If we’re speaking of cooking attractions, Mexican food is San Diego’s main calling card. While affordable fish tacos, as well as French fry-stuffed burritos, are conveniently available around right here, San Diego has far more to provide when it concerns conventional Mexican food. Tacos making use of fresh pounded heirloom corn tortillas, zesty ceviches, succulent lamb barbacoa, and also redolent mole, and also carnitas are just the start. Whether you’re approaching a food vehicle or tucking into a packed plate, you’re assured of an excellent– and seriously genuine– meal. We have actually combed the streets to bring you the best Mexican Food in San Diego.
1. City Tacos
” Make Salsa Not Battle,” reviews a neon sign inside the Encinitas station of City Tacos, a hugely preferred fast-casual taqueria chain in San Diego that blends street-style preference with hipster feelings. Tacos create the core of the menu, as well as the analyses below, are mostly traditional with some gourmet twists (assume fried leeks and cilantro sprinkled strawberries). We love the Borrego (drew lamb with wild mushrooms), the Chile Relleno (with gooey Oaxacan cheese), and the Birria de Res (influenced by the conventional beef stew).
2. Fatality by Tequila
Influenced by his place– obstructs from one of Southern The golden state’s ideal stretches of coastline as well as a brief drive from Mexico’s Baja peninsula–” Leading Chef” alum Angelo Sosa has actually created a coastal-cool ambiance of tacos, tostadas, and also ceviche that incorporate regional fruit and vegetables as well as seafood. And also in a city where $1 tacos and no-frills burritos have ruled for years, his strategy to modern-day Mexican with quality ingredients is long overdue. However Sosa, a former East Rollercoaster, isn’t attempting to interrupt a neighborhood as tight-knit as Encinitas. On Fatality By Tequila’s website they proudly specify all the local suppliers they have actually partnered with, from the farms where he resources generate to the ceramic manufacturer that crafted home plates and also leatherworker who made the food selection covers.
3. Aqui es Texcoco, Chula Vista
This Mexican restaurant specializes in lamb “barbacoa” as a tribute to Texcoco, the Mexican region taken into consideration to be the birth place of barbacoa– lamb covered in maguey leaves and also slow-roasted for hrs. Ensure to wear your elastic trousers when you visit Texcoco. This area offers family-style meals including loin, rib meat, along with Cabeza, sesos, and pancita (tripe), with a free mug of seasoned lamb brew to dip into!
4. Tuétano Taquería
Chef/owner Priscilla Curiel is the cook and owner of this favorite local taqueria. The taqueria opened in 2018, but you wouldn’t recognize that by the recognition and regard it has gotten. The celebrity of the program is her tuétano, a large beef shank bone that’s slowly roasted until the marrow is buttery soft. A simple taco with tuétano is incredibly scrumptious as well as something you need to attempt! She also provides a wide range of dishes like cochinita pibil, a Yucatan special. The meal is a marinaded pork shoulder that is slowly baked in citrus juice and also achiote and also is after that drawn and loaded onto a tortilla under pickled onion as well as cilantro!
5. Coffee Shop Coyote, Old Town
If you’re searching for some outstanding margaritas to pair with your food, then your best option is to head over to coffee shop Coyote in Old Town. This preferred San Diego spot serves giant, freshly-made margaritas alongside overflowing plates of burritos, tacos, and also other incredible Mexican antojitos. Café Coyote uses greater than 20 different margaritas, including hot watermelon, pineapple-chipotle, as well as a Chamoy sauce one in a Tajin Edge Glass topped with a Tamarind Chile Treat.
6. Corozon De Torta
Although Antonio “Tony Tee” Ley bases his food truck, Corazón de Torta, in Logan Levels, you can discover him outside of sampling rooms and breweries throughout San Diego Region. Short rib guajillo tacos have rich chile taste from being slow-moving prepared, with crispy end little bits here and there for a crispy surprise. Carne asada bathed in chipotle meat sauce as well as gooey thawed cheese provide “The Dirty” all the juicy flavors you yearn for, and also vegetarian and also vegan choices like the popular vegan cauliflower mole makes certain everyone leaves pleased..
Just how to get: Find their weekly schedule online or via Instagram, Facebook and also various other socials.
7. Fernandez Dining establishment.
For several of the best birria on either side of the border, head southern to Nestor and allow siblings Migues Angel and also Jorge Fernandez serve you a bowl of theirs, Tijuana-style. Slowly cooked overnight, the beef, chiles, and seasonings fuse into a juicy stew that’s ready to tuck into warm corn tortillas as well as garnish with a trinity of radishes, cilantro and onions. Order it for self-assembly or get tacos already put together, fried up in birria oil, and also all set for dunking in a cup of their exceptional consomme. Client service here is excellent and also inquiries are encouraged if there’s a product you’re not knowledgeable about. They’re still doing takeout only, however strategy to get there early anyhow– they’re just open 7 am– 2 pm Wednesday via Sunday..
How to order: Stroll up or call 619.628.8235 for takeout.
8. Mujer Divina.
Priscilla Curiel not only handled to maintain her front runner restaurant, Tuetano Taqueria open with a combination of Venmo and large grit, she likewise overhauled her prominent Naturale Delicatessen in National City right into Mujer Divina Burrito and Coffee Home late last year. Smaller, thinner Tijuana-style burritos de hielera make use of the exact same delicious birria that made Tuetano well-known along with combinations like chorizo with potatoes, chicharron in salsa verde, machaca ranchera, as well as a revolving food selection of once a week specializeds. Coffee beverages are made with organic beans from Chiapas, Mexico, in drip mixtures, a selection of cappucinos, and also cafe de olla, together with a variety of morning meal breads, toasts, and scones.
Just how to get: In person or online by means of Salute for pick-up.
9. Oscar’s Mexican Fish and shellfish.
Oscar’s Mexican Fish and shellfish is a precious San Diego mainstay– nobody does Ensenada-style fish tacos better. But there’s more to the food selection than that, consisting of seasoned fish and shellfish stacked into cozy corn tortillas, crab and also shrimp tostadas, or tortas packed with meat offered on toasted Mexican bread. There’s additionally appetizing ceviches, meal-sized salads, and a triad of morning meal things, plus dinner plates with all the requisite sides..
Exactly how to order: A small number of tables are offered inside your home as well as outside on a first-come basis. Order takeout in person or online.
10. Puesto.
Hand-made stone-ground blue corn tortillas, sustainable meats as well as fish and shellfish, slow-cooked guisados, scratch salsas as well as Mexican brews brewed at their Objective Valley cerveceria make the Puesto experience remarkable. Select a la carte tacos or buy them in trios– tamarindo shrimp, Maine lobster, as well as filet mignon make a fantastic surf-and-turf pairing. There’s lots of alcoholic drink choices also– margaritas come in nine enjoyable tastes, and also there’s a fine option of high-end tequila as well as mezcal readily available in tasting flights or by the container..
How to purchase: Get an indoor or patio table online through OpenTable. Walk-ins are approved if tables are readily available. Order online for takeout or distribution via Postmates.
11. The Taco Stand.
You can always tell a terrific dining establishment by just how they treat their side dishes and also spices. The Taco Stand makes their tortillas, guacamole, as well as salsas fresh daily, and every recipe is made to order. Hand-carved al priest has the best hit of tangy/sweet pineapple; tender, tasty Angus carne asada is meltingly tender; as well as seafood options like grilled mahi mahi, spicy shrimp, as well as batter-fried white fish are fresh and light. If you’re desire strikes early, the stand opens at 9 am and has a number of passionate morning meal burritos along with the regular food selection..
Exactly how to get: Indoor and patio seating is on a first-come basis and also differs by location. For takeout, call your area or order online for takeout, and delivery using DoorDash.
12. Tacos El Gordo.
Tijuana is well known throughout Mexico for its street tacos and that’s exactly what inspires Tacos El Gordo. Believe spicy pork adobada, mulas on doubled-up tortillas, asadas, cabeza (beef head meat), lengua (tongue), sesos (minds), as well as other standard offal dental fillings. Besides tacos, the spot serves overflowing sopes, quesadillas, vampiros (crispy griddled tacos), as well as tostadas..
How to buy: Indoor and also patio seating gets on a first-come basis and also varies by location. For takeout, call your place or order in person.