Vintage Tijuana spot here! Las Ahumaderas has for decades been one of the better (top 3-5, arguably…read more#1) spots in TJ for tacos - highly recommended by tourists and locals alike.
Las Ahumaderas is a collection of 5-6 taquerias on one side street off Blvd. Agua Caliente, one of the main thoroughfares in TJ. The taquerias offer very solid, relatively cheap tacos and tend to stay open until super late at night (often until 4 am). Las Ahumaderas is famously nicknamed "Taco Alley" and gained some international recognition after being featured one of Anthony Bourdain's travel and food shows.
I've been several times but last stopped by Las Ahumaderas in September. The most popular spot there (and my personal favorite) is Las Tres Salsas - would highly recommend checking out that taqueria first if you've never been. The most highly regarded tacos here are the adobada (pork) tacos (my personal favorite as well). Ordered two adobada tacos, one suadero (cow belly) taco, and a Sprite. The nice thing about the food and drink at Ahumaderas is that a lot of the basic items are priced the same - each taco and the sprite were 45 pesos (around $2.50 USD) each.
The tacos were all well-portioned, tasty, and filling (as usual). One thing a lot of tourists don't know is Las Tres Salsas has two levels, with the second level sometimes having a decent, relaxing view and atmosphere depending on the time of day. So I ordered and ate on the second floor (ordered from the server for that floor).
Cash (dollars or pesos) are by far the most common method of payment but credit cards are also accepted at Las Tres Salsas and I think the other taquerias at Ahumaderas as well. If you don't speak Spanish there's usually someone at the register who speaks enough English to get by though the server I had that afternoon happened to speak very good English.
Right after Las Tres Salsas I went to Tacos El Paisano, one of the other taquerias in the establishment. Ordered 1 asada (steak) taco, 1 cabeza (cow's head) taco, and a Fresca soda. Like Las Tres Salsas, all of the items were 45 pesos each. The tacos here were also good, though not as good as Las Tres Salsas; both of the tacos fell apart a bit due to being slightly soggy (though again they were good).
I'm a picky eater but there are a wide variety of tacos, quesadillas, and other items to try between the handful of taquerias at Ahumaderas.
Las Ahumaderas is about a 13-15 minute walk down Agua Caliente from Telefonica Gastro Park, another excellent foodie location in TJ. Must visit if you've never been before!