Carne Asada Tacos from The Taco Stand
San Diego is a destination known for its Mexican food. Ask any San Diegan what their favorite Mexican food is, and they'll ask "What kind?" We have a different favorite shop for burritos, carne asada fries, crispy tacos, fish tacos and regular tacos. This list focuses on the latter - the mouth watering, tender, delicious and humble taco.
Click here to check out our updated map and the top 5 taco shops in San Diego.
San Diego Taco Tour
Scroll down to see additional information about each location. *Not all locations listed are featured on the map.
Tacos El Gordo
689 H St, Chula Vista, CA 91910
How to get there:
UC San Diego Blue Line to H Street Station
✓ The top recommended stop! Just steps away from the H Street stop on the UC San Diego Blue Line, though they have multiple locations around town.
MTS Staff Recommendations:
🌮 “The adobada tacos are the best on this side of the border.”
🌮 “My favorite thing to order is their beef head tacos, and an adobada mulita which is a flat saucer-like taco that's filled with melted cheese and toppings. You may need a knife and fork for the mulita but I promise, you have never had anything like it!”
🌮 "If you're a cheese lover, be sure to add a quesadilla (or two) to your taco order. Simple and amazing."
The Taco Stand
645 B Street, San Diego CA 92101
How to get there:
UC San Diego Blue Line or Orange Line to 5th Avenue Station
or head to North Park on Route 2
✓ The name says it all. Just a block away from the 5th Avenue Station, or head to North Park on Route 2.
MTS Staff Recommendations:
🌮 “Best sauces in town, carne asada and al pastor are fantastic.”
🌮 "Food is really good. The cilantro lime and chipotle sauce makes them even better."
🌮 "It is one of the most authentic mexican tacos I've had in San Diego.""
664 TJ Birrieria
1794 Newton Ave, San Diego, CA 92113
658 Hollister St San Diego, CA 92154
How to get there:
UC San Diego Blue Line to Barrio Logan Station or Palm Avenue Station
✓ If you’re looking for birria, this popular spot has multiple locations in San Diego. For easy access, we listed two spots that are right off the Blue Line trolley.
MTS Staff Recommendations:
🌮 “The birria tacos are some of the best birria tacos I've ever had. I recommend getting the regular birria tacos with a side of consome.”
🌮 “The birria tacos have the taste of Tijuana, Mexico. The decoration of the place makes you feel that you re visiting the best tourist places in TJ. It is definitely the best flavor of birria in San Diego with the authentic Mexican touch."
The Brigantine
1360 North Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA 92101
How to get there:
Green Line to Santa Fe Depot or County Center/Little Italy Station then a walk towards Harbor Drive
✓ Come here for the battered fish tacos and the view of San Diego Bay. The Portside Pier location is a nice walk along the water from the Green Line’s Santa Fe Depot or County Center/Little Italy stop.
MTS Staff Recommendations:
🌮 "Big fish tacos with an amazing San Diego Bay view."
🌮 "The Star of India is right next door, you get views of Coronado, and boats sailing by - the quintessential SD experience! A quick ride on the trolley and a short 5 walk from the station. Get the fish tacos.""
Las Cuatro Milpas
1857 Logan Ave, San Diego, CA 92113
How to get there:
UC San Diego Blue Line to Barrio Logan Station
Route 12 from 12th & Imperial Transit Center
Note: Cash only
✓ You'll have to wait in a line here, but the warm, freshly made homemade tortillas are worth it. You can watch them make the food as you get to the counter and they are often making more tortillas in the back. The food here is simple, homemade, and delicious. You can walk from the Barrio Logan Station, or catch Route 12 from 12th & Imperial Transit Center.
MTS Staff Recommendations:
🌮 "A San Diego gem - humble establishment with a simple menu. Authentic Mexican food, made fresh, and generational."
🌮 Fresh-made tortillas are a must try. Tacos, rolled tacos and tamales are all awesome.
Puesto
at the Headquarters
789 W Harbor Dr, Suite 155, San Diego, CA 92101
How to get there:
Green Line to Seaport Village Station
✓ If you’re looking for a nice drink to go along with crispy cheese tacos, Puesto is a more upscale dine-in option. You can get to the downtown location from the Seaport Village stop.
MTS Staff Recommendations:
🌮 "The tacos are delicious. The margaritas are yummy. There's nothing not to like about this place. And you can go take a walk by the bay when you are done. It's right next to the San Diego Bay."
🌮 "Mexico City-style crispy melted cheese tacos!"
City Tacos
3028 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92104 (North Park)
323 7th Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101 (Ballpark)
How to get there:
Route 7 to North Park
✓ With 6 locations around San Diego, City Tacos offers a fresh and unique take on the traditional taco.
MTS Staff Recommendations:
🌮 The Mexicali with grilled angus steak and poblano peppers with melted asadero cheese and mashed potatoes
Lola 55
1290 F Street, San Diego, CA 92101
How to get there:
UC San Diego Blue Line or Orange Line to Park & Market or City College Station then a short walk over to F Street
✓ Lola 55 in East Village offers up a winning combination of tasty tacos and cocktails. Eat your tacos in a cool urban dining setting.
MTS Staff Recommendations:
🌮 "Their tacos are the best! In fact, the executive chef, Andrew, recently beat Bobby Flay with his fish tacos on the Food Network channel. I love everything on their menu. Their prices are excellent too. They're closed on Mondays and don't open until 12PM."
🌮 "Unique "elevated" tacos with delicious sauces and good vegetarian options (like the mindful mushroom taco and squash blossom relleno)."
La Barbacoa Autentica De Borrego
4340 Myrtle Ave, San Diego, CA 92105
How to get there:
Route 13 or 965 (at Fairmount & Myrtle)
✓ Who knew you could get tacos inside of a candy store?
MTS Staff Recommendations:
🌮 "Located in a Candy store - Best hole-in-the-wall authentic birria (beef) and Barbacoa de Borrego (lamb) tacos (hard/soft/rolled/plated) in San Diego! Handmade Tortillas and everything made from scratch. Only open for take-out Friday 3:00pm-6:00pm, Saturday/Sunday 8:00am-2:00pm."
Todo Pa' La Cruda
2851 Imperial Ave, San Diego CA 92102
How to get there:
Route 4 (near Imperial Ave & 28th Street)
✓ Opened in 2020 during the pandemic! Everything is handmade and delicious.
MTS Staff Recommendations:
🌮 "On the weekends, get the tamales steamed in banana leaves - they are the best! The quesabrilla is a quesadilla stuffed with delicious birria and it will look like you just ordered giant slices of cheesy meat stuffed pizza. Their adobada and ceviche are also great. The free chips come with a really delicious orange salsa that will knock your socks off."
