Big Enchilada
28 E 12th Street
(between 5th Ave & University Pl)
New York, NY 10003 (212) 627-7940
- Nearest Transit:
Union Square (4, 5, 6, L, N, Q, R, W)
14th St-6th Aves (F, V, L, 1, 2, 3)
14th Street (PATH)
- Price Range: $
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: No
- Good for Kids: Yes
- Takes Reservations: No
- Delivers: Yes
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: No
- Outdoor Seating: No
- Alcohol: None
25 Reviews for Big Enchilada
The food here tasted like nothing. I suppose it was okay in that there was a lot of it, and there wasn't a toe in it or anything, but that's all that saves this place from a 1.
Edit: "Flaccid Tortilla." hahaha.
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I always plan appointments in this neighborhood at lunchtime so I can stop here. This little place has the best little tacos in NYC for any price, in my view. Wholesome. Go out of your way to visit this little, unassuming marvel.
Don't want to read this full review? Here's the short story: Big Enchilada performed a bit of magic by piling every "Mexican" ingredient into a tasteless lump.
Let's start with the basics: I got a big enchilada from Big Enchilada. You'd kind of think their signature dish would be flavorful, bold, and clearly a banner item.
Here's why, specifically, that was not the case.
- The tortillas were thin and tasteless. A good enchilada has a medium-thickness tortilla that adds flavor to the dish.
- The frozen chicken cubes (yes, the ones you choose to not get in the frozen food section because they're disgusting) weren't even so much as spiced or flavored. They just tossed them into the soggy tortilla.
- Aren't enchiladas meant to have, I dunno, sauce on them? I think it's called enchilada sauce.
- More cheese than one should find on a large pizza. Look, I'm all for generous servings, but just tossing a block of melted cheese onto a flaccid tortilla, some heated beans, and some bland chicken cubes doesn't make a good meal.
- The rice and beans were straight from the bag/can, into the oil, and onto the plate. No interest whatsoever in making them taste like anything.
- I should mention the service was atrocious. The unfriendly lady somehow made me feel like a burden when I asked how much more food comes in the "big enchilada" versus the "enchilada." Gosh. How couldn't I have known?
The only reason this place didn't get 1 star is because it didn't do anything blatantly offensive. No rats. No spit in the food. No hair laced in the fork.
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I have only ordered delivery from this place - I have no idea what the service is like if you ate there.
As for their delivery? - Huge servings, delicious, millions of options for extras.
Their big burrito is enormous - and full of yummy filling, not just rice/beans.
They are also super fast - I'm below houston and they delivered within 15-20 minutes of me placing the order.
Can definitely recommend.
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NEVER COME HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!
I dont know why this place is even here. I would rather build a thrift store or a cozy coffee shop in place of this joint. We found this place which is not too far from Grey Dog's Coffee, which was packed. So we opted for this place thinking they would have something amazing. Man was I wrong.
THE SERVICE IS TERRIBLE!!!!!!!
As we ordered something, I asked the woman where the bottled water was and she pointed at it like I was some kind of dummy. She had no respect at all. The bottled water was hiding on the left side of the joint. While the other drinks where on the right. We were looking at the right fridge (which contained all of the rest of the drinks) and thought she had the water on her side of the joint. Then my ten bucks was finished. Just for a quesidilla and burrito and two drinks that were over priced probably cause they can afford to pay for rent. My little sister got some piece of sh*t quesidilla and I got an oily burrito swimming in transfat, saturated fat, and cholesterol. It tasted okay and the portion was enough. People who come here are older men in their forties and fifties they are not too far from a stroke if they continued on with this place.
IF YOU WANT YOUR ARTERIES BLOCKED THIS IS THE PLACE!!!!!
When we left the bitchy lady and the other workers even bothered saying goodbye to us.
Across from here is University Pita. Just go there and eat in the cold. Better yet head over to Starbucks or Whole Foods if you want shelter. Hey Taco Bell is so much better than this place.
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I've always had luck with the food here. They give you a lot, all the platters come with salad and lots of rice and beans.
Other reviewers are complaining that it's Tex-Mex or California, it's closer to SoCal Mexican I've had but it's not really tex-mex, at least it's the least tex-mexy of the mexican food around. It's generally not americanized, except you have to add your own hot sauce.
I mean someone complained about 2 meals and two drinks for ten dollars, which is a ridiculous complaint for those living in manhattan.
The big enchilada is 6 dollars and it's more food than a normal person can eat, and considering that a sandwich is 7.50 I'd say it's a deal, you can get 2 tacos pretty cheap, they even have happy hour (2 for 1) sometimes.
The only cheaper mexican food I know of is taco bell, and if you work the menu right you'll get plenty.
Totally worthwhile mexican, but the "big" burritos and enchiladas are a rip off -- barely appreciably larger than the normal ones. The comprehensive menu is appreciated though!
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They've raised prices and now they aren't answering their phone for takeout orders.
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I'm a sucker for Mexican food that's fresh, tastes delicious (and not Americanized), and sold at a hole in the wall. This place is totally all of that, just a little bigger than a hole :) Big Enchilada sounds cheesy, and of course everything is with cheesy, vegetarian friendly for me as well. I had the Big Enchilada for about 6ish bucks, which is more than enough. The portion size is definitely the bomb.com, the price was ten times better, and its conveniently near Union Square. My friend had a chicken burrito and he looked satisfied for the big man that he is. I don't know why some people are talking about the service, because you order it yourself and get it. The lady behind the counter was uber friendly and gave me some interesting winks about my friend, but besides that she was friendly. I recommend this place wholeheartedly and totally am coming back! I wish central Harlem had more joints like this...
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Food wasn't the best. I'm from California and even the worst mexican places there have tastier food than this. But really the service sucked. Your usual NYC poor treatment at the counter I understand. But when they give you the wrong food and then refuse to correct your order is total BS. You might have better luck than I with the service, but you'd be better of searching elsewhere for authentic mexican cause this ain't it.
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Not the greatest Mexican or anything, but the food here has way more soul than Chipotle (which I recently decided to boycott). The big enchilada platter with rice, beans, and guacamole is good deal and the soft tacos are pretty decent. I haven't tried the tamales yet, they're always out when I try to order them. Good prices, particularly for the neighborhood.
This place is amazing! I just happened to stumble into it one afternoon, not knowing what to expect and I was floored. The enchiladas are amazing! So big and tasty! And so fresh! This place blows the bigger and more expensive so-called Mexican places out of the water. Heck, this place blows any enchilada out of the water. The tacos were also amazing, not to mention the tasty rice. I pretty much live on Mexican food and this place is hands down my favorite. I go to this place at least 3 times a week. Also, you cannot beat the prices and the portion sizes.
Delicious and Authentic Mexican food served by fast and friendly people at rock bottom prices is what you will get at this place.
Any place that makes me feel un-mexican is a great place to be in. Walking into Big Enchilada is always a treat. The cow skulls on the wall, the old mexican movie posters, the bright colors - it all stirs the little mexican in me. When I walk up and place my order, and the staff looks at me confused that I don't know spanish, a wave of emotion and feeling swamps over me.
I feel at home.
The Big Enchilada is cheap, tasty, delicious, wonderful, and trumps every mexican place within a 30 block radius. It has a menu with 100 items on it and all of them - ALL OF THEM - involve beans, rice, and meat like substances wrapped in corn or flour. The prices are super cheap as well. The stewed chicken rice/bean platter is my personal favorite. They also accept special requests (like no tomatoes or cheese, which is blasphemy). I've been to high end restaurants - I've sat down and shell out benjamins for 16 course dinners, I've eat foie gras, devoured delicacies from around the around and Big Enchilada blows all of those out of the water. I'm probably totally biased but caviar has nothing on the big enchiladas from The Big Enchilada. It makes me proud of my mexican ancestry.
Viva la Reconquista!
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What a score! A California Burrito, masquerading with California prices in New York! Id give Big Enchilada a 5 stars if it tasted like a really good California Burrito, but its plenty good enough and doesnt cost outrageous NYC prices. A refreshing find!
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A bit of a frequent lunch stop for me, the price is great in comparison to other things but really when I think about it probably about right for tacos. Personally Im a fan of chorizo, so thats what I get but sometimes I go nuts and get the stewed chicken or something. Small place but for some reason I've always seen a seat or at least one of those stools on the side. I'd go there on a date unless that person worked there and then we could go elsewhere if requested.
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This place has gone through more names than Prince. First it was "The Big Enchilada" then it was "The Enchilada" and now it goes by it's, hopefully, last name "Big Enchilada." However, the food and the owners have always been the same. The food here ain't fancy, but the quality is impeccable. It's never greasy and the service rocks. This is a great lunch place, but really it's fast food seating inside. Krista J. said she went here on a date, but I couldn't imagine bringing anyone here under any romantic guise, although the pico de gallo does make me hot under the collar.
Tip: The food here is uniformly great, try everything.
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If you are looking for cheap, fast, healthy, and yummy Mexican food look no further. Big Enchilada is as close to perfect as you can get. Everything is fresh and full of savor. Their Veggie Burrito has actual vegetables in it! I know genius. It is a minute from Union Square so on a sunny day get it to go and enjoy your lunch in the park.
Summery out of 5
Food: 5
Decor: 3
Service: 3
$ Dirt Cheap to $$$$$ Ridiculously Pricey
Price: $
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ordered delivery: big enchilada veggies, and chocolate cake
speed: good
food: fair
portion: gooood
price: goooood
delivery guy: here, please sign.
me: where do i leave tip? (tip part crossed out)
delivery guy: it's ok
me: really?! alright then...
I went here on a date, and it was so great! The restaurant is small and totally casual. You eat off of paper plates, and are lucky if you can grab a much coveted seat. But this is Mexican food at it's best (and cheapest)!
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I love Mexican food, and when I moved downtown, I tried every place that would deliver. The clear winner was this small place, aptly named as their enchiladas are exactly what they should be: tender pulled chicken in a spicy red sauce, soft corn tortillas covered in jack and cheddar cheese and red or black beans with rice. Everything on the menu is tasty (an added bonus are the plentiful jalapenos on the nachos) and perfectly inexpensive: just $3.69 for a chicken enchilada with rice and beans, with a $1.89 add-on for an extra. Cash only, fast delivery.
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Yep, I used to frequent it in my NYU days when it was "The Big Enchilada". Ahh, that futile quest to find good Mexican food in NY. This place totally served the purpose for what I needed at the time. A little messy, but enjoyable.
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I lived off this place several times a week in my college days. It's one of the things I miss most about living in this neighborhood. It's cheap, fresh, and all the cilantro you could want in the condiments container. Gigantic burritos that can feed two if need be.
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This place has pretty good tex-mex. Big serving sizes and decent prices. Oddly enough, what I like most about this place is their key lime pie.
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A hidden treasure. Fantastic value and extremely tasty food. Lots of vegetarian options. Surly, indifferent counter service but funky mariachi music going all the time. Super place to stop for fuel.
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Serving the local college scene, Big E is you standard Tex-Mex joint. Personally I find that's it's rather expensive here considering that it's just average. The deserts are good, it's true, but they too are grossly over priced. There are much better Tex-Mex joints with much better Tex-Mex.
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