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I'm really shocked at the positive reviews for this place. I know it's a great party and festive place for drinks, but i didn't go there for those reasons. I wanted to get a decent meal. My beans looked colorless and my chimichanga looked like they had been frozen for months and simply defrosted, not having any crispness to the tortilla or the proper color. El Cantinero is in my hood so I wish it could be a place that I could frequent. Most of the patrons look like they don't "live in the city" - maybe they just don't know what good food is.

I can not ever give this place a bad review, i have been dining and drinking at El Cantinero for over 18 years and it's the best place in town. the waiters are excellent and the drinks are cheap in price but strong. I love everything about this place, tried many different mexican rest and they can not top this one. El Cantinero is the best

Vibrant little restaurant. Seated immediately. Food came quickly was simple and good. Fajitas were seriously sizzling and easily enough for 2! Veg burritos was an interesting surprising medley of celery carrots mushroom etc - tasty. Upstairs bar with dance floor looked enticing. Would eat here again.

Perhaps the worst value for Mexican food in Manhattan, El Cantinero is a total waste of time. Everything is bad. Inadequate amount of utensils, inadequate packaging, bland food, no drinks delivered, no receipts and the highest prices around. Dunno what kind of tourists must go there.

I can't believe how many positive reviews this place has received. I know it's a festive place, and the service is quite good. I wish i could say the same for the food. The nachos they served were stale and both my friend's and my food tasted like they were frozen and re-heated. The restaurant clientele consists of students and "bridge and tunnel". Maybe they consider this good food in the city...

Wow, there are just no words. You are lured in by this Monday night All-you-can-eat deal without knowing that this restaurant is so sub-par, 1 star is even too high for it. First of all, what's up with the All-you-can-eat part only being allowed downstairs while there is Happy Hour upstairs. If it's going to be a deal, they should be combining the deals. Then you look at the menu to be sketched out by the drinks having no prices! Who does that! Only scams. So I ordered the pitcher of sangria for $25 and it tasted awful. Watery disgusting sangria. The food menu looks well rounded and you order your first plate to be even more angered by the poor quality of this place. Then to get your money's worth you get your second place only to feel cheated, robbed, disgusted.

i cant bad mouth the staff or the atmosphere, but the food is absolutely the worst ive ever had.