Chris Reyes and chef Gerardo Alcaraz have impressive resumes that span acclaimed kitchens like Nomad and Cosme, as well as shared ownership of Greenpoint’s Aldama. But it’s their joint venture, Taqueria El Chato, that has quickly captured the city’s attention and redefined New York’s taco scene. Named after Reyes’s flat-nosed dog, the restaurant burst onto the scene in Greenpoint with a concise but flawless menu of tacos, vampiros, and quesadillas that earned it a coveted spot in the Michelin Guide New York 2025. A West Village outpost soon followed, solidifying its status as one of the city’s most exciting new taquerias.
At Time Out Market New York, Union Square, Taqueria El Chato continues its winning streak with a lineup that celebrates the flavors and traditions of CDMX street food. The trompo al pastor is a showstopper, its vertical spit layered with pork loin and thinly sliced flank steak, cut fresh and topped with cilantro, onions, and salsa verde or roja. Just as tempting are the suadero and tripa tacos, slow-cooked brisket, chile-marinated mushrooms, and made-to-order vampiros and quesadillas that showcase the team’s creativity and precision.
The result is food that feels both elevated and deeply comforting, bridging Reyes and Alcaraz’s fine-dining backgrounds with the casual joy of street-side tacos. For Union Square diners, Taqueria El Chato brings one of the city’s most buzzed-about taco experiences under the Time Out roof—complete with all the juicy, smoky, and salsa-kissed flavors that earned it critical and cult acclaim alike.