La Espiga

It’s a hidden gem in nyc, they sell the best tacos in nyc and trust me I’ve tried plenty of them but this place is the best. I recommend to come after 6pm to get the 4 taquitos al pastor for $7

Craving authentic Mexican cuisine? Look no further – La Espiga is the ultimate destination. The freshly made tortillas alone are a compelling draw, but with a daily-changing menu, it becomes an exceptional dining experience. Weekends offer a treat with tacos de cuerito y carnitas, making the journey to Queens truly worthwhile. La Pancita (tripe soup) is a standout, but since cueritos are first-come, first-served, arriving early is recommended to dodge the weekend crowds. Indulge in the delightful Cafe de Olla, a haven for coffee enthusiasts, especially in colder weather. The ambiance, while modest and lacking extravagance, exudes authenticity, establishing it as a must-visit for those in search of genuine Mexican flavors. While it might not be the most budget-friendly choice, the experience at La Espiga in Queens is undeniably valuable for my family and me. The journey is an investment that consistently delivers on the promise of exceptional Mexican dining.

MÉXICO 🇲🇽 Eat the World NYC review: Besides two storefront addresses and one phone number, the nondescript green awnings over La Estancia de la Espiga match the rest on the block yet give little hint of what takes place inside. On one it says simply: Bakery. On the other: Restaurant. On a sunny weekend with eyes squinting to avoid glare, you can barely catch a glimpse of what takes place through the open doors and on the other side of two big windows. Once your eyes do adjust inside, the combined space and tables are often buzzing, especially on Saturdays and Sundays when families sit down together and place big orders. Cars are double parked and men carry multiple bags out of the store to take home. When you see this occurring, you should always investigate more to see what is so popular. Noon on a Sunday ended up being too late to procure any of the weekend special barbacoa (the server said it was gone "muy temprano" on this day), but there was still consomé de chivo ($8), a beautiful bowl of tender meat and bone broth served with three of their beautiful handmade tortillas. A side of cilantro and onions came as well for those wanting to turn the goat into tacos.

Friends who visited this place from out of town say they still daydream of this barbacoa. Although I’ve only visited in person, I follow La Espiga on Instagram where they advertise that they deliver, including to nearby Flushing Meadows Park. Taco picnic in the park? Yes please!

Used to come here more often but moved away so haven’t been here in about 5 years. Have always recommended this place as the best spot in Queens for carnitas tacos and that remains true. The hand made tortillas are a must, the carnitas are delicious and the portions are large. However, service has gone down considerably, as service is slow and lackadaisical despite there being a fair amount of employees. Hoping I caught them on a bad day but recent reviews are similar. Also, not too happy with the lack of transparency in pricing. Would definitely still stop by if in the area but the bad service makes it hard to recommend.