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116th St (6)
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Can anyone enlighten me as to why Carnitas are better in California and Al Pastor is better in New York? Are Carnitas better on the west coast of Mexico, too?
In any case, this definitely seems to be the case. And this place has the best Al Pastor tacos I've had in NYC so far.
Taco flavored kisses, indeed. For less than the cost of a subway ride, you can have some authentic Mexican in yo Mouf!
For those of you not in the know, 'al pastor' is a technique for roasting pork loaned from Turkish/Lebanese shwarma; take a hunk o meat, season it up, stick it on a vertical spit and top it with a pineapple (the enzymes break down tough parts and keep it juicy), then let it rotate and marinate until delicious, shaving bits and pieces as you go for consumption.
$2 gets you a lovely lil taco served up in a double soft corn tortilla, filled with your choice of tongue, chorizo, pig ears, steak, a couple of other parts of mammals I'm forgetting...or the wonderfully spiced al pastor, which they'll top with a slice of the pineapple (it provides a nice sweet contrast to the savory roasted pork), homemade hot sauce, cilantro/lettuce mix, diced onions, and a light squeeze of lime. If in a truly gluttonous/drunk mood, I will eat 5 of these...but for normal hunger, 3-4 will suffice.
I have no idea when they open, or even if/when they close - I've eaten here at 3 am on Saturday nights, and I've also passed at 5:30 am on Monday morning, and seen them filled to capacity with people ordering thick sliced bacon, fried egg, and crumbly white cheese tortas on that lovely buttery grilled bread they use for sandwiches.
No booze (just Pepsi and fanta in a bottle) and no credit cards accepted - but when the tacos are $2, do you really need one? And so what if there's minimal seating (4 chairs around a table in the back) with only a ledge stocked with chili peppers, diced radishes, cucumbers, limes and homemade salsas (pico de gallo, tomatilla, chipotle) for eating - you're here for the *amazing food*, not the atmosphere.
Taco Mix is the TROOF!
(-1 star for the bathroom with NO SEAT. I'm not saying I'm trying to drop a deuce, or even plan to sit during my tinkle, but can ya'll at least install one for 'aiming purposes' so I don't feel like I'm popping a squat in the woods?)
Calling all West Coasters! THIS is the closest you'll get to our beloved Mexican food here in Manhattan! Not El Farrolito on 116th and Mission status, but legit enough for me to make the treck from Washington Heights to eat.
While the tacos are good, the tostadas are even better, AND they are both equally priced. I like Taco Mix's carnitas better than bistec, and bistec better than barbecoa. Taco Mix isn't cheap with their salsa, chiles, and limon; it's self serve and all you eat!
Bottom line: get the tostadas. Two of them to start with, three if you're a man with large appetite. Stock up on the green sauce. Ta-dow, how you like me now?
Taco Mix's only downfalls: tight space (leading to lack of seating and confusion as to who's in line and who has ordered) and lack of aguas frescas. I would have said burritos, but they've recently added them to the menu, even if I won't be ordering the shrimp burrito anytime soon...seafood can get sketchy, even at Taco Mix.
Hello hello helloooooo...I done found an Al Pastor taco winner!!!
WHY didn't I think of this sooner...Hay-Zeus Christos!
So getting back from a trip to the Mexican Caribbean, my taste buds had been reintroduced to fuckin' awesome al pastor tacos...so there was a recent point of comparison to work with.
The b/f & I had peeped this place precisely the day before we took off on vaca...so the same day we got back from our trip & already cravin' some al pastor yumminess, we headed over to Taco Mix.
This is it, my man...as far as Al Pastor goes I need not venture further.
A) it's on fuckin' point
B) $2/taco...ONLY $2
C) well served
D) opened during those "I'm craving a mean al pastor taco" hours
The cesina tacos were OK...they have 2 sizes:
-small (normal) sized tacos for $2
OR
-slightly larger tortilla for $2.50...3 of these is a fuckin' full on meal...no joke, they hit the spot lovely.
If meat love like this can be cheap...than I'm one al-pastor taco-loving Ebenezer Scrooge.
To the person who had to travel in broad daylight...I'm guessing you're not from NY.
Spanish Harlem is safe.
I have walked around here late and no one has bothered me.
If you can't walk around NY with attitude-go back to the burbs.
Anyway, the tacos are the BEST in the city!!!
BEST TACOS IN NYC!!! and that's coming from a cali girl who knows her mexican food. ever since i moved to ny i've been on an eternal search for the most authentic mexican tacos and now 6 yrs later, I'VE FINALLY FOUND IT! these are finger lickin good. i've tried the steak and the al pastor, both excellent. my friend even tried the lingua (tonque) and it was super tender. i just wish i didn't have to travel for 45 mins to get to it. Taco Mix please come to brooklyn...
Holy Cow - the BEST tacos in New York!
Just read the reviews and take heed...
It'd be helpful to know a handful of Spanish, but you can always guess, point and gesture.
After having moved to New York City from California, and experiencing abysmal Mexican food, I had almost lost hope for finding a corner taqueria where you can get a great taco for next to nothing.
That all changed when I took my first bite of the Taco Al Pastor from Taco Mix. The meat is carved right in front of you, as well as the pineapple, and then they add a delightfully spicy salsa on top.
Some may not like the cramped feeling of the restaurant, but it really reminded me of those taquerias in San Francisco. There is only one table in the back, and it only seats 4. But there is a counter that you can eat standing up, so it is great for popping in for a quick bite.
Now, if you don't like spicy food (and if you don't why are you eating Mexican?), then maybe this isn't the place for you. But, if you are a fan of a great taco, then I can't recommend Taco Mix enough!
yummmmmm 2 dollar tacos... ok so i have to admit before coming here all i could think bout was the dreaded walk through spanish harlem... but i did it!! in broad daylight of course! tons of joints around the area... i hope to one day come back and try others!
and yay! enter into this lil hole in the wall takeout place that reminds me of a joint in frisco!
so because i did some research before hand i knew exactly what i wanted! the two weirdest things on the menu!
corn tortillas never been my fav but it held the meat well... everything still managed to leak out tho boo =(... size of tacos are super mini, smaller than ones at the deli on 49th and 10th... the creamy green sauce was a nice touch... nothing overly spicy in my opinion
buche taco (pig's stomach) - very flavorful and tender!
oreja taco (pig's ear!) - very gelatiney tasting... could have used more salt... this one was more bland than the other... still gotta love pig's ear tho!
after finishing these two and walking towards 125th i realized man i should have ordered just one more taco!!
The tacos here are fantastic! Try the lingua and carnitas tacos. Also, their huaraches are great too. Don't forget to heap on the toppings that are set out on the counters (esp the hot peppers), it'll really make the tacos sing. And yeah, the al pastor is pretty good!
If you are looking for authentic Mexican tacos,(this means, no lettuce, no sour cream, no cheese, spicy salsa and eating standing up)
this is the place
its a very tiny place and sometimes gets really cramped.
dont go expecting guacamole and chips or sitting down to have a meal.
the y have a great verity of tacos tortas and some specials
my favorite
"Al pastor" (which is made just like in D.F., gyro style) this guys really put it together, theres no other taqueria that has tacos al pastor in this manner and believe me when i tell you they are authentic.
"Suadero" braised beef , good flavor and always very tender meat.
i consider my self as a taco aficionado and well this place is the best i've tasted in Manhattan.
i am giving Taco Mix 5 stars based only on the flavor and authenticity of the food, nothing else.
enjoy
My first pork experience was the taco al pastor here during my last week in Spanish Harlem. Deeeelish. And if you get the bottled Coca Cola it's made with real sugar (instead of corn syrup). yum yum yum.
Unbelievable al pastor tacos. Other things are really excellent as well but my god, the al pastor -- I quiver just thinking about it. Seriously. Best tacos in Manhattan, hands down.
So you say there is no real Mexican food in NYC? That says more about you than the real availability of REAL Mexican food.
You in Harlem late at night after your night shift? You in the mood for some al Pastor with a nice slce of pina and a spot of telenovelas? Order up, grab a spot on the curb and enjoy...pretty damn good way to end the night.
Just added photos.. The pictures speak for themselves.
Great tacos.. A little table in the back, the place is a small rectangle.. Counter running across… Read more »
if you go early in the day the meat is likely to be recycled from the day before and the guacamole won't be ready.
Taco Mix is nice. I love the al pastor.
i trek here once a week from the west side for tacos!
Neighborhood: East Harlem
Category: Mexican
Neighborhood: East Harlem
Category: Mexican
So you're scared to leave your apartment, huh?…
West Coast import- so I've taken it upon on myself…
