Can we find true Tex-Mex in New York City? Zagat editor Kelly Dobkin stopped by Javelina to find out. She filed this report for NY1.

New York City's hottest new restaurant isn’t serving up haute Asian or fancy French fare. Instead, New Yorkers lining up for a taste of authentic Tex-Mex cuisine.

"Tex-Mex is kind of a misunderstood cuisine,” says Javelina owner Matt Post. “There were a lot of places that opened up in the 70s and 80s mainly due to the frozen margarita that just took off in popularity. So you had a lot of places that opened as pretty much excuses to serve margaritas and guacamole. What we wanted to bring to New York was a greatest hits menu - something that really encapsulated Tex-Mex across all of Texas.”

Post, a Texas native, tapped Rosa Mexicano alum Richard Caruso to bring some of his beloved Lone Star state specialties to the Big Apple, including a variety of quesos.

"There’s a couple of specific quesos that we make that are homages to famous quesos in a couple different places in Texas," says Post.

"I would say that three quarters of the people that come in here order it. Very flavorful," says chef Caruso.

"The puffy taco is something that’s only really found in San Antonio," says Post.

"The whole trick to the puffy taco is as soon as it comes up, you gotta give it it's pocket,” says Caruso. “This particular puffy taco is made with carnitas which is topped with guacamole, pickled red onions and cotija cheese. That's pretty much it."

In addition to the food, Javelina is known for its inventive margaritas, including several frozen varieties like avocado cilantro.

"It froths up very nicely, almost like a milkshake in consistency. The avocado kind of cuts the lime; it’s a very nice flavor," says Post.

And presiding over the bar? The restaurant’s namesake mascot, Javier, the Javelina.

"A javelina is an animal you won’t find up in New York and they are a peccary, which is a close cousin of the pig. They roam around at night and they’re actually pretty dangerous if you run into them," Post explains.

The yellow queso is really good, really creamy, a little bit spicy actually. I never had a puffy taco before so I was excited to try this. What is not to love - a puffy fried tortilla shell.

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