Get Your Taco On at These 7 Local Spots

We can’t think of a better occasion to share our favorite local ta-coma inducing picks. So let’s dig in. There’s a lot to taco-bout.

Mexicali Blue, New Paltz/Wappingers Falls

Move over Tex-Mex. Here, California is represented big, freshening up classic Mexican dishes with natural, coastally inspired ingredients. Think mango catfish tacos with shredded cabbage and herb sour cream wrapped in a blue corn tortilla, or grilled pork belly tacos with jalapeno bacon and a sweet and spicy chili sauce. Feeling something a little more outside the box (or bun)? The artisan taco burger is a blend of hanger steak and chorizo, topped with avocados, black beans, and marmalade onions, all encased in a six-inch flour tortilla shell. Even better, you get double the selection at two Dutchess County locations. While its snug New Paltz site is better suited for some taco takeout, the Wappingers Falls restaurant is full-service with a more extensive menu and weekly specials.    

DMZ, Kingston

This tiny Stockade District space may only boast a couple bar seats and a handful of tables, but it’s bursting with globally inspired eats and culinary styles. The highlights of its menu are the small, Spanish tapas-style plates, with classic dishes hailing from Asia, Latin America, and Europe. The taco menu is just as diverse, topping fresh tortillas with international offerings like chicken satay, chipotle fish, and a vegan, marinated tofu, and pineapple variety.

Mexican Kitchen, New Paltz

​For both flavorful AND budget-friendly tacos, this New Paltz favorite hits the spot. The taco menu gets right to the basics, with Al Pastor, chicken, asada, chorizo, vegetarian, and beef tongue tacos clocking in at no more than $2.85. If you feel like splurging, the pescado taco, fried baja style with cabbage and spicy crema will only set you back $4.15. 

Los Portales, Newburgh

Whether you’re team salsa verde or salsa roja, looking for something truly traditional like the tripe, pork skin, or cows’ head tacos (yes, cows’ head!), or vegetarian corn mushroom or squash tacos, Los Portales is—quite simply—the real deal.

Baja 328, Beacon

The taco selection at this Beacon standout ranges from the more recognizable barbacoa tacos topped with caramelized red onion, cilantro, and avocado sauce to octopus tacos with guizo, garlic aioli and parsley. Pick and choose up to three tacos from the 12 listed for a reasonable $14, and don’t forget to pair your tacos with one of Baja 328’s 110+ tequilas (yes, you read that right — 110). 

Diego’s, Kingston

Vegetarian and gluten-free friendly, you’ll find off-beat taco choices here, such as smokey beet tacos, with brined and grilled beets, caramelized onion, arugala, and cilantro yogurt crema, or Southern-inspired po’ boy tacos with cornmeal crusted or seasoned grilled shrimp, tangy slaw, and spicy remoulade. Guests can choose from flour or soft-corn tortilla taco shells, or, if you want to make your taco just a little bit healthier, choose Diego’s “caveperson option” — a simple lettuce leaf. You can also add gaucamole or queso to your tacos for that extra kick. 

Super Nacho Jimmy Changas, Goshen

While the picks on this page won’t cost you more than $10, the tacos at Jimmy Changas will stretch every penny you put up. Tacos often come in trios, but don’t count on your dinner coming along with sides or extra frills. Here, an $8 a la carte platter will fill you up with four chicken, pork carnitas, or shredded or ground beef tacos. And if you came hungry, the trio taco platters come either gringo style with cheese, lettuce, and pico de gallo, or authentic style with traditional sauce, onion, cilantro, and lime wedge. Both are served with rice and refried beans for the same price.