Rockaway Taco

95-19 Rockaway Beach Blvd., Queens, NY

8.5

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Neighborhood
Queens
Rockaway Beach

Cuisine
Mexican

347-213-7466

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By Andrew Steinthal
August 22, 2011

Any Infatuation follower knows that we bitch like broken records about the lack of quality taco joints in Manhattan. The truth is, for the best tacos in the five boroughs, you need to get the f*ck out of Manhattan and take a trip to Rockaway Beach before the summer is over. Rockaway Taco and their fish tacos will make it worth your while.

Rockaway Taco is exactly the kind of taqueria anyone who gets down with Immaculate Infatuation will love. Not only are the tacos incredible, but the whole scene is ridiculous. Located a block from the beach, Rockaway Taco is quite the melting pot of humanity. Surfers, hipsters, questionable locals (there’s definitely a crack house across the street)- all part of Rockaway’s charm.

The setting only adds to the draw of this seasonal pop-up shop. Lock up your bike, order at the counter from a bunch of kids that look like they were plucked straight out of a hippie commune and enjoy your tacos in the outdoor seating situation they’ve set up alongside the shop.

Rockaway Taco has the formula down. Beach + hippies + crack house + radishes = some of the best fish tacos ever and easily the best in and around NYC.

Food Rundown:

Fish Taco
First and foremost, the Rockaway Taco structure is impeccable. The tacos maintain an even balance of well distributed filling that makes for a clean and enjoyable eating experience. Each bite is neat and precise. There isn’t much mess and they’re really just a pleasure to do business with. We recommend ordering all tacos deluxe with just the right amount of guacamole on top. This is the best fish taco in NYC, hands down. No contest. Flaky tilapia is heavily battered, fried, and served super crispy in a corn tortilla with slaw, crema, radishes and lime. Heaven.

Other Tacos
The second best Rockaway Taco is the chorizo. Definitely mess with one of these and go heavy on the hot sauce. For the vegetarians, the tofu taco is quite delicious as well. We’d suggest staying away from the Carne though, not their finest. Let me reiterate. It’s all about the fish taco. Also, make sure you get a fresh pineapple mint juice. Really good.

Quesadillas
They’re good, but this is not the reason to come here. Stick with fish tacos.

Mexican Corn
Not quite Cafe Habana level, but damn good nontheless.

Cukes
Slices of cucumber, mango and jicama with chili and lime – a good side option to share. Served in a ziploc bag for optimal portability and easy passing.

Breakfast
Only available on weekends between the hours of 9am and 11am before they start serving tacos. Breakfast consists of a fried egg served over chilaquiles (fried corn tortillas simmered in salsa with beans) and, if you’re bad ass enough, chorizo. Look at it, it’s as good as it sounds. This is not a light breakfast, so hopefully you’ve got a half hour to kill before diving into the ocean.