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El Jalapeno Taqueria
Master Critic Reviews (3 Lists)
El Jalapeno Taqueria
7.9
This cash-only food truck parked off W 4th has a cult following for oversized burritos and late-night tacos at true neighborhood prices. It’s a no-frills operation serving Puebla-style comfort food to bar-hoppers and industry workers until the early morning.
Must-Try Dishes:
Spicy Pork Burrito, Roast Pork Tacos, Chicken Torta
Scores:
Value: 9
Service: 7.5
Consistency: 7.4
Food Quality: 8.3
Atmosphere: 6.5
Cultural Relevance: 7.2
What makes it special: Late-night truck turning out hefty, deeply flavored burritos and tacos.
Who should go: Night owls needing serious food after bars.
When to visit: After midnight on weekends for peak taco traffic.
What to order: Spicy Pork Burrito, Roast Pork Tacos, Chicken Torta.
Insider tip: Bring cash and ask for extra spice on the burrito.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; generally difficult in the West Village, especially after 7pm.
Dress code: No dress code—streetwear, bar attire, and casual layers are all normal.
Noise level: Outdoor street noise is present but manageable; quick bite environment, not for long conversations.
Weekend wait: 5–15 minutes depending on bar traffic; lines grow after midnight.
Weekday lunch: Often no wait; brief queue during peak mid-afternoon rush.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—bean, cheese, and veggie taco/burrito builds available.
Vegan options: Limited—beans, rice, veggies, and salsa combinations possible but no vegan-specific proteins.
Gluten-free options: Yes—corn tortillas are naturally gluten-free, but the truck has shared prep surfaces.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if your date loves street food and zero frills—this is more functional than romantic and best for spontaneous, late-night stops.
Can I get a table without a reservation? There are no tables or reservations; it's a food truck. Expect to eat standing, curbside, or while walking.
Is it kid-friendly? Suitable for older kids who can handle late-night crowds and street setups; no seating, amenities, or space for strollers.
Best For
Better for: Top-tier for oversized, value-packed burritos and late-night reliability at true budget pricing.
Skip if: You want seating, ambiance, plated dishes, or a quieter, sit-down Mexican experience.
El Jalapeno Taqueria
7.8
Operating as a streetside taco truck-style operation steps off West 4th, El Jalapeno Taqueria caters to true late-night crowds with burritos, tacos, and gorditas served until the early morning. It’s a budget-friendly, no-frills fix for working cooks, bar staff, and night owls.
Must-Try Dishes:
Spicy chicken burrito, Tacos al pastor, Gorditas with carne asada
Scores:
Value: 8.7
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 7.9
Food Quality: 8.2
Atmosphere: 6
Cultural Relevance: 7.4
What makes it special: A taco-truck style stand serving hot tacos past 4am most nights.
Who should go: Night-shift workers and bar crowds needing real food
When to visit: Post-midnight through 3am after bars and clubs
What to order: Spicy chicken burrito, pastor tacos, a gordita
Insider tip: Bring cash or a card ready and expect to eat standing on the sidewalk.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only — scarce after 9pm and extremely limited near West 4th late at night.
Dress code: No dress code; come as you are. Streetwear, bar attire, and post-shift clothes all normal.
Noise level: Loud street noise from nightlife and traffic; conversation possible but not comfortable for long.
Weekend wait: Minimal wait; typically 5–10 minutes since orders move quickly.
Weekday lunch: Not applicable — strongest service window is late night, and daytime hours are inconsistent.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited — usually beans, cheese, and veggie tacos/burritos depending on prep that night.
Vegan options: Very limited — options depend on whether they offer a veggie-without-cheese preparation; confirm on arrival.
Gluten-free options: Corn tortillas are available but cross-contact is likely; not suitable for strict gluten-free needs.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal — it’s a sidewalk stand with no seating and a loud late-night crowd. Better for a spontaneous stop after drinks, not a planned date.
Can I get a table without a reservation? There are no tables or reservations. Expect to stand, lean against a wall, or take food to-go.
Is it kid-friendly? Not really — the late-night hours, bar-adjacent crowd, and lack of seating make it best for adults.
Best For
Better for: Faster, cheaper, and more late-night–reliable than most sit-down taquerias in the area; excellent for true after-hours hunger.
Skip if: You want seating, a quieter environment, dietary accommodations, or a more polished taco experience.
El Jalapeno Taqueria
7.8
Parked along West 4th, El Jalapeno Taqueria is a taco-truck style operation serving burritos, tacos, and flautas into the early morning. With low prices, generous portions, and a loyal late-night following, it’s one of the purest cheap eats plays in the zip code.
Must-Try Dishes:
Spicy chicken burrito, Al pastor tacos, Chicken flautas
Scores:
Value: 8.4
Service: 7.3
Consistency: 7.7
Food Quality: 8
Atmosphere: 6.1
Cultural Relevance: 7.2
What makes it special: A late-running sidewalk taqueria feeding service workers and bar crowds.
Who should go: Night owls craving hot tacos after nearby bars close.
When to visit: Post-midnight on weekends when the grill stays busiest.
What to order: Spicy chicken burrito, al pastor tacos, chicken flautas.
Insider tip: Ask for extra salsas on the side; heat levels vary by batch.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; metered spots on West 4th are scarce after 7pm and nearly impossible post-midnight.
Dress code: Completely casual — streetwear, hoodies, and bar-night attire are all normal.
Noise level: Moderate to loud street noise depending on bar traffic; conversation is easy if you're standing close.
Weekend wait: 5–15 minutes depending on bar spillover; can spike to 20+ minutes after midnight.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait; quick walk-up service.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — cheese quesadillas, bean burritos, and veggie tacos are commonly ordered.
Vegan options: Limited — bean-based tacos or burritos can be made without cheese; confirm tortilla ingredients if strict.
Gluten-free options: Corn tortillas available, but no dedicated gluten-free prep area due to the compact street setup.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if your date is into ultra-casual, late-night street food. There’s no seating and it’s more of a fun, spontaneous stop than a traditional date setting.
Can I get a table without a reservation? There are no tables or reservations — it’s strictly walk-up ordering with sidewalk eating or taking it to a nearby bench.
Is it kid-friendly? Suitable for quick daytime bites with older kids; not ideal late at night due to bar traffic and limited space.
Best For
Better for: Late-night value, big portions, and fast turnaround — ideal when you want inexpensive, filling tacos after bars.
Skip if: Skip if you need seating, quieter dining, or strict dietary controls; consider sit-down Mexican spots nearby instead.