When it comes to the multitude of restaurant options that New York City has to offer, inhabitants and even visitors may feel overwhelmed and perhaps perplexed at times. One city block alone may house a handful of different Mexican restaurants. Well, as an indecisive student on a budget, I made it my mission to find inexpensive yet exceptional tasting food.
Mexican food is definitely a favorite so naturally, the majority of my search consisted of anywhere I could get my hands on a taco. It took awhile to gather the results, but ultimately five restaurants stood out among the others:
Cinco de Tacos
1.Tacombi (West Village)
The overall atmosphere of this Bleecker Street taco shop is the closest thing a New Yorker will get to a Mexican vacation with only an hour to spare. The bright colors of the restaurant go hand in hand with the aesthetic of the food (aka no effort is necessary to get that perfect Instagram). Each and every taco served its purpose, fresh and flavorful. They complemented one another rather than clashing. Top these tacos off with delicious guac and a pitcher of sangria and you're set.
Pictured: Guacamole, Crispy Fish, Pollo en Recado Blanco, Mayita Vegetariana
2. Otto's Tacos
Is it your cheat day? Are you ballin' on a budget? If so, head on over to this gem of a taco joint and grab some authentic, greasy goodness and enjoy. By the time you're done you'll forget all about Chipotle. $3 tacos make for a college-student-friendly dinner. Otto's will become your new go-to. The shells are the perfect amount of crispy, and what's inside is every bit as tasty.
Pictured: Chicken tacos, Mushroom tacos, Masa fries, Chips and Guac
3. Playa Betty's
Make the trek Uptown for this old fashioned beachy style taco spot. The ambiance in itself is worth the hype, but when you get to the actual dining part of the experience you'll find yourself and your taste buds on cloud nine. The insane amount of toppings including the use of cheese for surprise flavor makes for unforgettable tacos. The masterpiece that is a "Playa Betty's" taco is beyond messy, but then what amazing meal isn't? P.S. try the churro ice cream sandwich if you still have room!
Pictured: Baja fish taco, Al Pastor
4. Dos Caminos (Soho)
After a day of Soho shopping you can stop by this trendy taqueria and feast. I recommend going during happy hour when the drinks and entrees become super affordable. The warm soft taco shell is filled to the brim with perfectly cooked meat. An added plus is the cute atmosphere (and the cute waiters!) Overall this joint can be described as fun and different. The rice and beans are an ideal side dish.
Pictured: Taco duo, Rice and beans, Lobster Tostaditos Acapuleno
5. Calexico
The picture above showcases the rare instance in which I ordered only one taco, yet that one taco was enough to get the restaurant, Calexico, a spot on my top five list. The name of this place holds true to the tacos, where a mix of Mexican and Californian vibes are evident. The fish and fruit were fresh and yummy. I'm a tough critic when it comes to baja fish tacos, but this one was outrageously delicious!
Pictured: Baja Fish Taco
Images courtesy of my instagram @alliecherevas
