If Endless Summer was the worst hip taco I’ve ever had, Calexico was certainly the best. The cart on Wooster and Prince was crowded today. I hear it’s crowded every day but it was 90 degrees out! I was starting to get nervous. I didn’t want a repeat of Endless Summer. Standing in line waiting for a sub par taco that would ultimately disappoint me. If I hadn’t been set on reviewing these guys, I probably would have bailed.
But man I was glad I stuck it out. By the time I got there at 2:45pm they were already out of chicken (who cares) and their special for the day, chili verde pork so I chose the carne asada and chipotle pork. Can someone please explain chicken tacos to me? Is there some place that makes them amazing? It’s seriously the worst meat to put on a taco in my opinion. Why would you choose bland old chicken when for the same price you can have amazing steak or pork?
After a 25 minute wait (yep) in the hot July sun, my tacos were ready. While I was standing there I kept hearing about “crack sauce”. Crack _____ is worst nickname for anything. It embarrasses me to say it. But as a taco journalist it is my duty to thoroughly review a place! So I ordered it on the side.
Both tacos were packed with flavor. They were pretty similar to Dos Toros in their cali style. Taco purists may enjoy just some simple meat, cilantro and onions, but I certainly enjoyed a taco brimming with extras. The carne asada was perfect. Tender marinated meat, cabbage, avocado sauce and pico de gallo. And the chipotle pork was nice and smokey with the awesome extra touch of pickled onions. I noticed at the very end when I got a hunk of pure pork that it was a little dry but I honestly couldn’t tell before with all the toppings. The crack sauce was a nice extra chipotle mayo sort of dip. But it wasn’t any more addicting then my go-to mix of sriracha and mayo.
My day got doubly better when I saw that the Van Leeuwan ice cream truck was right around the corner.
Their ice cream may be ridiculously expensive (3.95 for a small!) but it is ridiculously good. Their air ratio is spot on. Extra smooth and creamy but not too thick. I got the earl grey which was subtle and perfect and just what I needed on a hot day.
Summer in New York is good.
Calexico
Wooster and Prince
New York, NY
www.calexicocart.com
Van Leeuwan Ice Cream Truck
Greene and Prince
New York, NY
www.vanleeuwenicecream.com
i am stoked that calexico is opening a restaurant a block from my house soon! and oddly, van leeuwan's store is across the street!
You lucky jerk!