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Empellón Taqueria & Bar
Master Critic Reviews (5 Lists)
Empellón Taqueria & Bar
7.8
Alex Stupak’s West Village taqueria leans creative, pairing cheffy tacos with a deep agave list in a dim, bar-forward space. High-volume crowds come for inventive fillings like fish tempura and ayocote bean flautas rather than strict traditionalism.
Must-Try Dishes:
Fish Tempura Tacos, Ayocote Bean Flautas, Seven Salsas with Tortilla Chips
Scores:
Value: 6.4
Service: 7.5
Consistency: 7.2
Food Quality: 8.3
Atmosphere: 8.7
Cultural Relevance: 7.9
What makes it special: Chef-driven tacos and mezcal in a polished bar setting.
Who should go: Taco enthusiasts who enjoy creative, non-traditional fillings.
When to visit: Prime-time evenings; late-night for drinks and tacos.
What to order: Fish Tempura Tacos, Ayocote Bean Flautas, Seven Salsas.
Insider tip: Late-night taco deals can soften the sting of prices.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited in the West Village; expect difficulty after 6pm. No valet. Paid garages available within a 5–7 minute walk.
Dress code: Smart casual. Jeans are fine but most guests lean polished—think date-night tops, boots, or a casual blazer.
Noise level: Moderate-high. You can hold a conversation, but peak dinner hours bring lively bar energy.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation, especially 7–9pm.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait; immediate seating is common.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—several options, including the ayocote bean flautas and vegetable-forward tacos.
Vegan options: Limited but doable—1–2 items can be customized; confirm with your server.
Gluten-free options: Many tacos can be made gluten-free due to corn tortillas; cross-contact possible in a busy kitchen.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes. The dim lighting, polished bar vibe, and creative tacos make it an engaging but not overly formal choice.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often, yes. Bar seats turn quickly and early evenings or late nights offer the best shot. Prime-time walk-ins should expect a wait.
Is it kid-friendly? Suitable for older kids or teens; the space is more adult-leaning and gets loud during peak hours. No dedicated kids menu.
Best For
Better for: Creative taco fillings, upscale agave-focused cocktails, and an energetic night-out atmosphere.
Skip if: You’re seeking traditional Mexican fare, a quiet room, or budget-friendly tacos.
Empellón Taqueria & Bar
8.6
Empellón Taqueria is Alex Stupak’s West Village temple to tacos and agave spirits, pairing inventive fillings with a long list of margaritas and cocktails. Late-night hours on weekends pull industry folks and groups for salsas, fish tempura tacos, and mezcal in a dark, energetic room.
Must-Try Dishes:
Salsa and guacamole tasting, Fish tempura tacos, Scotch egg taco
Scores:
Value: 6.9
Service: 8
Consistency: 7.9
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 9.1
Cultural Relevance: 8.5
What makes it special: A chef-driven taqueria where creative tacos and strong agave cocktails run late on weekends.
Who should go: Cocktail-loving groups or couples prioritizing food and scene
When to visit: Friday and Saturday after 9pm for full late-night energy
What to order: Salsa tasting, fish tempura tacos, Scotch egg taco
Insider tip: Sit at the bar if you want faster drink refills and a better view of the taco action.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited and competitive on Hudson and surrounding blocks, especially after 7pm; no valet service. Expect to rely on garages along Leroy or Charles if driving.
Dress code: Smart casual; most guests lean trendy—think dark jeans, boots, and elevated tops. No formalwear needed.
Noise level: Loud during peak late-night hours with a high-energy bar scene; conversation is doable at tables but tough at the bar.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation after 8pm, especially on Fridays and Saturdays.
Weekday lunch: N/A — the restaurant does not operate in a traditional lunch window.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Moderate selection, including multiple salsas, queso, and a few veggie-focused tacos or appetizers.
Vegan options: Limited but workable; salsas and some sides are vegan, though taco choices are minimal.
Gluten-free options: Many items can be made gluten-free due to corn tortillas; staff is used to navigating restrictions but no separate prep area.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes if you want a lively, dimly lit setting with strong cocktails and shareable plates. It’s less ideal if quiet conversation is a priority.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes on weeknights before 8pm, but late-night weekends fill quickly. Bar seats are the best bet for walk-ins.
Is it kid-friendly? Not particularly. The dark room, strong bar energy, and late-night crowd skew more adult; older teens may be fine, but families with young children should choose alternatives.
Best For
Better for: Inventive tacos, elevated cocktails, and a high-energy West Village scene compared to more traditional or casual taquerias.
Skip if: You want a quiet meal, need broad vegan options, or prefer classic Mexican plates over creative, chef-driven interpretations.
Empellón Taqueria & Bar
8.4
Alex Stupak’s West Village flagship treats tacos like serious plates, pairing inventive fillings with guacamole, salsas, and a deep agave list in a lively room. Open since 2011, it functions as both neighborhood hangout and destination for chef-driven, late-night tacos and margaritas.
Must-Try Dishes:
Fish tempura tacos with cabbage and lime mayo, Scotch egg taco, Guacamole with mixed salsa set
Scores:
Value: 6.8
Service: 8.4
Consistency: 8.7
Food Quality: 8.9
Atmosphere: 8.3
Cultural Relevance: 8.6
What makes it special: A chef-led taqueria that helped redefine upscale tacos in the West Village.
Who should go: Taco obsessives who also care about cocktails and scene
When to visit: Prime time 8–10pm for full late-night buzz
What to order: Salsa flight, fish tempura tacos, Scotch egg taco
Insider tip: Sit at the bar for faster rounds of margaritas and tacos.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited and competitive after 6pm; rely on nearby paid garages on Hudson or Christopher.
Dress code: Smart casual—jeans and a nice top are standard, but many guests lean slightly dressy at peak hours.
Noise level: Loud during prime time; conversation is possible but raised voices are common.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes for walk-ins depending on group size; bar seats turn faster.
Weekday lunch: Not applicable—Empellón Taqueria does not serve weekday lunch.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Solid coverage—vegetable tacos, salsas, and sides offer multiple options.
Vegan options: Limited—some salsas and sides qualify, but tacos are largely dairy- or egg-influenced.
Gluten-free options: Many tacos can be made gluten-free with corn tortillas; communicate needs for safe handling.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes—if you want energetic, dimly lit, cocktail-forward vibes. It’s not ideal for deep conversation but great for a fun, shared-plates style date.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes for small groups, but expect a wait during peak hours. Sitting at the bar is your fastest option for tacos and margaritas.
Is it kid-friendly? Suitable for older kids or teens who enjoy tacos; the noise level and evening crowd make it less ideal for young children.
Best For
Better for: Inventive, chef-driven tacos and one of the strongest agave programs in the neighborhood.
Skip if: You want a quiet room, vegan-focused menus, or quick counter-service tacos.
Empellón Taqueria & Bar
7.9
Since 2011, chef Alex Stupak’s Empellón Taqueria has treated tacos like serious bar food, pairing experimental fillings with a focused happy hour on the corner of West 4th and 10th. While opinions on value and portioning are mixed, the combination of chef-driven tacos, agave cocktails, and a well-defined weekday happy hour keeps it in the conversation for elevated Mexican drinks and snacks.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tempura fish tacos with cabbage and salsa, Lamb barbacoa tacos with arbol chile salsa, Queso fundido with warm tortillas
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 6.3
Consistency: 7.8
Food Quality: 8.5
Atmosphere: 8.4
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: A chef-led taco bar where weekday happy hour showcases inventive fillings and strong margaritas.
Who should go: Taco obsessives willing to pay extra for chef-y twists.
When to visit: Monday–Friday 4–6pm for happy hour pricing and lighter crowds.
What to order: Tempura fish tacos, lamb barbacoa tacos, queso fundido with a margarita.
Insider tip: Grab a bar seat for faster drinks and an easier time piecing together a meal from happy hour snacks.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited on West 4th and 10th; expect metered spots to be scarce after 5pm. No valet.
Dress code: Smart casual; jeans and a nice top are common, but the crowd leans slightly polished during happy hour.
Noise level: Moderate—bar energy during peak hours, but still manageable for conversation at tables.
Weekend wait: 30–50 minutes for walk-ins, especially for bar seating.
Weekday lunch: Not applicable; primarily a dinner and happy hour spot with minimal daytime service.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Several options, including seasonal veggie tacos and queso-based starters.
Vegan options: Limited—typically 1–2 vegetable-forward dishes can be made vegan, but the menu skews dairy-heavy.
Gluten-free options: Corn tortillas are naturally gluten-free; many tacos are safe with modifications, but no dedicated prep area.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes—dim lighting, polished cocktails, and a lively but not overwhelming atmosphere make it a strong casual-first-date pick.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes, especially during weekday happy hour; weekends may require a 20–40 minute wait, but bar seats turn over frequently.
Is it kid-friendly? Somewhat—kids are welcome, but the space is designed around bar traffic and adult groups. Best for older kids or early evening visits.
Best For
Better for: Inventive, chef-driven tacos and a more refined agave cocktail program than most casual Mexican spots nearby.
Skip if: You want large portions, budget-focused plates, or a quiet sit-down dinner—several neighborhood taquerias are better fits.
Empellón Taqueria & Bar
8.3
Opened in 2011 by chef Alex Stupak, Empellón Taqueria treats tacos like headline bar food, pairing inventive fillings with a tightly timed weekday happy hour. The bar area is the move for discounted tacos and margaritas before the room fills with West Village date nights and industry types.
Must-Try Dishes:
Fish tempura tacos, Scotch egg taco, Lamb barbacoa tacos
Scores:
Value: 6.8
Service: 8.3
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 9
Atmosphere: 8.2
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: A chef-driven taqueria where weekday happy hour turns high-end tacos and margaritas into a bar-seat ritual.
Who should go: Taco obsessives who don’t mind paying for creativity.
When to visit: Monday–Friday 4–6pm for discounted tacos and margs.
What to order: Fish tempura tacos, Scotch egg taco, guacamole.
Insider tip: Target bar seats right at the 4pm happy hour start for the best shot at $4 tacos before the after-work rush.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited on West 4th and surrounding blocks; expect metered spaces to be scarce after 5pm. No valet. Paid garages available within a 3–5 minute walk.
Dress code: Smart casual. Jeans and sneakers are fine, but the crowd tends to lean polished in the evenings.
Noise level: Moderate. Bar seats get lively during happy hour, but tables remain manageable for conversation.
Weekend wait: 30–50 minutes for a walk-in due to small dining room and high date-night demand.
Weekday lunch: No wait; the room stays relatively calm before mid-afternoon.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — multiple taco fillings and starters can be made vegetarian.
Vegan options: Limited — a couple of tacos and sides work, but the menu leans dairy-heavy.
Gluten-free options: Several tacos can be gluten-free when served on corn tortillas; alert staff for guidance.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes. The cozy space, creative tacos, and strong cocktails give it an elevated but relaxed feel ideal for a low-pressure first date.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often, yes. Bar seats are your best bet during happy hour; small groups can usually walk in early evening, but waits build after 6:30pm.
Is it kid-friendly? Not particularly. It’s more of a bar-forward, adult crowd, and the dining room skews intimate. Suitable for teens, but not ideal for young children.
Best For
Better for: Creative, chef-driven tacos and a focused happy hour that feels more polished than typical taco bars in the area.
Skip if: You want large portions, a relaxed family atmosphere, or wide vegan options — nearby spots like Jajaja or Móle may be better fits.