SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — Sure "Tuesdays" are for tacos but let's be real. In San Diego, tacos are for any day.
But to keep in line with the Taco Tuesday mantra, you want to make sure you're heading to a shop that is perfect for the weekly occasion. And in San Diego, you've got your work cut out for ya, foodies.
From Tacos El Gordo to Las Cuatro Milpas to TJ Tacos, to Chuy's, taco fans are spoiled with options.
Check out these local stops for Taco Tuesday and you won't be disappointed:
Tacos El Gordo (Chula Vista, Otay Mesa West): There's a reason Tacos El Gordo has been a local landmark for decades. Fresh tortillas; adobada, carne asada, and suadero tacos packed with flavor; freshly-grilled veggies and robust salsas. Tacos El Gordo sets a high mark for Tijuana-style tacos in San Diego. Salsas and guacamole are made from scratch daily and meats simmer and cook to juicy perfection, before making their debut atop handmade corn tortillas.
The Taco Stand (Downtown, Encinitas, La Jolla, North Park): Named one of America's best fast-casual restaurants, The Taco Stand's Tijuana-inspired tacos are made with handmade corn tortillas, and salsa and guacamole made from scratch daily. Fill your plate with pollo asado, al pastor, or sonora tacos and add on Rosarito-style churros or elote.
Las Cuatro Milpas (Barrio Logan): Fans of Las Cuatro Milpas rave about the mom-and-pop shop's tacos, chorizo con huevo, rice and beans, freshly-made tortillas, and menudo (only available on Saturdays). Diners come in, order, and shuffle down the line to receive their delicious meals cafeteria-style. The humble shop is an experience of its own, but the delicious and authentic meats are hard to beat.
Puesto (Seaport Village, La Jolla, Mission Valley): Freshly-made tortillas, inventive takes on tacos, and complex ingredients make Puesto's tacos some of the best around town. Their chicken al pastor is filled with braised chicken and spicy pineapple flavors and their carnitas are slow-cooked to deliciousness. Puesto's filet mignon may sound overtly posh for a taco, but paired with a serrano salsa it feels right at home.
TJ Tacos (Escondido): Delicious Tijuana-style tacos filled with spicy pork, chorizo, or beef topped with flavorful chunky salsas or guacamole and onions atop handmade tortillas make TJ Tacos a must-try. While its perfectly cooked and tender meats make any taco a hit, don't forget to saddle up a plate with grilled peppers or onions.
City Tacos (North Park, La Mesa, Encinitas, Imperial Beach, Sorrento Valley): A dependable staple of tacos across San Diego, City Tacos has been a dinnertime and late-night favorite for years. Their carnitas and birria de res tacos are packed with slow-cooked flavor and their house favorites featuring chorizo asado, grilled Angus or rib eye meat, and pulled lamb options take traditional street tacos to the next level.
Tako Factory (La Mesa): While Tako Factory excels at the traditional favorites, they also bring their own take to tacos. With mouthwatering options like queso shrimp, mahi mahi, chicken chipotle, and veggie tacos, they cover all the bases taco lovers could want with generous portions, juicy meats, and tacos packed with cheesy goodness.
Taqueria Las Mulas (El Cajon): Tucked in El Cajon, Taqueria Las Mulas is a small shop boasting big flavors with deliciously marinated pork, juicy beef, birria tacos, and more. Fans rave about Las Mulas' al pastro and carne asada tacos, with tender meat in homemade tortillas and zesty salsas to top them off.
Chuy's Taco Shop (College Area): Chuy's has nabbed Food Network attention for good reason. Massive portions of meat stuffed into delicious tortillas with diced veggies and flavorful salsa. Chuy's guacamole and pico de gallo are a delicious top to already flavorful carnitas and pollo asada tacos as well.
Taqueria Revolucion (Bonita, Otay Ranch, San Ysdiro): Carne asada tacos, pollo asada tacos, birria tacos, carnitas tacos. Taqueria Revolucion does it all. Juicy, marinated meats are the centerpiece of each taco, full of flavor and with delicious sauces to match.
