El Cantinero
“Could not get over how cheap and yet solidly liquored up the pitcher of margs was.”
“After a movie at Union Square, we felt like going to a Mexican place nearby and stumbled upon El Cantinero.”
“They play all sorts of spanish music and you can dance on the small dance floor.”
El Cantinero
Takes Reservations: Yes
Delivery: Yes
Take-out: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Bike Parking: Yes
Good for Groups: Yes
Outdoor Seating: Yes
Has TV: Yes
Waiter Service: Yes
PokéStop Nearby: Yes
Price range.
$$ Price range $11-30
8 reviews
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The decor of this place definitely needs major help. It is honestly a bit on the tacky side. While there for lunch, there seems to be discussion about renovating some ceilings tiles. Hopefully they will do more than that. They can first start off by getting rid of the fake poinsettias. Christmas is over, guys! Despite the decor, this place is popping during lunch. We came in right before the lunch rush. By the time we were done, the whole place was full.
Anyway on to the food. I got the $12 tacos. It comes with two tacos, rice, and beans. The entree also comes with a complimentary glass of sangria. I'm torn with the tacos dish. Although it was good, it just seemed simple like they cooked the ground beef in a pack of taco seasoning and stuffed it in the store bought taco shells. Although it was a tad bit salty for my taste, the rice and beans tasted good with the little bit of lettuce on the side. The glass of sangria is strong and it is a generous glass that they give you.
Service is top notch as well. The waiter and bus boys are attentive and came to make sure if we wanted more chips and to clear our plates.
Good experience overall. I would be back for the rice and beans.
I came on a friday evening and the experience is great. I ate dinner first and my veggies tacos were ok. I had better but their red sangrias was good. Upstairs their is a dancing area where they put the typical salsa, merengue, bachata etc.
This Mexican restaurant is cute. In addition to the main space on the ground level there are two rooms upstairs on the second floor. One has a bar but not sure about the other. I was there for a holiday party. the drinks were good, I tried their coconut margarita and continued with Sol beer. I had their chimichangas, enchiladas, guacamole, which were all tasty. Their salsa is ok, not the best I've had. Music was good too.
I am writing this review mostly just to warn people that the nachos aren't what you expect. It isn't a mound of chicps with melty cheese and toppings. It is maybe 8 tortilla chips in a circular formation around the plate with cheese, (slice of meat of choice) and a jalepeno stuck in it.
I just want you to be aware of what you are ordering.
Margaritas are not cheap; ask if there is a special.
I'd go with fajitas.
My boyfriend and I absolutely LOVE Mexican food, so we're both always on the hunt for a good Mexican restaurant. El Cantinero is your traditional Mexican restaurant, with cheesy decorations, music and dim lighting. You'll get a small bowl of chips and salsa when you're seated (does not get refilled unless you ask).
My boyfriend and I both got the Burrito (x2) entree which is filling enough for one person. These burritos were more like enchiladas- you had to use a fork and knife to eat them. They came with a side of shredded salad, rice and beans topped with melted cheese. We also had two rounds of margaritas. Fair warning: the Cadillac margarita is S-T-R-O-N-G!!! Be careful…
We were overall pretty satisfied. The prices run high for what it is, and equate to those at trendier restaurants.
Came in with friends to have a simple drink while waiting for other friends to arrive for dinner at a nearby restaurant. Went in for about 1.5 minutes before a very large fight broke out. This was 9:00 PM, mind you.
I stopped by Friday night to meet some friends for drinks & a bite to eat.
We came in no problems being seated , started with some drinks I tried a Tequila Sunrise , not bad decent amount of alcohol good taste.
Friends had a Long Island iced tea & Jack & diet both good.
We skipped the appetizers & just picked on the Nachos & salsa they give u pretty good.
Main dishes we tried the Flautas & Chimichanga dishes.
To start two of us went with the salads one had the Bean soup.
Salad was pretty good small but good tasting dressing the Bean soup was ok.
I had the Chicken Flautas , comes with rice & beans some salad , guacamole & sour cream.
Flautas were not bad better with the guacamole & sour cream , am not a big fan of refried beans this was ok & so was the rice.
The Chimichanga dish came with the same , tried these in both chicken & beef , chicken was delicious good taste with the fried flour tortilla , beef was good, chicken was better.
As for the restaurant two floors upstairs it's some sort of lounge seems to get pretty crowded with very loud music playing.
Below the restaurant there's plenty of seating to go along with the funky Mexican decor.
Service was good , prices are decent.
I've been twice. Food is superb as are the drinks. I had the Arroz con Polo and it was amazing. I've been on cinco de mayo and it was a great time. Hard to get a table but go, just try to not go during a busy time but it's worth the wait. Staff on all levels were very nice.