La Esquina - Midtown Reviews

The tacos are not very flavorful and come full of grease. At the cost of these, at least they should have been good. Shame !

Being from SoCal I'm extra particular about tacos since we have AMAZING tacos in California, but this place had some damn good tacos and we were so happy!! The steak taco was okay, but the chicken and shrimp tacos were our favorites. The guacamole was also very good and we loved the salsa too. Fun, casual place to sit out side and enjoy some great tacos...and a few cervezas.

Good prices and amazing drinks and Mexican food We went to la esquina and it was a delicious time, yummy dishes with a convenient prices in the heart of Manhattan. I'll back absolutely.

We landed in NYC and got into our hotel room late on a Friday, but we changed and laced up to stroll around and find some (safe) food. I had a vision of where we'd head for either Thai or Mexican, but we got "intercepted" by 'La Esquina'!! Just a few minutes outside of our hotel and we smell these great wafts of warm tortillas and salsa; then we hear that happy chatter of people eating and drinking. Ahhh, 'La Esquina'...you popped up exactly where and when we needed you. A few beers plus some veggie tacos and a quesadilla later, and we were happily satiated, ready to walk it off, and tuck in! *Perhaps a little overpriced but much cheaper than getting to Mexico and about as authentic!

This was our first time here with my boyfriend. We asked if they had a happy hour and the server or hosts didn't even know. We sat at the bar and the bartender never said hi or something. We ordered 2 beers and we ask for a glass; they give me a hot glass. We ordered a guacamole and tortillas chips; it was horrible. We finished our drink. The bartender wasn't busy; he was just busy talking about video game and other stuff with what I think was his friend. He never came to ask us if everything was ok or if we want something else. This was my first and last time coming here. I just cannot recommend this place to anyone. The ambience is not good; space is tiny too:/ Honestly, they deserve 0 stars, but we are not allowed to give below 1.

Street tacos y cerveza - perfect combo Quick fast service and very friendly staff! Took food to go and it was cooked perfectly.

One of the best meals we had in NYC, fantastic authentic mexican food, cooked to perfection with fresh ingredients. If you are after Mexican food that actually takes the time and effort into making dishes with flavour this place is highly recommended. Fast and friendly service. Keep it up! :-)

So glad I brought my family here for a quick bite to eat. So affordable and great flavor in the food and margaritas! Carnitas, bistec tacos, and quesadillas were perfect! I'll definitely be back!

Yummy food. We stumbled in and sat at the bar. This area has a lot of touristy restaurants with meh food. This place is truly delicious Mexican food with great drinks. Service was friendly and very efficient. Would definitely eat here again.

My mom lives 3 blocks from this place, and I have seen it a few times walking to my mom's but have had the pleasure until today. OMG we're the beef tacos so friggin good, and the side salad was 👍👍 - if you have a chance, stop by and get your tacos, you won't be disappointed. I regret not stopping sooner!

WOW - what a delightful surprise - LOVED the chicken tacos and the chicken quesadilla. DO not miss out on the guacamole. Hole in the wall that is worth the visit!! We had beer, I would've liked to try the margaritas...next time!

Acting on word of mouth we booked La Esquina weeks ahead of time for an 8.15pm sitting. On arrival we were told the table was not quite ready and we were told to wait at the bar. We ordered ourselves a drink ( after a wait of 15 minutes at the bar) and chatted happily for about half an hour before enquiring how close our table was to being ready. Once again we were told it would not be long, that they were just waiting on the previous guests to pay. Another 15 minutes went by and our repeat enquiry resulted in the same response, although tempered with the offer of a drink on the house. By this stage we were all a little over it and decided to wait close to the entrance of the eating area. It was only after another 15 minutes that we were finally seated, an hour after our booking time. By this stage we were frustrated and very hungry and tired after a long day of tourist activities. Thankfully we were lucky enough to be blessed with meeting the gorgeous INEZ, our wonderful server who managed to win us over with her understanding and unreserved apologies. Inez somehow managed to salvage a difficult situation and won us over with her genuine care. We decided to go with her recommendations on food and to its credit, La Esquina delivered some of the best food we ate whilst in NYC. We tried the corn, fish tacos, beef tacos, cheese dip( to die for) and the short rib( also to die for). All in all a memorable experience but don’t book on a night you have time constraints. All Hail Inez🙏

La Esquina Midtown West just opened, we did takeout from there earlier this week. The tacos are excellent -- we had the fish, chicken and steak, plus the Mexican corn on the cob. Each one was exceptionally good. The food is cheap, made to order and tasty. We understand that La Esquina is just now getting their liquor license, so adult beverages will be available any day now.

We have dinned her about 4 or 5 times already and the food is so good. The service is great and quick. I enjoy going here after work for drinks and dinner. Would recommend it anytime for coworkers, dates and hanging spot. You have the option of standing outside like a bar setting to eat on the run or chilling with a few margaritas. The atmosphere is lively and again, the food is really good, well seasoned and not too spicy. The guacamole and chips are my all time favorite, and I like that its made fresh with all my favorite dressings.

It's really good, it taste like the real deal, the place is nice and clean : go for it! You can have a frozen or not margarita with your meal, or a Modelo beer, and enjoy tacos, quesadillas or other typical dishes. You can order in spanish, too.

Loved the food and the spicy jalapeño margaritas. But its a shame that we were sat in the annexe that felt a bit like an add on. Not much character and we felt rushed. The exterior of this place is really cool but if you enter round the corner instead, you feel like you're dining in a different, far more boring restaurant entirely. I give this an average score because the ambience and can't be bothered service disappointed and lessened the dining experience. We were quick to go on somewhere else for drinks. I'd recommend it, but don't sit in that vrappy side room. Just naff and makes you wonder why you pay the same as everyone else and get half the experience.

After a day of sight-seeing around the city we needed to grab a snack before continuing. We passed by La Esquina and decided chips/salsa and margaritas would be the perfect snack for the afternoon. We ordered two orders of tortilla chips, which were in pre-wrapped portions, along with their guacamole, which they topped with cilantro, jalapeños, and tomato chunks. We asked for salsa to accompany the chips since not everyone in our group was a guac fan, but the only salsa they had available were commercially packed jars of their salsa which had to be purchased separately. They didn’t even have pico de gallo to offer to us. If we were getting food to go this would make some sense, but dining in and then continuing to sight see carrying a half-eaten jar of salsa makes no sense. The margaritas were ok, nothing special, but the service was friendly enough. While the other food being served around us looked good, I really wasn’t overly impressed with our visit.

Had a couple tacos here as a midday snack while exploring NYC. They were very tasty and the ribeye was tender. Nice hint of spice to it without being too much. Service is fast. Seating is casual which is great for solo diners.

absolutely awesome Mexican and love that its so casual and no fuss, great that there is an outlet in midtown too. loved the corn on the cob and the quesadillas and the sandwich we ordered.

I wouldn't go in right away, even if I was super hungry that night. The facade does not immediately invite you to a Mexican culinary adventure. That feeling immediately disappears when the first dish is put on the table. This is amazing. The pollo quesadilla, the guacamole, the different taco preparations, all super tasty dishes. The highlight of the evening: the elotes callejeros (corn on the cob). The dishes are ideal for sharing. We are turning it into a sharing dishes evening. Service is smooth and friendly. Point for improvement: the ventilation inside when the fresh tacos are baked. Unfortunately this is not ideal. We smoked a little ourselves. But that didn't spoil the culinary fun. Recommended !

This place is a hidden gem! Seriously - great Mexican food (no, it's not TexMex, so if you're craving that, this is the wrong place). Wonderful tacos - I loved the Barbacoa (lamb) so much that I got back in line for another one. Everyone loved their food - my daughter said the tortilla soup was especially good! fun and funky Mexican vibe. Fast service. Delicious and creative food. And the entire place is gluten-free! Lots of people do take out, but there is plenty of room to eat in. Most people don't stay long, so spots open up at the tables. mmm.... I want to go back already! A great find!

We stayed in Brooklyn but we managed to go to La Esquina Taqueria every time we visit the City. It is authentic Mexican food, no fuss and on point. Love the rough edges and it give the trattoria its character. You have to try it. Worth the bucks!

We have been before to this Mexican Restaurant. It is fun because the entrance is hidden and to enter you need to gain access after the security has checked your reservation and opened a steel door. Steep stairs and white ceramics lead you to the kitchen and through the kitchen to this underground mexican hideaway. However, apart from the atmosphere, this time food was under average (all was served cold) and the service super bad. Rude waitress pressed us through dinner slamming plates on the table, commenting of us sharing plates between us. At the end of the super fast dinner, may be she had a date after, she dropped, unrequested, the bill on the table. Very very very bad.

Had an early dinner here and it was really great! 100% gluten-free menu (besides lunch sandwhich specials) and the staff was very friendly and helpful! The tacos were super good!

Didn't plan the trip early enough to book at the main restaurant, so was happy to discover that the fast food department was next to our hotel. Food was delicious- and very fast! Pretty expensive for a take away place and Guacamole a little too limey for my taste, but still great mexican!

Little joint in NYC where you can eat tacos, quessadillas, bowls ... I always take the shrimp taco, the steak and cheese one and the chicken one. Never ever been disappointed. Also make sure you take the corn on a stick with cheese on it ... it’s a flavor bomb.

Wanted some authentic Mexican and didn’t want to end in Tex-Mex burrito dive. Bingo! This was real Mexican tacos, all of them were spectacular!

This is a great place to get a bite to eat and go, great concept, great food, great music and great flavored water. Really, you gotta eat here !!!

Cool little almost hole in the wall. With a variety of tacos, tortas (Mexican sandwich) and more. They have a fantastic house margarita that’s $6 during happy hour and buy one get one free tequila shots. The “Pepito Especial” torta was heavenly. It’s a little spicy but tolerable. The side of street vendor style corn on the cob was also very good. Overall a fun atmosphere with good food. The service could be a little friendlier but it’s not a deal breaker.

While I love the vibe here - it feels very authentic - the management and service here could do with a big overhaul. We arrived here one night recently to grab a bite to takeaway. We went up to what looked like the ordering area and there was one guy who was busy making drinks. Even though it was clear we wanted something and there were others near us too who presumably wanted to order, he didn't look up, acknowledge us or serve us. After about 5 mins of waiting, I called to him and asked if we could order. Then we waited about 10 mins at another area to pick up our food which, be warned, can be very hot and also isn't particularly generous. The veggie taco I got was very thin and had one mushroom in it. We finally got our food and were about to leave when I noticed we hadn't got our chips and guacamole. When I queried this, the lady who had given us our food said we had to go back to the original guy to pick up these. Cue another wait and having to interrupt his drinks-making. It's a terrible system. There didn't seem to be a manager around either. Needless to say, we will not be returning.

Great drinks and food in this hidden basement restaurant. We had a great time here, if you love Mexican food, you should definitely book a table (it is almost a must to have a reservation).

This was my 1st time at this establishment. I found it while walking to my office. Nothing fancy about the place but the atmosphere was great. The seats along the sidewalk were full with people enjoying their food. As I didn’t know what to order, I asked the server what she would recommend. She recommended the tacos, which many people were eating, but I eventually settled on one of their bowls with chicken and a beer. Total cost was $18. I was pleasantly surprised that I was full after eating. The service was extremely fast... 5 minutes between ordering and being served. I highly recommend this restaurant.

the best food place, everyone should visit here to eat good quality of food and enjoy their journey or trip.

Looking for a place near the hotel we found this one. We ordered a cheese, avocado and lettuce sandwich, some quesadillas and a salad. Everything is correct without further ado. Friendly and fast service. Reasonable prices for the area.

Popped in with some friends during a long layover and La Esquina did not disappoint. We ordered the top tacos and our favorites included the shrimp, the pork, and the beef. Also, that pitcher of margarita sure did the trick! Great for lunch, dinner, or late night snack 👍🏼

Brilliant little find near Park Central hotel. Was recommended this place by the hotel reception and was brilliant. Superb value for money and great quality food, the atmosphere was really nice and relaxed too.

Brilliant little find, margaritas were to die for, pork belly and brisket were fantastic, corn on the cob starter was covered in a cheese and spice which was just right - dont give this a miss

For fear it will become too popular! Small, hidden gem on 55th. You’d think it was take out but it’s not!! Seating upstairs, margaritas, beer and guacamole while you wait for your order to be ready. Best bowls ever: I ordered fish, came with avocado, black bean, rice and corn scraped from the cob.. absolutely great. Nice people. Good music .. husband had 3 chicken tacos. Bill was around $38 including beer and tip.

Allergy review: they accommodated my needs without question This place is great, tried every taco: carnitas and fish were great This happening hole in the wall was a great find in nyc

This was the lowest point of our visit to New York and we had been recommended to eat there. On arrival we were told someone would take our coats. When the person arrived she told us to put our coats behind the table on the floor which turned out to be near a lamp which later found out had burned our two coats. When we complained to the manager we were accused of lying about where we were told to put the coats. Then he said he was too busy to deal with it now and suggested we come bac k tomorrow if we wanted to start litigation. We then just walked away. This was the rudest man we have ever encountered in a restaurant anywhere in the world and suggest he would be better i a job with no contact with the public.

The service was excessively bad. I wish the owners would see this review because no restaurant owner should have a waiter taking care of their business this way. When the service is so off, you don’t even care if the food is good or not. The food was cold.

This well located restaurant is a simple place, but good Mexican food. The Menu is simple just a few plates. Tacos and Sandwich (tortas). Has an small bar with a few liquors, but tequilas are their signature drink. Try Margaritas. Also have a few side dishes to have with the Tacos. Small place, just a few seat. Orders are taken at the cashier stand.

I went to this restaurant at least 5 times during my 3 day stay in New York and I loved everything they had. The carnitas tacos were by far the best and I highly recommend them. Their quesadillas are also very good. The chips and guacamole are a bit pricey but definitely worth it. You can choose what goes in the guacamole which is very nice. Overall, a great restaurant and I highly recommend it!!!!!

Fantastic drinks and food! I’ll be thinking about those steak tacos for a long time. Such cute decor inside. Very understaffed so the wait time for everything was long.

We were there for diner with my family and honestly the best diner we had in NYC! The food is delicious, the workers are very nice. Nothing to say, except, if you are in town, you must try this place!

You order and pay at the cash; dine in and seat yourself as available or take out. Even a ledge out on the street if you want to stand and watch people go by. Menu has decent range and the food is certainly delicious and prepared fast. Tortillas are made to order, not reheated. They would not do a taco with wheat tortillas though they have them for quesadillas... Rib-eye sandwich a real winner. Prices are not as "cheap" as others seem to feel and quantity is certainly not "American" sized but the experience and taste make up for that. Fun and good vibe well worth stopping in.

My daughter wanted to visit La Esquina while in NYC and as it happened we walked by this restaurant and stopped for lunch. Great little place. Genuine Mexican food. Recomend the tacos, corn and guacamole.

Great place to grab Mexican specialities. All the food is great and made from fresh ingredients. Greta selection of drinks and cocktails. Good service. Prices are NYC midtown related but worth it for good tacos.

We stumbled on this place on a rainy night because it was just around the corner from our hotel. What a find. It's casual and fun and a bit off the radar. The food was excellent, healthy and tasty and a good value. Margartas were also good. Great location. Highly recommended.

Everything was ok but not great. Drinks were pretty good. Service mediocre even though the place was fairly empty. Dishes were ok but nothing to write home about

The Best, Best shrimp tacos ever. I want to go back just for that. The street corn was excellent. The ambiance is amazing, enjoyed the décor and great service from the staff, music was on point and enjoyable, I almost didn't want to leave,

The guac and chips were excellent! We also had the carnitas tacos, which were delish! You pay per taco with no sides, but this is common for authentic Mexican restaurants we have eaten at before. This place also had a wonderful atmosphere.

We had a show to catch at carnegie hall and didnt have much time. Unfortunately the two places we had in mind were packed with a combo of late happy hour folks, and early dinner goers. As we were walking we saw this place, which I had never noticed before. We decided to give it a try. It ended up being perfect. A simple menu of tacos and other mexican street food, beer by the bottle, some guac and chips. Ordering was at the counter and you bus your own tables, but if it's not crowded, it's a quick and easy place. It's small - not many tables. There is only one bathroom. And the portions are a little small. But worth checking out for sure.

We were staying at the Dream Hotel and stopped in for a mid afternoon refresher. We were pleasantly surprised the margaritas were delicious and the guacamole was to die for. I have been raving about it all summer long. The staff was super friendly it was the highlight of our trip to NYC if we had found this gem on our first day I doubt we would have left 55th Street!!!

You can't help but be attracted to this classic diner exterior gone on a vacation to south of the border. This taqueria had it all: great menu, great prices, fresh ingredients, excellent seasonings, good prices, alchohol and sweet Mexican sodas (Jarritos). The interior is like somthing out the 50s in Havana with sweet bachata music filling the tonal spaces. A must if you are in Midtown.

La Esquina is an unassuming find on 55th Street between 7th Ave and Broadway. You might actually walk right by it but that would be a mistake. It has fresh, made to order Mexican Food with a Margarita Bar. We started by sharing Guacamole De La Esquina and followed by sharing plates of Tacos De Honga and Avocado Tacos. Each was excellent. The kitchen has an open view so you can see first hand the fresh ingredients they use and the self-service is quick. The setting is informal and pleasant and a welcome break from the busy mid-town location. They also have locations in SOHO, Upper East Side and Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

Fish tacos + rice and beans so good, I ate 'em twice in two days. Means something when there are 100s of other options. Delicoius! Will be back.