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When East Village Mexican favorite Mercadito recently opened an equally taco-centric sister location just one block south, it made us wonder if such a similar spin-off was necessary. Judging by the crowds at both on a recent Tuesday night, the answer seems to be yes. Unlike the rustic appeal of the original, Mercadito Cantina’s decor skews chic: The filament bulbs, communal bar tables with surprisingly comfortable stools and open kitchen make a comparison to Momofuku hard to avoid. The menu, meanwhile, focuses almost exclusively on tacos and guacs. The former come as either an order of two stuffed soft corn tortillas, or the taquiza, a build-your-own, pay-by-the-quarter-kilo choice of meat fillings that arrive in tiny cast-iron cocottes alongside towel-wrapped tortillas and a selection of salsas. The tender chorizo verde tacos contained crumbled sausage made green with herbs including epazote and cilantro and topped with tangy tomatillo salsa, while the superb carnitas de puerco taquiza offered enough sweet and fatty braised Berkshire pork to fill multiple tortillas. Lest you fill up on meat, the lineup of excellent guacamoles should not be missed. Of those we tried, the oaxaqueño, made with pasilla-chili–and-mango, stood out for its smoky sweetness. Even the mixed drinks effortlessly incorporate native herbs and spices, like peppery papalo (with passion fruit and jalapeño) and hoja santa (with beer, cucumber, cumin and agave nectar). The meal falters only at the end, when an overly dense goat’s-milk flan and heavy special of plantain-, chocolate- and spice-stuffed empanadas were more than our stomachs could handle. For dessert, you may be better off one block north.
isabel
Sun, Oct 19, at 12:57pm
lo mejor de N.Y, me encanto la comida, el ambiente y excelente demostracion de la comida mexicana.
Lacy
Mon, Oct 13, at 06:58pm
I think the guacamoles at mercadito cantina are among the best in nyc . this is my fave place in the nabe and i can vouch for the accuracy of the pics since i'm there at least twice a week ;-) expensive !? if you think this place is expensive then you obviously don't get out much . at least not in nyc ! best fish taco ever and charming staff.
lacy
Natasha
Sun, Oct 12, at 11:19pm
HORRIBLE! We got a sample platter - 6 tiny dabs of guacamole (not like the picture) & two very weak drinks. The only ok guac was the traditional. The rest were barely edible concoctions, like experiments your stoned roommate would come up with while raiding the fridge. Drinks were just as bizarre. I'm all for experimentation, but this was truly BAD. Worse yet, it's really pricey! The rude waiter brought us incorrect change three times, scoffing at the fact we weren't tipping him all our change.
waguilar
Mon, Oct 06, at 08:24am
Unless you live in the Heights or even across the East River, good Mexican food is rare. Mercadito Cantina is amazing Mexican food, and incredibly refreshing, just off the beaten path in the East Village -which luckily for me is around the corner from my apartment. The food is top notch, from the salsas and guacs, to the taquizas. Particularly tasty is the Berkshire taquiza! If you haven't experienced the deliciousness that is Mercadito Cantina, head for the East Village border ASAP.
losko
Wed, Oct 01, at 05:06pm
Can't imagine another place as fun and delicious as Mercadito Cantina in all NYC!!!! The food has a highly stylzed presentation that you'll eat with your eyes first, combined with the savoir-faire taste of grandma's kitchen. The tricquila cocktails are different every day and they will make you forget the meanest of the bosses. The service is attentive and funny. And you can always sit at the bar, look at the handsome guys in the kitchen work, and learn their cooking secrets! GREAT PLACE!!!
Amelia
Wed, Oct 01, at 09:04am
This place is great. I had a birthday dinner here and it was very festive. The food is amazing and the atmosphere is fun and casual. Highly recommended for a first date or casual dinner.
pumpkinhead
Tue, Sep 30, at 09:53pm
I love Cantina . The tilapia taco is off the chain . And they have this pork belly dish that is to die for . I love that the owner is there all the time and will litterally seat you , serve you , hang out with you and send you desserts at the end . Very cool touch.
Taco Man
Tue, Sep 30, at 09:33pm
This place is my number one spot in the east village PERIOD . I am almost sad to see it get written up since this no doubt means I am going to have to share it now with the rest of NYC. Best tacos ever . . . EVER!
