Taqueria Ramirez

Greenpoint

I like being able to claim that I visited this "authentic spot in Brooklyn". It sounds so niche, doesn't it? But let's face it, nobody is heading to this spot just because I said it's good; they're going because any place on the NYT top 100 list is worth trying.

Taqueria Ramirez is nestled at the corner of Franklin and Oak Street in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. It’s a cozy setup with bar seating, a standing area, or you can snag a seat outside. The menu is minimalist—just six items scribbled on the wall—and your beverage choices are Topo Chico, Mexican Coke, or a Chinampa. The options might be limited, but they’re all spot-on.

You select your meat from various options (pastor is my favorite), and they serve it to you on a corn tortilla with a slab of freshly cooked meat in the center, all on a plastic Target red plate.

There's a sauce bar with mild and spicy salsa, limes, cilantro, and raw onion. I always opt for all the toppings, but I'm pretty sure it would be just as good without any sauce.

The meat is incredibly "authentic" (you like that), but let's be real, it's super flavorful, bursting with Mexican spices, and perfectly cooked.

You know one of those places you wish you could go for the first time again, well this would be my one. It's an impressive little taco spot. I highly recommend visiting on a sunny day, grabbing 2-3 tacos, and finding a sunny spot outside to savor these small, yet rich and satisfying bites of Mexico City.