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    El Ranchero

    3.2 (115 reviews)
    InexpensiveFood Trucks, Tacos
    Open 10:30 am - 11:30 pm

    El Ranchero Photos

    EL RANCHERO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Good for kids
    Good for groups
    Outdoor seating

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    Sad burrito
    Jose F.

    My brother & i went there for lunch. My brother ordered a deluxe breakfast burrito and was charged for one. He ended up getting a regular burrito and not the deluxe. When we went back to ask for the right burrito the cook was visibly mad. She gave an attitude to us and the he own cashier. We heard the cashier tell the cook that she told her it was a deluxe burrito and you could tell she was mad. We were able to get the replacement after waiting around 20 minutes. Also they claim to have potatoes yet they are only fries and their sausage is actually some nasty hot dogs. Over all bad experience

    Hyebin H.

    Not salty fresh yammy and I liked corn shells. I cannot forget that flavor with beef steaks

    QuesaTacos carne asada
    Vivian R.

    First time ordering from them. Tacos were pretty good. They are kinda pricey but they have big servings so I feel like it evens out. All and all a good taco spot! Definitely going back!

    Increased prices.
    Gena B.

    Very disappointing Birria taco. Over priced, incorrect order. Missing food. We really enjoyed this truck for a while. But these last few visits have been a total miss. Save your money. $3.40 for a taco too small for a toddler. $6.25 for a Mulita that made incorrectly... same with the Asado taco. A missing adobada. I asked 3x to please make sure the mulita only had guac. $76 and everyone is still hungry.

    Carne Asada, Al Pastor, and Beef Birria Tacos!
    Jack M.

    I ordered a trio of street tacos from this food truck. I had the a "al pastor" which was incorrectly labeled as "adobada", a carne asada taco, and a beef birria taco. All three tacos were quite good, but my favorite was the beef birria taco with guacamole. The beef was flavorful and had a good amount of juice in it. It was bliss with guacamole which you have you have to ask for apparently. The Al Pastor was tasty but the meat was a little tough given it was not sliced and chopped across the grain. They use a more traditional light green creamy avocado sauce on this taco and it was good. The carne asada taco was good too. The meat was well seasoned and had slight smoky flavor. They put a good amount of meat in the taco too. They guy at the window and the gents on the griddle had good senses of humor. The tacos were $1.90 each.

    Carne asada fries.
    Ed M.

    Roughly $2 street tacos and carne asada fries sold here for the high $8 range. Food over all is good. Park anywhere in the lot here where the food truck is located. They have more to the menu here but the food I mentioned is what I ordered.

    Tried the Adobodada Fries & they were good but the Carne Asada fries are way better. Tacos De Cabeza are good as well.

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    1 year ago

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    1 year ago

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    2 years ago

    Delicious hidden spot for tacos (and birrias). Little pricey for the size (like everything nowadays) but they're an authentic flavorbomb.

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    3 years ago

    Assholes! Fake hours. Not open til midnight. A disgrace. Minus stars if possible. Move on....

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    3 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Good birria tacos but so much competition in the area may need to reevaluate and bump to a 4. It's been a while since I've been there.

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    3 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Waiting almost 20 minutes just for 2 tacos! Was hoping for better service, very disappointed customer.

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    8 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    10 years ago

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    Page 1 of 3

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    Tacos El Gordo

    Tacos El Gordo

    4.3
    (7.1k reviews)
    2.7 mi
    $$

    This is the OG location and the ONLY TEG's location I would recommend going to if you are going to…read morego to TEGs. Lines for the al pastor / adobada are always long, but worth it in my opinion. Lines for other food items are usually not as long, but can be at peak hours (closer to midnight). Its one of those places where you go to get your food first and then you go to the cashier in the corner to pay for it. Seating is something you have to fight for // get yourself, so during peak times it can be rough because a LOT of people will steal seats before even having their food, and then they will sit there for 30-40 minutes before even getting their food // eating (so that kind of sucks -- but thats not something the restaurant has ever handled, people just kind of suck in the big 2026, back when I went in 2016-2017 people were more respectful, but times have changed I guess)

    Iconic, but overrated. Mediocre tacos San Diegans always recommend. To be clear they're not bad,…read morethere's just much better taco/mexican places. Try it once bc it's the thing to do when in SD, but only this location. Gaslamp location somehow worse unless you're blasted. Their adobada is probably their best meat. Al pastor was ok but surprisingly lacking in flavor. Carne Asada was all smoke, overwhelming smoke taste and not in a good way. Service was quick with their unique ordering system. They keep the ambiance simple with decently clean tables which is nice considering the large crowds they deal with.

    Photos
    Saturday night (around 9:00 pm)
    Saturday night (around 9:00 pm)
    Crispy!
    Crispy!
    Carne asade tacos, adobo tacos and tostada

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    Carne asade tacos, adobo tacos and tostada
    El Pastor Del Rica Taqueria

    El Pastor Del Rica Taqueria

    4.2
    (570 reviews)
    2.6 mi
    $$

    1000% awesome sauce !! We are back in San Diego for comic…read morecon. And checked into our hotel. Let's get tacos. We had the asada, suadero, carnaza campechano and lengua . All of the were great but the suadero tacos and Campechano were my favorite. They bring you a big salsa display also I love the peanut salsa OMG!!! Come get yours asap!!!

    Finally came in to try the taco place brought to San Diego by Mexican boxer Canelo Alvarez. This…read moreplace is always busy, I went on a Saturday around 4pm and there was a line of about 10 people waiting to be seated and very table was taken in the inside. I took my tacos to go so can't speak to the table service. However since I was traveling back to North County the tacos held up well, as I asked for all veggies and salsa on the side. The to go service is easy there is a small register by the kitchen where someone takes your order. Ordered the al pastor and asada tacos. My favorite was the asada, the meat was tender and perfectly cooked and you get a decent amount of meat inside each taco. Once the veggies and salsa were added, they were oh so good. The al pastor thought the meat was dry almost like it had been sitting under the heat lamp or grill for too long. Overall good experience and good tacos. Will need to be back to other options and their dine in experience. I tried their green and red spicy salsa and both had a good kick. Minus 1 start due to their parking lot, it's so narrow and always busy, so you either need to wait until someone leaves and then maneuver your car back and forth several times to attempt to park.

    Photos
    Interior mural
    Interior mural
    Taco de tripa and sudarero
    Taco de tripa and sudarero
    Taco Pastor Taco Asada Taco Asada Taco Campechano

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    Taco Pastor Taco Asada Taco Asada Taco Campechano
    El Viejon Seafood

    El Viejon Seafood

    4.1
    (131 reviews)
    4.4 mi
    $$

    We very much enjoyed our meal at El Viejon in Chula Vista. When dining in, you order at the counter…read moreand they bring your food to your table. It is a small location but they really have maximized the space. We had no trouble getting a booth. We ordered the fish ceviche bowl to share, which was delicious. A generous shareable serving and the fish was perfectly "cooked." Ceviches are served with your choice of tostadas or chips. I would prefer more pico and perhaps some avocado. But overall it was a 9/10 dish. I also ordered a grilled fish taco with rice and beans. The fish taco was so flavorful and stuffed full with toppings and a large piece of grilled fish. This taco was outstanding. 10/10. My partner had the surf and turf nachos which he also rated highly. I think they could have used a little more cheese. But he said the steak was tender and juicy. The shrimp were seasoned well and there were a lot of them! Everything was delicious and we will be back for sure!

    We had the pleasure of having lunch here on Friday afternoon. Service and food were both excellent…read more My sisters and I ordered carne asada nachos and the surf and turf burrito. Everything was delicious and tasted fresh. Staff was friendly and they thanked us as we left the store. Very nice experience for our first time trying it. Highly recommend and we will definitely return.

    Photos
    2 Birria Tacos
    2 Birria Tacos
    Porkbelly Taco
    Porkbelly Taco
    Kids cheese quesadilla with beans and rice

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    Kids cheese quesadilla with beans and rice
    Chula Tacos

    Chula Tacos

    3.9
    (296 reviews)
    4.5 mi
    $$

    Sometimes, there are nights when only tacos can fix me. It's no secret that San Diego has tacos in…read morespades and being so close to the border, you'd think that a quest to find the perfect taco would be as simple as rolling down to the nearest taqueria. Except, it's not quite that simple. Many beloved staples have gone downhill, while some newer spots that might boast things like a Michelin mention or multiple locations ranging from TJ to Vegas contain more hype and gristle than tender meat and substance. Enter Chula Tacos. Chula is, and always was, the type of place that makes you forget that you're not actually in Tijuana. While part of me misses their OG Market Street location, seeing them with brick-and-mortars feels hard-earned and well-deserved. This location on Palm in IB is relatively easy to access from the freeway, but parking can be tricky. You can safely assume that it will be busy and you will either have to be very lucky or be willing to find a spot on the street. Out of all the times I've been here, it's always been crowded enough that I've never been able to find a table inside, but I enjoy sitting out on the patio next to the ahumederos. The first thing that hits you walking through the door is how amazing everything smells. The queue to the cashier takes you near a window showing the kitchen where you can see the Chula Tacos team making fresh tortillas, slicing meat from the trompos, grilling up jalapenos, nopales, onions, labio, and tripa. For me, it's not so much a challenge to decide what I want, it's more a challenge to keep myself from ordering everything. My usual is four tacos: two asada, two al pastor (but I've heard that I should also try their world famous keka). The tacos though? Perfection. Every time, the asada is the juiciest and most tender I've ever eaten, the al pastor is succulent and flavorful, and no taco in front of me is long for the world. At $3.50 each, every one of them is absolutely loaded. Three would honestly fill me up, but I always want four. After getting burned by spots that ask around 75% more and deliver anywhere between 25-50% less, Chula Tacos feels like an absolute godsend of a Tijuana-style taqueria and I can't see any other contenders being my go-to. So, when I say "Tacos will fix me," what I mean nowadays is "Chula Tacos will fix me."

    Chula Tacos in Nestor is definitely worth a visit if you're looking for authentic, flavorful tacos…read morewith generous portions. Every item we ordered was packed with delicious flavors and made fresh. One thing that stood out was their attention to detail with to-go orders--they provided plenty of condiments, including a variety of salsas, cucumbers, radishes, and peppers, which really elevated the meal. The highlight of the menu is the Keka Taco. It is incredibly delicious, loaded with flavor, and so filling that it can easily satisfy even the biggest appetite. The only downside to this establishment is the limited parking, which can make picking up your order a bit challenging during busy times. However, the amazing food and generous portions more than make up for the parking inconvenience. If you're in the area, the Keka Taco is a must-try!

    Photos
    Chula Tacos
    Keka (carne)
    Keka (carne)
    Outdoor seating

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    Outdoor seating
    Tacos El Poblano

    Tacos El Poblano

    3.5
    (487 reviews)
    1.2 mi
    $

    It's been awhile & I gladly like to update my review here up to 4 stars! One of my fav taco shops…read morein SD. At first I gave them a great review & last time not so great due to prices & portions. Well now over the years their prices are better than other taco shops & portions have gotten bigger. Tho they only have 3 tacos on the menu, Carne Asada, Birria, Adobada, they are good & they have one of the better Birria soup/broth in SD. Their carne asada is one of the best in SD, so juicy & soft I love it, their Birria taco is good too but I prefer their order of Birria or broth & their Adobada is ok just a bit too marinated for me. They also have burritos, tortas & Mullitas & I recommend the Carne Asada form in those because I believe they have one of the best Carne Asada meats in SD. The customer service is really good, cooks are cool & fast & the girls on the register are really nice & the place is always clean. And you know the best part, they have a dispensary/weed store next door so you can buy a joint & go smoke a joint in your car & then walk here & get a few tacos & Birria broth, now that's a perfect breakfast or lunch, tacos & weed go hand & hand baby :) Overall a good little hole in the wall taco shop if you don't want crazy long lines & good service & good tacos & Birria meat or broth this is your place. I even met the Baseball player Adrain Gonzalez here (you can see in my pics) & had tacos on the table next to him & talked baseball a bit & no I was not high, at that moment. So keep up the good job Poblano's & staff & see you soon amigos :)

    Since we were shopping at Home Depot we had to swing by for a quick snack. Authentic street taco…read moreflavor from TJ. Most definitely a MUST try. The hubby had the burrito (smaller than average). I had 2 street tacos. Everything was so flavorful. Quick service & chill vibes. * Burrito Mixto * Quesataco De Birria * Quesataco De Asada #DiningWithTheAndersons #ComidaMexicana #Tacos #tacoselpoblano #YummyGoodness

    Photos
    Homemade salsas at Tacos El Poblano in Chula Vista
    Homemade salsas at Tacos El Poblano in Chula Vista
    Birra combo
    Birra combo
    Tacos El Poblano

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    El Ranchero - foodtrucks - Updated August 2026

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