My friends had signed up for a Shearwater Classic Schooner sunset cruise, giving them enough time to make our 8:15 reservations at Javelina, a casual Mexican restaurant on 18th near the The Stand comedy club. The cruise line chose to wait for a party of three who were late for the sail, then tacked on additional time to make up for it, making my friends very late for our res.

When I explained the boat situation to the host, he said he’d happily seat me at my table as it was ready for us. While waiting, I sipped a green salt-rimmed rocks jalapeno margarita ($14)  while nibbling the fresh, warm tortilla chips and cooked salsa. The Margie was milder than I’d have expected. The dip kept me happy with its little kick.

Once they arrived, one friend tried their soup ($10) with grilled chicken, avocado, zucchini, squash and corn, along with their eponymous salad ($15) with jicama, tomatoes, pickled red onions and guacamole topped with grilled shrimp (+$7).

Enchilada portions are hearty. One sampled their steak and sour cream enchiladas ($23) filled with grilled hanger steak and topped with a sour cream sauce. Two of us tried their pulled chicken mole ($20) — an eighteen-ingredient chile-cocoa sauce sprinkled with cotija cheese and chopped cilantro. Each came with a side of Mexican rice and beans, black or refried.

Off we ran to The Stand, a fun comedy club home to some of the city’s hilarious performers, with many A-list comedians.

Javelina
Union Square/Gramercy
119 E 18th St,
New York, NY 10003
(646) 759-9539
javelinatexmex.com/