Al Chile — Restaurant in New York

Well, butter my biscuit and call it breakfast, let me tell y'all 'bout the day I done stumbled upon a little slice of heaven right here on earth. It all started on a day hotter than a billy goat in a pepper patch. I was meandering home, my mind a jumble of this and that, when I saw it—a shiny new sign gleamin' like a new penny, proclaiming "¡Al Chile!"

Now, let me set the scene: I wasn't particularly hankerin' for anything, but the name tickled my fancy something fierce. "¡Al Chile!"—it sang a siren song to my soul. So, I moseyed on over, curiosity piqued and stomach a-rumblin' like thunder on the horizon.

Steppin' inside, I was greeted by a blast of air cooler than the other side of the pillow and smells sweeter than honeysuckle in June. The place was decked out simple but inviting, like a Sunday picnic with your favorite cousins.

I bellied up to the counter, my eyes bigger than my stomach, and ordered myself a cemita. Now, for those of y'all not in the know, a cemita is like if a sandwich went on a soul-searching journey and came back knowing its purpose in life. And let me tell ya, it was clear ¡Al Chile! had found their calling.

As I waited, I got to ponderin' 'bout my day—how it started with coffee weaker than a grandma's handshake and a to-do list longer than a preacher's sermon on a hot Sunday. But standin' there, all those troubles seemed as far away as the moon in daytime.

Then came the moment of truth. The cemita arrived, lookin' prouder than a hen that just laid an egg. First bite, and I swear on my grandma's cast iron skillet, it was a revelation. The milanesa was crisper than autumn leaves underfoot, the avocado creamier than Sunday morning grits, and that chipotle—hotter than a June bride in a feather bed.

I took my time, savoring each bite like the last sip of iced tea on a scorchin' day. And when I was done, I was fuller than a tick on a hound dog.

As I waddled out of ¡Al Chile!, a tear welled up in my eye. Was it the spice, or was it the joy of discoverin' something new and wonderful? Hard to say, but what I do know is that ¡Al Chile! turned a day as dull as dishwater into something as exciting as a frog in a glass of milk.

So, if you find yourself wanderin' and wonderin' what to do, swing by ¡Al Chile! It might just be the adventure your taste buds been hollerin' for. And as for me, I reckon I'll be back faster than a jackrabbit on a...

Pros: *Ordered the chicken burrito, pretty solid. Proportions of meat, cheese, rice were good. Medium size burrito.

Cons: *Customers who arrived after me were asked if they wanted a table and seated immediately but they did bother to check if I wanted a table. Server walked by me multiple times until I had to prompt her for a table. When I asked her why she didn't check if I wanted a table as well since she did for the other party, she seemingly tried to downplay it and didn't really offer a reason. *They were out of quesadillas, have never had that happened at a restaurant. I have had places run out of certain type of meat but not all quesadillas.

Overall: Solid burrito with good options on menu but wouldn't visit again do to unfortunate service issues, it's important that all customers are...

This hidden gem may be small and cozy, but the food is the closest thing I’ve found in NYC to true California-style Mexican diner food. The sopes were absolutely incredible—hands down the best I’ve had in the city. Just the right size and texture, with authentic, flavorful toppings.

Everything tasted fresh and felt like it was made with genuine care and love. The prices are incredibly reasonable, and the service is warm and friendly—exactly what you hope for in a neighborhood spot.

Honestly, anyone giving this place less than 4 or 5 stars is probably just a miserable person who wouldn’t be happy anywhere. This place deserves all the love! Next time I go I might ask for a...