Nude guy at Endless Summer Taco Truck in Willamsburg

I know this is unusual for this blog but someone spotted this guy at Endless Summer Taco Truck in da burg. I hope this doesn't become a trend and I start seeing this dude at all my taco truck stops. If you see this guy at the taquerias do not approach.

El Carrito Rojo taco truck – on 19th Street and 6th Ave.

Up from Uncle Moe’s, across the street from Bed Bath and Beyond on 19th street you will find a red catering truck called “El Carrito Rojo.” How I never knew about this is a mystery.

I went with the steak taco, it was just like back home, I had to order another one. Plain and simply put it was a delicious taco, I won’t go into texture and all that bull, but if you're in the area definitely stop by and try it. Beware their green salsa has a kick to it.

Hours of operation: Truck is parked there Monday through Saturday from 7am to 7pm.





View Larger Map

Uncle Moe's Burrito & Taco Shop 14 W. 19th St., New York, NY 10011 near Fifth Ave. 212-727-9400 (Flat Iron District)

I came here on a recommendation from a friend who knows I love beef tongue tacos and he said, “Go to Uncle Moe’s!” I immediately got excited and I went and uhhhhhh no beef tongue tacos, apparently not very popular with this Flat Iron crowd that they had to take off the menu. Okay so I kept cool and order two carne asada tacos and a small fountain drink ($9.45 kind of pricey).

Well… let us just say that Uncle Moe’s is really known for their burritos and not their tacos. Again, I’m not hating I just don’t like a dry tortilla, and it’s hard for these places because sometimes in order to go for healthy they compromise on taste. So if I gave thumbs down to Tortilleria Mexicana Los Tres Hermanos for their tacos, Uncle Moe’s has to get it too. Their burritos are good but this isn’t a burrito blog.

View Larger Map

Tortilleria Mexicana Los Tres Hermanos 271 Starr Street, Brooklyn, NY 11237 (Bushwick) 718.456.3422

A hipster kid with skinny jeans and a bad haircut told me about this tortilleria that serves tacos some time ago, Anthony Bourdain likes this place and “Underground Dining in NY” does not. Again, I judge every taqueria by the steak taco… why you might ask; because in NYC you judge every pizza by ordering a plain slice, if the slice is good then you know their other pies will be great.

So what’s the verdict? I have to agree with Underground Dining, I wasn’t into the steak taco, in fact the meat was a bit low grade. Having freshly made tortillas is good, but what fills the tortilla should be great. However, I have to give them mad props for their chicken quesadilla, it was amazing, and for the price of 3 bucks!

What to get: Quesadillas, fresh tortillas, chorizo taco

What not to get: Unfortunately the steak taco was weak.

Directions: Take the L train to Jefferson stop.

View Larger Map

La Barra Cevicheria 250 Broome St. New York, NY 10002 between Ludlow & Orchard (Lower Eastside) 212.260.1607

Although this place is known for ceviche, just my luck I walk in on the night they had as a special a steak taco, and it was a damn good taco de bistec. The chef a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, made this creamy sauce that added an alta cocina touch to the taco.

If you go and the steak taco is not a special then I suggest trying a shrimp or fish taco.

Please note I am not a star f*cker for culinary school chefs, I grew up eating my aunt Maria-Elena’s home cooking which has been handed down to her since the days when worshipping Huitzilopochtli was en vogue. But, the chef at La Barra Cevicheria makes it all look very easy and simple (insert applause).

View Larger Map

Utah Edition: Red Iguana, 736 West North Temple Salt Lake City, UT 84116

I usually don’t do this but the Red Iguana was highly recommended by two New Yorkers and all I heard was “you have to go there if you’re in Salt Lake City.” I walked into a packed restaurant with strapping thickset red-blooded American men seated at each table. I thought to myself okay I have stumble on to something.

I won’t get into the overall menu because I didn’t have time to taste everything on it. I kept it simple and ordered a few dishes and I made sure I ordered tacos. Based on the waiter’s recommendation I sampled a Taco Don Ramon (named after the owner Ramon Cardenas), the corn tortilla was crispy as if it had been briefly dipped in flour and thrown on a pan then filled with grilled steak, pork chorizo, shredded lettuce and queso. This was too much for me, my thing is to keep it simple or make it seem simple. I honestly have to say I didn’t like it, the crisp tortilla and the chorizo was too much.

Next came the carne asada taco, not as complicated as the Taco Don Ramon, but the bad experience with the Don Ramon taco made it difficult for me to enjoy the carne asada taco.

I know this place has received rave reviews, but I have to say my taco experience here was mediocre at best (I'm not hatin' yo).

REVISED Los Hamptons Edition: LA FONDITA (open May-October), 74 Montauk Highway, Amagansett, (631) 267-8800

I mentioned La Fondita last summer, and I strolled by a few weeks ago and felt the need to make an amendment to my previous posting which you can read here. I think they got new cooks this summer because the food in general tastes better this year than the previous, do you think they read my review?

Anyway, definitely carne asada taco is king at this joint and in a tie for second place I have to say the pozole and torta de jamon.

LA FONDITA (open May-October), 74 Montauk Highway, Amagansett, (631) 267-8800


View Larger Map