Cariñito Tacos NYC

These tacos are ridiculously good. One of my favorite tacos in the city for sure. The shells are thin and perfect. The meat inside is beautiful. Both the Issan and Cochinita Thai were amazing. I don’t really like pork belly but the Issan was great. Shredded pork belly is so good. It’s a super cute vibe inside and it’s really fast service. Music playing. Stools outside or spots to stand and eat. They have wine and beer and margaritas. Great gluten free options. They take card/credit.

Read about this Mexico City taqueria pop-up being “Michelin recommended” so we gave it a try. We tried four different varieties, and they were all excellent. The space, as you can see in the photos, is quite basic and it is designed for a quick bite, standing up, and go. My only comment is that the pricing seems to reflect the “Michelin recommended status“, which was a bit excessive for tacos. While the tacos were very good, eight dollars or so for one taco is a little bit over the top.

Cantones Taco was very good, What she’s Having was less so but decent. Space seemed a bit stuffy and there were a lot of dripping ceiling areas/pipes. Service was friendly and prompt. Pricing is very high for tacos.

I have to admit I’m a taco purist at heart so while I came with an open mind I wasn’t expecting something amazing. I think they nailed what they’re going for here, the flour tortilla was possibly the best I’ve had in the city. Very unique flavor combos, some Thai and Vietnamese influence. Try it while you can

Glad that we tried it but not impressed, for less money you could get better tacos elsewhere in nyc. I understand to run a popup the price may need to be higher, but the portion was small enough that I had a hard time justifying it. Overall the tacos were ok. I get the creativity in flavors but the quality definitely can’t compare to the ones I have tried in CDMX. I especially did not enjoy the crunchwrap because how bland it was.

RIP El Cantinero. Seems this spot has retained the same red lighting. The tacos are really good, and you can tell the ingredients and prep are at a high level. The flavors are fusion-ish. The tortillas are supposedly imported from CDMX and some of the best you can find in NYC. The prices are pretty wild, though. $7-10 per taquito. Maybe the cost of their six-month lease is baked into the price.

At Cariñito Tacos NYC I was immediately transported to Mexico City with the delicious tacos, friendly/welcoming atmosphere and joyful vibe! My favorite tacos were the Issan and Eggplant Laos! I could not get enough and tried Cochinita Thai and What She’s Having and they were all 12/10, honestly food for the soul! This hidden gem is a must for any locals and travelers, highly recommended!

Cariñito NYC is a total hidden gem in Union Square. The moment you walk in, it feels like you’ve been transported to a cantina in the heart of Mexico City the atmosphere is vibrant, cozy, and full of good energy. The margaritas are a must seriously, some of the best in the city and you have to try the tacos they’re full of flavor and totally worth it. On top of that, the staff is super warm and welcoming. This is the kind of place you come back to again and again. 100% recommended!

I have a new taco addiction in the city... and it is saying something as a California native. Here's what you should know: 1. The tacos are what you need to get... and the corn ribs. The fusion really brings out some of the best flavors from both worlds that doesn't make you feel worn down after. 2. Pass on the crunchy wrap. I found it dry and lacking flavor, especially after how stellar the tacos were. 3. Limited room for seating, more of a grab and go 4. Some of the nicest staff that I've met in NYC! 5. They have a drink menu... you just have to ask for the recommendations, and you shall receive. Absolutely one of my favorite places to eat in the city now... worth the price tag.. which is saying something!

Came here at 5pm on a Tuesday. No line and super easy to find a spot. Staff were friendly. I got both the vegetarian options, the eggplant taco, and the cauliflower taco. The cauliflower taco was good and almost tasted like an Indian fusion taco. I really like the eggplant taco but heads up, It is on the saltier side. My friends and I also got the corn ribs to share and that was really good, it was just on the smaller side. Overall, I highly recommend checking out this place at least once. I do think it is pricey for the amount of food you get, but it is unique food and worth checking out.

Interesting flavors, but quite expensive. I had the eggplant Laos and cauliflower pibil tacos. The eggplant one was just ok in my opinion. The clear Southeast Asian were interesting, and there was some nice textural variation from the buttery eggplant, and crispy onions. Something about it just didn't quite come together. The cauliflower landed a lot better. Just the right texture - cooked well, but not to the point of being too soft, delicious spices, and some nice notes from the pickled beans. The tortillas were really great on both, and the presentation in little corn husk boats was cute. But the prices feel exorbitant at $7.50 per taco. It's definitely something different, but hard to justify the price.

Cariñito popped up in May, and upon finding out about it I was quite excited. Executed well, fusion tacos can be quite interesting, reminding me of Korean tacos I've had before. Sadly this was not quite up to the standard. I arrived early before open to avoid a line (there never really was a serious line, but I wanted to be safe). The restaurant itself is reasonably sized (apparently it used to be a full restaurant) and a bit dark inside, with seats and cardboard box tables set outside as well (reminiscent of a Mexican taco stand). There is a mirrored ceiling, which is an interesting touch and if nothing else provides the opportunity for cool pictures. Looking at the menu, the three pork tacos and Crunchywrap looked the most interesting. Perhaps I should have thought more about the prices, because after ordering I was a bit surprised to see that 3 tacos, the Crunchywrap and a Coke came out to $47. Promised an interesting new take on tacos, I pressed ahead. I took a spot at one of the standing tables inside and waited. And waited a bit more. After 15 minutes, my first item came out, the Crunchywrap. To their credit, the Crunchywrap is fairly tasty, but fails when compared to the SuperBurrito Dank Wrap in terms of taste and value, and I'd probably take the Taco Bell version ahead of it as well. While it is tasty, the shell was a bit over toasted (nearly black on one side), and the whole thing just felt small for $15. The Oaxaca cheese was lovely, but there's just not all that much there. With no salsa to add, you had better hope it's as spicy as you'd like. After another 5 or 10 minutes, and having eaten my Crunchywrap, my tacos came out. It's a bit cute that they come out in cornhusks, but that's about where the compliments end. I started with the Issan, which was genuinely a bit hard to eat. I can't quite describe why, but the interaction of the mint with the rest of the ingredients just was not working for me (mind you, I am a fairly adventurous eater, this was not simply preference). The Cantones was next, and a bit of an improvement, particularly the pickle. Finally, I got to the Cochinita Thai, which was reasonably good with the fermented beans (reminded me a bit of refried beans), but the shredded pork was not particularly compelling. It's hard to put my finger on what the issue was, but the tacos fell completely flat in my mind, ranging from middling to downright bad. All this left me disappointed. The tacos feel like they'd be more comfortable in the $5-6 range, and the Crunchywrap maybe $10. I'm more than comfortable paying for quality, but it just was not there. I would not recommend this restaurant, and would suggest looking to my other reviews for better options in New York.

Came back for the Carinito crunchy wrap. The meat was far too spicy for me but tasted flavorful. The cheese was amazing and I liked the toppings. I think my flavor palate needs to stick to their tacos because I can't handle the heat - my lips were burning after a few bites. Even with making this to order, came out super fast and traveled home well.

Loved the fusion concept and explosion of flavors! Heard about their summer pop up in NYC and decided to stop by. I'm still deciding which taco I liked better. The issan packed a lot of tender and well-seasoned pork belly with crunchy chicharron and the perfect textural contrast, while the the eggplant laos featured fresh basil with savory eggplant pieces in a slightly tangy sauce. I loved how the tortilla had a great chew and its integrity held up the sauces nicely. Tacos come on top of cornhusks which is a cute touch. The crunchywrap combined familiar flavors of szechuan chili with oaxacan cheese in interesting ways! The meat was seasoned and the slaw provided a refreshing break from the heavy cheese. The decor reminds me of mom and pop Mexican shops in LA but still vibey with the neon lights and greenery. Food came out pretty quick but I came on a rainy day without much of a line. I enjoyed my meal and wonder how it compares to the their location in Mexico City.

Are they good? Yes. Are they good enough to be worth $8/taco? Debatable. Really hated the one with the mint in it, but otherwise all solid tacos

We just had a couple of tacos, very good! I don't remember the names but I remember the flavors! so good, and really good service, lovely place.

Normally when you see the phrase "fusion tacos" you run, but that is far from the case here, a new spot with a location in Mexico City and popping up here for 6 months. They serve the same menu as in Mexico City, which includes an incredible Issan Taco, plus the obvious ode to Katz's Deli, the "What She's Having" with pastrami. Both are exploding with flavor, and even better still, the Crunchy Wrap. Get all of the above, I'll be back to try the rest too.

Expensive tiny tacos. Was very surprised by how tiny the tacos were considering the prices. Some of the tacos are better than others but not worth me coming back. It's a casual order at the counter place. Unfortunately they also don't have any salsas or sauces to put on your tacos.

Recommend the Crunch Wrap and Cantones Taco! The Crunch Wrap is great for sharing and has a bit of heat. The Cantones Taco tastes like a Chinese bbq pork bun and is decently sized. Corn Ribs were fine, but I wanted more flavor...would order another taco instead. Worth checking out if in the area for a casual meal!

Opened a week ago, Cariñito has become a runaway success. On this rainy day, I was on University Place and had it on my list of "New Eating Delights" and was the first one to enter. Then many young office workers started coming in. The menu is small with six taco selections. I had the Cantones of pork belly and the corn ribs. As a large order was being prepared, we all were told that it would take time. Finally I got my lunch. The pork taco tasted mostly of hoisin. The ribs were unusual in that they had curled. I was told that they had been fried which made them curl up. Only small red stools were for seating at counters. I could see that the line cooks preparing the food were quite slow. Having read that Cariñito Tacos was a six month pop up, it wasn't a complete surprise that now they were plan to stay forever. They must have fallen in love with New York City! Who doesn't? I want to return to try the tacos with cauliflower and eggplant as that is unusual for me. Service was nice.

Aaaaamaaaaaazzzzzimg flavors! I had the Issan which had amazing textures of chícharones atop the delicious Thai spiced pork, and the What She's having which pays homage to the scene at Katz's in When Harry Met Sally. The combo of the smoke, horseradish and fresh corn masa make for a memorably NY only taco combo. Service was quick, and the space is mostly centered around stand up tables, and some seating around the perimeter. I'm really glad to experience this pop up from Mexico City while it's here for just 6 months!

Great, creative flavors. Great atmosphere as well. Really well done. Multiple vegetarian options which we appreciated

Got the crunchywrap and issan. Neither were great. The Issan had a very porky flavor. Maybe they're just very traditional. Service was a bit slow too. Seating is also just very annoying low stools.

Can't believe I got in without much of a line. That pastrami taco is a revelation as well as the guacamole with the fish sauce etc. Special vibe.