Disclaimer: I was invited as a guest to this establishment for a complimentary meal. All opinions expressed in this post are my own.

I was recently invited for a press dinner at El Maguey y La Tuna, a family run Mexican restaurant on the Lower East Side.

Dressed in simple yet homey surroundings, El Maguey y La Tuna is exactly the kind of place at which I would have hoped to find the BEST Mole Poblano I have tasted in New York City!

There is a reason why this dish is so good here. It is hand made from scratch over several days by Mama Cortez who doesn’t even use as much as a blender to aid her art.

Preserving family recipes is what makes El Maguey y La Tuna a rather unique spot. Every dish on their menu has a reason for being there. The origins could be from a grandmother, aunt or uncle or a favorite post-hangover remedy (that’s where the Chilaquiles come in).

The daughter Maria, who usually handles the front end of the restaurant, is equally adept at cooking and managing the kitchen when she is needed to do so. Here, everything is a family affair.

El Maguey y La Tuna offers a wonderful selection of food from rural Mexico in a place that tastes and feels like home. They have a full-service sit-down bar with specialty cocktails such as Jalapeno Margaritas, Dessert wines and Mexican Beers. They also offer Brunch on weekends for $11.95 which includes a cocktail! 

With food so good, people so authentic and a price point so reasonable, I don’t see why El Maguey y La Tuna will not be on my multiple return list!

 

Here is some of what we ate:

 

Margarita with Jalapeño

 

 

Ponche

 

Taquitos Al Guacamole

 

 

Chiles Rellenos

 

 

Tacos de Pescado

 

 

Mole Poblano

 

 

Maria’s Mole Rojo

 

 

Pinto Beans and Rice

 

 

Chilaquiles

 

 

Black Beans and Rice

 

 

Homemade Mexican Chocolate Cake

 

 

Banana Pinata