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Salvation Taco (Closed)

Restaurants, Mexican Murray Hill
3 out of 5 stars
4 out of 5 stars
(17user reviews)
Winner<br/>2016

Winner
2016
Winner<br/>2016

Winner
2016
Special Offers
Salvation Taco
1/5
Photograph: Courtesy Yelp / Rebecca W.
(Photograph: Jessica Lin)
2/5
Photograph: Jessica Lin
(Photograph: Jessica Lin)
3/5
Photograph: Jessica LinPork Belly and Pineapple Salad at Salvation Taco
(Photograph: Jessica Lin)
4/5
Photograph: Jessica LinLamb on naan at Salvation Taco
(Photograph: Jessica Lin)
5/5
Photograph: Jessica LinSalvation Taco

Time Out says

3 out of 5 stars

This rainbow-splashed lounge set inside the Pod 39 Hotel feels more like a happy-hour rec room than a tacqueria. The sprawling space is as colorful as a Mexican blanket, decked out in a spectrum of thrift-store junk, two long votive-lit bars, plush couches for lounging and Ping-Pong tables in glass-enclosed nooks. It is first and foremost a place to imbibe, its Mexicanish finger food mostly designed for easy consumption while clutching an icy cerveza.

In the kitchen, April Bloomfield (the Spotted Pig, the Breslin) and taco maestro Roberto Santibañez (Fonda) raise the bar on dirt-cheap Mexican snacks, turning out tiny tortillas—made fresh to order from Nixtamal masa—stuffed with primo ingredients from all over the place: tender skirt steak swaddled in a Texas-style smoky pecan-and-chipotle salsa, coconut-curry cauliflower crowned with fried mint, beer-battered fish padded with pickled red onion.

The restaurant is well worth wading through the clamorous front bar but beware: By the time your piping-hot churros arrive, the place may be mobbed with Murray Hill’s after-work revelers too soused to really care what they eat.

By: Jay Cheshes

Posted:

Details
Static map showing venue location
Address: 145 E 39th St
New York
10016
Cross street: between Lexington and Third Aves
Transport: Subway: 42nd St S, 4, 5, 6, 7 to 42nd St–Grand Central
Price: Average taco: $6. AmEx, Disc, MC, V
Contact:
salvationtaco.com Call Venue 212-865-5800
Opening hours: Daily 7am–5pm, 5:30pm–2am
Do you own this business?

Special offers

JOIN US FOR HAPPY HOUR!!

Mon-Fri 4pm-6pm -$6 Beers/$7 Wines/$9 Classic Margaritas -$8 Tacos(2 per order)/$8 Chicken Quesadillas/$4 Devil Eggs Terms and Conditions: Maximum of 20 diners. Includes VAT, includes service. Valid For: 1 - 20 People Mon-Fri 4:00PM-6:00PM

Offer valid until Mar 16 2118

Users say (17)

4 out of 5 stars

Average User Rating

4.1 / 5

Rating Breakdown

  • 5 star:5
  • 4 star:10
  • 3 star:4
  • 2 star:0
  • 1 star:0
LiveReviews|19
1 person listening
tastemaker

Oh my!!! did anyone say "tacos al pastor"? I was at the downstairs restaurant a couple of months ago. I loved every bite of my steak tacos but definitely preferred my al pastor tacos order...they were so good and tasty. I loved the back room which was reserved for a private event; however, I had a chance to pick and loved the whole Mexican themed setup/ it looks very original with all the vibrant colors and balloons having from the ceiling! I didn't have a cocktail at the time but I'm looking forward to visiting on a hot summer afternoon to enjoy the nice views and what I can anticipate would be an amazing drink. This is a casual spot near grand central terminal!


I've been here before on a few occasions, and the rooftop bar is definitely worth checking out. I haven't eaten in the downstairs area, but the rooftop area is nice, though the menu is more limited and service can be somewhat spotty, Overall, though if looking for a place to have a casual drink and soak up a great view, would recommend coming here. 

tastemaker

Way different than expected - in a real good way. Connected to a budget hotel, and decked out in a quasi-authentic Mexican street decor (complete with prayer candles on the tables), high tops, couches, and buzzing lights. The staff is polite and competent, and the menu and food is varied, but offers really tasty, small-sized portions of tacos. The tacos themselves are not really traditional - there are mixed combinations of fillings from meat, chicken and vegetables with spices from all over (there's chicken tinga, braised steak, lamb, fish and mayo, etc.) and these things are addictive. The bar menu is filled with reliable tequila cocktails, and pitchers - but I really enjoyed the michelada (a spicy tomato drink with beer), and the whiskey cocktails. Overall, it's a fun spot to hang out and eat and drink for as long as you want. There's a rooftop open in the warmer months.

tastemaker

This spacious, fun, colorfully decorated restaurant makes it a good place for a group. The menu isn't regular go-to mexican food, but has great, different things to choose from. I'd go back for the chicken wings appetizer- they were amazing!!! The Cauliflower tacos were pretty good, and the Empanadas were super cheesy which I love. Worth going to for a group dinner, but I wouldn't just go there to grab a taco. 


Drink, tacos & crazy cool decor prefect sums up your experience at Salvation Taco. Every dish is phenomenal but my fav are the steak tacos & fish tacos. Always say I'll try something new but I always veer back these 2. A great selection of tequila & beer, something for any kind is palette. Always packed during happy hour but totally worth smushed up walk to the bar. Cinco de mayo?? Forget it!!! Get there early to stake you clam in a corner & don't plan on leaving. ALL. NITE. Small dishes make it easy to nosh while you drink & take in the sites & sounds of this NYC must try taco place.


Incredible atmosphere on the rooftop. The food is great and the service was quick when I was there. It can get pretty busy at times, so be prepared to wait in line. You can't go wrong with any of their taco options, but my favorite is carne asada w grilled nopales, pickled peppers & onions.


This is a great place for tacos! They are small but delicious, and the drinks are great too. If you're looking to head to the pod rooftop, make sure to put your name in way early (like 5pm early). They now strictly enforce the amount of people going up there and it can take forever during happy hour (but the views are worth it!)

Tastemaker

I've never eaten here but I did come to chill on the rooftop quite recently. It was HUGE plenty of seating, no line, strong drinks and a quick elevator. For a Saturday night I was pleasantly surprised at how not crowded it was on such a lovely evening. They had a huge selection of cocktails which you could either pick up at the bar downstairs or purchase on the rooftop. I'd love to come back and eat because I've heard the food is quite delicious! 

I would definetely come back here for a night out or just happy hour with friends and co-workers! 

tastemaker

Like Derek Jeter in the 9th inning, or a slice of cold pizza when you're hungover, you can always rely on Salvation Taco. Do I wish that it wasn't within spitting distance of the madness that is Grand Central? Of course. Are the food and drinks a little overpriced for what they are? Yes. But between the months of April and October, it's a solid option for those looking to consume alcohol on the roof of a building. 


It's also a go-to date spot. Does your Tinder match live in Westchester and "would love to grab a drink but I don't wanna miss my train!"? If so, take her to Salvation Taco. Grab a couple glasses of sangria, and order something (or many things) from their very above average bar menu- the empanadas are a must.


And worst case, if you show up and she looks nothing like her profile picture, I promise there will be at least 47,000 other single women (rough estimate) there, so take your pick. 

tastemaker

You wouldn’t expect to find a young, hip, and fun Mexican restaurant in Murray Hill, would you? Located in the ultra cool Pod 39 Hotel, Salvation Taco delivers some well needed excitement to the area. If you want to just grab a drink for happy hour, chill in the back library area, or play some indoor ping pong, Salvation Taco is the place to go. Besides all the fun, they have great Mexican food as well and serve food for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner. The chips and guacamole and chihuahua cheese empanadas are delicious starters. The roasted cauliflower tacos are killer as well.

tastemaker

Really unique food and fun atmosphere! Massive dining area in the back and a ping pong table! The guacamole was really tasty. The fried fish taco was also really good. We also had the spicy pork loin torta. A torta is basically a sandwich/burger type thing, I'm not what the bread was but it was really really good. Definitely had a kick to it but was really fresh and unique.


I thought this was a simple taco place but the food is actually very sophisticated Mexican style food.  I went with several people and we shared our food and everything I tried was delicious.  The portions are very small, if you are hungry consult your server about what would be best.  The entrees reminded me of tapas more than whole meals.  We sat in the back and had a very low table and very low seating.  One of my companions is over six feet tall and he looked very uncomfortable.  We all loved the music and ambiance, it's definitely not your typical Mexican restaurant.  I definitely will go back, next time I might prefer sitting in the bar section on a bar stool as that could prove to be more comfortable for dining.


Salvation Taco is a fun, cool spot in terms of atmosphere. You walk in and there's a different set of decor in every corner of restaurant. I recommend coming during a non-busy time like a Sunday afternoon. Get some Salvation Margaritas and a few appetizers like the guacamole or chips/salsa. There are two ping pong tables in the back of the bar which I love - if you're looking for more of an activity. Downside is no food is allowed near the ping pong tables. Also the service isn't so great - our waitress barely came by to us throughout our time there and often had to order drinks at the bar separately.

"title"


A really cool environment ! Very lively and colorful! The margaritas are sooo good and refreshing after long day of work;)


I went to Salvation Taco's rooftop for Fourth of July, and it's one of my favorite Manhattan rooftops now. The brick facades, climbing green vines and string lights give it a really romantic feel. There's also a view of surrounding Manhattan on three sides. Downstairs, my friends and I ordered the empanadas (twice), al pastor tacos and churros. The tacos were small and simple, but somehow incredibly flavorful, like the meat had been cooking with spices for hours.


Fantastic place for great drinks and tacos. Might be a wait for the tables (20 min wait on a Tuesday evening for two) but usually room at the bar/lounge if you're in a hurry. Service was great, food was delicious, and atmosphere was fun. I'd suggest the Korean BBQ, Fried Fish and Cauliflower tacos.

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