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Taqueria El Chato

620 Manhattan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222
$
Mexican, Tacos
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ZipPicks Awards

Best Tacos in Greenpoint

Vibe Check this spot

Food Quality 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5
Consistency 5
Cultural Relevance 5

0 / 5 selected

Master Critic Review

Taqueria El Chato 8.6
Greenpoint
Vibes: Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance Hidden Gems Heaven Quick Bites Champions Trendy Table Hotspots
Opened in 2024 by chef Gerardo Alcaraz, Taqueria El Chato is a compact counter on Manhattan Avenue where trompo al pastor, vampiros, and quesadillas run on housemade nixtamal tortillas. It’s a Bib Gourmand–recognized spot that locals now treat as a dedicated taco run rather than a full sit-down dinner.
Must-Try Dishes: Trompo al pastor taco with pineapple and salsa, Trompo vampiro with crispy cheese and pastor, Trompo quesadilla on housemade tortillas
Scores:
Value: 8.7 Service: 8.2 Consistency: 8.1 Food Quality: 9.3 Atmosphere: 7.1 Cultural Relevance: 8.5
What makes it special: Bib Gourmand CDMX-style trompo tacos and vampiros on fresh masa.
Who should go: Serious taco hunters chasing al pastor and trompo vampiros.
When to visit: Evenings before peak lines for faster counter ordering.
What to order: Trompo tacos, trompo vampiro, trompo quesadilla.
Insider tip: Order at least one vampiro alongside straight tacos—the crispy cheese and thicker tortilla show off the masa and pastor in a different way, and you can comfortably eat standing at the ledge or take everything to nearby McCarren or McGolrick Park.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; typically manageable north of Greenpoint Ave, but can be tight during dinner rush.
Dress code: Casual—hoodies, jeans, and streetwear are the norm.
Noise level: Moderate—counter sizzle and music, but easy to hold a conversation while ordering or outside.
Weekend wait: 20–35 minutes at peak; the line moves steadily since service is counter-only.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait; quick walk-up ordering.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited—usually 1–2 rotating vegetarian taco or quesadilla options; tortillas are housemade and meat-free.
Vegan options: Very limited—may build a vegan plate with beans/veg if available, but menu is meat-forward.
Gluten-free options: Strong options—masa tortillas are naturally gluten-free, but no certified GF prep area.
Best For
Better for: Top-tier trompo work, fresh nixtamal tortillas, and CDMX-style vampiros at value pricing—faster, cheaper, and more specialized than sit-down Mexican spots nearby.
Skip if: Skip if you need full dinner seating, cocktails, or a long social meal—this is a focused taco stop, not a restaurant to linger in.