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    Tacos 1986

    4.1 (40 reviews)
    ModerateTacos
    Closed 12:00 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)
    Updated a few days ago

    Tacos 1986 Photos

    TACOS 1986 ATMOSPHERE

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    Asada tacos
    Yazmine Q.

    The first time I tried Tacos 1986 was in LA, so when they came to New York I had to try them again. I ordered the asada tacos and they were super flavorful, especially with their red sauce it honestly made it taste even better and added the perfect kick. I also tried the mushroom mulita and that was surprisingly one of my favorites. So good, cheesy, and packed with flavor. Overall, the food is price-friendly, the quality is there, and it's definitely worth it. I'll for sure be coming back.

    Quesadilla combo
    Mark G.

    Saw the mixed reviews and decided to try this place anyway as it is right near my old apartment. I ended up loving it and honestly has probably become my favorite taco place nearby (without the line). It's pricey at ~$20 for a combo but the steak and pork was super flavorful.

    Carne asada
    Savannah S.

    This place was absolutely amazing. I stopped here because I was craving tacos and they are open late at night. They're located right at a corner so easy to spot. They have an a la carte style menu, and I only wanted a small bite, but the taco was so good, I went back to order another. I had the carne asada taco, and it was so flavorful! They have a couple of stool seats inside, perfect for a quick bite! The food comes within a few minutes. The team members were all kind, and asked if I liked my taco. I felt very welcomed.

    Melissa G.

    This place opened up recently and the lines have been crazy. Thankfully, the line was minimal when I went to try but they have a good system down: they take your order and ask for your name/number. Once your order is ready, they send you a text. This definitely helps ensure it does not get packed considering the place is tiny. Love the location -- I ended up picking up the food and eating in the nearby park. The horchata was amazing, love that they come in bottles so it is super easy to shake. The tacos are very good, I tried the al pastor, chicken and steak. There is a mushroom option, as well, as a vegan option. The al pastor was very juicy, but would say the chicken was the best one for me. Definitely on the top 3 best taco spots in the city list!

    Al pastor/mushroom/steak
    Angela L.

    Tacos 1986 is the new kid on the block. I went at 5pm on a Sunday and didn't have to wait that long (maybe 20 min total). There's a little window ledge for people to stand and eat (can fit about 5-6 people). The service was okay but their TV screens weren't working. I used their menu online but they didn't have the combo meal sets yet. You order and can wait outside for the order because it's small inside. They'll send you a text or scream your name to notify you. I tried 1 of each of their tacos (carne asada, chicken, Al pastor, and mushroom $5 each), chicken quesadilla, and their Jamaica (Hibiscus tea). The carne asada and chicken was juicy but was lacking some flavor/salt (salsas helped). The mushroom was a little burnt on my end. The best was Al pastor- not too salty. Love their salsa bar towards the back. You can def try many kinds of salsas and can help enhance the tacos. The chicken quesadilla was better than regular taco because the saltiness from the cheese made it better. Sadly, my Jamaica drink was bland and watered down. Also, when I went, they didn't have any cup covers, so be careful with your drink. Overall I think tacos 1986 is good. I'll come back in a few months to re-try.

    Adobada and chicken tacos
    Bret F.

    The tacos are solid. Adobada was really good. Chicken fine (but they were huge chunks which you don't usually see). Perhaps this place was too overhyped so I was expecting out of this world. Just as good as tacos from a cart. Everyone working there was so nice. The food came out quickly. It's a tiny space with a small counter to stand at which fits about five. Loved that they had salsa bar. I prefer Paquito's in the East Village.

    Vaughn F.

    Lives up to the hype! I came on a Monday at 1:30 PM and the only people in front of me were just finishing ordering. I got the #1 Combo: 2 tacos, rice and beans, and a drink. After a short wait my order was ready and I parked at the counter to consume. Both tacos tasted phenomenal. The adobada, rich and spicy, paired nicely with both salsas I tried; the generous portion of guac on top was ideal for rounding out the flavor profile. The carne asada proved to be the rebellious bad boy of the duo, similarly sumptuous in conjunction with the various salsas. The fresh tortillas are worthy of praise and recognition, yielding tasty flavor, impressive texture, and surprising durability. This is peak culinary architecture. The rice and beans, while a little plain, turned this into a substantial (but not overwhelming) lunch. Washed down with cold cola from a glass bottle, a picture perfect dining experience. For me, this will be a go-to after screenings at IFC Center and a nice place to take visitors while strolling around the neighborhood. May the taco takeover of New York continue!

    Caroline W.

    Was able to try all 3 meats that were offered here and thought they all taste great The flavors were great and could tell that all the ingredients tasted very fresh If I were to go back I think I would get the bowl instead of the tacos because you get a huge portion of food The vibe inside was great and had a nice counter area to eat A nice place to stop by for a quick bite Everyone was super friendly too and staff were all very kind

    David N.

    Tried the carne asada, al pastor, and chicken tacos. All of them are great and a good size. (A good 4-6 bites per taco) The set up is a bit crowded inside with only enough space for 5-6 people to eat at the counter. It's hard to get to the salsa station too. It'd be nice if they had some standing tables outside to eat your tacos.

    Tacos, Quesadillas, and Mulita
    Emily Y.

    I came here on opening day and was pleasantly surprised by these tacos--they're perfect for a quick bite or snack! I wasn't able to try the burrito or burrito bowl on the first day, but the taco and quesadillas really hit the spot. Everything is made fresh right in front of you, and it's actually pretty fun to watch them assemble your food! The meat was super tender and tasted absolutely amazing. I would definitely get the steak again! One thing to note: the place is pretty small. It was extremely crowded when I visited, so you might want to eat on a bench nearby or even take your food to Washington Square Park (about a 5-10 minute walk away), since it can get packed inside.

    Quesadillas
    Lisa G.

    Ordered the carne asada quesadillas combo with beans/rice and drink. The rice was very dry with little to no seasoning or tomato/onion taste. The beans were fine but definitely needed some more seasoning, even if just more salt. The guacamole was excellent and tortillas were nicely crisped, but the asada was SO chewy. I felt like I ended up spitting out half of the meat because of gristle.

    Anuraag R.

    Tacos were okay and nothing worth standing in a line for. I think los tacos number 1 has better pastor, but I do like the variety of the menu here. Small space but good tacos overall. Small space so plan accordingly

    2 Al pastor + 1 carne asada
    Heidi M.

    There's definitely a taco revolution happening in nyc now. 1986 is a pretty solid option if you're in the area, comparable to the OG los tacos no 1 chain. I had the pastor and carne asada today and enjoyed the former more. With so many other taco spots these days I'm not sure if this one stands out in any way but it seems like a pretty reliable option at $5/taco. Service was very quick around 1pm on a weekday - order was ready almost as soon as I paid.

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    2 months ago

    I can't stop going back for the mushroom burrito - so flavorful and delicious and a great vegetarian/vegan option

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    11 months ago

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    Thank you Brian, really appreciate your feedback.

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    11 months ago

    Tacos are really really good. Very flavorful! Would put them above Los Tacos. Place has a cozy vibe and service was fast both times I went.

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    Ask the Community - Tacos 1986

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    Los Tacos No. 1

    Los Tacos No. 1

    4.6
    (464 reviews)
    1.8 mi
    $

    These always hit the spot!!! Lovely staff, very filled…read moretacos, and quality in every bite you take ^.^ Love the ambience because all the workers are friendly and pretty modern esthetic with a Mexican twist. Always recommend to anyone to check them out!

    I LOVE Los Tacos No. 1. The owners are from Tijuana & went back to learn the recipes. I haven't…read morefound tortillas or meat as fresh & tasty as this, even in NYC's outer boroughs (mostly Puebla-style I'm told). This location is convenient to Grand Central, Bryant Park, & Times Square. I was excited to find them after a getting off the Metro North. Unfortunately, the two times that I've eaten there hasn't been great, compared to their other locations in NoHo & Union Square. I'm not sure if the more touristy ambiance & customers makes a difference. First visit got the Pork Adobada Taco ($5-ish). It's similar to Al Pastor (even served with a few pieces of pineapple) but spicy. It's pork marinated in an adobo sauce made from dried red chiles (like guajillo or ancho), vinegar, garlic, and spices. The corn tortilla was very fresh & good but the pork was SO spicy. Some kind of chili oil was drizzled on, in, within, at the bottom. It comes with a sort of green crema. I barely finished - thought it was a joke or something. The second visit I got the Adobada (requested Zero spice) & a Chicken taco. The pork meat was delicious & reminded me of the first time I had Los Tacos No. 1. The chicken seemed like dark meat & was either over-marinated, slightly undercooked, or on its way out? resulting in weird mushy, slightly liver-like consistency. I even picked through the pieces to check for pinkness...the meat was just dark with little flavor. It came with a dollop of guacamole that didn't have much flavor. The corn tortillas also seemed slightly mealy/mushy & underdone. They weren't airy & slightly puffed as usual. I'll probably go back because their location and cost is convenient. But have to make sure the pork has No Spice & not sure how to ask for "done" tortillas. There's always a line at Los Tacos but it moves fast. The condiments & radishes, limes are always fresh. The staff is always pleasant & work quickly customizing your taco, wiping down the All White! hightops & refilling napkins. Don't think there's a restroom FYI.

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    Where you pick up your food.
    Where you pick up your food.
    Tacos
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    Carne Asada taco with a cold glass bottle of Mexican coke....best lunch combo.

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    Carne Asada taco with a cold glass bottle of Mexican coke....best lunch combo.
    Cinco De Mayo

    Cinco De Mayo

    4.6
    (38 reviews)
    2.0 mi

    Cinco de Mayo landed on my radar when a bunch of us at work were looking for a place to grab some…read morelunch. We had our usual list of spots in Midtown East, but this time we wanted something a little different. We ultimately landed on Mexican, however even then there were several spots to chose from. One of my colleagues found CdM, and since we had nothing to lose we decided to check it out. In terms of physical space at CdM, there is very little; this is actually a walk-up spot hence it is solely a takeout restaurant. The menu is pretty straightforward - lots of Mexican staples with a good variety to choose from. The burrito bowl looked good so I decided to go with that - I was given choice of protein (I chose pastor) and types of beans (I chose black). The bowl was really good - all the ingredients tasted fresh and they were generous with the portion. They added sour cream to the top of the bowl and it came with a side of salsa verde which I thought was a nice touch. We also ordered some bags of tortilla chips to share - these were my favorite kind as they were semi-thick and super crunchy. Overall, I had a solid experience at Cinco de Mayo. It definitely hit the Mexican craving spot and I would have no qualms returning for another meal.

    First time here - pretty solid meal with decent pricing as well…read more I got the cinco de mayo plate which came with beef. Good lunch portion and it was also pretty tasty. Also got guacamole and chips as a side - which was on the smaller side given the price. All in all it's a good lunch option in the city!

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    Cinco de Mayo Plate
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    Los Tacos No.1

    Los Tacos No.1

    4.7
    (3.6k reviews)
    1.9 mi
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    I had the adobada tacos & a nopal plate with asada meat. The food is on point. Coming from SoCal,…read moredidn't expect tacos to be on point on the east coast. But they were!! I spoke to the guy that seemed to be running the spot and he told me that there style is TJ Style. I've been to many spots in Baja and in So Cal, and I think this place was on par with spots back home. I read a review that criticized they're ordering process..... If your not used to the way REAL peeps order and get their tacos, then this place might not work for you....its fast paced and you just need to know. C'mon...... So.....good thing NYC has a spot like this one! I will definitely visit one more time before I leave!!

    So my 2nd time to try this place since it's so highly rated for NY. It's good don't get me wrong…read more But again, being from Cali, we have some of the best tacos around. So for these, they were ok. This location always seem to have a line because of the location. You wait and then you order. They need to have more descriptions up before you get to the register. By the time you get to register, I didn't have time to read everything before I had to order since there was a line behind me. You get your ticket and then give it to someone preparing the food and then you wait. Then you have to find a place to get it, good luck when it's busy. Also grab your salsas. Worth a try since it's a stable.

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    Los Tacos No.1
    Los Tacos No.1
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    Carne asada & al Pastor tacos
    Tacovision

    Tacovision

    4.1
    (485 reviews)
    2.5 mi
    $$

    I stopped in here while visiting NYC for a couple days with my 11yo. It was a great spot for happy…read morehour (frozen margs)!! The birria tacos were really good (or so my son said) but sadly the taquitos were terrible. They literally just had unseasoned shredded chicken (but serves me right for ordering something so basic). The salsa also tasted more like tomato paste than actual salsa. But again, the goal for this stop was a frozen marg(s) and that mission was accomplished and then were good . The atmosphere was also fun and lively and our server was attentive and never tried to push us out the door despite sitting there for a while!

    Unfortunately, this place had little to offer. The staff seemed uninterested--either they didn't…read morewant to serve customers, didn't want to be there, or both. The energy was flat, and that lack of enthusiasm carried right into the food. The menu needs a complete overhaul. I'm not sure if it's trying to be "different," but the taco options were unappealing just from reading the descriptions. I managed to choose the two best-sounding items I could find, and honestly, they were so bland I don't even remember what they were. The setup and decor were basic. This spot could be a fun hangout, but it would take a better menu and staff who actually seem to care. It feels like just another restaurant that's lost sight of creating an actual experience for guests. The lack of vibe is obvious--if you don't want customers, just say so. I'm giving 2 stars out of respect for the fact that people have to work for a living.

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    Tán by Chef Richard Sandoval

    Tán by Chef Richard Sandoval

    3.9
    (247 reviews)
    2.3 mi

    I had this place bookmarked for a while. Finally came for my birthday dinner. It was a rainy…read moreevening and I was hoping there'd be umbrella sleeves offered. I didn't see any but saw buckets for umbrellas. I opted not to leave it there since I didn't wanna forget or risk someone taking it. I took it upstairs with me. My friend had arrived and was seated. Apparently, they do offer sleeves because she got one. But the 3 people who were at the hostess booth failed to offer me one. The beautiful ambiance will get your attention immediately. It is a stunning space. The tableware was gorgeous as well. We waited for our last friend to arrive who was almost half an hour late before ordering (we thought she'd arrive sooner). Our server, Matias was gracious about it the whole time. What we ordered: Drinks: Passionfruit Margaritas & Mojito - we were happy with them. Tlayudas, Guacamole y Salsas - this was really good and a great option for the table to share. The homemade chips alone were excellent. Liked all the different dips. Guac could've used some cilantro and more acid/spice. Tán Ceviche - I loved this. Super fresh and great flavor. Could use a touch of acid. My entree was the Shrimp & Crab Enchiladas - This was pretty good. The sauce could've used some spice and some acid to cut through the richness. My friend ordered the Yellow Corn Soup as part of her meal and she did not like it. She said it was too sweet which I thought was strange. I tried a spoonful and I agreed with her. It needed a savory note and again, acid would've done wonders. Also, the crab was a bit fishy in this. She enjoyed her tamal though. I tried a touch of the sauce and it was delish. My other friend had the Quesabirria which she was also happy with. To sum up: Ambiance: 5/5 The space is undoubtedly gorgeous. Food: 4/5 Beautiful presentation on everything but each dish lacks an element or two to make it a home run. Staff: Wait staff 5/5. Downstairs staff (greeters/hostess) 4/5. Needs to be more on point like offering customers sleeves for umbrellas or pointing out the buckets to put them in. At some point through our entrees a group of 3 women were doing a 10-minute photo shoot by the stairway where our table was. Absolutely inappropriate behavior and a manager should've stopped it. Camera flashes all up in our faces while we're eating wasn't cool. Overall, still a great elevated Mexican cuisine option. The slight tweaks would make this a 5 star place for me. I'd return to try more things.

    What a GORGEOUS space. Whoever interior decorated this restaurant deserves their tens because it is…read morea spectacle. I had only seen daytime pics, but being there in the evening is a treat. If you are someone who is looking at an aesthetic place, this is a top contender. Unfortunately, I would say this place is better looking than the food is good. The food was fine, appetizers were all fresh but lacked any real depth in flavor. I wasn't too thrilled with the bone marrow I had either (but the tortillas come in the cutest basket). Personally, if it wasn't for the drinks and the space, I cant say this place is worth it - you're not coming here for the food. Another little complaint I have is the women's restroom on the second floor - right by the door is a floor to ceiling mirror which I understand was included to make the space seem bigger, but my friends and I agreed that it is a little misleading - I kept wanting to walk into it thinking there was more space there and not wall. I would recommend maybe putting a decal on it to clearly show its mirror.

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    Tacos 1986 - tacos - Updated July 2026

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