Mary Ann’s

Walked by on Thursday at 4 pm. Restaurant is closed. Googled it and looks like it has been closed on several occasions for health violations. Looks like it may be gone. I had no idea. I ate here on several occasions over the years. Wasn’t bad but wasn’t good. It has a casual ambiance. Ugh.

Mary Ann’s is a Chelsea institution, which I would have to say has probably seen better days. I have been here a few times in the past for reasonably priced Mexican. We popped in on an early Sunday afternoon for a quick drink and light bite before a play.
The décor has not changed much over the years and everything being well worn, but maintained fairly decent. It did have a slight grungy feel to the place.
We were seated right away with a choice of tables. The waiter brought chips and salsa out immediately — with friendly, efficient service that continued throughout. We ordered what looked like a great deal for a «pint» of Sangria and Margarita (on the rocks, no salt). After having the drinks I am not so sure — was the alcohol an extra charge? After drinking a pint you should haven’t to concentrate to determine if you are feeling a buzz. The sangria was a little too fruit juicy and the margarita tasted like a generic liquor store, florescent hued mix.
I have to say our choice with the Rustic Quesadilla was a good one though. A whole wheat tortilla with plenty of mushroom, goat cheese, roasted corn, scallion and melted jack cheese. It was a tasty mix with the goat cheese bringing much of the flavor to party. The black beans and rice were fairly generic, but decent.
It’s hard to tell what is going on here. Have they been in business so long they are just coasting along? Have New Yorkers’ tastes changed with so many other authentic Mexican places throughout the city? I don’t really know. This place does have a bit of a nostalgia factor for me, so I may be back when I am looking for an old standby, but probably not a place I would give as a recommendation.

In my opinion, this place was terrible. the only good part about this place is the free tortillas and salsa they provide. The rest was horrible. I ordered a spicy shrimp and crabmeat quesedilla and it was not good. First, it wasn’t spicy. Second, the crab was terrible (note that it wasn’t fresh with a bad aftertaste with extra shells and stuff). Third, there was like only 4 pieces of baby shrimp… BTW, if you come here, expect a 20% tip that is already added to the bill so u can’t avoid pay it. I had a terrible stomach ache after this… Never coming back here ever again or I would avoid this dish…

Maryanne’s Restaurant was one of CHELSEA’s GEMS of that Community. Although I live in Harlem, my first home and love is and always will be CHELSEA in Downtown Manhattan. I grew up in Chelsea on 26^th street and 7^th Ave. It was the late 70’s. I was around 10 or 11 when moving to Chelsea from Santo Domingo, The Dominican Republic. Not knowing a word of English nor understanding the American Culture; I accustomed myself to only eating at Spanish Restaurants (because that’s all I knew) with my parents.
MaryAnne’s Mexican Restaurant was my uncle’s favorite spot. The drinks were good and stiff (of course, as I got older, attending by myself or friends), the food SPECTACULAR, and they had a MARIACHI BAND (which I never experienced until I went to Mexico years later). The music was Mexican and Texan ranch style as well as tropical-​it was HEAVEN! Every time you Dined here, it was an EXPERIENCE.
They had ART on their walls which was rich in cultural history and anthropology of that country and some from Central America. I tell you, there was NOTHING LIKE IT in all of Chelsea!
Other competing restaurants such as ARRIBA ARRIBA! CALIENTE CAB, EL CAYOTE, and countless others failed in comparison (in those days). Don’t get me wrong, these restau –rants (in which I’ve also eaten and the food was just as good if not AT EQUALS to MaryAnne’s), also rated TOP in Chelsea as well.
But what many people FAILED to realize is the MaryAnne’s cuisines were NEVER OVER 10.00 DOLLARS! (including seafood!). you couldn’t BEAT THAT (in those days)!
The problem now? MaryAnne’s Restaurant broke a CARDINAL RULE among the restaurant franchise business; that of CONTINUITY and CONSISTENCY.
The «shift» occurred in 2002 when the CONSISTENCY of their cuisine CHANGED to a more BLAND TASTE (to «appeal» to the Caucasian Palate (as the neighborhood was going through a «series» of ethnic «changes» which, no doubt, affect their cuisines-​and PRICES).
Today, MaryAnne’s Mexican Restaurant is a «remnant» what it use to be…

Uhg the «116» is just disgusting. A barf of melted stuff on a plate, and not even good stuff.
The stuffed chile tasted bland, old and boiled, just gross.
The chips are nice though but hey, its just chips.
We went there because all the other places around where full, now I know why.

Me: What’s for lunch?
My Boss: I don’t know.
Me: Let’s go to La Taza de Oro! (The Golden Cup; a Puerto Rican Diner)
My Boss: It’s too far to walk.
Me: It’s #AdminDay & I want porkchops!
My Co-​Worker (Attorney): I’m an Admin too and I want a burger!
My Boss (to the Attorney): You get nothing! I’m treating Sally to Spanish food.
Me: YAY!
Unfortunately, La Taza de Oro was shut down because the building has been deemed unsafe due to a defective façade.
So we went to Mary Ann’s, which is a Mexican restaurant a few blocks up. Nice relaxed themed décor, and our waiter was very nice; checked up on us with a smile. My boss had a chicken quesadilla and I had the beef burrito; both dishes came with rice but mine came with beans. The taste wasn’t the best, but it wasn’t bad either.
So, although the original plan was a flop, and my boss thanked me for almost getting him killed by dragging him to a condemned building, Mary Ann’s was pretty good and cheap — cheaper for me cause my meal was free! Thanks, Boss! LOL!

Place is terrible. Not sure how it’s stayed in business after all these years. With so many better Mexican or Tex-​Mex options in the neighborhood and city, while bother with this place and waste your money. I mean, Pace picante sauce out of a jar is better than the salsa they serve you here, and at least Pace is from El Paso. Crazy that I’d be saying how Pace is better than another salsa.

Service wasn’t very good– the waitstaff was nice enough– but I had to flag them down to get anything.
The food is ok, the margaritas all kinda taste the same.
And then there was this guy in a black shirt and glasses who showed us to our table… Not sure if he was a host? Or a busboy? But he told me to stand up so he could move tables back together– this while I’m sitting have just finished dinner and was sipping on my drink I had just ordered– I stood up and he smashed the table into my purse without me having a chance to move it and my friend trying to get it out of the way–
Very rude.
I live a block away, and this was an unfortunate reminder of why I don’t go here much.
Don’t waste your time or money– there are so many other, better Mexican places within a few blocks of this place.
I won’t make the mistake of going here again.

Nice cozy place! Loved their lunch special which is $ 8.95 plus you get to chose an appetizer! (can’t beat that deal) I ordered the enchiladas (chicken/​beef) hands down one of the best enchiladas I have had in NYC. The mole sauce and cheese on top was crazy good. The rice and beans on the side was great as well.
I will definitely go back again for lunch and even for dinner!

A cozy little place, at a price point that is getting hard to find in the area. My enchilada, the «16^th Street» was good, and accompanying hard shell pulled chicken taco a nice surprise, full of flavor as with a nice texture.
My wife ordered the small taco sampler; I tried the chorizo taco, which was a bit dry and worse than some truck tacos I’ve had before.
$ 6 Margaritas were a good companion to the meal, that was below $ 15 per person.
I recommend this place and will definitely come back for a lazy dinner!

I have been to this place multiple times due to the appeal to my friends and family. I do not like this place at all. It is loud, dark, and the food is not great. Whenever I go there I just stick to the chips. They are very stingy about giving you more chips and I do not recommend.

The food was terrible — even the chips, which were stale. The salsa tasted worse than store-​bought. The nachos seemed like stale chips with canned tomato sauce poured over them.
The staff walked about with frowns on their faces and I had to ask three times to get my drink.
The ventilation is poor. I couldn’t understand how they could let their restaurant fill visibly with smoke. My friend said, «That’s so sad, that woman at the bar is crying.» I said, «It’s the smoke — my eyes are watering too.» Our clothes stank after the meal, I even had to wash my hair.
It was one of those meals where you get home and feel like inducing vomit.

One of the best in NYC. I love this place. I agree with the contributor who wrote: «consistently awesome.» Not only do we dine for dinner, but often we use seamless web and will order for lunch, like we did today.
Yum. Really really good Mexican food (and my wife is from Amarillo, Texas– so she KNOWS good Mexican food) :)

We ordered natchos and taco/​salad. The nachos were totally greasy. GROSS
My order was so greasy and heavy that i thought It was eating heart attack food. There is a way to serve mexican that is clean and healthy. Mary Ann’s, evidently, doesn’t know about that yet. Truck Stop Food
NEVER AGAIN.

First thing you are greeted and seen to a table, brought water, chips and some kind of sweet-(very)semi/unnoticable-spicy salsa and asked to order. We were here with one thing on our minds: margaritas.
We ordered the pitcher of watermelon margaritas at the behoove of my guest (also, they were paying so they had a little more pull). Upon arrival of said pitcher, the waitress poured the first round for us, and we took a sip. Immediately taken aback by how horrid it was, I thought I must have been mistaken. Going back for the second drink, it was still just as horrible. And the second glass, and the third, and the fourth. No amount of intoxication seemed to wipe this syrupy-​swill taste from our mouths. Sure, we drank it; because no need in wasting a 45 $ pitcher of alcohol — no matter how cheap it is.
What really got me is that it was blatantly sugary syrup, artificial watermelon flavoring and well tequila. for 45 $, I would have expected better.
One star for the salsa (not the mediocre stuff on the table, but the music playing on the speakers.)

Friday night hang out with friends was enjoyable with much laughter and a pleasure to meet new people. Muppet Shots are available here as they are my favorite shots! I wish the staff were to place palm over the glasses and slam it on the table (to stir for authentic Mexican). Frozen Margarita drinks (non-​flavors) are great! I like the salsa dip with nachos. Food is rather salty and very filling, heavy to ingest. Yes, homemade and well prepared. Portions are sufficient per serving. I ended up sharing another dinner platter as I was not entirely hungry. Price is reasonable.
Deafening loud for a mid-​size restaurant and tables are crammed tightly next to each other as my chair was hitting the table adjacent to ours. The background music was not overall loud but the noise volume from patrons was indeed boisterously loud. It makes it difficult for late arrivals (like me this particular occasion, thanks to my workplace) to usher into one’s seat backed into a corner. Tables appear uneven with the mosaic decorative tiles etched in as they are not leveled that my drink and plate was wobbling. With the high noise volume it is very difficult to flag the wait staff to place drink/​food orders. Staff is attentive to serve our needs. Regardless it is the people who you are with– NOT what you do or where you go as you enjoy each others’ illustrious countenance.
Note: Cash only, no form of plastic is accepted here.

Great happy hour specials (all day during my visit!) — strong, well-​sized margaritas for $ 6! I’ll take 3 thanks. Chill vibe and clean despite the divey décor. Will be back for sure with thirsty friends.

Mediocre Mexican food and service. Small portions all of which are overpriced. Drinks aren’t that great and the seating is funny. Salsa is subpar but free. Not going back.
Once thought this place was good but it’s not good at all. It’s extremely mediocre and overpriced.

Shitty food! Shitty service !!
Now I know why I never eat here!
Won’t be back again soon!
Gets even worse, they thought we left
And cancelled order.’, I won’t ever come back!

Came here for dinner with a friend. Would say this place was average for a Mexican joint.
I ordered the mango pork quesadilla. Food was portioned well and was served with unlimited chips and great salsa (truly great salsa), which was awesome. The food was also pretty good, but it was ridiculously salty! I had to keep on having my water refilled many times to ensure that I was able to swallow the food. To the restaurant’s defense though, my friend did not encounter the same issue, so this might have just been a special experience for me.
Food is a bit overpriced in my opinion, but then again it’s in Chelsea, so slightly understandable. Ambiance is really not that awesome. The place is dimly lit, pretty noisy, and oddly spaced.