Salvation Taco – LOST GEM
We learned on our tour of The Pod 39 Hotel that this building had once been the Salvation Army…thus the name of this taco joint. When you combine chefs of serious pedigree with a low-key, eccentric atmosphere, this is the result. Michelin-starred chef April Bloomfield and her partner, Ken Friedman, opened this taqueria in late 2012 to much celebration. With its own entrance, or through the hotel’s lobby, all furnishings are multicolored and bright. Towards the back, there are low-slung benches and communal tables offering diners the option of eating their tacos in reclined comfort and style. Multicultural offerings bring items like brisket and kimchi to bear, while more traditional tacos and tortas make up the backbone of the menu, which changes daily. There are two ping-pong tables and a living room area for sipping coffee early in the day, and then the space transforms itself into a lounge for drinking later on. The fun, however, does not stop on the ground level. Upstairs, this same creative team is responsible for the vibrant rooftop bar where the Mexican theme continues during the warmer months of the year.