




Locations
20 Cooper Square
New York, NY 10003
TUE-THU 12PM - 12AM
FRI & SAT 12PM - 4AM
CLOSED SUN & MON

Who We Are
“El Grillito” means cricket. It’s a childhood memory. My Abuela (grandmother) would take me to the fields to play “catching crickets” as a young boy. She also taught me how to cook for friends and family. All of our recipes are hers. She said, “Cook from your heart, and it will always be great.”


While sitting in Soho on the stairs of Lucky Strike I received a call from the owner, Keith McNally. Lucky Strike would be closing due to the Pandemic and my 18 year tenor had come to an end. I met up fellow Lucky Strike employees that eveinging to throw around ideas for our next move. I mentioned I was thinking about opening a food truck for a while now. Everyone said it would be difficult but I had nothing to lose and knew I was up for the challenge. I spent many years working well accomplished restaurateurs like Andrew Tarlow, Mark Firth and Keith. I learned a great deal from them and thought, “I can do this too". I took a chance and created “El Grillito”, A large bright pink Mexican food truck with the help of a customer turned friend and now partner, Greg Richards. My dream came to life. We moved around a lot trying to find the right space to park but, thanks to NYU who hired us for a prior event at Cooper Square, we found our home base! If you’re wondering where the name “El Grillito” came from, it means cricket and it’s a childhood memory. My Abuela would take me to the fields to play catching crickets as a young boy. She also taught me how to cook. All of our recipes are hers. She said, “cook from your heart and it will always be great” “Thank you Abuela, for being a part of my dream. I love you forever!”
Thank you Abuela, for being a part of my dream. I love you forever!
(Abuela & Juan Carlos, High School Graduation. Guadalajara, Mexico )

Catering

Interested in Our Catering Services?
At El Grillito nyc, we offer special catering services for events of all sizes. Contact us to learn more about how we can make your next event a success.