Today marks the most important Taco Tuesday of the year. Yes, it’s National Taco Day, and 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.
Best Selection
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.
Wackiest Fusion
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.
Best Bang for Your Buck
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.
Most Authentic
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.
