El Maguey Y La Tuna

• Cuisine(s): Mexican
  Hours: Sun, Tue-Sat 11am-11pm
  Price: $$
  Payment Types: All Major Credit Cards
• Attire: casual
  Features: Takeout, Delivery, Private Party, Catering, Wheelchair Accessible, Kid Friendly, Business Dining
  Serving: Dinner, Lunch
  Alcohol: Full bar
• Reservations: Accepted
  Parking: No Parking

Description

Formerly located in Williamsburg, this modest Mexican restaurant on the Lower East Side kept its clientele and then some with its affordably priced food and fun-loving atmosphere. The kitchen focuses on the cuisine of Puebla, although the menu has been Americanized enough to attract a diverse crowd of longtime locals and newly imported 20-somethings. Casual, filling fare like burritos, enchiladas and sizzling fajitas are served along with entrees like jumbo shrimp in garlic sauce and grilled carne asada. Diners looking for something a little more authentic might want to take a peek at the specialties of the house, which include mole dishes like mole poblano and adobo (pork in a smoky red mole sauce). Stop by when it's somebody's birthday or a holiday and you just might get a round of tequila shots brought to your table otherwise there are plenty of Mexican beers like Negra Modelo and Bohemia. The space itself is small and festive, a few tables with checked tablecloths and an explosion of colorful Mexico-themed decorations.—Keith Wagstaff