0 Followers
Los Tacos No. 1
Master Critic Reviews (6 Lists)
Los Tacos No. 1
8.8
A Grand Central-area counter that stays laser-focused on a tight menu executed with speed and repeatable precision—fresh tortillas, properly seasoned meats, and a salsa bar that lets you tune heat and acidity to taste. It’s best when you order simply and eat immediately: two tacos plus one quesadilla/mula is the move for peak texture.
Must-Try Dishes:
Adobada Taco, Carne Asada Taco, Adobada Quesadilla (or Mula)
Scores:
Value: 9.1
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 9.2
Food Quality: 8.9
Atmosphere: 6.6
Cultural Relevance: 8.7
What makes it special: Ultra-focused taco menu with proven, high-volume consistency.
Who should go: Taco purists and commuters craving a fast win
When to visit: Late afternoon or after 9pm for shorter lines
What to order: Adobada taco, carne asada taco, adobada quesadilla
Insider tip: Order one taco on corn and one on flour to compare.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No valet. Street parking is extremely limited; nearby garages around Grand Central are expensive. Public transit is the clear best option.
Dress code: Very casual — commuter-friendly, jeans and sneakers are the norm.
Noise level: Loud — constant line movement and station foot traffic make extended conversation difficult.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes during peak travel hours; lines move fast once ordered.
Weekday lunch: 15–30 minutes during rush; off-peak can be closer to 5–10 minutes.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited — cheese quesadillas and nopales when available, but menu is meat-forward.
Vegan options: Very limited — not a reliable vegan stop beyond plain tortillas with salsa.
Gluten-free options: Yes — corn tortillas are standard; flour tortillas contain gluten.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if you both value speed and food over ambiance — it’s efficient and delicious, but crowded, loud, and over quickly.
Can I get a table without a reservation? There are no reservations and very limited seating; plan to stand, eat quickly, or take food to go.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for older kids who can handle crowds and quick meals; not ideal for strollers or long, relaxed dining.
Best For
Better for: High-volume consistency, speed, and tortilla quality — few NYC taco counters execute this cleanly at scale.
Skip if: You want to linger, sit comfortably, or need strong vegetarian/vegan options — choose a full-service Mexican restaurant instead.
Los Tacos No. 1
8.6
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Trendy Table Hotspots
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
From the team behind the Chelsea Market original, this Grand Central outpost channels Tijuana-style tacos and a small but potent lineup of breakfast burritos for commuters. Expect fast-moving lines, standing counters, and tightly made tortillas stuffed with well-seasoned fillings rather than overstuffed, rice-heavy wraps.
Must-Try Dishes:
Steak Breakfast Burrito, Chorizo Breakfast Burrito, Bean & Cheese Breakfast Burrito
Scores:
Value: 8.4
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 8.7
Food Quality: 9
Atmosphere: 7
Cultural Relevance: 8.7
What makes it special: High-energy Grand Central stall where breakfast burritos borrow the same tortilla craft and salsas that made their tacos famous.
Who should go: Commuters craving compact, flavorful breakfast burritos.
When to visit: Weekday mornings before peak commuter rush crowds.
What to order: Steak Breakfast Burrito, Chorizo Breakfast Burrito, Bean & Cheese Breakfast Burrito.
Insider tip: Hit the counter right at opening to enjoy the breakfast burrito menu before it switches over to all-day tacos.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No dedicated parking; rely on nearby paid garages around Grand Central and limited metered street spots on adjacent blocks.
Dress code: Come-as-you-are casual; commuter-friendly attire is the norm.
Noise level: Moderate to lively, with station foot traffic and order counter activity; fine for quick conversation but not lingering chats.
Weekend wait: Breakfast burritos are not served at dinner; taco service may draw short 10–20 minute lines during peak travel windows.
Weekday lunch: 5–15 minute line typical during commuter surges; often faster mid-morning and mid-afternoon.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — the Bean & Cheese Breakfast Burrito and veggie-focused tacos offer solid vegetarian options.
Vegan options: Limited — tortillas are vegan but fillings are mostly meat- or dairy-based; customization can create a simple vegan taco but no vegan breakfast burrito.
Gluten-free options: Partially — corn tortillas are gluten-free, but breakfast burritos use flour tortillas; cross-contamination is possible due to shared prep surfaces.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if you both enjoy fast-casual counters — it’s energetic, standing-room-only, and focused on quick eating rather than ambience.
Can I get a table without a reservation? There are no reservations or traditional tables; standing counters are first-come, first-served and turn over quickly.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for older kids who can manage standing counters and busy foot traffic; not ideal for strollers or toddlers during peak commuter windows.
Best For
Better for: Top choice for commuters who want tightly wrapped, flavor-forward breakfast burritos made with high-quality tortillas and fast throughput.
Skip if: Skip if you want seating, a slow sit-down meal, or vegan breakfast burritos — nearby cafés or diners will provide more comfort and menu flexibility.
Los Tacos No. 1
8.6
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Late Night Legends
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
This Grand Central outpost of Los Tacos No. 1 brings the brand’s Tijuana-style tacos—handmade tortillas, adobada off the trompo, and griddled quesadillas—to a spacious stand-up counter that runs late most nights. It’s one of Midtown’s most reliable Mexican options for a quick, high-quality bite after a train arrival or late office shift.
Must-Try Dishes:
Adobada (marinated pork) taco, Carne asada taco, Nopal (grilled cactus) quesataco
Scores:
Value: 8.5
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 8.4
Food Quality: 9.2
Atmosphere: 7
Cultural Relevance: 8.8
What makes it special: High-throughput taco counter delivering Tijuana-style tacos until around midnight most days.
Who should go: Hungry commuters and taco-obsessed night owls.
When to visit: Late evening after 9pm to dodge peak commuter crush.
What to order: Adobada taco, carne asada taco, nopal quesataco.
Insider tip: Order a quesataco-style taco for the griddled cheese shell without extra signage.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No dedicated parking; rely on Grand Central garages (expensive) or limited metered street parking on side streets after 7pm.
Dress code: Come-as-you-are casual; commuters and late-night diners fit right in.
Noise level: Moderate–high; it’s a bustling stand-up counter, not ideal for long conversations.
Weekend wait: 10–20 minutes depending on commuter traffic and train schedules.
Weekday lunch: 5–15 minutes during peak rush, often under 5 minutes off-peak.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — the nopal (cactus) taco and quesataco are the primary reliable options.
Vegan options: Very limited — the nopal taco can be made vegan by omitting cheese, but choices are minimal.
Gluten-free options: Yes — corn tortillas are naturally gluten-free, but there is no dedicated GF prep zone, so cross-contact is possible.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if your date loves casual, high-energy taco spots. It’s stand-up dining with quick turnover, so not ideal for lingering conversation.
Can I get a table without a reservation? There are no tables or reservations — it's all counter service and standing space, first come, first served.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for quick bites with older kids; younger children may find the standing-only setup and busy flows challenging.
Best For
Better for: Exceptionally fast, consistent, high-quality tacos that outperform most Midtown Mexican spots on speed, value and late-night reliability.
Skip if: You need seating, a quiet meal, or extensive dietary accommodations — nearby sit-down Mexican restaurants or general late-night eateries will suit those needs better.
Los Tacos No. 1
8.4
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Late Night Legends
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
The Grand Central outpost of Los Tacos No. 1 turns out Tijuana-style tacos on house-made tortillas for commuters and office workers who want a fast but serious bite. Expect a tight menu, standing room and consistently juicy adobada and carne asada that justify the perpetual line.
Must-Try Dishes:
Adobada (marinated pork) taco, Carne asada taco, Griddled queso taco or quesadilla
Scores:
Value: 8.4
Service: 8
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 9
Atmosphere: 6.8
Cultural Relevance: 8.7
What makes it special: Fast, stand-up Tijuana-style tacos with freshly pressed tortillas steps from Grand Central.
Who should go: Commuters and taco lovers needing a quick, high-flavor meal.
When to visit: Off-peak midafternoon or late evening to avoid longest lines.
What to order: Adobada tacos, carne asada tacos, a cheesy queso taco.
Insider tip: Order all at once—tacos, quesadillas and drinks—to move smoothly through the line.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No dedicated parking; rely on metered street spots on Lexington/Park or nearby garages along 45th–47th Streets, which can be pricey during peak commuter hours.
Dress code: Completely casual—commuter attire, office wear, jeans and sneakers all fit in.
Noise level: Moderate and bustling; still easy to hear yourself but not ideal for extended conversation.
Weekend wait: 10–20 minutes depending on train traffic and theater crowds.
Weekday lunch: 15–25 minutes during peak noon rush; often under 10 minutes before 11:45am or after 1:30pm.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited—queso tacos and cactus (nopal) tacos rotate but options remain sparse.
Vegan options: Very limited; occasionally nopal tacos can be made vegan if ordered without cheese, but offerings are not consistent.
Gluten-free options: Corn tortillas are naturally gluten-free, but the small, high-volume setup means cross-contact is likely.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if your date enjoys casual, fast-moving food outings—it's stand-up only and focused on speed, not lingering.
Can I get a table without a reservation? There are no tables and no reservations; standing counters are first come, first served, and turnover is rapid.
Is it kid-friendly? Fine for older kids who can handle standing eating and mild spice; not ideal for strollers or toddlers due to tight, fast-paced flow.
Best For
Better for: Exceptionally consistent tacos with bold Tijuana-style flavor, very fast throughput, and house-made tortillas that outperform most Midtown quick-service competitors.
Skip if: You want seating, a broader Mexican menu, quieter conditions, or strict dietary accommodations.
Los Tacos No. 1
8.8
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Late Night Legends
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
This Grand Central outpost of Los Tacos No. 1 turns out Tijuana-style tacos on house-made tortillas for commuters and office workers who want a fast but serious bite. Expect a tight menu, standing room only and consistently juicy adobada and carne asada that justify the perpetual line and late hours.
Must-Try Dishes:
Adobada tacos, Carne asada tacos, Especial quesadilla
Scores:
Value: 8.7
Service: 8.1
Consistency: 8.4
Food Quality: 9.2
Atmosphere: 7
Cultural Relevance: 8.6
What makes it special: Stand-up Tijuana-style tacos on fresh-pressed tortillas by Grand Central.
Who should go: Taco obsessives and commuters craving a fast, serious bite.
When to visit: Midafternoon or late evening to dodge peak commuter crush.
What to order: Adobada taco, carne asada taco, especial quesadilla.
Insider tip: Order a mix of tacos and an especial quesadilla for best value.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking around Grand Central is extremely limited; nearest paid garages are along E 43rd–45th Streets and typically run $25–$45 for short stays.
Dress code: Casual—commuter-friendly attire is perfectly fine.
Noise level: Moderate to lively; it’s a stand-up counter with constant foot traffic, not suited for long conversations.
Weekend wait: 10–20 minutes depending on train traffic and theater crowds.
Weekday lunch: 15–25 minutes during peak commuter lunch; often under 10 minutes midafternoon.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited—quesadillas and nopales (cactus) can work for some vegetarians, but options are minimal.
Vegan options: Very limited—tortillas are fine, but fillings are largely meat-based; customization is required and still sparse.
Gluten-free options: Strong—corn tortillas are naturally gluten-free and the menu is simple, but cross-contact cannot be fully ruled out in a fast-paced open kitchen.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal—it's standing room only, crowded, and fast-paced. Better suited for a quick bite with someone you already know.
Can I get a table without a reservation? There are no tables or reservations; expect to stand at the counter or eat on the go.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for older kids who can manage standing dining and crowds; not ideal for toddlers or strollers due to limited space.
Best For
Better for: Authentic Tijuana-style tacos with quick throughput and late hours, especially unmatched near Grand Central for flavor-to-speed value.
Skip if: You want seating, a leisurely meal, broader vegetarian/vegan options, or a calmer environment.
Los Tacos No. 1
8.6
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Late Night Legends
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
This Grand Central outpost of Los Tacos No. 1 turns out Tijuana-style tacos on house-pressed tortillas for commuters and office workers who want something faster and more serious than generic Midtown lunch. Since opening near the terminal in 2019, it’s become a citywide reference point for adobada and carne asada, with lines that move quickly and a standing-room setup built for high-volume service.
Must-Try Dishes:
Adobada taco, Carne asada taco, Nopal (cactus) taco
Scores:
Value: 8.6
Service: 8
Consistency: 8.4
Food Quality: 9.3
Atmosphere: 7.2
Cultural Relevance: 9
What makes it special: Tijuana-style tacos on fresh tortillas with citywide acclaim steps from Grand Central.
Who should go: Taco obsessives and commuters craving serious, fast tacos.
When to visit: Midafternoon or late evening to dodge peak commuter lines.
What to order: Adobada and carne asada tacos plus an especial quesadilla.
Insider tip: Order a mix of meats, then customize heat with the salsa bar.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is extremely limited near Grand Central; rely on nearby garages along Park Ave and 41st–43rd Streets.
Dress code: No dress code — entirely casual and commuter-friendly.
Noise level: Moderate-to-loud during peak rushes; standing-room setup limits quiet conversation.
Weekend wait: Typically 5–15 minutes; lines move fast even when long.
Weekday lunch: 10–20 minutes at peak office lunch hours; minimal wait midafternoon.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — the nopal taco is the primary option, with customizable toppings.
Vegan options: Limited — the nopal taco can be made vegan if you omit cheese and crema.
Gluten-free options: Partially — corn tortillas are gluten-free, but the space is not a dedicated GF environment.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal — it’s standing-room only, fast-paced and crowded; better for a quick bite than conversation.
Can I get a table without a reservation? There are no tables or reservations; expect to stand at counters or eat on the go.
Is it kid-friendly? Suitable for older kids comfortable in busy, standing-room spaces; no seating, high chairs or stroller-friendly layout.
Best For
Better for: Best for fast, high-flavor Tijuana-style tacos with consistently fresh tortillas and quick-moving lines.
Skip if: Skip if you need seating, a leisurely meal, or broader menu variety beyond a focused taco lineup.