Where to Eat Tacos in San Diego

With The Taco Stand opening its eighth location on Convoy in late January, the locally based taco outfit is now slinging its sought after Tijuana-style tacos, burritos, fried churros and other goods along one of San Diego’s most bustling food corridors. The most recent arrival doesn’t stray from the tried and true formula, offering the classic proteins and a few veggie-friendly items in taco and burrito form.

Puesto set the pace for the luxe taco market in San Diego with tacos filled with fillet mignon, jidori chicken, and lobster, among other upmarket ingredients. Its most recent location in Mission Valley pours house beers to go along with your choice of tacos.

Named after the Mexican state of Michoacan, this City Heights restaurant features carnitas that are as authentic as it gets. Order a pound or half-pound of the succulent fried pork and dig in with the provided tortillas and accompanying toppings. Carne asada and chicken are also available. A sister location in Chula Vista also offers the crispy carnitas out of a spot at Third and Palomar.

Chef Priscilla Curiel’s Michelin-honored taqueria has moved from its original San Ysidro outpost to a swanky new space at the Old Town Urban Market. Her slow-cooked birra, made with beef shoulder cuts simmered in vibrant broth seasoned with cinnamon, cloves, and guajillo chiles, is the focus of the menu. Try it with her signature touch: a topping of roasted bone marrow.

Find a long list of vegetarian and vegan friendly tacos at this perennially popular North Park Mexican restaurant. Nopales, tofu, seasonal veggies, shiitake mushrooms, and vegan “meats” are among your many filling option. Omnivores fear not, Rancho’s has plenty of traditional taco proteins and homestyle Mexican dishes.

City Tacos has built up a local empire built on a foundation of fresh takes on traditional tacos. Standouts include the camarón enchilado taco — with grilled shrimp over asadero cheese topped with chipotle aioli and fresh lime — and the Mexicali taco, with skirt steak, potato and poblano peppers wrapped up in a flour tortilla. Veggie-friendly items are available too.

Hillcrest is not without some tasty taco action. Swing by for drinks and Mexico City-style tacos campechanos, al pastor, and nopal with asada before or after hitting the bars. Taco Tuesday specials and Sunday brunch are also quite popular.

Fish tacos packed with locally-landed, sustainable product and a pour of your favorite IPA by the bay is as San Diego as it gets. This casual establishment in the Point Loma area offers a great grilled fish taco featuring the catch of the day, while the beer-battered taco features wild cod.

This downtown restaurant has some of the best vegetarian and vegan tacos anywhere in town. The tofu, potato, and mushroom taco is one of the menu’s standout items, even if you’re an omnivore. Even raw vegans can grab some grub here, as the fresh green taco wraps avocado and cucumber in a crisp lettuce leaf.

Lola55 in the East Village impresses with a combination of tasty tacos and cocktails served inside a stylish, urban dining space. The pork belly al pastor taco is a winner any day of the week, but don’t sleep on the Baja fish taco and the vegetarian-friendly squash blossom relleno taco. Look out for an incoming location, slated to arrive at the Beacon in Carlsbad.

One of the neighborhood’s longtime favorites, La Fachada has been the spot for tacos after work or late into the night. While the setting is sparse, one bite of a birria or lengua taco is enough to warrant a second visit. Other Mexican antojitos include gorditas and flautas topped with lettuce, sour cream, and cheese.

Las Cuatro Milpas is one of San Diego’s most beloved Mexican restaurant for good reason. This Logan Avenue institution cranks out delightful fried tacos and flautas stuffed with pork or chicken along with flour tortillas and refried beans, made the same way they were first made back in 1933, when the Estudillo family opened the doors to this historic restaurant. While lines can get long, your patience will be rewarded at the counter. Cash only.

¡Salud! continues to please both locals and visitors to Barrio Logan with delicious tacos, solid drinks, and a thumping kickback soundtrack. The Califas taco — a homage to San Diego’s own California Burrito — is a must. The Barrio taco, loaded with braised beef, peppers, nopal and beans is as homestyle as it gets. Vegetarian options are also available.

Flame-grilled chicken is the name of the game at this South Bay restaurant specializing in preparing perfect poultry. The signature tacos are packed with tender, juicy chicken, fresh pico, and guacamole. The house take on the California burrito, with pollo asado in lieu of the usual beef, is near-revolutionary.

El Vaquero’s mobile operation has established itself as the go-to for tacos after a few pints in the heart of Chula Vista’s Third Avenue. Find Tijuana-style tacos, quesatacos, mulitas, and more packed generously with your meats of choice, chopped onion, cilantro and delicious salsas. Friday and Saturday night lines can get a bit long.