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Chavella's - CLOSED
Category: Restaurants Mexican Mexican [Edit]
732 Classon Ave(between Prospect Pl & Park Pl)
Brooklyn, NY 11238
Neighborhood: Prospect Heights
(718) 622-3100
- Nearest Transit:
-
Park Pl (S)
Eastern Pkwy - Brooklyn Museum (2, 3, 4)
Franklin Av (2, 3, 4, 5)
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
352 reviews for Chavella's
Review Highlights
"We split a plato don and a few other things."
(in 21 reviews)
"Definitely go for the papas con chorizo."
(in 10 reviews)
"I developed a serious love for tacos over there."
(in 122 reviews)
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352 reviews in English
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Review from Najati I.
Brooklyn, NY
1/24/2012
You're probably looking for this:
http://www.yelp.com/bi... -
Review from Ishmael V.
Brooklyn, NY
Updated - 1/10/2012 1 photo
Not sure why chave(ya)s closed down. They could have changed the menu to small plates and made this a bar. They had the klout to make Chavella's anything they wanted.
Not sure if I like the expanded Mexican palace they created on Franklin. I think it went to their head and now seems rushed, attitude, and food quality has deteriorated. New review to come. Seems like a little corporate, with their uniforms and all.
Chave(ya)s I miss you as the little restaurant that could, but now is meh.Listed in: Mexico how I loathe to love…, NYC top grubbing…
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/16/2008
hands-down best mexican in the BK! they get a plus for having the most amazing chipotle salsa… Read more »
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Review from brian b.
Brooklyn, NY
11/1/2011
This place can do no wrong. I liked the old space which was tiny but cozy, tho we order takeout more often than not. Haven't had a bad tasting meal yet, and i've eaten many, many enchiladas y tacos. Can't comment on dining in the new spot since the line is always out the door, but good for them...I hope they take over the world since they have proven to possess the rare ability to expand and still make great-tasting food.
Need a life-altering experience? Try their guacamole. -
Review from Elisha P.
Chicago, IL
9/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
Chavella's, I'm sorry you are a bit overrated. it's not that your food isnt good b/c if very much is! but OVERPRICED. So ppl come for the happy hour. but I would leave the brunch alone and go elsewhere. I was not impressed at all by it.
I agree the size of this locale is small but there is another Chavella's opening up on Franklyn that looks considerably bigger so the owners are addressing that aspect.
So overall, if you in the area, give it a shot- during their happy hour. -
Review from Esther Y.
Brooklyn, NY
8/24/2011 1 Check-in Here
$2 tacos during happy hours!! .
Tacos are pretty good. have multiple kinds that are very authentic mexican. The guacamole is the best and get with pita chips not soft tacos. If order 3-4 x $2 tacos and guacamole it'll be enough for two people.
The place is nicely decorated and cozy. small but creates a nice homey atmosphere. Parking is pretty easy around the street. -
Review from David E.
Brooklyn, NY
8/2/2011 1 Check-in Here
It took me an entire year living in the neighborhood before trying out this joint, and after lunch I can honestly say I won't be back for another. The place is tiny and cramped, but since I showed up before noon it wasn't a factor in the score. The main issue was the TERRIBLE waiter and the so-so food (we already know NYC has mediocre Mexican, but that shouldn't affect the scale on which to judge said places).
So, back to the awful waiter. For being one of only two customers in the restaurant, she was as helpful to me as my pinky toe. It took her about 20 minutes before actually taking my friend and I's order (when we were clearly ready after a couple), and she lacked attention and wasn't very friendly, as well. Also, I asked for an extra plate so we could share our dishes and she handed me a side dish the size of my palm. Really?
Now the food. I ordered the half chicken w/rice n' beans, and my friend got the guacamole. The chicken plate looked big and hearty, but once I bit into it I realized it was the complete opposite. It was mostly bone, a bit dry, and didn't have much flavor. The rice, which looked plentiful, was actually only a thin layer that covered a large portion of the plate. FAIL.
My friend's guacamole was good, but who hasn't tasted great guac that wasn't home-made, anyway? Not to mention, no complimentary chips or salsa, which I've never experienced at a "Mexican" joint.
Maybe I'm loco, but I won't be eating here anytime soon ..I think I'd actually rather have Chipotle HAHA.
**minus 33 sanitary, infraction points/Pending grade: C. -
Review from Ansley W.
New York, NY
9/21/2011
Chavelas tasty, fast food and low prices made me an instant fan. The enchiladas and huitlacoche quesadillas are two stand out dishes. Beers are cheap and the happy hour specials are even better.
You can also dine outside with your canine friemd, if you are so inclined. -
Review from Paul L.
7/21/2011 2 Check-ins Here
I did the Mexican in the Brooklyn but I didn't see anyone Mexican dining here! I guess that seems to be the case with most places in the neighborhood and its surroundings: kewl restaurants and chic boutiques catered to the yuppy demographic whose office resides across the bridge but not so much to those whose ethnicity resides across the border. I guess it's all good?
Chavella's is small, kinda tight, but plenty homey with pleasant service and even better edibles. I had four tacos at $3 or $4 a pop: pescado, pollo, bistec, and chorizo. Now that's what's up. Each had the flavor necessary to make me want to return and indulge in the other delights that the menu had to offer. Beers are Brooklyn cheap at $4 or $5 a pop and they have Jarritos in all its artificially sweetened glory. Love that green and/or orange stuff!
I would return here because there are a lot of other things I want to try and I'll be moving to the neighborhood pretty soon so I'm plenty stoked that such an awesome place will be nearby. I'm going to the patronize the sh*t out of them!Listed in: NYC Places I Take My…
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Review from Dawn K.
Updated - 7/7/2011 1 photo
Dude, how did I now know about their freaking happy hour?
$2 beers and tacos (except fish, but don't get the fish).
Micheladas and guac is not part of their happy hour, but get them anyway.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/11/2011
With nearly 300 reviews, there's not much more I can add on I think- EXCEPT- if you like bloody… Read more »
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Review from Atousa F.
Brooklyn, NY
5/23/2011
THIS IS NOT MEXICAN FOOD.
No spice, no flavor, and definitely not worth the price. This shit should be served at the nursing home across the street. -
Review from Matthew R.
Brooklyn, NY
7/20/2011
Came here to grab a few tacos and some sangria with friends. Not a disappointment.
Get the guacamole - its very good here. Tacos are $3 each and $2 during happy hour. They have lots of flavors - some of which i've never heard before but was informed that they were "rare and authentic." Most of them were delicious, a few were bland, but go with your gut, try some new flavors and you'll get some great food.
Cash only, like the rest of crown heights. -
Review from elvir c.
7/8/2011
Tiny, cozy and lively. Worn out marble tables, wooden chairs, cast iron pans, rosary beads, crosses... definitely random, kitchy, lots of character. The sound of the sizzling grill mixed with the fast pace of the upbeat Mexican music... it's definitely a delicious remix of some sort. There's a party goin on here.
Awesome menu, moderately priced, lots of vegetarian options. Ordered the Aguacate con Queso Torta. Pretty good size, nicely toasted bread, the avacado super creamy, queso Oaxaca like a mix of sharp jack and good mozzarella, chipotle mayo was a nice bite of smoky heat. Also ordered a fish taco--probably one of the better ones I've had! Fish was grilled perfectly, moist and succulent. Simple prep with the pico de gallo and super finely shredded cabbage, topped with chipotle salsa. Definitely on point.
Cash only... and literally down the street from me. It's no doubt I will be back. I think I hear the Huitlacoche Quesadilla calling my name.
¡Chavella's tiene mucho sabor! -
Review from ERIN O.
Brooklyn, NY
9/15/2011
Yum . One of my favorites.
I love the trio of salsas
the mole enchiladas
the tacos.
ensalada chavellas
tamales
My daughter loves their beans and rice. We have them deliver to us once a week. I always seem to over order... -
Review from Adam R.
6/6/2011
Location is an interesting beast when it comes to restaurants. In Prospect Heights, I'm not sure how many good Mexican options there are. If the answer is "few" then this place is clearly more valuable, despite being three stars in my book.
The service was attentive and friendly, which I liked. The guacamole was fairly chunky and plentiful. It's slightly weird that the base way of serving it is with tortillas, instead of the normal nacho chip. This gives the possibility of making little guaco-tacos, which is cute, but I like the crunch-ity crunch of a hard chip with my creamy chunky guac. They do serve chips though... sorta. The "chips" are more like mini tostadas, which is interesting. Not better or worse. Just interesting...
I liked the chilaquiles. I liked that they could be ordered with mole. I didn't like that the only bean option was refried, though they were fine. I didn't like that one of the poached eggs was overcooked, but I did like that they were easily transferable to the chorizo hash which I also like that despite the chef's complaints, they were able to make well done.
However, if this place were in Corona or Sunset Park would it be anything special? Perhaps not, but that doesn't make it worth a visit. -
Review from Ehtesh C.
Queens, NY
7/10/2011
I've sure been on a Mexican raid lately. I didn't know there were so many nice Mexican places.
Anyway, great chicken mole -- first time trying! very peculiar. Good tacos too, but I can't recall what I had. I was definitely satisfied at both the decor and taste of the food.
The place was too crowded though. Maybe carry-out for next time? -
Review from Daniel M.
Brooklyn, NY
5/30/2011 1 Check-in Here
Great food! Cheap, fresh and delicious.
This place is always busy, I'm really glad I live close by and can pop in or get something delivered. One of my neighborhood staples. -
Review from Jake D.
Brooklyn, NY
6/24/2011
I'll jump on the Chavella's-love bandwagon: it's good Mexican food--this is coming from a Californian--for a moderate price, and there're tons of veggie options, which isn't always the case at those hole-in-the-wall taquerias that sling lovely greasy plates of grilled animal friends. Beers are also cheap ($4, I believe), and they've got Pacifico (if not Tecate, alas), so you can sip your piss lager and dream of Pacific sands while toothily crunching through a potato taquito or a mushroom quesadilla. Yum! I look forward to the new location.
Nightly specials are nice, too, especially the Wednesday chilaquiles: get the mole. -
Review from Tonya C.
9/27/2011
Phenomenal delivery time and really good food too!!! :)
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Review from Dan T.
Manorville, NY
7/10/2011 1 Check-in Here
Happy hour = tacos for $2 and cheap(er) drinks.
Al fresco = packed; tight quarters inside as well.
Clientele = 95% White + the sounds of 3 or 4 canines.
Payment option = cash.
We sat ourselves in the corner opposite the restroom and parallel to the semi-open kitchen as a friendly waitress came over to fill us in on the specials of which we were unaware going in. Started with the queso fundido (pretty tasty but very stringy cheese-wise, albeit with a copious # of mini tortillas) and enjoyed the a/c and table-pitcher of water, shifting around due to the never-comfortable pillows. I tried all 4 of the veg-friendly tacos, 2 of which were very good and the other 2 of which were mediocre (delightfully filling); co-diner wasn't thrilled with her items to the point that she passed one item on and was made queasy by the other.
PS: DO NOT CLICK THE LINK ON THIS LISTING. It appears to be in no way affiliated with Chavella's and might even be malicious. -
Review from Jonathan C.
Brooklyn, NY
4/28/2011
I am popping my yelp review cherry all over this place... and out runs the best guac ever. And, in cute form at that - in a wee bowl with homemade circly tortillas.
This place exudes the kind of mexican a sane awesome person would look for. A quaintness that makes you feel like you discovered something hidden and not your typical mexican fair that can be swirled in a plate from a combination of 4 typical ingredients.
And, those little warm blooded 4 appendaged things that say hello and bring food... they've always been warm and cuddly. -
Review from Lea C.
6/19/2011
Amazing Mexican food. A tiny neighborhood gem.
A large group of us ordered delivery from Chavella's last night and it didn't disappoint. Everything we had was amazing, particularly the guacamole, green enchiladas, mole, and elotes. Everything was phenomenally delicioso. Not to mention it was CHEAP. Like $15 or less kinda cheap. I hear that all the TX transplants swear by this place, which is definitely an indication of quality.
Run, don't walk. -
Review from Lynn T.
Brooklyn, NY
4/23/2011
Freaking awesome - day or night. Prices are affordable and the ambiance is cozy and intimate.
I've been here on numerous occasions for brunch and dinner, and this is my neighborhood fave.
One of the best main dishes for dinner, in my opinion, is the Camarones Ala Mexicana - shrimp simmered with tomatoes, onions and jalapeno's served with rice. For brunch, I like the Huevos Con Rajas with roasted poblanos, carmelized onions and potatoes topped with two eggs any style topped with queso and crema.
I grew up in LA, and it's been a challenge finding a decent Mexican joint. Thank goodness for Chavella's.Listed in: Notes from a BK Newbie
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Review from Adam X.
Brooklyn, NY
7/12/2011
To borrow a decidedly un-Mexican term, my dinner date and I ordered a smorgasbord of delicious menu items. Corn, guacamole and chips, a huitlacoche tostada, fish tacos, a salad with shrimp, and one of my favorite beers Negro Modelo. The result was zippy service (even on a Saturday night), perfect food, and one satiated dude.
Here's to hoping Crown Heights stays a little scary. Such a gastronomically out-of-this-world gem needs to stay inexpensive and away from the prissy Manhattan masses.
p.s. Cash OnlyListed in: Ghetto Gourmet
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Review from Beth D.
Brooklyn, NY
4/9/2011
Oh. My. Goodness.
I'm glad I don't live closer to this place, or I would be eating there every night.
It's a little dark, and there isn't much seating (get there early on a Saturday), but tacos are $3, and every single one is DELICIOUS. And they make the best damn Mole I have ever tasted... and I've had the real thing, trust me. Oh, and their happy hour lasts a really long time.
If you don't like it, then you probably hate deliciousness. -
Review from Champika F.
Brooklyn, NY
7/1/2011
I'm glad I live right around the corner - it means I can be strategic and beat the lines at this trendy spot.
It's often over crowded - which is a downside. But the food is pretty consistently delicious - if a little too stylish.
Almost everything I've tried here is delicious. The one thing I was not impressed by is Wednesday's chilaquiles dish. I'm a huge fan of this dish in general and so I was excited to try chavella's take - unfortunately the green sauce was a little too tangy and the portion was very small. -
Review from Cindy C.
Brooklyn, NY
7/30/2011 1 Check-in Here
I love the ambiance and the food is amazing. I'm in love with the Mexican sweet bread which is similar if not the same as the palmier. We had the huevos ahogado and huevos con roja (?). The first dish is pretty much an eggs benedict with chorizos and guacomole. DELICIOUS. The second was my favorite. It had refried beans and some special sauce to it in addition to the eggs.
The coffee had a hint of cinnamon in it and tasted great. The sangria was fresh and well done. The price was about 15 a person including tips and tax. Definitely coming back! -
Review from Colleen L.
Brooklyn, NY
8/25/2011
LOVE. I'm sorry, how can you not love the cinnamon coffee? And the sweet breads?? I'm a sucker for tiny, awkwardly shaped Mexican places (I'm looking at you Ft Greene Pequena) and this one totally fits the bill. I'll admit I've mostly only gone for brunch, but everything I've had for brunch has been delicious. The pancakes, or really, pancake, is giant, fluffy and delicious. The Huevos Ahogados and omelet are great, although the Huevos con Rajas is a little lacking. The Chillaquiles are maybe my favorite... if you're into eating chips, salsa verde and eggs for breakfast (I am). The Plato Don is an awesome make-you-own-breakfast-tacos situation, which comes in a sweet giant serving platter thing with little bowls for each tasty thing. If Mexican-y brunch is something you're into, definitely put this on your list.
Listed in: Prospect Heights Highlights, The Regulars
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Review from Chelsea M.
New York, NY
6/13/2011
This place was small and hot and crowded and I DIDN'T GIVE A SHIT.
Granted, we were starving. We'd biked to hell and back and it was time to EAT.
And we did. Ceviche, tacos, a taco platter, torta, guacamole, salsa, chips, tamales. No joke, I ate all that. I kept expecting something to just be OK, and it was always awesome. It also wasn't gross and fried and drowning in cheese, so even after eating for two (okay, three,) I didn't feel like fat was oozing out my pores. -
Review from Rajani M.
5/3/2011 1 Check-in Here
Possibly my favorite Mexican place for take out in NY. Sadly, I don't live anywhere near there, and the friend I visited out there just moved away!
Chavella's has an awesome menu of tacos and is super vegetarian friendly. I freaking love the Nopales (cactus) and Hongos (mushroom) tacos and find myself daydreaming about them.
I'm on the search for something Manhattan friendly and similar, any suggestions? -
Review from Peter D.
Updated - 1/20/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Dear Tortilla Soup,
You only cost $4, and yet you are generous, satisfying, and absurdly delicious. You are the ear muffs in the frigid, blustery winter of my soul. I love you.
Sincerely,
Pete
P.S. Tell your friend Carne Enchilada Taco that I'll see you both again next week. And I'm sorry I keep calling him Al Pastor.Listed in: yelp related., reasons why brooklyn is…, brunch restaurants in NYC., spicy., delicious things come in small…
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/2/2009
Chavella's is really, really small. As a result, it's entirely possible you will have to share your… Read more »
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Review from Melissa T.
Brooklyn, NY
Updated - 5/17/2011
Just an update to my previous stellar review - they haven't been BYOB for ages now.
New location on Franklin to open any day! Woot!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/7/2008
Super nice people, super tasty food! They make everything fresh, so sometimes they run out of a… Read more »
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Review from Leah R.
Brooklyn, NY
4/14/2011
AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME! Adorable place, with fantastic food. The guacamole was particularly good and the corn tortillas are hot and homemade. I love that you can get small plates as well as full entrees. Four of us shared a guacamole with soft corn tortillas and we each ordered two small plates - it was more than enough food! The price can't be beat either!
The only thing I wish was different: I wish they had a vegan tamale option (they have a veg tamale but it has cheese in it). -
Review from Lou C.
Brooklyn, NY
Updated - 5/27/2011
This PLACE did not close! It moved to:
736 Classon Ave
(between Prospect Pl & Park Pl)
Brooklyn, NY 11238
A FEW DOORS DOWN!
I have gone back to this place since October 2010; the food is good and made to order. I really like the meat dishes, but for good Pozole, this is the place. Now that the Summer is upon us, Pozole may not be on the menu. However, the black bean soup is a good substitute. The place is too small for a group of three or more. However, they are moving to new digs and that will improve the ambiance. The service is good and the food servers are pretty knowledgeable. I can't give it a four yet, but I hope too.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/23/2010
This place has some of the charm that one can find in D.F., or in Puebla. But it is eat too small… Read more »
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Review from katsushika h.
Brooklyn, NY
10/7/2011
I'd say it's mostly the location that has people all excited, but secondly the food is pretty tasty. nice and posh atmosphere. prices are comparable to manhattan mexicans, but it's nice not to have to leave your neighborhood or go too far from your neighborhood to sit with a bunch of white hipster people and eat tasty mexican food.
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Review from Damon N.
Brooklyn, NY
9/25/2011 1 Check-in Here
Great mexican food and good margaritas. I never had the pleasure of going to their old smaller location but the new one on Franklin is terrific. Good Guac and chips starter.
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Review from Arielle K.
Brooklyn, NY
5/6/2011
Every single item on this menu is incredible! The only possible downside is that you usually have to wait for a table (as it is rightfully, very popular). They have also forgotten some of my order multiple times, but I understand, it is very busy. Sometimes this has worked to my advantage...
The reason I give them 5 stars regardless of these factors is that the food is really THAT good and very affordable given the quality. It is difficult for me to choose, every time...which makes me think maybe I just need to go more often... -
Review from Jordan M.
Brooklyn, NY
3/16/2011
Went looking for a place to have good Mexican food. Found this place. Happiness started with Micheladas, and continued through the guacamole and queso fundido, and ended when I found I was out of mole sauce to dip my tortillas in after inhaling my mole poblano.
Only negative is they don't accept credit. Meh, not a big deal. -
Review from Celeste F.
Brooklyn, NY
4/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
The fish taco is tasty, but a little light on the fish.
The napoles taco RULZ! Washes down nicely with a red sangria. -
Review from Matt M.
Brooklyn, NY
1/21/2011
I've hesitated to write this review, because it's my favorite Mexican food place in Brooklyn, and it's already crowded enough. I don't need any longer lines or Manhattan foodies getting between me and my chilaquiles. But now Chavella's, I was told earlier today during lunch, is expanding and moving "around the corner." There was more good news, so I guess I'll finally give Chavella's its just deserts. After all the flan they've fed me, turn about is fair play.
I'm from Los Angeles, and this place would be good even amongst the best Mexican food. One good sign is that they do not even bother to serve burritos or nachos. Nope, none of that stuff, but you can get moist, delicious tamales (some of the best I've ever had), delectable chicken mole, and awesome sopas and tortas on the lunch menu. This is the real deal--authentically cooked, always with fresh ingredients, perfect spiciness to the salsa (green is best), and one of the best brunch specials you'll find in the Clinton Hill/Prospect Heights area.
This place is better than the Red Hook Taquerias, better than the Mexican food at the Brooklyn flea, and better than anything I've had in the Mexican part of Sunset Park. It's also better than any of the Mexican food places that I've tried from the recent Village Voice "best of" list for Mexican spots in the five boroughs (though I refuse to go to Staten Island for tacos, I don't care how good Robert Siestema says the goat's eye tacos are).
Here's what to get at Chavella's:
Eating on the cheap? You want the $2 taco specials between 4 and 6 for their "taco happy hour." All of the tacos are good, but they're small and not the best deal on the menu, except during their afternoon special.
Vegetarian? You want the Mexican corn truffle quesadilla, the Tlacoyos con Nopales, and the cheese tamales, if you eat cheese.
Craving meat? Go with the half chicken lunch special, the chicken mole, or the chilaquiles with added steak.
Brunch? It's not a catchy name, but I recommend the "Eggless Plato Don"--it's an enormous feast, a veritable pu pu platter of various items to be assembled into their soft corn tortillas or the chilaquiles (though the Eggless Plato Don comes with a small portion of the chilaquiles too).
There are many more splendors to be had here, and soon, I'm told, all of the specials will be on the regular menu. Furthermore, they're adding a "tequila bar" with specialty tequila drinks, along with the usual.
Oh, and did I mention that they deliver? This place rocks. Check it out. -
Review from Zara B.
Brooklyn, NY
6/3/2011
This is not your average NY Mexican spot. Very unusual dishes with lots of fresh vegetables, fruits, and salsas worked into the mix.
I tend to go for happy hour where you get a $2 off most drinks and tacos, making it a nice cheap meal. But they do tend to water down the Sangria, and my fish tacos didn't wow nobody.
But for the out skirts of prospect/crown heights this spot is a beacon of light. Quick service, cheap honorable food, and the flan and pork dishes were banging.
