Bonita - NOW CLOSED
"Brought to you by the folks at Williamsburg's beloved Diner, Bonita adapts Mexican cooking for gringo tastes, often dispensing with chiles in the process. That doesn't mean it's not good—it's just not spicy," says the Village Voice. (When I reviewed this bustling, good-vibes spot for Citysearch a while back, I recommended asking for hot sauce if you need a little more heat.)
Gastronormous visited the restaurant's second location in Fort Greene and recommends the "perfectly flavored" guacamole and the fish tacos, too: "The fish was perfectly fried, and folded into soft corn tortillas with lettuce, red onions, radishes, and a chili and sour cream-based sauce." Citysearch's Justin Hartung adds, "Unlike its Williamsburg counterpart, this location serves liquor--meaning a wide variety of margaritas, both sweet and spicy, and a page-long list of premium tequilas. The drink highlight, however, is the Michelada ($5), a beer cocktail mixed with Tabasco and served in a glass with a salted rim." And the booze carries over to the dessert menu — Chowhound starfish is really into the tres leches cake, "which comes with a shot of tequila poured on top."
If you're feeling under the weather, Chowhound Number 12 Stunna believes that you may find your cure here: "It's not chicken noodle or matzoh ball but the lime soup at Bonita has a chicken broth base, stewed chicken with fresh red onion and cilantro. Very healing; and it'll clean out your system especially if you add some of the habanero salsa."
Reviews (25)
miss priss wrote a review on July 29, 2008 12:13 PM
I love the michelada they mention above - just had it on thursday and that will be my go to drink from now on...the food is always good - sometimes the tacos are a bit dry - could use more sauce or cheese or something. agree about the lime soup - it's great and feels good when you have a cold. the steak enchiladas are the best meal i think...also really like the waiters - but that's true about all their restaurants - always really nice and helpful people!
wine lover wrote a review on July 29, 2008 12:22 PM
the food is such high quality. it's excellent which is not surprising given the owners (diner/marlow and sons). another williamsburg restaurant that raises the bar for brooklyn cooking. definitely one of the best.
tinarina wrote a review on July 29, 2008 12:30 PM
I really wanted to like this place, but the two meals we had there were average and overpriced. I mean a little bit of (bland) pulled pork with rice and beans for $26? I don't think so.
amt230 wrote a review on July 29, 2008 12:31 PM
the food is good, but the menu is limited (and never changes), especially for vegetarians. good drinks, and a fun scene, though.
HDL wrote a review on July 29, 2008 12:42 PM
After returning to NYC having spent almost 12 years living in L.A. I found truly authentic Mexican food in very short supply. If you can't make it to sunset park, Bonita (I've only been to the Fort Green location) has the best and freshest Mexican cuisine using the most authentic ingredients, I strongly disagree with the Voice's assertion that it is an adaptation for Gringo tastes. Mexican food is not about being spicy but about a complex layering of flavors. Bonita provides that in abundance. Pass on the chicken burrito and have the daily specials which are always innovative and seasonal. I have no stake in this restaurant but I have come to know the owners and their commitment to regional authenticity. Go!
stuyheightshoyaka wrote a review on July 29, 2008 1:06 PM
I just discovered Bonita (on DeKalb) a few weeks ago. Love the drinks, especially the michelada. It's a great place for brunch too.
jawbreaker wrote a review on July 29, 2008 1:24 PM
I like this place a lot for the basics, good chips, quac, tacos, etc. If the basic dish isn't hot enough, there's a three salsa service; the red one is hot and smoky and the hottest one will hurt you if you're not carfeul. I do find their menu a bit limited - I think they want you to go for the specials, which do get pricy by comparison. But you won't eat badly here and it's great having a margarita, some chips, some tacos and a beer in the summer.
Whoops Johnny wrote a review on July 29, 2008 1:48 PM
Food is delish--especially since they started using only local, organic meat--and the atmosphere is great in both locations. No surprise there given that Marlow and Diner are both pitch-perfect.
jwald wrote a review on July 29, 2008 2:00 PM
This place is awesome! I just discovetred the Fort Greene location recently and can't wait to try it out. The food
dtrain wrote a review on July 29, 2008 2:13 PM
This place (on DeKalb) makes NO alterations to their menu. (i.e. if you don't like spicy stuff, too bad). Seemed like a chef that was too big for his britches. Not for me.
ProspectHeightsGuy wrote a review on July 29, 2008 2:26 PM
Two words: pork nachos
(and don't forget the habanero salsa)
daveinbedstuy wrote a review on July 29, 2008 2:43 PM
Whoops Johnny...what is "local, organic meat" here in Brooklyn?
king of the burg wrote a review on July 29, 2008 2:46 PM
As with Diner and Marlow, the service is excellent. Although the food at bonita is not as adventurous as Marlow, I find fun things to try every time I go. Every dish seems thought-out and is well executed, and above all tasty!!! I live down the street and come here often. Love this place!
Heather wrote a review on July 29, 2008 2:47 PM
I miss El Maguy Y Tuna. I think they moved from Grand Street to the LES? I also miss the Mexican place on Bedford that is now the Millennium Mart. Bonita is okay, but I didn't find it spectacular, as interesting as either of those places.
Now, Diner, I do like.
B61 wrote a review on July 29, 2008 3:10 PM
I have been to the Fort Greene location many times, for all kinds of occasions (dinner for two, brunch with Mom, afternoon snacks with a group, margaritas at the bar), and I've always had a great time. The menu is short, sure, but they do give the basics some interesting twists. The fish tacos are perfect. And the specials are often sublime.
I agree with HDL: Mexican food is about complex flavors, and much of what I've had at Bonita lives up to that standard well.
Also: The staff is very friendly and helpful. I'm a total fan.
Xander Crews wrote a review on July 29, 2008 3:21 PM
I am in the bland and overpriced group with this place, like other readers I wanted to like it, but it's the equivalent of decent Mexican/Chinese take out.
Nothing special, but nothing horrible either.
greenebee wrote a review on July 29, 2008 4:13 PM
I like the food here - yes the menu doesn't change... but always ask about the specials. Usually they are quite good. The one thing I don't like about this place is the portions are small combined with high prices. It's not really a great value, but it is pretty tasty. Usually we opt for pequena, but when we want something a little nicer, we hit up Bonita.
Gross wrote a review on July 29, 2008 4:41 PM
Where is the Resturant Tab? Would like to see all the reviews, but doesn't seem to be a easy way to do so.
Unless I'm blind.??
amt230 wrote a review on July 29, 2008 4:56 PM
daveinbedstuy - normally, "local" with reference to food sourcing is anything from a 100-400 miles radius (depending on who you talk to), which in any case includes a whole lot of farm land upstate, on LI, in NJ, and in PA.
bedstuyhoya wrote a review on July 29, 2008 6:23 PM
Very very big fan of this place (Dekalb location) What is not to like up about well prepared mexican?!? simply awesome! great drinks, brunch and specials.
The michelada is a great bloody mary alternative
denton wrote a review on July 29, 2008 7:08 PM
amt230, they're ain't a slaughterhouse in that radius. I remember someone was trying to start one and got slapped down. Don't remember the details.
For the local crowd, pls provide a link to the slaughterhouse where the locally raised Brooklyn cows end up.
werner wrote a review on July 29, 2008 10:13 PM
How on earth can Bonita rank higher than Peter Lugers!!!!!???!!!
LOL!
treehouse wrote a review on July 30, 2008 9:08 AM
The BEST. Excellent quality food with fresh local ingredients. I think everything we have tried has been amazing. The menu offers classic staples which are so satisfying that I often find it difficult to order off the menu even though the specials we have tried have been superior.
Pork nachos can't be beat....unless they are out of guac which has happened my last 3 visits...also the portion is much smaller now and I find that I get extremely competitive when sharing...Can you guys work on that?
It is obvious why Bonita ranks better than Lugars. The food is good:)
rocky4 wrote a review on August 27, 2008 8:38 AM
i can't believe most of the Mexican restaurants are getting an average of < 3 stars!
this is my fav, but i have a hard time giving any mexican place less than 5 stars.
typhanii wrote a review on August 28, 2008 1:17 PM
i saw an employee drop the sangria spoon thing on the floor and then put it right back.
i'm not a germaphobe, but that seemed a little fast n loose for my taste.
the wait staff tends to be pretty satisfied with themselves...despite f'in up my orders.
i go to the de kalb outpost more often.
I will now go to la superior instead, probably. it had more of a 'holy crap this is good' than bonita ever has for me.
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