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MEXiCUE - Midtown
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
MEXiCUE - Midtown
7.6
Mexicue’s Midtown outpost turns its barbecue-meets-Mexican concept into a lively Broadway bar for tacos, bowls, and strong margaritas. It’s less about purist regional Mexican and more about fun, shareable plates and happy hour energy a short walk from Bryant Park.
Must-Try Dishes:
Burnt ends chili queso, Nashville hot chicken tacos, Brisket or carnitas bowls
Scores:
Value: 6.4
Service: 7.2
Consistency: 7.5
Food Quality: 7.8
Atmosphere: 8.6
Cultural Relevance: 7.9
What makes it special: Smoked meats, tacos, and cocktails blend barbecue and Mexican flavors in a buzzy Midtown bar.
Who should go: Groups craving tacos, cocktails, and a Bryant Park happy hour.
When to visit: Weekday happy hour or pre-theater dinners before the rush.
What to order: Burnt ends chili queso, Nashville hot chicken tacos, brisket or carnitas bowls.
Insider tip: Target bar seats during happy hour; the best drink-and-snack combos land there.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited in the Garment District; rely on nearby paid garages along W 38th–41st Streets.
Dress code: Casual to smart casual; most guests lean slightly dressy for happy hour and group outings.
Noise level: Loud during peak evenings with music and bar energy; conversation is manageable but not intimate.
Weekend wait: 30–45 minutes for small groups; larger parties should expect longer unless booked ahead.
Weekday lunch: Generally no wait, with easy seating at the bar or high-tops.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — tacos, bowls, and starters can be built vegetarian; sides and queso work well.
Vegan options: Limited — a few bowls and salads can be modified, but the menu leans heavily on smoked meats and dairy.
Gluten-free options: Several bowls and taco fillings are gluten-free, but tortillas vary; confirm with staff due to shared prep surfaces.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? It works for casual, high-energy dates where drinks and shared plates are the focus, but it’s not ideal for quiet conversation.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes for small groups during off-peak times; during happy hour or pre-theater, bar seats are your best walk-in option.
Is it kid-friendly? It’s better suited to adults; the bar-driven atmosphere and loud evenings make it less ideal for young children.
Best For
Better for: Stronger for cocktails, group energy, and barbecue-Mex fusion dishes than more traditional Mexican spots nearby.
Skip if: Skip if you want regional Mexican cooking, quiet dining, or extensive vegan options.
MEXiCUE - Midtown
8.3
Vibes:
Business Lunch Power Players
Group Dining Gatherings
Happy Hour Hotspots
Trendy Table Hotspots
A Midtown mash-up of Mexican and BBQ that’s built for group-friendly ordering: burritos, bowls, and shareables that lean smoky and saucy. The best burrito play is a BBQ-forward protein with a bright salsa or pickled kick to keep it from feeling heavy.
Must-Try Dishes:
BBQ Brisket Burrito, Mexican Street Corn, Burnt-Ends Chili Bowl
Scores:
Value: 7.4
Service: 8
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 7.2
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: BBQ-smoke meets Mexican format—burritos that eat like a full meal.
Who should go: Groups and office-lunch burrito people
When to visit: Weekday lunch or early evening
What to order: Brisket burrito, street corn, burnt-ends chili
Insider tip: Balance the smoky fillings with a brighter salsa or pickled side.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No on-site parking. Street parking is very limited in Times Square; nearby paid garages are the realistic option.
Dress code: Smart casual. Business-casual lunch attire fits right in; jeans are fine, but this isn’t a sloppy burrito stop.
Noise level: Moderate to loud. Lively dining room—fine for group conversation, less ideal for quiet one-on-one talks.
Weekend wait: 30–45 minutes without a reservation during peak Times Square hours.
Weekday lunch: Minimal wait early; short line possible during the noon office rush.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes – vegetable-forward burritos, bowls, and sides; easy to build a full meal without meat.
Vegan options: Limited – possible with vegetable bases, beans, rice, and salsas, but BBQ-forward menu means fewer default options.
Gluten-free options: Yes – bowls and plates can be ordered gluten-free; confirm sauces if sensitive.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a casual or daytime first date than a romantic one. The vibe is energetic and social, not intimate.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Usually yes, especially at lunch or early evening. Larger groups should still book ahead to avoid peak-time waits.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for older kids and teens—burritos, bowls, and corn are easy wins. Not geared toward very young kids or strollers.
Best For
Better for: Group-friendly burrito meals with bold, smoky flavors and a sit-down feel—stronger for business lunches and happy-hour crossover than traditional taquerias.
Skip if: You want classic, salsa-forward Mexican burritos or a quiet, late-night taqueria vibe—lighter, more traditional spots will suit better.
MEXiCUE - Midtown
8.2
Vibes:
Happy Hour Hotspots
Business Lunch Power Players
Group Dining Gatherings
Trendy Table Hotspots
A Mexican-BBQ mashup built for Midtown throughput: smoky proteins, saucy bowls, and tequila-forward drinks that work for both lunch and after-work. Happy hour is strongest when you treat it like a bar stop—one margarita, one shareable snack, then out before the room tightens up.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mexican street corn, Burnt ends chili bowl, Smoked brisket enchiladas
Scores:
Value: 7.9
Service: 7.6
Consistency: 8.3
Food Quality: 8.4
Atmosphere: 7.4
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: Mexican flavors through a BBQ lens—smoke, spice, and mezcal-ready drinks.
Who should go: Groups who want tacos, cocktails, and fast Midtown pacing.
When to visit: Weekdays 3–6pm for happy-hour deals.
What to order: Street corn, burnt ends chili bowl, margarita.
Insider tip: Order shareables first—then pick one main to avoid bloat.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No valet. Nearby paid garages on 39th–41st St; street parking is extremely limited and unreliable after 4pm.
Dress code: Smart casual. Jeans and sneakers are fine, but polished casual works best for after-work drinks.
Noise level: Moderate to loud during peak hours—fine for group conversation, tougher for quiet one-on-one talk.
Weekend wait: 30–45 min without a reservation, longer if arriving after 7pm.
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait outside the noon–1pm rush.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—street corn, veggie tacos, bowls, and sides make it workable.
Vegan options: Limited—can build a bowl with veggies, beans, and rice, but sauces may need checking.
Gluten-free options: Some options available (corn tortillas, bowls), but cross-contamination is possible.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for casual or early-stage dates than intimate ones—the vibe is energetic and efficient, not quiet or romantic.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, especially during happy hour or lunch. For evenings after 6pm, bar seating moves fastest.
Is it kid-friendly? Fine for older kids at lunch or early dinner, but the bar-forward happy-hour scene isn’t ideal for younger children.
Best For
Better for: Fast-moving happy hours, group-friendly ordering, and smoky, protein-driven Mexican flavors with solid margaritas.
Skip if: You want a quiet date spot, traditional regional Mexican cooking, or a linger-all-night dining experience.
MEXiCUE - Midtown
8.6
Vibes:
Happy Hour Hotspots
Group Dining Gatherings
Business Lunch Power Players
Trendy Table Hotspots
A Midtown Mexican-BBQ mashup that succeeds when you treat it like a bar stop: one round, a tight taco order, and a smoky shareable that soaks up the tequila lane. The room moves fast, the flavors lean bold (char, chile, brisket energy), and the best happy-hour play is tacos plus one “pit” item before the pre-theater crush.
Must-Try Dishes:
Brisket taco, Street corn (elote/esquites), Burnt ends chili bowl
Scores:
Value: 8
Service: 8.1
Consistency: 8.7
Food Quality: 9
Atmosphere: 7.3
Cultural Relevance: 8.1
What makes it special: Smoky BBQ proteins translated into tacos built for tequila pacing.
Who should go: After-work groups who want tacos plus one shareable.
When to visit: Weekdays 3–6pm before the theater crowd.
What to order: Brisket taco, street corn, one smoky bowl.
Insider tip: Order tacos first, then add one pit item—kitchen timing tightens later.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No valet. Street parking is very limited and unreliable; garages nearby but expensive, especially after 5pm. Subway or rideshare strongly recommended.
Dress code: Smart casual. Jeans and clean sneakers are fine; business-casual fits the room best.
Noise level: Moderate to loud during happy hour—conversation is possible but expect bar energy as it fills.
Weekend wait: 45–60 minutes without a reservation, longer near theater times.
Weekday lunch: Minimal wait most days; quick turnover.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes – vegetable tacos, street corn, and a few shareable sides work well.
Vegan options: Limited – possible with veggie tacos and modifications, but not a deep bench.
Gluten-free options: Some options available; corn tortillas and protein-forward plates work, but cross-contact is possible.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a casual or early-date vibe than an intimate one—lively, fast-moving, and drink-forward rather than quiet and romantic.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes during weekday happy hour if you arrive early; after 6pm or near theater times, expect a wait or bar-only seating.
Is it kid-friendly? Technically yes during lunch, but it’s best suited for adults—bar energy, alcohol focus, and limited kid-specific appeal.
Best For
Better for: Smoky, bold taco flavors with BBQ-style proteins and tequila-friendly pacing—stronger for groups and happy-hour throughput than traditional taquerias.
Skip if: You want slow dining, quiet conversation, or deeply traditional Mexican cooking—choose a calmer sit-down spot instead.