Cantina Latina

Oh my love for mexican....maybe they put crack in their corn tortillas, but whatever it is...it's addictive.


Cantina Latina had both its hits and misses, the tacos sounded interesting, but it really just tasted liked globs of goo. These Al Pastor (pork in adobe sauce and grilled pineapple) and Chicken Mole (with some crazy chocolate spice with raisins) tacos tastes exactly like how they look: a pile of messed up spices skewered together. Might I add, they were TINY. Don't let the pictures fool you, each taco were bite size and for $12 for 3 mini mushy tacos, you're much better off ordering a torta or plato.

The grilled corn, on the other hand, was the best shit on the table. So good, we ordered 2. But maybe because that shit was tiny too ($4 bucks a pop). Covered in mexican cheese and chili powder, you can even taste the lime.

Latina Salad ($7) - very refreshing dish with avocado, corn, queso, and tortilla strips. For the price and portion, this was probably the best bang for the buck
Cubano ($9) - perfectly balanced with pulled pork, ham, and cheese. Supposedly had some puree of raisins and olives, but the saltiness totally overwhelmed the spread cuz I didn't taste no raisin nothin. Damn, how I heart pulled pork!

FYI - did you know mexis have their OWN mayonnaise?? it's like regular mayo with lime added, effin geniuses man! and in a squirt bottle. but you can really only find these in mexi markets, well worth the trip.


DIY - grilled corn mexi style is super easy and oh so delicious. Grill corn, squirt a crap load of mexi mayo, sprinkle with cotija cheese (NO OTHER CHEESE BUT COTIJA, this cheese is perfect for crumbling and stays in place yet melts to a perfectly ooey soft consistency, and dash on some paprika or chili powder and you're good to go.


And of course, we got dessert. This was one tasty chocolate mousse, holds up all the way through and not cloyingly sweet.

Ambiance: cool vibe, not too dark, string of festive lights and good service. All in all, I would go back if I'm in the hood craving corn or a cubano, but definitely not anything else.

Cantina Latina
Neighborhood: Gramercy
243 E 14th St x 2nd Ave