Best Cheap Eats Mexican Restaurants in Astoria (North)-Ditmars-Steinway
6 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
El Rey Del Taco
High-volume taco truck slinging classic Mexico City–style tacos until late.
Notable Picks
8.5
El Rey Del Taco runs a late-night taco truck at Ditmars and 31st Street, turning out Mexico City–style tacos deep into the night. Locals rely on it for quick, inexpensive suadero, al pastor, and carnitas after bars and shifts when most kitchens are long closed.
Must-Try Dishes:
Suadero Tacos, Al Pastor Tacos, Carnitas Tacos
What Makes it Special: High-volume taco truck slinging classic Mexico City–style tacos until late.
#2
Los Portales
8.5
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Family Friendly Favorites
Group Dining Gatherings
Hidden Gems Heaven
Los Portales is a long-running Broadway standby for sizzling fajitas, saucy enchiladas, and plates of tacos that feel built for regulars as much as first-timers. Portions are generous, prices stay low, and a steady stream of neighborhood diners gives it the feel of a default Mexican choice in this part of Astoria.
Must-Try Dishes:
Al Pastor Tacos, Bistec en Salsa Verde Plato, Chicken Enchiladas
What Makes it Special: Broadway’s go-to sit-down Mexican spot with big, affordable combo plates.
8.1
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Business Lunch Power Players
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Fast-casual burritos and bowls built for repeatable lunch runs—quick assembly, reliable portions, and a choose-your-build rhythm that keeps lines moving. The best experience comes from a tight, classic burrito build that doesn’t get overstuffed or sauce-heavy.
Must-Try Dishes:
Build-your-own burrito, Burrito bowl, Quesadilla
What Makes it Special: Fast, customizable burritos that stay dependable for lunch repeat runs.
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Family Friendly Favorites
Comfort Food Classics
Late Night Legends
Los Amigos Mexican Restaurant is a long-running sit-down spot just off the Ditmars train where a big menu of tacos, enchiladas, and combo plates runs nightly until around 2:30 a.m. It’s less about scene and more about dependable, late-night Mexican with TVs and margaritas.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tacos Suaves Dorados, Chicken Tacos, Enchiladas Verdes
What Makes it Special: Neighborhood Mexican restaurant with full plates and tacos served past 2 a.m.
Worthy Picks
7.9
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Family Friendly Favorites
Moho Mexican Grill is a halal-friendly, build-your-own Mexican counter on Ditmars where burritos, bowls, and quesadillas are assembled fast with customizable toppings. It’s more about speed and convenience than lingering, but locals rely on it for quick, filling lunches and weeknight takeout.
Must-Try Dishes:
Build-Your-Own Burrito Bowl, Chicken Tinga Burrito, Carne Asada Quesadilla
What Makes it Special: Halal-friendly Mexican counter service where you build burritos, bowls, and quesadillas.
Fresca Tortilla is an old-school counter-service Tex-Mex spot where fried and soft corn tacos stay firmly in the under-$10 zone. Locals lean on it for quick, filling taco plates built on house-made tortillas and no-frills portions that feel geared toward hungry regulars more than scene-chasing.
Must-Try Dishes:
Grilled Chicken Taco Plate, Grilled Steak Taco Plate, Fish Taco Plate
What Makes it Special: Old-school Tex-Mex counter with a huge, ultra-cheap taco menu.