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    The Taco Stand

    4.4 (5.4k reviews)
    ModerateFood Stands, Mexican
    Closed 9:00 am - 10:00 pm

    Order The Taco Stand Takeout or Delivery

    The Taco Stand Photos

    Business Info

    THE TACO STAND ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Classy
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - The Taco Stand

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    Reviews With Photos

    Al Pastor Taco, Baja Taco, Grilled Pescado Taco (left to right)
    Allie A.

    The Taco Stand is a must for my husband and me whenever we're in Southern California. I actually planned our most recent vacation rental in La Jolla based on how close it was to this place. Be prepared for a line during the lunch or dinner rush--but the food is absolutely worth the wait. The menu includes tacos, burritos, volcanes, and quesadillas, but the tacos are the real star. The tortillas are made in-house, and the fresh salsa bar lets you customize each bite. Everything tastes incredibly fresh with bold, vibrant flavors. My favorites are the fish tacos--both the grilled fish and the Baja (fried fish). The fish is always fresh, well seasoned, and the Baja version has a perfectly crispy bite. The al pastor (pork with pineapple) is a close second and has a great sweet and savory balance. The avocado is always perfectly ripe, and the street corn and guacamole are excellent. My only small critique: the horchata was very sweet and seemed to be made from a mix rather than fresh. Still, this spot is always a must-visit for us when we're in the area. Pro tip: try both the grilled and Baja fish tacos and don't skip the salsa bar.

    Deepti A.

    Decided to try the taco stand on a Saturday morning after a walk in downtown La Jolla. The spot can be a little walk from the downtown. The spot was busy in the morning so recommended getting there early. The service was speedy. My burrito was good though it could use a little more flavor. The salsa bar had plenty of salsa options depending on the spice palate. The prices are good for the portions. Overall a good experience!

    Kaci C.

    Tasty tasty tacos that took about an hour to get. Self serve salsa and toppings bar which is awesome, the different sauces all added something yummy. Had the fish and beef taco which were so much better than a few other places during my trip. My complaint mostly is the wait. I get it, we came on a Saturday but the line barely budged, although when you're inside you can see they're producing tacos and packing them really quickly so what it looks like is they're doing a lot of mobile orders in between standing customers which to me isn't great. Maybe turn off mobile ordering on busy days and treat the people waiting in line first?

    CARNE ASADA FRIES CARNE ASADA TACO AL PASTOR TACO
    Uyen L.

    Went on a Sunday around dinner time and this place was POPPING. We ordered online for pickup and still had to wait about 15 minutes when we got there, but honestly good thing we did because the line to order was literally out the door and down the block. The workers were BUSY. Not a ton of seating inside, but we just took our food to the beach and had a mini picnic, which made it way better anyway. They also have a self-serve sauce bar, which I always appreciate. We got carne asada tacos, al pastor tacos, and carne asada fries. The carne asada was solid. Good flavor, decent sized pieces, not dry or chewy, actually pretty tender. The al pastor was kinda underwhelming though. A little dry and just didn't hit the same (flavor-wise). Also not a huge fan of raw onions and they cut them pretty big, so it was a bit overpowering. The fries were really good texture wise, and the steak was just as good as the tacos. Only thing is the nacho sauce on top was a bit much for me. Made everything kinda soggy toward the end. One thing I will say, they are VERY generous with the guac, and it actually tasted really good too. But I still can't get over the price... ~$5 per taco is kinda crazy. I get that they load them up, but still.

    The Taco Stand
    Zach W.

    Wow just knew walking up this taco joint it was going to be amazing by the line of a dozen plus people waiting outside to order. In the pics you'll notice a small press they are loading fresh masa mash into and hand rolling out fresh tortillas to heat on the grill. We ordered cactus & Baja tacos both super yummy also got grilled shrimp & carne asada tacos. Skirt steak, shrimp and Baja great flavor n spices going on here folks! Cactus taco unique but worth tasting! Fresh salsa bar was on par, everything about this place was fantastic so get some for sure if your in La Jolla. Oh and don't forget they got churros yea buddy ya going to enjoy those too! Crispier than a new $1 bill. I'll be back as Arnold would say. Cheers!

    Menu
    Norman W.

    Menu is on a corrugated aluminum and was kinda hard to read unless you're up close. Seemed like other people were having the same issue so IMO it slows the line done. Food is made to order so the wait can take a while as well, so just be ready to wait a bit, but that's enough of my logistical analysis of the cue. The tortillas are elite and the pollo asado tacos was solid but didn't blow my socks off. Now the Mar Y Tierra burrito, was def a banger. Beef was tender and the shrimp weren't over cooked, cabbage added a nice texture and the salsa paired well. The salsa bar had some variety but the pickled veggies were better than average to me. Place is not huge but does have outside seating. Parking can be a bit of a chore so stay diligent. 4/5, want to pull up again and get through the menu

    BAJA TACO
    Ashley M.

    when you go here, you have to know it's not going to be quick but it is going to be good! the line is always out the door but it moves (you can order online too!) i went on cinco de mayo near closing & waiting about 45 min for 2 tacos but they were absolutely slammed & working so hard! the tacos are good but i do think they're overhyped.

    L to R (Baja, Carne Asada, Al Pastor)
    Nicole L.

    This was a taco stand alright because we spent most of our time standing and waiting. That being said, the food tasted so good that it was almost worth it. The parking lot is pretty tiny--especially considering how it's shared by several restaurants. We must have come at the right time though because one spot actually opened up right when we got there! The line never let up the entire time I was there even though it was already well past lunch time on a weekday when we arrived. I think we waited for about an hour before even taking our order. There was plenty of seating both inside and out, but there were just so many people that not everyone had a seat. Not only that, but many of the people who were sitting were still waiting for their food. After ordering, I think we waited another 30 minutes for the food to be done too. Luckily, some people left and we were able to take their seats before the food was done. The entire menu looked really interesting and yummy, so it was hard to make a decision. There was a small fridge by the doorway that was full of alcohol and soda in glass bottles. They even had churros being fried right next to the register! I ended up going with three soft tacos--baja, carne asada, and al pastor. Each taco was loaded with plenty of things already, but there was also a sizeable sauce/salsa/topping bar in the back to get even more! The tacos were all a pretty good size. They were packed with flavor and cooked perfectly. The fish in the baja taco was especially delicious. The fish was fried to perfection It's too bad that this place is so far away from where I live. If I lived nearby, then I would try to find the slow hours and then go all the time!

    NOPAL TACO
    Kalina I.

    Second time trying this location. I came around lunch so it was busy so I expected the long wait. Note,if you come during lunch or on the weekend, there will likely be a lot of people and you will need to wait (1hr+). I enjoyed the food I had this time. Had an al pastor burrito. Great. No complaints. Their salsa options are great too. plenty there to choose which you prefer. Tacos - carne asada, fish, al pastor were all good too.

    MUSHROOM TACO
    Charlene S.

    Ok, so... the wait on a Saturday is long. It doesn't get shorter in the afternoon or weird hours between lunch and dinner. Long. There's another wait for salsas and soda. Then, there's the wait for food. It's also long. Seating is sparse. Vegetarian review: mushroom taco was ok. Filled to the brim though, with mushrooms and topped with a fair amount of avocado. It just wasn't very flavorful. Chips and guac: chips were good. Guac was ok. Churros: these were good. You get 3 of them along with some condensed milk. Crispy outside, chewy inside, lots of cinnamon and sugar. Salsas were pretty good. Parking was not too bad.

    Wall Decor
    Henri V.

    The Taco Stand on Pearl St in La Jolla never fails to draw a crowd of people who are willing to wait a little for the tacos self included. This taco shop is between POP's Bagels, and Pizza on Pearl, which is next to a burger shop. It's a small restaurant with a few seating inside and out. Parking can be challenge. Overdue review because I Have been coming here for over 2 years and mostly for togo but sometimes when seating is available I may stay. My pup knows the aroma of tacos and she drags here for her carne asada meat taco. My favs are the Baja crispy Mahi Mahi fish or Grilled Mahi Mahi fish tacos, the mushroom with cheese and also the Nopales which is diced cactus...All are so good especially with added spicy hot sauce from the salsa bar. They have cerveza aka beer or Topo Chico the mexican sparkling H20, which I like. This taco stand is casual, not fancy and everyone knows it's among the best for tacos and other casual mexican foods( burritos, quesadillas, loaded fries, chips and salsa, elote(corn) and churros( a sweet cinnamon and sugar sprinkled longish skinny donut dessert you can eat most of the foods without utensils, it's finger foods and you can eat with your CLEAN hands. There are other locations throughout San Diego but this spot sure gets a lot of attention with the locals and visiting tourists. Remember this, It doesn't have to be Taco Tuesday to Go Get Tacos!! Recommend

    Carne Asada Taco ($4.59)
    John D.

    This is the original location (circa 2013) for this ever-expanding local franchise that's now up to sixteen restaurants in four states (CA, TX, NV & FL)--with six more "coming soon" locations. The Good: * The menu is pretty straightforward and not overly complicated. * Handmade corn tortillas. 'Nuff said. * Great self-serve salsa bar in the back. *Bottled beers available *Service was fine. Nothing great, but nothing terrible. * Maybe the best carne asada I've ever had. Thick, tender, and plentiful--now this is what a $5 taco should look like! * Carissa thought their Al Pastor was phenomenal. She couldn't stop talking about it. *Maybe the best Carne Asada Fries I've ever had. I don't know how they kept the fries so crispy even with all the toppings on there, but they did. Marvelous. Simply marvelous. The Meh: * Small outdoor space, but it's available at least. *Free street parking only The Ugly: * Very cramped and tiny interior, especially if you're the size of a small village, like myself. Definitely bull in China shop vibes, as every slight turn I felt like I was going to run someone over or knock something over. *This place gets very busy, busy, busy and for good reason! Get here early. Conclusion: Some of the best Mexican food we've ever had, but we just wish it was a better environment to dine in at.

    Taco
    Angie B.

    Decent taco spot for the price. I think the carne asada could have had a stronger flavor to it and the meat was rather chewy. Tortilla was good but the cilantro salsa saved it all. Definitely could put that stuff on so much. Line and wait can get very long here. Street parking only which can suck depending when you go. Indoor and outdoor seating but can also be competitive depending when you go.

    Hustling kitchen

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    24 days ago

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    21 days ago

    They have the BEST Cali burrito! The workers are so nice every time and work fast to get everyone their food despite the business

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    2 months ago

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    The Taco Stand Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - The Taco Stand

    What is the parking situation like?

    Uh, there isn't one. Parking is super tight. Go a block away, and just park on the street somewhere. If you see a spot within 2 blocks, grab it. The lot next door is for Mitch's Surf Shop (which is a great local surf shop - must visit), so they're… Read more

    Do they sell deep-fried tacos? -fried the corn taco shell

    Just soft shell, but they do have deep fried house made churros and chips!

    Where do you park?

    There is a very small parking lot shared by other restaurants and shops. You're better off finding parking on the street. We parked around the corner in a neighborhood.

    Is it cash only? and do they have an atm machine?

    I'm pretty sure I paid by credit card.

    Are they open for lunch?

    Yes

    Do you use any nuts in your food?

    Only deez nuts.

    Are there restrooms?

    I don't remember. Please call them.

    Any daily specials or Taco tuesday deals?

    I haven't seen any.

    Any taco Tuesday deals?

    No, updated 2/4/25

    Is there a long wait when pre-ordered online pickup?

    No just tell the restaurant workers you're here for pick up and they should have it bagged and ready to go

    But do y'all have consume?

    No they do not have consome

    Is your chipotle sauce and cilantro sauce dairy free?

    Hello, Both sauces contain dairy. The chipotle sauce has mayonnaise and the cilantro sauce has… Read more

    Are the tortillas homemade?

    Yes👍🏾

    Do they have vegan options?

    Very limited. Cactus Taco or Bean Burrito. Not a great place for a vegan.

    Do you guys offer takeout?

    They do take out, but keep in mind that they don't do phone/online orders on weekends because of how crowded it gets.

    Gluten free items?

    Hi Karen, Our tacos are gluten free, with the exception of the Baja and Sonora. Our quesadillas… Read more

    You guys going tonfranchise?

    Not at the moment. Thank you!

    Are there any recommend times to visit during the day that's the least busy?!?

    I have been there once when visiting San Diego, the family and I got there around 6pm and sat down to eat around 7:15pm. A long wait, yes! But damn was it worth the wait. We cannot wait to stand in line for a long time to eat there again! 😉

    Is it safe to eat here for someone with a peanut allergy?

    Be sure to let them know beforehand, but I believe you should be ok. I’m almost positive nothing in the menu contains nuts.

    Will it be open Thanksgiving day?

    Hi Megan, We will be closed on Thanksgiving. The remainder of the week will be business as usual.… Read more

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    3.9(279 reviews)
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    My husband and I finally are kicking ourselves for not dining at Verdes El Ranchero sooner! We were…read morewalking by and had a hankering for a margarita, so we decided to have lunch here. We were seated right away with chips and salsa brought up fairly quickly. It took us a little time to decide on what to eat, but we ordered our margaritas right away. We were surprised that essentially two glasses were brought out for each of us as the other glass was the "leftover". I ordered the enchiladas suizas and they were really good. I had leftovers. My husband got the chicken tortilla soup and a taco and he could not stop raving about the soup the next day. Our server was very friendly and patient with us as we decided on our food, though we could tell that she was very busy. We did have to request water and that took a little while to get as they got busier. They have a few tables outside in front on the sidewalk. Pricing is very reasonable. We walked here, so parking wasn't an issue for us, but only street parking is available. We'll definitely be back for the soup!

    Met some friends for dinner here and had a good experience! We came on a Friday night and had to…read morewait for a table, so keep that in mind when coming during busy times. I ordered the Enchiladas Suizas - it was great! Good flavor and the food came out piping hot which I appreciated. The complimentary chips and salsa were appreciated too. Located in La Jolla so parking isn't super straightforward, however it shouldn't be too tough to find a spot around the corner.

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    Catania

    Catania

    4.5(1.4k reviews)
    0.5 miLa Jolla
    $$
    Happy hour specials
    Rooftop seating

    10/10 Catania delivered. Our server Robert was a top notch professional and coursed us out…read moreperfectly. We got a helpful run down of the menu and everything we tried was excellent. Favorite pasta was TAGLIATELLE ALLA PORTOFINO, and our favorite pizza was the Wild Mushroom with added Sausage. You have to get the Snow Pea salad if it's in season, so delicious! The vibes are great, as you'd expect.

    We were initially drawn to Catania as it boasts Michelin reviews, and an overall high rating on…read moreboth Yelp and Google Reviews. This place can be hard to find. It is tucked away on the third floor of a business plaza, which makes it hard to identify from the street. Although it was initially difficult to locate, the front staff was polite and sat us quickly. Beyond that, we felt as though the wait staff was nothing standout. She took our drink and food order quickly, but there wasn't much meaningful conversation about the menu or restaurant beyond that. We ordered the Tagliatelle Alla Portofino and the Ziti Alla Genovese. The Tagliatelle dish was a 7/10, as we believe the portion was small for the price, and the flavor wasn't anything special. We feel as though this dish could be easily recreated at home for half the price, with double the flavor. The Ziti Alla Genovese was a 6.5/10. The braised beef was tender and flavorful, and overall carried the dish. The pasta noodles lacked flavor, and the dish overall seemed to be cold/at room temperature, as if it had been sitting out before it was served. A few other key factors to mention..although we sat on the side of the restaurant, the main patio and indoor area appeared to have a nice view of La Jolla Shores, which seems to be the main attraction of the restaurant and a key point for many of its reviews. Additionally, the restaurant shares a bathroom with the rest of the businesses in the center, meaning if you need to use the restroom, you will have to obtain an unlock code from the hostess or your wait staff. While it is a nice place to soak in the scenery of La Jolla Shores, if you're looking for a standout meal, Catania could be passed on.

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    Catania - For more restaurant recommendations follow my Instagram page @cozinhacombossa

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    Prawn was tring to eat my noodles

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    The Taco Stand - foodstands - Updated May 2026

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