El Aguila: Authentic Mexican Cuisine in Spanish Harlem

El Aguila Introduce

Welcome to El Aguila, a beloved neighborhood spot that brings the vibrant and authentic flavors of Mexico to the heart of Spanish Harlem. While New York City is filled with Mexican restaurants, El Aguila stands out for its commitment to traditional recipes, fresh ingredients, and honest, flavorful food. We’ve become a go-to destination for locals seeking a taste of home-cooked Mexican fare, from our savory tacos and burritos to our massive, delicious tortas.

Our philosophy is simple: serve real, delicious Mexican food that is both high-quality and affordable. We believe that great food doesn't have to come with a high price tag. Our menu is a testament to this, offering a wide variety of classic dishes that are sure to satisfy any craving. The atmosphere here is casual and quiet, making it a perfect escape from the city’s hustle and bustle. Whether you're a regular or visiting for the first time, you'll find a welcoming environment where you can enjoy a genuinely tasty and filling meal.

Location and Accessibility

El Aguila is conveniently located at 1634 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10029, in the vibrant community of Spanish Harlem. This prime location makes us easily accessible for residents and visitors exploring the area. We're situated on a lively street, providing a great opportunity for some people-watching from our indoor seating while you enjoy your meal. The restaurant is just a short walk from public transportation, including the 103rd Street subway station, making it easy to reach us from anywhere in the city.

We understand the fast-paced nature of New York life, which is why we've made our services as convenient as possible. Whether you want to dine in and enjoy a relaxed meal, grab a quick takeout order on your way home, or have our food delivered right to your door, we have you covered. Our reputation for "fast service" means you won't be waiting long for your food, which is a huge plus for anyone on a tight schedule.

Services Offered

El Aguila is designed to be your neighborhood go-to for Mexican food, offering a range of services to fit your needs.

Dine-in Service: We provide a casual and quiet indoor seating area where you can relax and savor your meal. It’s a great spot for solo dining or a low-key get-together.
Takeout: Our fast and efficient service makes us an ideal choice for takeout. You can call ahead or place your order in person and have a fresh, hot meal ready to go in minutes.
Delivery: We offer delivery services through major platforms, so you can enjoy our authentic food from the comfort of your own home or office.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner: We serve delicious food throughout the day, so whether you're craving a traditional Huevos Rancheros to start your morning, a filling burrito for lunch, or some late-night tacos, we are here to serve you.
Late-Night Food: For those late-night cravings, El Aguila is the perfect spot. Our food is available late, making us a popular destination for night owls in the neighborhood.

Features / Highlights

El Aguila is more than just a place to eat; it's a place to experience authentic Mexican flavors and hospitality.

Authentic Flavors: Our food is a genuine reflection of Mexican cuisine. From the fresh ingredients to the traditional preparation methods, every dish "tastes 100% Mexican" and is created to be as authentic as possible.
Affordable and Generous Portions: Our prices are "affordable" and the portions are "huge" and "filling," as noted by many happy customers. Our food provides excellent value for your money, especially in a city known for high prices.
Diverse Menu: We offer a wide variety of classic Mexican dishes. Beyond the typical tacos and burritos, you can explore our flavorful Tostadas, savory Tortas, and comforting Tamales. We even have traditional Mexican breakfast items like Huevos Con Chorizo and Chilaquiles.
Signature Tortas: Our Tortas (Mexican sandwiches) are a customer favorite. As one review noted, the cheese we use "gives it such a delicious flavor," and the sandwiches are "huge, flavorful, and filling."
Fresh and Fast Service: We are known for our "quick service," ensuring that you get your food in a timely manner, perfect for a quick bite during a busy day. Our food is cooked fresh, often right in front of you.
Casual and Quiet Atmosphere: The restaurant offers a "nice quiet spot" for dining. The bare-bones and casual setting allows the food to be the star of the show, and it’s a place where you can relax without any pretense.

Contact Information

Ready to taste the best of Spanish Harlem's Mexican food scene? Here's how you can find us or get in touch.

Address: 1634 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10029, USA
Phone: (212) 426-2221

Give us a call to place an order for pickup or to ask any questions about our menu. We look forward to serving you!

What is Worth Choosing

When you step into El Aguila, you're choosing an authentic culinary experience that is beloved by locals. While every item on our menu is crafted with care, there are a few standouts that our customers can't get enough of. The Torta is an absolute must-try. Its size, flavor, and the delicious cheese we use make it a truly memorable meal. We highly recommend the Torta with your choice of meat for a taste of something uniquely satisfying and substantial.

For taco enthusiasts, our Carnitas Tacos and Tacos Al Pastor are highly praised. Our customers say the pork has a nice smoky flavor and that everything "was really tasty." We offer a great variety, so you can mix and match to find your favorite. Another item worth choosing are our tamales, which are a true taste of traditional comfort food. The red and green tamales are a perfect small plate to add to your order.

Our commitment to using quality ingredients, making everything fresh, and offering it at a fair price is what makes us a "gem in Spanish Harlem." We are a place that food lovers return to again and again because they know they can count on us for delicious, authentic Mexican food that feels like a home-cooked meal. We invite you to come in and discover your new favorite spot for Mexican food in New York City.

El Aguila Food & drink

Tacos
Fresh Grilled Chicken Taco $4.25
Soft corn tortilla folded around a filling of meat. Served with onion, cilantro,lime, and Mexican salsas.
Mexican Style Sausage Taco $4.25
Soft corn tortilla folded around a filling of meat. Served with onion, cilantro, radish, lime, and Mexican salsas.
Veggie Taco $4.25
Served with corn tortilla Rice, beans, guacamole, lettuce, tomatoes, onion, and cilantro.and Mexican salsas.
Fish Taco (Fried Tilapia) $4.75
fried tilapia served in a soft corn tortilla with onion, cilantro, lettuce, tomatoes lime and Mexican salsa
Non Spicy Marinated Pork Taco (Pastor) $4.25
Soft corn tortilla folded around a filling of meat. Served with onion, cilantro, lime, pineapple and Mexican salsas.
Roasted Pork Taco $4.25
Soft corn tortilla folded around a filling of meat. Served with onion, cilantro, lime, and Mexican salsas.
Mexican Goat Taco $4.99
Soft corn tortilla folded around a filling of meat. Served with onion, cilantro, lime, and Mexican salsas.
Grilled Beef Chopped Steak Taco $4.99
Soft corn tortilla folded around a filling of meat. Served with onion, cilantro, lime, and Mexican salsas.

Nachos
Asada Nacho $12.25
Melted mozzarella cheese on tortilla chips, beans, sour cream, pico de gallo, and jalapeños.
Plain Nacho $10.75
Melted mozzarella cheese on tortilla chips, beans, sour cream, pico de gallo, and jalapeños.
Chicken Nacho $11.75
Melted mozzarella cheese on tortilla chips, beans, sour cream, pico de gallo, and jalapeños.
Carnitas Nachos $11.75
Melted mozzarella cheese on tortilla chips, beans, sour cream, pico de gallo, and jalapeños.
Pastor Nachos $11.75
Melted mozzarella cheese on tortilla chips, beans, sour cream, pico de gallo, and jalapeños.

Burritos
Grilled Beef Chopped Steak Burrito $10.75
Beans, rice, lettuce, onions, cilantro, tomatoes, and sour cream wrapped in a flour tortilla.
Tinga Burrito $9.75
Shredder Chicken in chipotle sauce . Beans, rice, lettuce, onions, cilantro, tomatoes, and sour cream wrapped in a flour tortilla.
Roasted Pork Burrito $9.75
Beans, rice, lettuce, onions, cilantro, tomatoes, and sour cream wrapped in a flour tortilla.
Mexican Goat Burrito $11.75
Beans, rice, lettuce, onions, cilantro, tomatoes, and sour cream wrapped in a flour tortilla.
Veggie Burrito $9.75
Rice, beans, lettuce, tomatoes, onion, cilantro, guacamole,wrapped in a flour tortilla.
Grilled Chicken Burrito $9.75
Chicken . Beans, rice, lettuce, onions, cilantro, tomatoes, and sour cream wrapped in a flour tortilla.
Mexican Style Sausage Burrito $9.75
Beans, rice, lettuce, onions, cilantro, tomatoes, and sour cream wrapped in a flour tortilla.
Non Spicy Marinated Pork Burrito $9.75
Beans, rice, lettuce, onions, cilantro, tomatoes, sour cream and pineapple wrapped in a flour tortilla.
Fish Burrito $10.75
Fried tilapia with Beans, rice, lettuce, onions, cilantro, tomatoes, and sour cream wrapped in a flour tortilla.

Tortas (Mexican Sandwich)
Roasted Pork Torta $12.75
Mexican bolillo bread spread with mayonnaise refried beans, lettuce, tomato, onion, avocado, jalapeños. And Oaxaca Cheese
Grilled Beef Steak Chopped Torta $12.75
Mexican bolillo bread spread with mayonnaise refried beans, lettuce, tomato, onion, avocado, jalapeños.and Oaxaca cheese
Ham & Cheese Torta $12.75
Mexican bolillo bread spread with mayonnaise refried beans, lettuce, tomato, onion, avocado, jalapeños. And Oaxaca cheese
Fresh Grilled Chicken Breast Torta $12.75
Mexican bolillo bread spread with mayonnaise refried beans, lettuce, tomato, onion, avocado, jalapeños. And Oaxaca cheese
Breaded Beef Steak Torta $12.75
Mexican bolillo bread spread with mayonnaise refried beans, lettuce, tomato, onion, avocado, jalapeños. And Oaxaca cheese
Cubana Mexican Torta $14.75
Roasted pork, ham, salchicha, breaded beef, and sunny side egg. Mexican bolillo bread spread with mayonnaise refried beans, lettuce, tomato, onion, avocado, and jalapeños.
Non Spicy Marinated Pork Torta $12.75
Mexican bolillo bread spread with mayonnaise refried beans, lettuce, tomato, onion, avocado, jalapeños. And Oaxaca cheese
Ham & Pineapple Torta $12.75
Mexican bolillo bread spread with mayonnaise refried beans, lettuce, tomato, onion, avocado, jalapeños. And Oaxaca cheese
Goat Torta $12.75
Mexican bolillo bread spread with mayonnaise refried beans, lettuce, tomato, onion, avocado, jalapeños. And Oaxaca cheese
Chicken Chipotle Sauce Torta $12.75
Mexican bolillo bread spread with mayonnaise refried beans, lettuce, tomato, onion, avocado, jalapeños. And Oaxaca cheese
Breaded Chicken Cutlet Torta $12.75
Mexican bolillo bread spread with mayonnaise refried beans, lettuce, tomato, onion, avocado, jalapeños. And Oaxaca cheese

Tostadas
Tostada (Choice Of 1 Meat) $5.25
Fried corn tortilla, refried beans, lettuce, tomatoes, onions,cilantro sour cream, cotija cheese, and avocado.
Veggie Tostada $3.99
Fried corn tortilla with beans, onion , cilantro , lettuce , tomatoes, avocado sour cream and cotija cheese
Goat Tostada $5.99
Fried corn tortilla, refried beans, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, cilantro sour cream, cotija cheese, and avocado.
Asada Tostada $5.99
Fried corn tortilla, refried beans, lettuce, tomatoes, onions,cilantro sour cream, cotija cheese and avocado.

Ensalada
Family Pack Salad $16.99
Asada Salad $10.75
Lettuce, grilled asada (steak), tomatoes, onions, avocado, cilantro, and lime.
Chicken Salad $9.75
Lettuce, grilled chicken, tomatoes, onions, avocado, cilantro, and lime.

Tacos Dorados
Tacos Dorados $9.75
Deep-fried corn tortilla filled with shredded chicken. Lettuce tomato onion cilantro avocado on top sour cream and cotija cheese

Side Orders
Rice $3.49
8 oz.
Sour Cream $2.49
4 oz.
Guacamole $7.98
Mash avocados lime, chopped onion, cilantro, tomato and salt.
Pico De Gallo $6.98
Chopped tomato, onion, cilantro, salt and lime.
Elote $3.99
Cooked sweet corn slathered in mayonnaise, tajin and sprinkled with cotija cheese.
Beans $3.49
8 oz. Black or pinto.
Chips $3.99
Bag of fried corn tortillas

Quesadillas (Flour Tortillas)
Cheese Quesadilla $9.75
Flour tortilla, mozzarella cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, cotija cheese, sour cream, and avocado.
Asada Quesadilla $12.25
Flour tortillas, tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, lettuce, cotija cheese, sour cream, and avocado.
Quesadilla (Choice Of 1 Meat) $11.75
Flour tortilla, with your choice of meat, mozzarella cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onion, cilantro, cotija cheese, sour cream, and avocado.

Tamales
Tamal Rojo $2.75
Non spicy red sauce with chicken.
Tamal Verde $2.75
Spicy green sauce with chicken.
Tamal Rajas Con Queso $2.75
Jalapeno and Cheese

Desayuno (Mexican Breakfast)
Huevos Con Chorizo (Plate) $10.75
Scrambled eggs with Mexican sausage served with corn tortillas, rice, and beans.
Huevos A La Mexicana $10.75
Two eggs, tomatoes, jalapeños, and onions. Served with rice, beans, and tortillas.
Chilaquiles $10.75
Tortilla chips simmered cotija cheese, sour cream, cilantro, and onion in mild green salsa.
Huevos Rancheros $10.75
Sunny side up eggs on a corn tortilla with mild red or green sauce.

Bebidas
Canned Soda $1.75
Bottled Water $1.25
Aguas Frescas $4.00
Mexican Sodas $3.50
Snapple $2.50

El Aguila Details

Service options
Delivery
Takeout
Dine-in

Highlights
Fast service

Popular for
Lunch
Dinner
Solo dining

Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible parking lot

Offerings
Coffee
Comfort food
Late-night food
Quick bite
Small plates

Dining options
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Table service

Atmosphere
Casual
Quiet

Crowd
Locals

Planning
Accepts reservations

Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards

Children
Good for kids

El Aguila Photos

El Aguila Location

El Aguila

New York New York County New York Lexington Avenue

1634 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10029, USA

El Aguila Reviews

An average rating of ★4.4 from 689 user reviews.

tamaleshorchatatortahot saucechicken burritosbarbacoacashierauthentic tacosgoatcarnitas tacos

★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1

I tried their torta and absolutely loved it, the cheese they use gives it such a delicious flavor! I also had the carnitas tacos and the red tamales, and everything was really tasty. The service is very quick, which I appreciated. They could improve a bit on customer service, but the food more than makes up for it. I’d definitely come back for more tacos. The prices are affordable, and everything tastes 100% Mexican. Highly recommend!
July 02 · Arturo Sevein
A Gem in Spanish Harlem. The Custer service was great. The food is even better. Nice quiet spot with indoor seating facing windows. You can eat and people watch. I had a Toscana with everything. It was huge flavorful and filling. If you like spicy like me, I suggest the jalapeño and avocado sauce. RECOMMEND
July 30 · claribel pons
I’ve been coming here for 12 years back when they had their location on 116th street and Lexington. I wish they would open another location there again (it use to be 24 hours). They have the best food. The cashier was super nice and sweet to me.
April 18 · Li
I’m so happy to have found this gem nearby. They have different tamales and agua frescas regularly. So far my favorites are the cactus pineapple agua fresca, watermelon agua fresca and the jalapeño y queso tamale. The rojo and verde tamales are also very good. Flavorful and affordable, tysm!
August 13 · RD
I went here tonight before they closed for the 1st time and ordered a chicken burrito with no lettuce and no sour cream. 3 goat tacos, and 3 elotes... Lemme just say the burrito was huge I couldn't finish it my husband had to finish it for me. My husband loves the goat tacos. He said the meat was a little bit chewy tho. The elotes we loved them even my 1 year old was busting it down. They gave me a free I think enchilada or IDK what she said it was but we didn't try it because we were so stuffed. I'm about to have my c section for my twins in 6 days and I feel like I'm about to explode from all the food. I would definitely be coming back. That food got me sleepy now 🥱😴😴😴😆 We was busting that food down we forgot to take a picture.. oops 🤤😋🤣☺️🫄PS the lady at the register that I see a lot of people complaining about was very nice and I didn't wait long for my food so idk what other people are complaining about. It was pretty busy when I was in the restaurant. Also imo the prices are not bad.
August 19 · Harlemz Ruthless