Zocalo is on East 82nd Street, and you might easily miss it if you were just walking on 3rd or Lexington Avenues. What first caught my eye is that they leave a bowl of water and dog biscuits... More

Zocalo is on East 82nd Street, and you might easily miss it if you were just walking on 3rd or Lexington Avenues. What first caught my eye is that they leave a bowl of water and dog biscuits outside the restaurant every day. The second thing I noticed is that the neighborhood dogs who eat the biscuits all seemed trained to take only 1 or 2 and leave the rest for other dogs! The drink menu offers an extended variety of frozen and non-frozen margaritas (think mango, strawberry, etc.) which are excellent. On the appetizer menu is the usual guacamole, but there is also a tasting plate, offering 3 different kinds of guacamole. Dinner is expensive, but excellent - we had a sort of Mexican paella dish that we just couldn't get enough of. Waiters were excellent - great at recommending dishes, and seemed to have tasted everything on the menu to be able to speak from experience. Could have been more of a selection for dessert, but after a meal that good, you don't need it. If you go - check out the painting on the back-most wall - it looks like someone stopped in the middle and needs to come back to finish it. The waiters insist it's a finished project. (I had to ask.)
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I'd love to start an ongoing debate about this topic. For me, Zocalo wins hands down. This sleepy little Upper East SIde spot comes alive during the 2 for 1 margarita happy hour. Let me tell... More

I'd love to start an ongoing debate about this topic. For me, Zocalo wins hands down. This sleepy little Upper East SIde spot comes alive during the 2 for 1 margarita happy hour. Let me tell you two of these puppies can send you to a very happy place. Not only do they know how to mix drinks, they know how to mix avocados into the most mouth watering guacamole you'll taste. And their chips are fresh, crisp and oh so salty--YUM! While I usually busy myself with consuming my body weight in chips, salsa and gauc, I have also tried the apps. The quesadillas are good, but nothing to writer home about. Stick to the liquids and the green solids.
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they have recently raised their prices. I do adore their food, but the price jump was a big one and it's not warranted. I have a feeling it's because they see how popular they are and can get away... More

they have recently raised their prices. I do adore their food, but the price jump was a big one and it's not warranted. I have a feeling it's because they see how popular they are and can get away with it, or maybe it's their bar that they thinks brings them up a notch. I don't know if I will remain a customer here, I can get good Mexican at other places for less money.
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Great mexican / tex-mex. off 3rd Avenue so it avoids too much walk by crowd. Not your traditional microwaved slop but real food cooked to perfection. Great drinks, likely crowd. Great starters to... More

Great mexican / tex-mex. off 3rd Avenue so it avoids too much walk by crowd. Not your traditional microwaved slop but real food cooked to perfection. Great drinks, likely crowd. Great starters to share. High prices but worth it. Not too much trouble getting in so it's a great choice for a last minute meal.
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