Sabor Mexicano
“I haven't had many of their tacos but the quesadillas are super-delicious and a great value at $3 each.”
“As Michael L. said, "this place is more than just a taco cart" The tongue and spicy pork are probably the best things going…but everything is good.”
“So much flavor, and a few vegetarian options other than cheese, such as huitaloche (corn smut) and champinon (mushroom).”
Sabor Mexicano
Take-out: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Good for Kids: Yes
Price range.
$ Price range Under $10
4 reviews
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Cheap tacos = win!
I first encountered this taco truck when a friend of mine was introducing me to less-known gems of my old hood, Jackson Heights. I had seen this truck a lot whenever I passed through 74th Street, but I never stopped because I didn't know how the food was. But it's definitely a must try. Tacos are only $2.50 each (supposedly they used to be $2.00) and come with a heap of meat. So far I've had chorizo and beef tongue, and both were delicious. Also, definitely try the sauces. I'm not sure what's in the red bottle (BBQ sauce?) but the yellow bottle is spicy (yay!). My friend had also recommended the cuitlacoche (spelling?) quesadilla, which I didn't get a chance to try that night because they ran out!
Anyway, just be aware that crowds might form here, and supposedly this truck is 24/7! I will be back for sure.
Sabor Mexicano, just outside the Roosevelt Ave. E, F, R, M subway stop , is always full of people lined up to get their Meixcan cravings. This food cart serves up a few items, Tacos ($2.50), Quesadillas ($4.00), Tortas ($5.00), and Cemitas ($6.00).
Taco prices did recently go up to $2.50, but even at the price, it is a steal, with the exception of Mi Mexico Lindo Tacos, who are still serving $2.00 tacos. I've tried 3 tacos at this cart so far, the pollo (chicken), carnitas (pork) and chorizo (sausage). In addition to the staple ingredient, each taco is also topped off with onions and cilantro on a double flour tortilla, the truly authentic way to 'em. The pollo is probably my least favorite. Although the chicken is tender and moist, it didn't seem to hold a lot of flavor. It was good, but with the likes of the pork and sausage tacos, I would definitely recommend the latter two. The pork has some superb marinaded flavors making for an outstanding taco. The pork is grilled so it's a little crisp on the edges, yet still moist on the inside. My favorite of the three. If you want something a little more interesting, the sausage, packs some very good flavor as well as a hint of heat. The chorizo is a bit fatty, but let's not forget sausage is supposed to be a fatty meat. Served on the side is a lime wedge for each taco, and several pieces of raw radish to give some crunchy texture. Portions are decent, with two tacos to appease the hunger of a moderate appetite, and three tacos with someone that has a decent appetite.
The pollo quesadillas ($4.00) are also great here. Don't expect your typical flat American version (i.e. TGIF's, Applebee's) of two thin tortillas with meat and cheese and melted on the inside. Sabor Mexicano serves a mean quesadilla. The tortilla shell was crispy and not too greasy, and inside was a mix of chicken, lettuce, and cheese. We first thought of the cheese as ricotta cheese but in a feta cheese texture, but another Yelper had claimed it as Oaxaca cheese, so I'll go with that. It was tasty and filling. It was shockingly good, and I'd pair a quesadilla with a taco or two to make a $9.00 lunch/dinner.
There are also two hot sauces available. The green hot sauce, which I believe is a mixture of chili, cilantro and lime and the red hot sauce which seemed to be chili and some other ingredients. The red hot sauce was good, but the green hot sauce seemed to amp up the heat a bit and added an extra layer of complexity from the cilantro and lime. Sabor Mexicano makes some awesome tacos and quesadillas. I will definitely have to stop by here again to fulfill some of my Mexican cravings. If you find this food cart a little too busy, there is another Sabor Mexicano, which is a food truck rather than a cart. It is located one or two blocks east on the North side of Roosevelt Ave. I'm not sure if they are affiliated at all, but they have similar items at the same prices.
Considering all the street side + brick and mortar taco choices along Roosevelt, it's not hard to consider Sabor Mexicano as average of the pack. Everything from the $2.50 prices to the taco choices down to the very name scream typical. Their one saving grace? Being located right next to the Jackson Heights subway station.
Many of the nearby street side taquerias offer some type of specialty, where as Sabor Mexicano offers the usual line up of edibles that most folks here have come to expect. The usual star of the show, the tacos are nothing out of the ordinary; some solid choices from chorizo to carnitas, but without much lime or salsa, the tortillas get dry a little too quickly.
Then there is everything else – quesadillas, tortas, and even the occasional cemita. Either the bread is too stiff on the torta / cemita, but the quesadillas marginally win for having a nice crispy exterior. At $4, they're still more expensive than La Quesadilla Sabrosa, who still makes the superior product for cheaper. No bueno.
And because they're often so inundated (especially late night and during rush hour), it's not exactly expected one will get great service. Make sure you know exactly what you want prior to ordering (asking questions might not get much feedback), and be hungry, not picky. That's the way to maximize Sabor Mexicano. Cash only, but you already knew that.
$2 tacos! That's a 0.50 cent savings from the place across the street! (right outside the 74th station hub). Walk your butt a half a block over and order from here! The women are friendly and the tacos are just as delicious. I'm a fan.