Regulars might earn an “hola, mi amor” from the staff as they pile into this neighborhood taquería for tacos al pastor. Taco Mix founder Jorge Sanchez has spent three decades overseeing this sliver of a space anchored by a trompo in the window. The restaurant is on 116th Street, in the heart of what had been known as Spanish Harlem but is increasingly called Puebla York for its significant community from Puebla, Mexico – including Sanchez.
During peak rush, a small phalanx of cooks, fortified behind the counter and tall stacks of takeout containers, quickly turn out orders. Many customers stay just long enough to grab their food for the road, and diners who choose to stay may also receive their meals in takeout boxes. Whether you eat in or grab and go, be sure to fill your tacos from the wide selection of toppings on the bar.
What to order
- Tacos al pastor, which come loaded on corn tortillas with tender, bright red meat, soft pineapple, and thick-cut cucumbers and radishes. You can get three with a drink for $11.
- For another Pueblan specialty, try the tacos Árabes: flour tortillas filled with pork shawarma, melted cheese, and chipotle salsa.
- Take your time with the toppings bar. It’s a wonderland of salsas (verde, árabe, cacahuate, tatemada roja) and pickled vegetables (onions, carrots, jalapeños).
Take note
The standing-room, awkwardly high, lime-green countertop, the only place to eat inside the restaurant, may not be the most ergonomic dining setup for shorter diners or those with specific needs — though at least it protects outfits from errant drips of salsa. In warm weather, you might find a single, small patio table out front.
Insider tip
Since it first opened in Harlem, Taco Mix has grown across the city. There are locations in the Bronx and Brooklyn now as well.
