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Categories: Mexican, Food Stands [Edit]
Neighborhood: Upper West Side96th St (1, 2, 3)
Mon-Thu. 6:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.
Fri. 6:00 p.m. - 3:00 a.m.
Sat-Sun. 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.
The upper west side is seriously hurting for good Mexican food. Actually, all of NYC is hurting for really good Mexican food, but there are a handful of places downtown that get the job done (I like Mercadito, El Portal, Mexicana Mama, Florencia 13).
So the Super Tacos truck succeeds in that it is the closest thing in the 'hood to the kind of cheap, authentic mexican food you would get in Southern California. That being said, it is nowhere as good as real deal cheap authentic mexican food in So Cal.
But its good, quick, cheap and right next to the subway exit at 96th street. If you're craving Mexican on the UWS, this isn't a bad choice.
The other two spots (farther north) to try are Noche Mexicana and Taqueria y la Fonda... both on Amsterdam in the 100's.
This is a great place to grab some fresh hot tacos for $2 late at night. I nearly burnt my fingers trying to pick up the tacos the last time I was here. I've tried the lengua (tongue), al pastor (shredded pork), and chivo (goat). The al pastor is the best from what I've tried. The orange soda is fine but why do they tease me with guava when it's always out of stock?
Crowds are minimal after 10 PM but I know I've stopped by after midnight and had to wait on line.
They are the first taco truck I've seen that actually have a printed menu with a review from the NY Times AND offering delivery service. How great is that?
Cheers!
N.
Good, standard, authentic mexican food. Not gonna say it's even close to what I get in California, but for those like me who have moved to NY from the west coast, this place is comfort food.
Tacos are 2 bucks a pop. Al pastor is the way to go. Lingua if you're more adventurous. Some people swear by the bistec, but I find it a bit dry. Steer clear from the carnitas...they're very bony surprisingly.
My recommendation -- get a taco al pastor, a torta (beef sandwich with avocado and the works) and an horchata. All for 8 bucks. You can't go wrong.
Oh also, they don't speak English well, so if you're planning on ordering in, then prepare to be patient...
As a native Californian spoiled by incredible Mexican food, I've found it hard to adjust to the sub par, nay - inexplicably bad - Mexican food in NYC. When I read about Super Tacos, it felt authentic and full of potential so I gave it a try.
I live about 15 blocks from 96th and chose to call for delivery knowing that they may deny me service since I'm a bit far. But the person who answered said that delivery wouldn't be a problem as long as I ordered at least $10 worth of food. I happily obliged, ordering one chicken tamale, one sweet tamale, one pork taco, one diet coke, and chicken soup for $14.
15 mins. later, the delivery guy presented my order upon which I gave him $19 which was all the money in my wallet. 2 mins later, the doorbell rings and it's the delivery guy again mumbling about how I should give him more tip due to the distance....can you say effing unprofessional and pathetic? First, I ordered more that I wanted, then I gave him $5 tip...perhaps I'm not up on the tip etiquette of NYC but that seemed like plenty to me plus it was all I had! If they didn't want to deliver this far then just TELL me and I'll walk down myself. MORONS
What made it all even worse was the food. The tamales were dense and dry, the chicken tasted kind of gross, like chicken parts that one should probably discard. I will say that the sweet tamale was ok actually.
The pork in the tacos was full of BONES and cartilage. Freaking disgusting. And the soup, I saved for later. This morning when I pulled it out of the fridge it was a solid, heart clogging mass of fat. Completely inedible and a waste of an innocent chicken life. heartbreaking, really
Please DO NOT ever go to Super Tacos expecting anything close to authentic and delicious Mexican food. This place is a disgrace and it's clear they practice cost cutting at the expense of the customer.
What do I miss about my travels to mexico? Good street food! How else was the taco intended? Something about ordering from an authentic mexican food truck makes the food taste better. They've got a great variety of tacos, including a large numbers of ones you'd find at a taqueria in Ciudad de Mexico. My personal favorite would have to be tacos al pastor, meaning shepherd style which is the mexican take on kebab style grilled meat which originates from Arab immigrants that went to Mexico. (except made of pork)
If you want more proof as to why this place is so amazing, just look at the crowds that form around this place from 8pm through the whole night. Fom the mexican community following to wall st. bankers and night shift workers, this place screams authenticity and dedication.
The tacos are priced to attract all hungry passerbys. 2 dollars gets you a double padded flour tortilla accompanied by your choice of meat and accoutrement. Al pastors are served with pineapple and cilantro. And if you're a true hot sauce fan, I believe their two picantes, green and red make for great additions to any of the meals.
They also serve a variety of daily specials varying from different Moles to tamales on the weekends. Make sure to pair your dish or taco with a good drink such as horchata (a milk like beverage made of ground rice or almond - have to try it to appreciate it)
All in all - Authentic, cheap, good community eat, in the heart of the Upper West Side.
P.S. for those learning spanish or wanting to learn how to order in spanish, this is a great opportunity!!
Me puedes dar dos tacos, uno al pastor y uno de chorizo por favor! (try it!)
This little truck gets a solid three stars for the bistec tacos. The corn tortillas were soft, and the meat was grilled perfectly. And it's hella cheap! I will have to come back and try the horchata and their flautas.
You need to know that I was a successful vegetarian for a good, solid, and recent two weeks.
You need to know that being a vegetarian ended with this taco truck.
Picture the scene - a quiet, sophisticated Upper West Side street around midnight on a Tuesday evening, and...what's that...not a sidewalk café or even a crepe truck, but SUPER TACOS! This substantial vehicle roared into the area to serve traditional Mexican street food to classy Upper Westers.
My late night hunger pains were nagging away from my belly, craving to be abated. I decided to sample some truck goodies and see what all of the buzz was about. My tamale was a dry blend of corn meal, chicken, and tomatoes. I usually like the corn to be moister and less gritty. The Spicy Pork taco was a blend of crisp pork shavings and chunks. I thought the pork had a strong flavor that tasted exactly of what you would deduce from the word "pig". Maybe my lack of fiery hot sauce and unexcitable pork palate led to my uninspiring review, but, while I found the snacks a good deal for the money, I have had better Mexican fare.
Best Tacos in NYC and super cheap. Several people working in a silver truck right off 96th & broadway who serve up the best tacos, enchilada's, quesdilla's - you name it and they make it. It is well worth the long line. No seating, but it's all good b/c you can go casual and just do curb side seating literally and no one will bother one. Don't forget to have a mexican soda with your food to wash it down - makes it that much better. ENJOY!
Don't go to Taco Bell. Don't you know their brown bean (or meat) filling is injected out of this weird metal squirt gun? Yeah, just try to get that image out of your head but I don't think that's how they do it in Mexico...
For your best late night taco fix, run to the Super Taco truck, only $2. Always made to order w/ plenty of fixings (limes, radishes, nice assortment of sauces). Generous meat fillings wrapped in 2 small corn tortillas. Squat on the curb in front of Gristedes and chow down, feel local. Bbq pollo or al pastor are my faves.
The crowd will testify--this is the real deal!
CHEAP tasty tacos & Mexican goodies.
On a constant quest to find the holy grail of tacos...I stumbled upon this vehicular wonder.
Peachy keen, jelly bean!!! Great prices, good tastes...their prep style on certain dishes varies from the way my family prepares them (probably has to do with coming from a different region of Mexico), but hey- in a world where Chinese are found making quesadillas...THIS place right here is the place to be...actual Mexicans making guess what? MEXICAN FOOD!
So go on, be merry, chomp on some tacos, drink some horchata & don't even break your wallet doing so!!!
Another famous food stand. I heard from my friend that it even won some prizes and the newspaper coverage.
Since I haven't tried too much Mexican food (Chipotle is another story, right?), I really didn't know what to order the first time I stood there. Then they advised me to have the $2 taco.
Their taco was Ok for me. (Maybe I just don't like taco) But their service was really warm and their cart was always the most crowded spot in that street.
I used to love this place. Hence my previous 4 star review. But I went back last night and was seriously disappointed. I'm thinking that when the lines went down, so did the quality of meat and taste.
I ordered three tacos, carnitas, al pastor, and bistec. I didn't finish any or even half of one. I love authentic Mexican tacos- used to live near the border. My friends know I'm on a constant quest to find decent taqueria's in the city (it's hard in nyc!). But what I started to eat last night was awful, not at all reminiscent of the tasty tacos they used to serve. The bistec was full of grizzle-like fat. I couldn't distinguish between the carnitas and so called al pastor (what I had was definitely not al pastor). Even the salsa verde was bland and didn't add anything to salvage the taste.
Seriously it reminded me of those Chinese food spots that serve Mexican. This might have been worse. If I didn't know better I'd say it was an imposter truck. I guess I'm just glad I only paid $6 for bad tacos instead of the ridiculous prices some places charge for crappy tacos here.
Yummy in my tummy street tacos. Almost like Mexico, well almost almost. It's a good thing I don't… Read more »
This is the best $2 we've ever spent on food in Manhattan. It's an (extended) family-run biz that's not a restaurant but a small taco truck parked on 96th between Broadway and West End. They're open from noon till the wee hours, sometimes past midnight, perfect for a post-drink grub. As far as Mexican food goes, this seems to be one of the most authentic hole-in-the-wall-style taco places in NYC. They've got a bunch of different kinds of tacos, from shredded chicken (Pollo) to more uncommon like goat, but our favorite is the spicy pork (Enchilada), with beef (Rez) as a close second. The Torta is a super tasty, filling, warm sandwich layered with lettuce, jalapenos, melted cheese, and a meat of our choice. We like the beef Torta.
Their tamales are pretty good too, either chicken or cheese w/jalapeno (sweet'n'spicy). And Horchata (a cinnamon rice drink) for a dollar! This place IS super.
http://nynyeateat.com/...
Bow wow chicka chicka bow wow chicka bow chicka bow wow chicka bow chicka wow.
Tacos. Is in the stomach. No more hungies.
I thanks the baby Jesus for this truck. He come to me one night while I asleep. He say, "Buy my tacos." I say okay.
When I'm in the neighborhood, I make it a point to grab a taco. I usually go with the spicy pork and a pineapple soda.
They are always friendly, quick and delicious. They can be a little dry, so adding a sauce or lime that they give can help.
Definitely worth the money. Good quality taco.
Looking for a good late night bite? Only got a few bucks in your pocket?
Take one of the red line trains to the 96th street stations and walk around the corner.
This place was right next to where I was staying and was very happy it was there!
Normally I would be apprehensive about trying street vendor food, where I come from in Miami the street vendor is usually a good place to get dirty food, or worse... But I was taught not to fear by a chef / traveling food junkie I often watch on TV. He was right, Mexican street food is awesome! (Thanks Tony!)
Unlike some of the greasy stuff we wind up with in Miami, this place makes really fresh and authentic Mexican good. Please don't confuse this with the Tex-Mex interpretation of the Taco, or that run-to-the-border (or bathroom) mega chain place.. These tacos are simple goodness of whatever meat you choose. Just throw on some lime, hot sauce, and never forget the cilantro and onions!
Try the Chorizo, it's got amazing flavor and pick up some Horchata (rice milk and cinamon drink) to cool off the spicyness, it's awesome and only a buck.
Definately on my list of favorite cheap places to eat IN Manhattan!
So I live across the street from this famed truck, and if I want to make myself hungry at night, all I have to do is open my window and let the aromas waft in. I was quite intimidated my first visit because not only did I not know what everything was on the menu, but I felt stupid ordering in English. BUT, once I got over myself after a few visits, I now have a few favorite standbys, and always have a way to satiate those late night cravings.
Tip: I've noticed that if you order in spanish, sometimes the lady comps you a taco or two.
I've heard it is hard to find good mexican food in new york. Obviously those individuals have not tried the taco truck.
One of the best and by far the cheapest meals in the city, be prepared to be stuffed by spending less than $10 bucks! The BBQ chicken and steak tacos are amazing, at only $2 a pop ,and the horchata for only one dollar is fantastic. Every time I have walked by this place there are at least 10 people ordering/eating. My friend is lucky enough (or maybe cursed, depending on how you look at it) to live on the same block as the infamous truck.
viva la super taco!
Scott, thanks for dragging me here. You're right the meat fillings are generous and the soft tortillas hit the spot. Definitely try the Al Postor I loved those. Can't say that I loved everything but the horchata was delicious :o)
Date Rating: 4
Pick up Scale: 1 (I wouldn't exactly go here to meet people)
Strong Suggestion: Read Scott's review.
Where were you on Oscar night? I was hanging out with the mexicans huffing exhaust fumes and eating tacos.
My first visit to Super Tacos "Sobre Ruedas" I had the sweet tamale($2) it was good it has raisins on it and some red color to it but no meat or other ingredients.
The al pastor tacos($2 each) were just ok kinda dry.
To drink I had the Agua de Jamaica which is a red juice, I've had it at other places but this one wasn't very sweet.
Maybe I just caught them on an off night.
----
Second Visit was much better. The special was posole but they were out of it cause I got there about 9 pm and they had been open since noon because it was Sunday. It was cold out like last time but they had a small folding room built up around the window that could fit about 10 people in it, problem was they had their truck running and the carbon monoxide was getting thick.
So I ended up ordering a tostada de tinga($3) which was real tasty. I then ordered a mexican sandwich with spicy pork inside(Torta de Carne Enchilada). It was very very yummy probably the best thing I had there on both visits. I also got another sweet Tamale because they were out of all other 3 kinds. This tamale was much bigger than last time and again very tasty. To drink I got Agua de Horchata which was sweet and had cinnamon or nutmeg in it, YUM!
I might try to get there earlier in the day when they have tamales with meat. They are there at 6 pm every day except for weekends when they are there starting at noon. Every day they have a different unique dish such as Mole Verde on Monday, Guisado de Res on tuesday etc.
Go try em out and hopefully you catch them on a good day.
You can call ahead for pick up. They are open until 2 AM every day except fridays when they close/drive off at 3 AM.
Great place. Great food. Don't discount the veggie taco - they put this awesome Mexican cheese in it along with lots of extra beans, so it's nice and messy. Top it up with a squeeze of lime and a dash of the green salsa and you're in heaven.
Pretty much everything here is awesome. Food is yummy, service times are pretty short, prices are cheap, and the people are nice.
Great late night eats!
Not a cart, but rather a Grumman catering truck, this street vendor has become a NYC institution having been in the same spot for close to 20 years. Real Mexican street food. Not to mention it's been written up in every magazine and newspaper in the city...multiple times. Get any of the soft shell tacos ($2), they're all very good. You can choose from beef, sausage, tongue, tripe, goat. As for pork, choose from fried, spicy or roasted (Al Pastor). Chicken tacos come as plain, spicy or breaded. The tamales ($2), are also very good (I get them to go), and come as cheese, pork, chicken or sweet. Self-serve condiments (free) are lime wedges, red or green sauce, and jalapeños. All told, NOT including the tacos, there are 20+ things to choose from, ranging in price from $2 to $10. (i.e. For $10 you get a whole fried Porgie, with salad or rice & beans.) If you think you might return multiple times, ask for a menu as some things are only available on certain days, i.e. Mole Poblano on Fridays ($7). If I can figure out how to do it, I'll post the hours, but the important part is open until 2am!
I can't really add anything to the reviews unfortunately. 96th St. used to be my subway stop, and I'd hit up Super Tacos at least once or twice a week. Tortas were always my favorite, with an extra helping of green sauce.
I've tried the pozole, and not really cared for it, but that seems like it's getting fancy. If it's 2 AM and you're hungry, grab some tacos or a torta, and be happy.
Pretty good. The tamale was a bit dry, but the burritos, quesadillas, and tacos are all up to par. The al pastor is awesome.
Review #300 goes out to my new favorite quick fix on the UWS. Operating out a truck on the Southwest corner of 96th and Broadway (across from a Gristede's), this unassuming operation makes an assortment of tacos that remind me fondly of a taco cart I had a love affair with in Playa de Carmen.
Tacos are $2/piece and represent most of the menu. A generous amount of meat/fillings are provided on top of two soft tortillas. Gorditas and Tacos Durados are $3 (will explain those below). There are daily specials including soups and Tamales (Sat/Sunday).
Two salsas are available. Red and green. Both are spicy - I prefer the green a lot more. Limes are also available.
Here's what I've had:
Tacos:
Al Postor (Pork + pineapple) - My favorite taco so far.
Carne Enchiladas (Spicy Pork) - Combined w/ lime and the salsa verde, this is really tasty.
Bistec de Res (Steak) - Chewy chunks of steak not ground beef. Another winner.
Chorizo (Sausage) - Really liked this as well. Not quite as much as the pork tacos but I'll be ordering this again.
Barbacoa de Pollo (bbq chicken) - Not as tasty as the pork but a healthly amount of chicken and not too dry. Worthwhile if you're a swine-o-phobe but not a must-have.
Pork Gordita - This is a grilled sandwich made of cornmeal bread, lettuce, a white cheese, and a choice of meat. I chose pork. This was good but not as satisfying as a taco.
Tacos Dorados - Three rolled, deep-fried tacos that either are - or are very much like - taquitos. Chicken is the only choice and they are topped with shredded lettuce and white cheese. These are good but, again, not as essential as the pork or chorizo tacos.
Tamales - Only available on the weekends, this was my least favorite thing I had here. Very dry and flavorless. Not worth it in my eyes.
Orchata - This white beverage sells for $1. While it looks milky, I believe it's made of rice and has a nice cinnamon flavor to it. Definitely tasty and pretty refreshing.
Service is pleasant and I didn't feel like too much of an ass for ordering in English. There's always a bunch of people hovering around the cart - let's just say they don't look like Yelpers.
If you ask for it to go, they wrap each thing up in foil, add in containers of red and green salsa, and wedges of lime. They'll even deliver but I figure the walk there helps burn some calories in advance....
Thanks Steve M, Ted S, and Larry L. for the great reviews on this. Seems like we're all on the same page on this one - I'm just an easier grader when it comes to this kind of thing :)
Last note: If you're still hungry, go across the street to the Southeast side to check out if the Delicioso Coco Helado cart is out (http://www.yelp.com/bi...).
I had been reading a lot about the Taco Truck (NY Times article, May 16) so finally I had to see for myself.
I am pleased to report that these tacos are pretty damn tasty. I had one each of barbacoa (chicken), bistec (steak) and al pastor (pork with pineapples).
For $6, you cannot find a much cheaper, or more delicious, meal. This would probably cost $15 at a faux Mexican place downtown, and not taste as authentic either.
I'm looking forward to trying the tortas (sandwiches) and tamales, but that will have to wait for the next time, or time after that. When you're addicted to tacos, like I am, it's hard to avoid ordering your usual.
In any case, Taco Truck is worth a pitstop.
Every night, a long silver van pulls up to the southwest corner of Broadway and 96th and serves some very tasty tacos. There's plenty of debate over which New York-based hole-in-the-wall joint serves the best tacos, but surely Super Tacos, for the nominated in the 2005 Vendy Awards, is in the upper echelon.
There are daily specials, a regular list of sandwiches (tortas) and tacos, and occasional specials that are written down on the back of a paper plate and taped up to the side of the van.
Personal favorites: the al pastor tacos (with diced pineapple, onion, and cilantro), tacos dorados (chicken wrapped in tortillas, deep fried and topped with queso fresco... three to an order), and the moles. I cannot spar on the merits of mole - I just think theirs is quite tasty and even better with their tortillas than the somewhat dry rice.
If you get the food to go, expect to find quartered lime (sometimes lemon) wrapped in tin foil for sprinkling over your tacos, and a container of their lip-smacking green salsa. The red salsa, strangely enough, seems hotter.
The tortas are good for a change of pace, but I wouldn't go just for them. They're served on mini sub rolls, flattened out, and seem to follow a similar pattern. Both sides have mayo, the filling goes in, and it's topped with some jalepenos that have been grilled on the cook top. Maybe some cheese, too.
For a winter treat, ask for a cup of the arroz con leche. It's kind of like horchata, but hot. As the name implies, it's rice and milk, but warmed up with some sugar and maybe some cinnamon.
Of all things, you can even get delivery from the van. There are a few bikes locked up on the railing outside Gristede's. However, the best way to eat the tacos, even in the freezing winter, is by standing out in front of the truck. When the wind picks up, they'll drop down plastic curtains. The food turns over quickly, there's Mexican music playing, you're in a diverse crowd ranging from kitchen help to businessmen, and your lips are tingling from the salsa. What more do you want?
I don't know what time the van actually pulls up - I'm going to guess around 6 PM. I also don't know what time it leaves, but my impression is that it stays until the wee hours.
If you have never been then go. Take your friends and a few bucks and you can but freshly made, authentic tacos ($2) and other Mexican dishes.
With a line filled with as much people speaking Spanish as English this truck has a following like you would not believe. The prices are amazing, the service fast, and condiment station that will make any taco lover happy.
And get this...you can call your order (917-837-0866) or they deliver!!
This place fulfills my basic criteria for 5 stars: cheap and delicious. The tacos are great but the quesadillas are the best deal. And finally, the best meat that they offer is the suadero. While the al pastor and others are basic meats, the suadero is really tasty and is very satisfying.
Oh, and get the horcata. It's $1. Nuf said.
A hole in the wall without the hole or wall, this truck serves up Mexican fare to go that is ridiculously cheap and tasty. Though I've heard that white people (half of me) might not care for the bones and stuff that is often part of the meat experience, my beef taco was delightfully free of cartilage. The potato flautas I had were a bit dry and underwhelming, but I'm sufficiently intrigued to explore the rest of the menu. Now if only the taco truck drove around playing mariachi music like a modified ice cream truck...
Review: Pavement said it best: heaven is a truck, and I believe they meant this taco truck; serves some of the best tacos this side of the Pacific
The Good: the bistec and al pastor tacos remind me about all that is good about corn tortillas and meat; eating off paper plates and ponying up to a food wagon is muy romantico
The Bad: Broadway traffic doesn't always make for a happy Super Tacos experience, but that's really a minor issue
get the atole!
Pastor is su-poib.
Good lengua and Horchata.
finally found a good taco truck in nyc! cheap and delicious...had the pork and chicken gorditas...crunchy on the outside, juicy and flavorful on the inside...the $1 horchata went really well with the gorditas...loved it!
Love this stand. Cheap, tasty, made to order, open late (at least midnight). Tacos and tostadas mostly $2, range of filling options including beefsteak, chicken, and for the adventurous, tongue. Excellent agua de horchata, not as sweet or thick as some. Friendly workers ... well, sometimes a little too friendly -- my last visit, I got a slightly lascivious offer for home delivery!
A good place to grab takeout on your way off the subway. There's a line during peak hours, but it moves fast.
One of a number of taco trucks that make shop on the streets of New York City, this is one of the best. The tacos come in many varieties and are very cheap.
Next time you're in the area and need a late night snack, give it a try.
is it possible to have "close proximity to a taco truck" as one of the deciding factors in apartment hunting?
why yes, yes of course.
I see this truck all the time since I live across the street. I've had it a few times and thought it was very good, the verde salsa is pretty darn spicy and that's saying something considering a lot of places I've been to are pretty mild.
After reading these reviews, I'm curious to try this place again seeing as how it's so convenient and well-rated!
This place is SO good. Great for food on the go.
So I was brave and decided to give the notorious taco truck a try. I dithered and hemmed and hawed and finally the guy offered to make me something that was not on the menu (cesina) which I took as a very nice gesture. Have I had better cesina? Yes. But the entertainment of watching six people in the truck stuffing themselves gleefully with pork and grooving to norteno music whilst sipping horchata was quite special indeed. Not bad for "sobre ruedas" (on wheels).
Happy Hour Second to None!
Neighborhood: East Village
unlimited drinks
Neighborhood: Stuyvesant Town
Neighborhood: Upper West Side
Category: Mexican
Neighborhood: Upper West Side
Category: Mexican
Neighborhood: Upper West Side
Category: Food Stands
Neighborhood: Upper West Side
Category: Food Stands
Neighborhood: Meatpacking District
Category: Food
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