Marty Medina, a seasoned restaurateur, thought his days of slinging tacos were behind him. After dedicating over 25 years to the Brooklyn food scene, initially with a popular burrito pushcart near the Downtown Brooklyn courthouse and later at the much-loved La Taqueria on Seventh Avenue, he was ready for a change. He had even briefly ventured into a bi-coastal lifestyle after closing La Taqueria and running Rachel’s on Fifth Avenue for a while, but Park Slope remained his home.
“The ’90s in Brooklyn were magical,” Medina reminisces, speaking with Brooklyn Magazine. “Park Slope, especially this area, had a real bohemian vibe. Everyone would hang out at Santa Fe on the corner – it was such a fun, raw, yet gentrifying part of New York. I witnessed the city at its most interesting crossroads.”
Marty Medina outside La Taq in Park Slope, Brooklyn
Despite stepping back from the restaurant world in 2018, Medina’s connection to Park Slope remained strong. Fate intervened one day as he strolled past his old La Taqueria location. He bumped into Louis Barricelli from Cousin John’s, the neighborhood favorite known for its comforting presence in Park Slope. Barricelli mentioned he was taking over the Santa Fe space. “I was surprised he was moving,” Medina recalls, “and I asked what he planned to do with his original spot, which was right next door to my old place. He said he wasn’t sure, we looked at each other, and started laughing. A few months later, we made a deal.”
Transforming the former Cousin John’s space into a brand-new taqueria took Medina about a year. Finally, La Taq, as it’s now known, opened its doors a few weeks ago, much to the delight of the neighborhood. The response has been overwhelmingly positive.
“The number of people who remember us from years ago is incredible,” Medina shares. “It’s been non-stop, all day, every day.”
La Taq stays true to its roots, offering the same beloved tacos on homemade corn tortillas and generously sized burritos that made the original La Taqueria a hit. The menu is packed with choices, from flavorful carnitas and carne asada to succulent camarones, spicy al pastor, and vegetarian nopales.
Medina takes special pride in his carnitas michoacan, a dish passed down from his father in East L.A. He’s been using the same massive copper kettle to cook this signature pork dish since the early days of La Taqueria. However, the carne asada, especially when ordered “King Taco” style with beans, avocado, and long slices of pickled jalapeño, might just steal the show.
La Taq's carnitas michoacan taco and "King Taco" carne asada
The burritos at La Taq are substantial meals in themselves, each one a hefty combination of fillings wrapped in a soft flour tortilla. The “East L.A.” burrito comes with your choice of meat, rice, and beans, a classic and satisfying option. For something more indulgent, there’s the deep-fried chimichanga, smothered in a rich red chile sauce. Vegetarian options are also well-represented, like the “Berkley Vegetarian,” a nod to the original La Taqueria menu, featuring nopales, calabacitas (Mexican zucchini), or corn. And for those seeking a taste of nostalgia, the “San Diego” burrito, loaded with carne asada, French fries, and a generous amount of sauce and sour cream, evokes memories of late-night eats on the beach.
La Taq's San Diego burrito with carne asada and fries
Beyond the food, La Taq offers a unique ambiance. Medina has incorporated vintage signs and memorabilia, creating an old-school, nostalgic atmosphere. A notable feature is a piece of wallboard from the original La Taqueria, adorned with photos and stickers, serving as a tangible link to the restaurant’s history. Adding to the vibe is a collection of vintage Deadhead ephemera, including numerous ticket stubs from early Grateful Dead concerts. To complement the food, La Taq offers a selection of beers for $6 and frozen margaritas for $12, served in convenient plastic pouches for those on the go.
“This whole thing was very organic,” Medina concludes. “There was no grand plan. Things just fell into place. Even my old kitchen crew found their way back here. It feels like it was meant to be, so I’m embracing it. It’s definitely bigger than just me.”
La Taq is located at 70 Seventh Avenue, between Lincoln and Berkley Places, Park Slope, Brooklyn, and is currently open daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
