fish tacos?

[phoenikia]

Someone mentioned fish tacos at Barmarche on the recent Rice to Riches thread and it triggered a craving. Are there any other casual places you'd recommend for fish tacos?Thanks for any of your suggestions.

[phoenikia]

Bumping this old thread, since it contains so many recs.

Is Mercadito Grove still a best bet for fish tacos?

How would you rate the fish (tilapia) tacos at Yerba Buena?

Are there any restos that have opened in the last year that are serving good fish tacos? Would be especially interested in any non-tilapia fish taco recommendations.

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Yerba Buena
23 Avenue A, New York, NY 10009

[hana]

Pita Grill had great fish tacos - 9th avenue betwn52n/53rd street.

[phoenikia]

Thanks hana!

[kelea]

I still love the fish tacos ar Mercadito. I enjoyed the ones at Pinche too but just too pricy for me at $3.75 each

[phoenikia]

Happy to hear you still like the fish tacos at Mercadito, kelea. Have also added Pinche to my list ;-)

[phoenikia]

Loved the baja style fish tacos (with beer battered mahi mahi) at Mercadito Ave B. Would like to return to try the shrimp version, and the grilled tilapia version, on a future visit! Also noticed Mercadito Cantina has a version involving octopus!

Hope to try Pinche on another visit to NYC!

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Mercadito Cantina
172 Avenue B, New York, NY 10009

[west34]

Mercadito has been my goto spot for fish tacos, but I'm really digging the ones at Barrio Chino now too. They're small but really good (tilapia but never muddy tasting). I'm very suprised they havent been mentioned here yet. And the cocktails are much better and vibe waaay cooler over there!

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Barrio Chino
253 Broome St, New York, NY 10002

[phoenikia]

Thanks for the tip, west34 ;-) Good to know Barrio Chino has better cocktails, too!

[Ann900]

I justhad a great fried snapper taco at Hell's Kitchen on 9th Ave -between 46 and 47th St. A bit pricey- $23- but you get 3 house made tacos filled with fish, black beans in a spiced guacamole sauce. Woth every penny.

[mrnyc]

i've been enjoying the TAVERN ON JANE version lately:

Grilled Yellowfin Tuna Tacos
charred pico de gallo, guacamole,
black bean, corn relish and jacima slaw
$16

[syb]

five points has them on the lunch menu and they are delicious!

[vvvindaloo]

My favorite fish tacos of all time (in NY) are at Mercadito Grove on Seventh Ave So. However, I have found two new top contenders so far in '09: Toloache in midtown (west) and Cabrito on Carmine St. Actually, every taco at Toloache, from pork to lobster, was fantastic, and I would give them the edge over Cabrito, for food overall.

[guyonatlantic]

Just had the fish tacos at Cabrito on Carmine. I think they're even better than Mercadito, and only $3 at happy hour.

[davisready]

Are the fish tacos Baja-style at Cabrito?

[guyonatlantic]

Yes! But a little fancier. Batter fried with cabbage, a slice of avocado, cilantro, radish, and some aioli at the bottom. Had one again today...

[windycity]

Thanks for this post - I went to Pinche this weekend and ordered one of each taco. The fish taco wasn't my favorite but it was definitely better than La Esquina, not to mention there was more fish and it was cheaper. Mercadito is next up on the list!

[emma]

not in manhattan, but papacito's in greenpoint has great fish tacos. they are not fried, but they're definitely my fave in the city.

[Miss Needle]

You may be interested in Eric Ripert's ranking of fish tacos in NYC. His favorite was Mercadito.

http://nymag.com/daily/food/2008/11/e...

[iFat]

Love love LOVE the fish tacos at Yerba Buena in the East Village

http://www.immaculateinfatuation.com/...

[foodwhisperer]

Stanton Social has good fish tacos

[kelea]

I really didn't like the snapper tacos at brunch. I'm not sure if you are referring to those. Mine were really fishy. And the texture of the fish was so mushy. It tasted like they threw all the ingredients in the blender and stuffed the shells.

[mahler5]

I had some for lunch at Clinton St. Bakery some time ago, and they were delicious. I cannot remember whether it was a regular item or a special.

[digsnola]

Had Mercadito's the other night for the first time. Wasn't expecting too much but both grilled and fried fish tacos were excellent.

[foodrink]

Not a big fan of Mercadito as the tortillas are weird, they only give you a little bit of fish and the sauce is too strong for fish.

[tatiana_nyc]

As a native San Diegan, I consider myself an expert on the subject...I've probably tried most of the places in the city that offer them. For beer battered and fried fish tacos, check out the following (all pretty casual):

1) Vamos Tacos y Tequilas - 20th and 1st. Pretty commercial place, but they're good.
2) Pinche Taqueria - Elizabeth and Spring. Tiny place... again, good stuff.
3) Mercadito - Ave B and 11th. Pricey and tiny but tasty. Check out Mercadito Cantina, which is opening next week down on B and 10th - it's supposed to be more casual.

I won't offer my reviews of grilled fish tacos, for real deal Baja fish tacos are always fried. Not to say they aren't decent... Pompano, La Esquina, Dos Caminos all offer them grilled.

[phoenikia]

Thank you! Your suggestions sounds great- the Baja-style tacos with fried fish are the ones I was hoping to find!

[livetotravel]

I just had 2 fish tacos at Pinche today - and I think they have become the best in Manhattan - better than La Esquina IMHO.

[kelea]

Agreed, I'm a fan of Pinche. Over La Esquina for me as well. I found La Esquina's bland and over simplified. Nothing popped for me, and the crust on the fish was a little limp and pale. Pinche on the other hand was golden brown and crisp. And the whole taco was just downright flavorful

[encantada]

There is no crust on La Esquina's fish -- it's grilled. I'll check out Pinche, though.

[maggiej]

I like the fried fish tacos at Mole just below Houston.

[Scarlet]

Baby Bo's on 2nd Ave and 34th St. Yummy and cheap.

[bosun]

San Loco (various locations in the city) has a cat fish taco. I love it "guaco loco" style, which is a soft taco placed around a hard taco, with guacamole as the glue. Very good.
Also, Bonita in Williamsburg has a very light and fresh fish taco.

[BritGirl4444]

I agree. I love their catfish guaco loco especially after a night of partying and drinking. The tomatoes are rarely good though. Too mealy...

[benvenuti]

I haven't tried Mercaditos, but I do know that Toloache serves up a mean fish taco. (I was hooked after the first time I tried them!) They're reasonably priced at $14- not bad at all for the taste, quality and ambiance. It's on 50th between 8th and Broadway, and definitely one of my faves in the theatre district.

[offthebeatenpath1]

Sadly, they were shut down by the DOH. Not sure when/ if they are reopening.

[bykim1]

Pampano Taqueria

805 3rd Ave (b/w 50 + 51st)
New York, NY 10022

[ginsbera]

2nd Pampano hands down.

[davisready]

Could this the place Roze is talking about near Smith and Wollensky's?

[MMRuth]

I believe so - I think it's in the lower level of an office building.

[bykim1]

yes, just had some tacos an hour ago. It's in the lobby of an office building next to Sophie's Cuban and Zoom Kitchen. You would never know from the street.

One word of advice, order on the telephone prior to going there...it takes them 10-15 minutes to make and the lines during lunch are long.

their shrimp tacos are better than their fish tacos

[steakrules85]

Could be Dos Caminos tooo.

[phoenikia]

Thanks for all the recs. Much appreciated!

[small h]

I haven't been in a while, and I'm not 100% sure it's still there, but I like Snack Dragon, 199 E. 3rd. St.

[roze]

There's a place in midtown that sells some pretty good ones between 49th & 50th next to smith & wollenskys. They only sell them from 11:00- 3:00 though but they're pretty awesome.

Of course the best in the city are at Mercadito. Pricey for the amount you get but fricken awesome.

[Miss Needle]

I definitely second the Mercadito rec. Really delicious and spicy and addictive.

[YummyInTheCity]

love mercadito - the beer battered ones are delicious.

[dwaves]

La Esquina - Lafeyette and Kenmare - best fish tacos in town, no contest.
Light and grilled, sweet and spicy sauce, crisp veg and tortillas are tender and slightly chewey.

-D-

[malibu]

I second the rec on the Esquina fish tacos. Delicious!