Photo courtesy of Agave
Looking for the tacos that took the internet by storm? Here’s where to find birria-stuffed tortillas with all the fixings locally.
Agave
With more than 15 years of restaurant experience, this mother-son duo have a long history of making birria. Start with the quesabirria — tortillas are soaked in stewed beef broth, and then stuffed with chopped birria, mozzarella, grated cotija cheese, and cilantro. Or, order an authentic birria meal, and get a helping of Mexican rice, guacamole, pico de gallo, and black beans.
Suffern — 100 Orange Ave; 845.547.2246
El Azteca Mexican Deli
El Azteca’s homemade, hours-long-cooked beef birria is sure to have you coming back for more. Served alone, or with Mexican rice and beans for an additional $2, these colorful tacos are piled high with pulled beef, melted cheese, red onion, and cilantro. End your visit with something sweet, like churros with ice cream or a cheesecake chimichanga.
Poughkeepsie — 97 Main St; 845.483.7677
Chapala Grill
At this family-run eatery, the endless selection of margaritas isn’t the only draw. The tender, savory Jalisco-style birria tacos come with a cup of the meat’s rich juices full of spices and dried peppers imported from Mexico. Trust us, you’ll keep asking for more. Plenty of lime and radishes will balance out the unique, umami-packed stew.
New Windsor — 335 Windsor Hwy; 845.563.0902
Frontera Tacos & Tequila
Find a slice of birria’s origin at this beloved Middletown establishment owned by four brothers from Jalisco, Mexico. Enjoy the piquant, melt-in-your-mouth birria quesa taco. Pull up your sleeves and dunk the fried corn tortilla — filled to the brim with beef braised in adobo, cheese, cilantro, and onions — in its luscious consommé. Double- and even triple-dips are welcome.
Middletown — 340 NY-211 East; 845.394.0045
Viva Cinco de Mayo
Located just two blocks from Washington Park, this family-owned restaurant is serving up some birria twists. Chow down on the classic taco with slow-cooked beef or chicken, or go pescatarian with made-to-order shrimp birria. Go all out with their inventive birria tacos dorado: tortillas stuffed with meat or cheese, then rolled in spiced consommé and fried.
Albany — 809 Madison Ave; 518.650.8605
Urban Fork
Rosanna Rauch outgrew her food truck and opened this new Kingston spot. On Tuesday nights, indulge in the evening’s special birria — be sure to order ahead, as they often sell out — as well as shredded or ground beef, grilled chicken, cod with mango slaw, or root veggie tacos. Did we mention you can dunk them in a crazy birria queso dip?
Kingston — 340 East Chester St; 845.802.0181
