Charmed Life Eats 8 Best Places in NYC to Spend Taco Tuesday
Lets taco ’bout it! The taco- a tasty, meaty, and inexpensive little Mexican dish.
Most people love ’em because they’re so hard to hate.
What’s not to love about your favorite meat or veggies, garnishes, and salsas tastefully put into a soft, expertly made tortilla? However, the west coast seems to take the gold when it comes to excellent Mexican food. But what about the east coast? New York may have a rep for good pizza and bagels, but tacos? The answer is yes, there are some killer taco spots right here in New York City. Many Californian and Mexican chefs have trekked out east to open up shop spread the experience of authentic, delicious tacos. We gathered a few of these eateries and listed them out for you, you’re welcome. So, without further explanation, here are eight of the best places to spend Taco Tuesday in New York City.
Dorado, $3-4 per taco
This small joint in Union Square offers cheap, fresh tacos in a very low key setting. They offer fish, chicken, chorizo and beef, with their baja style fish tacos being the most popular. They also have a few vegetarian options as well. In search for a heavier meal? No worries, they also specialize in delicious, cheesy quesadillas.
28 E 12th St. New York, NY
Tulcingo Del Valle Restaurant, $4 per taco
Starting out as a small deli, Tulcingo Del Valle slowly expanded over time and evolved into a classic Mexican restaurant. Visit this local favorite for some authentic tacos and quality Mexican beer.
665 10th Ave. (between 46th and 47th) New York, NY
Tacos Morelos, $2-2.50 per taco
This former East Elmhurst gastro pub has now opened a tiny, sit-down restaurant in the East Village, serving up some of the best tacos in town. The current taco menu has expanded a bit from its former location; options including traditional meats wrapped in hand-made tortillas and many kinds of salsas.
438 E. 9th St. New York, NY.
Taqueria El Fogon, $2.50-3 per taco
They end their taco description with, “the way it should be,” and wow, are they right. Their menu carries on the tradition of their family recipes, putting a Mexican street food twist on their entire taco selection. The tender meats are placed on extra soft corn tortillas and topped with onion and cilantro, with the option to add lettuce, pico de gallo, and, of course, queso.
1050 Flushing Ave. Brooklyn, NY
Otto’s Tacos, $3-3.50 per taco
This southern California inspired taqueria is bringing some west coast flavor out east. Their handmade corn tortillas are made fresh ever hour and are filled with your choice of shrimp, pork, chicken, steak, or mushrooms. The tacos may be small in size, but they definitely pack an extremely flavorful punch. Luckily they have three locations: East Village, West Village, and Hell’s Kitchen.
3 locations:
141 2nd Ave. (between St. Marks and 9th St.) New York, NY
131 7th Ave. (between Charles St. and 10th St.) New York, NY
705 9th Ave. (between 48th and 49th St.) New York, NY
Tortilleria Mexicana Los Hermanos, $2.50 per taco
Fun fact: this place is actually a tortilla factory. The owners just decided to attach a small cantina to the space. They crank out fresh corn and flour tortillas every day for everything on their menu, including of course their “real deal” west coast tacos and massive, loaded quesadillas. However, the restaurant is small and only accepts cash, but definitely worth the potential struggle to find a table.
271 Starr St. Brooklyn, NY
El Vagabundo Truck, $2.50 per taco
If you’re looking for a late night taco binge, look no further. The El Vagabundo Truck parks on Queens Plaza outside of the Courtyard Ale House every night and provides rapid- fire hot lines of burritos, tacos, tortas, and quesadillas. The cooks inside the truck are fun and personable and are more than happy to serve you your pre, or post, bar tacos.
Queens Plaza at 40th- 41st St. Queens, N
Los Tacos No. 1, $3.25-3.75 per taco
Created by three friends from Tijuana, Mexico and Brawley, California, this place has been dishing out simple, yet delicious, tacos straight from the family recipe books. Their mission: to bring true west coast flavor out east. A charming taco stand in the back of Chelsea Market, you have the choice of either pork, steak, chicken, or cactus on a flour or corn tortilla along side a variety of salsas. This place is a flat out winner, some would even argue they’re serving up the best tacos in all of Manhattan.
75 9th Ave. New York, NY (inside the Chelsea Market)