Toloache — Restaurant in New York

A quick note before unpacking the experience. Toloache is commonly referred in Mexican culture as a plant that is given to someone that you want to fall in love with you. " Te dieron Toloache" (you were given Toloache) is used as an expression when you fell in love with someone. Madly.

That is exactly what happened to us about this place. We fell madly in love with the experience and the food.

First off, the welcoming experience. You just passed by one of the canonical American experiences: Times Square. Yet, when you enter Toloache, you feel immediately transported to a Mexican kitchen + patio. Yes, in the heart of NYC.

Greeters are super courteous ( which can happen in NYC!) and they will take you to their best table available.

Then, the food. As I have written before, I always try the basics for Mexican food : Rice, beans and tortillas. They have these extremely well done. So, let's keep going please...

The Suadero tacos sent me back to my childhood in Mexico City, eating suadero tacos financed from my week's allowance. Fantastic. They added sour cream, which is not the original way, but that made suadero probably more appealing to broader audiences. So, great overall.

The arroz con mariscos was absolutely great. Tasty, lots of flavor, plenty of seafood and light at the same time.

Tacos de Lechón with chicharrón were also very well prepared, with a nice balance of textures from the soft lechón and the crunchy chicharrón.

The Pollo Toloache had a superb Chipotle sauce. The pollo was very well prepared and deliciously marinated.

The star of the night was the Bacalao Trufao. What a delight. A very creative way to prepare Bacalao ( which is a common dish for Xmas in Mexico) but done masterfully with juicy slices of fish that were masterfully prepared. Corn (esquites) made a great contrast of texture.

Desserts were also very well done and creative: My flan had pop corn (never had that combination before) and it was simply one of the best fans I have had. Their tres leeches is also very aunthentic, similar to wat you get in Mexico City.

OH, and they have great cocktails (Mezcalita de Toronja was so good) too.

This is a place that innovates and blends traditional recipes from Mexico City with new and fun ingredients. The owner and Chef is a México City native who is really...

The Host 5/5 -She was very attentive and remembered my face even after a while dealing with other guests. We were seated promptly. She was very courteous.

Ambiance 5/5 - We did sit outside since the inside was to capacity, so unfortunately I can't really comment much on this but the inside did seem very inviting.

The Waitstaff 5/5 - Our waitress was very helpful and guided us through the menu with a lot of care and without rush. Gave awesome recommendations and took very good care of our table. Absolutely wonderful waitress

The Food 5/5 - Oh yes ! This is definitely authentic Mexican food with a slight twist. I tried the Guacamole, Carne Asada, with side of rice and beans. Churros, Espresso and the Passion Fruit Lemonade.

Everything we ate was to perfection. Guacamole was very good and fresh. The meat was tender and seasoned perfectly. The rice and beans also a great addition. The churros were also very tasty. The Passion fruit lemonade was to die for. The best non alcoholic drink I probably ever had in my life. I'll dream of it for years to come.

The Price 3/5 - Yes, it is New York. Yes, the food and drinks are amazing, but having said that, the carne asada for example was $37 and didn't come with any sides aside from some au gratin potatoes, it just wasn't much food for the price. While I didn't leave hungry, we did order quite a lot of food and had to spend a good amount of money to leave satiated.

Conclusion

You definitely want to check out this place if you're after some delicious Mexican Food. It just is a bit high on the price point, as long as you're aware and ok with that, you'll have a great experience....

Stepping into this restaurant feels like an invitation to a lively Mexican fiesta. From the moment you walk in, the aroma of fresh spices and sizzling dishes draws you in. The food here is truly fantastic, with the guacamole being a star player. It’s creamy, zesty, and made fresh – the kind of guac that makes you want to order an extra round of chips just to keep it coming.

The restaurant offers plenty of seating both upstairs and downstairs, so whether you're planning a cozy dinner for two or a gathering with friends, there’s space to accommodate. That said, it does get quite busy, especially on weekends, so making a reservation is highly recommended to avoid disappointment.

Now, let’s talk desserts – the churros with caramel sauce are simply divine. Warm, crispy, and dusted with just the right amount of cinnamon sugar, they’re the perfect way to end a meal. The caramel sauce is indulgently rich and adds an extra layer of sweetness that’s hard to resist.

If there’s one thing to note, it’s that the portions lean on the smaller side. For those with hearty appetites, you might find yourself tempted to order a bit more. The pricing is also on the higher end for Mexican cuisine, but the quality and authentic flavors justify the splurge.

All in all, this restaurant delivers a delightful dining experience with a vibrant atmosphere and unforgettable flavors. If you’re craving Mexican food that goes beyond the ordinary, this spot is definitely worth...