Casa Enrique
“For our entrees we had the Mole de Piaxtla and desserts mexican choco pot de crema and the pastel tre leches!”
“Michelin star doesn't lie in this case – Casa Enrique is the best traditional Mexican restaurant in the city, hands down.”
“I prefer the tres leches even though I'm sure I will gain 30 pounds but it is to die for.”
Casa Enrique
Takes Reservations: Yes
Take-out: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Accepts Apple Pay: Yes
Bike Parking: Yes
Good for Kids: 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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Mi casa es mi casa.
Casa Enrique churns out delicious food. I will not speak to the authenticity of its Mexican flare, but I have never been disappointed either pre or post Michelin star. Enrique knows how to highlight flavors, and that's really what great food is about.
The lengua tacos are my favorite; something about tongues.. really gives me an appetite.
The CHILE RELLENO (Chili poblano stuffed with chihuahua cheese, tomato sauce and rice) was pretty divine- who doesn't love cheese? This was my first introduction to a stuffed poblano. I wish we had eaten it right away as cheese hardens with each passing minute. But oh my, the sweetness combined with the cheese.. yes, please!
The only criticism was of their Ceviche de pescado (market fish cooked in lime, onion, avocado, tomato). I'll preface this by noting that I'm not a fan of ceviche to begin with, but it was kind of dry and rubbery seafood.
I've been here twice now; I have to say it's a great casual place for a date. It's not too loud and not too uptight. Order a few of their awesome cocktails(mojitos all the way) to spark a flame.
Was able to walk in on a Friday night relatively early around 6:45 pm but still had to wait around 40 minutes to be seated. This was understandable considering we were a party of 4 and the house was jam packed. It was all worth the wait once the food arrived. FYI, everything here is definitely a little spicy. The guac was delicious and perfectly fresh – just needed a little squeeze of lime to taste. The enchiladas in the green tomatillo sauce was phenomenal – so fresh tasting with just a little kick (this was the least spicy of the dishes). The mole (anything) was sooo good – the mole sauce is just so complex and satisfying. If you like a good kick, the mole is the way to go! Next time we're in NY, we'd definitely be back.
Mexican food beautifully presented in tiny portions. This is universally accepted as fancy. Throw in the cramped seating, it's hole-in-the-wall. Guess they're going for the fancy but not too serious vibe? Whatever it is, sit in the garden, bit more spacious and not as loud due to the echoing inside. Great service inside or out. Get cocktails and not the sangria, one is better than the other.
Food is excellent. Savory and flavorful. Crunches crunch, soft items are soft enough that I can remove my dentures. I eat with my gums so i can absorb the flavor quicker. Pro hint, no taste buds in your pearly white teeth.
Get the guacamole, it comes out quick and tasty, but mainly it's served asap. And we're hungry.
Fried oysters, eat it all in one bite. You look idiotic if you have a tiny mouth, however no one's looking at you, so do it. The tiny, cute as hell ingredients towered onto the oysters are there for a reason. All the flavors complement each other.
Meatballs are great. The sauce is better. Had to tell the waiter to chill, don't take the plate of sauce away. Dip chips, dip the oncoming meat entrée, spoon sauce directly into my mouth, options galore.
Fish ceviche, one of the best I've ate. The sterile white decor helps here. Mentally i was prepared to eat raw fish.
Order all the tacos except the brisket, meat was kinda tough and dry.
Pork ribs, skirt steak, and lamb shack were all excellent choices as entrees. Meats were all well prepared, tender and savory. Best with the various sauces they provide, just wish the "spicy" sauce was spicier.
A friend had been raving about this place for a while so I finally made the trip out to Long Island City. Very glad I did. The guacamole was very good. The chicken mole was excellent. And the Mexican hot chocolate pot de creme was delicious. Make sure you make a reservation or try your luck at a seat at the bar. Very good drinks too. The staff is very friendly and the price is a steal. I wish Cosme had lived up to the hype, but at least this place did.
It's not their fault, but we came here upon reading that NYC had a Michelin starred Mexican restaurant. Topolobampo, in Chciago, also has a Michelin star and I was kind of expecting that sort of dining experience in maybe a more modern or casual way. I'm a bit confused and maybe we need to come back and work our way through the menu a bit more.
Was the food good? Yes. Was it as good as the handful of high-end Mexican places we have in the city? As good, yes. Was it good enough that the others don't have a star and this place does? That's the rub.
Very crowded bar up front (three deep the night we were there). Boisterous and bit loud closer to the bar as you'd imagine.
The waitstaff was generally warm and welcoming – even considering how slammed they were.
Well curated wine and cocktail list. That said, we had issues with drinks in general and the timing. Everything came real late drink-wise, but it was busy and the bar was hopping. Also, with such a solid wine and cocktail list, i did get the feeling numerous times that the waitstaff maybe needed a review on what was on the list. Way too much pointing at selections.
Food. Oh, right. Food. The mole was savory and soulful and all those words you want to see when you read about a good mole. There were also starters and for the life of me I don't recall what we had. There was lamb (fall of the bone slow cooked). Great – assuming – homemade tortillas.
It was all generally tasty.
Make a reservation.
Update: Sun 7/17/16
Went back for brunch on Sun and it was even better thsn my 1st visit. We arrived around 3:25 and was told we had to order right away because the kitchen closes for brunch at 4 and reopens at 5 for dinner. We ordered guac and chips for the table.
I ordered 2 watermelon margaritas for myself and my mom. Muy delicioso. I had the French toast (idk how to day in Spanish, my mom had the crispy chicken tacos and my daughter had the crispy chicken amd avocado sandwhich. Omg, foodgasm! Everything was so good. Very happy tummies.
1st visit :
This was my 1st visit and I am very impressed.
Got there around 7:30 on a Wed night and I was shocked at how packed the place was. We had to sit at the bar.
We decided on the Watermelon Margarita based on other Yelpers rave reviews. Roberto is quite the mix master. He literally pours his soul into every shake. The drinks were beyond delish. Breaking the rules of not mixing flavors in one sitting we opted for the Pomegranate next and the Blueberry to follow. They were like liquid orgasms.
We completely got lost in the drinks and bar convos with the folks next to us that we forgot to order our food and before we knew it ….it was like 10:30. We settled for guac and chips. My lord…..that was the best I have EVER had and I consider myself quite the guac expert.
We had yet another margarita and ended our night by the piers. Here's to many more visits and bomb ass margaritas.
Overall, drinks are a 10
Ambiance, crisp white, chic with special touches, 10
Crowd, mix raced, age and craxy chill, 10.
You get the idea.
Really liked the white sangria. It was a nice balance of sweet and boozy.
Get the menudo ($14), ceviche ($16), guac ($10), enchiladas mole ($16), and tres leches ($8). These dishes were flavorful and made well.
Skip the tacos ($10- $14), which are very overpriced and mostly plain. Also skip the ensalada de betabel ($10) which was just raw and uninspiring.
This place has been on my bookmarks for awhile. Affordable with a Michelin Star? Must check out. And we finally did. The place has a funky exterior with a stark white interior that seems a bit lacking…Perhaps, they were going for a very clean, white profile, but I felt like the decor could have been warmer & more exciting.
The service at the table was very on point. Just attentive in all the right ways. It was a scorching hot day, so we chose to sit inside, but they have a lovely patio/garden area. I ordered the following items: rajas con crema, mole de piaxtla, suadero + pastor tacos, plus a coco mojo drink.
Honestly, I ordered the rajas con crema thinking it would be elotes like a fool. But it was the best mistake I've ever made. Not looking like much but green peppers and corn in a little metal pan…but it was so, so good layered in the soft tortillas given at the table. Creamy,cheesy deliciousness that really packed a punch in flavor from I don't know what. I would definitely recommend this as a must-order.
The mole de piaxtla was my attempt to understand the raving for mole sauce…but perhaps it's not up my alley. The mole sauce was yes very good, but I couldn't have too much of it on its own due to the sweet and salty complexities. I enjoyed it in a tortilla with the mild spicy sauce (ask for it!) however. My boyfriend's tacos suadero and pastor were also very yummy. The suadero is a must order. Essentially brisket, slow roasted, and very flavorful and yummy.
Solid 4 stars for this place for the satisfaction I had upon leaving. I will be coming back here again in the future!