Taqueria El Chato — Restaurant in New York

Taqueria El Chato – 5/5

Visited Taqueria El Chato on a rare Monday opening—Cinco de Mayo, no less—and it did not disappoint. This tiny taco shop on 620 Manhattan Ave is already drawing serious buzz, and for good reason. From the same team behind Aldama, El Chato keeps things tight, simple, and absolutely delicious.

I tried three tacos—each $5—and all were bursting with flavor despite their smaller size. The standout feature? The tortillas. Made fresh in-house with Masienda corn that’s nixtamalized overnight, they’re firm, chewy, and clearly made with care. Chef Alcarez also makes all the salsas from scratch, layering each taco with flame-charred jalapeños, finely diced pickled onions, and a perfect mix of salsa verde and roja.

We got the Trompo (aka al pastor)—marinated pork belly and flank steak; the Suadero—slow-cooked brisket; and the Campechano—brisket with Mexican chorizo. Each taco had its own bold personality but maintained a beautiful balance of fat, acid, and heat. All three were fantastic, but the Suadero might have been my favorite.

The space is small and casual, but the food speaks loudly. Easily a top 5 taco spot in Brooklyn. Would absolutely come back and highly recommend it for anyone serious about tacos.

5⭐️ tacos...

🌮 A Hidden Gem!!!’🌮

I had such a fantastic experience at El Chato that I just had to leave a review! First and foremost I’ve lived in nyc my entire life and have never been welcomed in a place of business like my friends and I were. It was my friends birthday and being his extra self he requested they played music from Selena the moment we walked in, we were welcomed with genuine kindness by two amazing guys who worked there. Not only did they make really good food everyone was raving over (seriously, so flavorful), but the fact th y played Selena music just made our night! it felt like they really wanted us to feel at home. I’m the one who named one of them EL CHICO DEL APARTMENTO 512!!! 🤣 The vibe was warm, personal, and full of heart. It’s rare to find service that feels this sincere. They went above and beyond, and it didn’t feel like they were just doing a job—it felt like they truly cared. I left with full heart & I need to return to tip them both lol Thank you, El Chato, for treating us like family. I can’t wait to come back! And believe me WE WILL!!!💛🌮🎶 Te Amooooo El Chico Del...

$6 is WAY too much for the smallest taco I’ve ever had in America! $5 is WAY too much for a non-alcoholic beverage. I was very much looking forward to the opening of this spot but the vibes are off, the TINY tacos were good but not the best I have had in this neighborhood (the Birrialandia Food Truck, the Rey de Reyes Food Truck, Taqueria Ramirez, and La Superior are all superior). The tortilla was soggy and the sauces didn’t hit the spot. I also wish they had a toppings bar or that one could choose their own sauce. I tried it, but for the cost I won’t be going back. I’ll head over to one of the other spots mentioned. I am hispanic and grew up eating authentic homemade Mexican food in Mexico and the border states. This place is too gentrified for me. The irony that the hispanic fruit vendors with a table across the street can’t afford to eat lunch at your spot is depressing.

PS- the menu and IG -ad designs are confusing and are trying to hard. Best of luck to all of you with the influencers and gringo rich kid spillover from Pony Boy, one of the owners’ other...