Crisp Express Out, Legit Tacos Grand Central In

If someone were to ask me where to find good tacos in Midtown East by Grand Central, I would likely give a halfhearted suggestion for the Oaxaca on 47th + Lex, or one of the many food trucks that parks on that block between Lex and Park, but then the well would run dry. That was why I had low expectations when we got a tip that a new Mexican spot called Tacos Grand Central had taken the place of Crisp Express in the small space on 43rd btw. Lex + 3rd. Would we finally have a go-to place for tacos and burritos?

The menu is as abbreviated as the space they’re operating out of. Your choices boil down to tacos, burritos and quesadillas with chicken, steak, carnitas (pork) or vegetarian fillings, with sides of chips and pico de gallo or guacamole. They keep it simple, and that is both good and bad.

I sampled three tacos ($3.22 each/$10.50 total), one each with grilled chicken, steak, and carnitas, which come with raw onion and cilantro standard as well as a couple of containers of a green sauce that isn’t spicy but tastes of cilantro. This sauce would prove key on the chicken and pork tacos that suffered from a bit of dryness. The best, according to my taste buds, was the steak that was juicy and tasted of cumin, while the other meats suffered from blandness. Also great were the corn tortillas that remained pliable and didn’t fall apart, even when I got to the last taco that had been sitting for a bit.

The tacos may not be the best value here, as the burritos are about $9 and will likely fill you up more. But if you enjoy a fine taco, Tacos Grand Central is worth checking out. I hope they stick around through the summer as this place would be great for getting food and eating in the outdoor plaza down the block.

Tacos Grand Central, 153 E. 43rd St. (btw. Lex + 3rd), (212) 867-5545

2 Comments

  • Walk 10 minutes and you can get 3 slammin fish tacos at Pampano on 50th & 3rd, with a free baggie o chips and fantastic homemade sauces – same price, way more legit

    • Yeah… I’m not wasting half of my lunch break for some puny fish tacos. Tacos Grand Central might not have fish but their other options look a lot more filling.

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