The cashier Jaime was very genuine and nice even during the rush. He took care of us making us feel welcomed and is a hard worker! Thank you! read more

Love this placeee!! Amazing food and service! This is my go to place when I'm in town!

* Note this review was meant for Oceanside location but I am sure food is the same.* I will try Encinitas location another day and update my review and experience. have been wanting to come here hearing the rave about this taco stand. I know they have one in Encinitas but I was in Carlsbad and saw they opened new one in Oceanside. This is the Oceanside location. The food was delicious! Although at beginning price seems high for a piece but the quantity they put on each one was very decent. We ordered the following: pescado taco (mahi mahi fish), carne asade taco, al pastor taco, al pastor burrito, carne asada tostada. We find the al pastor the best and very tasty! They also have salsa bar and we like their salsa Verde, chipotle sauce, and Pico de gallo. Indoor and outdoor seating. Love the Latino music playing, makes me feel like no need to travel to Mexico. What is awesome about this place is they make their tortillas fresh! They have a machine that makes it and immediately puts them on the grill. Their tortilla chips are also freshly made too! The guy behind the kitchen was very sweet! He was so nice to let me take pictures and he gave a free fresh tortilla off the grill to try. I felt bit shy but humbly accepted it. While we were waiting, he was so kind to give us a box of tortillas to eat while we waited for our food. Also, we were missing one fish tacos and he was so nice to give me an extra one for their mistake. I will be back for sure not only good staff but great fresh tacos and burritos. Keep up the awesome food! read more

The Taco Stand - The sweet man behind the kitchen making fresh tortilla - Tacos Near Me - Encinitas, California

This place did not live up to the hype. 30 minutes in line to order 4 tacos. 45 minutes waiting for our order, and it was honestly a very MID taco restaurant. There was better. I will say it truly depends on what you get. Carne Asada Tacos just had too much guac and couldn't really taste the meat as much, I'd give this a rating of 7.2. Sonora Taco definitely had a bit more flavor and really impressed me. I'd give this a rating of 8.4. Surf and Turf (special menu) really stole the show. The shrimp with carne asada were absolutely delicious. If I were to ever come back here, it would be for their shrimp or surf and turf taco. I'd give this a rating of 8.8. read more

The Taco Stand - CARNE ASADA TACO SONORA TACO - Tacos Near Me - Encinitas, California

Came here for a quick bite over the weekend and was met with many choices on the menu between burritos and tacos. We ordered a shrimp taco (camaron), baja fish taco, sonora taco and a carne asada burritoy at the front. For drinks like soda or beer, there's a fridge by the front where you can grab your drink and pay. There was a small line when we arrived but it went by quickly. Seating was already staring to get crowded around 5 pm on a Saturday but luckily there were seats inside and out on the patio. While you wait, there's a sauce bar where you can grab onions, limes, and all the fixings. Food came out quickly and we demolished just as fast. Great to come here for a bite if you're around the area! read more

The Taco Stand - SONORA TACO, BAJA TACO, CAMARON TACO - Tacos Near Me - Encinitas, California

Met up with family for some food and beers. I had the fish shop shrimp and elote taco. Food is always delicious. These are my favorite shrimp! So delicious. Super fun spot with good ambience. It's always busy. Clean and plenty of seating. Service is always good. Parking can sometimes be tough! Street parking in a super busy town! read more

See all

The Sonora, Al Pastor & Carne asada tacos are a must! The handmade tortillas and salsas are awesome too! The carne asada fries were a bit much but glad we tried them just once. The churros were good also! I would say our least favorite was the Baja Taco, only because it was so heavily fried.. couldn't taste the fish. We will definitely make it back! They have a wait everyday for a reason. Worth trying for sure!! read more

The Taco Stand - AL PASTOR TACO, BAJA TACO, CARNE ASADA FRIES - Tacos Near Me - Encinitas, California

I love this taco place! The food is great and the prices are surprisingly low for the quality you get. They have a nice salsa bar with various sauces and toppings. Nice atmosphere and friendly staff. Unfortunately, it's a small place so it's hard to find a table and there is always a line. Parking is tricky too. read more

The Taco Stand - CARNE ASADA TACO - Tacos Near Me - Encinitas, California

See all

Big fan of The Taco Stand! My first time I went to a location in San Diego and remembered liking the salsa bar, so I had to check this one out. My friend got a burrito and I got a bunch of tacos. I will say, stick to the tacos... it's in the name, after all! The restaurant gets pretty busy, so make sure to come at an off peak time. There's plenty of space, but I'd definitely prefer the outdoor seating. Good spot! read more

See all

And when i stop to get tacos, as usual, while cruising on my favorite highway, i searched and decided to check the Stand out. It made me stand in a line for half an hour. There was a good amount of stuff in the menu that I ordered to check out if the line was worth the wait. Great food it was. Plenty of seating there was. Salsa bar was an indoor line. Felt spoiled. read more

The Taco Stand - Indoor - Tacos Near Me - Encinitas, California

There's a line out the door for a reason. It's worth the wait! We ordered the carne asada tacos, Sonora tacos and a secret menu taco. Everything was delicious and flavorful without being over salted or anything like that. We ordered a side of guac and chips to enjoy while we waited for our tacos and I'd highly recommend that too. I thought everything was reasonably priced, especially for how good the food is. It's typically very busy indoors and outdoors, but make sure you don't miss the salsa bar (tucked in the back near the fountain drinks)!! read more

The Taco Stand - SONORA TACO - Tacos Near Me - Encinitas, California

The tacos here are outstanding. The salsa bar is top tier. I just love coming here. I love the patio that's very enjoyable.

Someone recommended this place so we decided to checkout. The line was very long around 1p so we decided to come back later in the day, around 3:30p. There was still a line but not as long. There's inside and outside seating and pretty packed but tables seem to turn fairly quickly. The food did take time to come out, but it was very fresh so worth the wait. read more

See all

I've been hearing about this place so I stopped to try it out. I have it a 4 star because the first taco I tried was Al Pastor. I did. It like that mix with the pineapples. It was ok. Next I tried carne Asada. This taco was really good. 5 stars. Fresh and delicious. The I had a Burrito. Carne Asada. One the best burrito I have ever eaten. Freshly made. The wait wasn't bad. Place was packed. There's a backyard too for seating. read more

See all

This was the 2nd time I had been to a Taco Stand, and probably the last, honestly. I just don't like it...it does nothing for me or my tastebuds. We were at Cardiff beach, and my buddy wanted a burrito that was close by. Decided to give Taco Stand a chance. I had it once before at the La Jolla location and was not that impressed. Wanted to see if it was just a "one off" or if I really didn't like it. Well.........I really didn't like it. We got CA burritos. The only positive thing I can say is that they are priced right ($10.19 which is cheap for a CA burrito). Couple problems with the burrito. #1. Tortilla wasnt that great. Soft and a little gummy. #2. Fries were mush. Straight soggy, mashed potato type consistency. #3. Meat was just ok. Its cubed up in chunks. Not bad, but I prefer thinner, more charred carne asada. #4. Salsas. Not that good. I had an avocado one which had way too much lime in it. Meh. #5. Chips. I got a bag of their tortilla chips, and you might as well buy Fritos. They tasted EXACTLY like Fritos. I was in the mood for some crispy tortilla chips, not triangle Fritos. Way too "corny" of a taste. Anyways........I ate my whole burrito but was not happy/satisfied at all. Just went through the motions. Wont ever go to a Taco Stand again. Just not my style. read more

The Taco Stand - Not a good CA burrito. Cheap ($10 bucks) but cheap quality too. - Tacos Near Me - Encinitas, California

GREAT food (freshly made tortillas) and great service! Food: California Burrito & it was DELICIOUS! Service: Friendly and efficient Ambiance: They have an authentic ambiance, with pesos at the register, the lettering of the menu just like you would see in Mexico and lotteria (Mexican bingo) as the numbers This place has GREAT FOOD, good ambiance and quick service! read more

See all

This is hands-down my favorite spot in San Diego for tacos. While they don't serve adobada, their carne asada is the best I've had. It's one of the only places that cooks steak medium rare, and for me that's a game changer--perfectly seasoned with a nice smoky flavor. 10/10 Their al pastor is very good, 7/10 though a little hit or miss. When it's on point, the flavor is great, but sometimes it can be slightly dry. What really stands out here is their sauces: the thick green crema is incredible, and paired with the pickled onions and a fully stocked salsa bar, you can load up your tacos exactly how you like. The churro was amazing--warm, soft, fried just right, with plenty of cinnamon sugar 10/10. We also tried the surf and turf fries, which were excellent. The fries are crispy (not soggy like many places) and well-seasoned, topped with nacho cheese instead of shredded cheese--which I personally love. 10/10 Overall rating 10/10, this place almost never disappoints. The only inconsistency I've noticed is with the al pastor, but otherwise it's easily the best Mexican food spot in San Diego. Highly recommend! Service is solid, and while some locations can get busy, the atmosphere is great with plenty of seating and a rustic vibe. read more

See all

TLDR: It's good Mexican food at a good price point. The lines can get long, but I think it's worth the wait. Mar Y Tierra Burrito: A surf and turf burrito that looks like a flavor sub. The proteins inside (beef and shrimp) were seasoned well, and it also wasn't overwhelming. The blends of the protein, vegetarian, and sauce are hard to beat, and I'm glad I got this Baja Taco: I knew I liked fish, so as long as it's not overcooked, I knew this was in the bag. Not only was the fish cooked well, the batter was amazing. It's lightly crispy but doesn't skimp out on the batter taste. It's not overpowering, though, people of the "coleslaw" on top. 10/10 Grilled Pescado Taco: They know how to cook fish, so the grilled mahi mahi tasted great. I wasn't expecting the avocado slice, but I'm not gonna complain. It's a well-balanced bite on a tortilla that held firm. Bottled Coke: It's an extra 6 grams of sugar compared to the cans. You know it's gonna be better. Service: The lines were long but the food comes out fresh and at a reasonable time. This branch serves you the food, so it's bonus points for them. Ambiance: It's half indoor dining and half al fresco. The al fresco side gave a "fancy" street food environment that the cool weather definitely complemented. read more

The Taco Stand - Mar Y Tierra Burrito, Baja Taco, Grilled Pescado Taco - Tacos Near Me - Encinitas, California

See all

What an excellent lunch spot! Delicious burritos with the most meat I've ever had in one burrito. Really tasty guacamole, with big chunks of avocado. Awesome tacos. And the price was very reasonable. I expected it to be even more expensive for how much food they served. And a big enough size for leftovers too! I look forward to returning! read more

My partner described her visit here as a "religious experience" and I feel like that about sums it up. Great food, good prices, nice atmosphere- what else can you ask for? We tried a selection of tacos (spicy shrimp, grilled mahi, Baja fish, nopales, and Sonoran) and a carne asada burrito. Everything was well seasoned and fresh. They have a great selection of sauces, salsas, and other items to add to your tacos. I would definitely return and recommend this taco shop to anyone in the Encinitas area. read more

See all

I love you taco stand !! Every location I've been to has been consistent and the food hits everytime. My fave is the Al pastor, but this time I tried the Baja fish tacos and shrimp tacos as well. The seafood was super fresh and just the right seasoning. I also love the various dips at the sauce bar, especially their famous green sauce! The service was fast, nothing standout. This location had a good amount of space and seats for a Friday afternoon, and love the outside patio. Parking might be a little rough in busy times. I'll be back! read more

The Taco Stand - Tacos Near Me - Encinitas, California

Hot damn this is the best tacos I've ever had!!!! Yes there is a line out the door and for good reason!! I love that there is vegan options and that they are delicious. You can't go wrong with anything off the menu !! We got the churros , some tacos , quesadillas, and one that had fries and all the works on it. Everything was so delicious. Fresh and full of flavor. read more

See all

jaime is awesome at the register and the food was amazing. The onions are a must if you are stopping by

Rochelle was amazing!!! Super friendly . I was very pleased with the clean decor. Definitely recommend!! Secret gem!!!!

I love the taco stand, especially in SD!! Amazing prices, especially for those burritos. Mar y Tierra is my favorite with great shrimp and steak!! I also got 2 Baja tacos and a Sonora taco. Baja was pretty good, especially if you like fish, a little dry sometimes. Sonora was definitely my preferred taco with melted cheese, guacamole, and flour tortilla. The workers were all very nice and gave great recommendations. Location is super cute as well read more

The Taco Stand - Sonora Taco - Tacos Near Me - Encinitas, California

See all

The Taco Stand is a popular spot for good reason! They are consistent, serving fresh food in generous portions with a great atmosphere. It takes a bit to move through the line here, but once you get to order, it takes only ten or so minutes to get your food. I love their Mar Y Tierra burrito, which consists of shrimp, steak, avocado, cabbage, and chipotle sauce. The tortilla is also delicious by itself. Their churros are also amazing and so soft! read more

See all

We drive by this place all the time and there is always a line down the block. We had time so gave it a shot. We ordered 6 tacos. 2- El Pastor, 2- Carne Asada, Pollo Asado, and Baja. The person taking our order said it would be 30 minutes so we also got chips and guac for while we waited. They make everything fresh to order. As I was waiting in line to get to the salsa bar I watched as they were hand pressing and cooking the tortillas. The place is lively and has seating inside and out but you have to be quick or patient to score a table. The chips and guac were excellent! The guac is made from fresh avocados and has plenty of avocado chunks in it. My favorite taco was the El Pastor with carne asada a close second and the pollo asado coming in 3rd. The Baja taco was not my favorite. Lacking flavor and was kind of mushy. I was happy I saved some of the el pastor as my last bite. The freshness warrants the long lines but flavor wise I have a couple other places I enjoy more. read more

See all

I've been to this location before and would give it 5 stars if I hadn't been to the La Jolla location (which I would give 5 stars). Not sure why, but several others have said the La Jolla location tastes better (I'm assuming the same owner owns both). Nevertheless, if we're in Encinitas, this our #1 spot to eat at. Gets super busy on the weekends, so if you can go on other days, it's not so hairy to get a seat and wait for them to cook up your food. read more

The Taco Stand - Cameron (shrimp) & Grilled Pescado - Tacos Near Me - Encinitas, California

See all

I come to this location quite a bit. The service is good and the food is even better. There is usually a line out the door, but they work quickly and keep the line moving. Al Pastor is usually my go to whether it's a burrito, fries, or a quesadilla. They have other good protein options so you can't really go wrong. The churros are also amazing. The inside gets a little crowded so I prefer to sit on the patio. There are a fair number of options for salsa, but nothing is very spicy. They're spiciest option would be a mild salsa at most other Mexican restaurants. They also have pickled onion in the salsa bar which acts as a nice palate cleanser. The major downside to this place is cleanliness. Countertops and tables are usually messy due to the high volume of customers that come through the restaurant. The restroom isn't the cleanest either and there is only one single stall restroom so there's usually a line. Other than that it's a great place to eat! read more

The Taco Stand - Salsas - Tacos Near Me - Encinitas, California

See all

jaime was the goat at the register , brings a great vibe to the register and i hope to see him next time I come in read more

The Taco Stand - Tacos Near Me - Encinitas, California

Amazing tacos!Well worth the long wait for food (it took about half hour).Also very long wait to order and finding a table to sit is difficult. The pastor,chicken tacos were just as good as ones I had in Cabo. Husband said fish tacos was just OK read more

The Taco Stand - Long waits! - Tacos Near Me - Encinitas, California

See all

This place looked busy so I decided to go in and try some tacos. I was excited to see a lively interior, lots of seating, and a clean space. There's a sauce bar located at the back with lots of salsas, limes, and pickled veggies. When I ordered, I asked a couple questions about the burritos and the employee who helped was unable to confidently explain what comes inside. Maybe it was due to the business of the line but I felt more unsure of my decision. I opted for the shrimp and Baja tacos. I was quite excited since I waited about 20 minutes. From initial appearances the tacos looked great. I first tried the tacos with additional sauces. I regret to say these camaron and the fish lacked flavor. Even with the chipotle sauce and lime added, I didn't feel as if the wait was worth it. The fried fish was a bit mushy and not what I anticipated. Maybe it was due to the business that night, but I just don't see myself trying the fish again. read more

The Taco Stand - Camaron Taco Baja Taco - Tacos Near Me - Encinitas, California

Taco Stand is always consistent, and a great lunch after the beach. The service is great and the restaurant is always lively! read more

The Taco Stand - AL PASTOR TACO - Tacos Near Me - Encinitas, California

What a treat we had this past Friday @ The Taco Stand. Loved everything about it - the feel, the food, etc. Met a gf here for an early lunch (it gets crowded at peak meal times) & was able to swoop up a corner patio spot for our party of 3. Order first & pay, then grab a table & your choice of condiments & salsas / free water. *First off their Hot Churros are the bomb(dot)com since they came out warm and I don't think you need the condensed milk dip, but to each their own! *Al Pastor and Camaron (Spicy Shrimp) Tacos were also so very good! Loved them & will be back just for these! *Baja and Grilled Pescado Tacos were meh. Hubby & I would probably pass on their fish tacos in the future. *Carne Asada Fries were good & seasoned well! One unisex bathroom that was fairly clean. Service did take a bit longer as the crowd & line got long. Parking is either street parking (on Coast Hwy most of it is 2 hour limit), but if you go onto other streets you may find untimed + unmetered parking if you don't mind the walk. Will be back & will also try to find other Taco Stands soon since they have multiple locations =') read more

See all

My wife and I dropped by here for an afternoon snack. She had a mushroom taco (sauteed mushrooms, grilled onions, grilled garlic, cilantro mix, avocado with sauce); and I had a item from the secret menu, Al Pastor Volcan (tostada with melted cheese, Al Pastor, guacamole, white onions, cilantro, pineapple, salsa cilantro). I also added some salsa from the sauce bar. Both the taco and tostada were amazing, super flavorful! The combination of flavors, spices and unapologetic heat were great! Service was efficient, which is what you would expect from a busy taco restaurant. The ambiance was friendly with a bright, colorful street food restaurant type vibe. The prices are super reasonable, especially given the quality of the food. I'll be back to try more tacos. read more

See all

Love this spot - mar y tierra fires are definitely my go to! Don't forget to grab some of their creamy cilantro sauce as well. read more

The Taco Stand - Tacos Near Me - Encinitas, California

The Taco Stand (specifically the one in Encinitas) is a San Diego staple and for GOOD reason. This place is so, so, so good. The food is bomb, prices are fair, and the location can't be beat. It can get BUSY so be aware of that, but the line moves fast and tables turn over fairly quickly. Worst case scenario, you're a few minutes walk to the beach and you can enjoy your meal there. For some reason the other locations don't quite hit the same as Encinitas but maybe it's the beachside location that boosts the experience. I personally love the Sonora taco but really you can't go wrong with any of their tacos or burritos. Also love the several salsa options at the self serve salsa bar. read more

See all

We love you Taco Stand. This past time I went was for the fresh madr churros... but everything on the menu is made to perfection. I can't wait to go back. read more

The Taco Stand - Tacos Near Me - Encinitas, California

See all

I heard this was a must spot to grab tacos in San Diego so on we went! We got 6 different tacos to try and our favorites were the spicy shrimp tacos and the grilled fish tacos. The corn tortillas were so fresh and thin! Don't skimp on ordering the chunky guac & chips to pair with all the salsas they have to offer! We also ordered the corn on the cob and it's probably the best corn on the cob I've ever had! Everything is made fresh so the wait to get your food did take a bit! read more

The Taco Stand - Tacos Near Me - Encinitas, California

See all

The food at Taco Stand is always extremely fresh and flavorful. This was my first trip to the Encinitas location. The camaron and baja tacos were delicious. The service was friendly and adequate. I will say the only complaint is the seating. It's really a free for all and quite a mess trying to find a spot to sit. read more

The Taco Stand - Baja Taco (left) and Camaron Taco (right) - Tacos Near Me - Encinitas, California