El Mirador

- 59 Church Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11218

Introduction / Overview

Located in the vibrant and diverse heart of Kensington, Brooklyn, El Mirador is a long-standing local favorite that brings the rich, authentic flavors of Mexican cuisine to the New York City dining landscape. Far beyond a simple taco joint, El Mirador presents a truly expansive menu, catering to every craving from classic street food to sophisticated seafood platters and hearty weekend specials. It has rightfully earned a reputation among local New Yorkers for its commitment to high-quality food at fair prices, making it a culinary gem in the neighborhood.

Patrons often laud El Mirador for its impressive culinary standards. As one satisfied reviewer states, "On food quality alone, El Mirador is the best restaurant in Kensington and dwarfs most of Brooklyn's Mexican restaurants." This high praise for the kitchen's work highlights the restaurant's dedication to genuine flavors and fresh preparation. The atmosphere is described as Casual and Cozy, offering a comfortable environment where individuals, families (Good for kids), and groups can enjoy a meal throughout the day. It is a popular destination for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner, and is particularly noted as a great option for Solo dining.

What truly sets El Mirador apart is the incredible breadth of its menu. It offers a culinary tour of Mexico, featuring regional specialties rarely found in standard Mexican eateries in the city. From an extensive selection of Sopas / Soups, including Mole De Olla and Pozole, to a dedicated Mariscos / Seafood section that includes Camarones A La Diabla and Ostiones / Oysters, the options are plentiful. The restaurant is celebrated for its commitment to providing an array of Mexican street food staples like Huaraches, Tlacoyos, and Sopes, alongside an extensive list of traditional tortas and tacos.

While the culinary excellence is consistently noted, the restaurant is upfront about managing certain aspects of its service. Customers appreciate the Fast service when dining in, yet some reviews caution that delivery and off-peak service can be unpredictable, noting that "the experience can and will be periodically ruined by their own disfunction." For locals, this means planning ahead, perhaps choosing takeout or dining in when time is of the essence, to ensure they can enjoy the phenomenal food without potential delays. This transparent understanding allows patrons to enjoy the consistently delicious food while acknowledging the realities of local business operations.

Location and Accessibility

El Mirador is conveniently situated at 59 Church Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11218, USA, placing it in a high-traffic, easily accessible area of the Kensington neighborhood. Church Avenue is a major thoroughfare, making the restaurant a recognizable landmark and an easy destination whether traveling on foot or by car. The establishment ensures it is welcoming to all patrons by providing a Wheelchair accessible entrance.

For those driving, it is important to note that the immediate vicinity of the restaurant relies on Paid street parking. New York City parking can be challenging, so local users should factor in time for finding a spot. However, the Church Avenue location is well-served by Brooklyn’s public transit network, offering a convenient alternative for customers traveling from other parts of the borough or New York City. The easy access contributes significantly to its popularity as an everyday dining spot for the surrounding community.

Services Offered

El Mirador provides a wide range of services designed to meet the diverse needs of its Brooklyn clientele, from quick meals to full dining experiences.

• Dine-in: Features comfortable Table service in a casual and cozy setting.
• Takeout: Orders can be picked up directly at the counter for customers on the go.
• Delivery: The restaurant offers delivery services, making its extensive menu available to the surrounding community.
• Meal Service: Caters to all three main meals of the day, offering specialized Breakfast menus, Lunch combinations, Dinner entrees, and Dessert options.
• Reservations: The establishment Accepts reservations, which is useful for groups or during peak dining times.
• Late-Night Options: Provides Late-night food selections for those looking for a savory meal outside of standard hours.

Features / Highlights

El Mirador’s distinguishing features reflect a commitment to authentic Mexican cuisine, value, and customer convenience.

• Authentic Street Food: Offers a robust selection of Mexican staples beyond tacos and burritos, including Tortas y Cemitas (especially the popular Torta Cubana), Huaraches, Tlacoyos, and Sopes.
• Extensive Seafood Menu: Features a substantial Mariscos / Seafood selection, which includes dishes like Camarones A La Diabla, various preparations of Mojarra (Porgie), Cóctel De Camarón, and fresh Ostiones / Oysters.
• All-Day Dining: Serves breakfast options such as Huevos Rancheros and Chilaquiles, in addition to lunch and dinner, making it a viable option for any meal.
• Popular Tacos: The Al Pastor taco is a notable favorite, praised for its excellent taste and flavor profile.
• Weekend Specials: Offers special items like Tamales and Barbacoa Por Libra on the Fines de Semana Antojitos Mexicanos / Weekends Mexican Cravings menu, appealing to those seeking traditional weekend fare.
• Beverage Selection: Serves Alcohol and Beer, alongside a variety of Jugos Naturales / Natural Juices and authentic Refresco Mexicanos / Mexican Sodas like Jarritos.
• Price Value: Customers consistently highlight that the Prices are great and fair given the exceptional food quality and large menu.

Contact Information

For orders, reservations, or general inquiries, you can reach El Mirador using the following details:

• Address: 59 Church Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11218, USA
• Phone: (718) 686-7101

What is Worth Choosing

For New Yorkers in search of truly authentic and high-quality Mexican cuisine in Brooklyn, El Mirador is an unparalleled choice. The core reason to choose this establishment is the remarkable quality and diversity of its food, which is often cited as superior to many other Mexican restaurants in the borough.

The menu selection is vast and represents the depth of Mexican gastronomy. Enthusiasts of regional specialties should look no further than the Tortas y Cemitas—especially the rich Torta Cubana—or the weekend-only Barbacoa Por Libra, which are testaments to authentic preparation. Taco aficionados, a demanding crowd in NYC, will find themselves drawn to the highly-rated Tacos Pastor, described as having the "best taste." The sheer volume of offerings ensures that even the most frequent patron will always find something new, from various soup options like Pozole to specialty platters like Mole Poblano.

Moreover, El Mirador distinguishes itself as a premier destination for Mariscos / Seafood. The extensive array of shrimp and porgie dishes, prepared in traditional styles like A La Diabla or Al Mojo De Ajo (in garlic sauce), is a compelling feature for New Yorkers seeking fresh, flavorful seafood with a Mexican twist. The full bar offerings, including Beer and Mexican sodas, perfectly complement the rich flavors of the food.

While acknowledging the occasional service unpredictability noted in some customer feedback, the consensus remains that the exceptional food quality at incredibly fair prices is well worth the potential wait or effort of visiting in person. For the local Brooklyn user, El Mirador offers a genuine taste of Mexico, serving up hearty portions of Comfort food and Quick bite staples in a welcoming, casual environment, cemented as a crucial culinary anchor in the Kensington community.

El Mirador

59 Church Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11218, USA