Red Hook Ball Fields Delay!!

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We’re pissed. After setting the date on our schedule for an excursion out to the Red Hook Ball fields this Saturday to sample some of the famous Mexican stalls, word comes from Porkchop Express that the opening has been postponed until May 5th. Apparently from the official Food Vendors Committee of Red Hook Park: ...administrative issues beyond our control have forced us to push this date to May 5th. We are very excited to set-up shop (or rather... shacks!) and begin our season as soon as possible.

What to do for the last week until ball fields come? We’ve got a hankering for Mexican food, and not many ideas. The first place that came to mind was Alma, the ascended restaurant that looks over the New York harbor and loves to charge accordingly. But we didn’t have the money to spend on such fancy fare, and wanted something a little closer to ground level. Red Hook used to have a really authentic mom and pop place called El Huipil, which while not quite as ethereal as the ball fields, had sturdy mole and posole. Unfortunately, it closed a couple of months ago, leaving the winter fallow for any tasty Mexican dishes in the area.

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If you venture further out there are a few options. The Original California Taqueria on Court Street can make some passable tacos, as does Chicory. Try the delicious fish tacos. We’ll also vouch for Pacifico. They also have an outdoor garden, which would be very nice today. Almost as nice as milling around the stalls eating enormous burritos in the sun watching soccer. Did we mention we’re bitter? Are we missing any ones around the area?

Alma
187 Columbia Street
(718) 643-5400

The Original California Taqueria
187 Court Street
(718) 624-7498

Chicory
243 Degraw St
(718) 797-2121

Pacifico
269 Pacific St
(718) 935-9090

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Comments (14) [rss]

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If you don't mind going all the way to HK, Tulcingo Del Valle on 47/10 has some amazing tacos.

you can't get mexican food in nyc.

go to california, chicago or houston for some real mexican food.

oh wait, you people won't leave manhattan much less the state.

matty sounds like you are grouchy from your bad breakup with 'she loves ny' - lol!

you can get fine mex in ny, but those listed joints are all mediocre. wait for the ballfields to get going!

There are a number of good Taqueries in Astoria. Check out Viva El Mariachi, Luna and Tacos Mexico in the Broadway area. Or, head out to Jackson Heights for a multitude of other options. Other than the Red Hook fields, good tacos don't exist in Brooklyn. It certainly would be nice if Gothamist focused a little more on Queens, but then again, maybe I don't want elitist hipsters crowding my neighborhood, Brooklyn and the LES have already have taken over the Beer garden.

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Pacifico is garbarge, total Mall Mexican (think Lobo, everything is nuked). You can sit outside at Maria's (4th & Union), they are pretty legit, esp. with the fresh guacamole, which they do great.

I'd kill for even a Magnolia Cafe (cafemagnolia dot com) in Brooklyn. Where's all the Texas transplants? Hook us up!

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Have you tried Chevellas yet? It's EXQUISITE mexican food, and very reasonably priced. It's on Classon right off of Park, no sign, but an apple green painted storefront. This is currently the best kept secret Mexican food in Brooklyn. Enjoy!

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hey, what about spanish harlem? the recent influx of mexican immigrants to the traditionally PR/Cubano area means you can get yummy mexican food for cheap. try the trifecta at 103rd and lex (right off the 6 train...): santa clarita (for tacos); cielo azteca (for late night chiles relleno and live musica del norte); and el paso taqueria (slightly more expensive but oh my god the chilaquiles are fantastic).

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Wish we'd read this before heading out there. We got out to the ballfields all excited and starving only to find that the food booths weren't there. So upset!

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@Ronald:
Don't forget the taco truck on 30th Ave & Newtown by Key Foods!

Topanga Taqueria on Myrtle and like Willoughby, El Paso on 103rd and Lex, Los Paisas on Amsterdam and 103rd. Downtown Bakery in the East Village. Zaragoza Deli on Ave A in the EV. You can score some mangos y picante on Sackett & Smith on Saturday morrnings (they also have empenadas). Or go to any Mexican deli and hook that ish up in your kitchen yo.

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Fast and Fresh Deli on Hoyt b/n state and atlantic is one of those gems that sells authentic mexican grub out of their run-down deli storefront. Don't waste your time with anywhere else in the neighborhood for "authentic" fare....

I'll second Fast and Fresh. It doesn't look like much, but it's fantastic. I do everything I can to stay away from Pacifico.

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Coming from Chicago, I was amazed at what passes for Mexican here. (Stating, not hating.) I tried tons of places and am sure you gotta head to Sunset Park, mostly along 5th Ave near the park, to get anything resembling solid, cheap Mexican. I like Cafe Matamoros on 5th around 45th.

Have any of you been down 5th Avenue (in Brooklyn). In Sunset Park, there are virtually dozens of authentic, awesome Mexican taquerias and restaurants... try to venture out a little further. Red Hook is very 2005.

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