Warning. You must stay away from Tri Tacos. Because Tri Tacos are made by and owned by Tri People. Tri People are the scourge of the planet. Tri People live in the Tris (duh) and swing from branch to branch using vines. They're sort of like the Ewoks in Return Of The Jedi but not nearly as cute and very, very, very evil. Yes I know these tacos are absolutely delicious, but that only proves my point. It only serves to illuminate just how f***ing devious and manipulative these Tri People are. And they are as savage as they are devious. In fact probably more so. Watch. The f***. Out. Okay.
(Takes a deep breath)
I'm sorry. I've been off my meds. I'll explain in a second.
What to get: Asada Tacos, or any of them really
What not to get: Kidnapped by Tri People and held hostage in one of their Trihouses
If you do get kidnapped: Say hi to my family for me. Enjoy the tacos. Make the best of it
Garland says: This spot was originally called "Tri Mexican Nachos & Tacos" but they got sued for calling themselves "TMNT" for short.
So let me apologize. I shouldn't be ranting about this Tri People stuff. It's just not right. I mean, they have the right to live in the Tris if they want to. And what I said isn't really accurate. I mean, yes, they kidnapped my family and yes they have been terrorizing my home country for years. But what you have to understand is, I didn't like my family anyway. And I don't live in my home country anymore so I'm okay with it. I can deal. I shouldn't get so worked up. This happens every time I don't take my pills in the morning. I'm okay now.
Aside from all those warnings, these are some of the best tacos in New York City. I've tried the best ones in Manhattan (which never appealed to me) and the best of Brooklyn (which are sometimes good, sometimes not), but Queens has the better selection in my opinion. Of the brick & mortar restaurants (I feel so hipster even saying that, and I am so not hipster, especially when I'm off my meds), I like Suadero and Coatzingo. Of the trucks, I like Rey De Oro, Guadalajara De Noche, and of course... Tri Tacos. I'm probably forgetting a few.
El Tri, by the way, is the nickname of the Mexican flag (Tricolor) and of the Mexican soccer team, more famously. The one that never seems to win anything, but did manage to win the Olympic Soccer Tournament recently (which is an under-23 tournament for the most part). So congrats to them for that. I think the soccer team might actually be named after this taco cart. I'll get back to you on that.
There are more than one location of Tri, but this is the one I know well, and the most established and popular. They make tacos fresh for you late into the night, and every single one is delicious. They're fairly friendly, speaking in broken English (or giggling at my broken Spanish), and prices are nice and low. All of the meats I've tried have been good, better than average, even great if you're starving. Well flavoured. Be careful because the salsas are extremely hot. This is real Mexican for real Mexicans. It can blow your head off if you use too much of it or aren't used to it. Dip your tongue in it first and make sure you can handle it.
There was a time that you could get shot just for walking up to this taco cart, usually by the owners of one of the other taco carts because of the "taco wars" that plagued Queens for years. But those times are past, ever since the "Tri-ty Of Taco." Which is sort of like the Tri-ty of Versailles, but without any reparations whatsoever being paid by Germany.
I last had these tacos a few months ago on one of my Queens food tours, and I'm sure I will have them again, as I'm a sucker for street tacos. Hopefully next time I come to town I'll be on my meds. Next time I try these taco trucks, I'll try them all in the space of an hour so I can make a definitive judgment as to which one is the best. I'll get back to you on that.
That is, if the Tri People don't get me first. read more