Toloache

Came here to meet friends for drinks and apps. No room at the bar, so I put my name down. Stood around for about 15 minutes and then a couple gets ready to leave, and the manager decides to seat another couple who just walked in.
Their argument — «it’s hard to get 3 seats together». I get it, but there was another empty seat at the end of the bar. The chairs aren’t fixed, so why can’t you just move them together? It was frustrating they jumped to seat another group immediately while I had already been waiting. We left and spent more than $ 100 at another Mexican restaurant 2 blocks away.

Awesome carne asada steak!!! Our server was a bit odd and hasty but the food was amazing! If you like spicy, try their Roja guacamole… deelish!!!

I have been to Toloache several times. Guacamole is nothing special. Tacos are ok, fully of mayo. Drinks are good, but pricey. The owner/​manager was a total a**hole every time, which was the cherry on top.
Bottom line: for great mexican food, look somewhere else.

I frequent Toloache 82 not only because I live nearby, but mainly because it is one of the few restaurants I have ever been to that is consistent. I have been pleasantly surprised by how delicious each of the menu offerings is and even more surprised when each time I return, everything is as good or better than I remember.
The service is terrific: very efficient, accommodating, and personal — they all take the effort to remember their customers and preferences. I’ve been dining at Toloache 82 for close to two years now and a lot of the same staff has been there over that time — I think that this is why the service and quality of food is so great, and also a testament to the restaurant and its management as well.
There are a number of traditional Mexican dishes on the menu and many with a creative, nouveau twist which results in surprising and delicious flavors. You can’t go wrong with anything, but some of my favorites are: Camarones Toloache (amazing blend of fresh flavors and delicious shrimp!), Bacalao Trufado (Cod that has been taken up several notches with miso, just the right amount of truffle, and the chef’s genius), Carne Asada (delicious and cooked perfectly), and the biggest surprise of all: Pollo Toloache. I rarely order chicken in a restaurant — it always seems so boring, but when it tastes like this, this is all I want to order! I never knew chicken could be so good! This chicken is cooked perfectly, is moist, and bursting with amazing flavors, served atop a fresh corn pico de gallo. Any chef who can make chicken a top choice on a menu is truly talented!
The margaritas are a must as well — they are all made with fresh juice and fruit!
I’ve brought a lot of different friends to Toloache 82 and they’ve turned into regular customers because they enjoyed it so much.

side street restaurant even when busy. Pleasant friendly attentive service and comfortable seating. The appetizers including guacamole and Cerviche were just right and the main courses either small portions of tacos or main plates were very satisfying. Dessert was satisfying and coffee really good. Value was reasonable. This restaurant is a winner

short rib soft tacos and fresh made guacamole were extraordinary… they also offer a 3 salsa combination. I never expected these flavors from a Mexican restaurant in NYC… excellent job!

My BFF and I opted to sit outside before it got super chilly like it is now and it was great! This place is much bigger inside than it looks on the outside and is really nicely decorated. We split two tacos and the short rib platter, which was ok only but the tacos were both delicious! We got the shrimp and one of the meats — I can’t remember now but I would definitely go back if I were in the area to try more tacos. :)

Unique mexican! First off the margaritas were great! We had passion fruit. The special appetizer tonight was delectable. Had cheese chives and whit truffle shavings. Also liked the paella quinoa veggie bowl. Was homey and warm, perfect for a cold evening. Also felt somewhat guilt free. The corn was good but salad and avocado fries not my fav. Service was a 10! I also appreciated that although we arrived early for our reservation they accommodated us and sat us early.

This review is for Saturday brunch. While I can not speak to most of the food on the menu, my friend and I were extremely disappointed with the breakfast burritos. After reading such great reviews, we had high expectations, but after paying $ 20 for a «burrito» that was little more than two pieces the size and width of a finger, we left hungry and annoyed. Not only was the portion unspeakably small, which is to be expected from fancy rip off joints such as this place, it was rather bland. The additional $ 3 – 4 for steak gets you little more than an ounce of. Furthermore the burrito was served with the worst concoction of fried potatoes I have ever seen, and were barely edible.
I can say for sure you should not come here for brunch If you expect to leave satisfied and full, especially for the price.

Just as good as its midtown counterpart with a less touristy feel. Always packed so reservations are a must — there was wait for a table at 10pm!
Mezcalitas and spicy margaritas are amazing. Apps are better than entrees so will stick to guacamole, chips and salsa (sucks that this is $ 4 but lovely spicy salsa), tacos (lobster, fish and short ribs) and quesadillas (shrimp) going forward

Came here with a friend for a birthday dinner. The service was awesome. Our waiter was super attentive and very helpful! The sangria was on point and all of their tapas were delicious. Definitely recommend coming here if you are in the area. They recommend reservations, but we still got a great seat on their patio without them. Try their trio of guacamole and chips!

I seriously enjoyed my meal. Plus, we were late for our already late night rezzies and they were still able to happily cater to us. Mojitos were great and they’re willing to customize any drink on the menu to suit your taste.
Started with traditional chips&guac, hamachi ceviche as an appetizer, langosta (lobster) tacos, bacaleo trufado (cod entrée) and ended the night with churros — all to share. We cleaned our plates! Everything was deliciously spot on!
Tip: backyard terrace seating usually closes earlier, recommended noting seating preference while making reservations :)

I went with a large group for my friend’s 30^th birthday. Despite the fact that some members of our party were 40 minutes late, the manager still sat us and gave us no attitude. We were so appreciative.
Frutas guacamole — I loved that this had pomegranate seeds. I really enjoyed it.
Suadero tacos — the waiter recommended these and they were delicious. The brisket was perfectly cooked and I loved the flavor profile.
Rice and beans side — skip it, nothing amazing.
Churros — delicious and we loved combining the chocolate and caramel sauces.
Mezcalita — these were amazing, and I loved that there were a lot of options for mezcal cocktails.
The restaurant is a bit expensive, but the food and drinks are great. I would definitely return.

Great vegetarian options, we live around the corner and come here about every 6 weeks or so. Food has always been very good and consistent. Great margheritas as well!
They don’t seem to ever update their menu for which I dock a star

My husband and I get take-​out from here usually around once a week, which is pretty dumb on our part (those rice and beans ain’t cheap), however, we have become slaves to Tolache. For two people take-​out can average around $ 60, but that’s fine, I don’t want children anyway.
While I opt for their delicious quesdilas and various side dishes, my husband always gets the carne asade which he swears by. We rarely eat there since it’s always crowded and has a wait (even week nights!) but their take-​out is just as delicious as their in-​house food. I love the décor in the restaurant, it has a very Moorish/​Spanish vibe and the backyard patio is nice despite no views but brick walls.

Have you ever had a waiter be super polite and friendly, and then you make a special order, and then they look at you like punched a puppy? That was my experience here. However, I kicked it as a waitress for a few years, so I feel their pain and tried not to take it personally.
I ordered the short ribs, special ordered with veggies since I’m not eating grains or dairy right now. The short ribs were amazingly decadent, perfectly cooked, soft and tender, slightly sweet and savory, everything you want short ribs to be and more. The aforementioned special-​ordered veggie was a braised kale in some kind of delicious vinegary goodness, almost like sauerkraut. It was a perfect accompaniment to the rich short ribs. Or in laymen’s terms, «amazeballs.» I heard the drinks were phenomenal, although I didn’t partake.
I would come back, and I would struggle between being an adventurous foodie and trying new things, or being like my Dad and pretending to read the menu when actually I’m just going to order those damn delicious short ribs this time and every time.

Very yummy! A group of us had dinner here for a friends birthday. The food was excellent and the drinks were even better! When we arrived I told the hostess that we were celebrating a birthday and without hesitation she said no problem. Just tell me who the birthday girl is and will take care of it. After a great meal out came a molten chocolate cake and the wait staff sang happy birthday. Food came out timely and hot. My only negative was they cleared our plates while we were still finishing our ceviche. Our experience was great and will go back.
Food recommendations:
–Frutas guacamole
–Atun
–Hamachi
–Carne Asada tacos
–Lechon Prensado (fiancé enjoyed it)
–Cactus fries
–Brussels sprouts
**Quesadillas are small def shareable for an appetizer but not an entrée.

Visited at about 5pm on a Saturday and sat at the bar. Empty at the time, but filled up by the time we left closer to 5:45. Ordered two of the margaritas, which were delicious and strong. The Blueberry Marg at the top of the list was strong, but not over-​powerfully blueberry flavored, while my house marg was spot on.
One awkward moment. We were debating getting some appetizers to share, and we thought we heard the bartender (who was very nice) say «I’ll get you some guacamole,» and we thought, «wow, that’s nice, guac on the house.» It was awesome, and served with fresh, warm tortilla chips. We must have misheard him, however, as were were charged for it (a bit pricey too, if you ask me). We ordered the Hamachi ceviche, which was great. Perfectly presented, and the fried avocado was a great touch.
Overall, a good (albeit pricey) quick trip to the bar. Just be sure you hear what the bartender says when he offers guac!

Came here for a family party. This place doesn’t disappoint. Amazing margaritas and some of the best fish tacos I have come across. I also love the avocado fries. The food and service was on point and I’m planning to go back again soon

Way more than a traditional Mexican restaurant, this place blends expected and upscale cuisine flawlessly (and deliciously) and tops it off with great service and cool ambiance.
Started with chips and guacamole, great guac and a luscious and earthy salsa that would have been good on a spoon. Moved to a sampling of ceviches — hamachi, tuna, tuna belly and fluke. All different and delightful.
Then, had entrees from the cod to salmon and a variety of tacos. All were thoughtful and delicious — even the kids’ mac & cheese and quesadillas were kid-​approved and devoured.
Definitely try the grasshopper tacos. Really nice tomatillo salsa to highlight the crunchy bugs. Only complaint was the fish tacos were somewhat bland, but would definitely go back for much of the menu and to explore the carne asada, pork and other treats we missed this time.