Line out the door at 3:30pm. Wonderful whiff of char keeps you in line waiting…read more Inside, no line, just a mashed group of customers crowding the counter - one section for pork, another for beef. You make your order, then wait off to whatever offline space you can find. It's a zoo. Get your order, no tables. We stood outside with our tray of tacos on top of a garden plant border. Not ideal. Right before the first bite a char fragrance meets the nose and pairs the taste so scrumptiously. All the chaos was worth it. This taco joint is guud. Eat here.

Tacos El Gordo is a well-known spot in downtown San Diego, so I was excited to give it a try. I…read moreordered two tacos and a Dasani water. The tacos were tasty and definitely enjoyable, though for me they were good rather than extraordinary. The place was packed and energetic on a Saturday night, more noisy but lively. The line was long, but it moved along more efficiently than expected, and the service kept things moving. The bigger challenge was finding somewhere to sit after ordering. Seating seemed limited for how busy the place was, so be prepared to wait or eat somewhere else. Parking was the toughest part of the visit. It can be a real headache downtown, especially on a weekend evening when the nearby nightclubs and other businesses bring in extra crowds. Between circling for parking and trying to find a seat, getting a quick taco turned into more of an outing than I expected. The tacos were solid, but the overall experience felt like more trouble than it was worth for me. I can see why people enjoy stopping here, especially if they're already in the area, but I'd probably choose a quieter time or take the food to go next time.

"This is the place I trust." A quote from a good friend of mine which is all the proof I need…read more As for everyone else. Fresh tortillas, fresh meats grilled, adobada spicy and flavorful, cactus on top, open kitchen where you can see the passion on full display. Super friendly staff, and working hard too, loved these people. Nice atmosphere as well. I don't want to eat tacos anywhere else now! I need me some El Gordo fuego!!

You know it, you love it. It's tacos el Gordo. Always gotta get a couple al pastor when I'm in…read moretown. I actually don't get any other tacos. Maybe I'm missing out but the Al pastor is too good I haven't made it to any others. Food: 4.4 Service: 4 Ambiance: 2.5 Value: 4.8 Marcels foodie score: 3.9

The mixed (fish & shrimp) ceviche is still just as good as I remember it from over a decade ago! So…read moremany more locations have opened up since then, but my friends and I happened to be around the area of this original Pacific Beach one. The ceviche cup was a perfect lil snack before our afternoon adventures. Easy to take your food to go or eat outside if there's standing room. Expect to wait at least 15-20 minutes. Oscars will always be a staple every time I visit San Diego!

Food: 4.5/5 Service: 5/5…read moreAmbiance: 4/5 Busy place but it's thankfully quick! Also had to wait in line but not for too long. The guac is so fresh and delish - just need an extra squeeze of lemon. Sauces and condiments are up for grabs and a lot of it is self-service so it can feel more chaotic. The fish tacos, shrimp tacos, octopus tacos, and ceviche were all good! Not a 5, but a solid 4.5 :)

For the first experience the food was great, and the aesthetic is amazing. I ordered the red…read morequesadillas; the portions were larger than expected, and I had a specific to go request which was accommodated. Thanks to Kristinah for the excellent customer service.

My favorite location so far! Every time my husband & I come here, we are always greeted and treated…read moreso well. They are accommodating! The or birria taco so top tier as always! The crunchstack is my go to when I'm feeling a little bit of a big back - SO F GOOOOOD. I love the food here. Probably going to stop by tomorrow for it. We dine in here and it's clean and well maintained. Can't wait to try Mira mesa's location next! Parking is pretty solid. Never had any issues with it.

Amazing Food, Wonderful Service, and Great Ambiance!…read more Mike's Red Tacos did NOT disappoint! The loaded nachos were absolutely incredible, packed with flavor in every bite. The crunchy chips, delicious toppings, and rich, savory flavors all came together perfectly. Every bite was satisfying, and the generous portions made it even better! And the birria ramen? AMAZING! The rich, flavorful broth paired with the tender birria and noodles was a match made in heaven. It was warm, comforting, and bursting with delicious birria flavor that makes you want to keep coming back for more! The service made the experience even better! The staff helped create a welcoming and enjoyable dining experience, adding to the excitement of trying such delicious food. Great service always makes a meal more memorable, and it truly adds to the overall experience. The ambiance was another highlight! The atmosphere had a fun, inviting vibe that made it a great place to enjoy a meal with friends or family. Combined with the delicious food and enjoyable dining experience, it made the visit feel extra special! If you're looking for flavorful Mexican food, generous portions, great service, and a welcoming atmosphere, Mike's Red Tacos is definitely worth a visit! The loaded nachos and birria ramen are must-tries. I'd happily come back for another round of these incredible dishes! Five stars all the way!

The birria tacos are so so good but they dont have micheladas... which is why i went originally lolread more

Best tacos and burritos I've bee had and I am SUPER PICKY with my tacos and burritos. The service…read morewas friendly and helpful. The mahi mahi taco came with fried onion and elevated the taco to a place I never imagined. crazy delicious. the mahi mahi burrito was rolled and grilled to perfection. The salsa bar was tasty and fresh. the place was clean and fun and would eat here every day if I lived here 11/10. Muchisimas Gracias!!!

Cool spot ~ unique mural all over the walls makes good curious viewing while munching on the tacos…read more Plenty of tables but given the quality of area you do not want to sit outside. Drawbacks: ~Not the best part of town so walking there was a challenge. ~No AC. Very uncomfortable in the heat and felt divey dingy. ~Service was dull. Tacos scrumptious, good fresh flavors.

Tacos are so delicious. Very authentic, well seasoned…read moremeat, cheesy, filled with guacamole and onions. Each bite is so satisfying, rich, and add some salsa and it's extra yummy. This spot is open late, and right in the heart of the Gaslamp.

It was alright Al pastor is fantastic as always! So good…read moreThe lengua was not my preferred, was a little gamey They have a real well stocked salsa bar in the back with like 5 different salsas, radish, and different fried pepper mixes. Taste wise blended together a lot WARNING: if it says spicy, they mean it. Almost met god after biting into a habanero Like $5-8 per taco is not bad price wise

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THE TACO STAND!!!! Get the California burrito every time because it's the bestread more

This place is the bomb!!!!!!!!! 5 I love their burritos and their staff is super friendly!read more

There are so many excellent taquerias in San Diego, and they all have their own great recipes for…read moreMexican food. I particularly enjoy the Adobada tacos from Chula Tacos because they serve a very generous portion of meat, guacamole and are very tasty. The first time I tried them was at their H Street restaurant in Chula Vista, but that location is temporarily closed. I decided to try their Palm Avenue location since I was in the area visiting family. The service was friendly, and the tacos were prepared very quickly. The restaurant was clean. I'm looking forward to the H Street location reopening since it is much closer to where I live. Happy Yelping :)

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."

We came in on a busy Friday and had Avery as our server. Avery was extremely attentive, went above…read moreand beyond, and gave amazing service on a busy night. A great experience and amazing food, we will return!

Found this place during happy hour and it's a great little gem! Chill, laid back vibe on a Monday…read morenight but I'm sure it's packedon the weekends and during local events. I had the 3 Little Birds (homage to Rasta life) because I love Mezcal. It was perfectly smokey and a tad sweet. I started with the guac app but it was way too much for one person; definitely a shareable item. The guac was very fresh and light, with panela chunks to elevate the dish. It was a shame to leave it unfinished. Additionally I had an a la carte pollo asado taco which was divine! The thigh meat was expertly marinated and piled high on a cheese encrusted homemade tortilla. Since I'm a salsa connoisseur, I requested the habanero salsa, which was just my speed... but not for the faint of heart. The salsa verde was good but the showstopper was salsa rojo which had a nice smokey, fire roasted flavor that made me want to order some too take home. Also, I received awesome service from Emily on 9/28/26; shout of to her for taking great care of me! I can't wait to come back!!!