Tacos El Gordo 3
1940 Highland Ave, National City, CA, 91950
Tacos El Gordo 3 Menu
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Diabetics at Taco Bell
The biggest concern for diabetics is to find healthy food with less sugar at restaurants. The hunt for the right food becomes even more challenging for diabetics when dining at a fast food restaurant. Well, Taco Bell changes that with Fresco style. Simply ask or order an item from the Taco Bell menu in Fresco Style.
Food Suggestions for Diabetics at Taco Bell:
Crunchy Taco Supreme
Nutrition Fact: 190 calories, 11g Fat (4.5g Sat. Fat), 340mg sodium, 15g Carbs, 2g Sugar, 3g Fiber, 8g Protein
Fresco Steak Soft Taco
Nutrition Fact: 150 calories, 4g Fat (1.5g Sat. Fat), 460mg sodium, 17g Carbs, 2g Sugar, 2g Fiber, 10g Protein
Fresco Soft Taco – Shredded Chicken
Nutrition Fact: 150 calories, 6g Fat (2g Sat. Fat), 430mg sodium, 16g Carbs, 1g Sugar, 2g Fiber, 9g Protein
Fresco Soft Taco Beef
Nutrition Fact: 160 calories, 6g Fat (2.5g Sat. Fat), 480mg sodium, 18g Carbs, 1g Sugar, 3g Fiber, 8g Protein
Veggie Power Menu Bowl
Nutrition Fact: 480 calories, 19g Fat (5g Sat. Fat), 970mg sodium, 65g Carbs, 2g Sugar, 13g Fiber, 14g Protein
Bean Burrito
Nutrition Fact: 380 calories, 11g Fat (4g Sat. Fat), 1060mg sodium, 55g Carbs, 3g Sugar, 9g Fiber, 14g Protein
Mini Skillet Bowl
Nutrition Fact: 180 calories, 11g Fat (2g Sat. Fat), 430mg sodium, 16g Carbs, less than 1g Sugar, 2g Fiber, 5g Protein
Foods to Avoid at Taco Bell for Diabetics:
You must avoid all kinds of Drinks and Freezes at Taco Bell if you have diabetes. Almost every beverage offered at Taco Bell contains high sugar content.
High Cholesterol at Taco Bell
Fast food restaurants are known for serving high calorie, greasy food with lots of sugars. Taco Bell changes this trend by offering Fresco Style option where your favorite food item is prepared using pico de gallo as it will cut down 20 – 30 calories easily from the original meal.
Food Suggestions to Maintain Cholesterol Level at Taco Bell:
Mini Skillet Bowl
Nutrition Fact: 180 calories, 11g Fat (2g Sat. Fat), 430mg sodium, 16g Carbs, less than 1g Sugar, 2g Fiber, 5g Protein
Breakfast Soft Taco – Egg & Cheese
Nutrition Fact: 170 calories, 9g Fat (3g Sat. Fat), 330mg sodium, 15g Carbs, less than 1g Sugar, less than 1g Fiber, 7g Protein
Spicy Tostada
Nutrition Fact: 210 calories, 10g Fat (3g Sat. Fat), 440mg sodium, 22g Carbs, 2g Sugar, 5g Fiber, 6g Protein
Fresco Crunchy Taco – Beef
Nutrition Fact: 140 calories, 7g Fat (2.5g Sat. Fat), 300mg sodium, 14g Carbs, less than 1g Sugar, 3g Fiber, 6g Protein
Shredded Chicken Mini Quesadilla
Nutrition Fact: 200 calories, 10g Fat (3.5g Sat. Fat), 490mg sodium, 15g Carbs, less than 1g Sugar, 1g Fiber, 10g Protein
Crunchy Taco Supreme
Nutrition Fact: 190 calories, 11g Fat (4.5g Sat. Fat), 340mg sodium, 15g Carbs, 2g Sugar, 3g Fiber, 8g Protein
Spicy Potato Soft Taco
Nutrition Fact: 230 calories, 12g Fat (3g Sat. Fat), 460mg sodium, 27g Carbs, 1g Sugar, 2g Fiber, 5g Protein
Foods to Avoid at Taco Bell for High Cholesterol:
It is best to avoid Bacon or Steak dishes at Taco Bell as such dishes contain a lot of fat. Also, try to avoid all kinds of Drinks and Freezes which are full of sugars resulting in empty calories.
Visit below restaurant in National City for healthy meals suggestion.
High Blood Pressure at Taco Bell
People with high blood pressure must avoid food with high sodium levels. You can either ask the people at Taco Bell to add less salt in your food or choose the food items with less sodium content or customize your order using Taco Bell's own nutrition calculator.
Food Suggestions to Control Blood Pressure at Taco Bell:
Fresco Chicken Soft Taco
Nutrition Fact: 150 calories, 6g Fat (2g Sat. Fat), 430mg sodium, 16g Carbs, 1g Sugar, 2g Fiber, 9g Protein
Spicy Tostada
Nutrition Fact: 210 calories, 10g Fat (3g Sat. Fat), 440mg sodium, 22g Carbs, 2g Sugar, 5g Fiber, 6g Protein
Grilled Breakfast Burrito - Sausage
Nutrition Fact: 340 calories, 17g Fat (5g Sat. Fat), 730mg sodium, 36g Carbs, 3g Sugar, 2g Fiber, 11g Protein
Veggie Power Menu Bowl
Nutrition Fact: 480 calories, 19g Fat (5g Sat. Fat), 970mg sodium, 65g Carbs, 2g Sugar, 13g Fiber, 14g Protein
Foods to Avoid at Taco Bell for High Blood Pressure:
Taco Bell offers a wide range of Grande Scrambler Burritos, Crunch wraps, and Quesadillas which are high in sodium. It is important to limit the sodium intake at Taco Bell and avoid any meal with over 750-800mg sodium.
Visit below restaurant in National City for healthy meals suggestion.
High Cholesterol at Taco Bell
Fast food restaurants are known for serving high calorie, greasy food with lots of sugars. Taco Bell changes this trend by offering Fresco Style option where your favorite food item is prepared using pico de gallo as it will cut down 20 – 30 calories easily from the original meal.
Food Suggestions to Maintain Cholesterol Level at Taco Bell:
Mini Skillet Bowl
Nutrition Fact: 180 calories, 11g Fat (2g Sat. Fat), 430mg sodium, 16g Carbs, less than 1g Sugar, 2g Fiber, 5g Protein
Breakfast Soft Taco – Egg & Cheese
Nutrition Fact: 170 calories, 9g Fat (3g Sat. Fat), 330mg sodium, 15g Carbs, less than 1g Sugar, less than 1g Fiber, 7g Protein
Spicy Tostada
Nutrition Fact: 210 calories, 10g Fat (3g Sat. Fat), 440mg sodium, 22g Carbs, 2g Sugar, 5g Fiber, 6g Protein
Fresco Crunchy Taco – Beef
Nutrition Fact: 140 calories, 7g Fat (2.5g Sat. Fat), 300mg sodium, 14g Carbs, less than 1g Sugar, 3g Fiber, 6g Protein
Shredded Chicken Mini Quesadilla
Nutrition Fact: 200 calories, 10g Fat (3.5g Sat. Fat), 490mg sodium, 15g Carbs, less than 1g Sugar, 1g Fiber, 10g Protein
Crunchy Taco Supreme
Nutrition Fact: 190 calories, 11g Fat (4.5g Sat. Fat), 340mg sodium, 15g Carbs, 2g Sugar, 3g Fiber, 8g Protein
Spicy Potato Soft Taco
Nutrition Fact: 230 calories, 12g Fat (3g Sat. Fat), 460mg sodium, 27g Carbs, 1g Sugar, 2g Fiber, 5g Protein
Foods to Avoid at Taco Bell for High Cholesterol:
It is best to avoid Bacon or Steak dishes at Taco Bell as such dishes contain a lot of fat. Also, try to avoid all kinds of Drinks and Freezes which are full of sugars resulting in empty calories.
Visit below restaurant in National City for healthy meals suggestion.
Q&A on Taco Bell
Who owns Taco Bell?
Taco Bell is a restaurant chain subsidiary owned by Yum! Brands, Inc. which controls the restaurant division of PepsiCo.
When does Taco Bell stop serving breakfast?
Taco Bell starts serving breakfast from 6 a.m. which is one hour later than other competitors. However, the restaurant chain continues serving breakfast till 11 a.m. which is half an hour later than other competitors.
When is Taco Bell happy hour?
Happy hour at Taco Bell starts from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Are Taco Bell beans healthy?
Beans are rich in protein, fiber, and minerals like iron and phosphorous. Hence, Taco Bell beans are healthy in nature. However, there are claims that Taco Bell uses a rehydrated slew of mystery ingredients instead of beans. So, simply inquire about the beans before ordering items serving Taco Bell beans.
Which Taco Bell is closest to me?
Use our Restaurant Listings directory to find Taco Bell nearby.
Which Taco Bell sauce is hottest?
Diablo is the hottest Taco Bell sauce.
Which Taco Bell sauce is best?
In terms of popularity, the Mild sauce is undoubtedly the best Taco Bell sauce favored by Americans.
Which Taco Bell sauces are vegan?
Hot and Mild sauces are certified vegan.
Which Taco Bell has nacho fries?
Taco Bell has a habit of discontinuing and relaunching Nacho Fries. You can find the Taco Bell locations nearby to see if the Taco Bell store has Nacho Fries.
Which Taco Bell is open right now?
Taco Bell opens at 6 a.m. in the morning and stays open until 3 a.m. the next day at major locations. In New York city, the Taco Bell stores stay open till 11 p.m. or 12 midnight.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
About Taco Bell
Taco Bell is a haven for Mexican delicacies such as tacos, quesadillas, burritos, nachos, and other specialty items. Owned by Yum! Brands, Inc. Taco Bell is one of the fastest growing American chains of fast food restaurants. The restaurant operates from 7,072 different locations which are mostly run by independent franchisees and licensees.
The background story of Taco Bell is interesting and inspiring for budding entrepreneurs. The fast-food brand is the brainchild of Glen Bell, who started his first food venture as a hot dog seller in San Bernardino, California. The year was 1948. After witnessing long queues outside a Mexican restaurant called Mitla Café across the street, Bell saw the opportunity and demand for hard-shelled Tacos. He reverse-engineered the recipe and later started selling Tacos and called the venture Taco-Tia.
Later, the name changed from Taco-Tia to El Taco. Eventually, Glen Bell sold the company to his partner and opened the first Taco Bell in Downey in 1962. By 1964, the restaurant also got its first franchise in Torrance. The 100th Taco Bell restaurant was opened by 1965. PepsiCo acquired Taco Bell from Glen Bell in 1978 and the restaurant brand is currently a subsidiary of Yum! Brands which looks after the restaurant business of PepsiCo.
Healthy Food Options at Taco Bell
You may believe that a healthy lifestyle doesn't go well at a fast food restaurant. Well, that's not the case with Taco Bell. Surprisingly Taco Bell offers a variety of healthy options, thanks to the in-house registered dietician who monitors the whole menu. The dietician ensures that each item on the menu is free from additives and preservatives, colors, and artificial flavors. The dietician also ensures that the food served at Taco Bell doesn't contain high-fructose corn syrup, low sodium levels, and reduced use of partially hydrogenated oil.
More than 75% of food items served at Taco Bell falls under 500 calories. Taco Bell also features the Fresco Style option which helps the customers to maintain healthy diet plan without missing out on taste. In Fresco style option, Taco Bell switches pico de gallo with cheese, sour cream, guac, and mayo-based sauce. Taco Bell takes care of almost every health preference of its customers.
Tips for Dining at Taco Bell
Diabetics can also try other Fresco styled Taco items such as Fresco Crunchy Taco, Fresco Grilled Steak, and Fresco Soft Taco Beef. These are other healthy alternatives of Tacos for diabetics which contains an adequate amount of starch and minimum or no fat content. Switch the regular sauce or cheese with pico de gallo and you can easily reduce the sodium intake and fat content for your body. It will help maintain blood pressure levels and control high cholesterol.
Q&A on Taco Bell
Who owns Taco Bell?
Taco Bell is a restaurant chain subsidiary owned by Yum! Brands, Inc. which controls the restaurant division of PepsiCo.
When does Taco Bell stop serving breakfast?
Taco Bell starts serving breakfast from 6 a.m. which is one hour later than other competitors. However, the restaurant chain continues serving breakfast till 11 a.m. which is half an hour later than other competitors.
When is Taco Bell happy hour?
Happy hour at Taco Bell starts from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Are Taco Bell beans healthy?
Beans are rich in protein, fiber, and minerals like iron and phosphorous. Hence, Taco Bell beans are healthy in nature. However, there are claims that Taco Bell uses a rehydrated slew of mystery ingredients instead of beans. So, simply inquire about the beans before ordering items serving Taco Bell beans.
Which Taco Bell is closest to me?
Use our Restaurant Listings directory to find Taco Bell nearby.
Which Taco Bell sauce is hottest?
Diablo is the hottest Taco Bell sauce.
Which Taco Bell sauce is best?
In terms of popularity, the Mild sauce is undoubtedly the best Taco Bell sauce favored by Americans.
Which Taco Bell sauces are vegan?
Hot and Mild sauces are certified vegan.
Which Taco Bell has nacho fries?
Taco Bell has a habit of discontinuing and relaunching Nacho Fries. You can find the Taco Bell locations nearby to see if the Taco Bell store has Nacho Fries.
Which Taco Bell is open right now?
Taco Bell opens at 6 a.m. in the morning and stays open until 3 a.m. the next day at major locations. In New York city, the Taco Bell stores stay open till 11 p.m. or 12 midnight.
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Address :
1940 Highland Ave
National City, CA, 91950 - Phone (619) 474-5033
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :10:00 am - 12
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : No
Caters : Yes
Categories
Mexican Cuisine
If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.
Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.
Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.
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Kristin Y.
Delicious and I love it! If you're in town or in the area, definitely drop in and eat their ADOBADA tacos or mulas!
(5)Thanh L.
Overhyped. I came here to get a gift card for my friend who LOVES this place. Sadly, they don't have gift cards, but since I was there, I might as well find out what the hype was about! It took us a minute to figure out how to order, but once we did, I got the lengua and suadero tacos. For $2/taco it's actually more expensive than we expected. The tacos are tiny street tacos and are just okay. I didn't think there wasn't anything special about these and my brother agreed. I wouldn't go out of my way, but stop by if you're in the hood.
(3)scott a.
I'm from Minneapolis and came here on a recommendation I got from a friend. Holy shit this place is good! The tacos I had were like food-crack...such intense flavors and so skillfully made. Some (gringo) reviews on here complain about the lack of english, rude, blah blah blah, but I found the place to just be amazing. I felt like I drove across the border and was traveling alone...ordering was an adventure, but I found them to be super helpful nonetheless. This place is so good it makes me want to move here. I'm serious. Go. Now.
(5)Shannan M.
AHHHH I LOVE THIS PLACE!! Seriously, this is the spot for the most legit tj style tacos north of the border (and minus the kidnapping). They're small, but they're filled to the brim with delicious meat, guac, onions and cilantro. Amazing. So amazing. I love that they have a drive through - it's perfect. Nommmm. Only gripe, it's a little pricey, but whatever - that doesn't stop me. It's worth it.
(5)Griz S.
Why is this place so hyped?! I came here for the first time and it was so confusing ordering and it does remind me of a cafeteria. The tacos are really overpriced, I spent $18 on 8 small tacos with a bunch of pieces of fatty meat that I ended up tossing out -___- I was really disappointed. We specially asked them for no spice but one of my lengua tacos had spicy sauce on them. Don't believe the hype lol. I'm sticking to tj oyster bar.
(2)Moses A.
Best Tacos I've ever had. Nuff said. Ok, I'll elaborate a little... The adobada is my favorite here, it's Soo good, the Asada comes second and I just love Lengua, so I get the lengua. I'm from NY, nothing comes close to this!! The free chiles and onions are great too!
(5)Vanessa P.
Tacos here are amazing and I swear I want to go every day. The only bad this is that the wait for your tacos can be a bit long. Most Tacos el Gordo are small shops and it can crowd super fast. Bathrooms not too clean.
(4)Jessica D.
EXPENSIVE, BUT good tacos all the time. but the chula vista location beats it! sorrrrrrry, but stil good (: but their open late soo heyyyyy! gooo!!!!!!!
(4)Andrew S.
Great little taco shop. I had the carne asada quesadilla and the carne asada was seasoned perfectly. The cook was very generous with adding the meat also. The product looks small but is quite filling. I recommend a visit to any of their locations for real authentic TJ tacos.
(4)Geri B.
I'm on my lunch...speaker on drive thru broken I wait almost 15 mins and I pull up and nothing! No acknowledgement I'm even there! No one in the window I see two cooks who won't even look my way. I honk and still nothing. It used to be delicious and unique...newsflash. Taco shop on every corner in national city and I actually prefer Mi Tierra across the street. Guess where I ended up??? Not getting my money anymore! Adios ;-)
(1)James C.
I'd like to say it met my cravings for OG Mexico tacos. Some fatty pieces in the meat and didn't know there was a salsa bar even though I walked right past it as I was looking for the pay booth behind me. The only reason I'm giving a 4 is because it's not quite the price you'd want for such small tacos and amidst an area where there are tons of options.
(4)Suzen T.
My friend, who use to live here in San Diego, came to visit from out of state, was craving mexican food. And this is where she wanted to go. I'm not a huge fan of mexican food, but I gotta say, this place is good. You order first at one counter and then pay at the smaller counter across from it. My favorite was the cabeza and adobada. There's an open patio area where you can it kinda outside. Restrooms are outside in the very back, small parking lot.
(4)Erehka D.
I love tacos el Gordo I dislike this one not for there Tacos but for the Cashiers very rude they need to changed that attitude of theirs, They even want to charge extra for refill oh please I have now found my new fav Tacos el Gordo off on H St in Chula Vista GREAT customer service and guess what Salsa and refills are totally Free and with a smile
(2)Amy S.
San Diego's staple for Mexican food. Upon moving to National City more often than not I heard, "you're right by Tacos El Gordo!" and so I knew it had to be the spot. They've got a drive thru for a quick and easy stop or you can go in and sit in their very large space with plenty of tables that clearly show their popularity. Ordering inside is unique in the sense that you approach the meat line you want and these guys whip up tacos faster than you can believe. Adobada, carne asada, tripe, etc. etc. they've got it all here. They take cards and the place is very clean and the food is not to be missed. I've craved it since I was last there. Definitely worth going to. I pledge my loyalty from this day forward.
(5)Herb A.
I love this place. I cant believe I ate 7 tacos but damn, the tacos are SO SO GOOD! I love their adobado (sp?) station and tried the lengua and cabeza. Both were moist and amazing. I love that they make the food to order. I can't say enough great things about this joint. I love this place!
(5)Arman S.
Grew up in San Diego and took many trips to TJ for their "street tacos". El Gordo is on par although more expensive. Their al pastor is ridiculously good. It's all I order, but I will say the carne asada is excellent as well. Go back whenever I can.
(5)Jay R.
Went here around 1am two weeks ago and went through the drive thru. Had to wait FOREVER for the drive thru person to take our orders and kept telling us to hold on. The irritation wore off as soon as I saw that they had Brain taco. But my dream of having to indulge in something so unfamiliar was crushed soon as the lady struggled to let me know in english that they didn't have it. So instead, I settled to some might comment to as "ew, yuck what the eff is that?!" but to me, they're normal (hence, the carne asada). Menu: Pork Intenstines taco Beef Head taco Carne Asada taco For $2 each, I feel that they're overpriced. They were small enough that if I tried, I would've probably eaten a taco in just one bite. The bursting flavors of each of these tacos left me speechless. Three different meat with three different flavors. I cannot tell you how I felt when I finished my food. I was sad that it ended, but happy that I got to try it. I would still come back to this place and get more tacos next time. I'm still waiting for the day that the brain taco and I would meet. Oh man, writing this review is making me hungry. siiiiiiiighh.... PS. To the owner: Don't let anyone operate your drive thru if they cannot understand or speak english well. We are still in San Diego so don't expect everyone else to speak spanish. Thanks!
(4)Fernando B.
I love this franchise. They have the taco scene on lock! Everything is made fresh right before your eyes. The tripa and suadero tacos are the very best in San Diego. Adobada tacos are a close second. Go to the one on H street in Chula Vista, it's bigger and more available seating. Same great food just more room.
(4)Ro O.
We had some Carne asada tacos- thought the meat had good flavor. A lot more space and less crowded than the Tacos El Gordo #2 in Cula Vista
(4)Jason C.
Were hungry, its 11pm, time for some tacos!!! Food: I tried the Adobada tacos. I had two. MY GOD, they were awesome, some of the best tasting tacos i had in my life! meat was juicy and flavorful. the cream based sauce just sealed the deal. Little bits of onions and cilantro gave it the taco some texture and contrast. That thing just looked beautiful. After 2, i got 4 more. Thats how good it was. I dont know how to describe it some more, its just a symphony of flavors and textures in my mouth. sure its greasy, but man it was tasty. Atmosphere: its a taco joint in SD. no frills, just good food. High replay value here, ill come here if im in town, but im always down to roam the night for tacos!!
(5)Will K.
Wish they had one in LA! Worth the drive to SAN for it. Takes a while for the food at times and long line, but all well worth it.
(5)Ed H.
What's up with the designated meat lines??? Sooo confusing! Word to the owner, Scrap this idea! it sucks! Anyway, I had a couple asada and a couple al pastor tacos(which I guess here they're known as adobada). The asada were good but nothing to do cartwheels over. The adobada were BOMB! I almost did cartwheels inside in front of everybody. but I didn't because I wanted to finish my delicious Al pastor tacos. My daughter had the quesadillas and she really liked those too. If you come here go straight to the Al Pastor/Adobada!
(4)Alvin Y.
The best tacos i have ever had in my life. I am in LOVE with their adobada and tongue tacos. The meats are tender, and flavorful. All their tacos are handmade to order right in front of you and are served with their own combination of sauces and garnishes . For those who are confused when they walk into the restaurant. The counter is seperated by meants (adobada, carne asada, miscellaneous). You order the amount of tacos you want, and then pay in the back. If you like cheese, try the Mulas (its like a quasadilla taco, with griddle seared cheese) with your choice of meat.
(5)Annika R.
Me & some friends just pulled up in the awkward drive thru & the lady starts speaking Spanish. Ok I know this is a Mexican food place but not everyone that comes here is gonna understand Spanish! There are other Mexican food lovers out there ya know! :) Anyway she messed up our order but there was no hassle there. She thought we ordered 6 tacos but we only ordered 2. All was good though. They were very polite. You NEED to try the spicy pork taco (sorry I forgot the name tacos carne adobado?) & also ask for a side of onions, they are delicious caramelized onions. These have got to be the best tacos I've tasted in my life. They are kind of small but actually pretty filling.
(4)Ward A.
Hands down one of the best TJ street tacos in town. Why? Because it's the exact same one they have in the streets of TJ. No need to cross over we have here in the USA in National City. Knowing basic Spanish helps when ordering. That's how you know this I usually get the Adobada (broiled marinated pork), Carnitas (fried pork), Buche (pork belly), Carne Asada (beef). Each of these is marinated for who knows how long because one you take a bite it kicks your taste buds in the face with a 1-2 punch. I usually order 5-6. Keep in mind there street tacos so they are small but you pack them with how ever much onions or cilantro you want. It's just like a cafeteria line. You pay at the end where you get your drink as well. Then sit and eat. Then you tell your friends how you read this cool guys review and decided to try it and how great it was and worth the drive even though gas is $4.15 a gallon!!! Cheers!
(5)Sheri M.
We came here 2 days ago. I'd say the reviews were pretty accurate! Pros: *cheap *pretty tasty tacos. (Adobodada the best IMO) *tacos loaded with toppings at no extra cost Cons: *small parking lot but close access to a public parking lot one street over *very limited seating *different lines for different meat choices for the tacos *menu is written completely in Spanish All in all a pretty ok place to go for some authentic tasting tacos. In spite of the cons, I'll def visit them again!!!
(4)Derek H.
From the outside sign, this looks to be a chain restaurant in Tijuana. This definitely got me excited as I've never had true "authentic" tacos before. These tacos definitely didnt disapoint me. They had several stations set up with each one making different types of tacos. Everything was fresh, texture was amazing, tortillas were cooked perfectly and portion sizes were decent. Each taco also has different seasonings and pairings of condiments that they put in for you. Also, tacos are only $2 dollars here! I only wish they would move up a bit into Orange County and LA!
(5)Mindy Y.
Just as good as the original and not to mention slightly more convenient of a commute for this North County gal. Came here on a Saturday after and there were zero lines. I was able to get my grub on the moment the food was placed on my red tray. My must have's are adobada, lengua and carne. Mmm..getting hungry just thinking about this place!
(5)Susan P.
These were the best tacos I've had in San Diego.. Simple and to the point. The lengua seriously melted in my mouth. I'll definitely be coming back for more.
(5)Patrick M.
This place is awesome, I been craving mexican food but don't want to go to mexico for tacos, then I found this place, it has the best carne asada tacos and tacos de abodoba with cilantro sauce and a jamica drink, i order 4 tacos at first, then I was blown away how good the taco de abodoba is, and order 2 more. This is definitly the best taco place in san diego. everything is made fresh to order. coming back here many times for sure.
(5)Cc E.
Amazing tacos & quesadillas! Highly recommend the lengua tacos!! We drive from LA to SD just for these tacos :-)
(5)Max K.
Tacos el Gordo is amazing, a must try if you're in the neighborhood, or not. The meat is super tender and never over-cooked. I would recommend the sopes which are pretty filling compared to the street tacos. Either way you choose you will not be disappointed. Cheers.
(5)Maria H.
Drove by today & was drawn in by the sign that said 'From Tijuana'. I was excited to find out how close they would come to TJ tacos. Well, I'm convinced! The adobada tacos were beyond delicious! I'm pretty picky because that is my favorite kind of tacos, but the meat was the perfect texture & full of flavor! I also ordered a mula (pretty much a quesadilla with meat) and it was stuffed with more delicious meat. I'm so excited that I found this place :) Only downside is the restroom looked kinda gross & its on the outside of the building by the drive thru area.
(4)Sela T.
I love this place. Def worth the 30 minute drive to this place to get some legit tacos. I have yet to find a place as good as this. My fav are the lengua and cabeza. I'm surprised that this is actually a chain. I have yet to try the other locations but if you're in the san diego area, i def recommend this.
(4)Kurt C.
Some of the best tacos in San Diego. I feel like I am in Tijuana every time I enjoy some food at this place.
(4)Chris R.
Pros- pretty standard TJ street taco. Well seasoned and prepped meat. The tortillas were something special. That was the kicker for me. Don't think those came out of a plastic bag. Grilled onion/pepper condiments=yuuum! Cons- Not a fan of the cafeteria style service. Not every meat is at each station. Letting 5 of my tacos sit on my tray while I wait for Adobada & chorizo taco. Then stand in line again to pay made my tacos cold & soggy. All that hard work they did for a cold taco bummed me out. At $2 a pop... no bueno!! That's the line cook in me doing the talking. Salsa seemed a bit watered down & not as bold as the salsas u find across the border & across town. Some of the best rojo/verde salsa Iv had came off San Diego lunch trucks. Favorites- Lengua, Adobada all day long Tips- Gonna stick to getting my tacos from one station at a time , pay & eat my tripas & Lengua while its hot. Then go back to Adobada station & just pay again. Tacos are still great nonetheless . Beats the generic , run of the mill Alberto's style joints anyday.
(3)Reyna R.
First time I tried these tacos was 10 years ago on a trip to Chula Vista. I'm glad I'm not a local because if I were I would have these everyday. First thing I do when I get back to San Diego is look for Tacos El Gordo on yelp. These are the best carne asada tacos I've had outside of Texas. The mulas are my favorite it's one tortilla topped with white cheese and meat on top of another tortilla. they have flour and corn. Loved these tacos soooo much! The meat is soft and not over seasoned letting you appreciate the meat flavor and texture.
(5)Carrie S.
I love this place, tacos are so authentic! Best in San Diego! The only downside is the bad service from the women! The lady serving the Chile's has the worst attitude and is so sheisty when she doesn't see you tip first. The guys who serve the meats are awesome and serve with a smile! The lady at the cash register acts like she doesn't understand what you are saying but in reality understands every single word! When I mentioned that were out of radishes she didn't respond. Then I showed her and she just said they were out and that they weren't serving them anymore, at 9pm! I was whining and bitching about it and she said no one is going to cut them. Also hate how they don't give you extra hot sauce because they already added it in your tacos. Horchata was watered down but they didn't do a damn thing about it when it was brought to their attention. As busy and as much business as they get, they do not give their customers what is needed and what they want. Still love the food but needs better management.
(2)Juan D.
Its all right... i mean its really good but as a Tijuana goer, kinda pricey...
(4)Suzanna L.
According to Christine, this particular location is numero uno. And that's as far as my Spanish will take me. I had been to a Chula Vista shop years ago, and I left unimpressed with the tacos. This time around, I was quite pleased with my food, particularly the adobada and lengua. The lengua might have been my favorite as it was tender (as lengua usually is), but it didn't taste bland per usual at other places. The sauces on the tacos nicely complemented the flavor of the meats. The adobada, as another reviewer mentioned, is reminiscent of chinese bbq pork of the same dyed, reddish color. It's very flavorful. The carne asada was just okay. In total, I ate 4 tacos and 1 orange julius. The tacos are small, so I could have easily eaten one more.
(5)Katie R.
Love their adobada tacos!
(5)Flex A.
Verdict: Fail! Had the Adobada (al pastor) Carne Asada, and Chorizo Tacos. Tortillas were made fresh of yellow corn tortillas, soft, flavorful but soggy to quick with tomato paste salsa, Guacamole was thick but lacked flavor. Adobada had nice color, tender texture but no flavor or seasoning. Asada was my favorite, lots of smokey flavor, juicy. Chorizo lacked flavor and seasoning.
(2)Bruce F.
Tacos El Gordo is definitely better than I remember.
(4)Jen R.
Adobada and carne asada tacos are my favorites, but you can't go wrong with any of the other choices! They serve small street tacos so be sure to order a few.
(4)Kim B.
I LOVE THIS PLACE! I think about and crave the food here on a regular basis. Don't waste your time when you come here. The only items you should order are the taco with cow's head and the mula with adobada meat. I know, I know. Cow's head meat sounds gross, but it's moist and flavorful. The mula and adobada is awesome! They put a tortilla and slice of cheese on the grill, cover it with juicy adobada meat and another tortilla. YUM, I'm drooling just thinking about it...I only wish there was a Tacos El Gordo closer to where I live.
(5)Realtor Karl B.
Go to the H St location if possible. This eating area is much smaller, they don't understand English much, and they only have bottled water instead of free water. I love their tacos at the other locations, but this place was a little off...
(2)Nikki L.
3.5 stars I wouldn't go out of my way to come here, but if I was in the neighborhood, it would be a good place to grab some tacos. We got the lengua, cabeza, and some adobadas. The lengua and cabeza were simple beefy tacos, pretty good - there was a film of oil from the beef that kept the meat moist (but it wasn't heavy or overwhelming). The adobadas may be the real star. It's got an extra kick of heat after finishing that makes it more unique than the average taco and more satisfying. It has a simple garnish of cilantro and onion so the meat flavor has to stand on it's own. Also, got a horchata. At first sip, the horchata's cinnamon and milky flavor was heavier than other horchatas I've tried. But after several sips, it becomes more and more enjoyable. It was more good than refreshing. The tacos are small and simply rolled in the warm tortillas. Simple but good.
(4)Randi N.
Love, love, love their tacos! Carne asada, adobada and lengua...can't find better! The meat had such great flavors and the toppings made it amazing. My favorite that I tried was the adobada. I have been back several times since my friend first recommended it to me, and I've also already helped others find this taco heaven.
(5)Brian Y.
4.75 Minus one star because it took awhile to have them done and I can't get over it (lets just say the food was cooling off by the time i got to the register). Granted, these were more or less made to order and still tasted crazy good. Maybe it's because I was starving that the wait times seemed worse than it actually was...parking lot and affordable = plus. Ok to ignore the chorizo, it's not bad but not as good as all the others.
(4)Shannon M.
These really are the best tacos I have ever had. I need to go back and try all of the meat options so I can determine which is the best of the best...
(5)Tso N.
Sad to say but I'm over the hype. My last visit was a complete disappointment. I usually purchase the Al Pastor tacos and this time it was fatty, tendinous, chewy, and tough to eat as a whole; totally not worth the $2.00 per taco I spent. The saving grace was my husband still enjoyed his lengua tacos. Even the carnitas tacos were dry and overdone. Farewell, Tacos El Gordo.
(3)William B.
A little roadside temple of joy. We rolled up in the pouring rain and filed into a very long line for tacos adobada-- i.e., al pastor. These were incredibly good. You can also get a plate of grilled green onions and grilled jalapenos, also incredibly good. There are tons of limes and radishes too. After greedily devouring our tacos and licking our fingers, we both knew we had to have more. So we went back for carne asada. It was even better-- meaty, satisfying beef with a hint of smoke from the grill, and topped with an odd oniony salsa and a mysterious green cream. We also got more onions. After greedily devouring them, we knew we had to have even more, so we went back for even more carne asada. Only then were we finally fortified to head back out into the night. At last, we may have found a place that disproves the thesis that all of the best tacos in the U.S. come from trucks.
(5)Stephanie L.
Taco shops in shady neighborhoods are the best and Tacos El Gordo is definitely authentic and so delicious. My first impression of this place is that the menu seemed very simple in comparison to other Mexican joints around SD that have a huge assortment of menu items. But, simple is good and the tacos spoke for themselves. We split 5 tacos: 2 Adobada, Cabeza, Suadero and Tripe. The Adobada tacos were amazing, the pork was tender and the sauce that it comes with is zesty and goes so well with the taco. The Suadero was definitely a second favorite of mine and different because you don't see it on menus too often, the smoky seasoning really stood out to me. The tripe was my least favorite because it seemed a little bland and the texture of it wasn't all that appealing to me. We drank horchata with all the taco goodness to complete the meal. It's just your standard horchata machine..unfortunately, not like those authentic bucket ones at La Fachada..which, apparently have flies all over them (I'm perfectly ok with that, btw) AND, I went back for a refill which..also according to some, is not allowed BUT, the workers didn't even reprimand me and I got away with some more horchata!* The only minor downside to ordering here is that they put all the tacos on the same plate with no distinct indicator of which taco was which and left us questioning what we were eating. All in all though, 5 yummy tacos for about $12? WIN. I will definitely be coming back here! *To be fair, I flashed them a nice smile when I passed by them again to get to the dispenser machine and that's practically a dollar in the tip jar.
(4)Mike C.
This place is cool for two reasons; that it is close to my work and that they are open late. Definitely a potential for some good drunk food in the near future. Plenty of parking, came in for lunch, and luckily there were no big lines or anything. Got a couple of adobada tacos, nice sauce, dry meat, though oil flowed freely, in fact it was too oily. Carne asada taco was a bit dry. Lengua taco was ok, just didn't hit the mark. It is an acquired taste I like the order system here. Just look at the menu and the person responsible for that menu is right below it so order the taco you want from the actual person who makes it. Then you pay on the other side. Not bad, clean place, plenty of seating and plenty of parking. They also accept credit cards. They also have a drive thru too. Cool place for future visits.
(3)Nahum V.
Authentic tacos, adobado is always the way to go. I love it here. Along with any type if Molita. Yumm
(5)Darrin B.
Gosh I swear these are the best Tacos in the U.S. Notice I said "U.S." because there are none better then the tacos in TJ. Tacos el Gordo originally comes from TJ but now has locations in the states. Even one as far as Las Vegas, Nevada. I highly recommend the adobada! Adobada fries or Tacos! So delicious! I could eat here every week if I could :)
(4)Monze S.
I have Tacos El Gordo since they started in Tijuana and they are the best. I went to the Chula Vista place was too crowded and could not find parking. So i went to the National City place which was empty and was not that pleased there is big difference from Chula Vista to National City. The tortillas were hard . I also like Tacos El Gordo in Palm Avenue. Hopefully they will get the National City restaurant up to par with the rest of them :)
(3)Jodi W.
SO GOOD!! I don't know if it changed owners or not, cause it was not called Gordo, but "G" On the sign, regardless...the meat is delicious. the Pork Adobada taco for 2 bucks. Yum. he Cabeza is delicious. The simplicity and the Mexican coke. OH MAN....makes me want more. Love this shop. Authentic and delicious. I love the 3 line concept. Get in line for what type of meat you will want to eat. Oh yes, Quesadillas are delicious as well. The fresh cilantro and onions and green sauce, almost makes me want to stop typing ad go again. 5 star!
(5)Simone D.
Great authentic tacos!! Theyre cheap, fast, and most importantly delicious. The shoulder and pork are my favorite
(5)Mr E.
It's better than the one in TJ!!!! That tells you a lot. Always good here other than the lines to get your food. Did I saw it was bomb.com Well it is!!!!
(5)Joanna T.
The best tacos in my opinion. I'd recommend getting the adobada tacos. They just have so much more flavor than the carne asada ones. Although both are still great and totally worth the drive. I'd also recommend trying the quesadillas. Good prices for tacos compared to other places. Don't forget to ask for grilled green onions. Definitely have to go out of my way to go here though. But worth it every time.
(5)Paula J.
I've been here once with a friend, but I had no idea what I was doing and I was only stringing along not knowing much. I tried the carne asada, and it was good. Since then I have not had other tacos that tasted just as good. Today I went here again and decided to try other things. I got the adobada and the lenguan. The adobada was good, but my favorite was the lenguan. Tender and had good flavor. The prices weren't bad either. In total it was 7 tacos that came up to $16. I can only eat 3 before I get full. It's about $2 for tacos and it's a good price for how much meat they pack on there. I still think these are the best tacos and I haven't found anywhere else that has great tacos with such a good price. The only issue I have with this place is that the cashier could use a smile and the flies that go around disturbing you while you eat. I can't remember if they kept the door open the last time, but today it was and it was bothersome to have to repeatedly swat away flies from my plate.
(4)Annie W.
Aww disappointed in this place compared to the location in Las Vegas. Everything was dry and salty here. REMEMBER, THERES 3 DIFFERENT LINES FOR THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF MEAT!! Service: Very good, not as efficient and fast as the other location. Food: - Tacos are $2 (no taco Tuesday deals) - Adobada Spicy Pork taco-- was on the drier side, but it still had the delicious creamy sauce on it. I had the ones at Las Vegas, but these were far in comparison. Wait wasn't this supposed to be spicy......? - Carne Asada taco-- careful, salty! Glad it came with guacamole though. - Chorizo taco-- oh yeah definitely salty. I had to take some of the meat out before I can finish the taco - Lengua taco (cow tongue)-- my favorite! Meat was tender and the saltiness was just right. - free pepper and onions, just ask for them when you order the tacos
(3)Thuong T.
It's nice that they have another location that is slightly closer to me than the Chula Vista location. The have tons of parking spaces on both sides of the restaurant as well. Inside is a lot smaller than the other location, but the outdoor seating area is bigger. I didn't like how close the tables were to the counter where you order food, because can you imagine how tight it would be if it was actually really busy? We came here around 8:30pm and there was a lot of people there but not too crowded. So basically, there are three different taco stations which serve different types of meat. You line up behind the one that you want to order tacos from, then move on to the next. Most of their tacos here are $2.00 each. Quesadillas are $3.75. Toastadas are $3.75. Personally, I think that is an amazing price for the quality! Everything under $4, what could get better than that? I ALWAYS get the spicy pork taco because its the best one. I love that Tacos El Gordo is one of the rare mexican shops that serve their meat off of a rotisserie pole, with meats piled high, they personally slice each portion off for each taco. And I always get the carne asada too, but something was a little bit off about the carne asada here. They gave a generous portion of meat, but it just didn't taste as great. Plus, I noticed that my carne asada tacos only had one tortilla for each taco instead of the usual two tortillas which didn't work out well because the one tortilla got soggy and was hard to keep together. What I do like about this location compared to the Chula Vista location, is their menu presentation. Their menu here actually has pictures!!! AND they also have English captions that tell you what each taco is. For example, cabeza taco is cow head taco. That sort of stuff that people aren't used to eating so they don't know what it is. I was quite surprised by the amount of people they had working here. All the men cooking in the back. One older lady handling the tortillas and onions like usual. But there was a few younger ladies who kept walking around and talking to each other or just waiting behind the register who seem to be hardly working. But overall, its still goood here. And still authentic tacos.
(4)Angel L.
3 lines, get in and get what you need, head over to the register and pay. It looks like it has a drive through as well. Line 1: beef shoulder, tripe, tongue, head Line 2: chorizo, cactus, beef, chicken Line 3: adobada. These tacos were no cheap fare as you order 3-4 for a moderate appetite ($9), but you do get what you pay for. Ordered all beef tacos: shoulder, tongue, head, and beef. I couldn't distinguish the which is what of the first 3 because they were all on the same plate, but nonetheless, stuffed with juicy meat and delicious. These were not as salty comparing asada.
(4)Jon A.
If mind altering al pastor tacos are in your plans, this should be your first and last stop. The are so many good versions of the TJ style taco in SoCal, but the al pastor version at El Gordo is superlative. From the meat to the guacamole sauce, it all sings. I especially like that they don't leave it up to you and your primitive salsa application skills; it's done for you. Sadly, it can't be all things to all people. If tripas are your thing (it is mine), then there are better choices as theirs weren't as crispy as I'd like. The carne asada came with a smokiness that wasn't unpleasant, but still an odd style choice for me. All tacos come with appropriately substantial tortillas because they are asked to hold a lot of sauce. No need to double stack here. It may just be me but I don't get why my tacos were placed in the bag upside down. I must have been doing something wrong. You don't come expecting great service, but they were quite friendly so that's just icing.
(4)Kathy N.
Can't get any closer to real Mexican food other than going into Mexico itself here. Just saying, but if I can't get a room near the convention center itself next comic-con, I will be booking my stay somewhere in National City. Why? Because Tacos El Gordo. I tried several different tacos at this location, but I would have to say my favorite is the Lengua (tongue), which is 30 cents more than their regular tacos. But that's okay! An extra 30 cents for more flavor and tenderness? Worth every pesos in my opinion! Other than their tacos, the other star of this place is their drinks! I've sworn off carbonated sugar drinks for several reasons, but my friend convinced me to try their whipped fountain drinks (which I think is soda mixed with something like whipped cream). Oh man, I'm so glad this place is far from me. I don't have to worry about getting fat from these drinks. Soooooo good! Their Orange Bang was like a creamy orange julius. I'm going to make sure that every time I eat here, I will wash down my tacos with another whipped fountain drink.
(5)Carmen M.
Great tasting tacos. Got an order to go the wait wasn't bad about 5 minutes. They have to update their drive thru the speaker there didn't work and they does not have a sign saying it doesn't. Bad set up!! But when I did get home the tacos were delicious the bad part is that I asked for cebollitas and the lady told me that they don't carry any... Nor did I get cucumber or chiles... Really???? Ummm no Bueno. Got adobada,carne Asada and tripa!!!! Delicious!
(3)Stephan Y.
This place is a MUST STOP for me whenever Im venturing around the San Diego area. Something about this place always keeps me coming. I'm not sure if its because of that hood-like atmosphere, or seeing the tortillas freshly made, or seeing the different proteins prepared and sliced in front of you, or seeing that monstrous and juicy pork rotating on the spit. I have never had a disappointing meal here, everything here is absolutely amazing. The taste is "pretty" authentic, but its definitely not Mexico authentic. Anywho...my point is that this place is bloody delicious and will gladly eat here everyday if the funds are appropriate. The price for a taco is $2, a little bit more on the expensive side since I'm so used to paying $1 or less per taco in OC, BUT my one EXCEPTION goes to El Gordo. I will gladly pay $2 for a taco here any day! Highly recommended! UNTIL THEN!! ^-^
(5)Lilia R.
Tacos de asada... Meh. Didn't care much for the adobada... I think the H street location is more flavorful, but maybe I'm crazy. Maybe.
(2)Pryscilla T.
Pretty damn good tacos, especially at $2 a piece. Noticed that the tacos were a bit soft and difficult to eat at times because it was falling apart, which made it messy. But it could be because I grabbed take out. As a disclaimer, I love Mexican food, normally stick to tortas and burritos. My go to meat is carne asada and al pastor. With that said, I didn't care very much for the carne asada here, the meat was tougher to chew, but overall the taco (tortilla, cilantro, onion, and toppings made it pretty damn good). My favorite was the adobada (spicy pork). It was delicious and I wish I got more. Wasn't that spicy at all, just a tiny bit. But I gobbled that up quickly. Second favorite was the mulas. It was pretty good, but messy and hard to eat. It was two tortillas, one on the bottom, one on the top and the beef and everything was sandwiched inside. Beef was tender and delicious. Don't forget to grab lots of napkins and some lime!
(4)Juan H.
This tacos are so delicious best taco joint ever been to the tacos are 2 buck's ea but Damm there the best tacos in the state no b.s.. I know tacos trust me on this one even the multitas are my wife's favorite I live la area and I will take the 2hr drive to f#@k some tacos up.. lol.
(5)Michelle N.
Finally popped the cherry for this place. Came here after a day of shopping at the outlet. Forgot that people mentioned the multiple lines for the different types of tacos. Immediately got in line for the adobada, it was the longest and slowest moving. I ordered two because I waited so long. Ordered one carne asada taco in the middle line, then in the 3rd line for a taco de la cabeza. I was tempted to order a quesadilla but would have been too much food. The adobada was the perfect mix of flavors, would come here solely for that. The carne and cabeza were ok. I ordered each taco con todo, with all the toppings. Will have to come back to try the nopales and lengua. Also wanted to have the cebollas and pepper, just too much food for me alone. There is a sign at the register that says please pay before ordering. You actually bring your order to the register and pay after.
(4)SheSaid S.
Very disgusted and disappointed. We have been making the 2 hour drive to get here for years. The tacos de adobada are or should I say were priceless. Let's start with the cashier. I tell her how many tacos are on my tray and how many more are coming; apparently she still felt the need to take each plate off my tray and count them. Then I lay 62.00 and sit down. She then comes over to my table and without saying a word grabs the plates and starts counting the tacos again saying she missed one and we needed to pay for it. I have no problem laying for what I have but get your dirty hands that were just SWEEPING the floor off my food. The tacos were disgusting. The meat was cut so thick it was like chunks. The adobada sauce was so watery. We bought 25 tacos and threw away 15 of them. Never have we had a scrap left on previous visits. Unfortunately, we are done with Tacos el G, should have stuck with Tacos El Gordo.
(1)Jess M.
Pros: -AMAZING TACOS -They make the tacos fresh however you want them Cons: -cashiers can be a little mean sometimes This one is a simple choice, if you want good tacos go here
(4)Tyler N.
Dang!! These are some good tacos!! Pork, chicken, steak it was all delicious. Empty your stomach before you come here because you are going to want more.
(5)Kenneth H.
The address on yelp is wrong!! Go to this location 1940 Highland Ave, National City, CA 91950. This is quite a change in surroundings from the Las Vegas location but the food remains just as good and the lines aren't nearly as crazy here. As expected the line for the adobaba is the longest and deserves to be so. I tried the buche which I didn't really like. The lengua wasn't bad and the Carne asada was good this time. When I had it in Vegas it was too dry. The pork beats all of them and is on a level of its own.
(4)Saira F.
Bad customer service. When we arrived we did not know how ordering worked and no one helped us out. One of the guy employees was really rude. The food was alright but I got a stomach ache after eating here. If you're Mexican , just make tacos at home.
(1)Mari U.
Every time I ask my buddies for recommendations for places to eat at, tacos el gordo always comes up and I can see why. This place definitely surpasses all the hype with their authentic Mexican tacos :) I ordered their adobada, carne asada and mulas tacos and all of them were amazing. Upon entering, I was clueless to how their system worked - apparently you have to line up for their tacos and each line is separated into its own category (one for their adobada and the other for chorizo, asada etc.). They use handmade tortillas and they cook their pork shawarma style. Overall their tacos were the best that I've had. My personal favorite was the adobada - man that was so amazing :) The meat was tender, and it had just the right amount of spicy. I don't really know what it was about the adobada that I liked so much. All I can say is that it was a pretty epic taco. You'll have to go try it for yourself! Customer service was friendly, and I'm glad they took the time to explain to me what their tacos were and how their system worked. Not to mention their prices! Amazing. Will be sure to come back.
(5)Ella D.
As good as it gets without going to mexico and/or breaking the bank. I love when they have pineapples around! Wish I didn't have to drive so far south to have these but it's so worth it!
(5)Destinee W.
Best Tacos and horchata I've ever had in my life ! Saw the reviews on here and decided to go , best decision !
(5)Elica Y.
Not the original Tacos El Gordo but still good! I went to this specific location just because it's not as far as the one in Chula Vista. FOOD: I had to get their adobada which is only $2. This spicy pork is AMAZING! Super flavorful, spicy, and they hook it up with the quantity of meat. The tortillas were delicious here as well. As for the additional sauces that were put on the adobada, they made the taco! The green sauce and fresh pieces of onion and cilantro gave the taco that extra oomph. I am still dreaming of it.... If only there were some of those tacos here! I also got their carne asada which was a complete letdown. The carne was very dry and chewy. They put some guacamole on the meat as well which lacked flavor. Completely disappointed. SERVICE: For a taco place, I can see how they are trying to be efficient. They have separated each line for different kinds of meat. In a sense, yea, they are trying to be quicker but if you are trying to order a few different types of meat, it can be a hassle especially if there are long lines in each one.
(4)Allan Z.
Best adobada tacos I have ever tasted...avoid lunch and dinner times because of their long lines
(5)Willy U.
My favorite tacos! Very familiar with the Tijuana locations and they are EXACTLY the same authentic flavors!! Great food and an absolute MUST stop for any visitor who comes from out of town!
(5)Lisa W.
Get into my mouth, you delicious delicious taco. Tacos El Gordo is the best street tacos ($2) in all of SD. But if this is your first time, you may want to try the original one in Chula Vista. Sure it's more busy, but they don't have a drive thru so your orders will be quick! This one had a drive thru and although it was good, it wasn't as good as the original one! Since they have a drive thru, people would order like freaking 20+ tacos, so you are left standing and waiting...and whatever taco line you got in, your other tacos are cold... The ordering system here is dumb. They should just have a line where you order ALL your tacos, pay, and then they make it and call your number. Nope. They have it where whichever meat you want you go to that line, then once you get all your tacos you pay. They also don't have a slot for credit card tips on credit card transactions. Weird... Got 4 carne asada, 3 carnitas...so yummy. But since I had to wait for the carnitas line, it took like 15 minutes...and the carne asada tacos got all cold...=(. Efficiency to Tacos El Gordo Please! Then they can probably make millions!
(4)Stanley W.
Fantastic tacos and horchata. They have tons of varieties and everything is done fresh in plain view. I'm no expert on mexican food, but I thoroughly enjoyed everything that was prepared here. We came on a busy day, but it was at times a bit slow in getting our food.
(4)Lulu B.
The place is older and nothing fancy from first look, but aren't those always the best places for food?! I had a little trouble with the menu since I didn't speak Spanish well but it didn't matter, the food was fantastic. I need to go back a second time to try different offerings. It was so busy for a late night snack that I figured there is always next time to get more!
(4)Roger M.
What can I say? If you're a local San Diegan then you know about good tacos shops and El Gordos is always on the list of top spots! This is pretty close to what you'll get down in TJ without actually heading south of the border. For those of you who live a little more north, hit up this "Nasty City" location instead of the other ones more south because it's way less packed here and just as good (though others on here might disagree). They're open pretty late and are quick as well! If you're scared to hang around Highland in the wee hours then grab it to-go (don't be scurred). Besides the typical fare you'll see elsewhere (asada, adoba, etc) which are always damn tasty, I suggest giving the lengua or cabeza a try! These aren't the typical meats you'll get at other taco shops and are so damn juicy and full of flavor. I also suggest trying out their mulitas. It's pretty much a taco "cheeseburger" with two tortillas and your choice of whatever meat you'd like to throw in there! Trust me, this will make your palate salivate (regardless of whether you're sober or wandering in here during the late night). Grub out!
(4)Tiff H.
Once I got back from LA, my friend suggested a small Mexican place in San Diego that we could meet up with his friends at. We got there a little later due to a train delay... And routed into the middle of no where off the freeway. The process of ordering food was pretty interesting. There were multiple signs you could line up behind to get specific meat tacos. I ordered two tacos, which I believe to be Carne Asada and the spicy pork Adobada. Pretty good, although I can't say what was on it... There was a line to pick up pico and other sides that are generally offered alongside your tacos. The tacos are cheap! The interior left something to be desired, so eating outside felt a little cleaner. Water was available from the soda fountain dispenser. I don't think I can differentiate this Mexican restaurant from the next, but at the same time I'd have to say it was pretty darn good.
(4)Chris A.
To know authentic mexican food, there are levels you must pass on your quest. Just like in a video game, Tacos El Gordo is the final last level, the last boss you must defeat in order to become Mexican Food Champion of the World. To win you must possess a fervent willingness to run from your comfort zone like a man who's never known freedom. Remember all those nasty menu items you've avoided all your life like tripa (pig intestine), cabeza (cow head meat), lingua (cow tongue)? Well guess what hipster, that's ALL they serve here. Do you want the glory or not?! Rules: 1) Only tacos 2) Tripa, Cabeza, and Adobada tacos are excellent. 3) Ask for Mexican Guacamole, not guacamole. There is a difference. No Salsa layin' round anywhere. THEY put it on for you. 4) If you get the tripa tacos, ask for them crispy, they're better that way. 5) Order your food directly from the cook, then pay. Not a single item over $4. What are you waiting for ya sissy? Up down, Up down, Left Right Left Right, A B A B.
(5)Brett B.
Best tacos in town! Be prepared to wait in line but completely worth it. The tacos are as authentic as they come without having to cross the boarder! The employees are all very friendly and prepare the food right in front of you. The price is right and taste amazing!!
(5)Michael M.
BIG DIFFERENCE between this one and Tacos El Gordo on H street in Chula Vista. Originally, I went to the one on H street but the adobada line was at the door. I decided to check this place out and I regretted it since. The adobada meat wasn't as tasty and didn't have any rich flavor to it. The taco had too much onions and it made my mouth smell like absolute shit afterwards and the tortillas fell apart and was difficult to eat. If you're willing to put up with the lines on H street then just stick to that one but I don't see myself coming to this one, again.
(2)Oscar R.
This place is amazing and I brought my family and really enjoyed it. You need to come and check this place out.
(5)Kendra E.
TIPS: - Slow but friendly service. Expect lines for adobada. - Choose a type of meat, wait in line and ask for whatever you want (i.e. taco, burrito, tostada, etc.), can ask for cebollas (onions) or chile peppers, then pay at the cash register. - Free water cups, hot sauce, lime - ask for it at the cash register. - Plenty of parking. Drive thru services available. May be faster than waiting in line. I usually go to the one in Chula Vista because it's closer.
(4)Steve R.
Tasty tacos.! Can't complain. My favorite was the tripe tacos, 2nd adobada, 3rd lengua and last Carne asada. I wouldn't order the Carne asada mula again because it got soggy quick and the asada needed a little more love. Overall great spot. We had perfect timing it got super busy right after we walked in.
(4)Blewin G.
This place was really hyped and did not live up to the fanfare at all. I want to point out that the service was friendly besides that the meal was not good. I had the the pollo asada tacos that were really small that could have been excused but the meat was mostly fat and the seasoning was nothing to write home about. Overall this taco shop was below average and not a place I would recommend.
(2)America E.
I absolutely love this place. Took my friend here for the fist time ever and he fell in love with it now every time we go out to eat this is what he wants to eat. All the meat is delicious hands down. I love the adobada that's my favorite!
(5)Jennice K.
OMG I'm salivating as I'm writing this review!! It so yummmmmyy!! El pastor and Asada is perfect! Tripas is my favorite but I felt like it was little dry and too crispy to chew.... Other than that, it soooo good omg
(5)Carlos P.
Daym, Dam, Dang and Suuuuuun. Place is legit. I'm seriously glad I'm not close to a Tacos el G/ordo. I would need to sign up for Jenny Craigs and apply to the biggest loser. Tried an asada, spicy pork, tripe, shoulder. All legit. The asada was soooooo flavorful. The pork was a nice subtle taste. Shoulder was in between. Waiting for the tripe to cool off. Line for different groups of tacos. Then you pay at counter. I'll be back because of my weak will.
(5)J C.
Tacos el gordo is the best taco spot in SD hands down and most people agree. But for this establishment it gets -1 star for not having carne asada fries like the og spot down south. Also if I could I would give -.5 star for the tacos being over $2 a taco now. Let's "taco" bout that!
(4)Amber L.
BEST ADOBADA TACOS EVER! Ask for extra guac sauce! I have friends and family that travel in from out-of-town and every time they come this is the first place we'd stop.
(5)Barry I.
These were the best tacos I've ever had, hands down. Staff was smiling and friendly, a must stop for any visitors looking for a place where the locals go.
(5)Hen A.
discovering another third location...multiple lines for desired selections...$2 tacos...longer lines for standard selections...shorter or no lines for other meats...lines moving bit slower in comparison to other gordo locations...lime and radish grabbing...tacos ready and sauced...paper plate of grilled vegetable fixings...ready to consume...lot of good tacos in the area, but gordo's plate of grilled peppers and vegetables just makes things even better...
(4)Lynae L.
There was no line at this location! Upon arrival I saw the meat on a vertical spit with a pineapple on top. The bottom of the spit was where the oil, pineapple, and meat drippings were getting collected. They dipped the taco and tostada shells in the drippings before grilling. My eyes lit up. The fatter, the better! (that's my motto) When they put the Adobada taco and tostadas together with the sauce it was amazing~!
(5)Elizabeth M.
If I could give this place 0 stars I would. They have the worst customer service ever... The set up is a cluster eff. They have designated lines for specific meats ugh. Anyways, I ended up having a nasty hair inside my taco. Which was probably when the taco guy kept sweating bullets and wiped his sweat with his arm, that alone was disgusting. When I approached the rude lady at the counter (with no customer service skills) I pointed at the hair I had inside my taco. She was never apologetic nor seemed concerned about the incident, instead she says:"ok, so I'll take that one out of your check and give you another one." She must be crazy, if I find a roach inside my taco, what would make you think that replacing it would make things better? That's super gross period! I asked to speak to a manager & apparently the manager was too busy to come and assist (a lie, they just didn't care) so I just got my $ back. I will NEVER come here again. The ones in TJ r way better!
(1)Hilary M.
This is the first place I think in my hungrier moments, it doesn't matter if it's lunch or dinner. I love the taste, the service and everything...
(4)Yizhen L.
Tacos el gordo is not the cheapest of the street tacos, but why do I keep coming back? Maybe it's because it was the fond memory of getting tacos el gordo on christmas night, maybe it's just because it's freaking delicious. My first time with tacos el gordo was in Las Vegas. Then here in SD. It's consistent, it's predictable, it's a hit never a miss. I like the adobada, i like the cabeza, i like the lingua, i like the carne asada... Wasn't crazy about the tripa (that's just personal preference), but hey, with so many choices that I like, why not keep coming back?
(5)Jennifer W.
Ask for grilled onions and peppers! Finally made the drive down for these tacos. Carne Asada - delicious Adobada Spicy Pork - nice kick but not too spicy. Lengua (Cow tongue) - weird texture, super tender though (wasn't one of my favorites) Arrived and the the line outside looked pretty long and all the tables were taken so we decided to hop back into the car and order to go.. which took forever, but understandable. Overall, good tacos.. just wished the wait wasn't sol long!
(4)Ernesto C.
This place never disappoints! The food is so delicious and authentic! We had the Adobada, Carne Asada, and Cabeza. It was my sons first time and they asked when we coming back!
(5)Lien T.
Want to get down and dirty with the locals? This is the place! Meats and offals grilled in their own juices are tossed on top of warm, freshly hand made tortilla; finished with some chopped cilantro and onions and a dollop of sauce--instant orgasm in your mouth! I tried the adobada (pork meat), suadero (beef shoulder), and lengua (cow tongue); all of which were tender and tasty and a measly $2 each! Don't forget to get a side of their grilled scallions, onions, and jalapeños too...it's so good!
(5)Caro S.
If I were judging on Adobada Tacos alone I would give this place 4 stars but the shitty service and crazy ass ordering system make this place a total fail. I remember going to the original tacos El Gordo in Tijuana and loving it. It was a simple delish traditional taco stand. Apparently they grew with popularity but their service totally went down the tubes. I've been to this location several times and I still don't understand the chaotic ordering system. You walk in and have to grab a tray, then you go down a cafeteria style line and have to figure out where to order what. You can only order certain tacos with certain people. The staff are not very helpful. Plus the Adobado is last in the line and always takes the longest so by the time you wait in line to pay and get to your seat the tacos are freezing cold! WTF?!? Also the service sucks! An employee knocked passed my brother and dad and didn't even apologize. I still don't know where your supposed to order salsa because every time I go I am directed to get it at a different place. The only thing you can grab yourself is radishes, limes, and utensils. The drink selection is a bit odd. They have sodas, Horchata, and Jamaica on tap so it's not fresh, I've never bothered trying it. They do have this stuff called Orange Whip on tap which is delish. Overall a crummy experience only worthy doing for the Adobada Tacos!
(1)Lynn H.
I finally broke my Tacos El Gordo cherry. I've always wondered whats the hype when it comes to this place, but when I finally got the chance to indulge in their tacos I was filled with such joy. Their tacos here are amazing! So simple yet perfect. I came here on a Tuesday night and it was pretty empty. It was probably because I strolled in pretty late. There were no lines or wait or anything, so it was a good thing for me. Their street tacos are $2 each, I got the carne asada and carnitas tacos. Both tacos were delicious, I wanted to get more because they were so good. I had to stop myself or else I would never leave the restaurant. I would definitely come back here and tell all my friends to try this place out.
(5)Tim S.
5 stars just for the Adobada. Still the best adobada taco in the World. That's the only thing I ever get here. Prices are up to $2.00 a taco now but once in awhile its still worth it. I always get my adobada tacos with no crema/sauce. The combo of that pork, onions, cilantro and red hot sauce is fantastic. There are none better. I've sampled other things here but they are not nearly as good as the adobada tacos. These things are PERFECT! Don't stray from the best! Go get some and see for yourself.
(5)Paul B.
Tacos are made to order...The Adobado with everything is the way to go.The carne asada is good too.dont get me wrong, but every since I ordered Adobado Ive never looked back.
(4)Philip R.
Love Tacos El Gordo. I usually go to the Palm location since it's the only that serves French fries (carne asada, adobada, or campechana). If I'm not in the mood for fries, I'll go to this location since it's slightly closer to me. If you've never been here, then be aware of their unique ordering system. Grab a tray and approach the counter. Each person at the counter only serves a certain type of meat. So you go to them and order whatever dish you want with the type of meet they serve. If you want your food to go, let them know when you order. Otherwise, they'll plate your order and put them on your tray cafeteria-style. Their carne asada has a smokey flavor that most places don't have and pairs well with the guacamole (if you get everything on your tacos) or the cheese in their mulas. I personally go for their adobada. It's succulent and full of flavor and get them in mulas cause the cheese is perfect with the meat and a taco cause everything they put on it makes the adobada even tastier. The inside is alright and they have outdoor seating, but that's closed if you come for some late night eats.
(4)Shannon M.
Oh yum...after my father-in-law and son came by here by accident a couple weeks ago, they insisted we try it. We made the trek from Santee. Our street taco experiences go deep, back to the days of 3 tacos, 2 beers $5...back in TJ. We've had tacos off various carts in the years since. But in our search for those tacos we had on the side of the road in Ensenada, or off a cart in TJ, nothing really hit the mark. Until today. I tried the carne asada, adobada, and Aztec (cactus). If I could have had a bucket with a couple of Coronas in it, I would have felt like I was 24 again...and south of the border. I ordered them "with everything," that included cilantro, onion, guacamole, and salsa. Everything had the right amount of spice, and great flavor. The adobada was on the sweet side, not sure if it was the pork or sauce...but it was great. We skipped the tongue, tripe, and cow head...but by all means, go for it.
(5)michael r.
I honestly wasn't aware of this location until a quick Yelp search revealed this overlooked spot this morning. Being only six minutes from my house, I was thinking I could grab some great tacos far more often. Having just finished, I think I should just suck it up, prepare myself for a longer wait in line, and drive the extra fifteen minutes. The asada tacos were tasty, but nearly impossible to eat by hand. Everything, or nearly everything, fell out. This was partly due to the size of the tortilla, and partly due to the dampness (not exactly greasiness, though). I didn't have this problem at the other location. Tastes good...better eaten with a fork.
(3)Cindy S.
This is THE REAL THING!! I've been here twice so far but it's great stuff. The tacos de tripa and mulitas de tripa are amazing! I'm a big girl yet 3 tacos filled me up. My boyfriend and I had 4 mulitas and 5 tacos. $20. They're not as cheap as T.J. but their food is legit regardless!!
(5)Shalini G.
It's been quite a while since i've been here...but came with some co workers last week... prices have gone up a tad ($2 a taco)...quality is still banging! there is an outside patio (i don't remember this from before) the cash register moved, smaller things of hot sauce are given (only if you ask)...but it's still super yummy and ample... i live for the adobada tacos...i don't ever get anything else... yum!!!!!
(5)Abel J.
This location is no longer part of the Tacos El Gordo family. It's now called tacos el G. After tasting the food within one bit we knew the difference. The place is dirty and unclean. The dead insects along the windows was enough to gross us out. Don't be fooled by the imitation, leave and go to the one on H street. If I could give it zero stars, I would.
(1)Violet O.
I LOVE YOU TACOS. okay now these are what i call tacos ! nom nom nom Growing up in San Diego my dad would bring the whole family here every other sunday yes i understand the service is not 5 stars, but the taste of the food is. Over the years the prices did sky rocket and the tacos are smaller :( (i could eat one in 3 bites) haha but I cant complain because this is better than any other wanna be taco place in town. If you don't love it here just drive 15 minutes south to the boarder .. you wont be disappointed with the price or tacos there! :)
(5)Patrick R.
Came here on 3/28/14 and this is my first time visiting this location. The previous night I went with a few collages to the H street location in Chula Vista. I decided to give the national city beach a visit after getting out of an 8 hour shift. Right away there was a big difference between the two branches and that was the emptiness of this place and the employees that worked here. The men behind the counter doing the cutting seemed like they didn't want to be there and when I was asking for the difference in meat they didn't seem to pleased about having to answer my question. That normally wouldn't be acceptable elsewhere, but you can't really expect much in a Mexican restaurant in National City. The blonde haired Spanish lady working the cash register however is what changed my perspective of this place. She was great! Her English was hard to understand, but she was trying and I applaud her for that. She made sure I enjoyed my meal and even offered salsa behind the counter. I would return only because of this lady and the delicious spicy pork tacos which were flavorful and filling. 4/5
(4)Paul R.
When I'm in San Diego, this is a must stop! The tacos are the real deal at this location. The lines are always long but they are fast. You can stand in any of the three lines depending on what types of meat you like. The aroma fills the air right when you pull in the parking lot. .that's always a great sign for what's in store for dining experience. .carnitas, pastor, Carne asada, is our favorite with guacamole. ..Enjoy your lunch or dinner!
(5)Julia O.
Not the same anymore, the adobada meat is not as flavorful with a hint of sweetness like they use to have and the red sauce is no longer available. They go light on the quac also. Go to Chula Vista and tough it out in line!
(1)Scott P.
Fantastic tacos. Adobada are the best. Go. Now. Never tried the other locations though. Slightly sketchy neighborhood but that's half the reason it's awesome.
(5)Lisa C.
Good tacos, strange ordering protocol. I got adobada and carne asada. Both were wonderful, though I think the asada was a bit better (awesome salsa on it). Definitely worth a return trip one day. Got a few to go for coworkers, they traveled well. Tortillas (which a nice little lady was making on site) held up after transport well even with fillings.
(4)Kat J.
Wow, this place is definitely the spot to get some authentic tacos! From the Bay to San Diego, and I must say this place is one of the best I've tried so far. The line goes by fast and there is plenty of tables if you're dinning in. Definitely coming back here the next time I'm in San Diego! Ordered 3 carne asada tacos, and it was filling.
(4)Negabadomi M.
I had the opportunity to have lunch here this past week. I forgot how amazing authentic street tacos tasted. (Just moved from Bay Area) I ordered two tacos de buche and one of carne asada. They were amazing!!! Their salsa is great too. Their tacos are spot on. So easy to make yet most restaurants can't get it right. Tacos El Gordo will be my go to street taco shop as long as I live in SD.
(5)Nadia P.
Amazing!!!! Can't have complaints! My favorite are Al Pastor & Their Sopes. I love handmade tortillas and the smell of the meat burning on the grill even if it gets on your clothes! Hahaha Service is great from the people at the counter cooking, the cashiers sometimes can be a bit serious/Unfriendly but never fully rude. I love this place!
(5)Melody N.
Blew my damn mind. I was born and raised in California and I thought I knew what Mexican food. I was wrong. Real tacos do NOT come with cheese. They meats are complex and take a real skill to make. There are about 3-4 guys there specializing in a different type of meat - a guy for pork, another for beef, etc. It is a little confusing at first but they'll direct you to the correct guy. Once you got all your tacos(or whatever you end up with) you pay at the cashier. We got tripe, beef tongue, and abodoba (one of the pork options). Soo delicious. Each one came with their on toppings and all were so tender melt in your mouth explosion of flavor. Highly recommend!
(5)J. T.
The best tacos I've ever had. I come here about twice a month and it never disappoints. You walk in and grab a tray and line up accordingly with the meat you want on your taco. Of course I get the adobada tacos and the carne asada tacos are good as well. At $2 a taco, they're not the cheapest but the quality and the amount of food you get, it's worth it, trust me. If you're in San Diego, and you love Mexican food, or not, you have to try tacos el gordo. You also have to try the orange bang drink, my favorite at taco shops. Tastes just like the Orange creamsicle pops I had when I was younger.
(5)Emily O.
Line for adobada is ridiculously long! I must say: these are the best tacos I've ever had in my life!!! I am so sad I won't be able to visit this place as often as I'd like. First off, the lines are divided according to the kind of meat you'd prefer in your tacos. There is a piece of paper underneath the menu but above each line for the kinds of meat that line is for. You get in that line, get a tray (if you'd like), tell the person cooking what kind of meat & how many. After you get your food, you fight your way to the back where the cashiers are and pay for your delicious tacos. I had to knock off a star because of how difficult it was to get to a seat as well as the drinks. The drink dispensers are lined along the wall where the front entrance is, but you have to fight through the adobada line for it along with others who are trying to get their drinks. Not only that, you must get through people trying to get their toppings, which is also located right next to the drink machine. I was carrying two drinks and my boyfriend had the tray of tacos and we had to find a seat outside because the inside was packed, except we had to use the front door to go around to the back. It's especially difficult because the front door is heavy and there's a huge gust of wind that comes at you when you push this door open. There's actually a door right next to the cashiers that leads straight to the outdoor seating but it was closed for some reason. Still... I'd fight the crowds and stand in that super long line for these damn tacos! I got asada first, as I usually do and I was surprised when they came with guac on top!!! MMMMMM, so delicious!!!! My boyfriend then really, really wanted to the adobada and wanted to see what the hype was about. We had never even heard of adobada until we came here, but I gotta say: we've been missin' outttt! I can't quite explain the flavor but they were indeed yummy! If I go back to visit SD, I have to go back to this place! Must, must, must try!!!
(4)Ellen P.
Tacos El Gordo is a MUST TRY place in San Diego. One of the best tacos I've ever had in my life!!!!! I highly recommend the carne asada and adobada!! I originally only ordered two tacos and killed them in less than 5 minutes and ordered 3 more..
(5)Anthony P.
Best adobada tacos in San Diego!!! Every time my family comes into town, we must make a stop.
(5)Mark M.
Totally hits the spot if u are craving tacos. They make the tortillas fresh right in front of u! And the huge piece of meat turning, turning, as the cut the delicious juicy pieces of meat and place on top of the just home made tortilla. Add the fresh guacamole and whatever else they add to that delicious taco... I ordered 6 tacos, could have eaten so much more... price is reasonable, $2 each, size is the regular street taco size.
(4)Malika L.
Only place that was open on Christmas!! Had the carne Asada, chicken and the infamous adobado!! Wow flavor was great!! I thought it was a bit pricey.. But regardless open on the holiday and good..couldn't really be mad at the price
(5)Lisa H.
This place definitely delivers! My first time walking in I was a bit confused because I wasn't sure where to order but you order on the side with all the cooks and menus is at and if you tip them they give you grilled peppers and onions! once you get your food you proceed to the register. My boyfriend and I got the barbecue pork, asada, chorizo and tripe. You can't go wrong with asada tacos! Barbecue pork was surprisingly good, it had a hint of sweetness but not overwhelming and had a sauce that was a cherry on top to the taco. The chorizo has a salty taste to it, which was pretty yummy as well. I didn't like the tripes much it had a weird aftertaste.
(5)G. A.
To be a good taco man or taco woman, you need good hand and I coordination. You need to be handy with steel (knife) if you know what I mean earn your keep. The Bunche tacos were tasty. The Adobada was magical as it was supposed to be. No complaints from me for this Tacos el Gordo. I had a wonderful chow down experience here. If I'm in the area again, I would definitely come back.
(4)Jizel S.
I've never experienced anything quite like these tacos. I'm always looking to find good mexican food whenever I go to San Diego and this place really delievered. The Adobada tacos were AMAZING. This place doesn't look like much, but they have some of the best tacos I've ever had. If you have the time I would defintely suggest making a pit stop here.
(5)Long T.
Yo! Yall want some bomb tacos? Yall gotta come through here! It is super packed all day but worth the wait! Trust me! Order everything! Can't wait to come back
(5)Queency M.
Great adobada tacos for fast food.
(4)Jessica W.
I love this place. I hardly find myself ordering tacos anywhere else nowadays.
(5)Julio V.
My uncle recommended this place he said they were good. They are not bad but they lack in flavor. They are good; but not that good!
(2)Leon K.
Place is dripping with kids. One of em' practically a shrek fan threw something at me. When this place is packed be warned!!! You WILL deal with other people's kids. Food is good. Recommend the morning when its empty.
(3)Michael C.
Legit place with serious food. Flour tortillas are hand-made on the spot. Meat is seen marinating in their own juices and sliced right before your eyes. They serve various cuts of beef, from regular shoulder to tongue and stomach. The adobada (pork tornado thing) is also popular. While the meats were good, the unique combination of sauces really made each taco special. If they ask, be sure to say you want everything on it regardless of your meat choice. You just can't go wrong here. Everything is awesome! Also, they have a drive-thru, open till 4am on Fri and Sat, and take credit cards now. That's customer service right there. Wait... you're still reading? Go get your tacos already!
(5)Jeanette S.
Adobada tacos is what this place is all about! This is a my favorite place for these tacos. I prefer this over Tacos El Poblano and Tacos El Paisa. Besides the adobada tacos, there are a bunch of other varieties, but this is my favorite dish to order here and the only reason I do come here. I love their super late hours! They're even open during major holidays at times. The only downside is that the prices seem to be going up. They used to be $1.65ea., then $1.80ea, and now they're $2ea. However, the tacos here are freaking good!!! There is a drive through for this place, but I don't really recommend going that route. I've had weird experiences doing that. Communication is hard and their speaker system really sucks.
(4)Phi D.
tacos adobada and lengua. one thing i suggest is that they need some sauce. my favorite part about taco shops is the variety of hot sauce and salsa which i felt was missing here. after i had 3 tacos i was completely full and satisfied.
(4)Cari P.
Seriously the best carne asada I have ever had. We take every visitor to San Diego here and they ALL fall in love. Go here.
(5)Moe A.
Adobada is delicious but, Tripa... I love you so much. So underrated. So capable of making me salivate even though you're 30 miles away. Excited to try the lengua (haven't yet bc my frugal self goes haywire when I see it costs .30 cents more than the other tacos). I'll do it eventually, and soon I hope!
(5)Lidia S.
I was a bit confused when my BF decided to take me to a taco shop for date night but he assured me I would not be disappointed. I had the pork abodabo (spelling is off) and the beef suardo (again, spelling off). Never tried either and wow was I satisfied. Seriously the best tacos I've had on this side of the border ( The tacos al vapor I had in TJ were my all time Fav) but I definitely recommend this place for your taco needs. Menu is easy and they basically specialize in tacos (no burritos, nachos) but if you need a taco fix, this is your spot!
(5)Chris M.
These are some of the best street tacos in town. They're pretty darn authentic and you can't really go wrong with any of their options. If you stick to the entry level asada or dive head first into some succulent tripe, you'll be glad you whatever you opt to eat that day. I'm just bummed they don't serve sesos at all the locations anymore.
(4)John H.
You will want to write a poem about the adobada. It is an ado-badass taco. I normally eat at least four, because I'm always with friends when I go. If I were alone, I would just stick around until close and eat like eight of them. And all eight of them would be lovingly savored. Each taco, a special moment.
(5)Marc P.
Location. The particular one I go to often is in National City, next to the Mile of Cars and Sweetwater High School. It's an okay location but it's easy to miss since there are so many other Mexican restaurants in the area. There's even a taco shop across the street from this taco shop (but the other place doesn't compare). Customer service. I feel like if I spoke Spanish, the customer service would be better. There's always going to be a language barrier to overcome but overall it's not too big of a factor. All you really need to tell the food preparers are 1.) which tacos you want and 2.) how many you want. Cleanliness. The restaurant is admittedly a bit grimy but it's something you start to expect out of Mexican restaurants in SD. It's not something that'll prevent me from coming here (I come here often!). The food. I CANNOT get enough of these tacos. I want my employer to pay me in street tacos; I want to wash my hair with their leftover hot oils; I want to make a fragrance made with bits of real adobada so that I can spend my day sniffing at my wrists. This is the type of spot that you go to for lunch one day and then come back for more the very next day. The meats are made fresh, the tacos are prepared right in front of you as you order. The adobada is actually cut from a vertical rotisserie, these guys don't mess around when it comes to their meats. Price. The prices can be a bit deceptive. Each taco is $2 which doesn't seem like much but they add up quick (or maybe I'm just a fatass that orders waay too many tacos). Four tacos and a drink clock in at a little over $10, a lot more than I typically pay for Mexican food. At any other spot, $10 will get you an order of carne asada fries and a burrito on the side. Ultimately, it's up to you whether you want some rinky dinky carne asada fries or a meat multiple orgasm in your mouth. TL;DR Pros: Some of the best street tacos this side of the Mexico-U.S. border Cons: Fairly expensive, bathroom is on the outside (troublesome when it's 02:00am) and there's no water. Closing thoughts: Writing about it makes me want more taco :9
(4)Gerardo G.
it is good, parking is good price for what you get not so good, it is to expensive for the small portions you get
(3)Kim P.
I love their pork adobado meat. Whether is be in tacos, tostadas, mulas, or sopes...it's all delicious. They also have great beef shoulder, carne asada, tripe, lengua, and cabeza if you're into that. They have a lot of drink options inc. horchata, piña, orange bang, etc. great place for tj style tacos.
(5)Tina Z.
all i have to say is....best adobada tacos i've ever had. the tender meat + creamy guac sauce = heaven. the carne asada is very good too. they have various other meats as well (tripa, lengua, etc.) if you're just not in the mood for adobada or carne asada. i also like this place, because the staff is friendly and it doesn't get as crowded as the location in Chula Vista.
(5)Andrew C.
always the best. what else is there to say
(5)Derrick C.
Presentation: The place was not clean and there were flies inside. The big pot of beef tongue, and whatever else was brewing in front of the counter is a huge turn off. I canceled my order when I thought it was from there. The good thing: The beef and chicken are cut in a different line and cutting board. All good. Food: Ordered a beef taco and a chicken taco with everything. My beef taco looked delicious. My chicken taco looked amazing. The beef had a Burnt meat flavor. The chicken taco had no flavor. At the end of the day, I would rather have two beef tacos. That experience ruined my appetite. The orange bang machine ran out of ice. There's nothing worse than hot orange bang or hot pinacolada. Cost: inexpensive but not worth my time. Flies... Bye Keesha!!!
(1)Judy A.
ok, my husband and i went here last night and this place was amazing!!! Tacos al pastor is the way to go! I've heard from many about this place and had to try it and we loved it! Oh yeah and not to mention we drove all the way from Orange county to have tacos lol..We will definitely go back again! BEST TACOS HANDS DOWN!!!
(5)Anon Y.
Got food poisoning from their adobada yesterday, the pork was not fully cooked. Can't enjoy my Fourth of July unfortunately. Wish I could give no stars and wish I could sue. Will never go back.
(1)NikO D.
Seriously. Do yourself a favor and get some tacos here. I don't care if you live out of state. You will thank me later. So you're welcome in advance. Tacos de Adobada!! These are probably the best tacos I've ever eaten. And coming from the Southwest, I have had more than a fair share of tacos. And I'm not talking the Taco Bell "tacos" or Del Taco "tacos". I'm talking straight up LEGIT TACOS. I have even eaten tacos from a street vendor in Mexico. But these Tacos de Adobada (al pastor) leave the rest of them behind. The meat is other worldly. The way they slow roast it on a stick reminds me of how they cook Gyro meat at the Greek places. The meat rotates slowly, while the delicious fat sizzles and drips down the side. The guy slices off the meat to order, so it is nice and juicy. You can order it w/ sauce, or w/o sauce. You can also decide if you want everything else such as lettuce, onions, etc. in the taco. I ordered all of the above. SO DELICIOUS!! Next time I go back, I will have to try a few of the other kind of tacos they offer. But I will definitely still leave room for at least 3 of this kind! I wasn't even hungry, but I ordered 3 because they looked so yummy. Then after I ate those 3, I promptly got back in line, and ordered 3 more! My bf did the same, except I think he had a total of 9 or 10 tacos! It was kinda ridiculous. *Just a note, I think they accept credit card, but cash is definitely preferred. Also, nobody that worked there spoke much English...at least when I went there. But it wasn't really a problem b/c I can count to at least 10 in Spanish (to tell them how many tacos I want). And yes, I got mine con queso. They are super friendly. The main cook even stopped to pose for a picture when he saw us whip out our cell phones to Yelp. :) He even tried to carry on a conversation w/ us...from my limited Spanish, I think he was telling us about their meat cooking process. :) **Another note, I think there are 3 locations in the SD area. I also heard there is at least one in Las Vegas. I can't vouch for those locations, but if they are even half as delicious at these were, you will still leave satisfied. :)
(5)Adele F.
Okay. What is the deal. Why is Mexican food only good in SoCal? Sure, it's close to the border. But SOMEBODY from SoCal had to have had the urge to move north to be cold while simultaneously migrating their century-old authentic Mexican recipes with them. And even if that has happened, SoCalers will still attest to the superior deliciousness of their Mexican food. I'll generously label it "self-confidence." As the name belies, Tacos El Gordo has multiple locations. You walk in, order at the counter, grab your food, head to the back, and pay the cashier. Most menu items (tacos with different types of meat) are $2 each, and drinks are $1.40 before tax. I ordered the TACOS DE ASADA (beef) for $2, $2.18 after tax, CASH ONLY ( s3-media1.ak.yelpcdn.com… ). I asked for everything on top, which included a dollop of awesome homemade guac! The beef is chewy and well-seasoned but a tad bit too salty for me, but I think I had eaten so much in the earlier half of my trip that it screwed up my taste buds... So what I will recommend is what my friend ordered: anything with ADOBADA (pork). She specifically got the SOPES DE ADOBADA for $3.75 ( s3-media3.ak.yelpcdn.com… ). That stuff is SOOO GOOD. Take a soft, grilled tortilla. Throw a thick, melted layer of mozzarella cheese, a generous helping of succulent, fatty, juicy pork, freshly seared off the huge slab they have in the kitchen. Toss on some chopped onions and cilantro. Drizzle on some magic white sauce stuff, and finish with a thin crunchy tortilla. It's absolutely delicious and magically filling. Must be the cheese, or maybe ALL THAT SAVORY PORK. SOPES DE ADOBADA. Gotta find me some in NorCal...
(4)Rubo G.
This is not an authentic "Tacos El Gordo" the name outside says "Tacos G" if you're looking for the real deal go south a little to Chula Vista off H street. You will find long lines there but mouthwatering tacos!
(1)Kosol R.
Asides from the long wait, food is pretty good. Not a lot of parking but plenty of seating. Wish they had their ac on higher too though lol, it's hot today.
(4)Kim D.
LENGUA! I always come for the lengua. This spot is a bit less crowded than the other locations. But it can still get pretty busy, especially if you're waiting in the adobada line. I really like how they split it up by protein. So a person just wanting asada doesn't have to wait in the long line for adobada. My bf really liked the tripe. The beef head was pretty tasty as well but I always come back for the lengua. Yum. Don't forget to ask for the grilled onion and peppers on the side!
(5)Kaitlyn C.
Wow. This place is top notch. It may look a little dive from the outside, but that really know adds to the atmosphere! The food is some of the best I have ever had. Period. The people were so friendly! We ended up going back two days in a row because I'm just so hooked! The adobada is hands down the best thing I've ever had, and I would eat it everyday forever if I could! Did I mention they cater? Yes. Please. Basically, if you are even on this page considering going.... What are you waiting for?! DO IT!
(5)Sara G.
Delicious tacos. The Adobada was amazing, as was the carne asada.
(5)Karla D.
Awesome tacos! Nothing wrong about the food, one in a million! The customer service is kinda rough. The girl at the counter just ignoring me as she talked on the phone to someone then said something rude in Spanish about me. ( I guess she didn't think I spoke Spanish, so when she asked me how my food was I looked at her and replied in Spanish. Lol
(4)Judith H.
Love the tacos. I must say that I really enjoy coming here compared to the other tacos places. Ok price but wish the drive thru was faster.
(5)Jennah B.
The best hole in the wall taco spot a few miles north of the border. Their Adobada is so tastey! Menu is super simple. You don't go there for the decor, you go there because you want to eat thee best tacos without having to cross the border.
(5)Clark H.
The bomb- you don't mind being the only guero... This is probably now one of my fav.Mexican places in San Diego.
(5)Jennifer A.
You probably would have been 5 stars if the wait when we came wasn't so insanely long. There weren't even THAT many people there so I don't really know what the hold up was. But, their tacos are delicious. My favorites were the lengua and cabeza, but the adobada is also very good. They are street tacos, so pretty small, but generously stuffed. If you have an empty stomach, they can easily add up at about $2 a pop.
(4)Jack M.
A "little" slice of Mexico in the U.S. I grabbed a few street tacos from this place. A carne asada and two adobada or marinated pork. At two dollars a piece and given their size, it is easy to speculate that these are somewhat pricey. The carne asada tacos was good. The meat was tender and the guacamole fresh. ( yelp.com/biz_photos/taco… ) The salsa did not have much of a kick and the meat was a little salty, but still a good mini taco. ( yelp.com/biz_photos/taco… ) The marinated pork had good flavor, especially the pork. The pork was tender and plentiful. ( yelp.com/biz_photos/taco… ) The green sauce that was served with the pork was okay. It had a subtle sour taste and was seasoned well. I like that they left bits of fat around the pork which enhanced the flavor of the taco. ( yelp.com/biz_photos/taco… ) I liked the corn tortilla in both mini tacos. They were moist and had picked up a hint of oil from the griddle which gave them a nice texture. Good abobada. I enjoyed the tacos, but I was not wowed by them. They where good, but for the price, I think they could be better. The people who work here are very friendly and up beat.
(3)Monica C.
So gd yummy food and awesome service the lines are long but i think its worth it. I will be going back for sure. I love it!
(5)serina c.
Good tacos but why are they 2 bucks each? I can personally eat at least 6 plus a drink so that is a $14 lunch for Mexican fast food?? This place is robbing us blind lol
(4)Christina L.
My first time trying a Tacos El Gordo last night and the tacos were DELICIOUS. Especially the tacos de lengua...they were THE BEST I've had in San Diego. BUT!!!! DO NOT be a n00b like I was and make the mistake of asking for more salsa (which they keep in a fridge behind the counter). The first lady I asked looked at me disappointingly then turned me over to another lady who started questioning me on how many tacos I had purchased. I tried to explain that I wanted an additional one red and one green not for myself, but for my friends who were there with me and she gave me the dirtiest look and told me that it costs money for more salsa and handed them to me angrily. Thanks?...I didn't know they weren't free! It's my first time here! Please don't make me feel like I'm some salsa hoarding thief. So...tacos were delicious, but I ate them in a bummed out mood.
(3)Geoff M.
Love the variety of choices for Tacos, carne asada was my favorite. Wish they had salsa choices or other fixings. Make sure you get in right line for ordering!!
(4)Calvin H.
In this gringo's humble opinion, Tacos El Gordo is pretty much the most legit street tacos you can get on this side of the border. And in true gringo fashion, it kind of reminds me of what my friend once said about Taco Bell: "Everything on the menu is just 5 ingredients put together in different ways". But don't get me wrong, I am in no way comparing the food itself to Taco Bell, that would just be crazy talk peoples. You get your choice of meats from different parts of Piggies and Moo Cows. Then you can choose if you want it taco, quesadilla, or tostada style. My personal preference is to just stick to tacos. Nothing beats those warm corn tortillas dipped in grease and heated up on the grill. The tacos are fairly small but only $2 each, so figure to eat 4 or 5 of them. Also, be sure to ask for the the grilled onions and peppers. It completes the experience. Be aware that the Highland location is smaller than the H Street one and also does not have the Spicy Beef, only Spicy Pork.
(4)Trang L.
Dude.. Duuuudddde. Everyone I know talks about this place.. finally had a chance to try it.. and.. Dude. It. Is. Amaze-balls! I came here with high expectations and they were totally met! This is real deal authentic tacos and they are amazing! I had ordered the following.. carne asada, cabesa, and adobada tacos. I was not able to narrow down which was my favorite because they all were really good and all had its own starring flavors! The cabesa was super yummy and very juicy! I'm sure most people would find that rather disgusting but that's where the flavor was! The carne asada was not dry at all and it had such good quality beef flavor annnnnd it has a kick of spicy! Yummm!.. Last but not least.. the adobada. This had a unique flavor, but it was good annnnd it came with a green sauce?.. I don't like sour cream.. but if that was some sort of green sour cream.. it was freakin amazing! I will definitely get my fat on here. haha :|
(5)Colleen C.
10 STARS. 100 STARS. 1 MILLION STARS!!!! I am in no way affiliated with this company, but I should be because I have brought them in so much business by word of mouth. I discovered Tacos El Gordo in 2006 and have been there countless amount of times. They have the BEST BEST BEST adobada tacos that I have ever had in my entire life. And I have eaten at a lot of Mexican food joints. For newcomers, you walk to the station depending on the meat you are trying to order (adobada, carne asada, and misc body parts.) Then you pay and enjoy! A tip that I have come to learn through my years of going there: it costs the same to get a tostada (hard shell) and I have noticed that you do get more meat so if you're trying to get more bang for your buck, get the tostada! I usually stick to the adobada (and cebollas), but my friend loves the lengua (tounge) as well. I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for the best tacos in the entire world. This is also my favorite location-- I feel like the adobada at the Chula Vista location is a little off, but I've only been to that one twice. The one in Vegas is very similar as well being that some workers in San Diego helped open it (I drunkenly had conversations with them seeing that I felt like Tacos El Gordo was my home.) Overall, I love this place and I know you will too!
(5)Brian M.
I don't think you're ready for this. I'm talking about experiencing your first adobada taco. Make sure you get everything on it, and add a squirt of lime before stuffing your face. You're likely to shove everyone out of line & order three more adobada tacos, if you're like I am. These are probably the best TJ style street tacos I've had in all of San Diego. Also, the carne asada tacos & the quesadillas are delicious. I've had dreams about eating here. When I wake up I'm always horny & hungry.
(5)Charlene P.
If you're craving for an epic meal, this is the place to go. I always get their mulas tacos, if you love cheese and meat together this is the one for you. I always get adoba meat, it's basically like a pork quesadilla. It can get really overwhelming with cheese, so if you're my a cheese lover I suggest you get the regular tacos. Also, they overload the tacos with cilantro and onions, so if you love those together can't go wrong with this place!
(4)Victoria E.
Read all the hype about this place so when I was in San Diego I decided to pass by and give it a try. When you see it you'd probably just pass it by because it looks runned down almost, more to speak needs an update on the outside. But always these places are the best places to get delicious tacos burritos quesadillas etc. Had the carne asada and adobada tacos...freaking delicious. Carne asada has that bbq kind of smoke flavor to it. Nothing burnt and overpowering. And the adobada tacos are delicious with that sauce on top! Yum!!
(5)Aldo G.
So the pass couple time that I ate herethe food is okay. It seems like they are just reheating the meats not good.
(3)Mustaf S.
Best tacos in town hands down, could use better signage inside to explain what to do and what the lines are for. Mostly in Spanish and a bit confusing. Terrible parking too hut the food makes up for it
(4)amilie e.
If you want legit tacos without crossing the border this is the place to go. I give them 3 stars because they lack good customer service , the price, and the place itself is a bit sketch but I will explain. The workers hardly speak English and are kind of hard to get a hold of when you are ready to order. If you come in for the first time all alone with no other experienced tacos el gordo customer, no one will help you order, they have signs for each station which is self explanatory but you know most places someone will greet you and ask if it is your first time and will explain everything to you, but not here, if you decide to go here come with a spanish speaking friend or someone who has been here before . I have tried their carne asada and pollo asada tacos, i have yet to try their adobada tacos. Since the first time i came here the prices went up to $2 per taco which I believe is too pricey for a small taco and on top of that national city tax is pretty high. However their tacos are really good and taste like homemade tacos. I would recommend this place but I feel like its too pricey, i remember the tacos being 1.50 each which is a much reasonable price. The place is located on in a very busy street so it is hard to get into or out of. This place is a hole in the wall type of place and sometimes feels sketch. But the tacos are good.
(3)Fanny A.
I will drive how many hours to eat here. Yes, they are that good. Coming from a person who was born in Mexico, I think that says a lot. Enjoy your tacos!
(5)Stiss S.
The price went up from $1.80 Ish to $2.00 for adobada tacos! The adobada tacos were just okay by itself but with jalapeños added (from my home) it was really good. $6 for 3 of them will fill me up but I am not sure if it's worth it. The grilled chili peppers they had were actually not spicy whatsoever. I will add another star when they give out complimentary salsas and other toppings like jalapeños.
(3)Cherie T.
AMAZING! i haven't had such good street tacos in awhile. And these little bad boys were delicious!! came here for lunch i first ordered 2 carne asada, 1 lengua, and 1 adobada. the adobada and carne asada were so good i went back for seconds. Yup a total of 6 tacos. I inhaled these tacos quickly. yes, get the adobada -- it is just... *drools* (i can't even finish the sentence with words.) Each taco is $2 so it is on the pricey side. And they don't have water (tap water) so you're forced to order a drink. I must say this is one of the expensive lunch meals but i think it was worth it -- i was very satisfied after my meal. Till this day, i'm still thinking about those tacos. Too bad it's so far from my house.. if this was closer and cheaper, you'll probably see me here once a week.
(5)Richard P.
Best tacos in sd! Never had tacos that tasted better then here.
(5)Linda F.
My daughter suggested this place to me on Saturday because she knows that I love street tacos. I had four of each Tacos De Cabeza $2.00 and Tacos De Lengua $2.50. They were delicious but expensive. My man ordered the regular Asada tacos and he enjoyed them as well. The people working there are nice and my only complaint is that they keep opening the door. I was cold. There are a lot of people there. Even though it was expensive spending $36.00 for all, just the fact knowing that I did not have to wait in the border line or walk through is worth it for me. They do have bathrooms but they are outside around the back which I thought was a bit strange. I will be going back. :-) you need to try the Cabeza and Lengua tacos!
(4)Richard K.
Tacos El Gordo!!! What happened to you?! You were muy delicioso years back during my UCSD days. Now you're muy decepcionante! Not sure if my taste changed or you did, but when did your food become more greasy than flavorful? I know street food is supposed to be greasy but that's where a lot of the flavor comes from. You've somehow managed to produce flavorless grease. During my most recent visit, a taco fell through a tear in the oil-soaked paper. Normally, I'd pick it up, make sure no one's watching, then quickly stuff it in my mouth. But this time, I was happy to see one less taco on my plate. King taco and Tacos el Gordo are becoming the new Alberto's of SoCal. Guess I'll have to explore deeper into the unknown to find Mexican that doesn't rely on past success or a hot sauce to hide the fact that they just don't put the love and soul into their food like they used to. Best Mexican I've found? Tiajuanas Tacos in Pomona.
(2)Jade T.
Man... Where to begin? California has a Mexican food joint on every other corner, so it's easy to get mediocre food sometimes. This place is Hands Down, the Freshest, Best-tasting street tacos in San Diego! I've been here overs dozen times, but I'm usually wolfing down three or four of those adobada tacos so fast my hands are never free to type a review! Good just doesn't cut it- Delicious FOOD COMA might come close but I doubt it!!! ;)
(5)Jeff L.
So randon, I've never been so south, was here for work. Stumbled on to this place, I have heard SD has better Mexican food than LA, logically you would think. This place did not disappoint. I had 3 tacos: Carne Asada-men, best ever, you can taste the mesquite wood they were using to grill the meat Al pastor-OMG. nice and soft flavorful! If I lived down there this would be on rotation!
(4)Eric L.
Adobada. If I were to sum up the amazingness of this place in ONE word, it would be Adobada. Why? Because it was amazing. All their other tacos are really good too, don't get me wrong, but the Adobada was my personal favorite. We drove all the way from Scripps Ranch area to come here and meet up with an old college friend because he said it is good. Let's just put it this way... It was worth the drive. The tiny tacos are packed with flavor and a decent amount of meat. You walk up to one of three (or was it four?) stations and order whatever they may have. This trip, I had the shoulder, tongue, carne asada, and Adobada. after the first four tacos, i went back for a second helping of the Asada and Adobada. Those both being my favorites. They ask if you want everything and trust me, you do. The asada comes with a dollop of their home made guac which adds the perfect creaminess to the char. So with some of the best tacos, why 4 stars and not 5? Because it's expensive! As of 4/2/13 each taco was $2. A drink is $1.40 and they don't have tap water to drink so you're stuck with a fountain drink. Would I go back? YES! Would i go back often? No, simply because the wallet cannot handle it. TL:DR - Great tacos but expensive.
(4)Stephanie C.
Definitely get the adobada! I got an asada one.. it was okay, but adobada is bomb! Ate one, and had to get at least 2 more :)
(5)Linda B.
Came here for lunch with a friend who wanted to eat street tacos and this place was disappointing. The adobado tacos had more onions than meat and no flavor on the meat either. Won't be coming back!
(1)Anais M.
If you really want authentic Mexican street tacos this is definitely the place to go! I've had everything on their menu and it's mouthwatering deliciousness. I'm salivating just thinking about it again. They cook in front of you and homemade tortillas too. My favorite are the tacos adobada with everything. MMMM pure awesomeness!! Recommend it for sure.
(5)Tien N.
I'd always been a huge fan of Mexican food before I moved to SD, and when I was introduced to the "regular"/"non-El Gordo" SD taco shops I was blown away--but this takes it to a new level. If a regular taco is getting pooped on by an elephant, this place is like playing with puppies all day while being the official oil rubber of the Swedish bikini team. They serve lots of meats from different animals and different body parts that I'm still not sure what is what, but however they cook/marinade it's Amazing. Combine it with the guac/sauces they add on and it's so orgasmically good that as soon as I got home I deleted all the porn from my computer. It is actually that good.
(5)Anthony M.
They're ok I guess, based on the two adobada tacos I had today. Their concept of lines and stations is kinda dumb though... if you get something at a station with a short line but also want a taco from a station where a longer line forms, you gotta stand there waiting with your one taco like a dufus... cause what if I dont want to eat it in line?! Salsa's average at best. Didn't try the guacamole but I will say it looked kinda runny. Tacos had ample amount of product however for a decent price of $2 a pop.
(3)