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Mission Cantina

(Now Closed)

Mexican Restaurant$$$$

Lower East Side, New York

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Mission Cantina

The experts at Village Voice and Serious Eats recommend this place

195 Tips and reviews

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EaterDecember 5, 2013
A unique take on Mexican cuisine here, with a menu that includes ceviches, tacos, and large plates to share. Diners have praised the eggs with urchin, the wings, the scallop and beef heart ceviche.
Roberto BuaMarch 24, 2015
The most original Mexican I've ever been to. Great versions of classics and a varied menu. Never thought I would eat an amazing porchetta in a Mexican restaurant! One of my top 10 places in New York.
EaterAugust 27, 2014
During lunch, Mission Cantina serves New York’s best burritos, and at dinner, you’ll find an interesting mix of snacks, tacos, vegetable-based dishes, and larger proteins to share. Read more
Josephine SonAugust 1, 2015
Cute casual vibe and great service. Steak tartare is totally surprising but really great! But it's the Masa Fried Chicken that's the real hero here. I'm still dreaming about it!
jennifer hanMarch 12, 2015
i love their vietnamese breakfast. it comes with free snacks like shrimp chips and fried eggs with maggi sauce. ah, sweet ole' maggi sauce...condiment of my childhood.
Malcolm RingJuly 8, 2015
Taco menu changes often, but it always amazing. In fact, most of the menu changes often but the quality remains top notch. Margarita pitches for your group.
EaterJuly 1, 2014
During lunch, Mission Cantina serves NY's best burritos, and at dinner, you’ll find an interesting mix of snacks, tacos, vegetable-based dishes, & larger proteins to share. [Eater 38 Member] Read more
Tiger BeerSeptember 14, 2016
Treat yourself to a $3 Tiger Beer at Mission Cantina as you explore the LES' 100 GATES Project, an open-art exhibition comprised of 100 street murals painted by notable artists on exterior gates. Read more
Gal AmirMay 22, 2015
Great food, a bit pricy! The banana leaf chicken is so delicious, so is the potatoes and the manciego and squash.. The best thing though is definitely the guacamole!!
Debbie SJanuary 9, 2015
The Vietnamese breakfast was awesome. Went with a big group and we got one of everything. Highlights were a pulled pork congee, the egg baguette and the chicken pho. Early to get up, but worth it.
Rach BApril 26, 2014
Flatbread and wings are great for apps. Two tacos per order unless noted. Mushroom taco and need brisket are delish. Pork Peking style tacos to share is changing.
The Corcoran GroupJanuary 17, 2014
Cannot get enough of the amazing and unique tacos served here - our favorites being the lamb, carnitas, and pumpkin. Don't pass on the whole rotisserie chicken though!
Victoria NatenzonJune 2, 2014
Awesome for people who are into trying food that's a little more exotic (catfish & pineapple taco!) Luckily my picky-eating self was also able to find a delicious taco on the menu. No margs though :(
Leigh GersonJanuary 14, 2014
Do yourself a favor and eat one of each taco. You'll be fat, but you'll be very, very happy. Shrimp and bee tripe is one of the eat thugs now ever put in my mouth. I'm in love
Emilie FuttermanJanuary 11, 2015
A bit over priced but the food is delicious and interesting, especially if you're into "weird" foods (tongue, liver). Menu changes constantly. Fish tacos are killer, and the cocktails are delicious.
Sean SeibelNovember 17, 2013
A bit underwhelming, especially with so many great tacos places in the neighborhood. The only taco I recommend is the the chicken wing and braised octopus taco. Skip the wings. Service is excellent.
Ben K.December 6, 2013
The portions are surprisingly large! Start with the chiccarones with guacamole, then chicken liver tostada, al pastor and lamb tacos. The dry rubbed mole wings are also amazing.
DarynaDecember 31, 2014
The place is so fresh! Ultimate triangle mirror, non onion food options(rare for Mexican places), delish pomelo drink tastes that good you don't feel alcohol AT ALL. DOPE MIRROR AT THE BATHROOM!!!
Camilla CMarch 5, 2014
All the tacos were winners... Esp the tempura skate and the carnitas. Only thing I'd stay away from is the veggie section. Big props to an Asian (Korean) dude churning out awesome Mexican in NYC!
Danielle LandauJuly 15, 2014
Fantastic food! Mushroom taco with ricotta and cheese crisp, crispy fish taco, and pulled oaxaca cheese with peaches and basil app are all incredible!!!
AmateurConciergeMarch 4, 2015
No longer a Mexican influenced spot at dinner....now more like Bowiens delicious madhouse. Surprised to find a lot of Indian influence in the wings and the chickpea mole (DB's take on channa masala)
Sam CFebruary 9, 2014
Tried 6 different kinds of tacos (yes we were hungry)-loved the pastor and brisket tacos. Also good were the skate wing and pork cheek. Great waitress = Se Young
Honghui YuDecember 28, 2014
The lamb belly al pastor taco is amazingly good. Also be sure to get the guacamole - super chunky and topped with sesame seeds and pickled onions.
Lina BodestadMay 18, 2015
Authentic mexican food with a twist, everything was delicious and perfectly cooked. Don't miss the tuna ceviche or the octopus with smoked yoghurt.
Sonal UOctober 29, 2014
3 cheese tacos (they can make them veggie), pickled jalapeño taco, burrata sandwich, nachos - this is my new favorite Mexican restaurant in the city!
Claire J SongJune 1, 2015
Hamburguesa, $16 Danny Bowien’s lavish new double combines the produce-forward appeal of a West Coast burger and the too-much-is-never-enough spirit of a Mexican torta.
David RosenbergJanuary 17, 2015
Here for breakfast? Get the duck porridge with a Vietnamese coffee. Say what's up to the long haired moustachioed dude in the kitchen, he dreamed up what you're eating.
Gary TorielloSeptember 18, 2015
"Fuku Finger Crunchy Wrap"Fuku Fried Chicken Fingers, Russ & Daughters Chicorrones, Jalapeño Pickles, Smoked Habanero Honey, Buttermilk Dressing
Katherine KruegerSeptember 1, 2014
Lamb and chorizo burrito was gooey and cheesy and huge—the perfect hangover cure. But good luck getting the servers' attention for any reason at all, including the bill.
AmateurConciergeFebruary 26, 2014
Burritos are the best thing here but are take out only =[. Lamb, alambre and el pastor tacos are your best bet for dining in. Guac too obviously
Pierre van MedgeAugust 7, 2014
The chicken wings with mole spices are really good. I liked the lengua tacos too. I'm looking forward to the to-go-only burrito!
DrinkThisEatThatFebruary 23, 2014
Burrito's available on the take-out menu only. Tip: 1) call in burrito. 2) buy tall can via bodega. 3) pick up delicious burrito 4) enjoy in park
In NYCSeptember 7, 2015
Fish Taco, Pork Burrito, Michelada. The serve yourself concept is bizarre. Order when you walk in, pay, take a number. The chef then calls you the the kitchen pickup counter. Get your own salsa.
Emily KaneFebruary 23, 2016
Love not having to choose between Mexican and Chinese. The margarita pitchers are worth the investment.
Joyful BellyAugust 8, 2014
Not everything is great, but the Mole Wings for dinner are next level, and the burritos they serve for lunch are the best I've had in the city.
Tony XerriFebruary 19, 2014
I'm a huge lengua fan and I got to say this place doesn't dissappoint. Word to the wise though, bring money. Lots. Especially if you want to experience a variety of tacos they have to offer.
William HubaApril 6, 2015
Definitely the best burrito in the city by a wide margin, and dangerously close in style and quality to a proper San Francisco Mission burrito.
__TR3VMarch 22, 2014
This is good for a snack and drinks.. Fish tacos were good. Great music selection as well. If you want a meal go up the block to its big brother Mission Chinese
Bene LochAugust 7, 2014
tacos! tried pastrami, pickled jalapeño, and fish. a little on the smaller side but unique and spicy! also had a good michelada :)
AmateurConciergeNovember 30, 2013
Portion sizes are surprisingly large. Cocktails, tho limited to yuzu and the like, are all delicious. Better than Mission Chinese for sure.
Kourosh BehnamOctober 20, 2014
Food here is a fusion between Mexican and Asian. I had fish and vegetable mole tacos with a hop or die IPA. It was tasty. The restaurant was cold and the music was loud. They gave us free apps.
Andrew TonnerJuly 13, 2014
New menu and vibe they're pushing's a lot douchier than it was even a few months ago. Not a game changer, but you'll probably roll your eyes a time or two more with after the most recent changes
Amanda SNovember 18, 2013
Danny Bowien is in the kitchen (at least on day 3 of opening)! Lamb soup, uni scrambled eggs, and beef tongue tacos were all fantastic.
Demetri KaragasNovember 28, 2013
Carnitas taco and wings were great. Wings have a dry chipotle rub. Take next to us ordered the roast chicken to share, looked amazing.
Serious EatsJanuary 7, 2014
Danny Bowien's first foray into Mexican isn't as successful as his Chinese restaurants, but it's affordable and solid by New York standards.
Giovanni D'PalmaOctober 19, 2014
Try the wings and the pork jowls. The pork jowls are a decadent mix of spicy, smoky creamy flavor. It was delicious!
Village VoiceOctober 2, 2014
Burritos stuffed with guac and french fries? Yes, your 2am dreams can come true. Read more
Talisa ChangAugust 29, 2014
We had the scallop ceviche, lamb chorizo creamed masa, with uni and chicken wings. All were v tasty.
Nat HarwardNovember 13, 2013
"Best Carnitas taco I've tasted in ages, if not ever. Holy cow. They should put a family-style Carnitas feast on their menu, a Mexican Bo Ssam, if you would." Read more
Kika GFebruary 22, 2014
Tacos are great but don't miss the scallop and veal heart ceviche. Sounds crazy but it's worth it!

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Mission Cantina

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