El Lado Taco Introduce
For those in New York City who love authentic, flavorful Mexican cuisine, **El Lado Taco** is a must-visit destination in Astoria. This beloved spot has quickly earned a reputation for serving up some of the best tacos in the city, with a focus on genuine Mexico City-style street food. El Lado Taco is more than just a place to grab a quick meal; it's a vibrant brunch restaurant and a lively cocktail bar, all wrapped into one. The ambiance is casual and clean, with a relaxed vibe that makes every visit a pleasant experience. From the moment you walk in, you'll be greeted by the delicious aroma of fresh tortillas being made right in front of you. This commitment to quality and authenticity is what sets El Lado Taco apart. As locals will attest, the flavors are as close as you can get to the real thing, making it a true gem on 30th Avenue.
Situated at **34-14 30th Ave., Astoria, NY 11103**, El Lado Taco enjoys a prime spot on one of Astoria’s most bustling and well-known streets. The restaurant's central location makes it easily accessible for anyone in the New York area, whether you're coming from Queens, Manhattan, or elsewhere. For those traveling by car, there is **free street parking** available in the area, which can be a huge plus. El Lado Taco is also dedicated to ensuring a comfortable experience for all of its guests. The restaurant features a **wheelchair accessible entrance**, **wheelchair accessible restrooms**, and **wheelchair accessible seating**, demonstrating its commitment to being an inclusive and welcoming space for everyone. The convenience of its location and its thoughtful amenities make El Lado Taco an easy and enjoyable choice for a casual meal.
- **Dine-in:** Enjoy the vibrant and comfortable atmosphere with a sit-down meal. The casual ambiance is perfect for a relaxed dining experience.
- **Takeout and Delivery:** For those nights when you want to enjoy El Lado Taco's delicious food at home, they offer both convenient takeout and delivery services.
- **Outdoor Seating:** When the weather is nice, you can sit outside and enjoy your meal while taking in the lively street view. The restaurant also allows **dogs outside** for pet owners.
- **Brunch, Lunch, and Dinner:** El Lado Taco offers dining options for every time of day, from their delicious breakfast tacos and brunch menu to a full lunch and dinner spread.
- **Catering:** The restaurant offers catering services, allowing you to bring the authentic flavors of El Lado Taco to your next party or event.
- **Happy Hour:** Take advantage of the fantastic happy hour, which includes special deals on both food and drinks, making it a great spot for an after-work bite and a cocktail.
- **Reservations:** El Lado Taco accepts reservations, which is helpful for planning a meal with a larger group or during peak hours.
- **Authentic Tacos with Handmade Tortillas:** This is the star of the show. El Lado Taco is famous for its fresh, handmade tortillas, which are prepared in a clear glass window for all to see. Both the flour tortillas (cooked in lard for an amazing flavor) and the thin, crispy, and flavorful corn tortillas are on another level, and they truly elevate every taco.
- **Exceptional Flavor and Fresh Ingredients:** The tacos are known for their deeply marinated and flavorful meats and perfectly charred vegetables. Standout options include the juicy **Al Pastor** with well-charred pineapple, the deeply marinated chicken, and the grilled-to-perfection mixed vegetable taco.
- **Diverse Menu with Vegan and Vegetarian Options:** The menu is incredibly accommodating, offering a wide array of options for everyone. The vegetarian options are fantastic, utilizing ingredients like mushrooms, cactus, and cauliflower to create flavorful and satisfying dishes. Vegan options are also available.
- **Cocktail Bar:** El Lado Taco is also a top-notch cocktail bar. Their creative and refreshing drinks are a highlight, with the **horchata slushy** being a particular favorite among customers.
- **Quick and Friendly Service:** Known for its fast service and welcoming staff, the team at El Lado Taco ensures that every customer feels at home. The friendly bar staff, in particular, is noted for going above and beyond to provide a great experience.
- **Inclusive Atmosphere:** The restaurant fosters a casual and welcoming environment for everyone, proudly identifying as **LGBTQ+ friendly** and a **transgender safe space**. It’s also family-friendly and good for kids, with **high chairs** available.
For anyone in New York looking for a fantastic meal, **El Lado Taco** is the perfect choice for a number of compelling reasons. The food itself is a revelation. The handmade tortillas are a game-changer, elevating the entire taco experience to something truly special. Whether you prefer the rich, fantastic taste of the flour tortillas or the thin, flavorful crispness of the corn tortillas, you’ll be impressed. The fillings are equally top-tier. Customers rave about the deeply marinated chicken, the amazingly seasoned Al Pastor, and the expertly grilled vegetables. The brunch offerings, in particular, are superb, with options like the **Papas Locas** and **Honguito** breakfast tacos that have quickly become neighborhood favorites. Beyond the food, the experience is enhanced by the friendly and welcoming staff. Their warmth and attentiveness make you feel like a valued part of the community, and the relaxed, clean ambiance provides a comfortable setting for a casual meal or a celebratory brunch. The cocktail bar adds another layer of appeal, offering creative and delicious drinks like the horchata slushy that perfectly complement the food. El Lado Taco is more than just a place to eat; it's a neighborhood gem that captures the essence of authentic Mexico City street food and brings it to the heart of Astoria. It's the ideal spot for a quick bite, a leisurely brunch, or a late-night taco craving, and it's a place you will undoubtedly want to visit for years to come.
To experience the delicious flavors of El Lado Taco for yourself, you can find them at:
**Address:** 34-14 30th Ave., Astoria, NY 11103, USA
**Phone:** (718) 795-0077
El Lado Taco Food & drink
BREAKFAST
- Clásico $3.25
beans, eggs, jack cheese
- Papas Locas $3.25
eggs, crispy potatoes, jack cheese
- Honguito $3.25
mushroom, eggs, cheese
- Cactus Sunrise $3.25
Nopales, eggs, onions, tomatoes
- Tocino $3.25
bacon, egg and cheese
- Migas $3.25
eggs, tomato, onion, peppers jalapeños, cheese, chips
- El Buen Día $8.00
eggs, longaniza (sausage), crispy potatoes
- Ranchero $8.00
beef brisket, eggs, onions
To share
- consome beef and pork broth $5.00
- esquites $5.00
corn, cheese
- refried beans n chips $5.00
- guac n chips $7.00
Extras
- thick-cut bacon $2.00
- avocado $2.00
- extra chips $2.00
- jalapenos $1.00
Francesca's Homemade Desserts
- Tres Leches $8.00
w/pecans and strawberries
- Choco Flan $8.00
LUNCH / DINNER
- Nopales $4.50
sauteed cactus, onions, tomatoes
- Mixed Vegetables $4.50
onions, tomatoes, mushrooms, peppers, jalapenos
- Cauliflower $4.50
grilled cauliflower, garlic, peppers
- Portobella $4.50
portabella wedge, refried beans
- Al Pastor $4.50
marinated pork, pineapple
- Pollo $4.50
pan grilled chicken, pico de gallo, cilantro
- Carnitas $5.00
pork confit rib meat
- Campechano $5.50
carnitas and longaniza combo
- La "Bestia" $6.00
longaniza, beef brisket and chicharron combo
- Camarones $5.50
chipotle mayo dressing, tomato, crunchy slaw
- Pescado $5.50
pan seared fish, pico de gallo
- Gaonera $6.50
steak, seared cheese, onions
El Lado Taco Details
Service options
- Outdoor seating
- Delivery
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Highlights
- Fast service
Popular for
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Coffee
- Comfort food
- Happy hour drinks
- Happy hour food
- Hard liquor
- Late-night food
- Organic dishes
- Quick bite
- Small plates
- Vegan options
- Vegetarian options
- Wine
Dining options
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Catering
- Counter service
- Dessert
- Seating
Amenities
- Bar onsite
- Gender-neutral restroom
- Restroom
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
- Casual
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Locals
- Transgender safespace
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Parking
- Free street parking
Pets
- Dogs allowed outside
El Lado Taco Photos










El Lado Taco Location
El Lado Taco Reviews
breakfast tacospricetortillasal pastorguaccoffeesteaklunchhot saucesgaonera
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1We were the only customers in the restaurant as it was only 4:30pm. The restaurant is super clean and I loved the ambiance. Our bar tender Jorge let me have a sip of the horchata slushy to make sure I liked it before I ordered and boy can I tell you… it was super delicious!!!! 🤤 My husband usually doesn’t like horchata but after I shared my sip, we ended up ordering 2 horchata slushies.Now onto the Happy Hour Tacos… every single one of the 3 were delicious… mixed vegetables, al pastor, and chicken. We ended up ordering 1 of each to start… but ended up order 5 more making it a total of 8 and we were both pretty stuffed.The flour tortillas were on another level!!! Cooked in lard and had a fantastic taste. I have never had tacos like that before. The lady was making fresh flour and corn tortillas right in the clear glass window for you to watch and see.The mixed vegetable taco was charred and grilled to perfection and it had cauliflower, onion and mushrooms inside.The chicken meat was dark thigh meat, so it was super juicy and you can taste the deeply marinated flavor that was soaked overnight.The Al Pastor taco was amazing!!! The pineapple chunks were so well charred, and then lightly dashed with Tajin powder.Our Favorite!!!My husband usually does not like Mexican food, but my gosh was he impressed with the tacos and the flour tortillas. We both do not like corn tortillas ever, but this place has totally changed our minds because the corn tortillas were quite thin, flaky crispy and super flavorful so now we will be open to coming back and eating more corn tortilla tacos.If you are ever in the neighborhood, please swing by and give it a try.
July 24 · Mytien TranAbsolutely thrilled this place opened in Astoria! As someone who loves Mexico City, I can vouch that these tacos are as close as you get to the same quality and flavor. They are a new restaurant on the busy block, but I’ve loved all of their offerings and there is always something new to look forward to on the menu!Their breakfast tacos are superb, I wish they served them all day! There are tons of vegetarian options that are fantastic using mushrooms, cactus, eggs, beans, and vegetables. The fresh tortillas and salsas really perfect the flavor profile and I’ve loved the shrimp and fish options they recently added! Their corn tortilla is vegetarian and I think flour tortillas have lard.Highly recommend this little joint for some of the best tacos you’ll find in NYC! Will be coming here for years to come!
May 26 · Allison L.fantastic tacos — the shrimp was standout and the salsa was 🔥. carnitas were also super juicy and flavorful. casual and quick, with great outdoor seating. perfect stop for lunch or late-night bite. highly recommend loading up and trying multiple.
July 25 · Alison PouwEl Lado Taco is a standout addition to Astoria’s dining scene. I stopped in for breakfast and was thoroughly impressed. The tacos are exceptionally well-crafted, showcasing a balance of freshness, texture, and bold flavor. The house-made tortillas are a highlight — soft yet hearty, with just the right chew — and the accompanying sauces elevate each bite with vibrant, nuanced heat. Every ingredient feels intentional and thoughtfully prepared. The staff were attentive and welcoming, adding to the overall experience. For anyone seeking high-quality, authentic tacos with a modern touch, El Lado Taco is not to be missed.
September 09 · ka me“El Lado Taco is a hidden gem. I didn’t know what to eat, and since I’m not a fan of American food, I decided to try this place out of curiosity. I ordered three tacos and got a free large coffee with them. The tacos were absolutely delicious! I have a lot of experience with Mexican cuisine, and without a doubt, the food here is excellent. The place is very nice, with a cozy atmosphere, and the staff is super friendly. I’ll definitely be coming back!”
July 21 · Robin Ruano
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