Mally's Deli & Grocery, Brooklyn: Knickerbocker Avenue & Jefferson Street

It was before lunch at 11:30a, but I hadn't had breakfast, so when I passed this bodega with the word 'tacos' in small lettering, I ducked in to see if they would serve me a couple of carnitas tacos. Honestly, I wasn't sure if the tacos were going to be Mexican tacos or Taco Bell-style tacos. At least I wasn't asked if I wanted soft or hard tacos. I was pleasantly surprised. The tacos were packed with meat, had two corn tortillas, were topped with onions and cilantro, and came with salsa verde and salsa rojo. They needed a pinch of salt and I felt the carnitas could've been made a bit crispy for texture. Overall, very satisfying; I'd stop by again if I were in the neighborhood. Two small carnitas tacos were $3.75, which is okay, but leaning on the pricey side.

Tacos Xochimilco, Brooklyn: 5th Ave & 45th Street

Small tacos are $1.50 here and must be ordered in pairs. Large tacos are $2.50 and are not much larger than the small tacos. We ordered a pair of tripa tacos, a pair of carnitas tacos and one large pollo asada taco. The tripa tacos are very different from the tripa tacos at Matamoros: instead of crispy fried bits of tripe, it is soft and cut into strips. Not bad, but I think the fried tripe is more flavorful. The carnitas tacos were average to pretty good and the pollo asada taco was juicy, though lacking in substance. The salsa verde wasn't especially notable, but they also provided a spicy habanero sauce.

Taco Mix, Brooklyn: 5th Ave & 46th Street

Taco Mix is a very small taco stand right around the corner from Matamoros. Small tacos are about $1.50 and VERY tasty. I had the carnitas and the al pastor, both of which were quite good. All the meats here are cooked together in a large vat which included a bunch of unidentifiable meats. In the case of al pastor, carnitas, and chorizo tacos, the meats were minced. The salsa verde was tasty and more savory than most.

Tacos Matamoros, Brooklyn: 5th Ave & 45th Street

Tacos Matamoros. Where else would a taco blog focusing on Brooklyn and downtown Manhattan start? I count on Matamoros for consistently delicious carnitas (fried pork) and tripas (tripe) tacos. Inadvertently, it is the standard by which other taco spots will be judged.

Tacos come in two sizes here: small and large, large being served with a healthy dose of guacamole. Both are served with a very good and mildly spicy salsa verde, a few lime wedges, and a few sliced radishes. Carnitas tacos are served with very juicy and crisp carnitas, onions and cilantro, and warm corn tortillas. Tripa at Matamoros is served fried, crisp, and delicious. Highly recommended; I really like this place.

Large Carnitas Tacos on Left, Small Carnitas Taco on Right

Tacos Matamoros