El Primo Red Tacos primed for 151 Avenue A

Renovations continue inside the north storefront at 151 Avenue A, where the first NYC outpost of Miami-based pop-up hit El Primo Red Tacos is in the works here between Ninth Street and 10th Street.

As the name suggests, El Primo specializes in "red tacos," which Eater Miami describes as "birria tacos dipped in a soup-like liquid that gives them a red glow." 

And more from Eater:

El Primo "focuses on one thing only: birria, beef shoulder that is slow cooked in a “red” stew made with tomatoes and seasonings. The chefs then fill tacos with the beef, which also stains the tortilla giving them that red color, and then serves it with a side of broth made with the birria cooking liquid to dip the tacos in."

Reps for owner Frank Neri, who hails from Tijuana, will appear before CB3's SLA committee on Aug. 22 for a new liquor license for the space. According to the questionnaire on file with CB3, the quick-serve spot will have seating for 10 guests inside. They also plan on getting the backyard space licensed, which could accommodate 28 people. Proposed hours: 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Sunday through Wednesday, with a 3 a.m. close Thursday through Saturday. (The outdoor space would close at 10 p.m., per the questionnaire.) 

The questionnaire includes a menu from Miami...

El Primo's Instagram account lists a September opening for the East Village. 

The CB3 SLA meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 22. You can tune in via Zoom here.

This north storefront at 151 Avenue A has been vacant since Mamani Pizza, a 99-cent slice joint, closed in June 2017. (Because someone will mention it: San Loco was in the south storefront at No. 151 until February 2014.)

The new-look 151 Avenue A

Workers removed the scaffolding and sidewalk bridge from outside 151 Avenue A last week, revealing a new look here between Ninth Street and 10th Street. Going with... hunter green?

The building was sold in the summer of 2018 for $9.5 million, per public records. The seller was linked to Ascot Properties NYC LLC while the buyer was listed as 151 Avenue A Member LLC with an address of their law firm.

Here's a look at the building from last fall as gut renovations were underway... it appeared that the residential portion of the building was vacant ...


[Fall 2019]

Last fall we watched workers carry in steel beams (photos by Steven!). According to the approved permits via the Department of Buildings, there was an "interior renovation of hallways and replacement of structural elements ... on floors 2 though roof. Replacement of stair bulkhead."







Throughout the renovation, the retail tenant, Quick Repair & Electronics, was able to remain open.