Blockheads in Midtown: Dine in NYC Without Hurting Your Bank Account

June 29, 2009 6:21 pm

Blockheads in Midtown: Dine in NYC Without Hurting Your Bank Account

A blockhead usually refers to someone who is stupid or stubborn. So when entering Blockheads on 50th between 8th and 9th, I really felt I was in for a surprise. Maybe the waiters were a headstrong staff I thought, but that would be a real turn off for customers. "Come on this place is great!" said some of my friends, so I gave it a shot.

After only about a 10-minute wait on a Saturday night, I already had my doubts, but I was proven wrong. There was also outdoor seating, but due to the rain, the inside seemed much more appealing. The hostess sat us in a tiny cozy corner for five and served endless chips and salsa—the perks of dining Mexican. The scene was a mix of young adults looking to have a good time on a night out in the city.

We started off with some frozen margaritas for just three dollars—a dollar extra for flavor. I decided to splurge and have what is called the Red Bull Nose, a frozen margarita with half sangria and a corona bottle placed in the actual glass. The beer served as a sort of re-filler, keeping the drink constantly filled as I gulped down the sweetness of the sangria mixed in with tequila. My friends ordered kiwi margaritas, strawberry margaritas, and my absolute favorite, raspberry. We decided to steer clear of the banana flavor, but that may be what I tackle next on the menu for a future visit.

I've worked in an upscale Mexican restaurant for about a year now, so when it came time to order, I was already used to having my typical freshly made guacamole and some type of seafood or spicy flavored chicken over Spanish rice. At Blockheads the menu seemed similar to a burger joint gone south of the border. I wasn't thrilled, but I decided to order a low-carb burrito plate. There motto is "Blockheads-Burritos brought to life," so I figured I should try one. Still, we all know at a good Mexican restaurant, Taco Bell style burritos and quesadillas is never a good sign. On a more positive note, you could create your own salad or rice bowl, choosing from a range of rice, salsas, cheeses and meat. The menu also served soy cheese or homemade tofu, a replacement for that thousand-calorie sour cream that usually goes straight to our hips.

Fortunately for my stomach, I was pleasantly satisfied. The portions were surprisingly large for the inexpensive cost, and the taste was just as rewarding. A whole-wheat tortilla (which stated just 5 net carbs on the menu!) overstuffed with grilled chicken, Monterey Jack cheese, salsa and sour cream made my mouth water. The presentation wasn't anything special, but the vibrant colors—reds and greens from the salsa, guac and tasty chopped tomatoes over a bed of fresh greens—definitely caught my eye. The vinaigrette dressing was filled in a corona bottle with a red top that made easy for pouring. At first we thought the waitress was complimenting us with another beer, and then we all shared laughs when we realized its true purpose—another creative perk for this hopping Midtown restaurant.

With five people, a few rounds of drinks, and scrumptious entrees, a bill totaling merely $100 was shocking. I've spent as much as $12 dollars on a margarita before and over $20 for a good meal. Here, I got the same quality of food and maybe even better service for much less. With the economy dwindling these days, its not easy to just go out to dinner in the city without worrying about how much money you'll need—especially from a college student's perspective. What's great about this place is you can have a great time without emptying your wallet.

I left Blockheads with a full stomach and a new passion for flavored margaritas, feeling both healthy for ordering a low-carb meal and practical for not blowing my paycheck on food and alcohol. I still find it ironic the name of this San Francisco style Mexican eatery of New York City is Blockheads. I mean if anything, I guess a few margaritas along with bottomless chips and salsa will take all that "blockheadness" away.

—Joanna Weinstein

Blockheads, Midtown West
Worldwide Plaza
West 50th between 8th and 9th Avenue
212.307.7029

Blockheads, Upper West Side
951 Amsterdam Avenue at 106th Street
212.662.8226

Blockheads, Upper East Side
1563 2nd Avenue, between 81st and 82nd
212.879.1999

Blockheads, Murray Hill
499 3rd Avenue, between 33rd and 34th
212.213.3332

Blockheads, World Financial Center
The Courtyard at 4 World Financial Center
250 Vesey Street
212.619.8226

Blockheads, Greenwich Village
Benny's Burritos
113 Greenwich Avenue, between West 12th and Jane Street
212.633.9210