Frozen Sangria-ita – $12

There are only two things to say about El Centro.

First, they don’t serve dessert! The travesty!

Second, apparently this restaurant is the most popular place in Hells Kitchen on a Friday night. Take note, the wait to get a table will be long. Not sure why, maybe there are free BJ’s in the back?

And here’s a bonus third item to note: People go crazy over margaritas. Or was it, Margaritas make people crazy? I think both are true.

Even the worst Mexican restaurant imaginable will stay open, year after year, simply because they’re schlepping margaritas. The most reliable way to a guaranteed hangover.

Humans will endure the nastiest meal for even the worst, bottom shelf Margarita.

That being said, I believe El Centro is so popular because their food is NOT gross (a rarity for Mexican fare in NYC) and they’re margs are NOT 95% Sweet and Sour mix. I could detect actual lime juice!

The lime juice didn’t limit itself to the margs, but helped make the guacamole really stand out. A small serving is only $4 bucks, jump on it!

We only shared a few appetizers, but they both were quite tasty. After all, who wants to soak up all that headache juice with a big ‘ole buzz-kill of a feast??

824 9th Ave
New York, NY 10019
b/t 54th St & 55th St
Theater District, Hell’s Kitchen, Midtown West
(646) 763-6585
elcentro-nyc.com

Margarita de la casa

Frozen Coconut Margarita

Guacamole – $4

Roasted Chicken & Monterey Jack Quesadilla – $12

Roasted Chicken Empanadas w/ Jack cheese and mole sauce – $7