Rock, Rock, Rock, Rock Rockaway Taco

Far beyond the bustling A-train of Manhattan is the line’s near-end in Queens: the Rockaways. A cluster of beachside neighborhoods on a narrow peninsula off of Long Island’s far-west south shore, the Rockaways is home to the well-known Rockaway Beach, as well as the lesser known Rockaway Taco. The hip and charming taco stand is part of a complex of quality, freshness and taste amid a rather foodie-desolate area of Queens. The brightly-decorated building, covered in vegetable plants and potted herbs, also houses DiCosmo’s (homemade icees) and Veggie Island (for fresh produce and smoothies). It is a veg-friendly oasis that blares Animal Collective to its cramped seating area, confusing Rockaway locals and befuddling vegan foodies like me.

Why am I befuddled? Because their tofu taco delux, which is 100% vegan, is one of the tastiest tacos I’ve had in New York City. I just didn’t expect that! The key word is fresh. Its marinated tofu and crispy veggies top the charts, accomplishing simply what veg-friendly taco joints in the 5 boroughs seem over-tinker and over-stuff.

Their fried sweet plantains seal the deal. I’m going to come back as much as I can. And why not? With a neighboring stretch of sand far less chaotic than my Brooklyn’s Coney Island, Rockaway Beach is a quiet escape from the congested areas of heat-advisoried New York City. Who needs dumpsters to swim in when there is the salty air and army green of the Atlantic lapping onto the shore with sinus-clearing intensity? (Nevermind the shark siting and closure this past Saturday.)