El Rio Grande, Midtown East
El Rio Grande, Midtown East
We found El Rio Grande, a Tex-mex restaurant located Midtown East, while looking for Mexican food in that area. Their menu looking pretty good, we decided to give it a try. We went on the Friday before the 4th of July, the place not being that busy, probably because people were traveling. As we entered, we could not miss the over the top decor, with the oversized cowboy boot and the bison with wings that was hanging on top of the bar.
El Rio Grande, Midtown East
El Rio Grande, Midtown East
I started the meal with one of their many margaritas and chose a frozen pear margarita, pear being a flavor I love and do not see much on menus. Refreshing for sure on a hot day.
Pear Margarita at El Rio Grande, Midtown East
We then had guacamole, an appetizer we always order if on a menu. Their guac was really good, mild, with nice pieces of avocado in it (I hate guacamole made in a blender, with that soupy texture). And I was surprised by the quantity of it that was a lot.
Guacamole at El Rio Grande, Midtown East
Guacamole at El Rio Grande, Midtown East
I then got a chicken chimichanga that was topped with adobo sauce and cheese, and served with rice and refried beans. If you never had a chimichanga, think about a deep fried burrito (in fact, it is how it was invented but the origin is still disputed between El Charro in Tucson, Az where a burrito was dropped by accident in a deep fryer and Woody Johnson, founder of Macayo's Mexican Kitchen, who claimed it was an experiment). This was delicious: the tortilla was deliciously crispy without being greasy, and the filling was not dry at all, quite tasty.
Chicken Chimichanga at El Rio Grande, Midtown East
Chicken Chimichanga at El Rio Grande, Midtown East
On her side, Jodi got a spinach and mushroom quesadilla that was just ok for me, spinach not really being a favorite food of mine.
Spinach and mushroom quesadilla at El Rio Grande, Midtown East
Spinach and mushroom quesadilla at El Rio Grande, Midtown East
We finished the meal with churros that were served with a chocolate Bailey’s sauce. They were quite good, crunchy, but I was missing a bit of the texture in the middle, when the center is just cooked.
Churros at El Rio Grande, Midtown East
Overall, El Rio Grande was a surprising find. I thought the meal was pretty good and would not mind going back there to try other dishes.
Enjoy (I did)!
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El Rio Grande - 160 E 38th St, New York, NY 10016
