The Order:
Full disclosure: I’ve eaten at Pampano Taqueria many times and love it. Pampano doesn’t deliver to our office (although they should!), but Pampano does offer pick up, so I decided that great tacos were worth the walk. AnnMarie decided that great tacos were worth my walk too, so she ordered the Chilorio (Mexican-style pulled pork) and the Pescado (King fish). I went with the taco trifecta of Chilorio, Alambre (cheese and poblanos with beef), and Camaron (shrimp).
The Meal:
I’ve said this before, but I’ll say it again: I love the freedom that pick up ordering offers. You’re not constrained by delivery areas or delivery minimums. You can order exactly what you want from wherever you want it, as long as you can get to the restaurant. And at Pampano Taqueria, there’s another huge bonus: you get to skip the often very long line! You arrive and your food is ready. Paid for and packaged up while everyone else is trying to decide if they even have time to wait.
Familiar with eating Pampano in the strange basement food court in which it’s located, I was used to eating everything immediately after it’s made. The walk back to the office definitely changed the game a little on that front, as the tacos weren’t quite as warm as I would have liked. But other than that they were still delicious. The fillings were all super high quality and flavorful, with the Chilorio probably being my favorite. I also recommend picking up a couple of the salsas (you pour them yourself in to-go cups), as they can add a good kick to the tacos and most importantly are great for dipping the perfectly salted, warm and crisp tortilla chips that are a must with any meal.
AnnMarie had a hankering for tacos, so she was pretty happy with my choice of restaurants. The Pescado was one of her first fish tacos and after getting overall the initial worries (“It smells like fish!”), she absolutely loved it. Now she understands why they’re such a big deal in San Diego. The Chilorio was less adored than respected. She knew it was the real deal, but sometimes she prefers a little more pomp and circumstance.
Pampano Taqueria is a must-visit for any Midtown Mexican food lover. The tacos are the most popular items, but their other dishes are great too. Using fresh and top-notch ingredients prepared in creative combinations, this is the kind of food that you can never get tired of. And remember, if they don’t deliver to you, you can always go out and pick up your order!
FYI – We’re located near Bryant Park in case you want to try Pampano Taqueria for yourself or give us recommendations for future orders!