El Coco

“This is one of those low-key Manhattan spots that reminds you why exploring the city is still worth it. Let’s start with the $5 classic margaritas because… wow. They are STRONG, smooth, and dangerously easy to drink. No watered-down nonsense here. The kind of margarita where two feel perfect and three might have you texting people you shouldn’t 😅. For the price point alone, this place already wins happy hour. Now the food specifically the al pastor tacos. Absolutely fire. The meat was crispy on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside, and packed with flavor. You can tell they know what they’re doing with the seasoning and the cook. Easily some of the crispiest and best al pastor I’ve had in the city, and that’s saying a lot. The vibe is casual, welcoming, and unpretentious exactly what you want when you’re just trying to eat good food and sip good drinks without the downtown hype tax. This is the kind of place you stumble into once… and then intentionally come back to.”

“The energy is electric at El Coco, there was a DJ curating the vibes and eventually dimmed the lights for the disco ball to shine. The food was really good and tried all the tacos, with the al jardin taco being most delicious. The 5$ frozen margarita is also a highlight and would also recommend there homemade chips and guacamole.”

“El Coco – Hell’s Kitchen 📍 Review by @justinmateonyc If you're looking for a vibrant, flavor-packed escape in the heart of Hell’s Kitchen, El Coco absolutely delivers—starting with the CHIPS AND GUACAMOLE. Served with housemade chips that are perfectly crisp with just the right touch of salt, this starter sets the tone for everything to come. The guac is creamy, fresh, and full of limey zing, a classic done right. Now let’s talk AL PASTOR—marinated pork with sweet pineapple that hits that perfect balance of savory and juicy. But the real surprise? That pineapple chutney. It’s next level. Sweet, tangy, and a little spicy—it brought the whole dish together in the best way. I went with the cheeseburger empanadas (yes, you read that right), and they were unreal—crispy on the outside, ooey-gooey savory on the inside. My fiancée had the jalapeño empanadas and shrimp & crab meat camarones tacos, both of which were fresh, flavorful, and had that signature El Coco twist: bold, layered flavor and beautifully presented. The vibe here is unmatched—El Coco is popped out in pink, fun, and full of personality. It’s got that Instagram-ready aesthetic but without sacrificing authenticity or comfort. The energy in the room is as vibrant as the food. Shoutout to Denise, our server, who was warm, welcoming, and super attentive—made us feel right at home. As a food photographer and content creator, El Coco is exactly the kind of place I love discovering. The colors, the plating, the ambiance—all photogenic and all delicious. Definitely a spot that makes my food trips across NYC worth it. 📸 Follow my food adventures at @justinmateonyc #FoodieFinds #HellsKitchenEats #ElCocoNYC”

“Went at 3pm on a Saturday and it wasn’t too packed. The food was good. Service wasn’t the best. Server didn’t come to ask for our order until we flagged her down. Once we ordered we got our order in a reasonable time. At some point the table next to us was extremely loud which was annoying. Overall we enjoyed the food.”

“I came here for dinner and ordered the chicken fajita, my friends got the steak quesadilla and the birria bowl. They liked their food. The chicken fajita was okay, as someone that ALWAYS orders fajitas when I go to a Mexican restaurant I would give this a 5/10. The chicken was dry, the rice was dry, and the fajita only came with rice, beans, and the tortilla on the side. I asked for sour cream and was charged a $1. Usually fajitas come with rice, beans, pico de gallo, sour cream, tortillas and a bit of guacamole on the side. We then ordered churros and it came with only 2 pieces, I have never been at a restaurant that gave less than 4. The staff was friendly but not as attentive, and the decor was nice.”