Taqueria El Chino
“YES
The Tacos are awesome, the pescado a la diabla is awesome as well as the camarones a la diabla.”
“No gimmicks; no made table- side guacamole, no mariachi band playing requested songs, no fancy decor.”
“They start you off by serving you a bowl full of tortilla chips with an amazing hot refried bean dip and homemade salsa!”
Taqueria El Chino
Delivery: Yes
Take-out: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Bike Parking: Yes
Good for Kids: Yes
Has TV: Yes
Waiter Service: Yes
Caters: Yes
Price range.
$$ Price range $11-30
2 reviews
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New York often gets a bum rap for Mexican food, especially from folks like me who grew up in Southwestern border states where you're more likely to find a burrito place than a burger joint. I'm picky to the point where I'll not return to a place simply because of their salsas or beans.
So when my friend Dave suggested we check out this little family-owned eatery on a side street in New Rochelle, my expectations were muted. I've had decent Mexican in NY, but never a home run.
It's a simple, no frills, spot – where the walls are adorned with photos and paintings of the owner's hometown: Quitupan (located in the Mexican state that gives us Tequila. Gracias). I like this type of homage as it usually indicates an overall pride in one's roots – which often shows up in the restaurant's food.
The owner's family is extremely friendly and loaded us up with chips, a tangy tomato salsa and creamy plate of refried beans for dipping. Honestly, I would have been happy if that was the meal itself. Everything was perfect.
The appetizer selection included sopes, eggs dishes, street tacos, tortas and more. However I went with an entree: Bistec Ranchero – a thin, but large grilled steak that is smothered in a sauce of tomatoes, onions, peppers and other flavors. Also on the plate: beans, rice, and a bid dollop of guac. ($13).
Dave went with one of his favorites: Camarones a la Diabla (shrimp in a delicious red sauce made with chiles and other spices). The sauces on both dishes is why I give them extra credit. Someone cares. I'd like to think that someone's grandma spent a lifetime cultivating such flavors.
Ho hum places serve sauces that you barely notice. Great Mexican places serve sauces that launch a Mariachi band in your mouth.
I left feeling like I just had sex for the first time in ages – totally satisfied. But I'm also slightly post-culinary coital sad because I'm not sure how often I'll be able to see Taqueria El Chino again due to their distance from me. But they are worth a journey, taking pride in both their hometown and cuisine. Now I gotta go pick out a tiny accordion stuck in my teeth.
If you get caught in jackson heights and you're craving some good Mexican this place is definitely a good place to stop in. When they bring you the chips and black bean salsa it will look underwhelming but don't be fooled like us. We expected the 5 dollar nachos to be small so we ordered two with an entree each. We had so much food we didn't know what to do with it!! I would definitely go again if I find myself in the neighborhood.