City Tacos

Okay, let me start by saying, I am a foodie and I have to say, RUN don’t walk and get these tacos. I was absolutely blown away by this little taqueria on Mission St. There are countless places to choose from along this busy street in this touristy area but City Tacos is a diamond among gemstones. We ordered the surf and turf tacos, the steak taco, shrimp taco, quesabirria taco, pescado taco… and my surprising favorite… the Portobello taco. (Middle taco) First, for the price, the taco sizes are substantial which is always an added bonus. I loved the flavor combinations in everything, but the portobello mushroom taco was smoky, umami, sweet, creamy and savory all in one perfect bite. I loved the surprising addition of the arugula which brought everything together in a magical way! The salsa bar is also fire!!!

When I went to City Tacos. I really want some tacos and I got my wish. The customer service was great, the tacos came out fast and the beer was cold. All that said, we had the chicken, pork and Carne Asada tacos plus the street corn. I would only give the Carne asada a 5/5, the chicken was a little dry even when it was buried in guac 3/5. The pork was juicy and chin dripping, but only a 4/5. The street corn was a it's a little disappointing, it is overcooked but full of flavor. If I go again, I will get stick to the Carne asada and takes full advantage of the sauce bar. Good tacos, great location.

Dropped by this place for a quick lunch. Absolutely unexpected little shop on the side of the beach. Tacos were flavorful and packed with filling (no skimp out on the meat and trims). The traditional tacos were really good, but what really stood out was the specialty tacos. The Friar Fish tacos was loaded, and the scallop tacos tasted like clam chowder with lots of meat in it - delicious! Elote is also very well seasoned and on a whole cob. Definitely need to return!

Decent tacos but not the best. We enjoyed the shrimp taco but the carne asada wasn’t up to snuff. On the positive side they were nicely sized. Salsas were good. Guac ok. Service was very friendly. We had five tacos and two beers. $40 with tip.

Delicious tacos. Fast friendly service! Flavors simple yet on point, right by the beach and so decently priced too. Had Surf n turf with steak and shrimp and Caribbean Salmom taco. 10/10

Probably one of the best tasting tacos in PB definitely recommend all the tacos that don't have meat, only reason for that is that I don't eat meat but I can imagine they taste just as good as all the other tacos, I know this because I've eaten all of the rest and they were on point. I would love to pick one as a favorite, but there are all Damm good. This is coming from a fish tacos 🌮 expert. #BeeHippyLifestyle

Excellent Tacos with great, unusual fillings. Fabulous fish tacos and the carnitas taco tasted like roast pork at a Sunday dinner. Four of us all enjoyed the different tacos we tried, I highly recommend City Tacos!

My husband and I love this taco place! We always order different ones and have not been disappointed yet. The churros are also delicious and you can get margaritas and 32oz modelos as well. The service is always great, food is quick and fresh.

While in San Diego, tacos were on our must have list. We ordered City Taco for takeout and it did not disappoint. All the tacos we had were delicious and we also got chips and salsa and guac to share, as well as beans. I had the surf and turf taco, and the crunch time shrimp taco. I didn't realize the crunch time was essentially a taquito inside of a taco but it was good, but the surf and turf was my favorite- sooo delicious! My husband also got the ahuevo breakfast taco, quesicarnitas taco, carnitas, and poblano taco. Poblano taco was super cheesy, but out of his, the carnitas taco was the best. It has some spice to it and was really good.

Located right by the Pacific Beach Pier. We went on New Year's Eve, before all the craziness. We ordered at the counter and the food was delivered to our table. We waited about 15min for our food. We ordered the Good Start Medley and the QuesaBirra Taco. The Good Start Medleys presentation is so cute! Comes with 3 Potato rolled tacos (flavorless), 3 Queso Corn Empanadas (Texture was nice, could have more corn), beans, quac, chips, and salsa. It was a great starter dish. For flavor, that's where the dips and salsas come in. The QuesaBirra was spot on.

I hate to leave bad reviews but these are just the worst tacos I ever had. All these positive reviews must be from out of towners that don't know Mexican food. You don't serve a tortilla that is unheated that's like tacos 101 and both of mine were super undercooked. Meats were odd tasting and kind of cold also. Overall disappointing food but the staff was very nice and professional.

Super good tacos in San Diego. Great dog and kid friendly outdoor seating with picnic tables on turf and bubbles blowing in the air. Great socal vibes.

Friendly staff, quick service, great food. What else could you ask for? Had a small selection of beer on tap and a good assortment of bottled beer. Try it out

Tried this place for the first and they have really good tacos at affordable price. It's not a fancy place, right next to the beach and they serve food in paper plates but service is really good. I tried city zucchini, carnitas & portobello tacos, they serve one taco per item, they also have varieties of salsa's available.

Really enjoyed the tacos we ordered, but the carnitas meat could've used more flavor. Other than that, the pescado taco was my favorite. The tacos are a fair portion and things are priced pretty fairly as well. We came on a Friday afternoon and it was pretty much empty. The inside is clean and the service was quick. Will definitely return!

This taco spot is simply out of this world! The flavors are unmatched, and every bite was a fiesta for the taste buds. I'll definitely be back whenever I'm in town!

I love this place! Quick, good food. Tacos are well made and taste fresh. Guac was also fresh. Service is quick and fast. Ambiance is a chill, relaxed vibe (it's right near the PB boardwalk). Would recommend!

The tacos here are arguably some of the best in the city. I've had a variety here, but the top-notch best is the surf & turf tacos. The scallops tacos were rubbish, I would advise to avoid. The clerks were friendly and polite, but the dining room needs better cleaning, especially with all the sand and dirt arriving via beachgoers and such. The patio is small but probably the best spot to eat. Again, the surf-&-turf tacos are the best. They're so good that I've gotta revisit and order some more!!!

I came here for the first time the other day. I love the variety of tacos they have compared to other taco shops. I got the August taco of the month which is shrimp/scallops/calamari/octopus, carne asada, and quesibirria tacos. The August taco of the month was really good but the spiciness was a little overpowering. The carne asada was so mid and the beans inside was weird. The quesibirria was delicious! A little pricier than some other taco shops I've been to. I love the salsa/topping bar with a variety of sauce/salsa options and limes, onions, and cilantro. I prefer The Taco Stand over City Tacos but probably will be back to try other tacos.

Woah! Such unique taco offerings and the flavor combinations are oh so good. Hands down, the Mexicali was unlike anything I've ever had. The addition of the mashed potato is genius. The Quesabirria was on point, with just the right amount of sauce. The Caribbean Salmon was so light, with a nice crunch from the pineapple. And lastly the Carne asada, had plenty of protein and wss as super flavorful. My fave - all the sauces and toppings make it easy to create the perfect custom taco. Not too many interior tables but plenty of outdoor seating with umbrellas. It's just a quick walk to Pacific Beach so if you're in the mood for a view, take a walk and enjoy the sun surf and sand. I'd come back to try every taco on the menu!!

So we were staying in San Diego for 4 days and 3 nights. WE CAME HERE EVERY SINGLE DAY! this place is a must stop! We tried the simple fish taco, the salmon taco, the surf and turf, the corn elote asada, and the chips and guac throughout our 4 different meals... everything was amazing. Tacos are 3-6$ each and are so filling! They are massive and super cheap. We filled up here every day for lunch after a surf session. The simple fish tacos were hands down my favorite but everything is good. Definitely check this place out if looking for an amazing and affordable taco in San Diego !

Just finished our tacos and absolutely had to leave a review. Grilled mahi taco is amazing, a little messy, but so good!! We also had the portobello vegetarian taco, and were super surprised. Juicy and so full of flavor! The young man helping us, seemed knowledgeable and accommodating. Great service, great, chill ambiance and delicious food! Will come back soon to try the scallop dream, Caribbean salmon and crunch time shrimp tacos!!!

This is a great spot for some taco variety. As far as the dining space there are maybe 5 tables if not 4 inside and 2 outside. Very small space, standing room only when waiting for food because the tables will be taken. The traffic of patrons is very steady. Parking is a challenge unless you get lucky so if you can walk or bike there, that would be ideal. Our order: 5 tacos dorados papas con rajas (potato and peppers). This was my favorite item. So tasty delicious and surprising light. The churros were tasty but came with with a sauce I didn't like. I'm pretty sure it was a dulce de leche dip but I wasn't into it. I do have to say that this is probably no fault of the restaurant because I've had a Dulce de Leche dip from another restaurant and I want a fan of that either, so it's probably just not a flavor I'm into. Our tacos were the Mexicali which had steak onions cheese and mashed potatoes. I could taste or tell the cheese or potatoes were there. The Pollo asada was traditional and delicious. The SD Carne asada has a great homemade corn tortilla with all the traditional taco flavors of steak onions and cilantro. Chorizo asado with pineapple was too sweet for me. Great salsa bar options so if you're a salsa lover the variety was fantastic. The service here was absolutely phenomenal. Despite how busy they were everybody was very accommodating, calm and patient, especially because of the huge variety of items you could choose, they did not make you did not feel rushed to make choices. Also, the employees were definitely hyper vigilant on those of us who were looking or waiting for somewhere to sit so they were very quick to clear and clean tables as patrons left. Overall the food was good and tasty but the dorados were the only item that will absolutely bring me back. I do plan on returning the next time I'm in town but I will definitely walk there!

Food was amazing, corn tortillas are a must. Service was great, they moved an umbrella for us to have shade. Perfect beach vibes.

I will not be coming here again brian is completely unprofessional rude and does not know how to treat guests or employees for that matter. I hope that there is a change in management I felt very uncomfortable. He was very sassy making me feel as if I was stupid or less than him. I hope this problem is resolved quickly I enjoy visiting city tacos

This is a solid taco shop to visit right off of the beach! It's not going to be giving you the authentic street food Mexican vibe, but it's an affordable option among the higher end "fancy" tacos imo. I came here for their seafood tacos, and enjoyed the July scallop special! The battered fish taco (4/5) was also pretty good but not mind blowing. I'm sure if you try the tacos they will all be good on average, but you might be able to find a gem or two that are worth coming here for. One thing I would love to see is more tasty, salsas and creamy sauces on the side!

Came here on a Tuesday with my coworkers for lunch, and it turns out they're doing a deal for Taco Tuesday! It's $2.50 Mexican beer and 10% off all food items. My coworkers were very surprised with the beer special, which they all agreed was super affordable. A couple of them decided to grab a beer. I ordered the Mexicali and the Pescado taco and they looked as beautiful as they tasted. The Mexicali has mashed potatoes which I did not taste but it added to the whole texture of the taco. Absolutely delicious. The Pescado had some strawberry slices in it, I loved it for that hint of fresh sweetness. Everyone loved their tacos! The vibe was cozy but that surf Pacific Beach vibe; there's wooden furniture that reminds me of driftwood. Service was great, it was the cashier who also delivered our tacos straight to our table.

If you are a taco aficionado like me you have to eat at City Tacos. Unbelievable flavor and excellent portion size for traditional tacos. Patrick who runs the front of the house is on point with the service and recommendations. I will definitely eat here again.

Got the camarones enchilados, pollo asada and chile relleno tacos plus an elote. All were great, personally I love a really spicy salsa which their salsa selection lacked, but their salsas were all great. The employee checked up on us, so service was great as well. Great music as well! Will definitely come back when we're in the area.

I've always favored City Tacos at their North Park location so pretty stoked to find them in PB when I was recently in the area. I haven't had a taco I didn't like at the NP location and that so far was the case here. I've tried the Crunch Time Shrimp Taco and the Surf n Turf. I highly recommended Crunch Time taco! It had a small crunchy rolled taco inside which was a perfect texture to the taco and so much flavor! Most tacos are about $5 or less. Very friendly service, food came out in less than 10 min and was hot n fresh

First time trying city tacos and it is amazing! Martin was so sweet and helpful! Work in the area so I will definitely be back

If you are looking for amazing food, friendly customer service, and affordable prices this is the spot for you! This location is steps away from Crystal Pier in Pacific Beach. Its a small restaurant with a few tables inside and a few outside. There is a digital menu as well as handheld menus to look at. There was a friendly guy and gal up front who answered a few questions for us. We placed our order with them and got a table inside. They have a salsa bar that clearly labels the heat factor of their salas which most are HOT HOT HOT, which isn't for me. But the one that was not too spicy was a mango salsa and my son loved it. We ordered chips and guacamole, Mexicali taco, Crunchy Time Shrimp Taco, Pollo Asado taco, Quesibirria taco, City Zucchini Taco, Elote and two bottles of coke. All of that (which was plenty of food) was only $40! The most expensive item we got was the chips and guacamole which was $6.95. Other reviewers have said these tacos were small but I disagree. They are larger than street tacos and FULL of toppings and fillings. The size also allows for you to get more than one kind of taco. The chips were homemade and delicious! The guacamole was good but bland in my opinion even with the pico and cotija on top. The Mexicali taco (which I read was one of their most popular) has steak, onions, poblano peppers, mash potatoes setting on a bed of melted cheese. Oh My! This was by far the best taco of all the tacos we ordered and I am not surprised its most popular. I wasn't sure how the mashed potatoes were going to be in a taco but I was pleasantly surprised and though I don't think they added much flavor they added an element of texture that was delightful. The crunchy time shrimp was just good. The way the description reads I wasn't expecting the crunchy part of it to be a rolled taquito (that's what it looks like). This was my daughters taco and she said she didn't notice bacon and was missing crunchy shrimp(that's what she thought it was). Again it was good. We left off the spicy salsa as well. My son had the pollo asado taco minus onions and cilantro. He said it was good but too much guacamole (is that possible?!). Next was the quesibirria and this was fantastic! It was SO juicy consume (which is typically served with birria tacos) was not needed. We left off the spicy salsa on this one too since my daughter doesn't like spicy food and this was still so good . After that was my fried zucchini taco. This was GOOD, real good! There were so many flavor components to this taco it would be impossible not to be delicious. The only thing is since its thick piece of fried zucchini the breading got soggy quickly with the various sauces on it. I highly recommend this taco but eat it first to enjoy the crunch of the fried zucchini. Lastly was my sons elote. My son is obsessed with elote and he powered this one down. He said it was one of the best elotes he's ever had. He wouldn't stop talking about the rest of the weekend either. Overall this was the best food of the weekend. It was quick, affordable, fresh and most of all DELICIOUS! This place will remain on our list of place we must eat at when we visit SD.

This place was enjoyed every member of my very large family! A perfect "hang out" vibe just steps from the beach. The men who served us helped create a very welcome and laid back atmosphere, and the service was great! It was very fast considering there were so many of us. The food was delicious; from the tacos, to the chips and guacamole. Would definitely go back!

Took my friend and she thought I was crazy for wanting a chicken taco with raisins and almonds. Then she tried and and is on board. The Pollo City is not all that taco-ish other than the shape. But it is off the hook delicious! The staff is super friendly and while you go to the cash register to order and pre-pay, they bring it to your table. And always with a smile. The PB location is literally a block from the pier, so there are some tourists and some locals. There is indoor and outdoor seating. Inside is an instagramable mural. The salsa bar is self serve which makes the atmosphere feel casual and homey. Price is right, and even better on Tuesdays when even the beer is on sale.

This city tacos location is much tastier than the Encinitas location! Not sure if this is a chain or franchise. The salmon tacos with arugula were really tasty with the right amount of healthiness too. There's a sign on the front that says free parking in the back (it's street parking by the beach, first come first served).

Best tacos in PB!!! Chips and salsa are awesome, the carnitas tacos are my favorite but the pollo and carne asada tacos are amazing as well! Everyone is so kind who works there and they are always playing good music! Love to come here after hanging at the beach, grab a beer and some tacos with friends. Great place to be.

Got to give this place a try. Highly recommend the shrimp tacos though scallops and white fish tacos were good to.

The shrimp taco was good but the carne asada taco was very dry and fatty. Not good quality steak.

Wow! Amazing tacos plus 10% off on Taco Tuesday. Horchata comes with unlimited refills too. From the chili relleno to Cameron and filet to taco of the month, everything was delicious! I'll definitely be back with friends and family.

Wow! Priced fairly and delicious. We tried: Mexicali 5/5 Scallop Dream 5/5 Chile Relleno 4/5 I like spicy and this was making me reach for water. Ay chihuahua. Carne Asada 5/5 nice portion and a good flavor Chorizo 3.5/5 not sure what I didn't like but it could be compared to the others that this was just basic. I would order all others again but pass on this one. Chips and guac delicious. The chips are thick and crispy. Guac had a nice seasoning. It was packed for taco Tuesday and beer specials but I was just grabbing to go. Packed nicely for to go order. Server was super friendly at the restaurant Great convenient location and hopping inside with people and energy. I didn't take any pictures because we devoured the food. Lol.

I've been here a handful of times and it never disappoints. This place is consistently good. The tacos here are tasty and fresh. For bring so close to the beach the prices for tacos aren't too bad. They have unique tacos and also your traditional tacos. Love the variety and the freshness of the tacos. Definitely a must after hitting the beach all day or a snack before heading to the beach.

Cute place near the beach. The tacos were just average. Margarita was strong (in a good way)!

I hate to be the bad guy, but this place was very basic. Very mid. Very regular. 3 stars is kind of me lol. I honestly think this place was made for tourist who don't know REAL Mexican food. For people who haven't tried San Diego taco shops. The tacos were just ok. They lacked the flavor I'm so used to. Their surf and turf taco was actually pretty delicious! I've tried this place twice hoping for a different outcome, but nope. I got the polo asado taco and their mahi mahi taco. The chicken was dry and hard, and their guacamole was flavorless and watery. It also had big chuncks of avocado that wasn't ripe in it. The customer service was excellent!! Really friendly staff! Just not my cup of tea when it comes to the tacos...

I don't have a pic of the tacos because they were so delicious I gobbled them down like fatty. The food is great. I got a Mexicali and the one with scallops. My husband said the birria one was awesome too What really stood out was the woman working the register. She was so patient and kind. In a world where most people in the service industry don't have the customer service skills to work at a hot dogs stand, she was a breath of fresh air. She didn't rush me. She got extra tortillas for my kids. She came and make sure the table we sat at was clean. Top notch customer service. She's a keeper.

All the food was so good! We went there three times and there was no shortage of delicious food choices. They have corn tortillas for a GF substitute and chicken quesadillas for kids. The workers were so friendly and had lots of info on where to go in San Diego. Everything was so clean including bathrooms, and there is outdoor seating for warmer days. 10/10 I totally recommend!!

I'd actually like to give it a 3.5 but rounded up. Scallop taco was pretty fishy tasting. Shrimp taco was good and so was the chicken. We got the Spinach wrap that they said was basically a burrito. Yah I know it's a taco place but some of my kiddos wanted burritos like we got at City tacos in LA. Anyways they all got the carne asada wrap but there was very very little meat. It was stuffed with greens like arugula. No flavor. Overpriced. Salsa was good.

I was surprised to see the ratings for this place. Perhaps it's mostly from tourists? I can't imagine Californians liking the food. Scallop taco was like clam chowder poured in a tortilla. I have never seen anything like it. No sign of a scallop at all. The gentleman at the counter recommended the Mexicali taco. We had one bite and decided not to eat anymore. The meat had a weird taste and it was not appealing. Beans appeared to be out of a can with a lot of liquid. These was some unmelted cheese on top. Also, not appetizing. How do you mess up something as simple as beans? Salsa comes out of a pump, like mustard or ketchup at a ballpark. Water machine was old/dirty. I see the health rating isn't stellar, I can understand why. So many good options for Mexican food in SD, skip this place. Only giving 2 stars because of friendly service.

Excited to try. Disappointed when we left. Mahi-mahi tacos very dry fish. Frozen thawed and refrozen?? Tortillas on three of our tacos weren't cooked. Guac tasted great.

I have been to many of the City Tacos locations all throughout San Diego, and every single time I am impressed. I love the chorizo taco best, and I always get a quesadilla! Normally, quesadillas aren't my deal. However, because of yelp, I got one for free after doing a check-in, and their quesadilla is pretty life-changing! Sometimes if I am super hungry, I will add a Mexicali taco to my order. I can't speak for the other tacos personally, but since 3/3 items I have tried have been outstanding, I think it's a safe bet that no matter what you get, you are going to enjoy your food.

Stopped by here for a quick lunch while walking around PB. Ordered and received food in about 10 mins. I enjoyed the portobello and Chile relleno taco. Both of these tacos definitely exceeded my expectations. The menu describes the taco like any other, but the combination of ingredients highlight each other and made each taco unique and delicious. I especially liked the crispy texture on the Chile relleno, and the arugula on the mushroom taco. The salsas provided were an unexpected highlight of my meal. All of them were fresh and perfectly complimented each taco. Can't wait to come back!

So many choices for tacos and all that I tried were on point! Every bite was great! Good selection of beers too

The food is consistently yummy and an excellent value which is rare for popular spots on PB. The service is friendly and fast. Small place with limited seating, but all the ambiance is just steps away from the ocean. We always make sure we stop by when we are in town!

Amazing tacos!!!! I've been here 6 times in 1 week so I think that calls for a review. The quesibirria, Mexicali, fish, steak & potato, carnitas quesitaco and shrimp taco are insane. Also, you can drink here and the service and jams is top notch. Love stopping here after hanging on the beach! Also, you can order on DoorDash.

I really don't like to leave bad reviews but I'm doing this to mitigate all the good reviews as this place has absolutely no right charging people for this disgusting crap.. The only conclusion I can comprehend is the good reviews are paid because there is no way this place has people raving about these sub-par, tasteless tacos. These were by far the worst tacos I've ever had in my entire life & if you have any palate whatsoever, I suggest you go somewhere else. I wasted $26 on the zucchini, mushroom, carne asada, & mahi mahi tacos. First bite I had to spit out. I don't think I've ever spit out my food before, but no way I was swallowing whatever unseasoned crap that was.. Absolutely no flavor, no sauce, horrible texture, & the tortilla was soggy. I should have known when my food was ready in less than 5 mins that the food was going to be a problem. Don't waste your money; I'm sure this place is surviving off drunk out of towners who don't know any better because I can't see why anyone would willingly come here. 0/10; will absolutely not be returning & I advise you all do the same.

Yum! Love the unique taco choices here and delicious elote. Stopped here to grab a bite on a Sunday afternoon on my way to the beach. Was in and out with fresh, delicious food in under 20 mins. The zucchini taco with a corn shell was fantastic! It was breaded and fried and the sauce was amazing. Loved that they had a few vegetarian options on the menu alongside meat and seafood tacos. The elote was also fantastic- soft corn with the right amount of topping. Would love to come back and try the scallop taco!

We were so happy to find out that city tacos had a few of their own locations as we had found out about them through Mike Hess. Within the past few months Mike Hess no longer has the same delicious tasting tacos. Therefore, we will no longer go there and will be coming to this location! The service is so good! The lady waitress that works there is such a sweetheart!

After not having City Tacos for over a year, we drove back from Colorado to eat here! It's absolutely our favorite spot, great prices, good for something quick, good for families with kids too. Pretty clean for the downtown location. We also visited the City Tacos in Encinitas, but our favorite location is the one in PB. Great place and great staff. The people who work there are funny and super nice!