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Tue-Sat. 11:30 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
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After the amazing recommendations I've gotten from fans of the truck, I had high hopes for Calexico. So far, I've had two burritos from there, and they were alright: large portion, okay price, but nothing special. BUT I plan on coming back and giving them another try sometime soon because I really do want to like it.
I haven't experienced any attitude from the counter people, but I have been going at lunchtime, so maybe the trials of the day haven't had the chance to weigh them down yet.
Damn I wanted to like this place! It seemed so fashionable and mildly hipsterish to do so. Sadly its just not really possible. One strike against them wasn't really their fault but they're applying for a liquor license so you can't BYOB in the meantime. I really wanted a beer with my tacos but that will have to wait for another day.
Secondly, the woman at the cash register just seemed kind of clueless. We ordered a bunch of stuff and it came out to $10. Ummm... I had to walk her through that until she realized that it was off. She added it up again and said, "is that ok?". I don't know babe, you're the one with the register in front of you....
But who cares? What about the food?!? Yeah, not so good. One salsa (the ancho) was pretty tasty, the rest were just not. The Mrs. had a chicken quesadilla which was flavorless. We're talking chicken and cheese, melted, how do you f- that up? But they serve it with what they call 'crack sauce'. I think this could be used for someone who had come off a heroin addiction and was now attempting to kick methadone but not for dipping one's quesadilla. I've never had crack but if it tasted like mayo mixed with hot sauce, I'd have to return to my crack dealer and ask for a refund. I've heard that most reputable crack dealers are awesome with refunds.
My choice was the pork or 'carnitas-like' meat tacos and I threw on some guac for good measure. I think the guac was sweet for some reason, the pork was kind of mushy and, well, bad. So that didn't quite work either. Bummer.
Lastly I had a side of black beans. Tasteless. With cheese on top. Still tasteless. Oh well, back to the city for me. If I'm coming out of the city again, its for the tortilleria Mexicana Los Hermanos which I thought was great. I'm heading to Cali soon anyway so Tacqueria Can Cun will hopefully cure what ails me but this place is kind of a no-go for me.
On the plus side, I can stop worrying about how I'll sneak out of work midday to get to Soho for their truck. Just not worth it.
2.5 stars really.
Decent Mexican joint but what's up with the wait and snobby bitch at the counter? The guys at the cart in SoHo are really nice.
The pulled pork quesadilla is one of the best I've had. I don't get what's the big deal with their "crack" sauce though. Mayo, sour cream and a little Chipotle is all it is. Been making this for years.
Burritos are meh but then I'm from San Francisco where the best burritos in the world live. Even better than in Mexico!
This is my second review of Calexico. I tried the salad last night and it was so good that I got another one tonight and had to come here to tell all of you. It was so delicious. I got it with steak both times (because I LOVE their steak) but I'm sure it would be great alone or with any other protein. My only suggestion is if you like a good amount of dressing, ask for 2 if you get the large salad. I still love my burrito and tacos but I see a lot of steak salads in my near future!
My family and I love, love, love Calexico! I was just away for 6 days and after dropping off my… Read more »
extraordinary quesadillas.
The first time I came here they were serving Taquito brand chips which seemed pretty disappointing, but the Pinto Bean Burrito I ordered was fresh, filling and well balanced. After the first visit the chips have been home-made. The best part of this place is the salsa bar. The crew working is aloof, but it's expected..The only thing that bums me out is the frantic music they are ALWAYS playing. I actually wouldn't mind if the portions were a little bit smaller.
July 18th. The night disappointment came to town.
Being a modern day yuppie, I get all of my bright ideas from internet buzz. Not since fair trade, locally grown, artisinal Bac-O's came to town has anything gotten more blog love than Calexico. The moment I heard they opened an actual storefront I thought "BLOGS SAY GO! MUST EAT CALEXICO. BRAIIIIIINS!"
So, we went & you know what, it was just okay. First off, it took half an hour to get our food. I'm sorry, but this shit needs to come out faster. It's fucking Mexican food not a six-tiered wedding cake.
We started with a small guac & chips, which was a tiny ketchup container filled with moderately tasty green stuff. It didn't have much punch, but at least the chips were fresh. The salsa bar was well-stocked with more moderately flavorful stuff.
The carne asada taco was pretty decent, but no where near the orgasmatron experience these foodies were preaching. We also had a pulled pork taco. I think. Quite memorable, as you can tell.
We also got a quesadilla, but didn't eat that till after seeing Harry Potter 6. Which also left a Meh taste in my mouth. But, hey, after that meal at least I tasted something. So, we slog through this slow-ass movie, come home ready to devour a ROLLED quesadilla & crack sauce and again I'm left rummaging through the bag to see if they packed the excitement on the side.
Just a note: If you're going to name your secret sauce after the most addictive, most destructive inner-city drug you might want to try something other than mayo & chili powder.
Indulge me with another note: Hire a staff that has some actual experience in dealing with customers. These people were so awkward it was like everyone was going through puberty at the same time. When someone was "thanks, have a nice weekend" try & come back with something other than a BLANK STARE.
I know, another note: Maybe our food wouldn't've taken so long to come out if all the bearded hipster cooks weren't scurrying outside to check their iPhones every 45 seconds. I'm sure you must be going through some crazy existential crisis with your girlfriend of three weeks, but get your bony ass back in front of the grill & get me my goddamn dinner. Dry your tears with your skinny tie on your own damn time.
I have been reading about Calexico for awhile now. I made it point to try over the weekend. Full disclosure I am friends with one of the guys who started the cart and now runs the restaurant.
That being said, it was really really good. I had the Carne Asada Taco, the Pulled Pork Taco and the Chicken Taco. All of them were great and reminded me of Tacos I have had in Colorado, New Mexico and California. The Carne Asada was tender and delicious and the pulled pork was (i think) marinated brilliantly!
I really wanted to hate this place. Since opening day Ive tried 3 times to get in, and each time they were either closed or had a private party.
But the food is still solid and huge portions--same as carts-- except they have grits here! Yum, pork grits!
Some complaints:
1. Saturday 9pm-- +40min wait for party of 3. See this makes sense if we were in Soho waiting for the cart- but this is a damn restaurant! Shouldnt it be more efficient now??
2. Small restaurant. Tables filled. No one with food. Luckily when we got our food we snagged a table-- but I saw another customer with a tray filled with tacos just waiting for a seat. Sucks for him. Cold tacos are no bueno.
3. No beer. If youre going to make me wait-- give me some damn beer! I am now hangry!
4. Wish they could expand into fish and shrimp tacos too.
5. Cash only.
Anyways, dining here is over rated. Go to the cart in Soho, or order to go. The food is worth it, but waiting around for both food and seating will definitely be annoying.
It's probably too early to write a review about the new Calexico in Carroll Gardens. They just opened this week and the locals, I'm sure, are excited to have a Vendy Award winner in their hood.
I tried the Pollo Asada burrito. They should call all their burritos "Dos Manos", because you need two hands to wrestle em' down. My burrito was stuffed standard with grilled chicken, rice, black beans, pico de gallo and shredded cheese. You can also customize your order with add-ons such as guacamole for a little bit more. Calexico, also has a nice little salsa bar where I counted no less than 4 freshly made salsas ranging from mild to nuclear.
In addition to Burritos, the straightforward menu offers Tacos, Tortas, and Quesadillas available with Carne Asada, Pollo Asada, Tofu Asada, and Pulled Pork.
It looks like the joint is set-up primarily for take-out and delivery. However, there are several tables to sit down at and attack your meal fresh from the grill.
I wish these guys the best of luck in their new venture. Welcome to the neighborhood.
We have finally completed the Oaxaca (on Smith Street) vs. Calexico competition. A lot of tacos had to be eaten, but we persevered. For science. Taco science. Our introduction to Calexico was at the 2008 Vendys where they won with (IMHO) good but not every exciting food - which was the general feeling I got from our visit to their new restaurant.
I had the pork and the chicken taco (although in hindsight I should of had the beef as well). The pork was amazingly... not that flavorful. It was really quite bland. The chicken was actually a tad more flavorful, but seemed a bit processed. I don't know if it was, but it just looked kind of pre-cubed. If they are using real chicken, it might make sense to re-think how they prepare and present it.
The general toppings on the tacos were fine (pickled onion on the pork).
So, as far as tacos, I'll go back to Oaxaca.
Everything that we all (yes, ALL OF US) love about the Calexico street carts, with an expanded, vegetarian friendly menu, in a brick & mortar restaurant located on the edge of Carroll Gardens.
The interior is small with only a handful of tables, but there's a salsa bar and a refrigerator full of gen-u-ine Mexican sodas.
There's the usual band of tacos and burritos, but with an expanded selection of meat (including tofu), quesadillas that are prepared almost as if they were a sandwich wrap, salads, and even Mexixcan-style grits.
The Calexico guys seem to have acknowledged just how addictive their creations are, as they've named a mystery flavored sour cream-like sauce that may accompany your meal "crack" sauce. Pretty fitting.
The biggest downside to my experience (lunchtime during the week), was something that also seems to have been carried over from the carts - an excessive wait time. It was a good 15-20 minutes before I received my quesadilla, initially told it would be 10.
Still, the food is delicious. If you're willing to look past the flaws of the restaurant's operations, you're in for a treat. Just bring a book.
Pros: Good value. Best burrito I have had in ages. Very, very good. Can't stress how good.
Cons: No fish options, plastic utensils (eco nightmare), strangely loud music for such a tiny place.
Highly recommend for the PROS!
Had two tacos: pork and tofu asado. Both were amazing: boldly and brightly flavorful, and satisfying without being too heavy. The service was great and the space was beautiful and welcoming. Our group shared chips and guacamole, and you could tell there was a subtle fight over who was going to get the last dollop.
If I lived closer by I'd be there every day. I'll definitely be back, and I'm telling my friends!
I have to give it a "Meh, I've experienced better" - The main reason is the dining area and the staff are completely off putting, to say the least. I've been living in the area for a little over 8 years and the influx of apathetic hipsters is finally getting to me. I don't mind them at the bars, but I really hate them serving my food because they are completely devoid of personality and customer service skills. Additionally, the music was so loud, there was no way you could have a conversation in the place. I like local music too, but you really don't have to blast Nathaniel Mayer to the point where your customers can't think.
The food was decent, but I can't say I'll be running back for more any time soon. The carne asada was good - absolutely. Crack Sauce? Not so much. Salad, tasty - roasted corn was a nice touch. The chips we got were stale and the guacamole uneventful enough to leave half eaten. Finally, no beer and no BYOB? WTF is up with that?
I waited months and months for the opening of Calexico Carne Asada. I was really looking forward to a tasty neighborhood standby because the pickings for good takeout are minimal on this side of the BQE. I was hugely disappointed for 2 reasons:
1- Every time I have walked in to order I am greeting with a rude employee informing me that it will be at least 30 minutes for food. When I ask if they can just call me when it is done, I get another rude reply of, umm no. There are at least 4 ppl behind the counter, and the restaurant is not full- I don't understand how it could take so long to assemble a burrito.
2- The food is not transcendent as all of the pre-opening hype described: it is mediocre at best and who wants to wait 30 minutes for so-so Mexican?
I am still hoping for this place to become efficient and work out the kinks because I so want a good taco/burrito place in the hood.
Once I try the burrito I might be able to bump Calexico up to 5 stars, but until then it's 4. I love the cart, although I can never manage to make it down to Soho during the week, so I was so happy when they finally got it together to open the storefront in Carroll Gardens. Went here today and I was not disappointed. Got the guacamole and chips, guac wasn't as good as I had hoped, it needed onions or more salt or more lime or some combination of the above. Chips were good.
Then I got the pollo asada torta and it was AMAZING. I'm absolutely in love with it, totally want to eat it all day, every day. The chicken was moist, the black bean paste was perfect, the avocado was delicious, the bread was perfect, and the crack sauce lived up to its name. Loved it. My friend got the carne asada and it too was delicious. Next time I'm getting that. Well, the time after I try to burrito. Thank god I don't live in the neighborhood, otherwise I'd be ordering delivery every night.
I may have to trek all the way out to this delicious eatery. Love the avocado sauce... craving it as I sit and write this in Manhattan. Thank goodness for the class project that brought me to this delicious place. Prices seem decent and the staff is very nice. The meat wasn't spicy, yet had flavor.
I've been a few times now. This place rocks. I can't wait until they have their liquor license.
Coming from a born-and-bred Austinite (very fond of Mexican food) this place rocks it. No other way… Read more »
I waited a year for Calexico Carne Asada to open. Since I live around the corner I used to walk by craving tortas and tacos. Ever since the cart was outside last summer I have been waiting in anticipation. I plan on trying the entire menu in the next 30 days.
I began today with a salad and the pork grits. May seem like an odd choice but it is hot and I wanted a salad. Ever since I went to camp in North Caroline (30 years ago) I have maintained my love of savory grits. The pork grits were simply awesome. It was a cross between risotto, grits and polenta. Perfectly cheesy and porky.
The salad did not disappoint, with huge slices of avocado and a great dressing. For $7.00 it is a great meal, add the $3.00 small order of grits and it kind of is a perfect meal. A bit of greens, a bit of salty carb.
The guys said that the grits are not moving fast, I think that it is because no one understands grits, and especially at a taco joint. Grits are the ultimate comfort food, way more complex than their cousin mac and cheese, and they offer a much more interesting base for a good chef to work from. There is a tofu version I will try tomorrow. All I can say is try a small order or the pork, you can't go wrong for $3.00.
There is plenty of room to sit, they are open tonight for dinner. I plan on being a frequent visitor, at least until I taste the entire menu.
The burrito (pollo asada with black beans is my favorite) with some crack sauce on the side is all you need! Don't forget to try the salsas too! Very thankful for mexican food in NYC that has some FLAVOR!
SPECTACULAR! Finally, amazing Mexican in Brooklyn. After going by this place for a year waiting for it to open (and mourning loss of greasy Schnack) I was worried it would never live up to the hype. All I can say is that it surpasses the hype.
I work in SoHo and occasionally hit their cart, which is good, but not amazing, and certainly not worth the typical 40minute wait. The controlled environment of a restaurant makes all the difference in world. They are still ironing out the kinks and each time I go back the food is slightly better.
The chicken burrito with crack sauce is spectacular as is the pork tacos. I have never been a fan of authentic mexican steak tacos as I find the meat always dry (even in Mexico), but I know this is what a lot of people like and associate with it. As a result I have skipped their steak dishes.The salsa's are great and I love how they have six available for you to load onto your plate (although the chips are nothing special).
This place just makes me happy. The staff is really nice and the prices are great (a huge fresh chicken burrito is only $7...significantly cheaper than the crappy chains like Chipotle). Keep in mind that everything is made fresh to order, so expect to wait 20mns for an order (and even longer when crowded).
My number 1 complaint is that they are closed on Sundays. Seems like it would make a lot more sense to be closed two weekdays instead.
Okay, this had made me really hungry and I am headed over to Calexico right now!
This place is just another failed attempt at opening the "great brown hope" - good Mexican in NYC.
It's not happening here at Calexico, clearly, so I ask you to look past all this beautiful flowing prose referencing "etched-metal artwork from Mexico" or "complex grits" and read on.
But then again, most Yelptards wouldn't know good Mexican if it snuck up behind them and bit them on the ass.
I can't figure out where to point whine cannon: the wait time of 45 minutes (these people come from the cart trade?), the vapid, slow, and better-than-you counter girls ( http://www.nytimes.com... ), or the old, sloppy and overpriced guacamole.
Their calling card is carne asada, which loosely translates to "if you have a grill and you can't do better than Calexico, you're a total lame-o."
Seriously. Buy a bag of oranges, half a dozen limes, and, half a dozen lemons. Juice all of them into a big bowl, throw in a little salt, some pepper, garlic, hot sauce or hot oil, a splash of Tequila, and dunk as much skirt steak as you can fit. Marinate for 4 or 6 hours. Then grill it til it's got a bit of a crust on the outside, and medium on the inside. Half toast some corn tortillas, give a spritz of lime and some chopped salsa and you're all set.
Also, mexican food without beer is like a day without sun. And the food's way too salty. Boo yeah.
Sincerely,
Sweet Lou
I'm from the south and have a weakness for grit...alas i don't eat dairy so i never order grits out...until today. Calexico has tofu in their grits and made me a batch without cheese. sooo good! i can't wait to go again tomorrow.
I walked in the door at 5:00 and the place was empty. I wanted to give it another shot; maybe the burrito would be better than their other offerings... Ordered a pulled pork burrito, which came out promptly, but it was runny mush, falling apart and leaking. An embarrassment, really. No distinguishable flavors. The salsas were again disappointing. How can habanero salsa taste like tomato sauce??? No more tries here.
The line wasn't out the door, and they weren't slammed. No excuses-- I'm pretty sure what I tasted… Read more »
GRITS!!! Yummy cheese grits. I was craving grits for awhile and seeing as they are hard to come by in this neck of the woods I was thoroughly ecstatic to find out that they served them! I am vegetarian, so I opted for the black bean burrito with crack-sauce on the side(it wasn't addicting in my opinion) and I was not disappointed! However, what was disappointing was the over-an-hour wait for delivery! My food was room temperature, at that-next time I will make my way over and eat there.
Neighborhood: Park Slope
Category: Mexican
Neighborhood: Red Hook
Category: Tex-Mex
Neighborhood: SoHo
Category: Food Stands
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