VeraCruz Mexican Restaurant

 

9

44

Marc A.

Brooklyn, NY

Although I think that this place closed, its one of "new williamsburg's" first and best restaurants. Great bar, frozen drinks, seating out front where you can people-watch. Sad to see it go...

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2

15

Frankly S.

Brooklyn, NY

Ok, here's what you need to know.

On a hot summer day, order the frozen margherita.  Don't add any special flavors, just drink down the cool soft served deliciousness and your day will suddenly seem better.  I think they're a few bucks cheaper during happy hour.

Also, the corn on the cob with cotja cheese is not to be missed.  Nicely charred and very tasty.

Lastly, the nachos are a refreshing take on standard mexican fare.  Instead of a giant plater of chips smothered in cheese, you get about 8 chips that have been perfectly crafted to be their own individual nacho.  Pick your topping; I like the steak, but the chorizo can sometimes be a little spicy.

As for entree's, anything with their mole sauce is usually pretty rocking.

I've always found the staff to be pleasant and prompt, even when the joint is crowded.  Oh, and they've got a nice garden out back.

However the salsa that comes with the complimentary chips and salsa is very watered down.  But hey, it's free.

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6

6

Jasper C.

Brooklyn, NY

As a Californian, I have a serious need for Mexican food every once in a while.  When Vera Cruz first opened, it was the only place in Williamsburg that could satisfy my need for burritos made of fresh ingredients and fresh guacamole.  Its burritos were pricey by California standards, but I was willing to pay whatever it cost and when you think about it that way, the prices were pretty cheap.  

Vera Cruz recently shut down for a while and then reopened "under new management."  This place has totally gone down hill.  First of all, they were out of ALL of the beers that my girlfriend tried to order.  Eventually, she just asked for water.  

Then the chips and salsa came.  At Mexican restaurants, the quality of salsa is generally a very good indicator of the food quality in general.  At Vera Cruz, the salsa is watery and tastes like it came out of a can.  Then came my girlfriend's guacamole - it also isn't fresh and is topped with Kraft Parmesan Cheese - I kid you not.  

My burrito was smothered in fluorescent red sauce - it had some serious food coloring.  

On the way home, both of us were holding our stomachs.  We clawed at each other trying to get to the bathroom first.  My girlfriend was in there about half-an-hour before I could take my turn.  

The food at Vera Cruz is now seriously horrible.  The place gets two stars because our waiter was very good and the ambiance is reasonably attractive.

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Elite '08

59

116

Jodi B.

Brooklyn, NY

I've said it before, and I'm sure I'll say it again: You're not going to find real Mexican food. You aren't going to find it. You will not find Mexican food on Bedford Ave. So, excuse me if I'll throw out the question of whether or not this is authentic Mexican food when writing about Vera Cruz.

First of all: the service is amazing. I've never been there when I didn't have an attentive and super-nice waiter. This is a big deal for me, and I appreciate it when I see it.

The food is good for what it is. Like I said: it's not real Mexican, but it's hot, flavorful, and you know what? Good. It's good food.

The atmosphere is cute and unique.

If you get there before 7 pm, you can get an awesome dinner special which is an entree and soup or salad for 8.50. Not bad. I will be back every now and then.

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Elite '08

263

568

David S.

Champaign, IL

On my first outing to Williamsburg, my friends took me to Vera Cruz for dinner, with the warning that I should expect good margaritas but mediocre food. That's not a bad assessment actually. The margaritas are definitely good (get the frozen margarita!), and it's nice to be able to sit outdoors (they have a pretty large and pleasant outdoor patio in the back). The food however didn't impress me much, and is definitely overpriced. First the chips and salsa kind of sucked. My chicken burrito wasn't too bad, but $12?! I'd go back for a drink, but as I understand there are better and cheaper Mexican food options in the neighborhood.

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Elite '08

113

259

Abigail S.

Brooklyn, NY

Man, I really wanted the food to be good at this place.  We met friends for dinner and, as others have mentioned, the margaritas were strong (if way more acidic than I'm used to).  The food, though...

The salsa was like if someone drained the water from a can of tomatoes into a bowl and tossed in a piece of cilantro or two.  The chips were too thick and ice-cold.  The chicken enchilada was...okay, I guess.  The best part of the meal was the rice and beans, but that's my favorite part of any Mexican meal, so it's hard to disappoint me there.

On the plus side, the patio couldn't be cuter, the service was actually friendly and fast, and the portions were huge enough that two people could easily share one entree.

Vera Cruz is a fun place to eat outside with friends, but don't expect a serious meal.

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Elite '08

39

109

Jade M.

New York, NY

Um OK let's be honest.  Most of you come here because it's the easiest restaurant to place once you step off the L.  It's easy to say to your friends, "Oh Williamsburg for dinner?  Yeah, I know this spot, Vera Cruz."  

The food is okay at best, and the drinks aren't all that amazing.  The prices are average, but can be considered erring on "high" only because of its quality.

This is just a good neighborhood spot.  You can't go wrong here really.  There's that garden in the back, and everyone leaves peppy.  

Unfortunately they don't take reservations.  The wait can be a bit much for a table.

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Elite '08

10

132

Sara H.

Brooklyn, NY

I come from the South where Tex-Mex is almost an art form.  This was not so much Tex-Mex as it was Yuck-Mex.  I have had a couple of OK meals here but for the most part I've been seriously disappointed.  Williamsburg is hurting for some decent Mexican food and I was always hopeful that each visit to Vera Cruz would change my mind and make me satisfied.  Unfortunately, that was a year or so ago and I haven't looked back since.  I don't really recommend it.  Perhaps their margaritas are good though.

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6

21

monica b.

Brooklyn, NY

Great bartenders, wonderful margaritas, plain and boring standard mexican fare. The salsa that accompanied the welcome chips was watery and barely made it's way out of the bowl. It was like chips with salsa infused essence water. I doubt that was intentional.

It's a shame that such an adorable restaurant with such decent service could have such poor, poor food.

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3

11

Michelle R.

Brooklyn, NY

I like this place because it's mexican and not tex mex like so many other places around. I've never been disapointed with anything I've eaten here. Although I remember thinking that another veggie entree or two would be nice. The service isn't amazing but it's good. I've never had outright bad service here and the server has never screwed up my order or anything. The drinks are fine although admittedly I usually just get simple concoctions. Moderately priced (I think people are used to Mexican food being really cheap though).

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3

36

Jared M.

Chicago, IL

Overall, a good restaurant.  I liked my enchiladas de mole but felt they could have gone a lot lighter on the mole sauce.  The rice and beans were decent but the salsa was very watery.  I enjoyed my meal but the food definitely left something to be desired.  The service was friendly but absent-minded and we had to wait a while for the bill.  My friends, however, seemed to really enjoy their food.  I would go back but definitely wouldn't rush.

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1

35

Nick C.

Brooklyn, NY

I think one reviewer said described Vera Cruz best as "slightly upscale Mexican."  The food fits the bill; the question, however, is whether it warrants $12 for a burrito and $5 for a side of guac. If the answer is a resounding "no" when you read this, keep moving, sir, keep moving.

I live in the neighborhood and treat myself every few months to Vera Cruz's steak burrito, which is absolutely amazing. However, at $15 a pop,  I'm going to remain an infrequent customer. The decor is charming, however, and the backyard dining area is great in the summer.

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Elite '08

8

150

anni b.

Brooklyn, NY

Pretty garden out back, with great ambience in the evenings (dark and quiet - good for dates).  The food here is standard, slightly upscale mexican, with a great selection of flavored margeritas, a definite plus.  A tad overpriced, but to be expected for Bedford Ave.

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2

8

Christine G.

Valley Stream, NY

Please note this restaurant is closed :(

This is a fine establishment on Bedford Avenue to get some Mexican food, as cliche as it may seem the fajitas are out of this world.   They have a variety of flavored margaritas and a decent selection of wine.  This is a great place for a date or for a group of friends to enjoy a pleasant dinner.  FYI, the garden area is sweet!

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0

29

amelia p.

Brooklyn, NY

this place is sub par. This falls under the category of "fresh mex", which can be good, so long as the patrons know what to expect going in. I was told by a passerby on the street that this place was "authentic" .

HAAAAAAAAA. well, maybe they were just trying to play a mean joke on me. It worked.

If you want "authentic" mexican food, this is NOT the place...
As a Mexican who just moved here from Los Angeles, let me tell you.....NYC seriously lacks good Mexican food,and Vera Cruz is a perfect example of bad Mexican food.

I actually like "fresh mex" when I am not in the mood for some heavy authentic stuff, but VERA CRUZ IS NOT EVEN GOOD FRESH MEX! I'm sorry, but their black beans suck, the rice is BLAND, but I will say they have a WONDERFUL guacamole...I will give them that! The Margaritas are strong (another plus), and the wait staff is friendly.

It's decent food, but I would compare it to Pequena...it's a "fresh mex"  food joint geared to appeal to gringos with picky palates.

I asked the waiter if they had HORCHATA, and he didn't even know what that was...how can a place call themselves a Mexican food restaurant when the staff  doesn't  even KNOW what horchata is, much less serve it??????!!!!!!!!!

For authentic Mexican food, try Castro's on Myrtle ave in Bed-Stuy/Clinton Hill. Nuff said.

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Elite '08

58

162

eliza b.

Brooklyn, NY

i give the food 3 stars, the atmosphere 2 stars, and the service ZERO stars. i went there with 3 friends and the service was laughable. our waiter was socializing at the bar and drinking. also we got there at 7:01 and were not given the early bird special which ends at 7. he considered it, and then told us no. the food was ok... just standard i guess. but i cannot stress enough hor horrible our waiter was. i'm ok with laid-back waiters but this guy was just plain rude & disinterested. whatever! i'm over it! not going there again!

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69

168

Paula H.

Brooklyn, NY

This is one of the older new restaurants in Williamsburg.  It's pretty straight ahead Mexican cuisine -- I'm not that crazy about it nowadays, although sometimes it wins on the point of having a garden.  HOWEVER, I did eat one of the yummiest things of my life there in 1995.  I'd gone there with Ethan for just a margarita at the bar, and everybody around us was enthusing about the special of the day, a smoked pork chop stuffed with prunes.  We heard at least 5 people calling it "amazing".  I wondered just how amazing it could really be, so we ordered it -- it was unbelievably, and  obviously unforgettably delicious.  I'm always hoping for a repeat experience whenever , but 10 years on, while I have no complaints about the food there, I've never since jumped for joy like that.

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Elite '08

41

177

Leighann F.

Cambridge, MA

The corn here is a lagging second behind the Mexican favorite served at Cafe Habana...however, there is a delightful charm about this teeny Williamsburg spot. I was slightly disappointed when my raspberry margarita came and it was not even mixed properly, appearing to me in a half-white, half-red slop overflowing onto my table. Once I mixed this little concoction, it was actually quite refreshing. The prices are a little jacked up, leading me to the conclusion that I had better stick to Prince and Elizabeth when craving traditional Mexican fare.

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6

100

Emmy F.

Brooklyn, NY

Dude, the corn here is off-the-wall insane. It's made with a traditional Mexican mix of white cheese and mayo and spices (and I'm by no means a mayo fan), and when you sprinkle some lime on there it's just ridiculous. Everything else here is great too, and reasonably priced. Good portionsif I've gotten an appetizer and a drink, a lot of the time I can take half of my order home. They have some sort of early bird special that you can catch until about 7 on the weekdays, it's a real bargain. Only downside is that the service can be slow sometimes...from taking your order to getting your food to getting the check. But hey, if you've got time to spare, no worries. Oh, and the frozen margaritas are real good, but you can probably only have one because they're super-super-sweet. The strawberry-flavored one is my favorite.

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41

394

- -.

Hayward, CA

this is a great place to go if youre craving food with a latin flare!

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