San Diego is a destination known for its Mexican food. Ask a 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. We've updated our list to include rider recommendations. Scroll down for our list of the top 3 taco stops in San Diego along with the runner-ups!
San Diego Taco Tour
#1 Tacos El Gordo
689 H St, Chula Vista, CA 91910
How to get there:
UC San Diego Blue Line to H Street Station
โ 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.
Recommendations:
๐ฎ "The adobada tacos are the best on this side of the border."
๐ฎ "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!"
๐ฎ Adobada Tacos / Mulas
#2 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
โ The name says it all. Just a block away from the 5th Avenue Station, or head to North Park on Route 2.
Recommendations:
๐ฎ "Best sauces in town, carne asada and al pastor are fantastic."
๐ฎ "Food is really good. The cilantro lime and chipotle sauce makes them even better."
๐ฎ "Al pastor or the surf & turf burrito."
#3 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
โ 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.
Recommendations:
๐ฎ "A San Diego gem - humble establishment with a simple menu. Authentic Mexican food, made fresh, and generational."
๐ฎ "Fresh-made tortillas are a must try. Tacos, rolled tacos and tamales are all awesome."
๐ฎ Tacos Dorados
Scroll down below the map to see #4 and #5 plus the runners up for our list, voted by our riders and MTS staff.
#4 La Fachada
20 25th St, San Diego, CA 92102
How to get there:
Orange Line to 25th/Commercial Street Station
Route 12 or 4 from 12th & Imperial Transit Center
Note: Cash only
โ Unassuming taco shop that's a haven for street tacos.
Recommendations:
๐ฎ Carnitas Tacos
๐ฎ Pollo (Chicken) Tacos or any street tacos
#5 ยกSALUD!
2196 Logan Avenue, San Diego, CA 92113
How to get there:
UC San Diego Blue Line to Barrio Logan Station
Route 12 from 12th & Imperial Transit Center
โ ยกSALUD! is a Mexican eatery in Barrio Logan just minutes away from Chicano Park.
Recommendations:
๐ฎ "EVERYTHING, especially the street corn! All their tacos are fabulous."
๐ฎ "Carne asada is stellar, chips are delicious, and they hand make all the tortillas."
๐ฎ Califas (meat and french fries on a flour tortilla)
Other recommended taco shops, in alphabetical order:
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
โ 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.
Recommendations:
๐ฎ "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.รขโฌย
๐ฎ "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."
City Tacos
3028 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92104 (North Park)
323 7th Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101 (Ballpark)
How to get there:
Any Trolley Line to 12th & Imperial or Green Line to Gaslamp Quarter Route 7 to North Park
โ With 6 locations around San Diego, City Tacos offers a fresh and unique take on the traditional taco.
Recommendations:
๐ฎ The Mexicali with grilled angus steak and poblano peppers with melted asadero cheese and mashed potatoes
Coal Bros Taqueria
407 C St, San Diego, CA 92101
How to get there:
UC San Diego Blue Line or Orange Line to 5th Avenue Station
โ Coal Bros Taqueria caters only to Downtown lunch crowd so be sure to stop by during the weekday for your taco fix.
Recommendations:
๐ฎ "The rib eye taco is amazingly tender and delicious."
El Paisa Fresh Mexican Grill
2494 Imperial Avenue, San Diego, CA 92102
How to get there:
Orange Line to 25th/Commercial Street Station
Route 12 or 4 from 12th & Imperial Transit Center
โ El Paisa is located about one block away from another taco shop on this list (La La Fachada) so you could easily make this a taco crawl!
Recommendations:
๐ฎ Tacos Al Pastor, Street Tacos (Carnitas, Lengua, Cabeza, Tripa), Arranchera Plate
La Vecindad
3827 5th Avenue, San Diego, CA 92103
How to get there:
Route 1, 3, 10, 11
โ La Vecindad is located in Hillcrest. They also have Taco Tuesday specials!
Recommendations:
๐ฎ Potato Taco
๐ฎ California Taco with Chicken
๐ฎ Pescado (Fish) Tacos
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
โ Lola 55 in East Village offers up a winning combination of tasty tacos and cocktails. Eat your tacos in a cool urban dining setting.
Recommendations:
๐ฎ "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."
๐ฎ "Unique "elevated" tacos with delicious sauces and good vegetarian options (like the mindful mushroom taco and squash blossom relleno)."
Puesto
at the Headquarters
789 W Harbor Dr, Suite 155, San Diego, CA 92101
How to get there:
Green Line to Seaport Village Station
โ 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.
Recommendations:
๐ฎ "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."
๐ฎ "Mexico City-style crispy melted cheese tacos!"
๐ฎ Short Rib Quesabirria