Best Cheap Tacos Restaurants in East Village (10009)
7 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: January 2026
Our Top Pick
Maya Taqueria - East Village
High-volume taqueria reliability with punchy, craveable salsas.
Notable Picks
8.4
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Late Night Legends
A fast-moving taqueria that wins on consistency: well-seasoned proteins, strong salsas, and a menu that stays focused on tacos, burritos, and quesadilla comfort. It’s the kind of place locals use as a reliable weeknight default—quick, filling, and hard to mess up.
Must-Try Dishes:
Al pastor tacos, Carne asada burrito, Chicken quesadilla with salsa verde
What makes it special: High-volume taqueria reliability with punchy, craveable salsas.
8.3
A pork-first counter that’s best treated like a focused carnitas tasting—different cuts, clean seasoning, and tortillas that let the meat do the talking. The move is simple: order a spread of tacos, add something crunchy, and lean into the salsa heat.
Must-Try Dishes:
Carnitas taco (mix of cuts), Chicharrón, Tostada with carnitas and salsa
What makes it special: Carnitas-specialist focus with multiple cuts and real-deal salsa energy.
8.1
A full-service cantina that works best as a long, social meal: chips and salsas, a round of drinks, then a mix of tacos and plates that eat well in a group. It’s not a minimalist taqueria—it’s a lively dinner-and-margaritas place that keeps people coming back.
Must-Try Dishes:
Al pastor tacos, Chicken enchiladas, Margaritas with chips and salsa
What makes it special: A high-traffic cantina built for drinks, sharing, and a loud room.
A tiny Mexican grocery that doubles as a deli counter—best treated as a fast taco run rather than a sit-down destination. Stick to the core taco-and-snacks rhythm, grab salsa, and take it to go to avoid the tight space.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tamales, Tacos (daily fillings), Chilaquiles
What makes it special: Deli-market format with counter Mexican classics that locals treat as routine.
A chef-driven taqueria that’s strongest when you treat it like a tight, modern menu: tacos with sharp seasoning, clean salsas, and a bar rhythm that suits a quick dinner. Go with a few tacos plus one or two sides, and don’t over-order—the best bites are the focused ones.
Must-Try Dishes:
Al pastor taco, Guacamole with chips, Seasonal taco special
What makes it special: Modern, chef-forward tacos with a strong bar-and-bite pacing.
Worthy Picks
7.9
Vibes:
Hidden Gems Heaven
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Family Friendly Favorites
A hole-in-the-wall counter that’s built for simple, filling tacos without the production. The best experience is a quick in-and-out order—two tacos plus one extra item—so you get variety while everything stays hot and direct.
Must-Try Dishes:
Huaraches, Tlacoyos, Chilaquiles
What makes it special: Masa-forward antojitos that reward ordering past standard tacos.
A true street-format taco stop that’s best used like a quick late bite: order at the window, eat standing, and keep it moving. The standout play is leaning into their more traditional fillings and letting the salsa bring heat and balance.
Must-Try Dishes:
Carnitas taco, Steak taco, Quesadilla
What makes it special: Late-night, street-style tacos with a quick in-and-out flow.