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
Carnitas - michoacan style braised berkshire pork, cacahuate salsa
Chorizo - homemade green chorizo, manchego cheese, tomatillo salsa
Al Pastor - ancho-guajillo marinated red snapper, grilled pineapple
Tinga de Mole - pulled organic chicken, mole poblano, sweet potato
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 and Feastio. He's been to 66 countries and lived in Colombia and Peru. Read the full story of how he became a travel blogger.
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Dave
Sunday 8th of August 2010
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
Trav
Sunday 8th of August 2010
Dave...Seriously 5 tacos?? Thats it? Do you think its possible for someone to do 10+ Tacos?
michaelapotter
Monday 25th of January 2010
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!
michaelapotter
Monday 25th of January 2010
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!
Dave
Friday 8th of January 2010
Bring your appetite. I think I managed to gulf down 5 tacos, before calling it quits.