#85 - Take the King's Taco Challenge

When Bill Chan first started serving up tacos at his Chinese-Mexican restaurant in West Hempstead, business was slow.

"People didn't think a Chinese place could make good tacos," he said.

Sixteen years later he has definitely proved the skeptics wrong and lived up to the store's name - Taco King. He's also earned a place on our list of the Top 100 Things To Do In Malverne and West Hempstead.

"We don't have to advertise," said Chan, who explained that his devoted customers do it for him, bringing their friends or talking up the place to others. "The people here are really nice."

Chan's freshly prepared tacos and other Mexican grill dishes have become so popular that since opening he has nixed the Chinese food from the menu. Instead, his focus is on serving up a variety of tacos, quesadillas, burritos, nachos, fajitas, soups and salads filled with beans, steak, beef, chicken and shrimp.

"It's much simpler to prepare," Chan said while giving Patch a tour of his kitchen during a busy lunch rush on a recent "Taco Tuesday."

"It's healthy too...and everything is fresh," he added.

Chan showed off how he makes his homemade taco shells and offered tastings of his grilled-to-perfection skirt steak and delicious black beans, adding, "We don't use oils."

He also shared a sample of his homemade ground beef, which has a slight kick, but he noted it's toned down when wrapped up in crisp lettuce, fresh veggies and a taco shell.

Some customers have downed over 15 of the King's signature chili soft tacos to earn a place and their face on the restaurants wall of fame. The reigning champ right now woofed down 20 in only 30 minutes. Think you can beat that?

Whether you're looking to break the record or savor your craving for Mexican, the Taco King takes the crown in our book for its convenient location, friendly service and its healthier approach to fast food.

Taco King is located at 480 Hempstead Turnpike in West Hempstead and offers dine-in, take-out and delivery. For store hours and contact information,