Where is the best place for late-night al pastor tacos in Narvarte?
20:00 is when El Vilsito transforms from an active auto mechanics shop into Narvarte’s most beloved taco destination. Located on Petén, this neighborhood institution slices some of the finest al pastor in the city. The pork is deeply marinated, cooked on massive vertical spits, and sliced thin with a flying chunk of pineapple. Order at the counter, stand on the sidewalk, and pair your tacos with an ice-cold Boing.
What locals actually do
Chilangos know Narvarte is the taco capital of the city, and El Vilsito is its crown jewel. While visitors flock here for the spectacle of the mechanics-to-tacos transformation, locals come for the consistent quality of the meat and the legendary speed of the taqueros. If you want to eat like a neighborhood resident, do not just order standard tacos. Ask for a gringa—al pastor meat folded with melted cheese into a flour tortilla—or a volcán, which puts the meat and cheese on a crispy, toasted corn tortilla. Stand on the sidewalk rather than waiting for one of the rare plastic tables inside; the energy on the street is the real draw.
Order two tacos al pastor with everything, one gringa on a flour tortilla, and a glass of horchata right on the Petén sidewalk at midnight.
Practical notes
- 01The taco service starts daily at 19:30, operating until 03:00 on weekdays and pushing past 04:00 on Friday and Saturday nights.
- 02Payment is handled at a separate cash register booth; keep your ticket after ordering and pay the cashier when you finish eating.
- 03Street parking on Petén is highly competitive after dark, so taking a rideshare or walking from the Eugenia metro station is your best bet.
Good to know
- ✗Bring cash in Mexican pesos, as cards are not accepted at the payment counter.
- ✗Say con todo to get your tacos with cilantro, chopped onion, and pineapple.
- ✗The green salsa is avocado-based and mild, while the red salsa carries a serious kick.