Tacos El Chiapas is located in Tijuana's Zona Centro, downtown, at the corner of Calle 3 and Av. Martinez, across from the imposing Banco Azteca building. This small Mexican diner is staffed by three friendly chefs, who serve amazing tacos, and will keep you entertained and laughing.
The "kitchen," if you want to call it that, is a street vendor cart with a flat tire, that has been moved inside the building, and serves as the main kitchen, order counter, and pay station of the restaurant. There is a "compact" menu posted on the wall, but if you want something different, all you have to do is ask, and these guys will do their best to prepare your order, depending on what they have on hand.
The sous chef, working the trompa and toasting corn tortillas on the griddle was a master at cutting meat, and a master with his knives! "Mr. Sharp Knives" was also was a stand-up comedian wannabee, as he kept me laughing by his antics and he loved all of the attention that I gave him. Actually, all three guys that were working at the restaurant on this early October evening were funny and very friendly, and my visit to Tacos El Chiapas was a lot of fun.
I might add that since this restaurant is a couple blocks off Av. Revolucion, the magnet for tourists, don't expect to speak English. A rudimentary knowledge of Spanish will enhance your dining experience, and the staff will treat you like family.
I went with two of the best carne asada tacos, ordered off the posted menu, that you'll find in Zona Centro, at a bargain price. Each taco included a generous portion of marinated carne asada - marinated steak - perfectly cooked on the griddle and placed on a bed of two toasted corn tortillas. The steak is juicy, tender, and is spiced just right for my taste. I might add that these aren't small, "street tacos," as the corn tortillas were much larger, so you get a taco that's more than just a snack.
Garnishes included diced onion, chopped cilantro, along with lots of creamy, in-house-made guacamole, the sort of guacamole that makes Tijuana famous. If you care to pile other garnishes on your tacos, there are more available at the condiment bar, but these tacos are so good they don't need anything else.
One bite into one of these tacos, and you'll be a forever believer in Tacos El Chiapas, as the tacos are juicy, amazing, and feature the perfect balance between meat, tortilla and garnishes. These tacos are amazing!
When you're in the mood for amazing tacos, and you're taking the hike into downtown Tijuana, take a little detour onto Calle 3, and stop by Tacos El Chiapas, for some of the best tacos in Tijuana.
Alright, this is little diner isn't fancy, as it's just a small, "hole-in-the-wall" restaurant, open to the street, in true Tijuana fashion. I'm giving them five stars, as the food is amazing, the prices are downright "cheap/amazing," and the three chefs who operate this fine restaurant are as friendly as it gets. 5 stars!!! read more