In the middle of buzzing Orchard Street., just above Delancey, sits a new homey restaurant and lounge, Mi Casa Es Su Casa.

A Mexican spot on Stanton Street serving all the standards (tacos, burritos, enchiladas) — plus lethal margaritas. Don’t expect speedy or attentive service, but if you don’t mind waiting, it’s a good time.
117 Stanton, at Essex
(212) 387-9115
Hours Daily 11am-11pm
Menu
Delivery
Latin street food and fancy cocktails from the owners of Rayuela.
157 E. Houston St., near Allen St.
212-473-9900
Open Mon-Thu, 11am-midnight; Fri, 11am-4am; Sat, 11am-4am; Sun, 11am-midnight.
Traditional Mexican with fresh lime margaritas.
205 Allen St., nr. Houston St.
212-777-3200
Sun-Thu, noon-11pm; Fri-Sat, noon-midnight.
Web site
A little bit of Oaxaca comes to the Lower East Side. The three-story restaurant, bar and cultural center features, as you probably guessed, delicious tequila drinks, a tapas menu and a recently introduced full dinner menu. Are you man/woman enough to try the fried grasshoppers with cheese?
86 Orchard Street, at Broome
212-777-2600
Hours Tues- Thur 12-2am Fri-Sat 12–4am Sunday 12-1am
Facebook Page
The authentic Spanish tapas bar offers simple dishes, regional wines and a relaxed atmosphere. Large windows open up onto Clinton Street in warmer months.
29 Clinton Street, at Stanton
212-979-0002
Hours Mon-Thu, 6pm-1am; Fri, 1pm-4am; Sat, 11am-4am; Sun, 11am-1am
Web site
Rayuela means “hopscotch” in Spanish, which tells you pretty much everything you need to know about the food here. It’s a creative Latin menu, drawing from many different countries. Among the best entrees: fried-plantain “mofongo” balls stuffed with pork, paella with fresh lobster and scallops, an Ecuadoran seafood stew called surena, and the Afro-Brazilian specialty fufu (mashed plantains or yams) with with spicy shrimp and chorizo.
165 Allen, near Stanton
212-253-8840
Hours Mon-Thu, 5:30pm-11pm; Fri-Sat, 5:30pm-midnight; Sun, 5pm-10pm
Web site
 Photo by Cynthia Lamb.
Cusine: Mexican
Address: 120 Essex St., Essex Street Market/map
Phone: 646-820-8226
Hours: Daily 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Menu/web site
Reservations: no
Delivery: no
Jesse Kramer, a French Culinary School grad, and Erica Molina first impressed taco aficionados on the Lower East Side at the Hester Street Fair. Their creations, featuring super-fresh ingredients, are now offered up from a stall at the back of the Essex Street Market. The guaco taco, with avocado, sweet corn and crema, is a crowd pleaser. The cola braised pork is a winner, too. There are only three stools, so lunchtime at Brooklyn Taco is a tight squeeze. But Jesse is a great guy who aims to please and who keeps the line moving. Extra bonus: the place serves Blue Bottle coffee.
Mentions on The Lo-Down
JP’s Food Adventures: Heritage Meats, Brooklyn Taco Come to Essex Street Market
A gussied up taqueria and tequila bar (150 varieties) from the Spitzer’s Corner team. The exapnsive lower level has a clubby feel. Private rooms are available.
109 Ludlow, near Delancey
212-228-8383
Hours 5pm-4am
Web site

Cusine: Mexican
Address: 108 Stanton St. (Ludlow)/map
Phone: 212-254-4188
Hours: Sun-Thu, 10am-2am; Fri-Sat, 10am-4am
Menu
Reservations: Yes
Delivery: No
El Sombrero, referred to a lot of locals as “The Hat,” is one of he last “old school” spots within the Lower East Side’s gentrified nightlife district. Opened by Jose Suriel, a Dominican, in 1984, the Mexican restaurant is now operated by Palmerio Fabian and Josephina Diaz, Suriel’s niece and nephew. El Sombrero is beloved by LES residents, as well as young revelers, for its cheap frozen margaritas and extremely hot salsa. You’ll find all the basics here: burritos, enchiladas, tostadas, chimichangas. Nothing fancy, but after all these years the Hat is an endangered species, and you should visit this LES institution while you still can.

Cusine: Mexican
Address: 253 Broome St. (near Orchard)/map
Phone: 212-228-6710
Hours: Mon-Fri 11:30 a.m.-1 a.m.; weekends 10 a.m.-1 a.m.
Menu/web site
Reservations: yes
Delivery: no
More than a decade after arriving on the “below Delancey” restaurant scene, Barrio Chino is still one of the most popular spots for good, inexpensive food and interesting drinks. Taking its cues from the neighborhood’s Latino and Chinese cultures, the decor is eclectic. Most everything on the menu is good; we especially like the tortilla soup, soft tacos and enchiladas verdes. The margaritas, made with Barrio Chino’s signature infused tequilas, are top notch and never too sweet. The staff is friendly and laid back, but the place is tiny, so if you’re not prepared for a wait, weekday lunch might be your best option.
Dominican take-out place alongside the Williamsburg Bridge, offering some interesting dishes (like codfish and eggs for breakfast). The downside: they close early.
212 Delancey, near Ridge
(212) 598-4752
Hours Monday-Saturday 6am-6pm
Menu
Delivery, Cash only
A New Mexican spot on a restaurant-poor stretch of Grand Street — with a full bar, happy hour specials and lunch service.
384 Grand Street, at Suffolk
(646) 692-9259
Hours: Daily: 12pm-4am (Kitchen closes at 11:30pm) Brunch Daily: 12pm-4pm
Web site
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