Legendary Tijuana Taqueria Tacos El Franc Opens in National City | Eater San Diego

"A famed Tijuana taquería has opened a National City outpost inside Westfield Plaza Bonita, bringing a full Tijuana experience—speedy service, smoky cooking, and an energetic, shoulder-to-shoulder stainless-steel kitchen—to a suburban mall setting. Founded by Don Javier Valadez (who began selling tacos from a street cart in 1974 and later opened the long-running red-and-white checkerboard fonda), the operation is celebrated in the Michelin Guide and was featured on Netflix’s Taco Chronicles; the new location was developed with partners Roberto Kelly and Salvador Lombroso and opens June 11, serving daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. The menu highlights Tijuana-style carne asada and spicy adobada—top sirloin grilled over mesquite and pork picnic roast sliced from trompos that each hold more than 200 pounds—as well as mulitas, quesadillas, vampiros, tostadas, and fritanga cuts like suadero and tripas fried on a stainless-steel disc; the kitchen also steams beef head and tongue. Hand-pressed corn tortillas are used for carne asada (other tacos use premade tortillas from a San Diego tortillería with an option to upgrade to handmade), and preparations follow a traditional taco-brigade system with trained taqueros and multiple trompos and stations to preserve authentic salsas, marinades, and vegetable prep. The restaurant design nods to the original fonda with red-and-white tile counters and brick dining walls, and while the team promises a faithful Tijuana flavor profile, they’ve added a bit of San Diego flair with items like carne asada and adobada fries; the business also has immediate U.S. expansion plans, including a forthcoming Gaslamp location and potential Las Vegas growth." - Bill Esparza