Posts Tagged With: Otto’s tacos

EV Bites – Taco Crawl

Posted on August 4, 2018 by Ziggy

Tacos Morelos

EV Bites is a new monthly feature, showcasing 5 places in or around East Village you should know about. I will occasionally extend the border to Nolita and LES, and maybe even mention a name more than once. East Village in case you are not aware is an incubator for top industry talent, and a goldmine of world cuisines.

In this issue I’ll focus on Tacos. In case you’ve been living under a rock, or in Staten Island, you are missing out on a Taco renaissance. These are the golden years for taco lovers, and its just getting better and better. This crawl features 4 places and an unrelated dessert that is convenient to the crawl. The only thing to keep in mind here is that Empellon usually opens at 4 (1pm on weekends), and the dessert place may be closed in the evening. So check the times. Its best to do this on weekends.

Shrimp Tacos at Otto’s Tacos – I’ve tried every taco here over the years but I keep coming back for this deliciousness. A good example of the so many NYC mini chains today that started in East Village. Try the Horchata here as well

Carnitas at Taqueria Diana – While I prefer the Hell’s Kitchen location, this is solid enough. The sitting may be sparse but this is a walking crawl, not a sitting one

Break time – Check out The Museum of American Gangster, and the prohibition era speakeasy on St Marks

Beer Braised Tongue at Empellon Al Pastor – The namesake taco is excellent, but once I discovered the Pork tongue it was no going back. Its all in that delicious, tangy sauce they make that elevates this thing.

Cochinita Pibil at Taco Morelos – This s possibly the most authentic of the bunch, and East Village overall. Wonderful, tender, slow roasted pork on a homemade tortilla is hard to beat.

Break time – Check out whats happening in Tompkins Square Park, my favorite NY park.

Almond Croissants at Patisserie Florentine – Finish with some of the best Almond Croissants you’ll find in NYC. Though the Canelles arent too shabby either

One of these stops is an important stop on this world famous East Village tour

Enjoy!

Categories: East Village, New York City | Tags: east village tacos, Empellon Al Pastor, EV Bites, food, Otto's tacos, Taco Morelos, Tacos, Taqueria Diana, Travel | Leave a comment

Best Tacos in Hell

Posted on October 27, 2017 by Ziggy

Tacuba Tacos Taco Wednesday (or is it Tuesday), taco month, national taco day. I lose track sometimes, and I never discriminate. I once even had an Al Pastor on a Thursday, a designated personal soup day. I did not enjoy it. But is there a governing body that registers all these national days? Are all 365 days already taken, or can things overlap. For example, can we add a National Shakshuka day on a day that just happens to be a National Chihuahua day. Personally I dont see why Shakshukas and Chihuahuas cant be combined, but I can see the need for a limit of some sort as eventually the list will become too tedious to maintain its usefulness. Do Chihuahua even eat Shakshuka? I bet Sabra Chihuahuas do.

Even though this list includes some of my usual suspects, I had to work a little hard to find the 5th for the latest W42st compilation. After revisiting some old faves, and trying some new popular places, I suddenly found myself in my longest streak of taco mediocrity. In a neighborhood with a largish Pueblan community like Hell’s Kitchen with tacos in every corner, you start to lose hope in humanity at some point. But with some determination, we prevailed at the end. Its “Never Lose Hope Friday” after all.

You can pick up your free copy of W42st anywhere in Hell’s Kitchen. The inserts are now gone, and the KTCHLST is now embedded inside the magazine

Click here for prior lists

Shrimp at Otto’s Tacos – Small but with a lot of Chutzpah. Smartly seasoned with Serrano cream and onions. The shrimp tacos to beat in the entire city me claims

Carnitas at Taqueria Diana – As many things in life, it gets juicier as it gets older. Slowly cooked porkiness, almost like they do in Mission, SF

Lengua at Tehuitzingo, – I brought many visitors for these tender delicacies that are sort of life changing. Some turned into big fans, some religious, and some in therapy

Garbanzo Y Hongos at Choza – As for veggie tacos this little guy is tough to beat. Mushroom and Chickpeas with “Chana Masala” like Salsa Negra.

Carnitas at Tacuba – This is the entree (below), not the “tacos”. You make your own tacos with wonderfully greasy suckling pig and Chicharron. CHICHARRON!

Tacuba Carnitas

Categories: Midtown West, New York City | Tags: Best tacos in hell's kitchen, Choza, food, Otto's tacos, Tacos, Tacuba, Taqueria Diana, Tehuitzingo, Travel | Leave a comment

Hell’s Kitchen – Eating Outdoors

Posted on June 30, 2017 by Ziggy

A new month means a new W42st edition floating all over Hell’s Kitchen. I love doing the Hell’s Kitchen tours on launch day and seeing them everywhere. The design and size of those babies brightens galleries, restaurants, and even those $5 fortune tellers. This month’s theme is outdoors, and for only $5 you can probably find out next month’s exciting theme. So pick up a copy and check out the rest of the issue including these outdoor venue picks, in color this time

Gotham West Market – Brilliantly designed, with outside bar counters and tables on both sides. Even the occasional Lincoln Tunnel traffic is respectful

Il Baretto – Well crafted sandwiches and salads on the quiet side of the kitchen (ok, quieter). Facing HK’s biggest park.

The Marshal – Try not to sneeze when you pass by this Farm to Sidewalk, or you may miss it. Its like the speakeasy of outdoor dining

Otto’s Tacos – Get the Shrimp tacos with a side of Masa fries and watch the world go by. And by world I mean tourists.

The Press Lounge – At the end of the day, this is the place to soak it all in. Hooray for zoning laws!

Categories: Midtown West, New York City | Tags: food, Gotham West Market, Hells kitchen, Il Baretto, Otto's tacos, Outdoor Dining, The Marshal, The Press Lounge, Travel | Leave a comment

Hell’s Kitchen Taco Crawl

Posted on October 8, 2015 by Ziggy

Tehuitzingo

I have to make this one short and sweet. My oldest who is now obsessed with everything zombies, finally convinced me to catch up with the Walking Dead. That’s pretty much my evenings this week, between throwing out the garbage and taking out the dishes (I havent proved yet that I can put them IN the dish washer yet, but I’m getting there). I dont even have the time to produce some nice pictures for you on this one, but I may do it later. Besides, tacos I find, are the least photogenic food items out there. Many look sort of messy or the same, and as soon as I get them I want to eat them quickly before they get cold.

In Hell’s Kitchen these days you cant sneeze outside anymore without a Mexican resaturant owner going “gazuntai, come on in, we have something for that”. It seems like every week something new opens up, and we are suddenly spoiled for choice. This walk will give you a nice taste of the Hell’s Kitchen Mexican scene, and at the very least some ideas on where you can get some nice meals.

Shrimp Taco at Otto’s Tacos (9th 48/49). One of the newer kids on the block, and a nice intro to the taco scene. Get your Horchata here too (as opposed to the other places). The rest of the tacos are fine as well, but this is my favorite

Fish Taco at Ponche Taqueria & Cantina (49th 9/10). I would ask for grilled instead of tempura’d. Al Pastor here on the sweet side but nice flavor as well

Al Pastor at Tehuitzingo (10th 47/48). And/or the Lengua. And/or the Goat. Oh fuck it, get all three and share. This place is getting very popular for good reason

Carnitas at Parada 47 (47th 10/11). Former bodega recently reopened with the same cook David (say hi from Ziggy). I like it here because its not discovered yet (and I’m doing such a great job keeping it that way). Its like my little Mexican oasis. Go to the front, order, sit, repeat

That should fill you up. For dessert head across the street for a Canotto Dolce at Sullivan Street Bakery, or better yet head to Gotham West Market for the sick Ample Hills Creamery salted crack caramel. If you still want more tacos, you can have more at Choza at Gotham West, or better yet try the fish tacos at Genuine Roadside. While not a taco, a spicy chicken empanada from Empanada Mama can also be included in the walk (after Otto)

Enjoy! let me know how it goes

Otto’s Tacos

Categories: Midtown West, New York City | Tags: Best tacos in hell's kitchen, food, Hell's Kitchen Taco Crawl, Otto's tacos, Parada 47, Ponche Taqueria & Cantina, Tacos, Tehuitzingo, Travel | Leave a comment

Hellish Update

Posted on August 26, 2015 by Ziggy

In my constant pursuit to bringing you the best bites in an area I call Hell’s Kitchen, I present to you this most pressing update. Two in, two out

Out: We fare adios to Bis.Co.Latte who lost their battle with the rising rent monster. This means we are saying goodbye to over 50 flavors of Biscotti, but more importantly Hell’s Kitchen best soups. Best of luck to Holly & Antone with the next venture. Hopefully a soup truck right at my doorsteps.

Out: Co Ba 53. While I wouldn’t be so quick to remove a place closed by the health dep’t, the last couple of meals helped with the decision. I wish them the best, and please if you do reopen, get rid of the stupid tablecloth. It makes you look fancier than you are, and it doesn’t fit the place and the neighborhood (Update: Just passed by them and they already reopened. Oh Well)

In: Otto’s Tacos. The first addition I didn’t even need to try. I’m already well too familiar with their East Village spot, and those shrimp tacos (hmmm, how you doing). But I did of course had my fix on day two of this most important Hell’s Kitchen opening since Gotham West. I’ll be seeing more of them

In: Mocu Mocu. More Japanese goodies in the hood, though there’s really nothing like this in the area. Artsy, nifty but very casual spot that is still trying to find its bearings. Essentially all sorts of Japanese street food and snacks. Takoyaki (octopus balls), Oshinko (homemade pickles), soups like the terrific white bean and Sausage Miso, Okonomiyaki (savory pancakes), Obanyaki (dessert pastries), decent wings. I’ve been here three times already and each time I discover something new. This project is a collaboration of two sisters and Hiroko Shimbo, an acclaimed cookbook author. Unlike the new atrocity across the street El Original, this place hasn’t spent a day on any hot list, while flying under everyone radar. Its all in the marketing, and word of mouth. That’s why I’m here

Buon Appetito!

Categories: Midtown West, New York City | Tags: food, Hell's Kitchen dining, Mocu Mocu, Otto's tacos, Travel | Leave a comment

Best Tacos in Manhattan

Posted on December 20, 2014 by Ziggy

A common misconception in NYC: “There’s no good Mexican food here”. “Skip tacos, concentrate on Pizza, bagels and hala”. “For Mexican you got to go south then west”. “Even the Mexican Soap Operas here suck”. Somehow 350,000 tortilla challenged Mexicans opted for the Northeast, while the rest went to Texas or California. Well, there’s no mistaken where the best Mexican food in the US is located, but that doesnt mean there are no decent options in NYC. As with any cuisine you just need to a little bit of homework, thats all. And in the past few years there appears to be a Mexican renaissance of sorts in NYC. And if you think the soap operas are bad, think again. Just like some of the taco joints I will highlight below, they are intense, colorful and will bring you to tears. Here’s one example that will no doubt change your mind. Now, lets get down to some of the best tacos the city has to offer…

Tehuitzingo – I’ve already written plenty about this gem in Hell’s Kitchen. For a while it was like one of those terrible soap operas (the other ones). Did they close? Oh no. Oh wait, they not only reopened, but they multiplied. Welcome baby Tehuitzingo on 9th and 41st. 6 pounds, 5 ounces. Thats how much Lengua they sell every hour. The original on 10th isnt the same bodega (deli) as it used to be, but the tacos are still the same no frills, no nonsense old tacos. Its all about the great tasting meats with just the right amount of condiments. Try the Al Pastor, beef tongue (Lengua), just beef, carnitas, or anything else you fancy. I havent had a bad one yet

Otto’s Tacos – One of the new kids on the block, this LA expat is gathering a lot of attention lately. Their Horchata makes every other Horchata I’ve had taste like 1% milk. I tried all the tacos here except the chicken, and shrimp (top) is my clear favorite. Coated with serrano cream sauce, with onions and cilantro, the Shrimp is perfectly seasoned and cooked just right. The rest of the lineup is not too shabby either and that includes a mushroom tacos that ~~both~~ my vegetarian readers can appreciate

Empellon Taqueria and Empellon Al Pastor – The natural progression from the labs of Alinea and WD50 is obviously tacos. Alex Stupak is perhaps the biggest player in this tacos revolution we are experiencing at the moment, with Emplellon Cucina, Empellon Taqueria, and now Empellon Al Pastor. The latter is the cheap simpler tacos with the namesake Al Pastor, shaved off the spit Shawarma style, leading the pack. Taqueria on the other hand is the fancy, polished taco option. And if I would be drafting Tacos as part of a Fantasy Taco League, the beer braised pork tongue would most be my #1 pick

Mission Cantina – The Mission District in San Francisco has some of the best Mexican food in the country. Some in fact claim that this is where the Burrito was born. So not surprisingly, James Beard winner Danny Bowien of the famed Mission Chinese Food in Mission can make a nasty Burrito, although its take-out only these days. The wings here are great as well, and all these goodies will make you wonder about the low Yelp score. Crafty shmancy tacos rule the right side of the menu, with Veggie tacos firmly in charge. But one has to try the popular masa fish taco and the lamb belly while its still around.

Los Tacos #1 – Where I come from, when you see a line, you stand on it, then you ask questions. Same rule applies to Chelsea Market where three friends from Mexico and California are trying to introduce New Yorkers and tourists to Mexican street food. Many claim that these are the best tacos in NYC, and who am I to argue. Try any of them, doesnt matter. As long as you try the Adobada. Say it with me, A-D-O-B-A-D-A three times. Good, you ready. Now get out there and stand on line for those abodabas

Tacos Morelos – Another fairly new mom/pop/cousin joint in the suddenly taco heavy East Village. The store and restaurant is on 9th and Avenue A where the slow roasted porky Cochinita Pibil reigns supreme. But its the cart on 2nd and A, where the EV rockers get their fix after gigs at 2 am, and where my friend swears by the Al Pastor. Almost 24 hours (they take a break around 4 am) is 24 hours to me.