Birria-Landia Review: Are These Famous Queens Birria Tacos Worth the Hype?

📋 Quick Summary

• 📍 Location Visited: 77-99 Roosevelt Ave, Jackson Heights, NY 11372
• 🚚 Type: Food Truck
• 🌮 Cuisine: Mexican
• 💰 Price Range: Affordable
• ⭐ My Rating: 9/10
• 👍 Must Try: Birria Tacos with Consommé
• 👨‍👩‍👧 Best For: Taco lovers and anyone looking to try one of New York City's most famous food trucks.
• 👎 Skip If: You're not a fan of messy street food or prefer a traditional sit-down restaurant.

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Why I Decided to Try Birria-Landia

If you've ever searched for the best tacos in New York City, chances are you've come across Birria-Landia. Over the years, this Queens food truck has built a loyal following and has become one of the city's most talked-about spots for birria tacos. People line up to get their hands on these famous tacos, and many consider them some of the best in New York.

Naturally, I had to see if they actually lived up to the hype. As someone who enjoys exploring different cuisines around New York City, I'm always curious whether popular food spots truly deserve their reputation. Sometimes social media exaggerates things. Other times, the hype turns out to be justified. Thankfully, Birria-Landia falls into the second category.

About Birria-Landia

Although Birria-Landia started as a humble food truck in Jackson Heights, it has since expanded throughout New York City, with additional locations in Brooklyn, the Bronx, the Upper West Side, and the Lower East Side of Manhattan. For this review, I visited the original Jackson Heights location at 77-99 Roosevelt Avenue, which many people consider the quintessential Birria-Landia experience.

One of the things I love about New York City's food scene is that some of the most memorable meals don't happen in fancy restaurants. Sometimes they happen standing on a sidewalk with a paper tray in one hand and a cup of broth in the other. Birria-Landia is exactly that kind of experience.

What Is Birria?

If you've never had birria before, you're not alone. Birria is a traditional Mexican dish that originated in the state of Jalisco, typically consisting of slow-cooked meat simmered for hours in a rich broth infused with spices. While birria can be enjoyed in different ways, birria tacos have absolutely exploded in popularity over the last few years.

What makes them special is the preparation. The corn tortillas are dipped straight into the flavorful birria broth before being thrown on the grill. This gives them a slightly crispy texture while allowing them to absorb some of the broth's rich flavors. They're then filled with chopped birria meat and topped with fresh onions and cilantro.

The Review: What I Ordered

For this visit, I ordered Birria-Landia's signature birria tacos served with consommé. The tacos came on corn tortillas and were filled with chopped birria meat, onions, and cilantro. On the side, they were served with lime wedges, red pickled onions, red sauce, and consommé. At first glance, the presentation looked simple—no fancy plating or unnecessary extras, just good street food.

The Birria Tacos

I squeezed some fresh lime over the tacos before taking my first bite. The corn tortillas had a beautiful slight crispiness from the grill while remaining soft enough to hold everything together perfectly. The chopped birria meat was incredibly juicy, tender, and packed with flavor without being overly greasy. With the onions adding freshness and crunch, and the cilantro balancing out the richness of the meat, everything worked together really well. Even without the consommé, these tacos were delicious.

The Consommé

The real star of the meal, however, was the consommé. If you've never had birria tacos before, the consommé is the flavorful birria broth served alongside the tacos. You can drink it on its own like a soup, but most people use it as a dipping sauce. And honestly, I think that's exactly how these tacos should be eaten.

Dipping the taco into the consommé completely transformed the experience. The rich broth soaked straight into the tortilla, adding another layer of deep flavor and bringing all of the ingredients together. That was the moment I understood why Birria-Landia has such a devoted following. Was it messy? Absolutely. But I think that's part of the fun. You might need extra napkins, especially if it's your first time trying birria tacos.

Red Pickled Onions and Red Sauce

I also really enjoyed the red pickled onions that came on the side. They added a bright, slight tanginess that helped cut through the heavy richness of the meat. The red sauce provided an extra kick for anyone who enjoys a bit more spice. While the tacos and consommé were definitely the highlights of the meal, these small additions elevated the overall experience.

My Honest Thoughts

One thing I appreciated about Birria-Landia is that despite its massive popularity, it still feels incredibly approachable. This isn't fine dining. You're eating tacos from a food truck on a busy New York sidewalk. Cars are passing by, people are coming and going, and somehow it all becomes part of the atmosphere. Street food often captures the true spirit of a city, and Birria-Landia is a perfect example of that.

I also thought the food offered fantastic value. New York street food can sometimes be expensive for what you get, but considering the quality and reputation of Birria-Landia, I felt every dollar was well worth it.

📋 Things to Keep in Mind Before You Go

• ❌ Expect a Mess: The tacos are incredibly juicy and can get messy very quickly. Dress accordingly!
• ❌ Be Prepared to Wait: Depending on the location and time of day, you may have to wait in a decent line.
• ❌ No Seating: Since it's a food truck, seating is limited or nonexistent. You will be eating standing up.

That being said, none of these things would stop me from coming back.

Is Birria-Landia Worth the Hype?

In my opinion, yes. There are plenty of taco spots throughout New York City, but Birria-Landia has built its reputation for a reason. The tender birria meat, crispy corn tortillas, fresh toppings, and rich consommé all come together to create a memorable meal that actually lives up to the internet hype.

Would I Come Back?

Absolutely. Would I travel across New York City just for these tacos? I think I would. While there are many taco spots in the city, Birria-Landia delivers an experience that's both satisfying and memorable. Whether you're already a taco lover or trying birria for the first time, I think this is one of those New York food experiences worth having at least once. And if you do visit, don't skip the consommé. Trust me—that's what takes the tacos to another level.

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🏪 Restaurant Information

Restaurant	Birria-Landia
Location Visited	77-99 Roosevelt Ave, Jackson Heights, NY 11372
Cuisine	Mexican
Type	Food Truck
Price Range	Affordable
Other NYC Locations	Brooklyn, Bronx, Upper West Side, and Lower East Side Manhattan

⏰ Opening Hours (Jackson Heights Location)

According to Birria-Landia's Website:

• Monday – Thursday: 5:00 PM – 1:00 AM
• Friday: 5:00 PM – 2:00 AM
• Saturday: 12:00 PM – 2:00 AM
• Sunday: 12:00 PM – 1:00 AM

Please note that operating hours may change, so it's always a good idea to check their official website or social media before visiting.

Final Verdict

Overall, I can completely understand why Birria-Landia has become one of New York City's most beloved food trucks. It delivers exactly what people hope for: affordable, satisfying street food that keeps you thinking about your next visit. If you're exploring Jackson Heights and craving authentic Mexican street food, Birria-Landia absolutely deserves a spot on your list. Just be prepared to get a little messy—sometimes, that's exactly how you know the food is worth it.