Fresco’s Grand Cantina — Restaurant in New York

This review is specifically for the catering service offered by Fresco’s Grand Cantina. I was looking for an Astoria restaurant with great food that could cater my wife’s birthday party. After doing a lot of research, I chose Fresco’s Grand Cantina — and it was a great decision. They did an amazing job.

First, the owner, Brian, insisted we should eat at the restaurant in-person (or at least get some of their food delivered) before we commit to hiring his team for catering. We did, and we had an amazing time at the 31st St. Grand Cantina location. That experience, plus Brian's friendly and helpful nature, made it an easy choice to hire him and his team.

He discussed the menu with me. Thanks to Fresco’s menu, it was easy for them to provide delicious options that were gluten-free. He was also willing to discuss modifications to their basic catering party package (which, as it happens, turned out to be mostly perfect for our needs). We set the menu, and I paid 50% upfront as a deposit once we had the contract drafted.

On the day of, Brian and his assistant showed up perfectly on-time, down to the minute. Their load-in of the food was quick and professional. It all had been made fresh and was delivered in insulated containers that kept it hot and safe in transit. Brian personally set up the first round of appetizers on the table we’d set up for food, and his assistant helped me load the entree items into our oven to stay warm until it was time to serve them.

Every pan's cover was clearly labeled with what it contained, so we had no trouble directing appetizers straight to the living room to be set up for service and entrees to the kitchen to be kept warm.

A note about the containers: they are aluminum pans, long and wide. Most are fairly shallow, but a few of them were deeper. They have a bigger footprint than you might expect. (See the photos.) To keep them warm, I’d recommend you invest in two or three roll-up silicone heating trays, rather than risk messing around with sterno cans (it's safer not to have open flames, and sterno can stink sometimes). Note that heating implements for the food are not a standard part of the catering package. Brian can add it if you want it, but it might be easier to buy your own.

The food: for the first round we had a big bowl of fresh-made gaucamole (which was fantastic), warm tortilla chips, a huge serving of flautas, a pan of esquites (Mexican street corn, which was a big hit with our guests), and a tray of Qui Mama, also known as avocado fries. If you haven't had those, you must. They are exquisite. Sides of warm nacho cheese and sour cream topped it all off beautifully.

For the entrees, we had grilled chicken, steak, and maduros, along with generous sides of cilantro rice, sauteed onions and peppers, black beans, and more warm corn tortillas than we could count. A selection of delicious sauces came with the entrees.

A good investment we made was 9"x6" leftover containers, which enabled us to send several of our guests home with leftovers at the end of the night (for which they were grateful, because the food was excellent — so sayeth two of my friends, one of whom is a former chef and the other a certified sommelier). Part of this over-abundance was thanks to the generous portions from Fresco’s, though we also had more late cancellations than expected. Still, I’d rather have too much of Fresco’s great steak and chicken and maduros than not enough.

I meant to get photos of the appetizers when we first opened them, but my guests devoured them so swiftly that I never got the chance.

Bottom line: Fresco’s Grand Cantina Catering offers fantastic food at great prices, with professional delivery and setup. That’s the whole ballgame right...

When your business model is drag and booze and you don't have singles or ice, I'd say you're off to a pretty bad start. On Saturday, April 26, my partner and I made a reservation for drag brunch. We were under the impression the show was supposed to start around 2PM. We walk in at 2 on the dot and it’s EMPTY, with the exception of perhaps one or two tables. The host tells us the show won't start until at least 3 or 3:30PM. And then he tells me “all we have available” (I had a reservation) is a high top or these seats that don't have a great view. I said all you have available? I have a reservation…I said ok, please show me the options. The high top is on top of the service area/kitchen. So no thanks. We sit at the other one. No one helped us or looked at us for 30 mins. I’m not exaggerating. The host walked by a couple of times and clearly ignored me when I tried to get his attention. Each of us went to the bar and the bartender was rude both times. We asked for singles. They had none. I got up, went to the bartender and said hey no one has been over to help us, can we get drinks? He was like uhhhhh, let me see and calls over the host. You're the bartender! The host said oh we haven’t had ice that’s been the problem. I said ok do you have it now? He said yeah and I said ok can we get some drinks? He said let me get your server. I’m looking at them like what planet am I on? I said - nicely I might add: Sorry, we’re gonna go. And that host said OK BYE in the most condescending and rude manner. I have never written a bad review in my life but this was absurd and people should know how you treat your guests. If ANYONE had communicated what was going on at ALL, we would have stayed. We will certainly never be back again. And that's a shame because we used to visit the other Fresca's for drag quite a bit and never had any...

My wife and I came in for dinner on a Friday night. We made reservations because it was recommended, and a good thing — the place was packed. On some Thursday and Friday nights, the restaurant has a DJ, viewing parties, and live shows, so it’s important to check their events calendar before you visit.

The service was superb. Fast, friendly, and precise. The food was amazing; we started with a special appetizer, the Qui Mama, which is a deep-fried avocado fried in panko breading; and a regular menu appetizer, the Tamal de Frida, which is polenta topped with slow-cooked pork, queso fresco, and sauces. The tamal was excellent; the qui mama was superb.

For an entree, we had tacos. The Sesame Ginger Chicken tacos were sweet like teriyaki, and the Dos Cochinitas (crispy pork belly) were delectable.

Paired with our meal were drinks — my wife had the La Secreta red sangria, which she loved. I ordered the El Rey (cognac, pineapple juice, lime juice, and amaretto). It was splendid.

For dessert my wife had the tres leches, which was great, and I had the lava cake with raspberry syrup, vanilla ice cream, and whipped cream. It was, in a word, sublime.

The atmosphere is fun, but it can get really loud on event nights, so remember to check the restaurant's online schedule when you plan your visit. But definitely plan a visit: this is fantastic food in a great environment, in a fun neighborhood, not to be missed!

Best accessed via the N/W subway line, whose 30th Avenue stop is just 50 feet away. Parking in the area can be tricky on weekends, so mass transit is the way to go unless you live...