Tacoway Beach

Good tacos, good vibes. This surf spot is a must when going to rockaway beach. Fish tacos are great, guacamole tasty, fresh watermelon juice refreshing. They don’t do stand-​alone plantains anymore which is a shame. But anywhooo… go with friends so you can split up into «secure a table» duty vs «get in long line» duty.

An excellent meal in Rockaway. The flavors and quality is excellent. Enjoy and don’t rub it in cause I haven’t been back in a bit.

This place is closed in the winter months. During this time it is Noodle Beach — a ramen joint.

Tacoway definitely got me goin’ on my way to naming these tacos the best I’ve had on the east coast so far!
As I stroll in with no expectations, I surprisingly felt like I was transported back home to California. The chill surfer vibe was exactly what I needed as a city getaway for the day. I loved every single moment of it. Plenty of seating outdoors otherwise your neighbors wouldn’t mind sharing with you. There was a long line on a Saturday afternoon but it went by pretty fast, especially with a cold beer in hand. This place is CASH ONLY as a reminder because I wouldn’t want anyone to be left empty handed.
What we ordered:
1. Fish tacos: A moment of silence occurred while inhaling these scrumptious battered bad boys. I haven’t had the chance to try out their other taco options of chorizo or tofu… but the winner was already a given. They are picture perfect to eat with their toppings of cabbage, guac (extra), lime, and radish slices. These were so good that we were contemplating on getting some more post-​rockaway beach to head home with…
2. Mexican street corn: Topped with cheese, mayo, and chili powder. I’ve had better but it was worth a try!
3. Pineapple & mint juice: Totally refreshing for a hot and sunny day. You have the choice to add in a shot from the bar if needed.
For those pickled veggies lover, don’t forget they are located on the side of the shack!
A definite MUST summer thing to do in NY!

Loved it here!
Such nice staff and great food!
This place is a MUST

— Best fish Tacos on the east coast!
— The tacos aren’t huge, so get a few
— Try the plantain chips too!
This place is a great find. If you’re near rockaway beach, just head inland a few blocks and experience one of the coolest outdoor food spots and certainly some of the best tacos in the city!

A little off the beaten path since not near the beach, but worth the walk. Feels like a beach oasis in the middle of an urban neighborhood. Appropriately so, a very chill vibe at this taqueria within the Rockaway Surf Club. Fish tacos were great, Chorizo were super spicy, for me. I’m not a big spicy food person, but I usually try to be brave, but that one I couldn’t finish :(
Pineapple Mint juice was different and refreshing, just what was needed on a 95 degree day. Would return.

For post-​beach ‘noms in Rockaway, Tacoway Beach is a very solid pick. From what I heard, Tacoway is run by the same people as Rockaway Taco (RIP), whose fish tacos are the stuff of deserved legend, so I was pumped to check this place out. The variety of dishes is impressive. Beyond the three taco types — fried fish, chorizo, or tofu for $ 3.50 a pop — you can get chips and guac, elote (Mexican street corn), quesadillas, among many many other dishes. But be warned: they accept ONLY CASH, so come prepared. My party stuck with the tacos and the guac and chips.
The tacos were tasty, aesthetically pleasing, and appropriately filling. (Think 2 – 3 tacos for a meal.) Each taco comes with the typical fixings of shredded cabbage, lime, and radish slices, although some pickled onions would have been nice. The fish was crispy (with a chipotle mayo — check plus!), the chorizo rich, and the tofu tender, but firm enough to not fall apart completely with a single bite. The chips and guac, while solid, were definitely the weaker dish. As creamy and fresh as the guac was, $ 5 for a lil cup is a lot, and there are no refills on the (small bucket of) chips! I know they’re made fresh, but more chips would have been nice.
On top of this is an outdoor patio and a laidback (almost California) vibe that make you feel away from New York’s typical hustle and bustle. Bottom line: go for the tacos, not the chips, after a fun day at the Rock Rock Rockaway Beach.

Don’t get discouraged by the long line. You will have your tacos in no time. Wasn’t excited to walk to their new location all the way from the beach, but it wasn’t bad if you grab a La Newyorkina paleta on the way.
We all got fish tacos with a side of plantain chips with salsa and a side of cucumbers. The cucumbers came with mango and jicama — and were all sprinkled with tajin? Delicious and refreshing.
The fish tacos were better than I remembered. Last time I had them at the old location, I thought they were just meh. But something has changed along with the new location and they have quickly made it onto my list of top 5 tacos I’ve had.
The fish is fresh and fried to perfection. Just the perfect amount of slaw and radishes on top of the fish. The tortilla was crisp and didn’t get soggy too quickly. The entire taco held up pretty well.
My only complaint is the people that linger around after they have already eaten and have NOTHING left in their cups. Move along and let other people sit and enjoy their food, too! You can sit on the beach or grab a drink in the surf club.

Tac-​tac-​tacoway Beach at the Beach Club offers just-​fine fish tacos for $ 3.50. The batter was a bit odd and memorable, in a bad way. Don’t understand the location but it sure still packs the crowds. The Beach Club door was pretty much perennially open and the staff couldn’t care less, not bothering to let people in or out, or apologize (this also creates the illusion from the street that the place is closed, geniuses) — too cool for school, just like the Tacoway staff.

The food is just as good as when this was Rockaway Taco, hurray!
I do however miss its old location & its old opening times. Now, I can’t have tacos for breakfast en route to the beach.
I do like that it’s at 86^th street where there is generally less people than at 96^th street.

Need an escape from NYC craziness? A cheap, tasty meal after a day at the beach? Look no further than Tacoway Beach, a California-​inspired taco shack a few blocks from the water in the Rockaways. The food here is fresh, the vibe chill and relaxed, and did I mention the food?! Fish tacos! Homemade juices! Freshly cracked coconuts! The subway cars rattling overhead are the only thing to remind you you are, in fact, still in the city and not on vacation.
Once you make it to Tacoway, step up to the shack bar’s chalkboard-​scrawled menu and order your spread. Fish Tacos with Guacamole ($ 1 extra) are a must, as are the fresh-​squeezed juices (Pineapple-​Mint or Watermelon, all fruit with no added sugar). We also ordered the Plantain Chips with Chipotle Aioli, which were the perfect salty bite, and patted ourselves on the back for going for the «Cuke» Salad; a super refreshing and unexpected combo of jicama, mango, cucumber, lime juice and red pepper flakes.
To sum it up: everything here is delicious, service is fast, and if the beach isn’t your thing, you can relax all day here in the courtyard or at the bar inside. Don’t let the commute daunt you. It’s worth the trek!

Ehh…
What happened to the delicious tacos we had at Rockaway Taco last year? Hmm…
The food seemed kind of bland (we had fish tacos, cheese quesadilla, bean & cheese quesadilla, tofu tacos and chips, salsa and guacamole). The guacamole was nothing special and had zero spice or flavor; it just tasted like mashed avocados… no lime, cilantro or jalapeño. The salsa, however, was flavorful and tasty – nice and smoky. The tofu was marinated and grilled, which was pretty good, but, overall, it seemed like the food was lacking in… something. The people who worked in the taco truck had a speedy assembly line going and were very upbeat and friendly though. The bar was a different story…
Beer and tacos go quite well together, right? Right. So, you’d think that ordering a couple beers would be pretty simple, right? Right. We went during the week and hardly anyone was at the bar – maybe 8 people. I stood there, money in hand for a long time while the two bartenders helped other people who had just walked up to the bar… Hm, odd. So, I attempted eye contact and was looked at and over multiple times. I said, «excuse me…» and then, I wondered if I was invisible or had resembled someone else who had previously pissed them off. Eventually, I got two cans of beer for $ 10. Pricey? (Yea, what happened to happy hour?) Aloof bartenders? No thanks, pass. Unilocal tip: skip the bar and just have some mediocre tacos. Drink elsewhere in the area.
Sure, it’s a nice space and a larger area to eat your food and, hey, if you’re already at the beach, I guess you could wander over here, but, don’t bother if you’re not already in the area. You can do better elsewhere.

Bad experiences can lead to fun reviews. «After we complained about the lighter fluid taste in the lime cilantro goat soup, the surly manager said ‘o.k., 20% discount if you never bring your ugly face to my bistro again.’» So, Tacoway Beach gets a boring review. It seems to be the same food as the shuttered Rockaway Taco, with a much bigger space and slightly less proximity to the beach.
The fish tacos are still superb, while the sleeper hit remains the «cukes» appetizer, which serves up cucumber, mango and jicama with some hot pepper flakes. The interesting juice offerings include watermelon and pineapple-​mint.

so into the new location at the surf club. There is much more room to sit and chill and have a few drinks. the vibe feels very trendy a la San Fransisco.
the tacos are full of whatever protein you choose (there are only 3) chorizo, fish, tofu and topped with cabbage, radish and guac if you want for an extra $ 1. You can also get cheese or cheese and black bean quesadillas which were a little confusing to me because it’s actually served like a taco NOT pressed and sliced like a tex mex style quesadilla.
something new on the menu was the spicy jicama, cucumber and mango salad which was crisp and totally refreshing. worth getting for a healthier snack to accompany your chips and salsa.
there is no time posted for opening but at 11:30am people were coming and going as we approached. cash only!

Main tip: CASH ONLY! There is an ATM located by the entrance.
Awesome gem tucked away in the rockaways! I came during early lunch time around 12pm and there was no line! We ordered the fish tacos, chorizo tacos, equites, mango jicama cucumber dish, and the chips w/​salsa.
Compared to their previous location, this one is much more spacious. Groups tend to lounge around a bit more as there is more room. I’d definitely come back if I’m in the area :)
Pros:
–THE TACOS! Definitely one of the bests of NYC — get the fish tacos
–THE SALSA! I was telling my bf, if they sold their salsa in a jar I’d buy it without hesitation. It is that good.
–Mango Jicama cucumber — this is amazing, it’s fresh and sprinkled with spicy peppers but not too spicy (this sold out eventually)
Cons:
–Esquites were naasssty. I was tricked into thinking this was the corn on the cob type. These esquites are very very starchy. Don’t get them! If you’re craving corn, they also have regular corn on the cob which is much tastier.
Right next door is the rockaway beach surf club and there is a full bar! Take a look at the pictures while you’re in line for the bathroom — you can take them home for $ 5 each.

Cute place tucked on a fairly desolate corner away from other stores. We slipped into the taco place through a small doorway in the wooden fence. Upon entering, we saw a bunch of benches and wooden picnic type tables with umbrellas. The «restaurant» front was kind of cute surf bar type. We ordered fish tacos, tofu taco, esquites, and a bean and cheese quesadilla.
The food was rather disappointing actually. I had really high hopes for the esquites from reading a previous review. They are probably one of my most favorite things to eat in the world. But this place made them with corn nuts and I don’t know what to call it but larger corn kernels that are soft and mushy texture. It came in a cup and there was a lot of sour fluid. I’ve never had esquites made with anything but fresh corn kernels. Sorry, probably making this sound worse than it is.
The best thing I had was the pineapple mint drink. Super refreshing! There is an option to add a shot to your drink too, which could come in handy. The tofu taco isn’t too shabby. All the food looked the same including the quesadilla. Wrapped in tortilla and radishes, lime and cabbage on the side. Fish taco and quesadilla weren’t anything spectacular. Perhaps better when you’re drunk.
Maybe next time I’ll skip the food and come to drink. Looks like a promising and cool bar! The entire indoors area is a bar. I would suggest save this place for AFTER your beach day when you’re thirsty for something to drink! Giving stars for drink, atmosphere, and potential for a night of divey debauchery.

This is the perfect summer hangout! Minutes away from the beach and the best fish tacos in all of New York City ! I suggest staying away from the chorizo tacos… They are not crave worthy, but if you’re vegan they have black bean tacos which are great too.
There is plenty of seating so you can comfortably bring your whole troop.
The staff is very friendly, but very hands off. The service is similar to ordering from a food truck. Because of the chill ambiance don’t be afraid to bring your beverages!

Soooo this is what it’s called now?! Although they still have a rockaway taco sign in front of it. I’ve written other reviews on my beloved rockaway taco because I’ve been going the past few summers. I was pissed cause I walked like 14blocks from the other location but was determined to have my fish tacos this summer. It’s not the easiest to find but I followed a few other ppl and we got there no problem. I’m sure if you use your phone it won’t be an issue.
Anyway, so word on the street from a surfer I spoke to was that the partners had an issue and they split. Hey, shit happens and I’m just happy the one dude is still running it. Once you walk into rockaway surf club you look to the left and see a shipping container which is where they operate from. Kinda cool. So I go right up and I’m all like what’s going on? You here to stay? Is this temporary or permanent? etc.lol.think he knew I was def a long time customer. He said yes he will be staying there. Now, I am still a bit confused cause I think the other partner is opening up across from the old rockaway taco next year? Not sure what’s going down with that but will report back.
Atmosphere: So I came today (Friday, and school isn’t out). There were ppl there but the line wasn’t anywhere near as crazy as before. Pretty sure I just got lucky.lol. Since it is with the bar, the communal area has way more seating than before, yay! For my dog lovers out there; I did see a few dogs there so that’s cool. I’m sure when it’s packed it might not be ideal to bring the pooch. They have plants/​flowers around the fence which was a nice touch, funky/​cool mural on the wall, bathroom inside, and all the staff from the surf club were friendly as well.
Food: Of course I got my fish tacos w/​guac (still the same price $ 4.50 each). Tasted yummy as normal but the dressing stuff they always put on it tasted a lil bit too mayonnaise-​y to me. Could’ve just been an off day so I will see how it is next time. I also got the pineapple/​mint drink but decided to get the $ 2 shot added at the bar (which the bartender was generous with). Thanks boo!
Overall, I was happy w/​my experience and happy w/​the cool new additions like more seating and the liquor you can now have w/.your tacos. Oh, to the reviewer that said there was no Mexican corn– it’s been added again!

Really good Tacos! We came to the Rockaway Beach Surf Club as we had read online that the co-​owner of Rockaway Taco’s would be opening an outlet here. Out the back of the bar on the patio is a storage container converted into a taco truck. There is lots of seating and the place had a really cool vibe & lots of hipsters!
My husband and I tried the fish taco, chorizo taco & cheese quesadilla. The tacos were so good! I think the chorizo was actually my favorite but it’s a close call. The quesadilla was fairly good, but nothing special. There wasn’t enough filling for me.
The place loses a point for the long wait we had for the tacos. We lined up to order as there was a bit of a line, but was then waiting about 15 – 20 mins at the collection window for the tacos.
I would definitely recommend this place, the food is good and the atmosphere of the Surf Club is fun and chilled, perfect for an afternoon drinking session.