I’m from the West (Best) Coast and This Is Where I Eat Tacos in NYC

Where a California-native, current New Yorker finally found delicious, authentic Mexican food in NYC (for a great price, too) 

It’s a tired but true complaint:

Every Cali transplant who moves out east laments the lack of “real” Mexican food in NYC.

It’s hard to find satiety in the absence of tacos from LA’s Tacos Leos or burritos from SF’s El Farolito. If you want to bite into the perfectly seasoned combo of meat, cilantro, and onions or that spicy salsa verde that “hurts so good”, you have to be willing to make a trek out to the west (best) coast. However, for those of us who can’t afford the $65 cab ride to JFK plus the $500 Jet Blue ticket across the fly-over states, there’s a suitable option for Mexican in Manhattan to satisfy your discerning tastebuds.

That option is right here in Chelsea Market: Los Tacos No. 1.

If you’re brave enough to endure the throngs of tourists who manage to interrupt you to ask the same inane question– “Excuse me, is this how you get to the Highline?”—you may find yourself in the position to enjoy a surprisingly authentic taco at Los Tacos No. 1.  Los Tacos No. 1 is inspired by three friends who attempted to answer the desperate call to bring authentic Mexican flavors from Tijuana to NYC. With their freshly made tortillas and delicious varieties of spicy salsa, they have definitely succeeded.

My recommendation would be to go during off-hours to avoid the madness.

During non-weekends and non-lunch break, you can avoid the interminable lines and impossible crowds. Don’t expect to sit down at a table to savor your taco but I promise you’ll enjoy it just as much while standing and knocking elbows with strangers. Once you pay the cashier, don’t forget to actually hand your receipt (which is the only proof of your order) to the workers making the tacos. Don’t become one of those tourists who just shoves their receipt in their fanny pack or whatever, tragically waiting for a taco that is never going to be made.

For an authentic flavor, I would suggest the taco pollo asado with everything, which includes guacamole, spiced chicken, cilantro, and onion on a corn or flour tortilla. With a side of chips and salsa, there’s no better meal for under $10 in Manhattan. For those of you like me whose core philosophy is “everything is better with cheese”, the quesadillas are always a solid option. As a tried but failed vegetarian (sorry Mom!), I have also tasted the nopal (grilled cactus). Somehow the flavoring and seasoning doesn’t quite translate. You may find yourself using an abundant amount of their salsa and lime to flavor your herbivorous fare.

So, for those of you diehard west coast folk, suspend your skepticism for an hour– grab a meal from Los Tacos No. 1 and take it up to the Highline to enjoy. Who knows?  With the view across the Hudson and that little taco in your hand, you may even forget to miss the traffic on the 405.

Go get some tacos.

Los Tacos No. 1
Chelsea Market
75 9th Ave
Meatpacking District, Chelsea

Another West Coast transplant in NYC recommends her top-5 Mexican Restaurants list in NYC. (Psst, Deepa, Los Tacos No.1 is not on this list!)