal pies with fillings like apple and pumpkin, cups of creamy tiramisu and decadent fudge brownies.In the past few years they've expanded to include a lunch menu of wraps and sandwiches, filled with curried chicken salad or egg salad and design-your-own salads. Their full espresso bar offers drip coffees, lattes and mochas, which can be also be ordered over ice. Savoy Bakery is located at 170 E 110th Street between Lexington and 3rd Avenues, (212) 828-8896; savoybakery.com

Piatto D'Oro: A diminutive red sauce joint on an otherwise obscure block, Piatto D'Oro feels like a step back in time or a trip to a quiet Sicilian trattoria. Pink tablecloths cover the half dozen tables, an old-school espresso and liqueur bar stands sentry at the door and a staff of real deal Italian servers prowl the dining room. Every meal begins with a few gratis slices of buttery garlic bread, then come hearty dishes of pasta like a creamy Penne Ala Vodka ($10.95), Spaghetti and Meatballs ($12.95) and eggy Spaghetti alla Carbonara ($12.95). The menu includes all the favorite Italian-American staples like Chicken Marsala ($13.95) with a savory mushroom sauce and Shrimp Scampi ($15.95). The restaurant opened a larger version over on 5th and 117th, which features a piano player on Saturday nights, but the cozy atmosphere at the original keeps us from making the switch.Piatto D'Oro is located at 349 E 109th Street at 1st Avenue, (212) 828-2929; restaurantpiattodoro.com

The Duck: We've sung the praises of this neighborhood super dive before and good news bears repeating. Open the door into a dark, abandoned room filled with old pinball games and assorted knickknacks; don't be confused! Walk into the back room, where you'll find a long bar inside what looks like someone's basement rec room with the kind of prices you rarely see in NYC. Cans of Genesee ($2), PBR ($2.50) and Coors Light ($2.75), pitchers of Patriot Ale ($6.50) and shots of whiskey ($3) mean a serious buzz for under $20. Plus, bartenders are free flowing with the shots—especially for the ladies.The Duck is located at 2171 2nd Avenue between 111th and 112th Streets, (212) 831-0000; facebook.com/TheDuckBar

Harley's Smokeshack: It's not in the same pantheon as Harlem's beloved Dino BBQ, but since the closest location of Brother Jimmy's closed last year, it fills the beer-drinking, finger-licking, cowboy boot-stomping hole in the area. Harley's does a solid BBQ Pulled Pork and BBQ Chicken, either on a bun or in platter form. For the latter, choose one of their sides, like spicy southern greens, smokehouse cabbage and some seriously good mac & cheese. Their southern-inspired entrees are hit or miss, but the Chicken Fried Steak ($17) with black peppered gravy hits the spot when you're in the mood to be naughty.Weekly special draw in deal-seekers, especially their popular Tacos and Tequila deal on Wednesdays, offering $2.50 tacos with pulled turkey, pulled pork, veggie or crispy fried catfish; plus $5 margaritas and $5 shots of Riazul tequila. They've got a great deal on Brunch, too, with dishes like Eggs Benedict, Corned Beef hash and a Breakfast Quesadilla for $9.95 and all brunch cocktails setting you back just $2.50.Harley's Smokeshop is located at 355 E 116 Street between 2nd Avenue and 1st Avenue, (212) 828-6723; harleyssmokeshack.org

Patsy's Pizzeria: Don't be fooled by the Patsy's outposts in other parts of the city; they may share the name, but this restaurant and takeout window is the original. Patsy's has been slinging pies on 1st Avenue and 118th Street since 1933, when immigrants Pasquale "Patsy" and Carmella Lancieri opened up their dream restaurant. Since then, it's been frequented by some of the city's heavy hitters, including Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett. It's even said that Francis Ford Coppola used the restaurant as inspiration for characters in The Godfather.They're obviously known for their pizza: thin, crispy crust, tangy sauce and gooey cheese. Grab a slice at the tiny takeout shop, or head into the restaurant proper for one of their specialty pies like the Patsy's Alla Vodka and the meat-heavy Macellaio. In addition to the pizza, their large menu of Italian specialties includes homemade manicotti, linguine alle vongole and chicken scarpariello with artichokes, spicy cherry peppers and a lemon butter sauce. Patsy's Pizzeria is located at 2287 1st Avenue between 117th and 118th Streets, (212) 534-9783; thepatsyspizza.com

Agua Fresca: Named for the ubiquitous drink found all over the neighborhood, this small but well-appointed restaurant combines Mexican and "Nuevo Latino" flavors for a menu full of delicious fusion dishes. Start with one of their signature guacamamoles—including a variety with shrimp and pineapple—or the Huarache, a crispy corn bread topped with their delicious black bean puree, green salsa, lettuce, queso fresco and sour cream. As a main dish, try the pan seared Dorado with bbq sauce, rock shrimp, coconut rice and fiery chimichurri or the Chuletas a la Plancha, pork chops with pasilla chile sauce, sweet plantain mash and garlic spinach.On the weekends, their $12.95 brunch includes a glass of red or white sangria, paired with dishes like Short Ribs with chipotle hash and fried eggs; Chilaquiles Rojos al Arbol with steak or chicken; or grilled shrimp tacos with achiote, pineapple, jalapeno and cilantro sauce. Agua Fresca is located at 207 E 117th Street between 2nd and 3rd Avenues, (212) 996-2500; aguafrescarestaurant.com

Quesadilla Maty and the other awesome quesadilla ladies: Along 116th Street you'll find makeshift lunch counters set up, advertising quesadillas, elote and agua fresca. It can be intimidating, but if you get over your awkwardness and sit at one of the stools, you'll be rewarded with a delicious, filling and cheap meal. Of the stands, our favorite is Quesadilla Maty, which takes over a storefront selling cowboy boots, stetsons, and other horse-related gear. Order a chorizo con papas or carnitas quesadilla "con todo" and you'll receive an incredibly thin and crunchy tortilla overstuffed with meat and cheese—be sure to ask for extra napkins. Add a generous slathering of the green or red salsas on the counter and go to town. Depending on the day, grab a large agua fresca, which come in a tupperware container with chunks of fruit like pineapple or mango.You can find the stands along 116th Street, mostly between 3rd and 2nd Avenues

East Harlem Cafe: Whether you're grabbing a coffee on the run or looking for a comfy couch to read the latest Michael Chabon, this part-cafe, part-local events venue has it all. They'll brew up a full line of espresso drinks, teas and other coffeehouse staples. Salads, sandwiches and empanadas fill out the food menu, which you can eat in-house or take on the go. But more important than their menu, the cafe also provides a great space to highlight local talent. Each Wednesday the spot offers an extremely popular open mic from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., and throughout the month puts on music, poetry and art shows in the evenings. East Harlem Cafe is located at 1651 Lexington Avenue at 104th Street, (212) 996-2080; eastharlemcafe.com

El Aguila: This mini-chain of restaurants covers all the bases when you're craving Mexican food, cooking up tacos, burritos, tamales and other staples—and they do it 24 hours a day. Whenever they have it, go for the barbacoa tacos; tender goat meat topped with the requisite raw onion and cilantro inside two corn tortillas. They also do a solid chicken tamale, made even more delicious by employing all of the salsas from their self-service salsa bar. Warning: the bright orange salsa is muy picante so drizzle with care. El Aguila is located at 137 East 116th Street at Lexington Avenue, (212) 410-2450; elaguilanewyorkrestaurant.com