Nene's Taqueria — Line, Wait & How to Get In · Bushwick, NYC

//The line

Brooklyn Paper reports that owner Andres Galindo Maria's birria became so popular at the original Irving Avenue location that word of it was "caus[ing] lines down the block." Per Brooklyn Paper, when the spot first opened in October 2020, "people lined up along Irving Avenue, six feet apart, masked up, ready to brave the start of a New York winter" just to try the tacos, and Galindo Maria has said "the lines got so long he had to do something about it."

That crowding pushed the business to a full restaurant space on Starr Street in Bushwick, and Brooklyn Paper reports the new location routinely has "not a single seat" available, with "standing room tight" and, on a typical day, "a crowd outside and double-parked cars waiting on to-go orders." Brownstoner's coverage of the taqueria's growth corroborates the Irving Avenue crush and the December 2020 move to Starr Street, and notes Nene's has since expanded further, adding a stand at Barclays Center and a Park Slope location.

Neither Brooklyn Paper nor Brownstoner mentions a reservation system for Nene's, and the emphasis both outlets place on to-go orders and double-parked pickup traffic points to walk-up counter service rather than seated reservations.

//When the line peaks

"Most days" -- a crowd outside plus double-parked cars waiting on to-go orders, per Brooklyn Paper Opening-week rush at the original Irving Avenue spot -- "lines down the block," per Brooklyn Paper

Patterns as reported by press and regulars — not measured by damnlines.

//Getting in

Reservations: No reservations found in coverage; walk-up counter service (per Brooklyn Paper and Brownstoner).

Walk-ins: Walk-in/counter service, with heavy to-go order volume, per Brooklyn Paper.

Official site →

//FAQ

How long is the wait at Nene's Taqueria?

At the Bushwick/Starr Street location, Brooklyn Paper reports "there is not a single seat" and "standing room is tight" on a typical visit, with a crowd gathered outside and double-parked cars waiting on to-go orders -- described as routine rather than an occasional rush. No official wait-time figures are published.

Does Nene's Taqueria take reservations?

No reservation system is mentioned by Brooklyn Paper, Brownstoner, or the restaurant's own site. Coverage describes a walk-up counter operation built around to-go orders rather than seated reservations.

Can you walk into Nene's Taqueria?

Yes -- walk-ins and to-go orders are how the restaurant operates day to day, per Brooklyn Paper, though you should expect standing room only or a wait during busy stretches.

Why did Nene's Taqueria move from Irving Avenue to Starr Street?

Per Brooklyn Paper, owner Andres Galindo Maria's birria drew such long lines at the original bodega-based Irving Avenue spot -- "the lines got so long he had to do something about it" -- that he relocated to a full restaurant on Starr Street, which Brownstoner dates to December 2020.

Does Nene's Taqueria have other locations?

Yes. Beyond the Bushwick flagship on Starr Street, Brownstoner reports Nene's added a stand at Barclays Center and later a Park Slope restaurant, and the company's own site also lists an Astoria concourse location.