El Maguey y La Tuna

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321 E Houston St, New York, NY 10002-1127 (at Between Attorney St and Ridge St)
New York, NY 10002

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(212) 473-3744
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El Maguey y La Tuna - New York, NY
Reviews
( 52 )
( 9 )
( 5 )
( 0 )
( 1 )

Best

fresh food that does not seem slopped together

Worst

Poor service, no ambiance, below-average food, and over-priced. Granted it was busy due to Cinco de Mayo, but it was completely chaotic -- our order was messed up and on numerous...

Inconsistent 5/30/2005

I love the service at this restaurant, but the food tends to be inconsistent in quality and arrangement. Huevos rancheros is meager and not the same dish at different times. more
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Que viva El Maguey in Les! 5/18/2005

Only El Maguey Y La Tuna! They make adobo Rojo, mole verde, & mole poblano like no other place in this city. It is very homey & comfortable. I feel I am eating at my tia adela kitchen. This place reminds you like you were in a mexican kitchen or living room. There specialty of the house should be rated 4 stars****. There mole poblano is sweet, delicate, rich, and tasteful. I tell all my buddy about this place. try it and see for yourself! Pros: colorful, authentic, mole poblano more
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Take it from a Mexican 5/11/2005

if you want delicious, home-style mexican food, go here, period. Cons: small more
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AUTHENTIC IN NYC ??YOUR BEST BET N' BIG APPLE! 5/10/2005

Mexican in NYC wavers betwn' Caribbean trying to pass as Mexican or Chevy's style food. Being Mexican-American from the west most Mexican food misses the mark catering bland tastes..losing their soul in the process. El Maguey is the west, their mole is proof. RICE and BEANS foremost to any Mexican palate; whoever gets that will shoot to meteoric success. El Maguey's pinto and refried beans, are unheard of in NYC! Truth:Black beans aren't typicaly Mexican;they are from the Carib. of Mexico. While rice should be toasted and smokey. El Maguey's rice is borderline/ better than most. Their salsa is authentic but variation is king..large portions is AKA Mexican style as is catering to customer wants..including delivery. Their delivery guys deserve every penny, be generous. These guys went out in the worst snow to satisfy my home sick stomach..guilty. This place is a find in the land of mediocrity. Pros: AUTHENTIC, INEXPENSIVE, COMFORT FOOD Cons: FOOD PRESENTATION more
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Mmmm...ole 5/8/2005

This restaurant has a lovely, homey feel, mostly attributable to the generosity and knowledge of our waitress and the hearty, extremely tasty food. I had the mole verde, which had just enough tang to tickle my palate, but didn't desensitize my tastebuds. The pork in the mole verde was succulently tender, rendering my knife useless. And the sangria...oh, the sangria. Perfect blend of wine and crisp, sweet apples. Highly recommended! more
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Great for groups 2/6/2005

This restaurant is a must for a birthday or other group gathering...not to mention the food is incredible and very reasonably priced. I would say it is the best Mexican food I've had in New York. I went here for my birthday with a group of 16 and the place was packed, but everyone had a great time. It seems like anyone would enjoy this restaurant, from kids to adults. Go! more
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Awesome Mexican place... 12/29/2004

As far as my experience with Mexican food goes I've always had real home cooked Mexican food that co workers have given me. El Maguey is a cozy space, but comfortable. You're seat isn't smushed up against the person behind you. The service is friendly and helpful. And the food is awesome. I ordered the Adobo Rojo. The waitress gave me a look like I was crazy, and then she warned me that it's a very hot dish and offerred to let me taste the sauce before ordering. I actually found it to be pretty mild, but then again I like eating whole jalapenos as a snack. The pork was nice, very tender, a little fatty but I just trimmed it off. The rice, beans and tortilla were great. The flan is out of this world. And I loved that they had the large glass bottles of pepsi. Pros: Great Food, Inexpensive, Comfy atmosphere more
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el bueno y el mejor 10/12/2004

Maguey is the best Mexican food on the LES. It is a more traditional restaurant, you can tell the owners know about Mexican food from growing up and mastering their trade. Where to start? Everything is great. Carne asada, the soups, and just as important, the chips and salsa. I've heard from friends that they also have a great brunch, and you can sit down with a thirst quenching sangria, beer or wine. I really suggest that if you want the real deal, take a trip to El Maguey to experience a real Mexico. Pros: Authentic, Food, Tasty more
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Deliveries to LES! 10/11/2004

I've never been inside this joint, just had it delivered. The food is great - just like in the taquerias I would go to in Queens. Carne Asada tacos with onions, cilantro and a wedge of lime, in double white corn tortillas and a little guacamole suit me just fine. Plus, they deliver to my *supposedly* out of the way neighborhood, no problem! more
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sCeptervious says: 9/27/2004

Come as casual as you like, seat yourself, immediately order a huge pitcher of red or white sangria, take a big drink and realize youve just found that off the beaten path little mom-n-pop joint you were looking for on your last trip to Mexico. The menu offerings are authentic and the flavors are fresh. The friendly service (if youre lucky youll get Gladys table) and the prices feel just as south of the border as the grub. Cons: , no mezcal tequila more
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a must in NYC 9/6/2004

Checked out citysearch before heading to NYC from Boston. So glad we did, this place is definately a hidden jem. The service was great, the salsa is fresh with plenty of cilantro, the burritos were tasty, all around just a great place! Definately on top of the list when we come back. Pros: SERVICE, AMBIENCE, GOOD FOOD Cons: , NONE, NONE more
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If You don't Know, Now you Know 8/30/2004

Usually when I find a great little neighborhood restaurant, I try to keep it to myself as long as possible. However, after a year of eating at El Maguey Y La Tuna this Mom & Pop restaurant deserves its praise for having the best authentic Mexican food on the Lower East Side. Its kind of funny how sometimes unintentionally great eating places are found in NYC. For over a year, this restaurant has been my dining preference for traditional Mexican Cuisine in the LES. I am not the first and I will not be the last person to say this, El Maguey y La Tuna ROCKS! I love their tacos de Carne Asada. I have weekly cravings for their Enchiladas al Maguey. Before every Saturday night, we head over to start the party with a pitcher of their original Sangria. Finally, El Maguey Y La Tuna deserves to be recognized. Pros: Friendly staff, great for big groups, home cooking more
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#1 Mexican food in NYC!! 8/29/2004

What can I say about this place I love it! They should have been in the Lower East Side long time ago. Welcome to the neighborhood El Maguey Y la Tuna! I love thier Mole Poblano and their hangover spicy tripe soup! Overall the staff is friendly and polite! If you want real good Mexican Brunch this is the place! Huevos Rancheros, Huevos con Chorizo, y Chilaquiles Rojos y Verdes Try thier cafe con leche and sangria to die for! I have no idea what they put in thier sangria but everytime I go it taste better!! Highly Recommend the place Just don't be in a rush to get your food they make everything fresh. This is not a fast joint!! Pros: sangria, chile rellenos, great service more
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Great food and friendly fast service 8/29/2004

I've had a lot Mexican food in my time but this is really some of the best. My friends and I went to this restaurant to try something different. The ambiance is intimate and friendly. The serivice was great and I we were made to feel more than welcomed but almost like family. We got our food quite fast. I definitely have to recommend a few things which we had: the sangria, the burritos, the quesadillas, the mole, the steak. We all had at least one of these and tried each other's food. It was all quite delicious, and I would love to know their secret ingredients or whatever it is that makes the food taste so amazing! Again, if you want to try great food in an authentic Mexican environment (we talked to the proprietor) then this is the place for you. Pros: Service, Food, Environment more
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Amazing Food 8/29/2004

I have been to this restaurant a couple of times and i find this place amazing. The staff is extremely helpful and nice and the food is amazing. I have ordered a few of the dishes on the menu and i have never been dissappointed. I definetly recommend this restaurant to anyone who wants delicious food. Pros: Good Food, Good Times more
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Amazin 7/28/2004

I love this Restaurant. I go there at least once a week because the food is amazing. The wait staff is totally friendly and nice and I simply melt over the chicken burritos. I never have a bad time when I go here and I have brought all of my friends here. If you want authentic Mexican food and a great time at a good price go here. Pros: Burritos more
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The Real Deal!!! 6/18/2004

The food is amazing and most importantly authentic. I have eaten here on numerous occasions and have walked out with a smile and a happy stomach everytime. The service is just as wonderful as the food. If you don't check this place out you are MISSING OUT! Pros: Inexpensive, fresh food more
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The best Mexican food ever!!! 6/12/2004

A few friends decided to take me to El Maguey y La Tuna for my birthday last night, and it certainly was a treat! I've eaten at many different Mexican restaurants all over Manhattan and Brooklyn, but this one is by far the best. The staff was extremely nice and accomodating, and the food was perfect (I had the enchilladas and lots of white sangria). After experiencing El Maguey y La Tuna, it is now the only Mexican restaurant in New York City that I will ever go to. Pros: great service, delicious food, great atmosphere more
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Best in NY 5/26/2004

Simply the best. A warm and inviting restaurant with unequaled food and a gracious staff to match. The service and food is as good as it gets. I dine at fine restaurants all over the country in addition to Southern California and Texas, and the food is really authentic. From the host to the server, the service was excellent. The food was super delicious (and not as pricey as other places) and the dessert tasty with a personal touch. Pros: service, food, price more
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Best Cinco De Mayo! 5/8/2004

Had the best Cinco De Mayo celebration here! It was crowded, so the service was just a little slow (we thought they ran out of plates), but the staff was very friendly and accomodating. The waitresses led the entire restaurant into celebration after everyone was drunk off of their yummy sangria. We had a very good time, and the food was GREAT. Would definitely return. Pros: Inexpensive, Good Food, Fun Atmosphere more
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Menu for El Maguey y La Tuna


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Traditional Mexican Cuisine & Margaritas in NYC's Lower East Side!

Owner Message

  • Happy Hour:Tue-Fri 11am-7pm.
    Cocktails, Sangria & Margarita Specials

    Mexican Brunch:Tue-Sun 11am-4pm

    Since 1993, El Maguey Y La Tuna has been a family run business serving the general public a taste of traditional Mexican cuisine.For 10 years,El Maguey y La Tuna became the prime location in Williamsburg Brooklyn specializing in Regional cooking from Puebla, Mexico.In the midst of business flourishing,El Maguey Y La Tuna was temporarily shut down to an unexpected fire in the building.However, not even a fire could stop the longevity of this family run business.

    During the reconstruction stages,the family decided not only to rebuild but to relocate to the Lower East Side of NYC.Besides being home, the family moved El Maguey Y La Tuna to the Lower East Side because it observed a vacuum of traditional Mexican Cuisine.Years later, El Maguey Y La Tuna continues to serve residents.

Editorial

  • The Scene
    It takes a few minutes to get used to the lighting--the red bulbs cast a pink veil onto the red-floral vinyl tablecloths. You'll have to go through the kitchen to use the...

  • 5/17/2005 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Tue-Sun 11am-11pm
  • Payments: Master Card, Visa
  • Neighborhoods: Downtown, Lower East Side
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