New York City is not known for it's Mexican food. Although, lately, some new, good, and cool Mexican spots have been opening up (Cascabel, Los Feliz, Dos Toros, etc.), when people ask me where to get the best Mexican food, I usually tell them "California, Texas, or Mexico." Well another new and cool spot, Hecho En Dumbo, that has emigrated not from the West or South, but from Brooklyn, has opened up. Found on the new culinary hot spot that is The Bowery, this Mexican joint is great!
Cozy up to the hip bar up front, grab a table with a date or a friend, or do what I did and grab a seat at the open kitchen in the back, and watch the chefs create Mexican delights to tickle your taste buds.
I don't drink too much any more, but feel compelled to order margaritas at Mexican joints, and you should definitely order one or five at Hecho En Dumbo, they are fantastic! I started with their regular margarita ($11), 100% Agave Tequila Herradua Blanco, freshly-squeezed lime juice, Cointreau, and a dash of Cane Sugar, served on the rocks with a Salted Rim. Refreshing and perfect!
An appetizer of Picaditas de Jaiba ($7), a duo of stone ground Yellow Corn Masa medallions topped with shredded Dungeness Crabmeat, ripe Avocado, and a drizzle of Jalapeno Oil, was absolutely wonderful!
If you like pork, (and the NYC Foodie loves pork,) then definitely try the Carnitas Capechana ($16), chopped Berkshire pork cheek, ribs, porcelet skin and shoulder, served with house-made corn tortillas and a special tomatillo-avocado salsa. This was pork heaven. Tasty, crispy, piggy goodness! I think I "oinked" with joy after each bite!
For dessert, you can do what I did, and have another margarita. Try the Margarita Tamarindo ($12), Herradura Tequila Blanco, house-made Tamarind juice, and a dash of cane sugar, served on the rocks with a spicy Chile Piquin rim. You'll feel good, real good.
So, save your money on airfare, and head on down to the Bowery, have a few margaritas, and some fantastic Mexican grub at Hecho En Dumbo. Ole! Ole!
Hecho En Dumbo
354 Bowery (bet. Great Jones and E. 4th)
New York, NY 10012
212-937-4245
www.hechoendumbo.com