Great homemade corn tortilla tacos. Deliciously tender pork, can't give it 5 stars because the price of one small taco was $5 . Down town I could get 4 tacos for $5 but regardless of the city price I really enjoyed this spot They have a great selection of beer on tap and their menu is extensive. The food came out hot and quick and their bathroom and restaurant itself was clean. read more

TACO CENTRO - Menu and beers on tap - Mexican Near Me - San Diego, California

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We're coming here for the last one year. Always get delicious tacos. We never get bored with their Asada tacos. For price they provide this delicious tacos in downtown is unavoidable. read more

Taco Centro trying to be sneaky. Used the kiosk to place an order and saw a "benefits charge" added to my total. I cancelled it and went somewhere else. I'm all for employees having benefits. But it's not my responsibility to pay for benefits that the employer should be providing. Won't be going back. read more

They stay open late if you are looking for after hours options. I would give them 5 stars but it took 30 mins to get the food after we ordered. read more

Food is excellent, nice ambiance, plenty of beers available so cruise on by Taco Centro. I went 3 stars because even though I am downtown it's still tacos. They can't cost that much and value isn't there. The menu is posted right when you order and prices are front and center. Just know that 3 's, rice & beans, and one beer will be $34 Nice salsa bar with some sweet free offerings: Pico, verde, rojo, and a house salsa. Charred serrano's, onions, and cilantro are there to add. Your taco won't need any as theirs are served with accoutrements. 1) Good location in the heart of Gaslamp. Food comes out fast. 2) Fresh tortillas are always a plus. 3) Lots of outdoor seating for nice SD DAYS! read more

TACO CENTRO - Outdoor seating and store front. - Mexican Near Me - San Diego, California

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Stopped here for a quick bite before heading out of the area and we were very impressed with the food. We find it difficult to find food in Gas Lamp that is both flavorful and worth the price, so we will definitely be returning. Taco Central is on a cross street of the busy 5th avenue, and we would normally miss it if we did not pull up Yelp before looking for a place to eat. We ordered 4 tacos to start, and loved it so much we ordered the Quesobirria before leaving. The tortillas are made fresh, and there's a window into the kitchen so you can see the tortillas and tacos being made. Our tacos came out pretty fast, and were filled with delicious toppings. There was also a salsa bar with a ton of options - there is a level of spice for anyone eating! I would definitely recommend checking this spot out for flavorful tacos in downtown San Diego! read more

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This was my first time trying this place me and my friends were walking to downtown to find food and we literally picked this place. When I walked in the place it was clean the ambiance was good I like the taco condiment bar it was set up real nice very great. I ordered and my food came out at a decent time I got the quesabirria tacos with consommé and beans the quesabirria and consommé was Sooo good but the beans could use some seasonings. overall my experience was great definitely recommend going and I'm definitely coming back!! Thank you to all the staff y'all did an amazing job!! read more

TACO CENTRO - Mexican Near Me - San Diego, California

Large burrito! Full of bacon and lots of cheese. There was potato & eggs but for me the cheese was overwhelming. Fabulous service and so much indoor & outdoor seating!! Love the salsa bat selections!!! read more

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This place is delicious. Burrito al pastor was incredible and huge. 2 part meal for sure

Cali asada burrito all the way! I felt the asada had better flavor than the al pastor, but everything was fresh, and the sauce/salsa selection was great, would definitely go back! read more

Delicious !fast service ,excelente service, happy clean place . Love the music and the best salsas ! read more

TACO CENTRO - Mexican Near Me - San Diego, California

Taco centro is grandma's cooking good! By far the best fish taco in town! Fun ambience and delicious! read more

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From the start this was a terrible experience. The beer that I ordered was out of stock but still on display. Then they didn't tell us until after we paid that the margarita is in a can, which is fine but I wouldn't have wanted it for the price. The servers at the counter were incredibly rude, both had attitude and didn't like when I asked clarifying questions. They give you a number with a stand like they are supposed to bring the food to your table but instead they call your number and make you come get it even if you are eating there. I ordered the shrimp ceviche and was not given chips or a tostada or anything to eat it with. When I went to go buy chips I asked the girl behind the counter if the ceviche came with anything to eat it with. Apparently it was supposed to come with tostada but when I asked if I could have one she got frustrated and said she already gave it to me. Which was not the case. Once I finally got the tostadas, the ceviche was mediocre and the tostadas were bland and super thick. The photos of the tacos on the tv in the restaurant show pickled carrots but they don't have them at the restaurant. Big bummer for a taco place. The birria was dry and the meat was not tender enough to be in a taco and $5! Skip it and go somewhere else. read more

A great location near nightlife, area to walk around, great for families or friends we wanted somewhere that was quicker to eat at while in the city. My partner found Taco Centro by glancing at what was around and saw here with the high ratings. I understand why, the service was nice, they had great options. It came out in a timely manner and we gladly indulged as we sat on the patio seating. Flavorful, filling, great portions. I loved that the fries had their crunch while layered with toppings and seasonings. Tacos were this cheesy goodness. The churros had the perfect crunch and softness ratio. We really enjoyed our meals, and would come back again. read more

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My favorite spot in San Diego. Incredible food and the churros are the best I've ever had. I usually get the carne asada fries and churros. Right by the padres stadium and it would be my first recommendation to anyone visiting San Diego. read more

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Best tacos in downtown SD. Go there every time im in town. The buñelos are the best ever!

The fish and carne asada tacos are SO good!! Best tacos I have tasted!! The tortillas are made to fresh and are super soft! I also ordered the ceviche with tostadas. The ceviche was okay, but the tostadas tasted stale to me. The service was top notch! They are friendly and help you with anything you need. The restroom has a key code, so you have to ask ahead of time. If you are going to see the Padres play, it's great place to eat before the game if you don't feel like eating hotdogs, nachos, pretzels, or hamburgers. The ambiance is okay if you like loud music. A lot of people and long lines during lunch times for sure! read more

TACO CENTRO - This is the carne asada tacos; I had already eaten the fish one... so good! - Mexican Near Me - San Diego, California

We've lived here for a few months now and keep walking by saying 'oh year, we need to try that place'. Well, we FINALLY did. And we're SO glad we did. The staff is super friendly and I love that you can see into the kitchen area (where you see them busting a$$!). The check out gal was friendly and apologetic when they ran out of Modelo Especial on my beer - which is fine, they have a good variety of beers and my backup (Dos XX Lager) makes me just as happy as the Modelo (so it's all good) We both ordered Carne Asada tacos (sans onions) and were pleased with our choice. We probably should have ordered DIFFERENT things so that I can report in, but that's the kind of thing you think about when you're typing your review! :) It's a comfortable place with both indoor and outdoor seating. Super nice afternoon, so we sat outside and grabbed a seat in the sun. We'll definitely be back. Thanks for reading my review! read more

This is a Mexican restaurant I prefer to eat at the SD Gaslamp District! As a big foodie, I want food with taste and volume. I enjoy their carne asada fries. For $15, it is shareable between two people, as the volume is huge! The restaurant is generous with its meat. There is also a side table where you can get all the condiments, sauces, and side dishes (onions, jalapeño, etc.). In terms of service, the employees there seemed okay, but I wish they do the little things, including welcoming their customers and thanking them for ordering. read more

TACO CENTRO - Mexican Near Me - San Diego, California

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Every turn of the handle results in a perfect fresh corn tortilla designed to make your taste buds water. Great place to get amazing tacos. Especially late at night. (And even some "not a taco" for those of you looking for something different.) I especially love the salsa bar where you can get a chance to mix and match to excite your mouth! Just off Island and Fifth, it's a great place to pop by and grab a bite to eat at a reasonable rate. read more

This place is awesome! The ambiance is casual and comfortable. The staff were friendly and were very helpful when making menu recommendations as this was our first time visiting this restaurant. The menu offers a variety of options related to steak, chicken, shrimp and veggie options. We ordered the carne asada and shrimp bowls. Both were delicious. I especially enjoyed the sauce bar. The cilantro cream sauce was everything! You have to give it a try. All in all Taco Centro is a must visit. read more

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The lady working the register was so friendly and helpful. She made some amazing recommendations and allowed my friend to order a very customized order to suit her dietary needs. The salsa bar was amazing one of my favorites all of the sauces are good. The Al pastor taco was delicious. The fish taco was good not bad just above average. I would try their carne asada next time. Place was clean and quiet. read more

TACO CENTRO - TACO AL PASTOR Taco grilled pescado - Mexican Near Me - San Diego, California

I was a little buzz when I had this spot but I've seen people saying this place lacks flavor, do these tacos look like they lack flavor to you? Anyways I don't have the pleasure of trying Mexican food in San Diego, most of the time it's LA County or I.E. I tried this spot and man, these pastor tacos were full of flavor, pineapple in there, some fine cilantro and that light green salsa they add was just the kick it needed. Pastor was actually quality compared to a lot of these "Mexican" spots. Yes they do charge a little on the high side but this is at least in my top 10. Al Pastor Tacos: 9.1 read more

TACO CENTRO - TACO AL PASTOR - Mexican Near Me - San Diego, California

BUSSIN'!!!! AMAZING TACOS. I AM SPEECHLESS. I've eaten a lot of tacos in San Diego, and I was pleasantly blown away. Nothing else to say. read more

TACO CENTRO - Camarón & pescado tacos - Mexican Near Me - San Diego, California

after me reaching out to toast (the online ordering platform this place uses) and opening a ticket, i was able to get my refund. the owner did reach out through my original review to explain what was going on . i do appreciate the follow up and accountability of the problem, the overall experience was unpleasant but i understand these rare one offs can and do happen. back to the good stuff -- .. the chilaquiles are quite the sleeper item on this menu though, be sure to add carne asada and it will be a whole breakfast .. you can see the staff make the tortillas and do their magic through the visible kitchen area , which is fun to check out. there is a wide range of salsas to choose from too .. location is very popular during happy hour, cheers! read more

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The toppings and sauces make this place relatively decent. Meat is mid. $24 for two tacos and a white claw is pretty wild.

I absolutely love this place. Unfortunately, I'm trying not to use explicit, but this girl is the worst person I've ever encountered in my entire life. I love this place so much. The food is so great but this person sucks. She should not be working here. read more

TACO CENTRO - She is SOOOO rude! I live in East Village, and am I server at many bars down here, frequently here all the time .....This girl is an asshole - Mexican Near Me - San Diego, California

Came across this place while staying in Gaslamp district for the weekend! What an amazing taco spot, and I can't say enough nice things about their tacos! We tried a bunch of tacos such as: Baja Fish Sonora Biria Nopal They were making tortillas fresh to order along with the rest of the tacos, and the taste reflected the freshness and attention to quality! The place was fairly busy yet they were very efficient as you place the order with a cashier and then they bring the food out to your table! It's a very casual spot which fits perfectly with the San Diego vibe! I can truly say this place is the best taco spot that I can think of! In fact, we went back 2nd time during the short visit, and it was equally delicious! read more

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After a late drive to San Diego, this taco shop was one of the few open downtown without 45 min wait (looking at El Gordo ). Pros: Shorter wait Good tasting food Cons: Loud inside. They were pumping in party music and made it difficult for cashier to hear my order Tacos are definitely on pricey end. I understand that rent is expensive near Gaslamp but a single street taco over $5 is pushing it Likely would return again but honestly cannot say that this would be my first choice read more

Was a great little spot to get away from all of the Comic con crowds downtown. They had 3 tacos for $15.00, which was a little pricey but to be expected. I chose a carnitas, shrimp, and a mushroom taco. The tacos could have used a bit more seasoning even with adding lime and salsa. Still, it had three things that I required during con...food, a place to sit and shade. It's definitely a big plus! read more

TACO CENTRO - Menu - Mexican Near Me - San Diego, California

The food was good. Pricey, but I'd pay it again. However, had I known that I was gonna be picking up my food and drinks from the front and that it wasn't gonna be brought to me at my table, I would've never tipped 20% which was over $12 for a $58 tab. If they're gonna be providing tip options when paying, then they should at least provide the customer service to earn those tips. The food was really good, but the next time, I will not be tipping. read more

I am here for Comic Con this week & the outside of Taco Centro kept catching my eye so we decided to give it a try today. First thing we noticed: They jacked up the prices for the convention, almost $2 more than their typical taco pricing (3 for $18). They don't offer carnitas this week I am guessing because we saw they had a sign with new carnitas items on the menu for ~$4 for taco and ~$12 for carnitas burrito and the worker said they don't have it. They also jacked up the prices for the burritos, comic con menu price being $17.50 when it seems like normally a burrito ranges from $13.50 to ~$15. We decided that since we were already there, we might as well get 3 tacos to try. We tried the al pastor, carne asada, & one pollo. It took a while the tacos the be ready. It was probably almost 20 minutes, which is unlike our experiences at the other taco joints in the area. Finally, the tacos were ready and we loaded up on the sauces from the sauce bar, as well as limes. I tried the chicken first, and it was actually terrible. Overcooked, bland, and cold. Then we tried the two other tacos... also overcooked, bland, cold, AND overpriced. The tacos took a very long time to be ready and I don't really understand why because the tacos were cold & it was not that busy in there. Definitely just a tourist trap & will not be coming here in the future. read more

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Stopped for a taco while out for a walk. Baja taco was delicious. Salsa bar amazing! And a good price as well. Highly recommend!

Stumbled upon this place while on our way to concert. Lots of outdoor seating. Big menu. Amazing salsa bar. Al pastor taco was my favorite. Loved the rim of my margarita..so yummy read more

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People were nice, everything was clean, food was so good and the price of it was really good too! Our food came out quick and it was overall a great experience, would come back again! Only thing is the music was a tiny bit too loud but that wasn't too bad read more

TACO CENTRO - TACO CARNE ASADA - Mexican Near Me - San Diego, California

Forgot our order.. waited for about 30min. Ordered 3 different type of burritos. Any other burrito spot would either label or wrap them differently to tell them apart, this place didn't. My husband has a shellfish allergy and one of the burritos had shrimp. I gave this place a one start because this is a very irresponsible thing to do that could lead to someone getting hurt. Do better please! read more

Obsessed with the mushroom burrito!! It's just perfect when you don't feel like having meat and hard to find anywhere else. I've had other items too and they've been great as well but the mushroom burrito is my absolute fave. Great option for vegans as well. Their salsa bar is OFF THE HOOK!! Pink sauce, grilled onions, house salsa - oh my!! (and many other options to satisfy your taste) Always have had friendly service and the place is always nice and clean :) Beware this spot is in the middle of gaslamp and parking can be a doooooozy. read more

Explore this gem next time you're in the gaslamp district. Fresh, delicious, and even a little surprising. The salsa bar is top notch with fresh radish and pickled jalapeños. The house salsa is a smokey treat and the chipotle sauce...*chefs kiss* Sidle up to a picnic table with your friends and sample the entire menu. read more

TACO CENTRO - Napol taco - Mexican Near Me - San Diego, California

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This spot hits no matter time of day but it is open late too. Only thing I've had bad there is the churros but that was a while ago. Birria is very good! read more

With so many places that serve tacos in the Gaslamp Quarter, one aspect of Taco Centro really stood out... the ambiance. The inside of the suite was bright and clean while the outside had neon lighting that made this spot more attractive after sunset. You could even observe the workers doing their tasks in the kitchen through an internal window. The ownership clearly put resources into creating a more modern taqueria than the old school stereotype. Taco Centro has been operating for about half a year now with a midnight closing time from Sunday to Thursday and a 3 am shutdown on Friday and Saturday for the bar-closing night owls. The middle of the menu board behind the service counter listed about a dozen street sized tacos with a price range from $3.50 to $6.50 each. To the left were non-taco items like burritos, fries, nachos, etc. Sides and beverages rounded out the right side of the menu. My choices were four of the tacos... Al Pastor, Birria, Carne Asada, and Grilled Pescado. They were served as a pair on two different plates with corn tortillas as the base. The best was the grilled fish as there was a nice amount of avocado included which made the filling very creamy. The runner-up was the Al Pastor with the pineapple chunks balancing the sliced pork nicely. For the taco quality and prices, my Taco Centro experience was at a four star level. read more

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