Alan’s Kitchen Mexican Cuisine

Posts Tagged With: Alan’s Kitchen Mexican Cuisine

Hell’s Kitchen Guide – Winter 2020 Update

Posted on January 30, 2020 by Ziggy

Tulcingo Del Valle Chile Relleno A much needed update to the “Bread and Butter” of this blog. Seven year old Hell’s Kitchen Survival Guide still outperforming all other posts year after year. The Z-List and the Turks & Caicos page complete the top three. There are many sources for Hell’s Kitchen out there today but I truly believe this is still the most comprehensive and up to date of the bunch. Most HK guides written by people who dont spend much time there and/or dont really understand the area well. But enough about me…

Whats new in 2020? Mexican, Thai, Ramen, Korean continue to dominate, so naturally three additions fall into that group. I’m seeing more and more Chinese/NOLA style boils popping on 9th, and a slow moving shift from East Village (either opening more locations or moving). Its good news for HK but a little sad because it means owners relying a bit more on tourists. Still, that didnt save some of the places that closed lately like Gloria (I tell ya that location is cursed).

Dropped from the list:

Otto’s Tacos – Still like the shrimp tacos, but getting a little inconsistent.
Mentoku Ramen – Just prefer EAK and the old-guards
Benares – Closed
Gloria – Closed
Merilu Pizza – Closed

EAK Ramen Added to the list:

E.A.K. Ramen Hell’s Kitchen – My Ramen of choice these days. First successful infiltration of IEKEI (pronounced EAK) style Ramen in NYC, albeit on tourist heavy restaurant row (46th) for some reason.

UOGASHI – This is it! The Holy Grail in this Sushi deprived Kitchen. An East Village import. The space housed a different sushi place which explains why it took me 6 months to realize and try it.

Le Sia – Its one of those rare situations where I add a place to the guide before my first visit. I’m well too familiar with Le Sia in East Village and what these guys are capable of. Its a very fresh opening. Expect fiery Chinese style crawfish/crab boils, BBQ skewers, and the type of authenticity the neighborhood isnt used to.

Tulcingo Del Valle – Shame on me for waiting this long to add this one. I just never took it very seriously I suppose. A 20 year old Pueblan feels like the last of the neighborhood bodegas. No shortcuts, fresh or bust approach is the secret.

Alan’s Kitchen Mexican Cuisine – This one is a tentative addition as its new and I’ve only been once, but the Carnitas here so far are Mission-esque (Mission District is a Mexican paradise of sorts in SF). The tacos are so good I hear Los Tacos nearby are changing their name to #2

Click here for the full guide

Click here for the map

Alan’s Kitchen

Categories: Midtown West, New York City | Tags: Alan's Kitchen Mexican Cuisine, food, Hell's Kitchen NYC, Hell's Kitchen Survival Guide, Travel, Tulcingo Del Valle, UOGASHI | 1 Comment

Best Tacos in Hell’s Kitchen

Posted on December 7, 2019 by Ziggy

Alan's Kitchen Tacos, one of the four pillars of Hell’s Kitchen. Thai, Ramen, and bars are the other three. I cant think of many Hell’s Kitchen corners where you are not less than 5 minutes away from good tacos. But try telling that to the 100 or so poor souls standing on a long line in freezing temps at Los Tacos #1 (or is it #2) in Times Square because their notes say so. Oh its good alright. But in this Little Puebla there are options. Many options.

Carnitas at Alan’s Kitchen Mexican Cuisine – The newest kid on the block may very well be the best of all. No alcohol license as of this writing, but the kitchen dishes out some of the juiciest pulled pork and Carne Asada (top pic) around. Perhaps the closest you can get to Mission (San Francisco) quality. 339 W 44th St (8/9)

Shrimp at Otto’s Tacos – Small shrimp but with a lot of Chutzpah. Smartly seasoned, served with Serrano cream and onions. Slightly inconsistent as of late, but when they are on they are on. And when they are not, they are still one of the better shrimp tacos out there. 705 9th Ave (48/49)

Al Pastor at Tulcingo Del Valle – One of the old guards on 10th. When neighbor Tehuitzingo unexpectedly shuttered, the other T became the king of Al Pastor. You cant mix and match here, so bring friends, or a bigger appetite. Or both. 665 10th Ave (46/47)

Carnitas at Tacuba – This is the entree, not the “tacos”. Although the small designer tacos are good here as well. Order the Carnitas main and manufacture your own tacos. Its hard to screw up with that wonderfully greasy suckling pig featuring plenty of crispy Chicharron. 802 9th Ave (54/53)

Oyster Mushroom at La Palapa – While everyone else is offering just boring cactus, the newest taco joint in Gotham West Market has the most impressive array of Veggie tacos. The mushroom here works very well with the Chihuahua cheese and Pasilla peppers. Its like a Russian Mushroom Julienne taco. 600 11th Ave (44/45)

Tulcingo Del Valle