LOS TACOS No.1 — Restaurant in New York

I’ve been walking past this place for such a long time. And finally decided that it was time for me to see what all the hype was about. There is always either a line outside or the joint is fully packed to capacity. I was in need of a quick bite to eat Because I told myself I was not cooking dinner. I wanted something different so I tried them out.

I will say they definitely have a market in this location. Who doesn’t love tacos. I decided after looking at the menu options that I would try the pork chicken and beef. You’re able to choose between a regular taco and a sore flower taco I went with a soft flower taco. Once you pay for your order, then take your receipt and move the area where they are preparing the orders they then will take your receipt and ask you how you would like your tacos. Because it was my first time I decided to go all the way and have everything included on each of them. I’ll be honest I didn’t ask what EVERYTHING meant I just went with blind faith.

Let me say this if you’re going, and you plan on eating your tacos, there you need to secure an area to eat first. That was one of the things that I found to be difficult and maybe it was just the time of day that I went during the evening, but it was hard for me to find somewhere to actually eat. They don’t offer seating they literally just have standing counters which encourages patrons to eat and run and not linger. Kind of smart of them. Once I found somewhere to eat my tacos, I noticed that they have the cutest little condiments stand off to the side. That offers a various sauces etc that you can add to your tacos. They also have foil sheets and cups for the sauce. which I am assuming is for those who would like to take their selections to go.

Hi started off by eating the pork taco and it was magnificent. Perfectly balanced, taste m, sauce, tenderness, everything I really enjoyed the pork. My favorite was the chicken followed by the beef. All three were very good but the pork was definitely hitting for me.. get any of the homemade drinks they offer. I opted for a regular Coke, which by the way requires them to open for you if you don’t have a can opener note for tops here.

Overall I would say it was a good experience. The food was delicious a little on the pricey side I believe I paid $25 for my Coke and three tacos but well worth it. It’s a nice treat every now and then if you’re looking for a quick bite, I would definitely recommend this place and I will definitely patronize them again. The only negative thing I will say is this lack of seating. Also they have a breakfast options that I noticed they have a line in the mornings for the guy comes out with a cart that sells breakfast burritos and they usually have a line so I’m sure those are...

Be warned, this place can and might elevate your tortilla/taco experience by a lot, especially if you are willing to give a pass to the price tag per taco.

One more thing, this location lacks an accessible dining area and does not have Any counter stools. People with certain disabilities who may not be able to stand for long periods of time or have any conditions that increase the risk of urinary incontinence (bladder cancer, pregnancy, diabetes etc.) this location isn't welcoming because in addition to not having a least a handful of sitting stools, there are no restrooms here. I get the 20 chairs, restrooms and 1977 rule, but to not facilitate a place for customers to wash their hands in the middle of a Global Pandemic when selling hands-on food is negligent. I've seen taco trucks provide portable sinks, I bet that 1☆ missing in this review that Los Tacos No.1 @ Tribeca can afford one or a couple of portable sinks.

Food Now: I tried mulas and quesadillas from this location few times before writing this review, one because the first time I didn't walk in the restaurant prepared for a blast of flavors from corn tortillas, barbacoa and Agua de Tamarindo (unexpected since I've had all many times from different places) and two because I wondered about flavor consistency- always there. With my personal exception of Mulas w/ Nopal, I wasn't as impressed as I was with barbacoa (mulas & quesadillas).

What to drink if you carry about $5 to spare? I've tried their horchata, though it's good, I am biased to Central-America's horchata. I recommend their Agua de Tamarindo because it's got the tanginess that it's hard to come across with imported tamarind + is sweet and refreshing.

Given that I am certain my grandmother who prepares home made tortillas will never read this review I say the following with confidence and without fear of never getting free tortillas from her-  tortillas (from other restaurants and common grocery stores) might never taste good after you've eaten tortillas here, corn tortillas is the way to go.

On my first visit, I totally missed fresh lime wedges and salsas in the molcajetes de piedra (black stone mortars) find and...

My friend originally from Mexico City swears by this place. She says Los Tacos is as close to a proper Mexican taco that you can get in New York, down to each individual element. She says the meat is more flavorful and properly marinaded, the tortillas are excellent, and even the limes are better than the limes one normally finds in the US.

I thought she must be nuts. I remembered having Los Tacos' food a few years ago and thinking it was good but nothing special. Certainly not as good as the Mexican taco trucks one finds near the tortilliarias around Bushwick.

I am happy to report that I was wrong: Los Tacos No.1 is about as good of a taco as I've ever had.

The first good sign was a lady forming masa into tortillas and placing them on the grill to order. The tortillas even puffed up! (As they say in Mexican culinary traditions, "If your tortillas puff, it means your mother in law loves you.") The final tortillas were exemplary. Just as good as the freshest tortillas one gets from a tortillaria.

And the fillings and salsas are phenomenal. My friend was right: the marinades pack a whallop of flavor. Same goes for the salsas, so if you're spice shy, be cautious at first. But I'm not spice shy, so I kept adding to my bites.

Even the limes they serve on the side are better than most limes you find around the city. I don't know what they're doing, but they seem to screen limes for quality in a way that Sweetgreen certainly doesn't.

Highly recommend...