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Bold graffiti graphics, chandeliers with tangled telephone wires, and beat-heavy music energize this Downtown eatery that celebrates Mexican street food with a modern twist. Settle into one of the interior rooms or the sunny patio under orange umbrellas to sip margaritas and other specialty cocktails, Baja wines, or fruity aguas frescas made daily. Guacamole, ceviche, seafood tostadas, and a festive stack of chili-and-salt-spiced mango whet appetites for tasty street tacos—nine varieties including lobster, mushroom, and striped bass that can be mixed and matched for plates of three. Deep-fried carnitas with a cactus leaf salad, grilled filet mignon, and octopus tacos round out the menu. The original (and smaller) Puesto is in downtown La Jolla.
789 W. Harbor Dr., San Diego, California, 92101, USA
Known For
- Taco trio plates
- Unique Parmesan guacamole
- Fruit-infused margaritas made in-house
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The line that inevitably wraps around the building is indicative of the quality of the tacos and the large selection of local craft beers on tap. Indeed, these are some of the best tacos in all of San Diego, ranging from the classic carne asada and Baja fish tacos to fried-shell beef tacos and Califas, which features French fries inside the tortilla.
2196 Logan Ave., San Diego, California, 92113, USA
Known For
- Baja-style street tacos
- Pruno de Piña (beer and fermented pineapple)
- Churros and ice cream
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
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$ | North Park |
This small space in North Park elevates the traditional taco shop experience with superior ingredients and unique toppings. Several vegan and paleo tacos are offered alongside their seafood and meat selections.
3028 University Ave., San Diego, California, 92104, USA
Known For
- Unique toppings on traditional tacos
- Specialty aioli and salsa bar
- Vegan and paleo tacos
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$$$ | Old Town |
Not a typical San Diego taco shop, this Mexican eatery is upstairs in a shopping complex in the middle of a tequila museum with some 2,000 bottles dating from the 1930s. The owners are equally serious about food, calling their cuisine Hispanic-Mexican Gastronomy, which means meat and fish dishes with lots of unusual spicy chilies, herbs, spices, and moles.
2304 San Diego Ave., San Diego, California, 92110, USA
Known For
- Impressive tequila selection and tequila flights
- Variety of mole dishes
- Upscale option in generally casual Old Town
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$ | University Heights |
Don’t be fooled by the humble facade—this tiny Mexican taqueria serves up some of the best seafood-focused border food in town. There’s almost always a crowd of Uptown locals and savvy travelers here, but orders for burritos, tacos, and combination plates almost fly out of the kitchen. A newer outpost on Adams Avenue offers a seated dining experience with a modified menu.
4642 Park Blvd., San Diego, California, 92116, USA
Known For
- 99¢ fish tacos
- Seafood dishes
- Extensive menu
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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$ | Mission Hills |
Don't miss the small walk-up window along India Street serving up delicious ceviches, seafood cocktails, and tacos. Outdoor seating is available along the adjacent terrace.
3731 India St., San Diego, California, 92103, USA
Known For
- Karina's signature spicy ceviche
- Choice between full-size plates or smaller tostadas
- Spicy marinades—ask for guidance if you want to order something mild
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One of the oldest restaurants in San Diego, having opened in 1933, Las Cuatros Milpas feels like a closely held secret in Barrio Logan. Open daily until 3 pm, it almost inevitably attracts a big lunchtime rush, though the wait is worth it for the homemade tortillas, beans with chorizo, and rolled tacos. The menu is simple, though everything is delicious, and the interior—with checkered picnic tables—looks like it hasn't changed in 85 years.
1857 Logan Ave., San Diego, California, 92113, USA
Known For
- Homemade tortillas
- Checkered picnic tables
- Chorizo con huevos
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun.
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This is the place for exceptional, elevated tacos that won't break the bank. Don't miss happy hour, Sunday–Friday from 2 to 6 pm, where margaritas and Modelos are $4.
1290 F St., San Diego, California, 92101, USA
Known For
- Great cocktails
- Great tacos
- Gluten-free and vegan options
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
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$ | Mission Hills |
Named for a form of Mexican wrestling, this taco shop with its hot-pink walls and shiny booths was famous mostly for its lack of parking until it appeared on the Travel Channel’s “Man v. Food.” Then long lines of burrito-crazed fans began forming outside the walk-up window for lunch; their North Park outpost is more spacious. Don’t park in the gas station next door; they watch and will tow.
1810 W. Washington St., San Diego, California, 92110, USA
Known For
- Tap Me Out taco with fried cheese
- California burritos with French fries inside
- Lively and festive interior seating
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$ | Ocean Beach |
Tucked away on the bottom floor of a tattoo parlor, this funky little taco shop has a drink menu larger than the Mexican food lineup (but don't let that dissuade you). Place your order next to the wall of bottle caps, and then head to the pet-friendly street-side patio that draws a crowd for the hearty burritos wrapped in warm, soft tortillas and authentic salsas that range from traditional red salsa to chipotle cream. On Friday and Saturday, this hole-in-the-wall cures late-night munchies with carne asada fries and a 2:30 am last call.
5060 Newport Ave., San Diego, California, 92107, USA
Known For
- No-skimp burritos
- Battered fish tacos
- Carne asada fries
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Easy to spot from its red neon sign perched above the front door, Night & Day Cafe offers simple, hearty Mexican food with counter service and ample portions. The café closes at 2 pm most days, but the hearty breakfast burritos, bacon cheeseburgers, and fish tacos provide more than enough sustenance for two meals.
847 Orange Ave., San Diego, California, 92118, USA
Known For
- Coronado breakfast burrito (with hash browns inside)
- The iconic red sign
- Friendly service
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner
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$ | Hillcrest |
Seafood lovers have long flocked to Puerto Nuevo, the “lobster village” just south of San Diego in Baja California, Mexico. When a family that operates several Puerto Nuevo restaurants opened Ortega's in Hillcrest, it quickly became a top draw for authentic Baja coastal cuisine, minus the long lines to cross the border.
141 University Ave., San Diego, California, 92103, USA
Known For
- Puerto Nuevo--style lobster
- Tableside guacamole
- Daily happy hour including the delicious pomegranate margarita
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A necessary stop for a pick-me-up between boutique shopping, visits to nearby art galleries, and a walk through Chicano Park, Por Vida adds some uniquely Mexican flavor to traditional coffeehouse offerings. Sweeter staples like the horchata latte and dulce de leche latte perk up the taste buds, while in warmer months, a spicy lemonade hits the spot.
2146 Logan Ave., San Diego, California, 92113, USA
Known For
- Horchata latte
- Spicy mango lemonade with tajin rim
- Pan dulces
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$ | Old Town |
Located next to Campo Santo Cemetery, Tahona—in its architecture and design—might suggest the illusion of a snapshot of historical San Diego, but culinarily it's anything but. Offering a dining experience that centers on mezcal, Oaxacan cuisine, and locally sourced produce and ingredients, Tahona puts a new spin on Southern California Mexican cuisine. Its menu features plenty of familiar staples like tacos, guacamole, and empanadas, mixed in with innovative items like duck confit sopes and grilled octopus. Make reservations online for its adjoining spooky speakeasy, Occulto 477, which brings an elevated sensory experience to its mezcal offerings.
2414 San Diego Ave., San Diego, California, 92110, USA
Known For
- Mezcal flights
- Slow-braised beef barbacoa
- Gooey and rich churro s'mores
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
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$ | Old Town |
Located in the open-air Old Town Urban Market, the Michelin-recognized Tuetano Taqueria serves up its savory specialty: birria (meat stew). Grab as many napkins as you need, because these deliciously dripping birria tacos will make a mess. For something with even more wow factor, get the bone marrow birria taco, served still in the bone.
2548 Congress St., San Diego, California, 92110, USA
Known For
- Birria tacos
- Bone marrow birria
- Spicy and refreshing micheladas rojos (a Bloody Mary-type drink made with beer)
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