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Categories: Breakfast & Brunch, Mexican, Nightlife [Edit]
Neighborhood: SoHoSpring St-Lafayette St (6)
Prince St (R, W)
Bowery (J, M)
Mon-Fri. 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 a.m.
Sat-Sun. 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 a.m.
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Did not know that the place actually has 3 segments to the restaurant. My girlfriend and went to La Esquina thinking we would have a sit down meal. Instead we ended up inside the Taquiria section. This was the fast food / to go space right on the corner of Kenmare. Compared to the cafe space the Taquiria looked like a trailer with windows.
The food was delicious! We split 2 taco dishes: Carnitos and the Pescado a la brasas. You have to try the Fish(Pescado) tacos. The fish was juicy and flavorful.
For drink...I ordered the Horchata. It was okay...the one at Red Hook is much much better!
Definitely going back there to try the brasserie and the cafe.
The La Esquina Cafe is a great place! The atmosphere is casual and the food is terrific. It can be a little cramped and there is often a wait, but for food of this quality (and value) that is to be expected.
This is a great place for a date or a late dinner with a few friends.
The tacos are excellent. The Corn and margaritas are must haves.
Please note: this review is for the cafe, not the taqueria or brasserie. I have heard great things about those too.
The food here is amazing! The restaurant is below the corner deli.
I love the tuna and octopus tostadas. Please make reservations because they will not accept walk ins. If you want to grab a drink or food at the bar, they will not accept walk ins.
Make a RSVP.
This is the epitome of amazing hole in the wall dining!
I always get two things: the pollo rostizado street sandwich and the corn on the cob. AMAZING.
That sandwich is so flavorful with the sauce and the well cooked savory chicken and the red onions add a great touch even though I actually hate onions except in this sandwich...
And that corn... mmm mmm mmm. So good. I tried to make it once, just didn't turn out as yummy...that Cotija cheese is so good!
The wait is obviously a bit long, and you're lucky if you get a spot to sit in.
The lounge downstairs is also super fun if you can get in :) and they have a dining area as well, but it's more expensive than upstairs!
One of my faves.
The service was excellent at this place. The friendly waitress accommodated our three member crew without hesitation even know we did not have a reservation.
However, the food, given its price, was just average. Surprisingly, from what I remember, the take out counter upstairs actually has a wider selection and more tastier fare.
I would recommend diners try the corn and drinks at the take out counter upstairs versus taking the trip downstairs.
Hands down the best Mexican food I've ever had. The deli wasn't open, so we went to the Breakfast/Brunch place around the corner. I ordered the Huevos de La Esquina (sp?), and was blown away by the flavor. I had eaten Mexican food on a few occasions and hadn't been a real fan, but this was the first dish that had ever stood out SO far above anything I'd ever enjoyed for brunch. I'd almost say it's one of the best meals I've ever had.
The portions were fairly large too. Despite this, bite after bite, the food continued to be great, and I enjoyed it completely. I look forward to coming here again, and trying something different on the menu.
Dear La Esquina Corner Deli,
Not since my time this past summer driving down route 1 along the coast of california have I sampled such a fine fish taco as the one that graced my lips at your deli. The char grilled fish flavor paired with the fresh lime juice and the crunch of the cabbage was all together a pleasure to consume.
Thank you La Esquina
GREAT place (if you can get in that is).
Executive summary - go. And if you can get in, order any of the meats on the menu, you will not be disappointed.
This is a hideaway in NYC, SOHO, and the hype does equal the experience, even for a skeptic like me.
So we go - and there is the slightly hidden entrance (in a taqeria storefront) and the bouncer, and the velvet rope, and the list and the names and the walk through the kitchen (I was vomiting in my mouth a little at this point because I hate all that "were exclusive" crap).
We get in and get to the bar.
- fast, good service and drinks.
- fast tab closeout on table seating.
- good table seating in the middle of the place.
- great REAL Mexican menu
- great service.
I had the Camarones a la plancha (shrimp on the barbi) which was excellent! GF had the ceviche and fish tacos (excellent) and friends had carne asada (excellent again).
We got into a discussion about wine (friends were from Napa) and ended up asking for their favorite high-school drink, 3 parts cheap red wine, 1 part coke. Waiter took our order in stride and accommodated every request.
It all started with my GF telling me about some Mexican place where we had to pass a bouncer and a velvet rope, then a walk through the kitchen to get to this "exclusive" Mexican place... In my experience "exclusive" and "Mexican" are somewhat oxymoronic, and I say this having grown up in AZ and considering myself a lover of nearly all things Mexican, especially the food.
Lots of drinks and food for the four of us was about $180, not bad for a NYC dining experience.
This place is my jam.
I don't care what they give me -- it's awesome.
Go there.
This place is super sweeeet!!
the food is good i love mexican...plus the hidden lounge below!! awesome i adore stuff like that any kind of hidden gem im so in...love it
i think there have been a few celeb sitings here too ...interesting
Delicious, cozy, love the downstairs, can't get over the crickets chirping. Casual chic place. Delicious eats any day of the week - even till the weeee hours of the am. Not a cheesy "Models & Bottles" type of place.
Date Rating: 8
Pick up Scale: 4
Strong Suggestion: Come with a group & have a reservation or know someone at the door.
Not sure why I didn't review this place before. Definitely a destination spot for just about… Read more »
I really enjoy a place where you have to walk underground, through a maze and then through the actual kitchen to get to it. It makes me feel like I'm really cool and sophisticated. I'm not, so it's nice to feel like I am once in awhile.
Beyond that, I got to try many of the appetizers and entrees (it was a work outing so we did family-style) and I have to say everything was extremely delicious (the chicken stands out in my mind as particularly delightful). I was trying not to tear up at all the leftover food on the table that our group hadn't finished. Because that, or asking for a doggie-bag, would not be very cool or sophisticated.
Finally!!!!!!
Being from the sunny side Los Angeles, I've been pacing back and forth in the cold east to get a little taste of Mexican food nostalgia. I'm super happy to have found La Esquina, this is definitely going to be my go-to eat out for Mexican food. Okay, the atmosphere is not at all upscale nor chic but, you know it's Mexican food! It's really casual and small, it's one of those you order up front kind of places. I wouldn't recommend coming here with a big group of people, there's limited seating so it's perfect for 2-4 people. We went on a weekend late afternoon, we did have to wait a bit for the food but once we did get it, I felt it was completely worth the wait.
With 2 people, we were more than full with ordering Cochinita Pibil taco (Pulled pork with habernero picked onions), Quesadilla de Chorizo, Bistec Taco (steak), and Carne Enchilada Taco. The Quesadilla and Bistec taco were the best out of all of them; they were both authentic and extremely flavorful. For the Bistec Taco, the steak was absolutely amazing, super juicy and jam packed with the marinated flavors. The Chorizo Quesadilla was freakin amazing too, with strands of cheese with chorizo was perfection. The Pulled Pork was nonetheless good but the habernero pickeled onions were a bit sour for me. The Carne Enchilada was our wild card; I've never had tacos with pineapple in them; the individual elements were amazing from the flavor of the rubbed pork to the salsa verde, I'm not sure if the combination was worked for me but it was definitely worth a try.
I absolutely loved that we can sit overlooking the streets while eating and people watching. Also, they have 3 different hot sauces laid out right there for you, you don't even have to ask for them. If you know or want to know what real mexican food taste like, you should definitely give this place a shot!
The
Upstairs
Fine except
No lingering
And downstairs tasty but must call ahead.
Oh god, just thinking about this place makes me hungry. I've never had a real Mexican taco, but from what I have had, La Esquina Corner Deli seems like the place to get the most authentic tacos in the city. I remember my taco having salsa verde and cactus and a name I can't remember or pronounce. I love taking the tacos to go. On a warm day you can walk to the hudson river. It's a long walk, but hey, it's the city and it's so worth it to sit down by the water and enjoy delicious tacos! Or, if you're lucky, you can get a seat inside the deli. There's also the option to be in the restaurant part of it, so you can sit down and be waited on and there's outdoor seating when it's warm. Oh and try their soda, they have Mexican soda!
I love this place and I come back here often when I have my Mexican food cravings!
Amazing, fresh tacos. Lots of great choices, excellent prices, and even better hours (they serve late). Highlights include carne enchilada and cochinita pibil.
The labyrintine restaurant downstairs is all NYC cool, and incredibly delicious. Carne asada is a generous portion, and the mole negro is balanced and delicious. Go with a group and order tapas style to share. Great for dates or dinner with friends.
Reserve well in advance. Worth doing!
When Allison H. asked me to dinner at La Esquina for tacos, I happily accepted, dreaming of an indulgent dinner complete with gooey cheese and savory meat (or fish - love fish tacos). What we had last night was COMPLETELY NOT THAT. We started with the mixed salad, which was refreshing and fun. In the dark lighting I couldnt really see what I was eating so every few bites I found a bit of creamy avocado accompanying the crunchy lettuce - so surprising and delightful.
For our main we split the Fish Tacos and the Pork Tacos. The pork was very spicy, but nicely complemented by pinapple. I probably wouldn't order this again as I had a horrible stomach ache after dinner (I'm a bit sensitive to the meat). the Fish Tacos on the other hand, were plump and juicy. Even though at that point I was very full, I still enjoyed the fishy goodness.
One last note - the tacos themselves are very good, I belive they're corn tortillas, rather than flour so they have a really nutty, earthy flavor. Two girls at the table next to us ordered tortillas with a side of guac for their apres dinner snack. I think next time I'll suggest to Allison H that we forgo the pork in favor of tortillas and guac (with maybe some black beans too!)
so I did not go to the corner deli (since it wasn't yet open) but sat down in the cafe (same ownership) instead.
thanks to the waitress's rec, I ordered the cochinita tacos (pulled-pork), and that was possibly my favorite meal in NY during the five days I was there.
2 tacos w/your typical lime and radish...but w/ your very atypical pickled onions (they were pink, spicy, and sour--in a good way), jalapenos, cabbage, and very juicy shredded pork. $10
my napkin turned orange-pink.
tried my friend's huevos a la esquina: eggs over chicken hash w/salsa, which was equally gastronomical $11
Yum yum yum yum yum. Went on a rainy Sunday morning and it was worth bracing the weather to do so.
Wait was about 3 minutes at noon on a Sunday, always nice. I had the Huevos Chilangos (or something like that). So. Flippin'. Good. Two poached eggs above a square, thick, potato pancake (essentially), with avocado salsa and a sprinkling of chorizo. The tastes came together wonderfully, and for some reason I'm convinced it's the best tasting thing on the menu (even though it's all I had. I can just tell).
Had the cafe con leche, it was also awesome. Shared a side of bacon with my boyfriend and the side serving was very generous. It was delicious but my main course beat it by a mile.
Can't wait to come back for brunch and other meals. You should too!
Wait. Seriously. Only 4 stars?
Maybe you weren't ordering the right things.
We sat at the tables outside a while back and sat down. Thought to ourselves, what do you order at a Mexican restaurant? Ah.. of course... Tacos. Okay, now what goes best on Tacos? Ah... of course... pork, beef, or anything that came from those animals. And that's essentially how we ordered. And it was delicious.
Clean flavors that meld together into a sumptuous bite of heaven. Too long ago to remember what I had, which basically renders this review useless, but when you go here, order tacos, tacos, and more tacos. You know what they say! When in Rome, don't go to the fricking McDonalds.
5 stars for reminding me how good Negro Modelo tastes with Mexican food
Revisit? Please please please
After the menu of a nearby "natural foods" restaurant disappointed us (we expected more affordable and delicious-sounding vegetarian options) we stumbled upon the shiny facade of "The Corner," complete with signage reminiscent of all of the 1960s-designed Los Angeles tacquerias of my youth. I insisted on checking out the menu - the shininess indicated a small amount of retro-hipster-yuppie-chic.
Unexpectedly, the menu at this 10 seat window counter establishment (complete with great people watching), contained several vegetarian items. My wife reluctantly sat at the first open seat. And this was at 4 in the afternoon - this place must be good.
I then ordered:
*the Quesadilla de Huitlacoche (mexican truffle, roasted corn, epazote (traditional herb which seasons the truffle), mushrooms, and white cheese)
*1 Taco with Avocado, Queso Fresco, Black Beans, Pico de Gallo, and Salsa Verde
*1 Taco with Spinach, broad beans, pico de gallo, and salsa verde
*1 Taco with mushrooms, epazote, hominy, white cheese and rice
All of which were delicious and satiated the hungry appetites.
Though it made me miss the huitlacoche huaraches at La Torta Loca in Oakland.
Also, two additional fancier establishments flank the taqueria - one of which kindly allowed us to use its restroom.
It is so hard to find good tacos in New York. I am from LA, and it is so difficult! La Esquina has very decent tacos, they even have a fish taco! Grilled corn is excellent as well.
On a street corner and on the Yucatan penninsula at the same time. I am a fan of "conchinita Pibil" , a traditional Yucatan style pork roasted in banana leaves served with a traditional pickled red onions (guadalajara) served in fresh corn tortillas. Have with the roasted corn , rolled in butter and Mexican cheese. I just cant give a cafe a 5 or I would.
I love me some La Esquina. Taqueria, Cafe, or Brasserie, it's all amazing. My standards are the Carne Enchilada tacos (which you can only get in the taqueria or cafe), and the Ensalada de Casa with steak. I have some major psychological issues with ceviche, but theirs is fucking phenomenal. The tamales are insane, too. I used to hate tamales, and these changed my opinion entirely. As far as food goes, you can't go wrong. Now on to the drinks....
The downstairs lounge is my favorite place to go for a night out. It's dark and intimate, with plenty of Soho babes (male and female, of course) for satisfactory people watching, and there is always good music bumping through the speakers. Sunday nights are the best, because it leans more towards Factory Records-type sounds, with Glass Candy or Belle Epoque thrown in for good measure. Obviously, their margaritas are devastatingly delicious, and their tequila selection is mind boggling. It's like a secret cave of booze and beauty. What's not to love about that?
I can't believe I never reviewed this place when I went there the first time. Anyways, I went for the second time to the Taqueria(it's so hard to get reservations for the Brasserie!). I ordered the Quesadilla de Huitlacoche with has mexican truffle, roasted corn, epazote, mushrooms, and queso in it. I love dipping this into all the different hot sauces. I also got the tortilla soup, which was good.. but for $6, it could have used more chicken and avocado in it. The shredded tortilla chips do add a nice crunch though.
I must go to brasserie!
My friend and I were fortunate enough to get into the "super secret" (but not really) downstairs restaurant late on a Saturday night. You are led through the kitchen to your table, a fun touch, albeit very Goodfellas-esque.
I can't say much for the food, as we were just meeting friends for drinks, but the ambiance was very relaxed and laid back. The restaurant is very dim, low ceilings, almost a speakeasy inside of a Mexican restaurant feel. Our group was able to talk without screaming and we felt secluded from the other tables, even though people were fairly close to us.
The margaritas are out of this world. Do yourself a favor and just order some right away. Mango and original were our choices, but I hear that any flavor will do you right. Cheers! Four stars - would be five if I had tried the food, I'm sure!
Honestly, I do not tend to be adventerous in my eating habits these days. I stick mostly with what I know and do not tend to go out on my own dime unless I get suckered in to it. My trip to La Esquina was not of my wanting but I could not be happier that I ended up there. We ate in the brasserie downstairs and it might have been one of the top 10 meals of my entire life. No BS.
We went mostly with small plate items in abundance and the ones that stick out were the empanadas de chorizo, various taquitos (above all, for me the cochinitas pibil) and the vuelve a la vida.
The place is pretty trendy, very dark and dimly lit and you walk through the kitchen to the seating area. It's a bit hip for my taste but the food is so good and the service very welcoming so I really have to say, this is easily the best mexican restaurant I've eaten in. First time I felt like I was eating authentic mexican cuisine and not tex mex made for gringos.
Oh yea, get the corn on the cob.
Hyped by my friends but I can't say I'm too excited. The fish tacos were average in quality - the spicyness was flavorful but overpowered the fish, and at a little over $4 a pop, a bit expensive for their small size. I've had far better from the roach coaches, especially the one on Bedford in W'burg.
The constant influx/outflow of customers to the basement bar is also highly inconducive to proper digestion in that tight space.
Soused grilled corn, spiced up fish tacos, velvety seviche, and relaxing watermelon juice - perfect fare for a warm evening! Almost makes you forget about the fumes of passing by cars
I have eaten in deli, cafe and restaurant downstairs and think the food quality/variety has an inverse correlation with price/exclusivity in this bizzare concept place which makes me like it even more (it is always fun to watch pompous folks at 7pm proud of themselves going downstairs while you chowing down $3 tacos).
If u have time, eat outside and order red sangria, usually fun/hot people would sit around you, have couple cigs and then all go salsing at nearby joints.
The tacos are awesome. If you're in the neighborhood, stop by and get your grub on!!!
Everything you need in a late night spot..
The food is great above ground and below ground. Esquina gives Habana a run for their money with the corn. You wont be disappointed in the food, its always great. The alcohol selection is great too.
The guys that work the "door" are usually jerks unless you are a hipster or on the cool kids list. If you gave them a velvet rope they would be set!
I was to meet one of my business associates at this restaurant after a business conference. The closer I got to the restaurant and the more certain I became that this was the place for our meeting, the more doubtful I became about this associate's competencies. What a ghetto looking place! I gave him my courtesy and went inside although I was just about to turn around insulted... I gave the name of the reservation just because he asked me to trust him like 5 times before I got there. I did just that.
Once the name was given, I was escorted through a narrow passage passing by kitchen equipments and workers. What was waiting for me at the end of the passage was a hip, dark and intimate lounge, with thick candles that were covered with melted candle wax that must have been produced by years of candle burning. The whole space was built in deep, dark, distressed wood; wooden columns, tables, and floor. The space had a quintessential charm to it; mixture of South Asian and Latin flare...
Food and the service did not disappoint me, either. Simply put food was not national chain food, but something different and delicious. I am almost afraid to write more because I don't want to spoil this perfect place with my lame writing. I have never had a better restaurant/bar experience in my life time, anywhere, anytime. The amazing atmosphere, beautiful people, and the incredibly good food made it one unforgettable night.
Hey... it's all been said before... but my opinion means more than the other 200+ reviews so listen up.
My wifey took me here for a birthday dinner and we had a blast. I loved the wonky entrance (enter through diner, pass doorman, walk through kitchen) and I LOVED the 100 tequilas on the menu (I tried the house tequila which was great).
The menu boasts many small plate options and only a few entrees. I think we made a smart choice and split 3 small plates and one main course.
Shrimp and scallop ceviche - Good
Smoked chicken tostadas - Great
Angus taquitos - Lost motivation to eat anything else for the rest of my life for fear that nothing would be that good again (yah.... that good)
Ribs - Renewed my faith in food other than Angus taquitos
It's not cheap (especially for Mexican) but I didn't find it ridiculous.
Maybe this place is past its prime for the "that's so 2 weeks ago" crowd but for a first-timer it was charming (albeit a bit contrived) and the food was great.
Wow, this place was really delicious. My boss had been raving about it, and I finally made it over there for dinner. We sat outdoors - apparently in the "cafe" section. My sister-in-law proclaimed the grilled corn "the best corn I've eaten in my life", and I have to say I agreed. The bistec tacos were amazing and quite spicy and flavorful. We also shared the chicken stew (basically make your own chicken taco) entree, and that was also delish. We split the white beans and greens side, which was lovely and very yum.
For dessert we got the manuelas, apparently a secret dessert - it wasn't on the menu. It consisted of some cinnamon crips with tequila infused fruit (orange, peach, and banana) and whipped cream, toasted almond ice cream, and a little peach tequila smoothie shot. It was surprisingly light, and very flavorful - almost flowery tasting.
Overall I was very impressed. I will definitely be coming back. The one thing I did not love was the blood orange margarita - nothing special. Next time I'll get the sangria instead.
La Esquina had everyone buzzing about their SUPER SECRET taco stand "employees only" entrance and clever stroll-through-the-kitchen trick long before we were smugly slipping through hot dog shop phone booths and ducking down subterranean alleyways, so I can't really blame them for seeming a bit dated now. But when you've got a well-heeled clipboard girl AND a fancy-pants bouncer stationed outside the TOTALLY UNMARKED door at 7:30 on a Monday, it's clear the jig is up.
But maybe they're OK with that. Maybe they're feeling like, alright, we helped start this crazy speakeasy trend, but we're an institution now--no need to pretend there's nothing here but a taco stand. Break out the walkie-talkies!!
If you can get over the front-of-house 'tude, you're golden. Seriously, you'll be ignored by pretty much everyone except the cooks in the kitchen, who are super friendly (ironic, given that they're the only ones whose job description doesn't require direct interaction with customers). But if you can manage to make eye contact with someone and get seated, it's just like being at a totally normal and nice restaurant!
It ain't cheap here, but the food is fun and delicious, and the service was quick and attentive. Perfectly tangy ceviche, juicy veal tongue tacos, garlicky string beans, and mango and jicama salad were among our favorite small plates. Some of the clientele were borderline douchey but not horribly so, though I'm sure that crowd gets a little heavier as you move later into the week.
Given the price and production involved, La Esquina isn't for every day dining. It is, however, great for entertaining out-of-town guests (as I was doing) for whom the speakeasy hasn't yet lost its charm.
Well, helllllloooooo again. Remember me?
I know I live across the country, but I think a long-distance relationship is in order.
Just who do you think you are with your little cauldron of tender, golden chicken? Your plate of carne asada? The salads? The wine? The tacos?
I knew the minute I saw you, I loved you. And then I ate your food, and it was everything I hoped for and more. Like mail-ordering a bride and then finding out she happens to also be a doctor. Or a really good dancer or something.
They have a secret restaurant downstairs that I can't write about because it is a secret. If you want to go to the super secret exclusive restaurant behind the nondescript door inside (which has a bouncer/host standing in front of it) the restaurant then make a reservation by calling the not so secret number on their website. As for the Tacos upstairs they are superb. Every single one is good and you can't go wrong, it just depends on if you like pork or beef. They are a bit pricey but your in New York and thats just something you should be used to dealing with. During the summer they put out chairs outside, but thats handled by a different faction of the restaurant. This restaurant is very "factional", but as it concerns the tacos, it is very good and tasty.
After a Whole Foods jaunt I swung by the upstairs corner deli for take-out before heading back home to wait for my grocery delivery. Therefore, this experience is only for the upstairs take-out counter and NOT for the downstairs restaurant to which I've not yet been. I also took it home to eat, which may make a difference in the outcome.
I think it's relevant to say, though, that the tacos weren't as spectacular as one would think in reading these reviews. I went with the carne enchilada version on corn tortillas that was so greasy it dissolved the tortillas so I had to eat them with a fork rather than hand-shoving them in my mouth like I usually do at a taco stand. The tortilla soup was similarly disappointing. The flavor was right and the pieces of chicken I did find were incredibly tasty but the consistency was too watery with not enough chunky stuff (cheese, chicken, tortilla bits).
The taco and the soup totaled $11--overpriced for a "real" taco stand but about par for SoHo real estate.
Good tacos - pork and fish were my favorites. I wasn't a fan of the bouncer guarding the downstairs area, which was OK, nothing special, just people thinking they're super special.
The food is good, but there are other options along the way to get here. I wouldn't go out of my way to return, since I live in Brooklyn.
Happy Hour
Neighborhood: Midtown East
Valentines Day Menu
Neighborhood: Boerum Hill
Neighborhood: Claremont Village
Category: Latin American
Neighborhood: Nolita
Category: Mexican
Neighborhood: East Village
Category: Mexican
Neighborhood: SoHo
Category: Food Stands
Neighborhood: SoHo
Category: Mexican
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