El Maguey Y La Tuna
“My bff and i were there for hours just eating all of the delicious food, drinking a great big pitcher of sangria, and enjoying the music.”
“Everything cooked from scratch by family recipes (actual family recipes) and served by the nicest people on the block.”
“As an appetizer we had the guacamole, which was fresh and just the right amount of spicy.”
El Maguey Y La Tuna
Takes Reservations: Yes
Delivery: Yes
Take-out: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Good for Kids: Yes
Good for Groups: Yes
Outdoor Seating: Yes
Waiter Service: Yes
Caters: Yes
Price range.
$$ Price range $11-30
8 reviews
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"The Agave and The Prickly Pear" has a nice ambiance, although a bit isolated (location-wise); the service is good, although they didn't give me back all my change. So far that's a 3 star but…
I tried the pico de gallo and pickled peppers "chiles en vinagre" (we usually call that escabeche in Mex). Both disappointing. First of all because they are sold as separate sides instead of included with meals (or maybe they do come with some, I'm not sure).
The former not spicy, had 0 chile, where is the "pico"? Also, not that fresh. $3? Hmmm
The latter didn't taste very pickled and the real deal has other veggies in there such as wavy-sliced carrots and cauliflower. This was just jalapeño slices soaking in vinegar. $2
The rest of the menu honestly looks mostly Tex-Mex except for the specialty mole dishes which I may come back and try — not sure since they all come with meat I think, which I don't eat. So yeah, I want to go back for brunch, mole, or drinks and give the place another chance.
p.s. I'm particularly harsh with Mexican food because I grew up in Mexico. A lot of people seem to like this place which is fine but I have to say I have no idea what they mean by "authentic" (some dude even ranks Taco Bell as the most authentic in the city).
Something between a 3 and a 4.
Was here for Lunch. Had a horchata and a milanesa y pollo torta.
Horchata was fine, milanesa y pollo was solid. Needed a bit more spice but the fried chicken was well a nice fry.
Good place, nice people. A bit pricy but it is well this area. I'll go back for their well "famous" mole.
Its a nice local spot. Food was OK and prices were okay. Its a spot I'd go again only if other local spots I like or want to try are packed. Its a solid plan B.
Authentic neighborhood Mexican restaurant. This is a no frills restaurant with a simple diner like setting, but the food is excellent. I have tried the tortas, chilaquiles, and tacos from here. All of them came in sizeable portions and were all delicious. This place reminds me of Mexican places I go to in Queens (with slightly higher prices though). They also have a Mexican brunch (huevos rancheros, breakfast burritos, etc.) every day until 4pm which you don't usually find.
The pork was a little bit overdone and the fish tacos were dry and bland. Still like their molés, but that's not enough to save me from docking a star.
TL;DR Pretty good FAT@$$ burrito
You ever been not disappointed in a burrito? Well don't come here if you plan to cause their burrito will not disappoint. This is a knife and fork endeavor by the way as they put sauce over their burrito just to tell you that you're not eating this with your hands. Even with a knife and fork your attempts to eat like the queen of england will not succeed. It will unwrap before you and make you use your fingers like a savage. Do not eat the burrito if you are trying to engage in sexual acts afterwards with someone as I'm pretty sure that person will be disgusted by you afterwards.
overall this place was good and teh price was "ok" it came out to be over $10 from what I remembered.
the margaritas are so good & very generously sized especially considering cost. Chili rellenos have So MUCH delicious cheese & the green chili sauce is perfect.
Dive-y yet expensive authentic Mexican experience tucked away on Houston.
La Tuna is a hole in the wall, teeming with upbeat mariachi tunes and no-frills service. It's easy to forget you're in NYC when you're washing down the complimentary thick-cut chips and runny salsa with a fresh lime margarita, small but strong and 7 bucks.
The food is good but waaaaay overpriced. I ordered the off-menu vegetarian burrito – broccoli, bell peppers, mushrooms, onions and spinach with negligible pinto beans and (overcooked/bland) white rice in a pillowy tortilla. It's topped with a smoky bean sauce, which creates a delightful gooeyness on the bottom of the burrito, which absolutely must be eaten with a knife and fork. (Vegans, be sure to ask for no cheese and no sour cream, as the waiter didn't disclose these as part of the dish until asked.) On the side, lettuce, pico, and guac help cut the heat of the filling. Overall, it's tasty and a huge portion (I took half home.), but when the bill came, it was 12 dollars! (Zaragoza's is 6, Tortuga's 8, and Mole's and Boca Chica's are 10.) Practically criminal, as you're not paying for service/fine-dining ambiance here.
Our server meant well, but he had trouble tending to our low-maintenance 2-top, especially as the restaurant filled to capacity with a local crowd.
Had it not been for the ScoutMob discount, I think I would be less positive about the experience overall, as the kitschy quirk appeal of Tuna just isn't worth the price.