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Birria LES
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
Birria LES
7.9
Birria LES is a casual taco shop focused on beef birria, quesabirria, and related comfort dishes, serving late into the night on Rivington Street. Diners come specifically for dunkable, consomé-backed tacos that lean rich and hearty.
Must-Try Dishes:
Quesabirria Tacos, Classic Birria Tacos, Birria Ramen
Scores:
Value: 8
Service: 7.4
Consistency: 7.9
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 6.7
Cultural Relevance: 7.8
What makes it special: A birria-focused spot where nearly everything revolves around rich, dunkable tacos.
Who should go: Birria obsessives who want late-night taco runs.
When to visit: Late nights on weekends when you need a post-bar meal.
What to order: Quesabirria taco combo, classic birria tacos, birria ramen.
Insider tip: Plan on things being messy; order extra napkins and consider sharing a consomé to dip everything.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; generally tough on weekends and late nights. Look for metered spots on Rivington or side streets.
Dress code: Completely casual—hoodies, tees, and post-night-out outfits all fit in.
Noise level: Loud during late-night rush, quieter earlier in the evening; expect limited conversation ease during peak hours.
Weekend wait: 10–20 minutes during late-night peaks, especially after bars let out.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait; steady but quick-moving counter service.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Very limited; birria-focused menu with a few sides that can work.
Vegan options: Not recommended; most dishes rely on beef and cheese.
Gluten-free options: Corn tortillas are naturally gluten-free, but cross-contact is likely due to the compact kitchen.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if your date appreciates messy, no-frills comfort food; it’s more of a fun, casual, late-night stop than a romantic setting.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — there are no reservations. Seating is limited but turns quickly; many people take their tacos to-go.
Is it kid-friendly? Better suited for adults and teens; tight space and late-night crowds may feel overwhelming for younger kids.
Best For
Better for: Richer, dunk-heavy birria tacos and late-night cravings when you want something hearty and straightforward.
Skip if: You want vegetarian or vegan options, quieter seating, or a full-service dining experience.
Birria LES
8.5
Birria LES channels its slow-stewed beef into burritos, tacos, and quesabirrias that draw steady lines to a compact Rivington Street space. The burrito wraps tender birria, melted cheese, and consomé-drizzled rice and beans into a rich, drippy package that’s as much about comfort as it is about trend.
Must-Try Dishes:
Birria Burrito, Birria Tacos with Consomé, Quesabirria
Scores:
Value: 8.2
Service: 7.9
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 9
Atmosphere: 6.8
Cultural Relevance: 8.3
What makes it special: A birria-focused kitchen where the same slow-stewed meat powers dripping burritos and tacos.
Who should go: Fans of rich, saucy burritos and birria plates.
When to visit: Early evenings or off-peak late night hours.
What to order: Birria Burrito, Quesabirria, Birria Tacos with consomé.
Insider tip: Ask for extra consomé on the side and dip each burrito bite like a taco.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; generally manageable on Rivington before 6pm but tough later at night due to nightlife traffic.
Dress code: Casual; come as you are—most guests arrive in everyday streetwear.
Noise level: Moderate to loud during peak hours; easy conversation early evening, but late night can get lively.
Weekend wait: 20–35 minutes depending on the rush, especially after 7pm.
Weekday lunch: Usually minimal wait since the crowd is lighter and more to-go oriented.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Very limited; birria-focused menu means only a few sides or non-meat items.
Vegan options: Not suitable for vegans; menu revolves around beef and cheese.
Gluten-free options: Some tacos may be gluten-free depending on tortilla choice, but cross-contact is likely—ask before ordering.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for casual hangs than a first date—the food is messy, delicious, and drippy, which makes it fun but not ideal for a polished impression.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—there are no reservations. It's a small, counter-service setup; expect to seat yourself quickly during off-peak hours and hover for a spot during busy nights.
Is it kid-friendly? Suitable for older kids who can handle bold, saucy flavors; the tight space and crowds may be less ideal for strollers or very young children.
Best For
Better for: Rich, beef-heavy burritos with deep consomé flavor that outshine standard LES burrito spots in terms of sauciness and comfort factor.
Skip if: You want lighter or vegetarian-friendly burritos, prefer spacious seating, or avoid messy handhelds.
Birria LES
8.4
Casual halal‑style spot specializing in birria tacos and consomé — hearty, slow‑cooked meats wrapped in crispy tortillas that locals swear by for flavor and late‑night convenience. A go‑to for birria lovers looking for big taste at reasonable prices.
Must-Try Dishes:
Beef Birria Taco with Cheese, Chicken Birria Taco, Consomé Dip
Scores:
Value: 8.3
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 8
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 7.8
Cultural Relevance: 8.1
What makes it special: Rich, slow‑braised birria tacos with cheesy quesabirria‑style crust and consomé for dipping.
Who should go: Birria fans & late‑night diners
When to visit: Late night (till ~4 AM on weekends)
What to order: Beef birria taco w/ cheese, chicken birria taco, consomé
Insider tip: Get tacos with cheese — the quesabirria‑style version offers extra crunch and flavor punch.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is scarce, especially after 6 PM; nearby metered spots exist but often fill up quickly. No valet available.
Dress code: Casual is perfect — jeans, sneakers, and tees are common; no need to dress up.
Noise level: Moderate to loud — expect bustling counter service vibes, especially late at night, so conversations may require leaning in.
Weekend wait: 30-45 minutes for walk-ins; shorter if you arrive before 9 PM.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait; counter seating is first-come, first-served.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited — mostly cheese-based tacos, but few plant-based fillings exist.
Vegan options: Very limited — only certain tortilla and bean combos; not a primary focus.
Gluten-free options: Partial — corn tortillas are naturally gluten-free, but cross-contact may occur.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal for a traditional romantic first date due to casual, bustling vibes, but perfect for a laid-back, foodie-style outing or adventurous eater.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — it’s mostly counter seating and small tables; walk-ins are common. Expect a short wait on busy weekend nights.
Is it kid-friendly? Fairly kid-friendly for older kids who can handle casual seating and bold flavors. Not ideal for toddlers needing high chairs or quiet spaces.
Best For
Better for: Late-night birria cravings, crispy quesabirria tacos, and budget-friendly indulgence with rich, authentic flavor.
Skip if: Looking for a quiet, formal dining experience, extensive vegetarian/vegan options, or upscale presentation.
Birria LES
7.6
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Late Night Legends
A compact spot focused on birria tacos and mulitas, serving tender, well‑seasoned stewed beef with tortillas — great for a quick, casual taco fix. Portions are modest but flavor is solid, making it a decent late-night grab in the LES. Expect minimal frills but straightforward, satisfying tacos.
Must-Try Dishes:
Beef Birria Taco, Cheese Quesabirria Taco, Birria Mulita
Scores:
Value: 8.2
Service: 7
Consistency: 7.5
Food Quality: 7.8
Atmosphere: 6.5
Cultural Relevance: 7.8
What makes it special: Focused birria‑only menu delivering rich, stewed‑beef tacos and quesabirrias.
Who should go: Late‑night taco craving solo diners or light eaters
When to visit: Anytime — kitchen open late
What to order: Beef birria taco, cheese quesabirria, consomé
Insider tip: Ask for extra consomé for dipping the tortillas — adds big flavor
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is extremely limited; best to walk, bike, or use a rideshare. Metered spots available but fill up quickly after 6pm.
Dress code: Casual — jeans, tees, and sneakers are perfectly fine.
Noise level: Moderate to loud — bustling late-night crowd can make conversation slightly difficult.
Weekend wait: 20-30 minutes for a small table or takeout line; late-night rush can extend waits.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait; can grab a quick bite immediately.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Very limited — mostly cheese quesabirrias or sides; not the main focus.
Vegan options: Almost none — menu centers on beef and cheese.
Gluten-free options: Tortillas are corn-based, so some items are naturally gluten-free, but cross-contamination is likely.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal — small, casual space with limited seating and a loud, grab-and-go vibe. Better for a casual snack together than a sit-down dinner date.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, but expect a short wait during peak evening hours; walk-ins are standard, and takeout is a fast alternative.
Is it kid-friendly? Mostly geared toward adults and late-night crowds; kids can be accommodated but high noise and minimal seating may be challenging.
Best For
Better for: Quick, budget-friendly late-night tacos with solid birria flavor — perfect for solo diners or casual bites.
Skip if: Looking for a spacious, sit-down experience, vegetarian/vegan options, or a quiet first-date atmosphere.