You might like Los Dos Molinos http://newyork.citysearch.com/profile/11409659/
A few years ago, I went with someone who grew up in Phoenix. He liked the food there. Many New Yorkers go to Mexican restaurants to drink. (Rather than eat.) The night I went, the restaurant was filled with big groups getting loudly smashed on Tequila. Supposedly the restaurant has a wonderful selection. If you check them out, try to avoid the after work "happy" time of day. It would be an entirely different experience without the co-workers unwinding.

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Originally posted by TheHotPepper.com

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Originally posted by fabulousoyster

El Cantinero for me too:

http://www.elcantineronyc.com/index.html

Strangely, no location info on site!

You have to click on the "For Delivery Click Here" page.
Its on University between 11th and 12th.
86 University Place 212-255-9378.

El Cantinero for me too:

http://www.elcantineronyc.com/index.html

When I used to live in Jersey I would always head over to Panchito’s at 105 MacDougal Street in the Village.

Another option is Kitchen on 9th Ave. around W. 20th St. It is a sort of mid-scale grocery store with all items imported from Mexico also some from California, Southwest & Latin America. It is not a grocery for Mexican people, but it is connected with Bright Food, an eclectic restaurant nearby on 9th Ave. It is interesting because it has a take out counter with excellent Mexican and Cal Mex foods (burritos, posole, etc.) also shelves of chiles, Mexican sodas, canides, Mexican trinkets, etc. Sort of one step below Yuppiedom; fun place, "a find".

A friend of mine who grew up in Mexico also swears by Gabriela’s Restaurant on (I think) West End in the 90’s.

I like Rosa Mexicano (http://www.rosamexicano.info/). There are three of them in NYC. It’s a little pricey but still very good.

I also like Mama Mexico on 100th Street and Broadway (http://www.mamamexico.com/). There is another midtown, but I haven’t been there.

But my all time favorite Mexican in NYC is the taco van the sets up on the corner of 96th and Broadway. It is exactly what it sounds like. A big van that parks on the corner and cranks out great Mexican food. It’s there every night.

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Originally posted by Fred Ferris

In NY..simple answer is NOWHWERE…when we moved there from LA, we we’re DYING for good Mexican….just ain’t there..

I agree that it is very hard to find a good burrito after crossing the Mississippi and heading east. This includes my time in New Orleans, and I did look. It seems that I have mostly seen attempts that have ground beef, chicken or vegetarian. What, no pork???

I think the example that stuck in my mind was the time my G.F. and I went with this couple to their favorite place. It was somewhere in Midtown Manhattan. The chips were right out of the bag in thickness and the salsa was not to far from store bought in quality. Probably was. What really bothered me about this was that they lived in Spanish Harlem. You’d think that there was a good Mexican restaurant there.
I guess this goes close to the topic of ‘Name that Tune" where one goes that the salsa is made in "New York City!!??"

That said, I have found a great place near New Haven, in the town of Orange on Rt 1. They have okay chips but a great salsa bar of about 6-8 different styles to choose from. I order their pork burrito which is very large and covered with mole sauce and cheese. My qualifications for a great burrito is that it should be heavy enough to use for deep sea fishing. I don’t care if people say that these ‘Mission style’ burritos aren’t authentic but they are to me and they sure beat what I have seen out here.

mark

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Originally posted by tacchino

I’m also thinking of a place on Broadway, down past NYU…big space, pretty good food. Anyone remember the name?

Gonzalez y Gonzalez?

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Originally posted by TheHotPepper.com

You can find that kind of taco at San Loco, NYC.

I appreciate the hot tip………I will try to google San Loco to see where they are located in NYC……..thanks!!

I’d add El Cantinero, on University (near 12th?) in Manhattan, south of Union Square. Basically, it is similar to Mary Ann’s…reasonably priced, decent, not spectacular, but plenty of burritos, chiles rellenos, fajitas, etc.

I’m also thinking of a place on Broadway, down past NYU…big space, pretty good food. Anyone remember the name?

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Originally posted by Fred Ferris

In NY..simple answer is NOWHWERE…when we moved there from LA, we we’re DYING for good Mexican….just ain’t there..

there is nothing like an LA taco….the shell is usually fried, and the shredded beef and melted cheese just all melt in your mouth…
and all for about $1.50.

all over LA county and Orange County…. your simple fast food take out places, many with drive-thrus…

I’m still searching in NY and Philly for that style taco…

had some terrible Mexican food in Wildwood at the Red Sky cafe…
the chips were right out of a bag, and and salsa tasted right out of a jar! And they had the nerve to charge $4.95 for that chips and salsa cause I was "taking out" my order! That’s a high premium for packaged type stuff….