Looking for the Best Taco in San Diego?

When you ask a pal how their San Diego trip went, they will likely rave about a taco they ate. With a rich Hispanic heritage and access to fresh ingredients, San Diego packs a one-two punch when it comes to incredible taco options. The problem (if you could call it that) arises with deciding which restaurant has the best tacos. It wasn’t an easy assignment, but we narrowed it down to the four best taco joints you must hit if you’re in San Diego.
Puesto Mexican Street Food
Puesto has two locations, one in downtown La Jolla and one at The Headquarters downtown. This upscale fast-casual eatery serves made-to-order authentic Mexican food with fresh ingredients. The menu has a variety of grilled foods that include fish, shrimp, chicken al pastor and carne asada. Vegetarians can choose from an array of gourmet Mexican items like zucchini flower, corn truffle and soy chorizo potatoes. When asked about the best item on the menu, patrons report “all of it? All of it is the best.” The only way you can go wrong is not to visit these critically acclaimed taco stops.
Pacific Beach Fish Shop

If you Google “best tacos in San Diego,” you’ll be hard-pressed to find a recent list that doesn’t mention this new kid in town. Established in 2010, the Pacific Beach Fish Shop opened with the sole purpose of providing the freshest fish in San Diego. Its menu is uniquely tailored — guests choose what type of fresh fish and seasoning they want. The place is specifically known for its award-winning TKO taco with grilled mahi-mahi marinated in a Fish Shop seasoning topped with a homemade tropical mango salsa. As an added bonus, this chill restaurant is dog-friendly and has more than 50 of San Diego’s microbrews on tap.

Tacos El Gordo
This subtle establishment can surprise folks who haven’t heard about the awards this casual dining joint has earned. Tacos El Gordo is a family-owned and operated company that has been in the food service industry for 40-plus years, opening its first business in 1972. Tacos El Gordo has become famous for being the closest thing to Tijuana-style tacos without crossing the border. Its taco de adobada (roasted pork) is a favorite. The marinated meat is hand-sliced to order and will keep you coming back for more.
Bull Taco

If it’s true that ambiance makes a meal, then Bull Taco has you covered. Located atop a cliff inside the San Elijo State Beach campground, every seat on the patio deck at this gem has a breathtaking view of the ocean. The founders are two brothers who launched Bull Taco out of a snack bar and quickly gained a reputation for their creative endeavors. The tacos here are billed as “inauthentic Mexican” with options like the SBC taco, which includes shrimp, bacon and chorizo nestled into cabbage with a sriracha kick, and the California taco, which features asada tater tots and guacamole. For the courageous, oxtail and cow tongue tacos are also on the menu.
Be sure to check out ForRent.com for other tips on the best San Diego has to offer. And get more suggestions for San Diego tacos on CorporateHousing.com.