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The food is terrible and way overpriced. Even for a NYC restaurant, the service is the worst I have ever experienced. I went with two friends just to get chips and guac a few months ago. We walked in at 10pm or so on a Thursday night to a nearly empty restaurant (now I know why) and it took them 15 minutes to seat us. Then it took an addition 20 minutes to take our order and 20 more to serve it. You'd be better off going to Taco Bell where I'm sure the guy taking your order behind the counter has ten times the personality as the servers at this place.

I go here for two reasons: 1) Good, chunky, freshly-made-to-order, mortar & pestle guac done at your table side. 2) Margaritas with a kick. Besides that, it's a gaudy tourist trap making a craptastic attempt at Mexican food (I can't even bring myself to call is cuisine). But if you're in the area with good weather and no wait for an outside, patio sit down? Snag it, have the guac and a 'rita, and enjoy!

So normally you can go to any Mexican Restaurant and be guaranteed that the chips and salsa are free. At Caliente's you pay $2 for chips and dip. Thats like going to Red Lobster's and having to pay for the rolls. $14 for watered down alcohol beverages, and let's not forget that they consider sour creme a side, and charged me a $1. For chips and dip, and 2 ten dollar plates and 3 drinks $70.00. Rip Off!!! And the service sucked.

My girlfriend and I went for dinner at this restaurant not too long ago and we were not expecting to be so disappointed with the food, atmosphere and service. I read some of the reviews on Menupages before going, which included the warnings about it being a tourist trap, but decided to go there anyway. There was nothing that this place could have done right. The margaritas were bland and watered down because of the ice (we ordered large margaritas in the very tourist-friendly souvenir glasses). The fresh guacamole tasted like it was made from unripened avocados and did not have any salt. The tortilla chips were greasy, thin and some were overdone. The burrito tortilla was burned and the shrimp taco tasted like sea water. My girlfriend's dish was so terrible we don't even remember the name of it. We didn't eat more than a few bites of the main course and had them pack it up to go. On the way to the subway station we were hoping to give the food away to anyone who may be in need. On second thought, it would have been an insult to give that food to anyone. We will never eat there again and should have heeded the warnings about this being a tourist trap. The music was okay.

what's with all the haters? my girlfriends and I have been going here for years and it never fails to deliver! delicious and fun. Love it at Caliente!

So my girl and I are walking by when we see this monstrosity and think, "Hey, maybe this is good Mexican food.". We were so incredibly wrong. We shared the $20 tapas platter, recommended for 2-3 people, and found the portion to be pitiful, even for appetizers. The taste was lackluster and honestly seemed like it could have been from a frozen TV dinner. We also fell prey to the overpriced (and weak) frozen margaritas, which tasted more like Jamba Juice but triple the price. I finished both of our Margaritas just to try and get full, but to no avail. We could have had something practically fancy for our $60 instead of eating inside a "taco taxi". We paid our bill, crossed the street, and ate a much more satisfying meal at the Hummus Place for $12 immediately afterwards. Be sure not to stop at this place. Even though we live here, we felt like some tourists that had just been suckered. Oh, and I was sure to ask for the "souvenir" margarita glasses to take home. I was gonna try to get my damn money's worth. Unfortunately, now I'll be stuck with a bad taco taxi taste in my mouth every time I use the glasses.

This was my first time coming here and I've passed it so many times. Waited in line for an outside table for 2, about 15min. Was seated and so anxious to try their famous guac but...not worth it and WAY WAY over priced. Rosa Mexicana kills CCC's fresh guac. Our dinner came and to make room, our unfinished plate of nachos was taken away. We ordered a fajita and a burrito. It was good but the veggies could've stood to get grilled longer and soften up. We had to ask for water, napkins and an extra side dish to take things off the plate. I was glad i tried it b/c I was so curious about the line that's always waiting but, I've fulfilled and satisfied that curiosity. The food was overpriced and I've had much better quality and service for less, elsewhere.