When corn tortillas get made by hand and taste better than any you’ve had growing up eating authentic Mexican food, you know this Chelsea taqueria does things differently.
Taqueria by El Prieto operates at 139 W 28th Street where the self-service salsa bar offers six different salsas plus free taco extras like lime, cucumber, radish, pickled onions, and even pinto beans at no charge.
Opened in Chelsea serving until 1am daily, this spot makes everything by hand – tortillas, salsas, aguas frescas – proving authentic Mexican taqueria format works in New York when quality matters.
What Makes Taqueria by El Prieto Special
The handmade corn tortillas create texture and flavor that surprises even skeptics who typically avoid corn tortillas, becoming “the best corn tortilla I’ve ever had” for Texas-raised diners.
Taqueria by El Prieto operates with flour tortillas made with pork lard (vegetarians should request corn tortillas), maintaining traditional Mexican technique despite modern preferences.
The self-service topping bar with eight-plus salsa options, pickled vegetables, fresh lime, cucumber, radish, and heated pinto beans lets diners customize tacos exactly how they want them.
The Story Behind the Restaurant
Taqueria by El Prieto launched at 139 W 28th Street bringing authentic Mexican taqueria format to Chelsea with commitment to handmade everything from scratch.
The handmade tortillas, handmade salsas, and handmade aguas frescas approach requires more labor but creates quality that separates this from typical New York taquerias.
The late-night hours until 1am serve crowds seeking quality Mexican food when most spots have closed, filling gap for authentic tacos in Chelsea neighborhood.
Food Highlights
- Adobada Tacos: Marinated pork tacos arrive juicy and flavorful with slight spice at $5.89 each. The traditional adobada preparation creates proper flavor through marination.
- Carne Asada Burrito: This burrito wraps grilled steak with rice, beans, and toppings in handmade flour tortilla. The generous portions create filling meal.
- Mulitas: These double-tortilla quesadilla-taco hybrids get filled with meat and cheese creating substantial format. The mulita preparation bridges taco and quesadilla styles.
- Asada Quesadilla: Heavy and filling quesadilla with grilled steak and cheese creates meal worth the higher price point. The quesadilla offers better value than individual tacos.
- Torta de Asada: This Mexican sandwich features buttery soft bread that’s ginormous with melted cheese. The bread quality elevates the torta format.
- Agua de Jamaica: Traditional hibiscus water provides refreshing beverage alongside tacos. The handmade agua fresca stays authentic.
Atmosphere
Taqueria by El Prieto sits at 139 W 28th Street in Chelsea, where small space with limited counter seating along walls creates quick-service taqueria format.
The restaurant offers outdoor seating and welcomes dogs while operating primarily as takeout spot with about 10 counter seats for dine-in.
Operating daily 11am-1am provides lunch through late-night service with quick preparation (10 minutes) even during busy periods.
Bottom Line
Visit Taqueria by El Prieto because handmade tortillas, handmade salsas, and self-service topping bar with eight-plus options means authentic Mexican taqueria format that delivers quality.
The adobada tacos and asada quesadilla demonstrate how traditional preparation with handmade components creates flavors worth seeking out despite higher Chelsea pricing.
The late-night hours until 1am, self-service salsa bar with free toppings including pinto beans, and commitment to handmade everything prove this spot serves exceptional tacos in New York.
Address: Taqueria by El Prieto 139 W 28th Street, New York, NY 10001
📞 (212) 256-0098
🕐 Daily: 11:00 AM – 1:00 AM
Handmade tortillas | Handmade salsas | Self-service topping bar | Open until 1am | Dogs allowed | Chelsea location