Gothamist: Mas Taquerias, Por Favor

chapultapecas

Fri, 19 Jan 2007 18:45:49 -0500

I second explorers motion - get out of Manhattan and you will be surprised to discover that a whole other world exists. Go to any place in Jackson Heights/Corona and the Tacos are amazing. I recommend Tacolandia (a whole in the wall which has recently acquired seating), the street carts, and my favorite, Coatzingo. Ignore the person who said there is nothing good between 74th and 82nd. A lot has changed in the last 2 years.

Anonymous

Tue, 15 Nov 2005 19:28:11 -0500

Much appreciated, cc! Tomorrow I'm on it.

cc

Tue, 15 Nov 2005 16:56:00 -0500

It's there. I eat there once a week. It's between B'way and West End on the south side of the street right in front of Gristede's. I recommend the tacos de carne enchilada and the horchata's tasty, too.

Anonymous

Mon, 14 Nov 2005 10:46:15 -0500

Super Tacos Sobre Ruedas (a.k.a. the Taco Truck) on 96th and B'way Can anyone confirm if it's still there? Have I walked by and just not seen it? Finding good Mexican street food on the UWS seems impossible.

Stephen Sandlin

Sun, 14 Nov 2004 08:03:41 -0500

When did burritos become Mexican food? Look, there's nothing wrong with burritos, but they are not Mexican food. Semantics? Maybe... but I think that lumping bland burritos (usually found in NYC) into the Mexican food category is giving Mexican food a bad name. After 6 years of searching for good, home-cooked food that reminds me of Houston (where my neighborhood is 85% hispanic, and most certainly full of great Mexican food), I've decided that there is something missing in the water up here. It's the same reason bagels taste like crap outside of New York. I've tried to cook Mexican food up here. And while I do better than most restaurants I've visited, I now know what they are up against. Cooking on the Hudson River is not the same as cooking in Tampico. NYC has no humidity, no direct sunlight, no ingredients... Think of French Provencial... it's the ingredients that make the food and wine... why would Mexican cuisine be any different? My verdict... if you want good Mexican, buy a plane ticket. It's nobody's fault but nature.

Danny

Sat, 13 Nov 2004 21:44:49 -0500

The Great Burrito on Amsterdam Ave is an incredibly great and cheap place for mexican food.

allie

Thu, 11 Nov 2004 23:32:33 -0500

Okay, this is going to sound completely hypocritical because I complained above about not having authentic mexican food in NYC, but someone asked about carnitas above- I *have* to recommend the carnitas from the Manhattan Chili Company, they are awesome! They're mixed in this cream sauce that is to die for, just soooooooo yummy. Definitely not authentic, just extremely tasty.

Laren

Thu, 11 Nov 2004 12:52:52 -0500

I'm reading! I, too, like the tacos at La Palapa (and La Palapa Rockola).

cc

Thu, 11 Nov 2004 10:58:33 -0500

I know no one will read this, but I was sick over the last two days and I must post on this most important subject now. Being from South Texas en la frontera (that's "on the border" to you gringos) I know a thing or two about mexican food and taquerias in particular as I grew up going to them in Mexico pretty much anytime my heart desired. Now, the speciality down in that part of mexico (comida norteña) is bistek (or beefsteak if you prefer). Served in very small corn tortillas and no need for two tortillas on a taco, as they are filled with the perfect amount of meat and you get half a dozen for about $2.00. Yes, that's 6 for $2.00. They are succulent. The meat is fresh off the grill and sprinkled with cilantro, cebolla (onion), quesito (cheese), and salsa verde o rojo. You MUST squeeze lime juice on the meat at your table. Lime is a condiment in Mexico and Americans have no idea what they're missing when they eat authentic dishes and don't squeeze a little lime juice on them. That includes soups, but I digress...Wash it down with a Joya de naranja (orange mexican soda) and you're good to go. No one can season bistek like the Mexicanos. Not even the Tejanos who try at home in their kitchens. In fact, the combination of flavors is so elusive that us kids used to joke that it must be dog they're serving and that's why we can't nail it. (Seriously, you don't see a lot of strays walking around Mexico, and the people who own dogs, keep them on their roofs--i'm just saying. Of course, I'm just joking and, yes, i'm mexican, too.) Anyway, in recent years, tons of taquerias have sprung up in my hometown which is mere feet away from Mexico and even they cannot compare to the taquerias just on the other side of the Rio Grande. And let me tell you, my hometown can emulate just about anything else mexican as the population is about 98% Mexican-American. But, bistek, for some reason, eludes us. The point of all this being: don't think that any taqueria in Nueva York is anywhere close to being worthy of being put in the slop they feed the pigs to make your carnitas, capice? Believe me, I have done my research since I moved to La Gran Manzana 6 years ago. Anytime anyone tells me of a so-called good Mexican restaurant, there I go. And they all blow. And for that matter, I'm sorry to tell you San Francisco and the entire state of California, you blow, too. And to concur with a previous poster, burritos are a completely American invention. Just look at it: take a beautifully constructed petite little thing like the taquito and blow it up on steroids and stuff it full of everything in the kitchen sans the sink, and i'm sure if they found a market for it, that would go in, too. All of that said, the best taquitos de bistek, by New England standards, that I have found are in Queens on Roosevelt Avenue around 65th street. But, I cannot for the life of me remember the name because it's been a couple of years since I've been there. And I tried all the Mexican restaurants between 61st and 74th on Roosevelt and the rest all sucked so I wouldn't go to just anyone. Sorry, I know that's not helpful. What is helpful is that La Palapa in Manhattan, which is not cheap, makes pretty decent taquitos. I just went there for the first time a month ago and enjoyed it very much. They also serve elotes (corn on the cob) with chile and lime as appetizers which I thought was so cool because I've never seen that in a restaurant. It's traditionally a street vendor thing in Mexico. My only complaint about it, Where's the mayo, Palapa? Traditionally it's served with mayo, chile and lime. Sounds gross, but it ain't. I've only tried those two things, but they were so good, I went back a week later to get take out. The tacos are like $5.00 a taco, but you can make two out of them (in that strange New York fashion) so, it really comes out to $2.50 a taco, which by New York standards, ain't so bad. I've had the 96th street truck tacos many times and find them bland but keep going back because what else is there? I've had Coatzingo on 9th ave in hell's kitchen. I find the bistek to be more like barbacoa, stringy and greasy. I think it's because most mexicans in new york are not from la frontera and have hardly ever encountered beef. In the interior they eat pork because it's what they can afford. I can't vouch for pork except to say that in the case of taquitos, bistek is far tastier.

Laren

Wed, 10 Nov 2004 17:36:00 -0500

As noted in the alt tag, it's from bayarea.typepad.com, and it's from Pancho Villa Taqueria, where I haven't been. Yet.

bluestar

Wed, 10 Nov 2004 17:15:09 -0500

The NYC burrito hunt: the eternal struggle for all former SF-ians. I don't understand the proliferation of all of these pricey Mexican restaurants in Manhattan. . .bring on the taquerias! Chipotle is expanding, but it's owned partly by McDonalds. Someone tell me where else to find CARNITAS!!! Thanks.

Paul

Wed, 10 Nov 2004 15:54:44 -0500

Laren, you still didn't tell us where that picture was taken. I've still got my money on Taqueria Cancun...

pty_cooking_diva

Wed, 10 Nov 2004 14:12:49 -0500

LOVE SF!! I just really do...but I have to say that Mexican food in SF or the US is not the same as it is in Mexico---Maybe I am wrong, and I have to admit I have not tried all the Mexican restaurants in the US, BUT I lived in Mex for 8 years---My taste buds learned to love -chiles-, really. Then I moved to CA---and from the bottom of my pan I tell you it`s NOT the same.

Laren

Wed, 10 Nov 2004 10:29:54 -0500

First of all, thanks to everyone for all the suggestions -- keep 'em coming! Maybe we should do a 5 borough taco crawl. I ended up hitting the place on 23rd and 6th, Great Burrito on the way home. Did you know it's open 24/7?! I had two tacos, one al pastor and one chorizo. Both were well seasoned, fresh, and served with onions, cilantro, guac, and their homemade hot sauce. Pretty solid, but still some room for improvement. Could have used a little tomatillo salsa to zip them up a bit, but certainly cheap ($4.50 for two), fresh, tasty, and authentic, and best of all, at least until I have time for a field trip -- near my office.

dw

Wed, 10 Nov 2004 09:33:21 -0500

Taco Taco just north of 86th and 1st has good, authentic, cheap tacos. Also don't forget East Harlem -- none of the places there get covered by foodies, but it's a goldmine of Mexican spots. My favorite hole-in-the-wall is Tacolandia, on 3rd Ave and 117th St.

SUMwon

Wed, 10 Nov 2004 09:00:05 -0500

anywhere in jackson heights along roosevelt ave.

mila

Tue, 09 Nov 2004 23:47:19 -0500

guys, i don't want to be a food snob, but there is no such thing as a burrito in real Mexico Mexican taquerias. i love a good burrito myself, but that's not what i look for at taquerias. get some tacos, guys. they should be served with a double layer of soft corn tortillas, some delicous seasoned meat, a little onion, and cilanto...there might be a little variation, but not too much. i like verde salsa (tomatillo). go to the little place just west of 8th Ave. on 38th Street-3 tacos are about 6 bucks. have a corona and relax. get takeout if you don't think the place is fancy enough for your manhattan-lovin ass. by the way, i'm from texas and ny does not have any really good tex mex places. there are some good mexican nouvelle places, but that is absolutely NOT the same kind of food as taqueria food. La Palapa rocks for upscale Mexico city fusion...Tehuitzingo is good as is the back of the grocery right off the Bedford L stop (Matamores is the name I think).

Jennifer

Tue, 09 Nov 2004 16:05:17 -0500

SF and LA Mexican are fine, if kind of blah, but for real good food, you gots to go to ABQ and get someone's mom to bust out the green chili stew and sopapillas. The people REALLY starving in New York are transplanted New Mexicans. Will no-one feed us?

Adriana

Tue, 09 Nov 2004 14:46:28 -0500

I live in the Bay Area, and it's delicious. But there are some serious tradeoffs. The Bay Area can't do deli, for example.

Coolfer Glenn

Tue, 09 Nov 2004 14:42:26 -0500

I'll second the taco/pizza place on 23rd and 6th. Surprisingly, the tacos are pretty decent. Mexican in NYC makes me weep, as it does all native Californians. Not much here really fills the void. I visited a good place in Sunnyside that had a jukebox (playing all the south of the border hits) and pinatas hanging from the ceiling--so I trusted it automatically. I live near Calexico in Park Slope, which is pretty decent and a very good value.

Jen W

Tue, 09 Nov 2004 14:36:00 -0500

Not a taqueria, but a cheap and pretty good Mexican restaurant in Astoria is Los Amigos (just off the Ditmars stop). Added bonus: on the weekends the restaurant is open until 2 a.m.!!--I've been known to phone in an order for pickup before leaving the Beer Garden. When I lived in Sunset Park, I ordered from Los Pollitos all the time. Pretty good rotisserie chicken and plantanos/maduros. There's one in Park Slope, and it's almost as good. La Taqueria on 7th is muy yummy, and they expanded their space a year or so ago and now are a full-fledged restaurant. Speaking of regionalisms: In my hometown in OH, a Mexican family has local minichain called La Paloma. They make their own salsas, but I go for the green chile gravy (which is actually a spicy creamy, orange-colored, beef-based gravy with chunks of beef). They're specialty is sopapillas done up meal style, with meats, cheeses, and veggies (though they also have fruit ones). It's odd, but I have to have it when I am there.

Laren

Tue, 09 Nov 2004 14:21:43 -0500

The cart wasn't there today so I had to settle for a non-taco lunch, but you're the second person who has recommended that place on 23rd and 6th to me -- perhaps that'll be dinner, if they're still open. . . .

Terry Malloy

Tue, 09 Nov 2004 13:57:28 -0500

Try the taco/pizza place on 23rd & 6th. Super Grande Burrito or something. If ambience and claims to authenticity make food taste better, you probably won't dig it, but it has some of the best tacos in Manhattan.Otherwise go to Sunset Park. Or San Diego.

Laren

Tue, 09 Nov 2004 13:11:54 -0500

now I want tacos for lunch, but I'm afraid I'm nowhere near anything remotely authentic. I don't know about anything decent at 27th and 8th, I'm afraid, but I have spotted a cart on 6th Ave and 29th St once or twice that purports to have tacos . . .

bekka

Tue, 09 Nov 2004 13:02:54 -0500

loco burritto in williamsburg serves delicious, inexpensive mexicali burrittos & other mexican fare. there is a lot to choose from for both meat eaters & vegetarians alike. there's one right on bedford avenue & south 4th or 3rd & another right off the graham avenue stop on the l train, on graham avenue.

Laren

Tue, 09 Nov 2004 12:46:24 -0500

FYI -- I visited two taquerias in SF, but only one in the Mission -- La Taqueria. I liked the fact that their burrito didn't have any rice in it, and I had the carnitas with cheese, beans and avocado, and doused it often with their tangy tomatillo salsa which was in a squirt bottle on the table. I'm going to attempt to make some tomatillo salsa myself later this week.

Jackson West

Tue, 09 Nov 2004 12:39:53 -0500

Mexican cuisine is just as regional as any other cuisine. San Francisco's Mission Burrito is unique to San Francisco Taquerias. Can't really find them anywhere else, including Mexico. I remember a place on I think it was 27th and 8th avenue that had really good mexican food - Gulf Coast style. Of course I can't remember it now, and it's probably gone. Only good Mexican food I ever found in Manhattan.

folklaur70

Tue, 09 Nov 2004 12:25:14 -0500

FYI The 97th St outpost of El Paso Taqueria is between Madison and Park, but actually closer to Park Ave.

Lucy

Tue, 09 Nov 2004 12:20:23 -0500

I know it's probably the furthest thing from authentic, but the burrito that I dream about is from Chipotle, which has a couple of locations in Manhattan. The veggie burrito is packed to its limits and they're generous with the cheese.

allie

Tue, 09 Nov 2004 12:16:05 -0500

Laren

Tue, 09 Nov 2004 12:07:59 -0500

I have no problem leaving Manhattan, especially for food, so now that you all have given me recommendations in Bklyn and Queens, I can plan those trips along with my visits to the Manhattan spots. But San Diego, L.A. and Chicago may have to wait . . .

r.

Tue, 09 Nov 2004 11:45:32 -0500

Or like Chicago, for that matter. This is one of the few things I really find myself missing about Chicago. Viva La Pasadita! Or whatever.

explorer

Tue, 09 Nov 2004 11:38:35 -0500

Guess what??? TRY LEAVING MANHATTAN! Try taking the 7 train (it's ok, don't be scared) to 90th st./Elmhurst Ave. in Jackson Heights. You will find more taquerias than you know what to do with with REAL MEXICAN PEOPLE eating in them!!!!

billtron

Tue, 09 Nov 2004 11:30:19 -0500

Dona Rosa, Pasadena - good. Cotijas, San Diego - good. Eiberto's, Encanto - good. La Taqueria (Park Slope) - good. Manhattan - spiciest ingredient is always onions. San Fransisco - Manhattan in California. See above. Sunset Park - good. go.

brian

Tue, 09 Nov 2004 11:23:05 -0500

I was thinking it looked a bit like an El Toro or El Farrolito super B. Man I miss that S.F. flava! I live in Brooklyn (moved here from S.F.) and the mexican food out here is more like mexican't.

Van Helen

Tue, 09 Nov 2004 11:20:24 -0500

Yeah, San Francisco truly serves up its own unique interpretation of Mexican food, way, way North of the border. The preparations are quite unlike what you see in L.A. or San Diego -- unless you're eating at big left coast chain like Rubio's or Baja Fresh which tend to vary little. But in S.F. the portions tend to be very hearty, the seasonings flavorful, the servers often let you call the shots on what you want inside, and the selections tend to make you feel warm and satisfied no matter how foggy and damp it may be outside. There's a place in L.A. -- Pasadena, actually -- called Dona Rosa that puts its own awesome spin on soft tacos. From al pastor, to shrimp, carnitas or straight up veg, it's great. What about that place on 8th Ave. below 23rd.? The Chelsea Kitchen? They used to have tasty burritos.

amny

Tue, 09 Nov 2004 10:59:00 -0500

for good mexican food ya gotta go to San Diego to any one of the Alberto's joints (actually any place that ends in "-berto's"). Man I can almost taste the carne asada chips and horchata now...

Jeff

Tue, 09 Nov 2004 10:51:45 -0500

Tehuitzingo (on 47th and 10th) has some of the best tacos I ever had... and Tortas too. I have brought several of my out of town guests and chef friends there and they rave about it. However, as a heads-up to those of you in the 'hood who are going to make a trip - there kitchen has been closed for renovations for the past few weeks (last time I called was a few days ago). Not sure why, but call before you go. When it reopens it is more than worth the trip..

jarvis johnson

Tue, 09 Nov 2004 10:49:34 -0500

Taquerias are easy to find outside Manhattan. Go to Queens, Brooklyn, or Spanish Harlem and youll see whats up. However, some of these places offer platos autenticos which can be very tough on the unfamiliar stomach. My favortie is on 116th between 2nd and 3rd, it looks like a deli, but in the back theres a counter where they serve up the proper tortas y tacos. But it must be said that you cant beat la comida mexicana you find in Los Angeles.

jarvis johnson

Tue, 09 Nov 2004 10:48:42 -0500

Paul

Tue, 09 Nov 2004 10:43:48 -0500

That sure looks like a Taqueria Cancun Super Burrito in that picture. Yummy avocado salsa... mmm... We can't get burritos like that in Texas either, and this place is lousy with Mexican (or Tex-Mex) food.