I recently walked by this nondescript cart on the corner of 55th + Lex and noticed that next to the display case full of muffins and bear claws, amidst the standard pictures of egg sandwiches and hot coffee were photographs of tortas, quesadillas, and tacos. A new Mexican cart? Sign me up!

The cart offers lunch options of chicken, steak, carnitas, and chorizo, and each of these meats are available in taco, quesadilla, burrito, or torta form. They also offer a “Mexican Hamburger” ($5), hot dog ($2), and several plate entrees including but not limited to Huevos Rancheros ($5). I settled on three tacos at $2.25 each, with one each of chorizo, steak, and carnitas.

The tacos were made fresh to order, and came double-wrapped in griddled corn tortillas and topped with cilantro, guacamole, diced onions, and hot sauce. The chorizo was the best by a mile, spicy, moist, and flavorful without being excessively greasy. The carnitas were a little dry, but the porky flavor came through nicely. The steak was also on the chewy side, but it was tasty, and do we really expect medium-rare filet from a street cart? I ate on the later side of “lunchtime,” around 1pm, so it’s possible that the meats had been sitting around a little bit too long at that point. Perhaps if it were closer to noon they would be a little fresher?

Apparently this little cart has been parking here every weekday for about two months, and has no name (this made me really happy, for some reason). Looks like El Rey de Sabor may be looking at a little bit of competition in this neck of the woods!

Mexican Cart, SE Corner of 55th + Lex

The coconut shrimp at Gourmet 53 is the stuff that Midtown Lunch dreams are made of, but did you know that they also have Mexican inspired sandwiches on the menu as well? They’ve actually had them for awhile but for some reason I haven’t bothered to try one until now. Carefully constructed with top-quality ingredients these are not, but they will certainly satisfy anybody looking for a cheap, delicious, and different sandwich (plus extras, but more on that later).

Gourmet 53 offers three types of Mexican inspired sandwiches: the Cemita Poblano, the Pollo Torta, and the Chicken Milanesa. All of the sandwiches are served with french fries, plus pita chips (or a roll), a cookie (of your choice), a little fruit salad (or Jello), and a can of soda for $8 plus tax. Once you place your order and move down the line, you can take a number to see if you win one of several free lunches each day, and guess what? Today was my lucky day… hello free pollo torta, with all the extras!

My torta included shredded chicken in chipotle sauce, black bean spread, roasted Serrano chile, Bibb lettuce, red onion, queso fresco, aioli, and papalo (“an herb similar to cilantro used in Mexican cooking” according to Google), all  piled into a toasted garlic hero. The sandwich was large and definitely very tasty, but parts of the description were a bit misleading. There was a hint of spice but I was hoping for a bit more heat from the chile, and probably wouldn’t really have noticed it had I not known that it was in there. The queso fresco seemed to be missing altogether, and papalo is still a mystery to me, but the ingredients that were there came together well, and the garlic bread was a welcome surprise.

My lunching companion had the Cemita Poblano, described as shredded all-natural pork butt, champagne mango, Oaxaca cheese, queso fresco, smashed avocado, aioli, and papalo, again served on toasted garlic bread. The mango (a strange addition to a cemita) definitely added a hint of sweetness and the pork was flavorful and tender but the cheese seemed to be absent again!  It’s kind of criminal to leave cheese off a cemita, but thankfully the sandwich still tasted awesome without it. If I were to go back for these sandwiches, I’d probably order this one again over the torta.

Basically, these sandwiches look like a mess and a half, but they are a tasty alternative to a regular deli sandwich, even with the few mistakes they seemed to make in their description/assembly. And, once again, who can argue with the amount of food that you get?

The + (What someone who likes this place would say)

• Look at all these extras you get?! I love bonus food.
• This is a tasty alternative to a generic deli sandwich.
• I WON!! My day is now a little bit brighter.

The – (What someone who doesn’t like this place would say)

• I’ve had better/more authentic/spicier/cheesier cemitas elsewhere.
• Where’s the cheese?? And the spice?? And what the heck is papalo??
• I want Mexican sandwiches, not Mexican “inspired” sandwiches!

Gourmet 53, Food Court in the Basement of 875 3rd Ave. (btw. 52+53rd), (212) 223-8481

There are no rice and meat plates listed on the menu, but the guy taking orders knew exactly what I wanted. I went the somewhat unexciting route and ordered chicken for comparative purposes, but obviously the protein selection at El Rey is one thing that separates it from traditional street meat carts (I did try to get some chorizo as well, but they were out). I let the guys build the plate themselves without much input from me because I wanted to see how they would normally serve it, but my mind was racing at the possibilities (queso fresca, guacamole, etc.).

I ended up with a plate of rice topped with beans and chicken, and a side of lettuce topped with pico de gallo. They used a white sauce I’ve never seen at El Rey before and their red hot sauce. I asked them to top it off with some of their awesome creamy, spicy orange stuff. All in all it cost me $7.

It was enough like “Halal” street meat that I don’t think anyone would mistake it for a full on Mexican dish consisting of rice, beans and chicken. But once I mixed everything together, the hearty beans, small amount of pico, and orange stuff made this a street meat experience unique from any other. The hearty beans in sauce add another layer to the entire dish once they’re mixed in. Their white sauce has a cool, light feel to it, so if you don’t like the heavy mayo stuff at some carts this might be a good option. And the little chunks of white meat chicken might be boring on their own, but they nicely complement everything else that’s going on, and they’re a nice change of pace from the stringy, dark meat found at lots of carts.

As a big fan of street meat that brings a little something extra to the table, I’d rank El Rey’s unique version right up there with Midtown’s best, and I’m sure it gets even better if you ask for some more Mexican flourishes. El Rey regulars and street meat lovers looking for something different should take note of this off-the-menu option.

El Rey Del Sabor, 43rd btw. 5+6th

The out-of-bounds Leon Bakery (9th Ave. btw 47+48th), one of the greater Midtown area’s premiere purveyors of tamales (not to mention their selection of baked goods), is currently closed for renovations. From what I could see of the interior, the changes are extensive and the space will probably look much different. As long as there is still a barrel of tamales in the back, I’ll be happy. One of the workers told me they should reopen in the next few weeks. Can’t wait!

I was pretty excited when I saw the first reports of Mexicue bringing its Mexican/Barbecue fusion to the northwest edge of Flatiron Lunch bounds. The area, south of Penn Station and around FIT has precious little good or interesting food to draw lunchers so having a solid spot like Mexicue will be huge.

According to Fork in the Road they had their soft opening last night and the first day of lunch service is today starting at 11am!  Last week, they offered a preview of the new shop to friends and family as a test of the ordering system and we snuck in to get you a look.

Walking into the shop feels like you’re going into a log cabin, the wooden walls make for a pretty cozy look. In there, you’ve got a smallish waiting area, the counter and a few stools along the wall. It was a little tight, so expect a crowd opening day.

Menus were only posted at the counter, which could make ordering a little difficult.  I’m guessing they’ll have a more prominent menu or at least handouts available when they open to the public.

The seating area upstairs is more spacious and includes space by the window to look down on 7th Avenue.

It should be noted that the stairs to get up there are a little tight for rounder lunchers like myself.

Most of the menu is the same as you get from the truck, but there are a few additions, including rice bowls, like this one with burnt ends chili, jalapeños and an herby sour cream ($9.50). It’s decidedly less messy than the sliders or tacos and the rice makes it a bit more filling, too.

I’m sure that the first week will be as chaotic and busy as it is at most openings, so give them a little time, but I for one will be back there over and over again to spend some quality time perusing the menu.  Early adopters let us know how it is in the comments.

Mexicue, 345 7th Avenue, between 29th and 30th Streets.

Yesterday Lunch’er Mala tipped us off about a new taco truck just outside the Mexican embassy consulate, Tacos Mexicana Juquilita on 39th and Madison- which if you remember is the same spot where the tamale lady hangs out. So will there be a battle of Mexican street food outside the Mexican embassy or like Lunch’er Ike suggested, could they possibly be the same people.

For $1.50 this was one of the cheapest tamales I have ever eaten and it was delicious. Filled with a mixture of chicken and green chili, it was soft and spicy. After much close examination of the tamales Zach had and the 1 I had, they may be the same people. Both came in similar looking plastic bags and they look pretty similar.

Since this was a taco truck I wanted to try their tacos also. Hopefully later on they will have more meat choices because when I ordered my tacos all they had was pork or chicken.  As you can see the tacos ($3 for each) were covered with unnecessary things like lettuce, cilantro, tomatoes and diced onions (I wouldn’t mind if there was a little bit of each). The chicken (white meat) was dry and the 2 tortillas were on the dry side as well. I had asked for green sauce but the guy in the truck had forgotten which I think might’ve helped with the dryness (basically I was hoping for  tacos that were more like these).

Normally I would give you the +/- but since this truck just debuted, we’ll give it some time. 4 people were in the truck and they pretty much were running around without their heads trying to just get the orders out. In fact, they were having so much trouble just serving 7 people, I don’t want to think what will happen when the lunch crowd gets bigger. Early adopters willing to brave the truck through their growing pains, let us know what you think in the comments…

Tacos Mexicana Juquilita, 39th St and Madison Ave.

Today may be the last week day of Madison Square Eats, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t going to be at least one food option left in Worth Square after it’s all over. Calexico, the California-style Mexican cart that won a Vendy back in ‘08 and got a rave from Andrea a year ago, is sticking around for at least the next year. They’ll be serving from 11am to 9pm every day – and according to one of the staffers, including a beer license, presumably using the same boundaries as have been in place for Madison Square Eats. I’ve stopped in at Calexico a few times since they arrived in Flatiron bounds, see what it’s all about after the jump.

First, as Andrea pointed out, all of the Calexico carts are swamped. A half hour wait is fairly common, which is totally fine in the summer time when I’m in no rush to get back to work, but I imagine will be an issue when it gets cold. What I appreciate about the way they have their ordering system set up is that someone is taking orders all the time along with your name. They tell you with pretty spot on accuracy how soon your food will be ready and you can go wandering off until it’s time to get it. It’s not as convenient as just getting your food right away, but it does make the experience much better. What’s less cool is that there’s only one menu and it’s on the side of the cart – which can be hard to get to through all the people waiting. On my first visit, I had to be ‘that guy’ who didn’t know what to get when it was time to order.

When I did finally get to the menu, it all looked pretty good. I’ll say that I was a little disappointed that the meats available stick to the relatively staid ground beef, carne asada, chipotle pork and grilled chicken. No lengua or cabeza on this menu.

I ended up settling on a carne asada burrito because, if they’re going to claim to be California-style, that ought to be really good. I was a little wary when I found it was loosely wrapped, not like the classic San Francisco burritos that’s wrapped so tightly you just peel back the foil as you eat. Then I bit into it and I forgot all about wrapping styles and exotic fillings.

The carne asada is smokey, firm and chewy. Even better the meat was present in every single bite of the burrito. The cheese had melted a bit giving it a slight quesadilla quality and the rice and sauce all melded into something wonderful. Visit one was a win.

I followed up recently with a visit with a friend. On my recommendation, he tried the carne asada, but in a quesadilla. He loved the seasoning on the steak and from one bite into the cheesy deliciousness, I know exactly what I’m getting next time I’m there.

I tried a couple tacos, starting with the gringo beef, above. The ground beef filling was surprisingly tasty and totally worth sacrificing ‘authenticity’ for.

The chicken and the pork that I followed them up with were also good. The grilled chicken had that same smokey flavor that the beef has from charring on their grill. The pork was topped with a bunch of other somewhat distracting items, including pickled red onions, but the meaty center is what it was all about for me.

In the end, Calexico lives up to the hype. I’d love to be able to say that there’s no reason I’m going to wait half an hour or more for a couple tacos, but honestly, it’s really good and worth it. It’s not like it’s the longest line in the area, being right across from Shake Shack.

Calexico, Worth Square at 24th Street.

Chris H: The Torta de Pollo at Tehuitzingo Deli and Grocery

When I think Mexican food, I think bold, pure flavors, and I think value for money.  Nothing captures those principles like the *Torta de Pollo* at Tehuitzingo, which is simply *¡Que rico! – *a nearly perfect balance of boldly seasoned chicken, assertive spice, crusty bread, and that lovely creamy queso blanco to mellow and bind all the components.  And at $6, it’s more enough food for the average luncher, although heartier eaters could add one of their excellent tacos and still remain under $10.  Yes, it’s a hike to 10th Avenue, but it’s a journey worth making.*  *And for the lazy/time pressed office worker?  They deliver as far east as 6th Ave.  695 10th Ave(between 47th St & 48th St); 212-397-5956

Jeremiah: Chicken Tinga Quesadilla from the Tacos y Quesadillas Mexico Cart

The Tacos y Quesadillas cart isn’t part of my regular lunch rotation due to its out of bounds location, but I’d put it up against any Mexican in Midtown and it’s a great destination for a special occasion, like Cinco de Mayo. Everything I’ve had is good, but my favorite is the chicken tinga quesadilla: chunks of tender chicken, onions and chipotle peppers in a smoky, spicy sauce served in a folded over tortilla like a giant taco with lettuce, sour cream and queso fresca. For $5 it can easily make up the better part of your lunch. It’s a perfect cold weather item because of the slow burn it causes, but I bet it will be just as good in the warmer months.  9th ave (btw. 58+59th)

Clay: Albondigas (meatballs) from New York Bakery

It’s been a while since I’ve been to the hidden Korean/Mexican take out spot, New York Bakery, but since Mexican is the theme of the day, I’ll be sure to stop in today. It’s hard to pick a single item out of all the specials on hand, but the albondigas – meatballs in a smokey chipotle sauce with a boiled egg packed in the middles – are my favorite of the regular special items. The only trick is that since it’s a daily special, I’ll have to get there early before they run out. 51 W 29th St. (btw. B’way+6th), 212-213-2838

Brownie: Mexican Grilled Cheese from the Eggstravaganza Cart

With all the hoopla about Melt Shop (totally worth it vs. totally not), here’s a friendly reminder that one of my very favorite grilled cheese sandwiches, the Mexican Grilled Cheese from the Eggstravaganza Cart, is just a couple of blocks away. Chock full of crispy, coarsely chopped bacon and homemade chorizo then topped with pickled jalapeno peppers and grilled tomatoes, this south of the border inspired grilled cheese, served with chips, is a steal for $5. It may not be the most “authentic” of the Mexican fare in this round up, but let’s be honest, Cinco de Mayo, isn’t actually a major holiday in Mexico. 52nd & Park

These are the fliers that they have spread over the table in their doorway. My 9 years of Spanish (yes, really) aren’t doing me much good here but they’ve got to be advertising scantily clad waitresses, lap dances or some sort of special fiesta, right? Can you confirm, Mamacita? Regardless, this is a decidedly different tack than the Indian Times ever used, so maybe Mexican Times is here to stay.

Times Restaurant & Bar, 601 8th Ave (btw 39+40th), (212) 594-2965