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Tacos Grand Central
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
Tacos Grand Central
8.1
Just south of Grand Central, this narrow counter spot focuses on straightforward tacos, burritos, and bowls built around al pastor, birria, and grilled meats. It’s a practical stop for commuters and nearby offices that want something more flavorful than a generic deli run.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tacos al pastor, Birria tacos, Al pastor burrito bowl
Scores:
Value: 8.4
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 8.1
Food Quality: 8.2
Atmosphere: 6.3
Cultural Relevance: 7.9
What makes it special: No-frills taqueria near Grand Central with a deep taco and bowl lineup.
Who should go: Commuters and office groups wanting fast, filling tacos.
When to visit: Early lunch or late afternoon to avoid peak office rush.
What to order: Tacos al pastor, birria taco trio, al pastor burrito bowl.
Insider tip: Grab a seat quickly if you plan to dine in; space fills fast at lunch.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is extremely limited; nearby public garages around Grand Central typically run $18–$30/hour.
Dress code: Casual — commuter-friendly, business casual fits right in.
Noise level: Moderate to loud during rush periods; quieter mid-afternoon.
Weekend wait: 10–20 minutes during peak early evening
Weekday lunch: 5–15 minutes during office rush, usually no wait off-peak
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — veggie tacos, rice and bean bowls, cheese quesadillas.
Vegan options: Limited — rice, beans, grilled veggies, no confirmed vegan proteins.
Gluten-free options: Yes — corn tortillas and bowl options are naturally gluten-free; cross-contact possible.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a casual, low-pressure meet-up than a romantic first date — it’s fast, tight on space, and food-focused.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — seating is first-come, but availability is limited and rotates quickly during lunch.
Is it kid-friendly? Suitable for older kids who can manage counter ordering, but stroller space and seating are limited.
Best For
Better for: Faster service and easier in-and-out tacos for commuters compared to sit-down Mexican restaurants nearby.
Skip if: Choose full-service Mexican spots if you want margaritas, ambience, or a stretched-out meal.
Tacos Grand Central
8.6
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Group Dining Gatherings
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Tacos Grand Central is a compact Murray Hill taqueria where the focus stays on affordable taco plates and California-style burritos built for everyday lunches and weeknight dinners. Regulars rely on it for consistent al pastor, grilled steak, and shrimp tacos at prices that rarely push much past the mid-teens, especially if you skip drinks. High delivery volume in the neighborhood has turned it into a staple for quick, satisfying Mexican when you’re near Grand Central or the UN.
Must-Try Dishes:
3 tacos al pastor, 3 tacos with grilled steak, California burrito
Scores:
Value: 8.8
Service: 8
Consistency: 8.7
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 6.4
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: A Taco-and-burrito counter that delivers California-sized portions for Midtown prices.
Who should go: Office workers and locals craving reliable tacos near Grand Central.
When to visit: Weekday lunch or early dinner before peak delivery rush.
What to order: 3 tacos al pastor, grilled steak tacos, California burrito.
Insider tip: Order the three-taco plates for the best value-to-portion ratio.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is very limited in Murray Hill and near Grand Central; garages are available within a few blocks but expect Midtown rates.
Dress code: Casual — jeans, sneakers, work clothes all fit right in.
Noise level: Moderate — you can chat easily, but it gets louder during peak lunch and dinner rush.
Weekend wait: 10–20 minutes at most; takeout orders often move faster than dine-in
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait, but there can be a short line during the noon rush
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — veggie tacos, rice-and-bean burritos, and customizable meat-free plates.
Vegan options: Limited — you can build vegan burritos or bowls, but there’s no dedicated vegan menu.
Gluten-free options: Yes — corn tortillas for tacos and gluten-free fillings, but cross-contact is possible.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a low-key, casual first meetup than a romantic date — it’s quick, informal, and food-focused rather than cozy.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — it’s counter-service with open seating, so you just order and grab a spot when one opens.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — simple tacos, burritos, and mild options make it easy for kids, though there are no special kids’ menus or toys.
Best For
Better for: Fast, affordable tacos and burritos with consistent quality near Grand Central, especially for workday lunches and delivery orders.
Skip if: You’re looking for elevated Mexican cooking, craft cocktails, or a sit-down date-night atmosphere.
Tacos Grand Central
7.7
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Group Dining Gatherings
Tacos Grand Central is a compact counter-service taqueria where three-taco plates, burritos, and birria stay firmly in budget-friendly territory. It’s a go-to for office workers looking to turn a quick plate of tacos and Jarritos into an informal pre- or post-work happy hour without committing to a full bar scene.
Must-Try Dishes:
Birria Tacos (3), California Burrito Wrap, 3 TACOS
Scores:
Value: 8.8
Service: 7.4
Consistency: 7.8
Food Quality: 8
Atmosphere: 6.2
Cultural Relevance: 7
What makes it special: Fast-moving taco counter where combo plates and birria feel underpriced for Midtown.
Who should go: Office workers needing quick, filling tacos near Grand Central.
When to visit: Weekday lunch or early evening before delivery rush hits.
What to order: Birria tacos (3), 3 TACOS combo, California Burrito Wrap.
Insider tip: Order ahead online, then grab a streetside seat or nearby bench to turn it into a low-key outdoor happy hour with your own drinks.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is very limited and heavily metered; nearby garages run $30–$45 for a few hours.
Dress code: Very casual — office attire, hoodies, and gym clothes all fit in comfortably.
Noise level: Moderate during peak hours — counter noise and delivery traffic, but still easy to converse.
Weekend wait: 10–20 minutes during peak evening rush, mostly for food prep rather than seating.
Weekday lunch: 5–10 minutes most days; lines move quickly even when it’s busy.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — rice-and-bean plates, cheese quesadillas, and veggie taco builds are available.
Vegan options: Limited — can build bean, rice, and salsa tacos, but no dedicated vegan proteins.
Gluten-free options: Yes — corn tortillas for tacos and naturally gluten-free rice-and-meat plates.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a casual, low-pressure meetup than a romantic date — it’s quick, informal, and not designed for lingering.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — seating is first-come, counter-style, and usually turns over fast. Peak dinner may require short patience.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for school-age kids who like tacos and burritos, but there’s no kids menu or stroller-friendly layout.
Best For
Better for: Quick, inexpensive taco plates with fast turnaround near Grand Central where most nearby options skew pricier or slower.
Skip if: You want a full bar, cocktails, or a sit-down Happy Hour atmosphere — this is more grab-and-go than social lounge.
Tacos Grand Central
7.9
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Group Dining Gatherings
Tacos Grand Central is a compact counter-service taqueria a few blocks south of the terminal, turning out mix-and-match plates of tacos, quesadillas, and burritos at commuter-friendly prices. Office workers use it as a quick, low-commitment taco stop before or after drinks, effectively turning a three-taco plate into a budget happy hour move.
Must-Try Dishes:
3 Tacos al pastor, Grilled steak quesadilla, Birria tacos
Scores:
Value: 8.8
Service: 7.4
Consistency: 7.7
Food Quality: 8.1
Atmosphere: 6.5
Cultural Relevance: 7
What makes it special: Fast-moving taco counter where combo plates and birria stay firmly in budget territory.
Who should go: Office workers wanting quick, filling tacos near Grand Central.
When to visit: Weekday lunch or early evening before delivery rush hits.
What to order: 3 tacos al pastor, grilled steak quesadilla, birria tacos.
Insider tip: Double up on al pastor and birria—salsas on the side travel well for office hangs.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only and very limited during business hours; nearby garages are the most reliable option.
Dress code: Very casual—work clothes, sneakers, and grab-and-go attire are the norm.
Noise level: Moderate during peak meal times with constant foot traffic and order calls, but quieter between rushes.
Weekend wait: 10–20 minutes at most, primarily dependent on delivery volume rather than dine-in demand.
Weekday lunch: 5–10 minutes, line moves quickly even during peak lunch rush.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—cheese quesadillas, bean tacos, rice-and-bean burritos, and veggie-loaded options available.
Vegan options: Limited—bean, rice, salsa, and grilled veggie combinations can be made vegan with modifications.
Gluten-free options: Yes—corn tortillas are available, but there’s shared prep space so cross-contact is possible.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal for a classic sit-down date—it’s better suited for casual food before or after another plan.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—it's counter service with limited seating, so you order first and grab whatever seat opens up.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for quick family stops—simple taco, quesadilla, and burrito options work well for kids, but there are no dedicated kid amenities.
Best For
Better for: Fast, budget-friendly tacos that fit into a workday schedule or serve as a quick pregame bite.
Skip if: You want cocktails, a full sit-down dining experience, or a longer hang with table service.