Bagel Buffet

Bagel Buffet Serves Exemplary Tacos — and Other Cheap Eats | Eater NY

"Near the bustling corner of Sixth Avenue and 14th Street, I found that what began as a typical bagel shop—serving decent bagels with the usual toppings plus omelets, Danish sweet rolls, several types of croissant and, at lunch, hamburgers, toasted cheese, wraps and paninis—has lately been eclipsed by its Mexican dishes. At $3 apiece the overstuffed tacos (each made with two corn tortillas) are a steal, dressed simply with chopped onions and fresh cilantro in the southern Mexican fashion; the usual roster of stuffings is available and for an extra 50 cents you can have lengua (tongue) or barbacoa (lamb), both exemplary. The $7.50 torta is an even better deal: the milanesa is dressed with beans, avocado, jalapeños, cheese and tomatoes and comes with a very thick chicken cutlet like the one found in a chicken parm hero. Tamales are available every day, and quesadillas—made with flour tortillas rather than hand‑patted masa and more like bar quesadillas than the massive Pueblan version—are offered at about three for around $10, making a very filling lunch." - Robert Sietsema