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Photo Essay: All You Can Eat Tacos @ Mercadito Cantina

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My last New York City meal of 2009 was at Mercadito Cantina in the East Village.

It just so happened that I was leaving on a Wednesday, and Tuesday night's special is an all-you-can-eat feast of gourmet tacos.

My brother, friend Kai, and I all wanted the tacos, while Kai's friend did not.  Due to a (reasonable) concern on the part of the restaurant about cheating, we had to buy a 4th order of the tacos if we wanted our 4th person to be able to stay seated at our table.

And once the dust of that confusion settled, the plates of tacos came out like clockwork until we were stuffed beyond belief.

Menu at Mercadito Cantina - East Village, NYC
Menu at Mercadito Cantina - East Village, NYC

Carnitas - michoacan style braised berkshire pork, cacahuate salsa
Carnitas - michoacan style braised berkshire pork, cacahuate salsa

Chorizo - homemade green chorizo, manchego cheese, tomatillo salsa
Chorizo - homemade green chorizo, manchego cheese, tomatillo salsa

Al Pastor - ancho-guajillo marinated red snapper, grilled pineapple
Al Pastor - ancho-guajillo marinated red snapper, grilled pineapple

Tinga de Mole - pulled organic chicken, mole poblano, sweet potato
Tinga de Mole - pulled organic chicken, mole poblano, sweet potato

Estilo Baja - beer battered shrimp, roasted habanero, avocado cole slaw
Estilo Baja - beer battered shrimp, roasted habanero, avocado cole slaw

All of the tacos were rich and wonderful, however my favorite were the Carnitas – michoacan style braised berkshire pork, cacahuate salsa.  Muy delicioso!
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Mercadito Cantina – 172 Avenue B (between 10th & 11th St), New York City

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Dave is the Founder and Editor in Chief of Go Backpacking. For more of his adventures, follow him on Instagram or Twitter.

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Comments

  1. Shawn says

    January 7, 2010 at 1:57 pm

    Ho..Lee…Free..Ho…Lees! Those are some serious tacos! And all you can eat too! This just rocked my taco loving world :)

  2. craigzabransky says

    January 8, 2010 at 12:05 am

    Wow, good to learn about my home city from a DC guy. Taco Tuesday. It's on the calendar.

    stay adventurous,
    Craig

  4. michaelapotter says

    January 25, 2010 at 1:23 pm

    They also have another location, Mercadito Grove on the corner of 7th Ave. & Grove St. in the West Village. I don't know about their taco specials, but I love their ceviche!

  5. michaelapotter says

    January 25, 2010 at 7:23 pm

    They also have another location, Mercadito Grove on the corner of 7th Ave. & Grove St. in the West Village. I don't know about their taco specials, but I love their ceviche!

  6. Trav says

    August 8, 2010 at 2:45 am

    Dave…Seriously 5 tacos?? Thats it? Do you think its possible for someone to do 10+ Tacos?

  7. Dave says

    August 8, 2010 at 2:38 pm

    These aren't your average tacos — they're made with rich sauces, and can fill you up quick. My brother's a Marine, and he didn't fair much better than me