El Huasteco Authentic Mexican Restaurant

- 347 Empire Blvd, Brooklyn, NY 11225

For New Yorkers craving genuine, hearty Latin American cuisine, El Huasteco Authentic Mexican Restaurant stands as a prominent destination in the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn. Located on Empire Boulevard, this spot offers much more than your average taqueria; it provides a deep dive into the diverse and rich culinary traditions of Mexico, with notable influences from neighboring Central American cooking, such as Honduran and Guatemalan specialties.

The restaurant prides itself on serving authentic Mexican staples, ranging from street-food favorites like Tacos al Pastor and Pupusas to comforting, substantial platters like Fajitas and Mole dishes. El Huasteco has positioned itself as a comprehensive dining option, open for all three meals—breakfast, lunch, and dinner—making it a reliable, all-day choice for locals, students from nearby Medgar Evers College, and visitors seeking a casual yet cozy dining experience. With a comprehensive menu that even includes extensive vegan options and catering for families, El Huasteco aims to be a welcoming and versatile spot in the bustling New York food scene.

The atmosphere is described as Casual and Cozy, making it an excellent setting for a relaxed meal or a quick bite. It is also noted for its fast service and is a popular choice for solo dining.

Strategically located near a major thoroughfare, El Huasteco is easily accessible for both foot traffic and drivers in the Brooklyn area.

The full address for the restaurant is:

347 Empire Blvd, Brooklyn, NY 11225, USA

Situated on Empire Boulevard, just a short distance from Medgar Evers College, CUNY, the restaurant benefits from being in a high-traffic area. For accessibility, El Huasteco features a wheelchair accessible entrance, ensuring that all members of the community can visit and enjoy their meal comfortably. For payment convenience, the restaurant accepts various methods, including Credit cards, Debit cards, and NFC mobile payments.

El Huasteco offers a wide range of services designed to meet the dynamic needs of New York customers, from quick meals to large group events.

• Dining Options: Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch, Dinner, Counter service, and Seating are available.
• Order Fulfillment: Customers have multiple convenient options including Dine-in, Takeout, Delivery, and Curbside pickup.
• Group Services: Catering services and the ability to Accept reservations are available for larger gatherings or planned visits.
• Beverage Program: A full range of drinks is offered, including Coffee, Hot Tea, Hot Mexican Chocolate, Iced Coffee, Shakes, and Alcohol, Beer, Cocktails, and Wine.
• Family Amenities: The restaurant is Good for kids and provides High chairs for young diners, alongside a dedicated Kids' menu.

The restaurant's strengths lie in its expansive menu, authentic regional specialties, and convenience factors.

• Extensive Menu Diversity: El Huasteco's menu goes beyond typical Mexican fare, incorporating dishes from different regions of Mexico and Central America, such as Pupusas and Baleadas (Honduran specialties), Mofongos (a Caribbean/Latin staple), and Chapin Breakfast (Guatemalan style).
• All-Day Dining: The restaurant is a popular choice for all meal times, including a comprehensive array of traditional Mexican Breakfast dishes like Chilaquiles, Huevos Rancheros, and the unique Huasteco Omelette (with chorizo, potatoes, and jalapeño).
• Vegan and Vegetarian Options: A dedicated section for plant-based diners includes options like the Vegan Breakfast, Vegan Burrito, Vegan Burger, and Vegan Enchiladas, as well as delicious, unique taco fillings like Flor De Calabaza, Huitlacoche, and Hongos.
• Birria Specialties: The popular Birria trend is represented with a variety of offerings, including Tacos De Birria, Quesabirria, Torta Birria, and Burrito Birria.
• Signature Beverages and Desserts: Notable customer favorites include the frozen Piña Coladas (mentioned as “genuinely great” in a review), Mangonada, and classic Mexican desserts like Tres Leches and Flan.
• Atmosphere and Convenience: The venue offers a Casual and Cozy environment with Fast service, suitable for a range of occasions and dining speeds.

For ordering, reservations, or general inquiries about El Huasteco Authentic Mexican Restaurant, please use the following contact details:

Address: 347 Empire Blvd, Brooklyn, NY 11225, USA

Phone Number: (631) 529-1881 (Mobile: +1 631-529-1881)

When considering El Huasteco, New Yorkers have a wealth of choices that set it apart from many local Mexican spots, although it's essential to factor in all feedback. The menu is undeniably vast and appealing, covering a spectrum of Mexican and Latin American culinary traditions.

The Best Bets:

The Frozen Drinks: Multiple pieces of public feedback suggest the frozen Piña Coladas are a standout item and genuinely excellent, making this a perfect spot for a refreshing cocktail or a drink to pair with dinner.

Central American Specialties: For the adventurous palate, the restaurant's offerings from Honduras and Guatemala, like the cheesy, savory Pupusas and the hearty Baleadas, are unique finds in a New York Mexican restaurant and offer a glimpse into broader regional cuisine.

The Extensive Breakfast Menu: With nine different full Mexican breakfast plates, plus a variety of breakfast sandwiches and omelettes, El Huasteco is a destination for morning food lovers. Favorites like Huevos Rancheros and the signature Huasteco Omelette provide a flavorful, substantial start to the day. The inclusion of the full Vegan Breakfast also makes it a friendly option for plant-based diners early in the day.

Points to Consider:

While many online reviews praise the delicious food, friendly staff, and overall taste, citing it as "consistently great" and "better than the majority of Mexican food" in the city, some recent customer experiences point to issues that New Yorkers value highly: consistency and quality control. Some negative reviews highlighted disappointment with certain signature items, specifically mentioning the Torta Milanesa being "skimpy" and "low-quality" and the Birria Tacos lacking proper seasoning and being soggy. Another patron detailed frustrating service issues related to missing ingredients and a refusal to accommodate a simple request after a restaurant error.

Therefore, patrons should approach ordering with some selectivity. While the menu depth and the highly-rated, unique items like the frozen cocktails and Central American offerings are clear reasons to choose El Huasteco, for items like the Torta Milanesa or Birria Tacos, expectations should be managed. Given its popularity for dine-in, focusing on the atmosphere and signature in-house dining options, and perhaps avoiding complex takeout items, may lead to the most positive experience. The offer of complimentary chips with an outstanding refried bean dip when you dine in is a reported benefit of eating on-site.

El Huasteco Authentic Mexican Restaurant

347 Empire Blvd, Brooklyn, NY 11225, USA