267 Elizabeth St (btwn E Houston & Prince St), New York, NY
Taco Restaurant · NoLita · 737 tips and reviews
Jorge Ortiz: A "combi" is a Volkswagen Type 2 bus: made in Puebla and ubiquitous in Mexico until the mid-90s. I rode the back of a combi to pre-school every day; now you can watch your tacos made inside one.
Jorge Ortiz: Worth the trip to Queens. Get the tamales while you're there, and bring back some tortillas so you can remember this place long after you've left.
Jorge Ortiz: Fooled by the name, many people wrongly believe this is a Cuban restaurant. Astute readers of the menu know that only Mexicans call a sandwich a "torta". Get the signature torta cubana and a cocktail.
125 E 7th St (btwn 1st Ave. & Ave. A), New York, NY
Mexican Restaurant · East Village · 48 tips and reviews
Jorge Ortiz: Tucked away at the end of the tiny alley of Extra Place, this cute little taco place won't last long with the amount of foot traffic it gets. Get a steak or shrimp quesadilla; skip the sour cream.
Jorge Ortiz: Excellent, greasy, late-night food. Get a quesadilla de huitlacoche. It sounds and looks dirty, but I promise its delicious. Scarf it down before you ask Google what the hell you just ate.
Mexican Restaurant · East Harlem · 3 tips and reviews
Jorge Ortiz: For a great Sunday brunch, hop on the 6th and get off at 103rd St. Get the tacos de barbacoa and an agua fresca de melón. If you have company, split a guacamole (comes w/avocado seed and fresh chips!)
Mexican Restaurant · East Village · 136 tips and reviews
Jorge Ortiz: A "palapa" is an open-air, thatched-roof structure; they're useful common spaces on hot, sunny days. Get the jicama with lime and chile, a popular and refreshing treat for just such days.