El Centro is the place to go for authentic Mexican cuisine without putting a hole in your wallet. Located on the corner of 54th and 9th in Hell’s Kitchen, it’s a super fun place to take a date, a friend, or even your kids. You’ll love the kitschy, brightly colored get-up and accommodating staff- and you’ll squeal with excitement when you realize the grilled vegetable taco with red rice & salsa roja is only 5 bucks! 

The food itself tastes extremely fresh. Unlike the usual senseless slathering of cheese and sauce in other Mexican establishments, El Centro carefully balances flavors and spices to achieve a taste all its own. Though prices range from $5-16, I found that the less expensive choices easily fill up a mildly hungry individual. I’ve dined here on a number of occasions and was particularly impressed by the Mexican corn on the cob ($3, covered in melted queso blanco, paprika and cilantro) and the aforementioned veggie taco. 

Not the usual pepper and onion parade, the vegetable filling ranged from sweet yellow squash to grilled zucchini. I especially appreciated the conservative cheese sprinkling- it allowed the vegetables to maintain their crispness and flavor without the palate becoming overwhelmed by a single component. Very, very tasty. If you’re in the area and thinking Mexican, El Centro is a solid option.