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Delancey-Essex Sts (F, J, M, Z)
Grand St (B, D)
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When I planned a small reunion dinner with some friends from school the other week the only stipulation they provided me with is that we were having mexican. With that in mind I immediately thought, let's check out Rosa Mexicano or Dos Caminos. But,we had been to both places in the past and while good we were craving somewhat of a different experience. Keeping that in mind, I opted to check out Barrio Chino, a restaurant I had heard much about but had never gotten around to actually visiting.
To put it simply, our meal was amazing. The food, the atmosphere, our drinks, everything clicked . And despite the fact that we had to wait over an hour to be seated, we felt in the end that it was well worth the wait for a meal that was truly exceptional. While I might not be an authority on mexican food, I would venture to say that Barrio Chino offers up some of New York's better mexican cuisine and that I left here far more satisfied than I did at either of the aforementioned restaurants.
So in short, unpredictable wait time, great food/drinks/atmosphere people watching. Oh and get the habanero margarita. You don't know spicy until you've had it.
I was planning to write some long-winded thing insulting all of the people dining next to and around me when I ate here, but whatever. I'll just insult some of them.
I tried to come here once before I did and the wait was too long and it was too long when I finally waited around for it. The wait seems always to be too long. The sad part is, the thing you're waiting around for ain't half worth it. Ain't half worth it.
Yokay, the food is well prepared, especially the fish tacos. I only came here, guessing I would hate it, for the fish tacos, which you people promised were amazing. The food is so tiny and claustrophobic and overpriced and underwhelming. The place is over-aestheticized in every possible way. Especially the drowned-in-vain
whelps who come scampering in and crowd their peacoat-non-prescription-glasses asses around the impossible to navigate entryway/bathroom door.
If you haven't noticed, something about Barrio Chino strikes the wrong chord with me. I was really pissy sitting there. This isn't an eatery about sensory enjoyment, as food should always be. But you'll probably believe the hype, as I did, and come here anyway, so I'll do my best to prepare you:
It's a crowded, cramped, fucking loud room that's all about trying to impress the people around you. The woman next to me actually told her friend that she was moody and didn't "even have an appetite anymore" because "I haven't, like, even made out with a guy in such a fucking long time." Then she scanned the room over the rim of her mixed drink.
Once the interest in new wave/fake Mexican fusion dies (and it will) Barrio will be forgotten and I'll be eating ripe, resplendent tacos in Oaxaca. If you disagree with anything I've said, you're wrong. No.
I don't know what possessed me to follow up vegan cupcakes with chicken tacos, but the service was great and the tacos were incredible.
It was pretty busy when I went, but I was still lucky enough to get some directions out of them.
I would've gone back if I didn't have to hightail it back to the bus. I ended up scarfing them all down within five minutes of taking my seat.
I didn't want to like this place because of the trendy reputation and the tiny, almost uncomfortable size, but I have to rate it well since our dining experience proved to be pretty great.
The jalapeno margaritas are wonderful; they have a huge selection of margaritas, as well as caipirinhas. The guacamole was an obvious necessity to our dining experience and I found it was not extremely memorable but definitely above average. We also shared the calamari salad which everyone loved except me. I felt it had too much of a grilled flavor which ultimately overwhelmed the calamari. I got the enchiladas verde for my entree and it was amazing. I was quite full by then but enjoyed it the most compared to the rest of the meal. The drinks are one of the highlights here. If you know which dish to order, it's a nice dining experience.
Barrio Chino is one of my favorite restaurants in the city, but the unpredictable waiting times prevent me from going more often. The restaurant is very small, but the atmosphere is enchanting, the food is delicious and reasonably priced, and the drinks are quite tasty (albeit pricey).
I feel as though you can't really go wrong with any of the entrees...I think I've tried at least a bite of almost everything. The tacos are small, but they also give you the opportunity to try a variety of options.
As far as the drinks go, I am highly in favor of the margaritas. They make them fresh (no sour mix here) with fruits like strawberry and grapefruit (yum!). I also like the jalapeno margaritas, but you have to really like hot spices. I love me some spicy foods, but I can only handle one or two of these suckers.
If you're in the neighborhood, particularly on a weekday before 8pm, definitely give this place a shot.
The place is small, really small, we went down at just after 630 on a Tuesday thinking that would be early enough to secure a place. Unfortunately there was already a busy crowd and for a table of 4 there would be a 45 minute wait. We went for a few drinks nearby and returned an hour later, after another 15 minutes of standing awkwardly near the toilet/entrance we were seated.
The guacamole and salsa where sharp, rich in flavour, the accompanying tortillas crisp and fresh. We decided to share some tacos, steak and fish. They were my first fish tacos and were divine, buttery and tender pieces of tilapia melting in the mouth.
After reading several recommendations we also ordered the Enchiladas Verdes, I wasn't a fan, maybe it was due to my misspent youth and its many hours constructing architectural patterns to ensure that the flavours met when I wanted them to and not before. Surely everyone appreciates the fundamentals of a gravy damn?
Anyway they were tasty but the flavours and textures were a little too mixed together and my culinary mind was easily bored.
The drinks were the usual fair, reasonably priced strong mojitos, maybe I had one too many, no you say, but all the acid and sugar left me feeling a little pickled. I like the place and would definitely go back.
12 fish tacos please.
There seem to be three types of mexican restaurants in New York worth discussing. (Caliente Cab does not qualify as Mexican).
The first are hole-in-the-wall, health-violation-prone, authentic taquerias. Taqueria y Fonda on 107 and El Toro Partido on 139 are two stand-outs.
The second type is the Rosa Mexicana/Dos Caminos thing. Large, colorful places that serve decent americanized Mexican food. Not culinary experiences worth writing home about, but not offensive either.
The third type is a cross between the two. The food in these restaurants tends to be authentic, flavorful Mexican food- but the setting is carefully thought-out and the clientele is young and hip. Barrio Chino, Mercadito Grove and Florencia 13 belong to this category.
Why the long introduction? Why have I thought about Mexican food to such an extent? Simply put, because it is one of the mysteries of New York's restaurant scene. In a city known for its cultural diversity, where one can eat Malawian food or Swedish meatballs within the same block, Mexican food is sadly unexplored. But the third category seems to be gathering momentum, and I suspect in the years to come New York will have its very own brand of Mexican food- much like San Francisco or Los Angeles.
Barrio Chino is a low-key, low-lit, cosy little place in a vibrant part of the city. There are approximately 8 tables in the room, and 10 stools at the bar. When my lady friend and I went last night, battling a polar wind storm, we were seated at the bar immediately. This is definitely a small place, so I would suggest going with a (very) small group of friends. There was a birthday party going on in the middle of the room, but I suspect they made a deal with the owner since the restaurant usually operated on a no-reservation basis (grrr).
We ordered a mojito (excellent), the chef's guacamole; chicken soup; steak tacos; barbacoa, and an espresso.
First off, the guacamole. Fantastic. Fresh, sharp, with clusters of avocado appearing every now and again to say hello in the sea of creamy greenness. The chips were very good as well- shiny and crunchy, not too oily. We were also given a small plate of salsa, which was a nice complement to the delicate texture of the guacamole.
The steak tacos were also very good, but needed a little doctoring. They were essentially smokey strips of steak served on a warm tortilla,
with a slice of avocado on top. A little guacamole and some lime juice was added to help the tortilla out- and the taco went from being a tasty but dry experience, to a tasty, moist and delicious morsel.
The chicken soup was fantastic. Nothing wrong with it. It was incredibly fresh, and plentiful.
The barbacoa- braised lamb served with rice and onions- was wonderful but a tad too salty. To some people, that would read as "rich" or "strong"- but too me it went a little over the salty edge. Having said that, the quality of the lamb, spices and flavor were outstanding.
The coffee was fine.
Finally, the bill. Not bad at all. $65 for two people who definitely ate like little piggies.
Aside from the minor criticisms, this is a winner and I will definitely be back.
Fantastic mojito, but very expensive.
Poor beer selection.
A fun little joint, I'd like to come back again.
That jalapeno drink is a kick in the pants! whew!
Good chips and salsa, really a must get.
I'm still on my search to find good Mexican food in NYC. Another reviewer from CA claimed that this was her go to spot for Mexican food so I was excited to think that maybe Barrio Chino was as good as the Mexican food back home. But alas, no...this Cali girl is still on the hunt.
The guacamole is good, but the chips didn't hit my spot. The meat in the carne asada tacos were dry. Edible, but dry. I couldn't decide between the camarones borachos or the enchiladas verdes so I went with the enchiladas since the waitress said they were the number one entree choice. I should have went with my gut because the enchiladas were almost too rich, while lacking flavor.
What I loved was a quesadilla appetizer (pretty sure it was pork) and the margaritas were divine. Also, for your money, Barrio Chino is more than affordable.
Our host was also excellent. After waiting for about an hour an a half on a Friday night, and explaining we would rather sit at a table than at the bar, he made it happen. My boyfriend is convinced it is because the host liked his bubble butt. Probably so, but regardless that made the dining experience itself much nicer.
This is mexican food? Get out!! This was soo good for mexican in nyc!
Although I'm not used to mexican food above $10, i really enjoyed the flavor of the pork quesadillas. My friend's sandwich was awesome too! I'd def like to go back here, there are always people outside when I walk back home form the train.
Wow. Coming from California I am a very picky Mexican food eater. This was incredible. I had the soup with avocado, cheese and tortilla strips. The perfect amount of spice and flavor. My friend ordered the huevos con chorizo and it looked incredible. They have home made corn tortillas and delicious salsa.
The atmosphere is darling. There are Chinese lanterns hung up, a few booth-esque options and a really long community table. Service was great.
Casual and delicious.
With summer gone, and A/C's removed from our windows, our bedroom now smells of steak tacos as we fall asleep every night. Sometimes I want to complain--- but the smell of grilled meats kind of turns on my BF... so all's well that ends well.
With the colder months approaching I will begin to crave their amazing pollo soups... and maybe finally try those raw veggie looking sticks that all of the skinny chicks in leggings are always munching on (i think it's their secret to success!!)
Irene the bartender is SUCH a sweetheart. I love her margaritas and friendly grace behind the bar.
Being a neighbor, I fall asleep to Barrio Chino's gentle lull of laughter and bustle nearly every… Read more »
I went here on a Sunday night around 8 with 3 people and the wait was about 30 minutes. They take your number and call when your table is ready. I went with my dad and sister and the place had loud music so it is probably better for just young people. The crowd was very hip but thankfully there were only a few full-blown mustache-laden hipsters. There was a really good-looking model-ish couple behind my dad making out the whole time. They were pretty irritating actually. In between wanting to throw up and wanting to tell them to get a room I was pretty blinded by how beautiful they were.
As for the food, we got enchiladas verdes and fish tacos and they were really good. Very flavorful but still not like the hole-in-the-wall CA joints I love. Also got grapefruit margaritas which were pretty tasty but not mind-blowing. They were NYC standard price at around $9. The place overall was more like fancy-Mexican a la Dos Caminos but more reasonably priced. I live 2 blocks away and will definitely be back. Just be prepared to wait if you go on Friday/Saturday nights. They do take reservations though.
The food is incredible! And the price is right ... not often those two thoughts go together in NYC.
We arrived at 6 on a Tuesday and were the second table seated. By the time we left around 6.45ish, the joint was 90% full.
The service was friendly. The salsas were plentiful and delicious. My only complaint is the chips were a little thick and heavy for me, and you pay $3 for them. You get the salsa's with your meals anyway.
I had the Camarones Borrachos, which was incredible!!! Big serving of shrimp, green rice, sliced avocado, tiny corn tortillas, and the mole (i think it was mole) was what turned a good dish into something special.
My friend had the Arrachera Taco, which he said was also incredible. Maybe even slightly better than the expensive one he had at La Palapa.
I'd love to back and try the drinks and really draw out my meal. Though when crowded it must be a little insane there.
If you go on weekend, or during prime-time hours, which I would do under the right circumstances, prepare to wait ... but sitting in a bar around the corner would be worth it!!
This review is brought to you by the word Incredible!!!
More than one person recommended this place to me. At first I resisted 1) because it was always so crowded, and 2) because I satisfied my spicy salsa cravings with Pio Maya and Los Dos Molinos. Pio Maya is now closed, and Los Dos has become too expensive, and so I decided to test the recommendation and give this place a shot.
Visit one: I met a friend for a drink on a Saturday night at 6:30. We managed to snag two seats at the bar. I had read many reviews beforehand and started out with the signature grapefruit margarita. For my second drink I switched to the jalapeno-grapefruit margarita while my friend opted for tequila with a sangrita back. We didn't eat, but I was aware that the food looked and smelled delicious. I made a note to come back and eat.
Visit two: My 30th birthday party. I called two weeks in advance and was told they take reservations for parties of 8-14 people for 5:30pm, 7:30pm and 9:30pm. The woman encouraged me to take the 9:30 slot so that we wouldn't feel rushed. I agreed that the late dinner time was best, but since many of my friends wake up very early, I decided to suck it up and commit to the 7:30 dinner time, which came with the proviso that we be finished by 9:25 (in restaurant speak this means 9:40).
Half of my friends were exactly on time. They were allowed to sit at the table even though the rest of us weren't there. The remaining group came by 7:45. It was a tight squeeze but we managed to make it work.
Service was practical and efficient. The waitress was not bubbly or talkative, but she made sure to pace our visit (because there was indeed a 9:30 reservation that followed us) without making us feel rushed. Most importantly she was available whenever anyone wanted to order another dish or drink.
The thing I liked best was this: Two people were driving in from Boston, and they were very late to dinner. Our entrees were being cleared just as they sat! I asked the waitress if she thought it would be possible for them to order, get, and eat food before the next reservation. It was 9pm by then, and she said it would be fine. Their food came out promptly, and the dishes were cleared with the scraps of our dessert.
All in all I had a good time.
The Space: The most difficult part of eating here is the limited space, but this is also what makes it so intimate and unique. The noise can get out of hand, but that's to be expected. I usually don't dine with 13 other people. Not being able to interact with half the party was something I expected; I'm sure it wouldn't seem as noisy or cramped with 1, 2, or 3 people.
The Food: Our table ordered almost everything on the menu, and it was all good. The sauces are really well seasoned, and the ingredients were fresh. It wasn't amaaaazing, but for $10-$16 entrees (with generous portions), it was well worth it. The flavor was on point, and the dishes were filling. The margaritas are interesting, but I think I'll stick to straight tequila next time (margaritas---with all the sugar--can be filling).
The Service: It was not exceptional, but it was exactly what I expected and wanted: solid, dependable, reliable. I don't need a server to stand there for 10 minutes telling me what tacos are. I need a server who is there when I want to order and there again to make sure I'm satisfied. Our server was exactly that.
For those Yelpers who complained about service: This is a busy place, and the staff is working very hard. They will take their time to explain things to you if you need it, but don't expect them to hang around and chat with you. Just because they don't hold your hand through the meal doesn't mean the service is weak. You get to order your drinks, order your food, and pay your bill. That's good service. If you think you need to leave having befriended the staff then perhaps you need to ask yourself why that's important to you.
If you want your butt kissed go someplace else. If you want some good drinks and good food, all in a casual-yet-hip environment (at decent prices) then come here.
I love everything about this restaurant. The Enchiladas Verdes is one of the best Mexican dishes I've had. The margaritas are fabulous, and the vibe is downtown chill. It's often pretty hard to get a table, but that makes it all the more special.
I was excited to try this place, and stoked to get a seat (since on my first try we were told there would be a 2 hour wait). My friend and I were able to get a seat at the bar, and at first all seemed well. The atmosphere was cool, although pretty squished - do not try coming here with more than one or two people, and the bartender was adorable and friendly. I tried the habanero grapefruit margarita, which was refreshing and super spicy at the same time. The drinks I would return for.
From there it was not so great. Guacamole was average, the mole enchiladas were nice but heavier than necessary (maybe the fault of eating too much guacamole while waiting over half an hour for the entrees to arrive), and the fish tacos were just not good. There was an off chemically taste to the fish that totally killed it. That could be a one-time miss, but I would avoid eating here again.
There was nothing particularly bad about this place, I just can't think of anything that was good.
We waited for two hours for a table on a Saturday night. I wouldn't mind waiting a long time for something good, but I'd personally prefer a taco truck (food and ambiance).
The margaritas were nothing special, same with the guacamole. The salsa wasn't spicy. I ordered the carnitas tacos and they were just ok.
I have NO idea why this place had a 2 hour wait and why all these scenester DBs wanted to eat there. Hate to be a hater, but this place is the definition of why I avoid the LES these days.
Came here on a Thursday night back in Sept. with the bf, around 9pm. Wait wasn't too bad, about 20 min., maybe. It was busy and i don't think i'd try coming here on a weekend. It's definitely a tiny place but i like it because it's got a very cozy feeling. The weather was nice out so the doors were all open and we could enjoy the fresh air.
As far as service, overall it was pretty good. As i said it was busy; the host sat us down and the waitress came to greet us and then apparently forgot we were her table? so the host noticed this and just ended up serving us for the rest of the night. I thought that was a little strange, but he was very friendly and very helpful, so i have no complaints here. If the waitress couldn't handle another table though, next time maybe she shouldn't bother coming over and playin us like that.
Food was delicious. Guacamole was fresh. We ordered the Enchiladas Verde and the cornish hen. Both were very good, but the enchiladas i loved! they are served with a creamy green sauce that i've never tried and it was delish. the cornish hen was also very good, a bit on the dry side but very flavorful and the sauce on the side helped. Both portions were generous.
The margaritas were also really good, i wanted to try the habanero, but the waiter's warning of its extreme spicyness made me a bit apprehensive, and i started off with the jalapeno lime instead. it was delicious with a nice kick - but you definitely need to have a decent tolerance for spice. Next visit, im ready for habanero. we also tried the strawberry vanilla - a bit too sweet for me.
Prices were reasonable, except for the guac, $8 is a bit steep tho i have no regrets because i enjoyed every bite. I have not tried these so-called shrinking tacos. But i will definitely be back for some more enchilades & spicy margs!
So when any New Yorker says that Mexican food is good, I write it off. I'm a Mexican food snob. I have had so many streaks of heart break and despair over the Mexican food in this city that I though all hope was lost. I have also taken plenty of flack from New Yorkers who say things like "It can't be that much better out west". Those people are wrong. New York's Mexican food suffers from a proximity issue (you would never go to Sweden for Chinese food)....
... but there are some exceptions to my snobbery, and Bario Chino is one of them. This place is great. I had the green enchiladas, and they were up to my standards. Way better than anything this city calls Mexican Food.
So why 4 stars you may ask.... because of the chorizo quesadilla. AVOID. Seriously this thing was not just bad by western standards, this thing was just bad. The only thing that I can compare it to was a piece of shoe leather covered in brie and cinnamon sugar*.
*I was very drunk the time that I had this, so maybe I'm wrong, but usually drunkenness only enhances a quesadilla experience.
Barrio Chino embodies all the reasons why I am simply not cool enough to hang out in the LES.
I dropped by on a Saturday evening after catching a show at the Rockwood Music Hall and its patrons were spilling out onto the sidewalk. Hipsters and impossibly trendy folk chowing down on delicious Mexican fare over salt-rimmed margartias and caiprihinas.
A Nigel Barker lookalike will take your phone number and give you a ring when your table is ready. I took this moment to drop into Earnest Sewn across the street and marvel at the overpriced denim. There was a brief 20-25 minute wait and we were seated at the bar, tucked away in the corner. I took a moment to take in the minimalistic decor, the Chinese laterns and adorations strung across the room, the chill and hip atmosphere, and the open kitchen producing plate upon plate of Mexican edibles.
I ordered the caiprinha and fresh lime margarita. Both were expertly prepared and decidedly strong. After sucking two of these down, I was pretty much prepared to go barhopping on Rivington.
We ordered the Platos Mexicanos which is a sampler of several dishes on the menu. This isn't your TGI Fridays appetizer sampler. This dish comes chock full of grilled steak, guacamole, Mexican cheese, chorizo, and black beans. Alongside, we ordered the pork and steak tacos which were absolutely flawless. The meat was tender and flavorful, topped with citrus and onions. Fresh corn tortillas were served alongside this meal which were quite handy for mopping up the homemade guacamole. I also found the cactus and shrimp salad to be quite tasty despite the lack of swine (kosher friendly).
See, not all 'scenes' are full of pretentious hipsters in fedoras and leggy aspiring model/actresses. Once in a while, the food impresses and not just the crowd.
I have been here twice since moving to NYC a few weeks ago. This place is off the hizza: great atmosphere + friendly staff, food options are fantastic--I highly recommend the enchiladas (verde and mole), and if you go for lunch/brunch, the aguas frescas are perfect. My first time was on my birthday (I crashed a friend's birthday party--we share the same date), and we ordered a few of their desserts (to share among 10 of us)---and I couldn't decide which one to horde since every selection was perfect.
Given the size of the place is in the "quaint" category, it would seem this place fills up fast, but it is one place that is worth the wait. Put your name on the list, give them your cell number, and walk next door to Ten Bells until your number is up. Do it. You won't regret it.
I will be frequenting this place while living here.
I can't say enough about this place. As a mexican girl from Cali, this place as good as it gets for real mexican food in NYC. I love the food here!
Barrio Chino was nice. The service staff are cool & friendly. They don't act like they hate you for existing. They actually seem happy to have you.
I probably wouldn't go back here primarily for the brunch. I thought it was just okay. The chips are excellent, and the guac was pretty good.
The drinks on the other hand. Yum yum yum.
I got the coconut mojito. I could drink it again and again. You can barely taste the alcohol.
It is quite unfortunate how small this place is considering their incredible food and drinks. It's bound to have an insane wait due to the size and bound to attract a lower east side model/hipster breed due to the location. I have nothing against model/hipster as long as they don't try to steal my effing table.
Our group arrived at 7pm and put our name/cell number in after an amusing conversation with the very tall, very Brazilian waiter in a neon track suit. He basically stared down my male companion awkwardly until my poor friend left to wait in the street and then proceeded to purr my name and bore holes in my head with his eyes...I think it's a cultural thing but I liked it. So off we went to Lucky Jack's Saloon (I think that was the name) for some happy hour bevvies. Halfway through our 1st drink my brazialian called to say he had a table open for 2 people. I told him, great for you but we need a table for 3 people. Ok. 5 minutes later, a call saying our table was ready. Upon arrival it was clear that someone was still sitting in "our table" so we ended up waiting 15 more minutes outside instead of comfortably with drinks ... next time guy please call us when the table is actually ready.
The Food. Was Incredible. Don't miss the guacamole ($8) and homemade tortilla chips...we literally licked the plate. I'm serious, in the bathroom plate licking. The Enchiladas Verdes ($13) smelled, tasted, emoted pure happiness. Super cheesy, perfectly cooked and season with flaky chicken engulfed in creamy verde sauce that wasn't spicy (thankyou) accompanied by a small side of refried black beans (yay!). I stuffed as much as I could into my belly before it become clear that if I wanted to sleep through the night, I'd have to leave a little on my plate.
The lime margarita ($9) on the rocks with salt matched the perfection. I did notice that as I got down to the bottom of the drink there was a much stronger salt flavor like they'd spilled a little in the glasses while rimming it. All fine, and next time I'll try the strawberry vanilla version which the waiter had slightly poopooed as very sweet. Yes, he purred it to me.
The prices, the meal, the drinks and the hunky waiters all made for an incredible fun and enticing meal. Only drawback are the cramped seating and the wait time, both of which are only just typical in our fare city of insane real estate prices.
I was told about this place by my friend that used to live around the corner. I've come here about 5 times and have only stayed around long enough to eat once. The wait is always at least an hour. This last time, a Wednesday evening, it was 30 min. I like that they call you on your phone to let you know when a table is ready.
My date and I ended up sitting at the corner of the bar which we did not mind. The place is tiny and was packed with people which is good and bad in different ways. The bartender was very nice but he seemed too busy take care of everyone in a normal amount of time. He had to serve everyone at the counter (food and drinks), and also make the drinks for the entire restaurant.
For some reason our food took an abnormally long time to come out... close to 40 minutes for two entrees is kind of ridiculous. I don't know why we didn't say anything. I ordered the shrimp with green rice which was okay. The green rice was delish but the shrimp was overcooked and chewy. My date ordered the al pastor tacos and the pork was definitely overcooked and dry. The chips and salsa we ordered was good and fresh but the not-so-greatness of everything else kind of overshadows that.
I'm willing to give this place another chance but they better bring their A game!!
"excuse me sir, can we sit down....um excuse me, please, we've been waiting here awkwardly in the corner trying to grab your attention for the past five minutes...."
There was an open table, but the passive waiter showed us to the bar, deep in the corner of the room, where my companion and I had to nudge past over worked models and washed up L.A duds.
From the outside Barrio Chino looks sexy: unmarked with dim lighting and always just crowded enough to make you feel special on a Wednesday night just before 1 am ( the kitchen closes then and we were grabbing a late dinner).
The man behind the counter shoved the menu in our faces and told us the kitchen was closing so we better hurry up. I stumbled across the drunken shrimp with avocado and rice and went with it. My friend went with the calamari and a jalapeno Margarita. The food was decent, and not over priced. I would even go so far to say that the drink was outstanding--very unique in how spicy yet refreshing it was.
I'd almost go back if it wasn't for how horrible the service at this place was. We tried to get water, but he simply ignored us. The man seated next to me was kind enough to hound him down for us, as I was dying from drunken thirst.
I want to tell you good things, but I cannot until their management cleans house, literally and figuratively.
For now, if you find the following enjoyable, consider visiting Barrio Chino:
1. If you sit at an unclaimed seat at 10:30 p.m. on a weekday, waitstaff will confiscate your unfinished drink.
2. There is no manager to speak of, so that any complaints that you may have will fall on deaf ears.
3. Finally, and most importantly, Barrio Chino has failed health violation inspections as recently as January 17, 2009. Read: the New York City of Health and Mental Hygiene found "Evidence of mice or live mice present in facility's food and/or non-food areas."
Yes, this place has the potential to be the great neighborhood spot. However, this is impossible until the management addresses the basics of service and hygiene.
Barrio Chino, you may not have to fill many seats nightly, but understand that this isn't the economic climate to be crapping on your customers.
How does one make a restaurant 'hip'? Is it the dark, minimalistic decor? Charging $8.00 for smallish (but delicious) tacos? Maybe attracting a few washed up American Apparel models to be waitresses? While Barrio Chino doesn't have the La Esquina 'underground' factor going for it, the clientele was chic, hip, trendy, whatever adjective you want to use. Yours truly, however, is decidedly not as cool.
My female dining companion pointed out a veritable who's who of C-list models, reality TV show hosts, and fashionistas lining the bar and the tall rickety wooden tables and sipping overpriced (but damn tasty) caiprihinas. I nodded plaintively (and apathetically) and vocalized my concern about the value for money of ordering the tacos nopales or the tacos al pastor.
I plunked down at the bar in my not so trendy Banana Republic duds, and ordered what was probably the most substantial, and tastiest guacamole, with fresh fried tortilla chips i've ever tasted. This joint is probably worth a visit alone for the chips and dip, though not worth the obligatory 45 minute wait. The tacos al pastor are pint sized, but packed full of meat and fixings, and tasty overall.
My point in this self depreciating depiction of our experience, is that despite Barrio Chino's trend factor, the food is actually pretty good. But be prepared to dress up and wait a few minutes for the experience.... you might just be able to see that guy from "America's Next Top Model", like anyone really cares.
They serve the best fish tacos I've ever eaten and make a great margarita.
*Bonus: When there's a wait, the host will take down your phone number and call you when your table is ready so that you can go grab a drink around the corner.
I'm really torn about this place. I was here last night and we ordered the guac & chips. That was very good and they were generous with the guac. Ordered the chicken de mole which was excellent. I love the mashed black beans on the side. It was a really nice surprise... and it comes with avocado too. Here's my beef: I had 4 margaritas, a beer and a shot and was hoping for a buzz. Got nothing. After dropping $140, my friend and I left and we were like "hmmm, why are we completely sober?" I love the food here, but I am a drinks kinda gal. I will probably not return as I refuse to pay $10 a drink for no booze. I watched the bartender making the drinks as we were paying the bill and I SWEAR, there is not even an ounce of alcohol in them. So, I will be fair and give Barrio 3 stars cuz I'm nice. Btw, we ended up going to another bar and drinking some real drinks. In fact, I think I am currently drunk typing this.
Literally minutes after scoring my LES apt, I made a new friend who took me to Barrio Chino. I was blown away by the grapefruit margaritas. What a fantastic spot, I thought, and my feelings for this place have not changed in three years. I live literally around the corner and I'm still a sucker for their chips and guac, chicken soup and yes - the margaritas.
I always bump into my neighborhood friends here. It's a testment to the restaurant that the bartenders and servers have barely changed in all these years. I have taken friends, family and co-workers to this joint, each with great results. The only thing I advise is never order the coffee.
What's all the hype about?
The guacamole was good, but nothing special. I ordered the Chile En Nogada which was tasty b/c of the pork and fruit combination, but once again just ok.
I visited on a Monday night and there was plenty of space, but for a weekend I can see how packed it can get.
I was annoyed when I saw a charge of $2.50 to refill the chips. Really, they couldn't spare filling up the 4 x 1/2 inch bowl for free?
Maybe it's a different experience when you come on a Thurs or Fri, but then again I would probably still be disappointed b/c it's the same food in the end.
Barrio Chino is so warm and intimate ... It makes you feel sheltered.
We made a stop there on the way home last night and had margaritas and a lush bowl of guacamole at the bar. We'll be back soon for dinner.
Ate here in 25 minutes flat before making it to my Tenement Museum tour. It was close!
Our table had the guac dip, Mexican BLT sandwich, and chicken tacos. All was amazing. I'll definitely be back when I'm not pregnant and can indulge in their cocktails. It looks like they might now how to make one in this joint.
Ok, i'll just get the bad thing out of the way first....its Small.
So if you're not into small spaces, this place may not be for you.
That being said...Barrio Chino is an excellent place for a nice dinner or a date...or even a larger table with a bunch of friends if you make reservations in advance.
This place is NOT pretentious...the wait staff and host were great (The host was probably the coolest host i've ever come across in NYC), and even though it was small and people were sitting pretty close to us, everybody was very polite (we even got into a great conversation with the girls next to us about their experience at a strip club celebrating one of their bdays!). lol.
The food is pretty good as well. My date had something with shrimp that was delicious, and I had something w/lamb that was VERY good as well (sorry, names escape me!).
Mojitos were delicious and sweet, just the right amount of alcohol, the portions were pretty good (not huge, but not tiny), and the price was really nice. I think each entree was between 13 and 16 bucks...and with 2 appetizers and drinks our total bill came out to only 60 bucks! Not bad for a date in a really nice place in NYC with some good food and a great ambiance!
Be sure to get there earlier than you want to eat though. The wait, especially on weekends, can be serious. We were told the wait would be around 45 minutes, but it wound up being around 30.
I would definitely recommend this place if you're looking for a fun/romantic/interesting spot in LES.
P.S. - Barrio Chino is great in the summer when they open the big glass doors too!
Barrio Chino is pretty yummy but it can be such a pain in the a#$ to get a table. It's nice that they take your cell phone number down (and they really will call you unlike a lot of other places that take numbers). It's not really a place where you can just sorta hang out by the bar until your table is ready - there isn't a square inch of spare space in here.
They have my favorite fresh grapefruit margaritas here. I always ask for them to be less sweet than normal and they're amazing. Sweet margaritas tend to give me killer hangovers so asking for them less sweet always seems to help. I always order the enchiladas - green sauce. Mole is usually too sweet for me (I know you're sensing a pattern here but I actually love desserts!) The guac is good and the tacos aren't a bad decisions either.
Never disappointed in the food but often sad about the wait. Oh and also, it is freaking LOUD in here. A lot of people jammed into a small space with relatively high walls, I guess it shouldn't be all that surprising.
When I first walked into this crowded happening place I assumed it was going to be some kind of Mexican Asian fusion place after eying the decor, but they serve straight Mexican food. It was pretty good Mexican food at that! I ordered the Enchiladas de Mole. It was quite yummy but could have been bigger. The wait staff was friendly and accommodating. Service for drinks was fast. Food on the other hand took a long bit. I think they have an old Mexican grandma rolling tortillas and mashing black beans in back. The seating there is really tight. The girl sitting next to me kept wedging her elbow into my side. Other than that I had a good experience here. It was refreshing to have some good Mexican in NYC finally. I definitely would come back and try their other dishes.
Checked out Barrio Chino last night for the first time. Great LES style decor. Friendly NYC style waitstaff. Excellent Top Shelf Margaritas and amazing Guac and chips. Shrimp Tacos were outstanding too. For all that they get 4 stars.
However, it can't be 5. Why? Meal was $60 per person. And we shared an taco app and one entree (Ahi Tuna). We did have 2 Margs each. Simply too expensive. Plus the Ahi Tuna was cooked medium when we asked for rare. And there is a looooong, wait as the place is small. Nope, can't get 5 stars unless all is perfect. But it is definitely better than Mercadito which is over-rated.
Very good sense of making dishes they have.
China Town=Barrio Chino
China meet Mexico, East meets West!!!
This place is definitely good place to hung out with your homies!!
Happy Hour
Neighborhood: Midtown East
Valentines Day Menu
Neighborhood: Boerum Hill
Neighborhood: Lower East Side
Category: Mexican
Neighborhood: Lower East Side
Category: Mexican
Neighborhood: Lower East Side
Category: Mexican
Neighborhood: East Village
Category: Mexican
Neighborhood: East Village
Category: Mexican
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