Tacos & Street FoodLast verified July 8, 2026
Where should I eat tacos al pastor in Mexico City?
The short answer
El Vilsito in Narvarte (nights only, from an auto-body shop) and El Huequito in Centro are the two answers a local will give. El Turix does not serve al pastor — it is cochinita pibil, a different thing.
Where our team sends you
What locals actually do
Al pastor is a night-time food. The best trompos are cut after 8pm, when the outer layer has properly caramelized. A shop selling pastor at lunch is either serving yesterday's meat or a version made for tourists. Locals eat pastor standing up, from a paper plate, with two tortillas per taco and pineapple only if the taquero offers it — it is not automatic.
If you only have one
El Vilsito, after 9pm, on a weeknight. Order five tacos, one Coca-Cola in glass, and the piña salsa on the side.
Practical notes
- 01Cash only at all three of the classic pastor spots.
- 02Tacos are ~25–35 MXN each. Five is a normal order for one person.
- 03The green salsa is usually hotter than the red at pastor stands — inverse of most other taquerías.
Good to know
- ✗Ordering al pastor at lunch. The trompo has not built its crust yet.
- ✗Asking for pineapple. Let the taquero decide; it is not always added.
- ✗Going to a Roma / Condesa 'artisanal' pastor spot. Go to Narvarte, Doctores, or Centro.
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