Where is the best place for late-night tacos al pastor in Narvarte?
Around 22:00, El Vilsito transforms from an auto repair shop into the neighborhood's most famous taco counter. Located in Narvarte Oriente, this legendary spot serves masterfully sliced pastor with the perfect level of char and pineapple sweetness. Grab a spot on the sidewalk, order three tacos al pastor on corn tortillas, and watch the maestros work the massive trompos. It is fast, loud, and incredibly satisfying after a few beers nearby.
What locals actually do
Chilangos know Narvarte is the city's pastor epicenter, and while El Vilsito gets the spotlight, locals also rotate through nearby competition like El Super Taco or Tacos Manolo. At Vilsito, the move is to order gringas—pastor and melted cheese folded into a flour tortilla—alongside your standard tacos. You do not wait for a table; you stand on the pavement of Avenida Universidad, balance your plate in one hand, and dress your tacos with the fiery green salsa. It is a social ritual that peaks between midnight and 3:00.
Order two tacos al pastor and one gringa at El Vilsito, wash them down with a cold Boing de guayaba, and eat standing up on the sidewalk.
Practical notes
- 01The conversion from mechanic shop to taquería happens daily around 19:30, so do not show up for pastor during the afternoon.
- 02You order your drinks and desserts from separate servers who walk the sidewalk, and they will bill you separately from the taco order.
- 03Card payment is accepted here, but keeping 150 MXN in cash makes paying the busy waiters much faster at the end of the night.
Good to know
- ✗Parking is tough on Petén, so take an Uber or walk from the nearby Eugenia metro station instead.
- ✗The red salsa is deceptively spicy; always test a drop on your plate before pouring it over your tacos.
- ✗Weekend lines look intimidating but move exceptionally fast because the carvers work with incredible speed.