Outdoor seating
Yes
El Rio Grande in New York
Categories
Location on the map
New York, New York County, New York, US
Service options
Kerbside pickup
Yes
No-contact delivery
Yes
Delivery
Yes
Takeaway
Yes
Dine-in
Yes
Health and safety
Staff required to disinfect surfaces between visits
Yes
Popular for
Lunch
Yes
Dinner
Yes
Solo dining
Yes
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Yes
Wheelchair-accessible seating
Yes
Offerings
Alcohol
Yes
Beer
Yes
Cocktails
Yes
Coffee
Yes
Comfort food
Yes
Happy-hour drinks
Yes
Happy-hour food
Yes
Late-night food
Yes
Quick bite
Yes
Small plates
Yes
Vegetarian options
Yes
Dining options
Lunch
Yes
Dinner
Yes
Catering
Yes
Dessert
Yes
Seating
Yes
Amenities
Bar on site
Yes
Good for kids
Yes
High chairs
Yes
Toilets
Yes
Atmosphere
Casual
Yes
Trending
Yes
Crowd
Family friendly
Yes
Groups
Yes
Tourists
Yes
University students
Yes
Planning
Dinner reservations recommended
Yes
Accepts reservations
Yes
Phone: +1 212-867-0922
Site: https://elriograndenyc.com/
Site: https://elriograndenyc.com/
Opening hours
- Monday:12–9:30PM
- Tuesday:12–10PM
- Wednesday:12–10PM
- Thursday:12–11PM
- Friday:12–11PM
- Saturday:12–11PM
- Sunday:12–9:30PM
Comments (199)
Oh wow this place is great. I had the steak tacos, mojito fries and a mango margarita.It was all amazing!Desert was the rainbow churro sundae and it was delicious. The waiting staff were also very very nice and helpful. I will eat here again for sure.
Great spot for Mexican food. Highly recommend. Make sure to order a Corona with it. Super cold
Food was excellent with lots of chips and dips. I had some tacos with a side of fried avocado fries(yes fried avocado fries) everything was delicious to say the least we even had some fresh guacamole prepared right in front of us. (See picture). Over all I had a great experience I would definitely visit again. One thing to note everything is a bit pricey but again worth it.
Great restaraunt with amazing mexican food! My wife and I ate hear on a nice spring sunday. The waiter was very nice and we even shared a few laughs. I love the outside seating.
Came here on a rainy Saturday for lunch. There was plenty of space so didnt have a problem getting seated. The staff were all very friendly and we enjoyed our food. Quite a lot of it, certainly with the mixed enchiladas and the tacos we had. The only snag was our food took awhile to arrive, not sure why that was but we werent in a hurry and we had lots of tortilla chips and other morsels to chomp on during our wait. It was also pleasantly quiet, though I dont know how loud it gets when the restaurant is more filled up. Its also oddly split in two and has lots of outdoor seating which should be nice when the weather is better.Update:Been here a few more times and the food has been just as good as previously. The only snag we had on one Saturday evening was that the service was a bit slow because it seemed like there was only one waitress serving one entire side of the restaurant. Felt sorry for the poor lady. Also, tried out some desserts. The churros were fine and the chocolate sundae was good.
If you want a variety of margaritas...this is the spot. Tableside guacamole is a must have and you can choose your spice level. I actually went thru 2 pregnancies and I would crave the fresh guacamole so much that my husband would drive to the city to get it for me.We had mild cause I had my kids but I love me some spice. A good restaurant to take the whole family out to eat. The service was on point. They make sure your water stays filled and your waiters dont disappear. The fried ice cream was large enough for my 3 kids to share. My husband is addicted to the chicken fingers and fries and the special sauce. We went at 5pm so found street parking.
Came here for $5 dollar taco Tuesday and was not disappointed! Large, tasty and good quality tacos! The chicken fajita was probably my favorite.The restaurant has a large open space and nice bar area also.
A little pricey for lunch, but still enjoyed my food (lunch specials are the way to go). This place is really great for happy hour though — amazing margaritas, tasty sangria and always a fun vibe to be had by all! As a bonus, if you’re seated at the bar for happy hour you get some chips and salsa!
Great food, great service, great atmosphere, eat inside or out. lots of fun
Phenomenal margaritas. Had more than I should have. Food wad good, but the margaritas were far more memorable.
Food was absolutely delicious. I had the grilled octopus tacos and they were the best Ive ever had. For dessert I have the fried ice cream and was literally in heaven.
This is a NYC version of stylized Tex-Mex restaurant. With that disclaimer, this was a fun and satisfying casual dinner with a friend after work just blocks Southeast of Grand Central. They werent kidding about strong margaritas! Guacamole was fresh and chunky, well seasoned. For dessert, we shared the fried ice cream. Service was excellent, attentive enough without being intrusive, between the wonderful waitress, hostess pitching in, and bus boys adroitly clearing up when needed. Great for the after work office crowd. Hope to be back with more friends.
The drinks are good and strong lol! The restaurant accommodates you fairly. I wanted hawaii and pineapple mixed. Wallah no questions asked waiter came back. The food was scrumptious too. You will be sitting for hours between food and drink. The food is that good
Amazing food! Love the down to earth vibe. Margaritas were so yummy and the fajitas were delicious. A++
Decent NYC take on Tex-Mex. (I’m from Texas so have pretty exacting standards.) Queso was fairly spinach heavy, and the tacos al carbon were a little fancier than perhaps they needed to be. Such a classic dish doesn’t need much deviation. But all in all, a satisfying meal!
Food was good. Drinks were almost there. Staff wasnt really friendly.. or rather attentive at all. Felt ignored.
Definitely a spotGo for the classics off the menu for food and whatever Marg youre in the mood for - they have em all!
Can’t tell you anything about the food. Sat there for 20 minutes in a largely empty dining room. No one even came to take a drink order.
Great place and atmosphere! Bridgeen the manager is wonderful and friendly. She makes you feel at home!!
Excellent prices for the location. The food is excellent. Seating is a little tight but it’s what you would expect for being in Manhattan. Drinks are very strong!
Excellent guacamole 🥑 trust me you don’t want to miss it.If you don’t know where to go.. this is a save option 👍🏼
Very disappointed. Used to love this place. No chips and dip on the tables to greet you. Poorly made strawberry margarita that was very sour and a small martini. Chili con carne enchilada with almost no chili and a very downsized portion of swordfish. The entrees were tasty but small and lacking enough of everything on the plate. The staff is friendly. I hope they can rectify the food issues. I will not be back until I hear it’s improved.
Their quesadillas are amazing, as is the grilled shrimp! Great guac, and the portions are very generous.
Food is a 2, service and hospitality is definitely a 5.PROS*We received a warm and friendly welcome upon arrival and our hostess was gracious enough to refrigerate our perishable items on this 90 degree day. As we settled up the bill she retrieved our items and brought them to us, we didnt even have to ask. Actually, wed forgotten about them!*Our server was attentive, friendly and funny. I ordered something in error, and he was gracious enough to exchange it for what I actually wanted without any hassle.*The swordfish tacos were tasty, mainly because of the extra mango salsa sauce I slathered on them.CONS*The food was bland. Nothing was seasoned.*The black beans tasted like they just opened a can of Goya and poured them in a bowl.*The yuca fries were like dough, they definitely needed to be in the deep fryer longer.*The salsa was just red water; not a lick of spice, heat, or seasoning. How is it even possible for salsa to taste bland?Loved the staff, but based on the taste of the food I cant see myself coming back.
Food was tasty, not the most glamorous place but you can tell that the place comes with nostalgia. The Pitchers are nice and hefty! Kinda awkward eating outside on the side of the building where residents live. While eating there may have been mice sightings, but harmless and not near the table of food and drinks. Comes with living in NYC!
El Rio Grande stands out from other Mexican restaurants on the East Side that I have been to. Servers and bussers were extremely attentive, the food came out quickly, and the drinks were great! The spicy guac was excellent as well and more than enough for four people to share. Highly recommend this place if youre in Murray Hill.
Legend has it that the margaritas here have absinthe. Whether thats true or not, they are pretty lit. Food is good though not outstanding. I ordered a burrito that was basically an enchilada with zucchini and broccoli inside. Luckily I like veggies so I didnt mind but thats not really what youre thinking of when you order a burrito.The main draw of this place is their terrace which stands out from other spots in the neighborhood because its almost like a pseudo-rooftop, whereas other nearby places tend to be right on the busy avenues and have far less ambiance. Overall, this is a pretty perfect place to get a casual drink on a spring afternoon in the city.
Man i love this place ... I have the nachos with steak ... Is my favorite at all times ... Dessert is out of this world and the dessert cocktail omg
One of the best Mexican restaurants in NYC
Really strong (but sweet) margaritas. Their food is amazing! They make fresh guacamole on the spot, as well. All of their entrees, and appetizers, are huge! I recommend sharing them.
Steak nachos are amazing. And the frozen margaritas are on point! Have a side thats Great for dinner and have a side great for after work drinks.
You would think that after 26-27 years of the El Rio footprint their Margaritas and Steak Nachos would decline in quality and consistency but not here and my guess is nothing else has either . Cant wait for the Winter months because the chicken soup is so plump with chicken and piping hot . .ole
Delicious! Excellent service
I cant say anything negative about this place. The Mexican dishes that they serve was so delicious. The chefs were very talented in creating such a portion of great food. The whole place was so nice and warm. I love the Mexican music that they played. It was so relaxing. The place was so cozy and warm. Wow! What a perfect place.
I have been at this place a couple of times and had a really great time.Their Guacamole is on point and absolutely love their frozen Margaritas.
The staff was very attentive to us. We had great food and fantastic margaritas.
Frozen margaritas taste like they were made from ice that had freezer burn...Changed my drink as well as added a shot if Patron tequila, maybe need more time to be re-opened. The food was just okay. Will give them more time during reopening during Covid - was always GOOD prior!!
STRONG Margaritas and White Russians that taste good, prices aren’t too bad for Manhattan. Great place to get the night started
Margaritas are good, $$$ is reasonable, the plate portions are reasonable and good as well. (I posted a picture of quesadilla, there are 2 pieces missing, I ate them)
Food, I had the chimichangas, was awesome! Margaritas were tasty and despite it being busy our server was friendly, attentive and we didnt wait long for anything. Highly recommend although a little pricey but you get what you pay for !
I have been coming here for over 15 years. It used to be amazing. However, since new ownership and new staff even pre-covid, service is not the best. Everything is an extra charge now as well. And to top it off, my mother had her credit card info stolen by an employee from here who decided to use it to make several online purchases. Was just there this last weekend and it will be the last. Shame because the food is delicious.
I absolutely love the place. It’s easy to park of The Weekends
Great ambience, Good drinks, great staff but food was average. We ordered the watermelon margarita, Guacamole, nachos and quesadillas. Overall the margaritas were great, strong and full of flavor, with fresh fruit. The guac was nothing special and the nachos was meh.
Tonight for my birthday, Natalie sat me and my wife outside. It was a bit on the cold side but manageable. What Natalie did next was amazing. She gave us a blanket with a picture of the universe on it. It was mine. To keep. I was so moved by her caring and thoughtful gesture. Tears fell from my eyes. I was lost for words. Choked up I must say. The blanket was very real and I thanked her for that. She truly is an awesome person. As for my emotions? Well... that all happened into my third margarita. Whoa... Thanks Rio for a great Birthday!
Come for the drinks and not the food bartender was nice. I was also the only one at the restaurant. So maybe I got lucky on the service.
Went there with my fiance and it did not disappoint! Margaritas were flavorful and strong, entrees were delicious and authentic but the real winner of the night was the steak nachos!! So great, steak was tender and didnt need to cut, just bite and enjoy. Definitely recommend! Service was awesome and enjoyed the environment as well.
These margaritas are seriously no joke! Nachos are solid as well!
Great place for lunch. Some seats out side for a nice day with refreshing drinks and food.
The ever old argument of how you ask your steak to be cooked. Asked for medium, got medium rare.Still a good steak. Sides and extras were good. My wife ordered a brownie for dessert and it was way too crispy.Service was decent.This being my first time and hearing friend saying that the food has gone downhill. I cant say that. I enjoyed my meal and I will be going back.
Best margaritas! What I don’t like is the bar is overcrowded as always and unless you are eating lunch or dinner they will not let you sit at a table! The drinks cost more then the meal! They are definitely losing money. Don’t care for the staff other then Jimmy the bartender. Staff needs to be trained and loose the attitude!
Been coming here for a long time. The margaritas on my last visit didn’t feel as strong as normal or maybe I just got use to them. Always always always get the steak nachos. You can’t beat them. They are individually place on a tray with all the toppings on each one. I can’t say enough about how much I love them. And again the margaritas are normally a 10/10 the last time they were maybe an 8.5/10.
We had a wonderful dinner there tonight. So far one of the best dining out experiences in NYC. The food tasted (and looked!) amazing and we had a lot of fun looking at other peoples orders.I had an apple cinnamon margarita and it tasted so good. Like apple cider with a bit extra. The service was great and very attentive. Would definitely recommend this lovely restaurant.
This place was once a jam-packed hotspot but is now a little tired and shows its age. The food is pretty good though.
Margs were strong and delicious. Nachos were amazing. Ill definitely be going back and exploring the menu more. Service was impeccable!
Casual Mexican restaurant with an easygoing vibe, good food and strong drinks. Fun for a date night or a group. Excellent guacamole and chips. Good value as well.
This restaurant is still going strong. They have had no new business, only repeat customers since the neverending scaffolding has covered the building. The service is unmatched in quality, the food unmatched in dependability. VERY STRONG margaritas in a variety of flavors. Visit during the holidays and be treated to a festive display of New York in December.
The food is great. The service is terrible. Two arrogant waiters, who would not pay any attention to me nor my guest. I was enraged when I tried to draw one of the waiters attention, he just waved his hand and walked away. I had to complain to the manager. Not going back.
Very Inconsistent, sometimes I’ve been here and it’s great other times it’s mediocre. I wish they had better quality pulled chicken, it’s kindachicken-y so I would recommend foods that aren’t pulled like, like the fajitas which are great here and are good quality. Guacamole and salsa is pretty good here and are fresh. Many toppings here as well are fresh and taste good like the lettuce, onion, tomato, and cheese.
Love the indoor and outdoor seating. Spacious place. Food is great. Staff are very nice. Would highly recommend.
I went on a Friday night to have dinner with a friend. I had the steak nachos, which were tasty as well. There are only 5 for those who havent come across nachos served this way. I really enjoyed the Guava frozen Margarita! The margarita was strong so I only had one. The ambiance was very nice when we sat inside. The bar was crowded even though they do not have Happy Hour on Fridays so I guess their other drinks are tasty and a good price as well. Overall, I had a great experience, I am actually about to go back today to try another flavor of margarita :) I gave it a 4 because my waitress was not very polite, everything else was on point.
Everything was good here! Food is delicious. Servers are both friendly and attentive. Margaritas are fantastic. Theres a crazy big crowd by the bar, but if you come in for table service in the dining room, you will NOT be disappointed.
Delicious enchiladas. Wonderful waitress although a 10 hour shift seems like a long time to be on your feet. Maybe hire some more people.
Margaritas were as good as Texas Margaritas. Steak nachos were very good. A good size of beef on each nacho.
2nd time coming here! Great food, great service! Will come every time were in town!
Came here for dinner tonight after being told that this place was a blast to come to - albeit, in the summer time. The server was good, however I felt that she was sorta robotic in her actions and felt at a distance from us. The margaritas were quite good, the tequila was strong but a little less ice would have been appreciated. The food was average, nothing to write home about, which makes me wonder why the price point is so much higher than comparable Mexican/Tex Mex in the area. During my meal I was looking to get hot sauce and tried to flag down our waiter, but alas, she didnt look up or around the dinning room to see that I was trying to get her attention. The decor seemed off, for a Mexican restaurant the odd feeling of a formal dinning room with a formal place setting just seemed out of place for the food (and the clientele which skewed younger). Overall, I dont think Ill be back for the food, but Ill definitely give this place another shot for happy hour once the warmer months arrive.
Had an amazing time! Food was good and good portion for the amount your paying. Drinks are also very good!! Will be back!
Wonderful experience here at El Rio!!! Cleanly, superb customer service, and excellent food. All around a great atmosphere to be and such an aesthetically pleasing spot in our wonderful Brooklyn❤️ Ask for Roma if you can, he’s wonderful!
Been here several times, El Rio Grande is one of if not the best restaurants in the neighborhood. Theyre well known for their margaritas, which at regular hours (non-happy-hour) are $11-12 and incredibly strong. Theyre delicious too.Food:Entrees start around $15, are generously portioned, and are very good, if not particularly innovative. Ingredients are fresh and service has always been solid. Guac is expensive but tasty and very fresh - they make it in front of you.
Best Tex Mex restaurant in NYC!!! Famous for its margarita! They have so many different flavors of margaritas. But the best one is, classic margarita with premium tequila. You must try their steak nachos and if you like seafood,then swordfish! During the summer you will enjoy their patios.
Food is delicious. Servers are both friendly and attentive. Margaritas are fantastic. Theres a crazy big crowd by the bar, but if you come in for table service in the dining room, you will NOT be disappointed.
This place is the best! Its nice and big has outdoor seating and lots of space inside. Went there on a Saturday night and their wasnt alot of people, which kind of sucks because its a great place to go to. The food is very good big portions and well seasoned, and just tastes sooo good. I had the fried chicken that came with mojito fries, which were delicious! The fried chicken was crispy and spicy super good and it is served with a side of guajillo sauce that tastes awesome. The drinks now, are real good too! Theyre strong and with 3 or 4 margaritas its on. Totally recommend this awesome place, very worth it!
Great place to be for happy hours during the week. The work crew and I have been here countless times. Sometimes crowded, but usually never too loud to be able to chat with your friends over drinks. I dont drink myself but Ive seen way too many pro drinkers fall victims to the strong margaritas here, so take heed!
Good food. Great margaritas in almost any flavor that you wish. The steak nachos are delicious, as well as the guacamole. Good salsa. The service was good. They get really busy at times, with long waits. Not cheap, especially for Mexican food.
The food was great but my favorite part might have been the margaritas. So many options and I liked every one that I tried. Our waitress was nice, but the hostess was a little short with us. She seemed a little overwhelmed as we went on a pretty busy night.
Good food, Amazing frozen margs, busy professional 20s happy hour scene. A must happy hour spot if you work in midtown and just got off work...
Great food. There were only a few vegetarian (and fewer vegan) options but food was tasty and fresh. Their guacamole is made to order, right in front of you at the table. However the place was slightly expensive ~$25 per person (without drinks).
Good drinks. Overpriced and below average food. Queso came out watery and the server got defensive when we asked to give it back. Will not be coming back :(
Great food in the restaurant portion of the venue. Very busy drinking hole at the bar, good luck finding seats the night we went. The margaritas are excellent. The staff is friendly and on top of it. Id go back here for some Tex Mex. Had a fun time.
Great margaritas, lots of menu choices; outdoor seating is great in the summer.
It pains me to give even 1 star, but it’s the only way I can warn people about the abominable food I just experienced at this restaurant.The salsa was bland, had no taste. The tacos were dry with no taste. The chicken burrito was awash with a tasteless sauce. You would never recognize the chicken tortilla soup. Horrible! Find somewhere else to eat Mexican food, you’ll be much better off if you do.
We had some time to kill after a stressful doctor visit and our housekeeper being done with our place so we found this gem. VERY nice restaurant, not too overwhelming of a menu, ok happy hour specials (only if you sit at the bar), and an attentive staff. We shared the appetizer sampler and had margaritas (pretty strong). They were both great choices and we left satisfied, the price wasnt great but Ive paid much more for much less.
I really enjoy the American version of Mexican food. As far as Texas food goes it is a confusing description of this type of cuisine. Why? It is because Texas cuisine can be anything. My favorite is top sirloin steak. In Mexican restaurants, often what is served is skirt steak commonly used for fajitas. I hate skirt steak and ask them to substitute with sirloin. The chef did just that for me. For that reason they get five stars. By the way I have eaten at Mexican restaurants and you really do not know what youre going to get unless you go to an American chain hotel. I will be back to El Rio Grande again
Great steak nachos! Wonderful staff and ambiance
Great Mexican food. Definitely the place to go for a good (Strong) Margarita! Multiple flavor options too. Casual outdoor patio, perfect for a summer evening out.
Not only was the food excellent, but the staff couldnt have been friendlier. We had an early dinner since we have a 1 year old. I feel like the staff went out of their way to make us feel welcome with our child.
The foor is great. The music play list is great music not too loud so you can have great conversation with out missing a beat. They are very friendly. The atmosphere is warm and festive. The drinks are on point and tgere is plenty of seating indoor and out door.
3 margs will get you there ⛽️ 🌀!!! Happy hour paradise for young professionals/college students. MEGA CROWDED (Why they don’t have a mini bar on the patio is beyond me?). Haven’t tried the food, but good atmosphere for happy hour.
I have been a customer here for 20+ years and the quality of the food and service is always on point. My favorites are the cheese quesadillas, steak and shrimp fajitas, and steak nachos. They always offer complimentary tortilla chips with a homemade salsa that I cannot stop myself from munching on. The chile con queso (cheese dip with spices) and the tableside guacamole complement the chips very well. My friends and family are big fans of the margaritas and daiquiris! Desserts are also a delight. I always feel welcome by the staff and servers, and I highly recommend this spot to get your Tex-Mex fix.
This is one of my favorite restaurants in the area. First thing first: they have AMAZING margaritas. A large variety, and theyre all great.Additionally, the food is great. And for the lunch crowd, they have a reasonably priced lunch menu.Overall, one of my favorites.
Great service/food, Bo was a fantastic server. His recommendations made my experience better. I will most certainly be back.
The place is a neighborhood classic, service is always friendly... great spot to meet up with friends after work or lunch/dinner on the weekends. Really friendly staff and killer margaritas in a variety of flavors ! Fun appetizer menu
Location is currently under significant scaffolding which changes how festive this place can be.The food was good, filling, flavorful, and typical. Enjoyed the Queso Fundido. The margarita flavors were plentiful-ordered the plain, however dragon fruit was the table favorite.
One of my favorite Mexican restaurants. Atmosphere and food is terrific. Great bar to hangout at. But it does get crowed. Ive been going here 10+ years and they still packem in. It says alot about them. For the nyc thats impressive. Strongly recommend the fresh guacamole.
I was at this restaurant during the pandemic and they were excellent. They still are. Good food. Good service.
Big portions... Great outdoor area before every bar and their mutha had an outdoor area... Id def come back here... Tasty Tasty food food...
Looking for STRONG margaritas and good food. This is the place to come. Especially in summer months when the outdoor patio is open. The guac, and food is good. But nothing compares to the cheap strong margaritas. Make sure to get here early as there is always a wait for outdoor seating. Indoors is cool too - you can walk through the kitchen between the Mexican side of the restaurant and the Texas side. Like crossing the El Rio Grande. Just make sure not to knock any servers food down or there might be some angry patrons at you!
Not the best margaritas, but solid. Some pretty good food but I was surprised by the mix of veggies in my chicken burrito... Some broccoli and cauliflower caught me off guard. Was not bad, just different.
I had a really nice time here. The food was above average Tex/Mex and the margaritas were great, especially the Pineapple on the rocks and the Blood Orange frozen.We had the guacamole for an appetizer but it couldve easily been an entree with how much we got; we did pay for it though... the guac was more expensive than my entree. Speaking of entrees, the chicken quesadilla was surprisingly good and had a nice subtle smoky flavor to it.
Fun place for happy hours. The Margaritas are cheap (you get two during HH) and the chips and guac are a must if youre going with a group. Great place for Friday nights after a long work week. Good music and theres TVs are the bar if you want to catch a game.
Great place for large group. The food and service was outstanding! Will def return
I love El Rio Grande for Tex Mex. Seems like its been in NYC forever. The menu is plentiful and the margaritas are excellent. The service is high quality and the wait staff is quite friendly. I recommend hanging at the bar. Thats where all the action is.
Was here for a work event. Food was great, margaritas are really good but place was way to warm which made it a bit uncomfortable. I guess we were to loud because music was barely audible.Id like to go back on a regular night because its a pretty place and food was good.
Fantastic margheritas - strong but tasty. Delicious steak nachos. Will be returning!
Got a table right away (early) on a busy Friday. Awesome table made guac, delicious veggie fajita: slightly blackened veggies with these sublime tortillas. Plenty of vegetarian options, but not the rice. Service top notch despite the crowd. A bit loud and normal Manhattan price$$$. Stopped in en route to The Garden, was a great choice.
Wow! Vacationed in NYC and our hotel was close by. Stopped in for dinner and fell in love. Best ever seafood burrito and hands down the best pineapple coconut margarita I have ever had with a nice kick! Im craving this place so much. However, I am from Canada and although we do have some great places for tex mex including great Margaritas, unfortunately it quite doesnt compare to El Rio Grande. Delicious!
Amazing margaritas coupled with exceptional Mexican food. Who could ask for anything more.
Food here is always the best. They also serve killer margaritas and mojitos. Servers are very attentive especially if you have 6-8 people. Always love going there.
Extremely slow service and very disappointing food. One waitress for the entire patio area of 12 plus tables that was completely full. While this is in no way her fault, management needs to rectify the situation immediately. Either by scheduling accordingly if they understaffed or moving another waiter or waitress to help out if someone called out for work. We didnt plan on being here for an hour and a half. My wife and I ordered the fajitas which we shared, no appetizers or desserts. Chicken Fajitas tied for the worse Fajitas weve ever had. Every time we go out for Mexican Cuisine we split the Fajitas. So weve had quite a few in our lifetime. Chicken was void of any moisture whatsoever, even dumping salsa all over it didnt help. Plate with the toppings for the Fajitas was an absolute joke. It looked like they used a Gerber Baby Spoon to place a dollop of sour cream, guacamole, shredded lettuce, and Pico de Gallo on the plate. No refill on 8 ounce diet Coke fountain drink at a cost of $5. This place disappointed us every way possible. If the food was free I would honestly pass on this place after this experience. So disappointing to waste one of my evenings at this establishment. Youve been warned.
Very bad place. they make their margaritas in an unsustainable way. plus the worst thing is I saw the security guy once assault a guy for no reason. seems like a very uptight place with people that only care about money. no having a good time here. STAY AWAY FROM THIS PLACE
The food was okay the service could of been alot better. They asked for my phone, address, was a traveling alone, do I live in a house or apartment. I had to go through all of that just to sit inside.
This place has been here for at least 30 years...it was (probably still is) a real singles scene back then, but thats mostly over on the north side - it occupies the whole ground floor of the building and fronts on two streets, with the singles scene mainly being on the north side. On the south side, theres a nice patio which is great in warm weather. They have great Mexican food (not quite haute, but well above neighborhood Mexican joint status) but the real attraction are the very strong margaritas. We go here often for these.
It wasnt crowded. THE CALAMARI WAS AWSOME!!! MARGARITAS WAS ON POINT!!!
Huge place to be seated, outside as well. Big mirrors inside, many tables. Good clean looking place
El Rio Grande offers two different atmospheres (north/Texas/more casual & south/Mexico/more fancy) joined together by a kitchen and set of bathrooms. Theyve got a pretty good menu, nice outdoor space, and the strongest margaritas in this neck of the woods!Sure, youll shell out $10 for a solo cup filled with pre-mixed margarita, but 1-2 is all youll need here. If youre drinking around the bar, be sure to ask for some free chips and salsa if you want something to soak up those potent drinks!
Not sure Ive ever even eaten here, but they have great happy hour margaritas and the patio is usually brimming with young professionals looking to let loose. Oh, their margaritas are strong, so two should be more than youll need!
I agree with many of the reviews: great margaritas and great steak nachos.We got strawberry margaritas which were both delicious and strong. We also got tableside guac, which is always fun. One was medium spicy (not spicy at all in case some of you can handle mild spice) and the other was very spicy (actually spicy).The steak nachos were delicious. They are generous with the cheese and guac, and there is a lot of meat. I was so full for hours afterward. I got mine cooked medium and would recommend medium rare since it was still a little tough to bite.
Always good.Great frozen margaritas. Service always friendly and attentive. Food is top shelf. Happy, busy atmosphere. Must go.
I have been a loyal customer coming here for years recently I just had a bad experience with my visit. Upon leaving the Resturant me and a friend was approach by seating manager about our tip not being adequate enough. It has been observed by their waitress that we tip below the 10% percent suggested on a regular basis - not NO atop but below the 10% . We spend a minimum of 40$ each every visit and that is a little disrespectful to ask me about my tip amount and observing the amount I tip every time I come. Waitress need to be paid by the company not the people coming to the Resturant for services. Do better!You don’t like how much your job is paying you-get a new job !
Bouncer was extremely aggressive with several customers around us. He pushed one of the patrons and spilled several people’s drinks. The manager refused to replace the spilled drinks. Extremely rude service all around. Do not go here if you value your safety.
Wonderful Margaritas!! Food was great. Sitting outside on a beautiful night was exquisite!!
The food was not too good. We ordered calamari and they were plain. The cocktails were price and not good at all. Staff was friendly but food and drinks not.
Good food and great margaritas, ended up buying pitchers to share with a group of friends. Staff was friendly and service was good, they even put up with my poor attempt at ordering/speaking in Spanish.
Our food and service was excellent. The chips were freshly made and I highly suggest the steak quesadilla. The margaritas were also good and strong. Overall great experience!
Ill be the first to admit I go here for the margaritas. I do! There are something in the neighborhood of 16 flavors and even a flavor of the day to choose from. I get em frozen and they serve em up strong! I like the coconut one, which is like a margarita if it was considering becoming a daiquiri. So good. Drinks at the bar come served with an interesting salsa - sort of like guac meets salsa. If youre hungry, add or split a quesadilla and youll be set!
Excellent service and great meals at a reasonable price. One of the few places that is still functional that you can socialize safely during this pandemic.
Came for a nice lunch in July and again last evening on a date. They fit us in on a busy Friday without a reservation and we had great drinks, food and service. Will definitely be back
My wife loves queso, and this said it had it. And boy, was it a big thing of queso, and it was good queso. Margaritas were tasty, my wife enjoyed her enchilada and i ordered the hot chicken, which was highly approved of by the awesome waitress, and it was not standard Mexican fare but delicious, tender, buttermilk fried chicken with Mexican spices in the batter and a kicking hot sauce on the side
The food was not really good. If you q young person or college student and dont care about quality of food then or .just wants to hang out with friends then it ok
Say Bye-Bye when you order their Patron Margaritas!!! All you need is a couple! I love every item on their menu especially the Jalapeno Poppers and Nachos! This is a large place and you have your choice of Texas or Mexico and I personally like the Bull over my head. Service is a challenge when this place gets busy.
Great place for drinks. Okay place for food. I ordered a lychee margarita which was amazing. There are also a ton of other flavors to choose from. I ordered a seafood quesadilla which was average. All in all I would come again for the drinks.
Didn’t let me order drinks and an appetizer at a table. Very hostile environment from management.
I have been going here for 22 years. The outdoor seating has always been great and the Steak Nachos alone make it worth the trip.
Service was terrible. Food was delicious.
Good place for happy hour, decent food, convenient location, good vibes.
The drinks here are REALLY strong. Highly recommend the prickly pear frozen margarita. Didnt try the food, but the bar is packed and it takes a while to get the bartenders attention.
Now I know why this place is so highly rated. However, its not 5 stars for me. The tacos are good but the match stick of pineapple on the al pastor taco is laughable. I imagined something bigger like the tacos I had in Puerto Vallarta. Plus the cost for the size is a bit much. Dont let the line fool you. It moves at a decent pace. They dont take American Express.
Great margaritas, unbelievable stuffed jalapenos when they take an extra minute to cook them properly
It was OK. Being from Texas my expectations for Tex-Mex and authentic Mexican food are extremely high. I liked the food, it wasnt bad, but what I can get at home is much better.
Horrible food, a chicken enchilada had melted cheese on top, inside the flor tortilla was bone dry grilled chicken strips, no sauce, no flavor. Its just garbage. Rice and beans has no flavor. Even the guac needed salt but it wasnt anything to write home about. Dont waste your time or money!
I am from Houston so I know Tex Mex - the food was not very good. I had the cheese enchiladas which had a strange spice, my boyfriend had the fajitas and the tortillas were the worst I have ever tasted - especially for homemade. Margaritas less than average, service ok.However, the reason I will not ever return to this place is not for any of the above, but the pretentious bouncer who stands outside stamping hands for people just wanting to have dinner and try out a new place. We thought about leaving at that point, but decided to stick it out (what kind of restaurant needs a bouncer at 6:30??). When we left, we noticed it was pouring rain, so I decided to wait underneath the awning in front (not in any way of the door or in anyones way for that matter) while my boyfriend stood in the rain trying to hail a cab. The next thing I know, the bouncer is yelling at me that I cant stand there. There is no one around but me and him and I was minding my own business yet was forced to stand in the rain. What kind of a man makes a woman stand in the rain? If I was drunk and acting in an inappropriate manner I could understand not allowing me to stand there, but I was just standing there for less than 30 seconds and there was no where else to go without getting drenched. We called and reported the incident to the manager, however just getting the manager on the phone was another chore - once we spoke to the manager, she offered a drink if I choose to come back but was not very apologetic otherwise.I would highly discourage this place - you will find us at Dos Caminios or Rosa Mexicano where the drinks and food are much, much better. Plus they dont need an idiot outside patrolling that crazy 6:30 dinner scene.
The margaritas are made with everclear. BEWARE, but they are so good. Its super crowded on Thursdays at happy hour. If you sit at a table you cant get the happy hour marg prices.
Food is so so. Drinks are OK, but it took 3 tries to get a 7&7.
The margaritas, which are available in over 20 flavors and can be served frozen or hand shaken, apear colorful and girly but are actually dangerously potent. The steak nachos come with well-arranged chunks of grilled steak, guacamole, japalenos and cheese over individual nachos. Great happy hour venue for groups!
This place is amazing, just attended a dinner there and the restaurant donated everything wait staff, cocktails, appetizers, entrées, ect...what thats unheard of especially on a Saturday night so bravo and thank for helping a great cause. Foods delicious and margaritas a must
I spent most of the first 50 years of my life in Texas, so it’s hard to find great Tex-Mex up north.... El Rio Grande surpasses every other place I know up north, and is as good as any back south. Come on down y’all!
From florida where Mexican food is king. Great enchiladas! Great service! Very reasonable prices for lunch. Dont miss it if you want some Tex-Mex!
Quesadillas and margaritas are from heaven, but Im giving this place 4 stars, because the service there is often not very good. The hostess always looks annoyed.
So many flavors! Tacos are not tacos, neither American tacos nor Mexican tacos. No lettuce, no cilantro, no lime, nothing. Just steak wrapped in tortilla. Very dry. Make your own? Then what is it? Burrito? Fajita? Used to be better.
Great Tequila selection, but thats about it. Most of the food seems like a Texan described Tex Mex food to a New Yorker, and then--without taking the time to investigate recipes or spices--they tried to replicate it. It all looks very much like Tex Mex food, but none of the flavors are right. The Queso is simply Cilantro con Queso. Its also thick and lumpy, not smooth. The Chile con Carne tasted like tomato sauce, and the rice was particularly, ridiculously bad: bone dry, hard and utterly, completely flavorless. If you want food that looks Tex Mex but clearly was designed by someone whos never had real Tex Mex, come here. Otherwise, just keep yearning for real Tex Mex, because this place is not going to satisfy your cravings.
I like this place. The drinks could be stronger but theres lot of outside space. Had a great time at this location before making my way to Salvation Taco for more drinks!
I don’t know if they’re still open but when I went at 12:30pm, their doors were locked with the chairs on the tables. I was really looking forward to their sopapillas.
Had the margarita and fajitas. Both were tasty. Me and my wife had a lovely dinner time with my 18 months old son.
Texmex, yeah, so good. Dont fret if its busy, it is worth the wait. The staff was helpful and kind. This place has a nice feel to it.
Have been coming here since 1993 and they have the best and strongest margaritas. You have to get the steak nachos. Delicious!!! Love love love that place!!!
The pork belly bun is amazing!!!! Waited for over 30mins but its okay the appitazer was amazing. HahaBut I ordered special todays? ramen which has too many meat, too oily to me. Spicy ramen was okay.Enjoyed the slash drinking too.Def visit again for the bun!
I would love to leave a more detailed review, but I left my memory, decency and sobriety in one of their margaritas. Great nachos, strong drinks, buyer beware.
Such good food. Definitely check this place out if youre a celiac. Gluten-free wasnt a problem and the staff were able to answer all of my questions without hesitation.
One of my favorite places to visit when Im visiting Manhattan from Chicago. Bartender Jimmy is great and a lot of fun. Highly recommend El Rio Grande.
Hey frat boys! Join your brothers at Midtowns favorite spot for douchebagery. Im not saying El Rio Grandes bad; you just need to know what youre signing up for before walking in. The plates are unremarkable and overly priced for the portions, but the bartenders make up for this with intensely strong margaritas. Come spring and summer, enjoy either of the two patios. Unfortunately, you cant sit without ordering food, which is a good excuse to try the table-side guacamole and get blitzed before coming home.
Fantastic place. Good food. Great margaritas. And super friendly wait staff. I highly recommend it.
I really enjoyed this place. The margaritas were so refreshing and tasty, cheese dip and chiles rellenos were tasty, and the atmosphere during late lunch was relaxed.
A place to meet and eat excellent unique Texas and Mexican food. Swordfish is phenomenal. Excellent bar. Party friendly. Pick up friendly
The best Mexican food that Ive had since being in New York. They have great specials and drinks (which are strong, btw). Definitely cant wait to have dinner there again.
Margaritas are super strong be careful! Chips are also super tasty. Also go before it gets cold nice outdoor area!
Nice place to have dinner, but I feel like this place roofies their drinks. Crowded during the spring and summer during after work hours. A place where all the Brads and Chads of the world come to meet.
My go-to place for margaritas, the staff is really nice and the ambiance is very fun, food is great, and I specially love Brutus (thats the name I call the giant winged buffalo hanging on the ceiling, hes a great instagram model)
The food is SO FRESH it sizzles when they place it in front of you. The margaritas are TOP NOTCH and I will 100% be back + bring friends.♥️♥️♥️
Love this place ! I used to eat here 35 years ago. I was surprised to see that it was still here after all this time... But proves that good food, good drinks and excellent service will withstand the test of time.
The margaritas are strong and tasty. And the food is pretty good compared to other mexican choices in NYC. Anything with steak, especially the steak nachos, are great.
Super margaritas ❣️
Food was good, drinks as well..Waitress was informative patient and helpful. Host/Greeter, needs to get with the program and not have an attitude for no reason. ]
Great atmosphere, the steak nachos are the bomb! Nice selection of fine tequila. Chef Fermin Ramírez is the best of the best.
Went here after work for a drink, the crowd is for the most part younger 21-25, with a seating area where you can eat. Beware the Margaritas are sneaky strong
Great food and the #1 margarita on my list (considering strength, two and Im GOOD) to wash it down. Great waiting staff and bartenders that are prompt and polite.
Average run of the mill bar in Murray Hill with the same type of crowd you would expect. However the atmosphere is pretty decent with a large patio perfect for large groups
Awesome margaritas and really good food order the steak nachos dad best thing on the menu really great bartenders a fun place to go to after work and have some drinks with friends can get a bit crowded in the summer time near the end of the week but overall a really great place.
The food here is really good. The thing that really grabbed my attention was the large portions they serve you. I only had two advertisers and I could not finish my food.
Exceptional food and Margaritas. Try the steak nachos, queso de pollo and swordfish fajitas. I have been going here for over 20 years. Its always good!
Good drinks and nice patio. Watch out for the margaritas, they are sneaky strong. The food is a bit overpriced for what it is, but was ok overall.
I don’t recommend this place unless you enjoy being poorly considered by a disrespectful staff. The drinks could be good if they stop using the cheapest alcohol on the market
Great food get here early they get busy...and the place is always a party
Skinny margs are great, I dont like sweet ones, and the steak burrito with refried beans was so good! The guac is good too!
If youre looking for great food and drinks this is not the place, BUT if you want a good happy hour deal and food and drinks that are perfectly acceptable for an inebriated lunch/afternoon/evening then come to El Rio Grande. If youre form Texas this place is a lot like Baby As. They have a margarita that will start flooring you after a few.
Good margaritas and guacamole. I had the fish tacos and they were okay. Not the best Ive ever had but still decent.
You cant get drinks outside (you have to have a sit down meal) and the staff is so rude. The inside bar is tiny so its not even worth trying to go here for drinks.
Expensive but the service was good and the Mezcal Margaritas were deadly and delicious.
A Murray Hill institution (been there since the 80s) with knockout maragaritas, made-at-tableside guacamole, and cheesy--in both senses of the word--eats. Trying to innovate, but the classic enchiladas et al. are the way to go. Bright digs and buzzy bar scene.
Awesome steak nachos
Hello!!!!! Well this is one of the best places in new York very good job on keeping this place clean, and the food OMG!!!! Very,very, good food i love this place cuz they focus on quality and quantity Im from Virginia and every time were travel to NY this is my place i recommend this restaurant to any buddy!!!!👍👍
Total reviews rating 4.2
199 Reviews for El Rio Grande 2023:
Review №1
2021-10-28Great spot with a group! We had appetizers and drinks. A lot of margaritas and a lot of spiked hot chocolate. The spiked hot chocolate is fantastic, highly recommend! There is plenty of space for a big group and the terrace is nice and on a quiet street.
Review №2
2022-01-07It is perfect here! The staff is excellent. The food is delicious! The menu is small but excellent variety. I had the hot chicken w/fries and it was perfect for someone who loves spicy food. The fries were incredible with the perfect pairing of sauce. We were a group of 4 and everything was delicious. Its a must go in NY!
Review №3
2022-06-19Lovely sounds of midtown Manhattan while you dine outside. Food is always great and margaritas are always super strong!
Review №4
2022-04-16Nice spot with chill vibes and plenty of space. A little hidden - almost missed it. Drinks are great.
Review №5
2021-10-28My coworker took me here since the beginning of this year. Why haven’t I checked this place out? Initially came here for the margarita but the tacos blew my mind. Shrimp, steak, and Al Pastor are so delicious. This is our to-go spot after work. The staff is amazing fyi.
Review №6
2022-03-07I have been to this restaurant on multiple occasions.They have an outdoor seating area patio, and also an indoor diner. The burritos are massive, and the margaritas are strong and tasty (be careful because they hit hard).I definitely plan to come back here!
Review №7
2022-06-24Guacamole to gain weight for.Nice selection, awesome staff, good drinks, quite the after work scene. Good for family, dates, friends night out, tourist casual meal.Try this place and enjoy indoors or outdoors in a secluded patio that is a Manhattan gem.
Review №8
2022-04-25We saw our waiter a total of 3 times. I ordered the chimichanga and the steak was well done when I asked for it medium. the rice had no flavor. the sour cream and guacamole had more flavor than both the rice and chimichanga. my fiance got a quesadilla and he said it tasted like an unripe pasta noodle. they never refilled our glasses of water. they never came to check on us or if the food was okay. we had to flag down another server just to get the check. we still tipped over 15% because its not his fault. honestly very disappointing.
Review №9
2017-12-13Love the nachos and tacos they serve here! The guacamole is also fresh, with some organic corn chips you will love :). I usually order Taquitos and nachos, with a lot of cheese.Try the signature drinks. They have a lot of variety and we can do the virgin as well for those who don’t drink alcohol.The place is not big big but comfy enough for lunches and dinner. Love the hanging bison over the bar :)
Review №10
2022-06-11Still amazing as ever although the restaurant is regulated to one side so you cant walk through the kitchen like a scene out of Casino but the food and margs are delicious.