La Esquina Brasserie
Mexican restaurant · 114 Kenmare St, New York, NY 10012, United States · United States
★ 4.1 on Google · 2,825 reviews · View on Google Maps
Manipulation score
CleanCompleted Jul 19, 2026 · 57 reviews flagged
How this score works
The score estimates how strongly this place's review record matches known manipulation patterns, from 0 (no signs) to 100. Verdicts: Clean below 40, Suspicious from 40, Likely Manipulated from 70; Review Drive when the flags are mostly staff asking customers for named reviews. It rises with the share of reviews flagged and how suspicious each one is.
- Burst
- — an abnormal spike of five-star reviews in a single day compared to the place's usual pace.
- Low activity account
- — the reviewer has almost no other reviews, photos, or Local Guide history; throwaway accounts look like this.
- Duplicate text
- — the wording is nearly identical to another review of the same place.
Verdicts are statistical estimates based on public review patterns, not accusations. Full methodology, signal definitions and known limits →
Case conclusion
What the numbers say
1,000 reviews examined
- Google rating
- 4.1★
- Not-flagged average
- 3.9★
- Flagged
- 6%
- Coverage
- 35%
All reviews shown by Google
943 examined reviews
57 of 1,000
1,000 of 2,825 Google reviews
“Not flagged” means no configured Revdict signal matched; it does not prove a review is genuine. Data fetched Jul 19, 2026.
Review brief
What reviews not flagged by Revdict say
La Esquina is a popular underground Mexican speakeasy and taqueria known for its unique hidden entrance through a kitchen and vibrant atmosphere. While many reviewers praise the fun night-out vibe, drinks, and tacos, others report inconsistent service, high prices, and restrictive door policies.
+ Repeated strengths
Atmosphere and Speakeasy Concept
Reviewers frequently highlight the unique hidden entrance and energetic basement lounge vibe.
3 supporting reviews
5★ · 2021-05-24
Really fun place for a night out in the city! The vibe and atmosphere here is something that you have to experience for yourself. Definitely make a reservation to have a meal in the speakeasy downstairs where, you walk past the kitchen to f...
4★ · 2026-01-08
A very fun place! It's hidden away and getting in requires a reservation and going downstairs through a secret door that leads you into a large and very cool Gothic Spanish dungeon vibed dining space. Very crowded, delicious food, and good...
5★ · 2026-03-12
This is my favorite place to bring friends when they visit New York. The food is amazing and the vibe is immaculate. It’s part restaurant, part speakeasy, part club - but a perfect blend of each. The service has always been great for me, ev...
Tacos and Mexican Food
Many guests report that the tacos, street corn, and overall food quality are delicious.
1 supporting review
5★ · 2021-04-04
Hands down the best tacos I have ever had. Jermaine was the most friendly staff member I have ever met at any restaurant ever. Highly recommend to anybody in the mood for some really good Mexican food. Best I’ve ever had.
Cocktails and Margaritas
Reviewers often praise the drink selection, particularly the margaritas and specialty cocktails.
2 supporting reviews
5★ · 2022-07-13
The best place for skinny margaritas. Ask for victor at the bar
2★ · 2026-05-15
This used to be one of the best spots in NYC, but over the last 10+ years this iconic Mexican speakeasy has turned into a tourist trap with disappointing food and rude service. I ordered the spicy margarita, which was mediocre at best. The...
− Repeated complaints
Door Staff and Entry Issues
Multiple reviewers report rude doormen, strict or arbitrary reservation policies, and occasional solicitation of cash bribes.
3 supporting reviews
1★ · 2021-05-24
We had a bad night, even though we're locals and had been several times before the pandemic. The doorman asked us for money under his arm to let us in; it's not the first or only time he's done this, even though the restaurant was empty.
1★ · 2022-03-19
Reviewing this place for the host experience alone. We approached the host and asked if he was taking names for tables to which he asked if we had a reservation, which we didn’t. He said he couldn’t take names, so I asked how long a wait wo...
1★ · 2025-08-16
The bouncer was extremely rude. He gets off on telling people that they cannot enter their bar and made up “reservations” that people had. Pathetic excuse of a man. Do not recommend this place.
Service Quality
Reviewers often mention slow service, inattentive waiters, or rushed dining experiences.
1 supporting review
5★ · 2025-09-22
I went pretty late so I didn't have an opportunity to get food. However, the drinks were amazing! (I went with the passion fruit margarita) The ambiance and vibe were a plus. Good music & great vibes. Perfect Friday night activity!
Pricing and Portion Sizes
Some guests feel that the portions are too small and the prices are excessively high for what is served.
3 supporting reviews
5★ · 2021-07-29
Legendary spot!
3★ · 2025-10-04
Quite expensive, small dishes but nice environment for one time experience. The music gets veryyyyy loud around 7:30 pm, before that it’s also loud but not as much. The food is good but not something unusual.
2★ · 2026-05-15
This used to be one of the best spots in NYC, but over the last 10+ years this iconic Mexican speakeasy has turned into a tourist trap with disappointing food and rude service. I ordered the spicy margarita, which was mediocre at best. The...
Good for
- Drinks and socializing in a lively party atmosphere
- A unique date night experience with a hidden speakeasy vibe
- Quick casual tacos from the street-level taqueria
Avoid if
- You are looking for a quiet, conversation-friendly dinner environment
- You are sensitive to loud music and crowded, cramped seating
- You prefer predictable, smooth service and straightforward entry without reservation hassles
Review anatomy
Reviews per quarter
| Quarter | Reviews | Flagged |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 ’21 | 11 | 0 |
| Q2 ’21 | 38 | 1 |
| Q3 ’21 | 54 | 2 |
| Q4 ’21 | 41 | 2 |
| Q1 ’22 | 48 | 2 |
| Q2 ’22 | 84 | 5 |
| Q3 ’22 | 74 | 1 |
| Q4 ’22 | 63 | 4 |
| Q1 ’23 | 52 | 4 |
| Q2 ’23 | 78 | 5 |
| Q3 ’23 | 70 | 5 |
| Q4 ’23 | 68 | 3 |
| Q1 ’24 | 41 | 0 |
| Q2 ’24 | 33 | 2 |
| Q3 ’24 | 43 | 8 |
| Q4 ’24 | 29 | 1 |
| Q1 ’25 | 33 | 4 |
| Q2 ’25 | 33 | 1 |
| Q3 ’25 | 25 | 3 |
| Q4 ’25 | 24 | 3 |
| Q1 ’26 | 27 | 1 |
| Q2 ’26 | 25 | 0 |
| Q3 ’26 | 6 | 0 |
Rating distribution
Evidence
- low activity account 55 reviews flagged weight 0.8
- generic account 2 reviews flagged weight 1
Flagged reviews
Showing the 10 most suspicious of 57 flagged reviews.
Lauren Pires
230 reviews · Local Guide
★★★★★
2023-03-12
Pricey but delicious! Great cocktails and the speakeasy is a lot of fun.
Elsa Bennett
282 reviews · Local Guide
★★★★★
2025-08-02
I left satisfied by both what I ate and how I was treated. Their workers delivered timely, warm service that would be good for family outings. My meal here was as good as anticipated. The restaurant's professionalism shows in food quality and staff performance. This place has become part of my routi...
Cecilio Hernandez
2 reviews
★★★★★
2021-08-26
Susannah Morgan
1 review
★★★★★
2021-09-02
Maya Rose
1 review
★☆☆☆☆
2022-02-23
*0 stars. Unremarkable food and worst restaurant experience I’ve ever had
Harry Churchill-Coleman
2 reviews
★☆☆☆☆
2022-03-03
Worst Mexican restaurant in New York. The owner has all the charm of a pitbull. Would recommend to any fans of stout, snarling, balding men.
Joanna Michaels
1 review
★☆☆☆☆
2022-04-09
Bad experience. We had a table at 08:45 but we’re told to wait at the bar. We asked several times over the coming 30 minutes but a very unfriendly lady told us to “just wait”. An hour later there was still not a table for us. She just shrugged and asked if we wanted to cancel our reservation. Which...
Madeline Wagoner
1 review
★☆☆☆☆
2022-04-30
Literally didnt get seated after being pushed to the bar for over an hour. Met a group that was waiting to be seated for 2 hours. Would have loved to give a good rating but couldn’t eat the food.
sergio Martinez Martinez
1 review
★★★★★
2022-05-05
Joselyne Fraire
2 reviews
★☆☆☆☆
2022-06-09
I never do reviews but this place is ridiculous. We ask for a water bottle, forever to take our order and decide to leave so we ask to pay and the waitress respond “just 7 dollars?”. We were about to leave without paying because of the rude service. Definitely go to champions pizza it’s a cross the...
Report generated Jul 19, 2026. Reviews change — you can request a fresh investigation.
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