212-529-6490
179 Avenue B
Near 11th Street
Rating: Addictive
Cuisine: Mexican
Entree Price: $10-$15
Meals: Dinner Mon-Fri; Sat & Sun: noon-11PM.
Most addictive dish: the tacos
Review
I studied in Mexico for a while, and I still have cravings for the tacos I had down there. Since returning to the states over 10 years ago I haven’t found tacos as hard core addictive as the ones in Guadalajara. A couple of places in Texas came close (like Agozar in San Antonio), but none were as lusty as the ones from Mexico…until I ate at Mercadito.
It’s a modest little space in the East Village, and while I had heard it was good, I didn’t know what an understatement that was. Tacos are reinvented here, and there are at least 10 different preparations like the carne tacos with rosemary grilled steak, potato rajas fondue and avocado-tomatillo salsa or the estilo baja with beer battered mahi mahi, Mexican style slaw and chipotle aioli. Other crowd pleasers include the chicken tacos and the lamb tacos. The guacamole tasting comes with three fresh versions and is a must for groups (or gluttonous solo-ers like myself).
Almost everything on the menu is original and exciting (check out the flautas if you’ve covered the taco territory), and Mercadito should be a destination for you no matter what part of the city you live in.
Mercadito also does a brunch that is good, but it isn't on the level of their dinner.