I've always been disappointed by Mexican food in Manhattan-- so I haven't tried anyplace in a couple of years. What kind of Mexican places are these, ekscrunchy, if you know offhand-- Tex-Mex, Cal-Mex, Southwestern? It would be nice to have "home cookin'" (well, for a Californian) in my back pocket next time I go.

Ollie's is still dishing up noodles and Chinese-American staples at a dizzying pace at 44th and 8th. The service defines "curt", and the food is good but not great, but damn it's cheap!

Go ethnic-- head east and south to Murray Hill. There are delis and diners up and down 3rd that will fill you nicely without breaking the bank. And now that I think of it, Barbès on 36th St. is exotic without being too pricey. The most consistent dishes on their menu are the couscouses-- wonderful stuff.

Most of the Mexican immigrants in NYC are from the state of Puebla and that is the orientation of most of our "authentic," Mexican places. These two places on Tenth Avenue originated, I believe, to offer inexpensive home-cookied fare to local Mexican workers and both have developed a bit of a following among some food-obsessed New Yorkers. They are more akin to the places on 116th Street than to (what I consider) more gringo-friendly spots such as Zarela, Dos Caminos and the other "name" places. But both are very casual with not much in the way of pretty "ambience" so I would not recommend them to everyone. But coming from SoCal you might give either one a try. For more details, you could do a search on Chowhound.com, or check the menus as menupages.com. Let us know if you check them out!