New York City has a wide variety of delicious food, no matter the cuisine. While many people believe that other parts of the U.S. have better Mexican food that New York City, these restaurants may have these skeptics rethinking their stance. Here are some of the best Mexican restaurants in New York City:
1) Casa Enrique
Located in Long Island City, Casa Enrique is more than worth the trip. Clearly the diners think so, as this Mexican restaurant draws large crowds. Chef Cosme Aguilar and his brother Luis serve traditional plates as a way of paying homage to their late mother. One of the best dishes is the chile relleno with Oaxacan cheese. Whatever you order, you won’t regret it. And you’ll leave wanting to come back and order something else.
2) Los Taco No. 1
If you’re looking for an affordable and delectable place to grab food, Mexican cuisine Los Tacos No. 1 is the place to go. Located at a colorful Chelsea Market stand, this eatery serves tacos and quesadillas that are sure to satisfy your taste buds. Owned by three close friends who were determined to bring authentic Mexican taco to the East Coast, Los Tacos No. 1 is must-visit.
3) Cosme
Casual dining is fun, but some people prefer a more upscale experience. With a minimalist yet classy dining room and a long waiting list, Cosme offers the top dining ambiance without giving off an heir of pretension. Owned by Enrique Olvera, one of the greatest chefs in the world, this Flatiron restaurant serves so many incredible dishes that it’s hard to choose, from the sepia spaghetti to the duck carnitas. Olvera makes truly one-of-a-kind tortillas which he serves alongside every course. Just because you’re at a fancy restaurant doesn’t mean you can’t make a few tacos on the spot.
4) Tortilleria Nixtamal
Another great Mexican eatery located in Long Island City is Tortilleria Nixtamal. One of the most unique things about the eatery is that they they grind corn into fresh masa, also called corn dough. If you come at the right time, you may even be able to see the tortillas coming out of the machine. Whether you want chicken covered in mole, some guacamole and chips or well-spiced tamales, everything you try in this family-owned restaurant is authentic.
5) Empellón Cocina
Alex Stupak is a chef who became known as one of the more one-of-a-kind dessert stars, but Empellón Cocina shows that he has more than one trick up his sleeve. People throughout the food scene were surprised when Stupak switched gears and entered the Mexican food scene, but it’s so delicious that no one is complaining. This menu is anything but traditional, with unique dishes like red snapper ceviche and fusion dishes like lamb shawarma. If you want a sophisticated metropolitan meal that adds a new twist to Mexican cuisine, you’ll want to visit this East Village restaurant.
Whether you want something traditional or artistic, casual or upscale, there is a Mexican restaurant for everyone in New York City. With the wide variety of Mexican restaurants in New York City, it can be hard to choose which one to visit, but if you visit one of the restaurants on this list, you’ll definitely have a life-changing culinary experience.
Melissa Ko is the Managing Member of Covepoint Capital Advisors, LLC and serves as the Chief Investment Officer of its flagship, the Covepoint Emerging Markets Macro Fund. Please visit https://about.me/melissako, https://melissakoblog.wordpress.com/, http://melissakocovepoint.tumblr.com/, and http://www.slideshare.net/MelissaKo1 to learn more!