Empellón Al Pastor

Empellón (pronounced em-pay-on) is a growing New York Mexican - inspired restaurant empire. It includes restaurants in NYC’s East Village, West Village and Midtown neighborhoods.

The most important thing to know is there's levels to this. Underneath the Empellon umbrella exists three different entities, Empellon Taqueria, Empellon Cocina and Empellon Al Pastor. I have visited two out of three, I'm looking forward to visiting all.

Recently, my friend and I visited the Al Pastor location on 132 St. Marks Place, in the East Village. You can’t miss the boisterous graffiti that decorate the outside and swung open wooden doors that invite you in. The place once housed the punk rock dive bar, Alcatraz, and there’s no doubt about it. When you walk in you’re immediately captured by the giant murals on the walls. I was most impressed by the giant sheep mural on the ceiling.

The lantern lit bar is what I would call Lower Eastside meets suburban New York. At a glance you’d expect a grungy bar, but the crowd is far from grunge, more like young professionals. Al Pastor is where you come for happy hour, grab and go, or strictly eat.

 This is the place where you meet your colleagues after a long work week. You order at the bar get a number and self-seat or stand around a high table and mingle. If not you walk around to the taqueria, divided by a physical wall. There is where you can order to go, or catch up with a friend. The noise level on that side is a lot better for conversation.

 This buzzy colorful mural painted bar offers 18 draft beer options, and the best deconstructed cheeseburger taco. We ordered the cheeseburger taco (gooey burger meat, Chihuahua cheese, sliced tomato, avocado, ketchup and lime mayonnaise $5) - greasy,satisfying and filling. We also ordered, al pastor taco (that features a pork and pineapple mixture - $5), chicken chipotle taco ($5) and the corn with Duke’s Mayonnaise ($6).At Al Pastor there is no proper restaurant decorum getting in the way of you and your warm taco. In Five minutes we were grubbing these tasty tacos, made with fresh tortillas made in-house. There is nothing special about the service. You get your tacos on paper plates and use plastic utensils. But, the speed in which you get your food, faster than a speeding bullet.

(Infamous Cheesburger Taco)

(Salsa Árbol, Salsa Verde, Salsa Roja) 

(Corn with Duke's Mayonnaise) 

As for cocktails, I suggest their spicy cucumber margarita($12). This margarita has the perfect balance of spice and refreshing cool. It’s made with Cimarron Blanco, Fresh Cucumber, and Jalapeño, with a tajin rim. I also suggest one of their infamous micheladas (a Mexican- style beer cocktail with lime juice, tomato juice and hot sauce) currently they only have two, but regulars seem to love them.

Here we spent $40. It was a dope space with a chill, low key vibe, and flavorful tacos. I don’t believe they take reservations, but they do have take out. Get you some!

FUN FACT- TACOS AL PASTOR WERE INTRODUCED TO PUEBLA, MEXICO IN 1930 BY LEBANESE IMMIGRANTS.