SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — A La Jolla taco stop is being hailed among the best stops among fast-casual favorites like In-N-Out and Shake Shack.
The Taco Stand was named the fourth best fast casual restaurant in the U.S. by Trip Advisor, as part of the website's 2019 Travelers' Choice awards. The La Jolla restaurant was hailed by reviewers as having the "best steak burritos ever tasted" and simply "taco nirvana."
"We are so thrilled by this news and grateful," The Taco Stand co-owner Julian Hakim told 10News. "The Taco Stand was built out of a passion for food, making great tacos and burritos. It is a simple philosophy and appears to be working."
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Hakin's love for tacos found in Mexico led to the vision and creation of the La Jolla taco shop, according to Zagat.
Their Tijuana-inspired tacos are crafted with handmade corn tortillas, and salsa and guacamole that's made from scratch daily. They also serve a variety of locally made paletas, or Mexican popsicles; Rosarito-style churros with dipping sauce; and elote, or grilled corn with mayonnaise, cheese, and chili powder.
The restaurant ranked just under In-N-Out, Shake Shack, and Earl of Sandwich (all of which have locations in San Diego County) on Trip Advisor's list. Another popular taco spot, Tacos El Gordo (though in Las Vegas), came in at seventh and San Diego's Burger Lounge came in 14th.
The Taco Stand has locations in La Jolla, Encinitas, downtown San Diego, North Park, Orange County, Miami, and soon, Las Vegas.