Taco Spot With Long Valley Roots Was Named One Of The Best In NJ: Report

LONG VALLEY, NJ — An authentic taco spot with Long Valley roots was recently named among the top 25 restaurants in New Jersey for 2023.

According to a recent report by NJ Advance Media, Central Taquería, which is located in Morristown, comes in at spot number 12 on the list.

Central Taquería opened its doors in February at the former site of Pascarella Bros. Sandwich Shoppe at 61 South Street in Morristown.

The restaurant, which started as a passion project between Raul Santoyo, his brother Alejandro and business partner Gabriel Galvan, aims to capture the casual and familiar vibe of old-school Mexican taco counters.

Santoyo, who spoke with Patch before Central Taquería opened to the public, said that he left his 30-year career as an investment banker to pursue his passion for sharing authentic Mexican cuisine.

Santoyo was born in Mexico City but moved to the United States 16 years ago with his family. Shortly after arriving in New Jersey, Santoyo and his family settled in Morris County and have been members of the Long Valley community for the last couple of years.

Central Taquería's featured dish is their "al pastor," which is pork marinated in spices for 12 hours before being roasted on a vertical spit. According to Santoyo, the pork is the main attraction in a variety of dishes, including tacos de trompo and quesadillas.

"We are going back to the basics and making sure that we are making the recipes the way that they should be made," Santoyo said.

All salsas and tortillas are also made from scratch, ensuring freshness for each customer.

"It’s been only 10 months since our grand opening, but we are proud of what we have accomplished. Love Long Valley and everyone around here," restaurant officials said on social media.

For more information on Central Taquería, visit www.centraltaqueria.com or call 973-722-7884.