Empellón Taqueria & Bar
Alex Stupak's taqueria on the corner of West 4th and 10th burns through mounds of lamb barbacoa a day, served with salsa borracha.2
Why go
Empellón started in 2011 and now runs three New York rooms. This is the casual one, and it does bar snacks and tacos.1 Andrew Steinthal reviewed it for The Infatuation and did not oversell it. He rates the guacamole and its two salsas, a creamy smoked cashew and a hot arbol chile. He also names two dishes to skip.2
Order this / avoid
- Order: the lamb barbacoa tacos with salsa borracha.2
- Order: the tetilla queso fundido with rajas and nopales.2
- Order: bunuelos to close, with cajeta and warm honey for dipping.2
- Avoid: the short rib tamale, and the baby back ribs.2
What locals & experts say
- Andrew Steinthal, The Infatuation:
Offering a straightforward menu of fancy-ish Mexican dishes, Empellon is a welcome addition to the West Village's lackluster Mexican options. While nothing blew us away, the food was solid with the good outweighing the bad.
2 - The group on this room:
Empellón Taqueria's West Village outpost serves mash up bar snacks and tacos in a casual environment.
1
Good to know
- Which door: this page is 230 West 4th Street. Empellón also runs a flagship in Midtown and Empellón Al Pastor on St. Marks Place.1
- Booking: walk in.1
Verdict
could-visit — Come for the bar and eat around it. The list is margaritas and cocktails on artisanal Mexican spirits, with canned beer and shot specials under them. It runs late. If you order off the plates section, Steinthal sends you to the skirt steak.