Los Tacos No. 1.

Xi’an Famous Foods started as a tiny stall in a Flushing food court, and now they have locations all over the city for good reason. Their hand-pulled noodles in spicy cumin lamb sauce are aggressively flavorful in the best way, the kind of dish that makes you sweat and immediately order another bowl.

Los Tacos No. 1 dishes out the best tacos in New York City. The simple menu pays homage to authentic Mexican street food, with a focus on tacos, quesadillas & mulas.

The tacos steal the show, homemade tortillas (choose between flour and corn) topped with onion, cilantro, salsa and guacamole, these bad boys have no business being this good.

My favorite taco is the adobada (marinated pork), an order of 2-3 tacos serves as a meal. The guacamole and chips is a great companion, but at $5.50 for small servings, don’t feel guilty if you skip it.

We always prioritize at visit here with out-of-town guests and everyone raves about the meal months after. In fact, it’s the place most. So if you’re looking for the best cheap eats in New York City, Los Tacos gets my vote.

Chelsea Market and Times Square locations. Yes, there’s always a line. Yes, it’s always worth it.

The adobada taco is what you want. Marinated pork, a little charred, on a fresh corn tortilla that they press right there. It’s $4-5 depending on what you get, and I’ve never once left without ordering at least three. The nopal (cactus) taco is surprisingly great too if you’re trying to pretend you’re being healthy about it.

Make no mistake. This is the spot I send every single person who visits me and asks “where should I eat?” It’s fast, it’s cheap, and it’s better than it has any right to be for a place inside a tourist market. The Chelsea Market location is the original and my personal favorite, but the Times Square spot is identical in quality and sometimes has a shorter wait. Go during an off-hour if you can. Tuesday at 2 PM? No line. Saturday at noon? You’re waiting 20 minutes. Still worth it.

When craving authentic Mexican street food, New Yorkers make a beeline to Los Tacos No. 1, which is arguably the most famous tacos in the city. The founders (originally from Tijuana & California) noticed a lack of authentic tacos in the city’s cuisine and opted to bring that Mexican flavor to Manhattan.

A simple menu pays homage to the traditional flavors of our southern neighbors. Things like corn tortillas made in-house (always get corn) and pineapple slivers in their bestselling adobada tacos have helped propel them above their competition. It’s a relaxed spot where the food speaks volumes, making it a favorite among locals and visitors craving genuine Mexican flavors in Chelsea.