Eating at Esse Taco. Best Tacos in NYC?

[@NoahEats]

I love when chefs make food that is good for all. Mixing high end chef skills to street food masses is always admirable

[@Jamesnu]

Me too! It's something that I hope to see more of with other chefs.

[@robert9ish]

Looks very tasty but I'd never go and dine somewhere that I couldn't sit down.

[@Jamesnu]

It was great, but yeah, seats would've been nice.

[@tanikokishimoto1604]

Bad ankle here, I just physically couldn't do it. Food looked good, but because of the seating issue, I won't be going there.

[@yoyokeepitup]

How do you not have more subscribers? Such quality videos.

[@Jamesnu]

Thank you! I really appreciate it!

[@Tybennie-nz7vr]

Right, I don't understand either

[@wanyangchen9784]

Enjoying your video format so much! A bit of the neighborhood view and an introduction, then straight to the review. A much more lively and natural feel compared to other reviews.

[@Jamesnu]

Thank you! That makes me happy to hear!

[@beetroot48]

James, your meal looked absolutely vibrant and delicious, and as usual you described it so well. I also appreciated your research and providing contextual information about Chef Olvera and the Casamata creative team. Esse Taco is on the top of my list next time I’m in Williamsburg, NY.

[@Jamesnu]

Thank you! If you like tacos, the place is definitely a must-visit.

[@carbies2]

Looks delicious! Love seeing the production value going up and up in your videos. Keep it rolling!

[@bkm2797]

I think Andrew is doing a really good job too!

[@Jamesnu]

Thank you! I always try to give my best with each video.

[@Juicestainx]

You can actually order the sundae when you order your tacos and they’ll give you a voucher to exchange for the sundae when you’re ready! You exchange it at the same window you pick up your tacos at. That way you don’t have to get back on the line

[@bkm2797]

That makes a lot more sense,lol. I'm thinking are we in France or something, only there did I have to stand in line 3 times for the same meal.

[@Jamesnu]

That's very good to know! Thanks for sharing!

[@Juicestainx]

@@Jamesnu and heads up, Taqueria Ramirez is opening a carnitas-specific restaurant in the East Village called Carnitas Ramirez

[@Jamesnu]

@@Juicestainx Indeed! I'm really looking forward to that one.

[@jdeehr]

I adore your vids! Those tacos looked amazing!

[@Jamesnu]

Thank you so much! That's very kind and I really appreciate it!

[@jesseyuan]

I was just there this past Saturday night and boy was it crowded. Well worth the wait and couldn’t get enough.

[@Jamesnu]

Nice!

[@danielbrock5967]

I love your vibes man, these quick videos are so fun to binge!

[@Jamesnu]

Glad you like them! That makes me happy to hear.

[@danielbrock5967]

@@Jamesnu cant wait to watch more!

[@s_przybylowicz]

It must be very satisfying to order the entirety of a portion of the menu!

[@Jamesnu]

Indeed! I was very satisfied!

[@surfboard396]

Have the best time on vacation my friend. Thanks for sharing. Safe travels. 👋🏽

[@Jamesnu]

Thank you so much!

[@tomahern8967]

The ribeye steak and the oyster mushroom taco is simply the best!

[@Jamesnu]

Indeed! It's hard to say since I really liked all the tacos, but I felt that the mushroom one was my favorite.

[@s.macintosh-jc9rf]

Hi James, Thank you for your review of Esse Taco 🌮. These seem to be really fancy tacos and my mouth is watering for the various tastes! Thanks for continuing to feature all sorts of appetizing foods from all areas of availability. Best Wishes, Peter

[@Jamesnu]

Thank you so much Peter! Indeed, those were some great tacos!

[@ufomammut2557]

Great videos man. Love how you really go into detail and describe the different aspects of what you are tasting.

[@Jamesnu]

Thank you so much!

[@LukeBWoodVideos]

Love your videos James. Hoping you can make this your full time job!

[@Jamesnu]

Thank you! I hope so too!

[@NicHare-o6c]

Another great review!

[@Jamesnu]

Thank you!

[@PeterMigliorini-x4o]

I should not be surprised that such a food review just given would be so well crafted & presented! Simply, thank you for this wonderful restaurant review & honest appraisal of the food & establishment. This was so enjoyable to view & I am so thankful that I follow your channel! This is Peter M; out!

[@Jamesnu]

Thank you so much for the kind words Peter!

[@johncornell3665]

Pretty amazing restaurant. You find the good ones! Thanks James!

[@Jamesnu]

It's definitely a great place! Thanks for watching!

[@TMarkstahler]

Thoroughly enjoy ALL of your videos!!! Thank you for hours of mouthwatering fun. Just FYI: Habsburg Emperor Maximilian was Emperor of Austria AND Mexico, so you might be in for a surprise on your Summer holiday. 😉

[@Jamesnu]

Thank you! That's interesting! I definitely didn't know that!

[@inLmgb]

I have to correct here, Habsburg Emperor Maximilian I of Austria (died 1519) was not the same as Emperor Maximilian I of Mexico, Archduke of Austria, who was executed in Mexico on 19 June 1867. Unfortunately, poor Maximilian never made it back home to Austria and it will always be our loss in culinary terms.

[@TheRange7]

Thanks James, another great review. Food looks deelish. Cheers

[@Jamesnu]

Thanks for watching! It was a delicious meal. Cheers!

[@kathrynarnold313]

It's nice to know there are other good taqueria's besides Los Tacos No.1! It all looked delicious- especially the guacamole (my favorite). Great review James!

[@Jamesnu]

Thank you! Yeah, NYC has been getting some good new places for tacos. It's nice to have options. Indeed! That guac was excellent.

[@colegreen1291]

I am liking your new Seiko Flight watch. I have the Orient flight style watch with black dial and green NATO strap and it's one of my favorite mechanical watches. Great video as always.

[@Jamesnu]

Thank you so much! That's actually an old watch of mine, but I haven't worn it in awhile. It's a solid timepiece.

[@neilkiots]

yo subs going up! recognition deserved 😎

[@Jamesnu]

Thank you! Yeah, I'm definitely pleased about it.

[@daniisrael____6326]

love your videos keep them Coming

[@Jamesnu]

Thank you! Will do!

[@patriciarogers9592]

Everything looks so good - especially the chicken taco and the chips! Thanks for another great review!

[@Jamesnu]

Thanks for watching! Indeed, the chicken taco and chips were top notch!

[@bb57365]

Unami for sure. Looked like a real winner. Hope to see some of the videos from your trip. Safe travels.

[@Jamesnu]

Thank you! Yep, I'll definitely be making videos on my trip.

[@bkm2797]

The tacos looked delicious, so did the chips and avacodo. I'm confused that you had to stand in line again for dessert, but you didn't seem to mind. Thank you Andrew, really enjoyed the review.👍❤️

[@Jamesnu]

Thank you! If the dessert wasn't ice cream, I would've ordered it along with my other food, but I didn't want it to melt or have to eat it before my tacos.

[@spoken2]

i’m a sucker for a good taco !!! good stuff, James ! looks delicious.

[@Jamesnu]

Thank you!

[@fumeokid]

Beatles! Great shirt. 👍Well I was just there yesterday. Loved them all except for the mushroom one. For me it had a great smoky flavor but the texture killed it for me. Kind of rubbery with a little bit of slime for my liking.. and I like mushrooms so that was a miss. The dessert was great! As good as the tacos.. who knew? Corn husk meringue sundae. Great review as always!

[@Jamesnu]

Thank you! I can kind of see what you mean about the mushroom taco, but one of the reasons why I liked it was because of it's different texture compared to the meat.

[@brandoncarpenter9681]

Imagining you filming like that in a small town is lol. Thanks for doing whatever you have to do to bring us good content.

[@Jamesnu]

Haha! I try.

[@chubbs500]

stand up only... luv it, everyone eats together! Simple food that the gourmet to the common man can enjoy. awesome.

[@Jamesnu]

Absolutely!

[@broth0076]

recently found this channel, well done James very entertaining I hope you keep going to other places to review, I would love you to check out the bbq in Kansas City

[@Jamesnu]

Thank you! Yeah, I hope to check out that city someday.

[@mosmarb]

If you're visiting Vienna as part of the trip to Austria, I'd definitely consider a cafe tour, eating the eponymous cake at each venue. Hotel Sacher for sure (plus Cafe Demel if you want to compare the two establishments with a claim to the Sachertorte), Central and Landtmann were the three I did on a previous visit.

[@Jamesnu]

Definitely! I'm actually planning to go to Cafe Central.

[@______5448]

WOWZA!!!!

[@Jamesnu]

It was quite the meal!

[@LadyAhiru]

As someone from Vienna, Austria i am so hyped for you to come to my country! I hope you will have the best time!

[@Jamesnu]

Thank you so much! I'm actually in Austria already (I film and edit my videos a couple weeks in advance of when I post them). So far, I've been having an incredible time!

[@LadyAhiru]

@@Jamesnu That makes sense! Let me know if you need any food recs ;)

[@sallysmitgeddes2270]

Love your content. Wish you would post more videos ❤❤❤

[@Jamesnu]

Thank you! If I had the time, I would.

[@Adam-h8x7b]

Maybe a go fund me would help lol

[@2Wheels_NYC]

Of course, I watch this on Taco Tuesday! They all look fantastic. I would never go out of my way to order a vegetarian option, but I absolutely love mushrooms, and that looked excellent. I'm rarely in Brooklyn nowadays, but I'll keep this on my radar!

[@Jamesnu]

It's a great spot for sure! The mushroom taco was excellent and provided good variety next to the meat options.

[@frankgyure3154]

James..great video. Bon voyage to your trip to Austria. My background is Hungarian so maybe you can do a one day trip to Budapest. Nevertheless, looking forward to any thoughts of your time.

[@Jamesnu]

Thank you! I've actually been to Budapest before and had a great time there. Also, I'm in Austria right now and so far it's been wonderful. I film these videos a bit in advance of when I post them.

[@skatingcanuck9837]

I’m surprised they only had one type salsa. No spicy? James could you please consider doing a review of Cosme and Atla?

[@Jamesnu]

Definitely! Cosme is a spot that I've been meaning to try.

[@NancyRemling]

I enjoy your videos. Thank you for putting out such good content. 🌺🌺🌺

[@Jamesnu]

Thank you! That really makes me happy to hear!

[@borispeper6981]

You will love it in Austria. Vienna and Salzburg: amazing. Don`t miss the mountains also and make sure to dip a toe in a crystal clear lake⛰

[@Jamesnu]

Indeed! I'm actually already in Austria (I film, edit, and post my videos weeks in advance) and I'm having an incredible time so far.

[@patriciaroggero1150]

Yummy looked sp good you make Monday for me thank you.

[@Jamesnu]

Thank you so much!

[@Montecitodesign]

Jardin means garden and apparently refers to the vegetables in your taco. This is different. I’ve been living in Santa Barbara for about the past 34 years. Naturally there are many Mexican restaurants here. I can’t think of any of them using the general word “jardin” to refer to the contents of any of their dishes.

[@Jamesnu]

It through me for a loop too.

[@lorifreeman1746]

As usual another great video everything looked amazing I love your Beatles shirt love your videos have a great week ❤

[@Jamesnu]

Thank you so much!

[@lorifreeman1746]

Your welcome

[@highpockets4748]

Another James Andrews banger 🙏

[@Jamesnu]

Thank you!

[@Adam-h8x7b]

Now your just testing me. My knee is healing nicely as I was getting ready to have my ham sandwich and cottage cheese. Then you happened....those tacos brought tears to my eyes. I tried to fold my sandwich I to a taco but I wasn't fooled. All joking aside another great review with awesome production quality.

[@bkm2797]

Hope you heal quickly, one can eat only so many ham sandwiches and cottage cheese,lol.👍❤️

[@Jamesnu]

Thank you! I hope you have a speedy recovery!

[@p.stephens9305]

Nice one Jimmy!

[@Jamesnu]

Thank you!

[@tristan3272]

another amazing video

[@Jamesnu]

Thank you!

[@alvaroberrielcantellano8189]

Tacos are Heaven

[@Jamesnu]

Indeed!

[@rorytell5759]

Yoooooo Go to (Collection of Produce - C.O.P, Glacis Beisl, O Boufes, Steirereck, Brosl, Cafe Kandl) while in Vienna!

[@Jamesnu]

I actually went to Cafe Kandl a few days ago. I'm already in Austria (I film these videos weeks in advance). Thanks for the recommendations!

[@michaelfelsinger-k2i]

Hi James ! Hmmm...eating spicy / chilli food while standing and not seated ? Definitely going to lead to a rumbling stomach and the restroom ! The food looked very good, but that's expensive, even if you did order more than some others. But Mexican food is pricey over here in Oz, too. The tacos must've been made by Salt Bae ! Self order ? Not for us older guys. You should be getting a discount for placing the order yourself ! Another fine video. Subscribers are creeping up, which is good to see. All the best !

[@Jamesnu]

Thank you so much! Luckily, I didn't have any stomach issues, but having to bend down a lot to eat the tacos did result in some unfortunate food spills.

[@APTKC2025]

James… when you get a chance you should come to Kansas City and review some epic bbq, especially Joe’s Kansas City BBQ, Arthur Bryant’s, and Jack Stack.

[@Jamesnu]

Yeah, I definitely want to visit someday! Thanks for the recommendations!

[@papagen00]

have fun in Austria, try to catch a show at the Vienna State Opera, tickets are much cheaper than in the US because of state subsidy, or you can do the standing room for 3 euros, the roof of the Staatsoper was bombed by the Americans during WWII that's why it looks plain, but the rest of the house was rebuilt as it was originally. Last time i was in Vienna i had excellent wienerschnitzel and.... peking duck!

[@Jamesnu]

Thank you! I actually already booked a ticket to an opera. It's not a very good seat, but I'm excited for it nevertheless.

[@papagen00]

@@Jamesnu very cool, which opera?

[@Jamesnu]

@@papagen00 Nabucco by Giuseppe Verdi.

[@papagen00]

@@Jamesnu that's GREAT early Verdi, lots of catchy tunes, Enjoy!

[@190roverk]

Nice Seiko, I dig it.

[@Jamesnu]

Thank you!

[@JDJASTL]

Great video! What model Seiko are you wearing?

[@Jamesnu]

Thank you! That's a Seiko 5.

[@linesided]

Well, that was a joy to watch. I think it's the first time I see you needing a napkin 🤣🤣

[@Jamesnu]

Thank you! Yeah, the barrels made it kind of awkward to eat.

[@singbike5832]

Are there any good places in NYC serving birria tacos? I personally haven't tried a birria taco yet, but they look delicious.

[@Jamesnu]

I really enjoy birria tacos. Birria-Landia is probably one of the best and certainly one of the most notable places serving birria tacos in NYC.

[@TuckerSP2011]

Looks very delicious. Not crazy about eating over a barrel, but it looked like a fun experience.

[@Jamesnu]

The barrels may not have been the best in terms of a comfortable dining experience, but it was delicious food.

[@Aryan-dc8kr]

Hey,I came here after watching your NY Dosa man video!Just wanted to ask is it safe for an Indian to pursue MS in America?Btw if you don't mind,what do you do for living? PS;Good to see you replying to almost every comment😄

[@Jamesnu]

Thanks for watching! Yes, it's safe. My main job is photography, but I also consider KZbin to be a second job as well.

[@marksteward3529]

Like your watches !!

[@Jamesnu]

Thank you! I really enjoy collecting them.

[@corgiowner436]

Yum!

[@Jamesnu]

It was delicious!

[@AaronMich90]

I watch all his videos just hoping he will say something is bad and he never does he’s the most optimistic person ever lol

[@Jamesnu]

I wasn't so optimistic about Bar Pitti.

[@AaronMich90]

@@Jamesnu u said the wait was too long that’s it lol

[@virginiacosmides7605]

I would not want to stand up and eat for that much time. But you did a good job recording your experience.

[@Jamesnu]

Thank you! Yeah, it's not the kind of restaurant for every occasion because of the dining setup.

[@davidbeeker8290]

Does anyone have any idea what Jardin is? It seems to be Spanish for Garden. Maybe they are talking about lettuce, etc.?

[@Jamesnu]

I wasn't sure what that was either.

[@Seasider70]

Happy nine o clock (in England anyways). 4pm for you guys.

[@Jamesnu]

Cheers!

[@blindnumber]

You do very good vids more......fan from finland

[@Jamesnu]

Thank you so much!

[@rachfish]

Have wanted to read A. J. Jacobs but haven't gotten around to him yet. Still trying to get through the 3 volumes of Twain's autobiography. Work gets in the way of my reading. 😏

[@Jamesnu]

It was an entertaining read. Yeah, I know what you mean with work. I haven't been reading as much as I usual do this year just because I've been so busy.

[@ryangies4798]

Fantastic video. Wish I could get hyped for those tacos but $40 for 4 and some chips and guac is criminal. For decades I split my work between NYC and LA and fell down the rabbit hole with street tacos. Since NYC doesn’t have anything close to the taco culture of LA, this is the result. This is a $12 meal all day in Los Angeles… and even without “pineapple butter” they’re life changing. I’ll leave this joint to the clueless kids and tourists, although wouldn’t mind checking out his place in Mexico City.

[@Jamesnu]

Thank you! LA and the West Coast have always been superior to the East Coast when it comes to tacos, but when one of the best chefs in the world chooses NYC to house his taco restaurant, that's saying something.

[@ryangies4798]

@@Jamesnu Certainly cool he’s opening restaurants in NYC, just not cool in my book to over inflate prices to the point where most people can’t afford them. It’s an insult to the people from Mexico living in NYC that will never taste them. The humble taco is food for the people… it fuels many of us living in North and South America. If this was fine dining… why does the restaurant look like a standard taqueria? Love your channel James and respect your opinion but we’ll have to disagree on this one!

[@manojvm]

How do they compare with Los Tacos No 1?

[@Jamesnu]

I liked this place way more than Los Tacos No 1.

[@aloweyballa]

Don't forget to do a review of a good schnitzel place in Austria...

[@Jamesnu]

Definitely!

[@borispeper6981]

Tbh I never had a taco at my whole live... I don`t even know where to get one. Am I missing out??🤔

[@Jamesnu]

I think you're missing out. They're delicious!

[@Sandoldman]

Tip: Pepsi always pairs well with Tacos ❤

[@Jamesnu]

That's good to know!

[@commandingsteel]

i've been on a taco binge, making my own tortillas almost every night and pressure cooking and shredding either beef or chicken...but damn, those tacos look good

[@Jamesnu]

Nice!

[@TOTHEFACE333]

How does it compare to Los Tacos #1??

[@Jamesnu]

I like Los Tacos #1, but I thought that Esse Taco was far superior.

[@marshabailey1121]

Yummmmmm

[@Jamesnu]

Yum indeed!

[@retrogamedreamer8761]

What was the tip for?! Eating off barrels hmm. At least the food seemed fantastic.

[@Jamesnu]

It was more so to show my appreciation for the restaurant as a whole.

[@erikkison]

what is jardin?

[@Jamesnu]

I'm thinking that it has something to do with the greens or vegetables. I'm not sure either.

[@NoahEats]

I need to see where you placed the camera

[@Jamesnu]

I had it propped up at angle on the barrel, but I really had to bend down to get myself into the frame.

[@NoahEats]

@@Jamesnu need some outtakes!!!

[@KEMET1971]

Thank you. God I wish I could eat that much in one sitting. Do you have insight into the huge amount of bad press New York has been getting lately? Makes the city appear to be no longer livable.

[@Jamesnu]

Haha! While I was able to finish everything, I was stuffed!

[@champmeister]

They should do mobile ordering instead of having to do stand in line to do self service ordering

[@Jamesnu]

It might be something they do in the future, but at least the line moved pretty fast.

[@plumsink]

You're making me miss the taco joint in my old neighborhood! The lack of seating is a big downer for elderly me, at least they should have stools. As others mentioned, tipping a machine in a restaurant with no service?? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Not sure how that would fly in Texas. ;) The tacos look absolutely delicious though.

[@Jamesnu]

It was a great meal! Yeah, stools would've been nice.

[@WilliamKShank]

YUM but I'm sure Taco Bell would blow those Tacos out of the water... NOT!!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 Safe Journey! Yellowbird Blue Agave Sriracha!!!

[@Jamesnu]

Haha! Thanks for watching!

[@baddison09]

I tried this place twice and Ramirez, Birria Landia, and Los Tavos no 1 are superior

[@Jamesnu]

Fair enough. Those other restaurants are great!

[@rand0m0nium]

Tipping after ordering on a machine is just insane. Tipping culture in North America makes zero sense.

[@Jamesnu]

I tipped more so as a gesture of appreciation to the restaurant especially since they have to deal with a mass of people constantly.

[@CountDankula0]

standing to eat is not my thing, but food looks great

[@Jamesnu]

Fair enough.

[@takeusaway3]

Oh my gosh! I have been visiting Vienna 2-3 times a year for the past couple of years. I can't wait to hear your thoughts on the yummy food there!

[@Jamesnu]

I was in Vienna this morning. I'm in Salzburg now. I filmed this video a couple of weeks ago. So far, I'm loving the food in Austria!

[@takeusaway3]

@@Jamesnu Salzburg is amazing! It's home to the world's oldest running restaurant! Ate there during my last trip!

[@Djm8520]

There are two kinds of taco shells: hard and soft. I prefer hard!

[@Jamesnu]

Fair enough.

[@Djm8520]

@@Jamesnu 🌮

[@thedar7164]

Looks good but I think I'll stick with my taco trucks in LA :)

[@Jamesnu]

Fair enough. LA definitely has a great taco scene.

[@metropolitan_munchies]

he has a few places in the city but i prefer atla than cosme

[@Jamesnu]

I haven't been to either yet, but I'm eager to give some of his other spots a try.

[@keithss67]

I love a good taco 🌮😋😋😋😋🤤

[@Jamesnu]

Me too!

[@keithss67]

@@Jamesnu great minds think alike 👍

[@undivided_unified]

Nice Seiko

[@Jamesnu]

Thank you!

[@undivided_unified]

@@Jamesnu of course solid review on the eats!

[@zachscheel3784]

just tried this spot a month ago or so; subpar & pricey. 6/10

[@Jamesnu]

That's a shame.

[@Chonchey]

first :P those look dank

[@Jamesnu]

They were delicious!

[@shadowfilm7980]

Only tables is a bit odd. Would like to sit. $40 for tacos. Typical NYC high prices. The tacos did look good though.

[@Jamesnu]

Yeah, but it's also not the largest space and adding regular tables and chairs would probably reduce the amount of customers that can dine in the restaurant at once.

[@mikeymutual5489]

Look at me! I spend the most in every restaurant I go to!

[@Jamesnu]

I do eat a lot.

[@paulpence8895]

Noice!!!

[@Jamesnu]

Thanks for watching!

[@TimmyCramer]

Nothing beats Juanita's taco shop in Luecadia, San Diego!! Right by the beach and the best chicken taco I've ever had!! Timmy C Arizona

[@Jamesnu]

Nice! If I'm ever in San Diego, I'll keep that one in mind.

[@mendoza708ify]

i prefer my meat in a street taco to be chopped up. besides that they looked pretty good 👀

[@Jamesnu]

Fair enough.

[@Rebecca-ev7xi]

Amazing content! The thumbnail could use some work , though. I'm a pro graphic designer with 2+ years of experience , so I made a new thumbnail to show you what I can offer ❤❣