Cholula

Manhattanites can boast of a few good bodega taquerias --- Tehuitzingo, Guelaguetza, Zaragoza, a handful of places in East Harlem --- but our favorite might be the Cholula chainlet in Bushwick, Brooklyn. Here, actual tablecloths (albeit mysteriously reminiscent of those found in Little Italy) adorn the bright, cheery space, and the food is plated with care before it's served by a friendly waitress. They have an extensive menu of Mexican standards, like the sopes below, but Cholula's razon de ser is the taco. The pollo ranks among the best we could recall having, and the al pastor and longaniza tacos would take some beating as well. Plus, you can pick up giant jugs of Jarritos, which always warms our hearts.