Taco Veloz — Restaurant in New York

On today’s nighttime expedition, I went to highly rated and accolade-lush Mexican joint Taco Veloz. I had initially planned to dine at Adda Indian Canteen, and I still got takeout for the next morning from them, but my sudden urge for warm, cozy, Mexican food overwhelmed me. Besides, Taco Veloz had been on my “want-to-try” list for quite a while.

It was a surprisingly warm day in January, and my seemingly endless walk through the streets of Brooklyn and Queens was pleasant. After a couple hours of walking, I made my way to Junction Boulevard and Roosevelt Av, where my long awaited dinner of Mexican staples could finally commence.

Besides, after all my walking — from Park Slope, to Williamsburg, to Sunnyside, to the bustling and familiar streets of the ever-ephemeral Jackson Heights — I had cultivated perhaps the greatest appetite of my recent life. Starved, tired, and thrilled to have reached Taco Veloz, I wandered through the streets of Jackson Heights briefly, before finally finding myself at the storefront.

Taco Veloz, for a brief supplement of background, is a highly rated Mexican restaurant, which, as the name implies, focuses on their greatly revered tacos. A couple locals recommended the place to me; those recommendations, combined with the impressive online reviews Taco Veloz bolstered quickly brought it to the top of my “want-to-try list”. A cheap, small restaurant, located in Queens that has a myriad of positive reviews — it was a perfect match for me on principle. But did the food live up to my ever increasing expectations?

The first thing that surprised me about Taco Veloz was that COVID had turned it into a take-out joint. No pick-up, no delivery, no dine-in, only take out. It was a literal hole in the wall. Taco Veloz smelled delightful, and I carefully watched as the chef cooked up a splendid concoction of meat. The meat itself looked so warm, so beautiful… so lush. I couldn’t wait to remorselessly devour every last bite of my four tacos.

As I stood, accompanied by two young Mexicans, I waited in a hunger-induced daze for my food to emerge from the wide stove in front of me. Roaring trains passed above, casual Mexican music waved in and out, and I continued my seemingly endless wait. Everyone else was communicating in Mexican, and I looked completely out of place — a sore, confused, bumbling white thumb. My awkward and somewhat emotionally cumbersome wait was very short, and I was handed my tacos. (Perhaps there is a god?)

I found a bench nearby to eat on, and at long last, after fighting a brigade of first world problems, I had my tacos.

The steak tacos were what I consumed first; they were unbelievable. The meat was tender and juicy, the tacos were soft and warm, everything worked together to create an unbelievable symphony of flavors: the meat was the melody, all else played the harmony. Amazing tacos, perfect, juicy, and flavorful. I have never in my life had beef as fatty and delightful as the beef in the tacos at Taco Veloz. I felt so comforted, so refreshed, and so reinvigorated by the tacos.

Next, the chicken tacos. The chicken tacos were weird; I had never had tacos quite like them. While the aforementioned steak tacos, which I adored, which rich and fatty, the chicken tacos were light and slightly spicy. I don’t think the flavor composition worked as well in the chicken tacos; while the ingredients in the beef tacos had produced an immaculate synergy of flavors, the chicken taco felt confused. Leafy greens, mixed with onion, and jalapeños, coupled with dry chicken — it was a strange, and not particularly delicious combination.

I wish the chicken tacos were as good as the steak, but even with my tepid response to the chicken, I still loved Taco Veloz. Great tacos, with vibrant and delicate flavors, for a good price. Next time, I’ll skip the chicken tacos, and try another meat. I recommend the steak tacos wholeheartedly, though, they are unfathomably good.

Rating: 9/10 Adjusted...

This is a local spot near me that forfills my cravings for authentic Mexican Street Food. The line is always lengthy but the return is worth the effort. Everything @ this food stand is fresh and delicious. My favorites; the different varieties of tacos, some that are not available anywhere else and the tostada mixta (other flavors available) . These two items I find quite flavorful, but I have eaten nearly everything on the board save for the burritos, there is not a bad a choice among the selections offered. The additional available sides are also wonderful especially the fresh chilis in salsa, gives everything a really nice punch if thats your thing. The fresh cut radishes are milder for added spice as well as the red and green sauces. Beverages offered to accompany your cravings are the perfect compliment to your meal. They have real bottled Coca Cola from Mexico(no fructouse), Taramind Punch (fresh) and other flavorful sodas you normally only find in bodegas in Latin America. There's a reason why this place is always busy compared to everything else in the neighborhood, once you try it ,you'll understand why. They also do take out as well. Be...

So I wandered upon this place after leaving a lounge at about 3am. The setup is very simple, basically a kitchen with a counter to either get your food to go or eat there while standing. Very basic menu in terms of items, I and everyone else there at the time got tacos, which is definitely the main draw. They have a pretty nice variety of tacos though, from goat to cow tongue to pork, and my favorite, bistec (steak). 4 dollars per taco, which arrived quick, under five minutes. And they were amazing. Fresh, juicy beef that is cooked while you wait.

The toppings are also great. I'm not Mexican so I was flying blind, but they had what looked like salsa Verde, other types of hot sauce, and containers with yellow bell peppers, jalapeno (I think) and other things that you add yourself, free of charge. The peppers are hot so be warned.

The beverages were pretty basic, had standard canned soda, Mexican soda in glass bottles and one dollar water, which is impossible to find in the city anymore.

In short, definitely recommend this place. It's open until 4am so if you're ever in the area it's pretty much sure to be open, and you...