The newly renovated interior of La Tortillería Mexicana Los Hermanos still offers a view of the aromatic warehouse floor. — Photo by Diego Cupolo
It’s back! The celebrated taco shack in La Tortillería Mexicana Los Hermanos has been upgraded from an unusual snack stop in a garage to what seems to be a long-term establishment.
Los Hermanos set aside a corner of their one-story warehouse on Starr Street to create a small restaurant with the same big taste of their popular food stand. Customers can now enjoy their filled-to-the-brim tacos on sleek wood tables while observing the action on the tortillería floor through glass walls.
Eager to quench my taco thirst, I popped in during dinner time yesterday and grabbed a stool at the counter. The place was bustling and there wasn’t a menu in sight so I stuck to the basics and ordered two tacos — one with pollo asado and the other with carne asada. The kind woman working the grill loaded the freshly-baked corn tortillas with juicy meat, chopped onions, cilantro, tomato, lettuce and a squirt of sour cream.
Though I’m usually a chicken taco person, I liked the tender beef meat a little bit better. The succulent carne asada was probably the best I’ve had in years and the hefty tacos were very affordable at $2 a piece. I also hear the pork enchilada, chorizo and vegetarian tacos are excellent.
Chopping the lime — the final step of taco process. — Photo by Diego Cupolo
Before leaving, I decided to get another taco to bring back to my girlfriend — it would be unfair to keep this experience all to myself. As the carne asada sizzled on the grill, I started a conversation with the cook. She told me the tortillería has been open for about eight years and Los Hermanos decided to start serving tacos in 2006. The experiment became a hit with locals so the owners decided to expand their taqueria operation into its current form.
The cook seemed happy to talk and, unexpectedly, added grated queso blanco and three slices of avocado on top of my girlfriend’s taco as a nice gesture. I walked out smiling with an over-stuffed taco and a warm bag of Los Hermanos brand corn tortillas that had just came off the production line. Best of all, the whole visit cost me $7 (without tip) — what a place!
La Tortillería Mexicana Los Hermanos
271 Starr Street (between Wyckoff and St. Nicholas Aves.)
718-456-3422
Mon-Sat 10am-11pm, Sun 10am-10pm
Jeremy Sapienza November 26th, 2008 at 12:41 pm
The chorizo there is so good. Also a fan of carne enchilada, though theirs isn’t as spicy as I like.
Dresden December 1st, 2008 at 4:16 pm
Agreed, Jeremy. Was there last night. Great build out.
Becky December 2nd, 2008 at 1:32 pm
I stopped in last weekend after school, after not having been there for a few months. Dude. I don’t know. They expanded the menu and the cook couldn’t deal with it. She was making sandwiches one at a time. It took 35 minutes to get my two tacos. And they were good, but my enjoyment was seriously diminished by the long wait. I liked it back when it had a simple taco menu and it was fast and delish.
Dresden December 2nd, 2008 at 6:19 pm
Eh, let them iron out the works.
chloe December 2nd, 2008 at 8:56 pm
i’ve been gone since the summer and oh my! the changes!
i can’t wait to get back to starr street with my homies//
Ben December 4th, 2008 at 4:03 pm
I am huge fan of this place, but be aware that the veggie tacos are not vegetarian. They use pork fat to make the tortillas nice and crispy. Just ask for it with out the pork fat and they will make it happen.
Cameron December 5th, 2008 at 12:35 am
Just ate there tonight. Super good. I mean really good. Some of the best tacos I’ve ever had, and I’m Mexican. Actually, I’m Irish, but they really were top notch. The pork enchilada was perfection. All the food my friend and I ate was served with a smile. Will definitely be back. Often. Me gusta.
Peter December 6th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
Stopped in for lunch a couple days ago and tried to order the burrito I’d seen on the poster outside. The guy just smiled and said “no burrito.”
He then rattled off a list of what was available, his Mexican accent in full effect. All I could identify was “quesadilla” so I got one with chicken, slathered it hot sauce and washed it down with a mandarin Jarritos. The delicious food combined with the architectural genius of windows facing into the loading bay made an excellent, if slightly confusing, dining experience.
Mjay December 7th, 2008 at 11:02 pm
We brought our own wine, and ordered 5. The carne assada was the best. Cute, the cook had to count to herself, by 2s, to add up our bill of 5 tacos.
Yummy and open from 10-10 Sunday? who could ask for more.
Sabina December 9th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
best taco spot around! a friend put me on this place last week and i just cant get enough of their spicy pork tacos. the tacos don’t come with cheese, so make sure to ask.
Manny December 21st, 2008 at 7:56 pm
I ordered chicken quesadillas ‘with no onions’ and was very specific about it. I even spoke to her in Spanish since I am Latino. Guess what? I got them full of onions. I simply paid and left and I will never go back. They don’t pay attention to their customers (too busy talking) and have one set recipe which apparently has no room for special requests.