San Diego has incredible restaurants, here are three of my favorite places to grab a taco!

Ready to find the best tacos in San Diego? First – let’s take a moment to imagine the very best taco together, shall we? How will you know it’s perfect? Will it be the warm, soft tortilla, the sizzling filling, or the crisp veg, or is it that perfect, tangy, spicy salsa that pulls it all together?🤤

What was in your imaginary taco? Shrimp? Or steak? Maybe that heavenly marinated pork called adobada? Does is include a crispy, melty, cheesy layer?

I think you will know this about me soon (if you don’t already) – I have a deep and abiding love for tacos🌮. Also, eating tacos is one thing I can say for certain that I am VERY GOOD at. We all have our talents, this is one of mine!

So I’m on a mission! Find the BEST Mexican restaurants with the BEST tacos and add them to my always expanding “Best Tacos” list. It doesn’t matter where they are located, if the tacos make me cry happy tears, they’re in, and in no particular order. Trying to pick a favorite taco is like trying to pick a favorite song – impossible.

“Trying to pick a favorite taco is like trying to pick a favorite song – impossible.”

-me, dreaming of tacos🌮

Let’s go through a few of my all-time San Diego, CA faves:

San Diego, CA

La Puerta, San Diego, CA – If you ever happen to be prowling the Gaslamp Quarter, swing into La Puerta. Dark and moody inside – let’s call it “serial killer chic” – La Puerta knows how to show you a good time. Get the chips and salsa or I promise you will feel sad inside. Don’t be sad 😢 be HAPPY😁!

Also 10/10 recommend the Surf and Turf tacos. The creamy rajas on the side were a divine creation, and like nothing I have found at any other restaurant. My husband does not recommend their micheladas…but my diet coke was top shelf.

After 8:00, only 21 or older inside, so if you’re traveling with kids or teenagers, stop in early, or on the weekend and take advantage of outdoor seating.

Tacos El Gordo, several locations in San Diego, CA and Las Vegas, NV – Pretty freaking delicious tacos. Get the Adobada and be happy. This is late night food at its best. It’s always busy so be ready to wait a minute. The line moves fast though, so don’t let it throw you off! Why don’t I have a picture of said crispy, cheesy, salsa drenched taco that I can post, you ask? It’s because I scarfed them down too fast. I will do better next time, I promise. 🫡

La Jolla, Ca

Puesto La Jolla, in La Jolla, San Diego, CA – tacos are served a la carte, so you can pick any and every flavor you could want from their delectable menu.

I chose short rib quesabirria and the chicken al pastor. They are served on a handmade blue corn tortilla wrapped in a crispy cheese (so the pics aren’t pretty, don’t judge, but OH MY GOSH, they are to die for), with their own signature salsa. My husband chose the Baja Fish taco. He said, and I quote, “this is a really good fish taco,” and that is really high praise from him, so, no sad taste of fish taco disappointment at Puesto!

My only regret is that I wasn’t in La Jolla long enough to go back and sample their other tacos. My mouth is watering just looking at the menu. The outdoor seating is fantastic, the people watching was on point, and again, the diet coke was top shelf.

Note on San Diego – I don’t always find great taco shops everywhere I travel. In fact, it’s more common that I don’t find one at all. But San Diego does not disappoint in the tacos department.

This is my short list! The BEST OF THE BEST! But don’t worry taco lovers, there’s more to come! Have a favorite taco shop? Drop it in the comments! The more taco shops on my radar, the merrier! Learn more about me and my travels here.🥰

xoxo, Morgz