Where To Celebrate National Taco Day In NYC

Tacos have their own weekly celebration (all hail Taco Tuesday), but for some of us, that just isn’t enough. On October 4th, restaurants, Mexican and non, come together to agree that tacos are just plain awesome.

Purists will appreciate the Gringo Taco at Street Taco. Seasoned ground beef is simply dressed with lettuce, pico, crema and Monterey jack cheese. 

“I think that tacos are universally loved because of the limitless possibilities and everyone loves an unpretentious hand held food,” says  Justin Ottervanger of Street Taco. In honor of National Taco Day on October 4th, he is adding a Pig head carnitas taco to the menu.

“Pig heads are an ingredient that I love to use that started back in Miami with my chef/mentor Matt Hinckley. We always used a nose to tail concept when writing menus and the pig heads were always a surplus item at our local farm because it reminds people that the meat they are eating was once a living animal and not a plastic wrapped piece of perfectly portioned meat.” His creation will only be available a few days this month, so be sure to hit up Street Taco and these taco loving spots in honor of National Taco Day.

In addition to the Gringo Taco, Street Taco is also offering a Pig Head Carnitas Taco (available only on Taco Day, Halloween and for Day of the Dead). It’s a indulgent as it gets with pig head carnitas, chicharrones, avocado crema, onion, serrano salsa, and cilantro.

Location: 358 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10016

Chef Julian Medina will be offering a few taco specials at both locations of his restaurant La Chula – Grand Central and newly opened Harlem! The Taco de Asada (Grass-fed skirt steak, salsa borracha, and queso fresco) will be available for one day only and the first 50 customers of the day will receive one for free!

Location: 89 E 42nd St, New York, NY 10017 & 137 E 116th St, New York, NY 10029

At Stanton Social, tacos get tropical. Grilled fish with creamy avocado is topped with, spicy mango relish for a taste of the island.

Location: 99 Stanton St, New York, NY 10002

The only other food that got as much love as tacos this year was cauliflower. At Vandal, it’s the perfect marriage of both. A crispy cauliflower taco shell is stuffed with an apple miso marinade, gochujang & charred scallion salsa.

Location: 199 Bowery, New York, NY 10002

Meat lovers will gobble up the Guinness Braised Pulled Pork Taco, at The Late Late. Tender pork is not only slow cooked in Guinness, it’s also topped with a Ballymaloe Guinness sauce, & topped w/ malt vinegar slaw & radish.

Location: 159 E Houston St, New York, NY 10002

Poke fans will appreciate the fresh tuna chunks of tuna stuffed into tuna shells at Irvington. Tuna tartare is topped with smoked chipotle mayo for a bit of heat and deep flavor.

Location: 201 Park Ave S, New York, NY 10003

Beauty and Essex features a fried Chilean sea bass with, yuzu aioli, pickled daikon, and carrots on their daily menu, but this is the perfect light bite for Taco Day.

Location:146 Essex St, New York, NY 10002 

At Vida Verde, a contemporary-Mexican inspired cocktail bar and restaurant, taco fans can choose to have their house-made masa tortillas filled with squid and corn, shrimp, lamb barbacoa, and beef tongue. 

Location: 248 West 55th St, New York, NY 10019

CATCH NYC has two offerings, perfect for indulging on Taco Day. The Mahi Mahi Wonton Tacos are are made with Mahi Mahi, guacamole, tomatillo, pickled onion and lime. They’re light and bright with some crunch. If you have a taste for something sweet and flavorful, the Wagyu Short Rib Tacos are for you – garnished with grilled pineapple, pickled vegetable and ginger aioli.

Location: 21 9th Ave, New York, NY 10014