Tacombi

​From Mexico to Manhattan Tacombi has made their mark with their high quality tacos. “Born on the balmy beaches of Yucatán, Tacombi began selling out of a converted 1963 VW Kombi bus on Playa del Carmen in 2005.” Today you can find that VW bus right in the center of their flagship restaurant on Elizabeth St. in Nolita, that opened in 2010. Along with their location in Nolita you can also find a Tacombi in the Flatiron neighborhood,West Village and Long Island on Montauk. If you reside in Midtown or Williamsburg, don’t worry, they will soon be slinging their authentic tacos in your hood as well.

Each Tacombi location is special to it’s space. Approaching the front of their Nolita location you’re already getting a taste of Mexico, with their monumental “Lupita” pushcart tricycle placed at the entrance -one i couldn’t resist to get on. There is so much resemble to la vecindad de “El Chavo del ocho” (If you grew up watching Mexican programming you know exactly what I’m talking about.) Think of huge garage turned into a cafe. The location is lofty and rustic, but bright. The brick walls and cement floors give the taqueria a laid back modest feel. During the day the ceiling window gives the restaurant natural lighting, making it a great place to start your day with one of their breakfast tacos. In the evening the lighting turns dim, as the restaurant is lit by clear bulb string lights.

The noise level is that of a busy cafeteria, loud enough that the bustling activities don't go unnoticed, although, comfortable for group conversations. At the moment I don’t recall music being played. Tacombi is a place I recommend for a quick bite, cheap date, group meeting, or pregame site.

I’ve also visited the Flatiron location, which is my favorite. This space has an industrial cafeteria layout. Very Mexico City- style cafe. It is an open kitchen format, also lofty but not as rustic as the Nolita location, with tile floors and a huge on site tortilleria. So cool! It's like “a hopping market-feeling eatery.” It hosts a white textile Veracruz -style coffee bar, where you can also order cocktails, mezcales and cervezas.

Upon being greeted by a server, at both locations, you’re given a menu/ slip where you note what you’d like, and how many. Different! Also different?  Their hormone, gluten, antibiotic, preservative, and additive free corn tortillas. Their recipe, corn, water, salt and lime. At Tacombi all tortillas are rolled out daily, everything is made with sustainably sourced ingredients.

At the Nolita site I ordered their crispy fish taco that features fresh cod tequila battered, topped with red cabbage, neatly placed on a warm “Vista Hermosa” tortilla then drizzled with poblano mayo ($5.49)  Well balanced taco, the fish has a slightly crisp outer layer and tender on the inside. Here, I also ordered their fresh guacamole made with a moderate amount of salt and lime, served with homemade totopos ($11.49) and a refreshing agua de Jamaica ($3.49). Here I spent $21.

My friend and I visited the Flatiron site and here I started my two course meal with the corn esquites, sweet tender corn kernels slathered with chipotle mayo, topped with cotija cheese, a little lime and mild spices. So bomb! This cup of corn off the cob was the best I've had. ($3.95) I followed that rich tasting appetizer with a traditional Al Pastor taco - thinly sliced heritage pork, with grilled pineapple, diced white onion, jalapeño and cilantro ($3.95) the Chorizo con papas taco - homemade ground heritage pork sausage and potatoes ($3.95) and their Barbacoa taco made with roasted black angus beef, marinated in wine-and-ancho-chile and roasted for 12 hours in banana leaf, this was the juiciest and richest. ($5.49)

Finally, I combined all of this Mexican hormone-free goodness with a Margarita “Madison,” made with Herradura Blanco, fresh lime and mandarin. ($13) I did not try but do recommend their homemade sangria pitchers for large groups, heard you'd enjoy every sip.

They also offer a vegetarian option. This chain specializes in making your homemade taco away from home. So, for all you gluten, hormone free vegetarians, Tacombi has got you covered. Keep in mind that the tacos are modestly proportioned, but for people like myself that love a little bit of everything, they are perfect.

FUN FACT: VISTA HERMOSA, TACOMBI'S PROPROITERY BRAND OF  TORITILLAS, SALSA AND COFFEE ARE ALL AVAILABLE AT THE FOUR UNION MARKET LOCATIONS IN NYC FOR PURCHASE.