Mike's Red Tacos
Mexican restaurant · San Diego ·

Mike's Red Tacos

Mexican restaurant · San Diego ·

Flavorful birria tacos, ramen, and loaded fries with salsa bar

birria tacos
consome
salsa bar
cali burrito
loaded fries
friendly staff
birria ramen
quesadilla
Mike's Red Tacos by null
Mike's Red Tacos by Eater - Lists + Maps
Mike's Red Tacos by null
Mike's Red Tacos by null
Mike's Red Tacos by null
Mike's Red Tacos by null
Mike's Red Tacos by null
Mike's Red Tacos by null
Mike's Red Tacos by null
Mike's Red Tacos by null
Mike's Red Tacos by null
Mike's Red Tacos by null
Mike's Red Tacos by null
Mike's Red Tacos by null
Mike's Red Tacos by null
Mike's Red Tacos by null
Mike's Red Tacos by null
Mike's Red Tacos by null
Mike's Red Tacos by null
Mike's Red Tacos by null
Mike's Red Tacos by null
Mike's Red Tacos by null
Mike's Red Tacos by null
Mike's Red Tacos by null
Mike's Red Tacos by null
Mike's Red Tacos by null
Mike's Red Tacos by null
Mike's Red Tacos by null
Mike's Red Tacos by null
Mike's Red Tacos by null
Mike's Red Tacos by null
Mike's Red Tacos by null
Mike's Red Tacos by null
Mike's Red Tacos by null
Mike's Red Tacos by null
Mike's Red Tacos by null
Mike's Red Tacos by null
Mike's Red Tacos by null
Mike's Red Tacos by null
Mike's Red Tacos by null
Mike's Red Tacos by null
Mike's Red Tacos by null
Mike's Red Tacos by null
Mike's Red Tacos by null
Mike's Red Tacos by null
Mike's Red Tacos by null

Information

4310 Genesee Ave #105-106, San Diego, CA 92117 Get directions

$10–20

Order delivery
See Menu
Usually a wait
No restroom
Accepts reservations
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner

Information

Static Map

4310 Genesee Ave #105-106, San Diego, CA 92117 Get directions

+1 858 737 4299
mikesredtacos.com
@mikesredtacos
𝕏
@mikesredtacos

$10–20 · Menu

Features

•Usually a wait
•No restroom
•Accepts reservations
•Popular for lunch
•Popular for dinner
•Trendy
•Family friendly
•Good for solo dining

Last updated

Jan 8, 2026

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@eater
391,575 Postcards · 10,993 Cities

The Best Tacos in San Diego, According to a Local Food Expert | Eater San Diego

"Slow-cooked, tender beef birria is the star standout at Mike’s Red Tacos, a restaurant founded by Mike Touma, San Diegan who had a passion for birria and started his business as a food truck in 2021. Touma has two locations now (Point Loma and Clairemont Mesa), where the birria combination plates are top sellers — each plate comes with two birria tacos (with or without cheese), consomé, cilantro, onion, and chips. The two other taco options are the keto taco with beef birria, cilantro, and onions in a hard cheese shell, and the veggie taco with sauteed portobello mushrooms, bell peppers, poblano peppers, beans, and potatoes, all dressed with guacamole, cilantro, and onions. The restaurant would be incomplete without its black-and-red color palette and busy crowds. Since there is limited seating, most diners prefer to take their orders back home and feast in private." - Roxana Becerril

https://sandiego.eater.com/maps/san-diego-best-local-tacos
Eater - Lists + Maps
Mike's Red Tacos
@infatuation
132,814 Postcards · 3,235 Cities

25 Iconic Dishes That Define Los Angeles - Los Angeles - The Infatuation

"Wrapping galbi in a tortilla seems so obvious now, it’s easy to forget how earth-shattering the Kogi truck was when it debuted in 2008. More impressive, though, is that a decade and a half later, eating the famed short rib taco still tastes like hanging with an old friend. The sweet marinated meat carries a slight smokiness from the plancha, the punchy salsa roja is laced with sesame, and the scallion slaw adds a refreshing crunch that ties everything together." - garrett snyder, brant cox, cathy park, sylvio martins, jess basser sanders

https://www.theinfatuation.com/los-angeles/guides/iconic-los-angeles-food
Mike's Red Tacos

Cristian

Google
If you want great tasting tacos with perfect tortilla chips. This is the place. Price is similar to the area as well. If you’re more like me and you know what Birria tacos taste like, this isn’t the choice for you. The flavor is good but the spice is completely lacking. They also charge for the consome so that alone feels very wrong. I wouldn’t come back myself but I would 100% recommend to my American friends looking for good flavor and a great atmosphere.

Kellen B.

Google
The sides were elite — pickled red onions, fresh lime wedges, cilantro, and a clean presentation. But what really took it over the top was the taco itself. The crust had that perfect balance: crispy enough to give a satisfying crunch but still soft enough to bite clean through without everything exploding out the back. The birria was juicy as hell, maybe even a little too juicy — but in the best way. The salsa bar? Absolute game-changer. Next level flavor and variety, no weak links there. And honestly, mad respect for only offering one type of meat. That kind of focus usually means they’ve dialed it in, and they have. Every bite felt intentional. Top-tier taco experience.

Thomas M.

Google
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Mike’s Red Hot Tacos is the real deal! I stopped by on a recommendation and this place absolutely delivered. The tacos are packed with flavor, super fresh, and have the perfect kick without being overpowering. You can tell everything is made with care — from the tortillas to the salsas. The staff is friendly, fast, and makes you feel like a regular even on your first visit. Prices are solid for the quality you get, and the portions definitely hit the spot. If you’re in San Diego and craving tacos, this is the spot. I’ll definitely be coming back! 🌮🔥

Timmy Doesn’t Share F.

Google
Some of the best “chain” tacos you’ll find. The flavor is solid, portions are generous, and they hit the spot when you’re craving tacos without overthinking it. Service is quick and consistent, making it an easy go-to when you want something reliable and tasty. Definitely worth a stop if you’re in the area and craving casual tacos that punch above typical chain quality.

My L.

Google
Mike’s Red Tacos is everything birria. Birria is not for everyone due to the texture. It’s shredded beef. We got the California burrito and combo #2 (no cheese). The burrito felt like 5 pounds! So much meat. My mom loved it because the meat was soft, tender and flavorful. It was easy on her dentures compared to a typical carne asada burrito. Combo #2 was no cheese and came with chips, cilantro, onions and consume. I should have tried the cheese version. The dining room is not that big and no outdoor seating. We ordered take out and saw people after us dining in but had no seats and ended up going home.

KJ M

Google
The absolute BEST service, food, and cook time. My food was served HOT and fresh. My order was taken with a smile and professionalism. I didn’t wait long at all. I highly recommend Mikes to anyone seeking flavor driven food. I was blown away that the chips were seasoned too oh my goodness I couldn’t put them down. The food is also very filling.

Mr. T.

Google
Small place, Excellent food, Loaded Fries 🍟 so good extra crispy 👍💯 Fast service, Helpful staff 💪 Tacos will be next on the menu 😋

MILLANO R.

Google
Today I went to Mikes for the first time and let me tell you, as a local who’s eaten at countless Mexican food spots this has to fall in my top 3 of all time. I got an assortment of meals such as the red quesadilla, birria taco, Crunchwrap & mini churros. All of which were excellent. The portion sizes were worth it and the neatness of their store is great too. All of their salsas have a unique flavor and spice that brings out the best of your meal. If you’re looking for a spot that will stay consistent and serve you quality Birria with great service. I highly encourage everyone to go here it’s an SD staple. I will also add that I drove from Kearny Mesa back home to East county and the food still stayed fresh until I got home. Great place to order take out

Linda H.

Yelp
Food and service are always amazing. The way they have remodeled the restaurant takes it to a whole new level. Best tacos in San Diego!
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Reina S.

Yelp
This is our second time coming here. The service was excellent, the restaurant was very clean. The food was so delicious, you get a lot of food. It's well worth the prices. I like how they separate the noodles in the Birria Ramen from the consome so it does not get soggy.
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Elizabeth P.

Yelp
Highly recommend Birria tacos Service good Ambiance cute and fun Cute little date or a wonderful meal
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Marie T.

Yelp
Tried this spot for the first time, here are some thoughts. Not much seating if you're planning on eating there, so keep that in mind. Not great for large groups for eating in, but I saw a couple that made it work (group of 5). Ordered the 2 birria tacos with cheese, flavor was delicious! I was pleasantly surprised that the tortilla for my first taco was crispy and not soggy. Unfortunately, they went really light on the meat, lol. I wouldn't rank it as my #1 birria spot in San Diego, but I would go again if I were in the area and in the mood.
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Eid F.

Yelp
Great Service, Delicious food, and clean dining room. Parking lot is a little tight. I had a Birria Taco and Cali Burrito -- only complaint was I asked for crispy well done fries but got the regular soggy ones. I ate there... sooo no they didn't get soggy on the ride home. Still tasted great.
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Tony A.

Yelp
AWARENESS: My son and I stayed in Miramar last month and I saw on Yelp Mike's Red Tacos (the OG location) was not too far away. And since my son had never tried it before, I thought Mike's would be a good and cheaper option for a late night dinner. NARRATIVE: We arrived just before 10 pm and at first glance, I noticed this location appeared smaller than the new location in Point Loma. The menus are the same and staff and the staff, just as friendly. My son ordered both their Birria Ramen and Quesadilla. I ordered the Ramen and two tacos. The wait for our to go food was about 15 minutes and we headed back to base to consume our meals. My son didn't care for Ramen and I told him, I beleive the Point Loma location added more meat and had a better presentation. On the other hand, the tacos and quesadilla were good. SCENE: This Mike's location is located in the city of Clairemont, in a strip mall off of Genesee Avenue. RECOMMENDATION(S): Not a bad place for late night dinning but, I truly think the Point Loma location does it a bit better.
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Diego S.

Yelp
San Diegos Mike Red Taco is just a little hidden gem, great customer service, open late , great food, fair price , welcoming dinning , open salsa bar, different option of drinks. Neat and clean very comfortable environment to enjoy the foods,
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Ajay K.

Yelp
I was not expecting to like the veggie taco better than the original beef birria ! The extra textures and flavors in the veggie version actually go really well with the consommé dip so don't sleep on it!
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Audrey P.

Yelp
Stopped by this taco shop after being in the area to shop. Only one issue with the place they didn't have a restroom or a place where you could wash your hands. We improvised. Loved the food and the consume was good. A bit watered down, but still good. I liked being able to choose salsa from the bar for my chips. It was just the right amount for lunch. Parking was easy, but the place was so busy tables were at a premium. A way to wash up would be great.
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Mirei K.

Yelp
Really delicious Mexican food that's also reasonably priced! I really liked their green sauce, the perfect mix of creamy and spicy. They just expanded this place to have more seating which I appreciate. The workers are always so nice and very pleasant to be around!
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Martin H.

Yelp
PRO TIP: Bring wet wipes Mike's red taco is a great place to grab delicious birria tacos in a pinch. The fact that there are so many accessible locations all over San Diego makes them the perfect place to get your fix. This particular location however is very small. If you plan on eating here, either come early or hover around and wait for tables to leave. We came around 12:30 and of course it was already a packed house. There is one community table that sits about 6 people and around four small party tables that sit around 4 people each. So you can imagine turnover rates for these tables are low. Thankfully a party of two like us were leaving the community table so we were able to snag two seats. As for the food, it was hefty and well worth the price. Two queso birrias were definitely enough for one person and I left feeling super satisfied. If you do need sauce with it however there is a sauce bar by the entrance with their various offerings. Now the reason why I gave this place 4 and not 5 stars is because of its accommodation size and bathroom accessibility. I didn't bother asking where the bathroom was because there was barely enough room to move around and I didn't see any visible signs pointing anywhere. Luckily, I carry wet wipes everywhere so clean up was a breeze after a messy meal. I highly recommend you doing the same if you're visiting this location. Overall great food and friendly staff. Highly recommend coming early, wait, or order takeout.
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Christopher G.

Yelp
I give Mike's Red Tacos ~4.4/5 stars. In terms of food, the veggie taco was solid (but a veggie taco can only take you so far), the birria tacos were good but had a weird flavor on the back-end, and the tortilla chips were unfortunately stale. The service was exceptional: staff is friendly, proactive, and welcoming. The atmosphere was fine, but limited to 4/5 stars due to the fact that it's a strip mall taco joint--it's very clean, well-lit, and has A/C, but beyond that it's your standard taco shop storefront. The birria tacos aren't bad--I'd even say they're pretty good. The meat and the consommé had a bit of an odd taste on the back-end, however (I suspect it's something in the consommé). There are also such towering competitors in San Diego and Tijuana that it's difficult to see this shop breaking into the top 5 regionally. Still, for a Clairemont strip mall taco shop, the birria is good. They're also serving a need, since El Cotixan, Vallarta, and Roberto's don't serve birria (and no other one-off taco shop in Clairemont does either, as far as I know). Management seems invested in great customer experience, and even have an automated feedback form that goes to your phone after you order and eat. I appreciate that level of involvement in clientele. Finally, the salsa bar is solid. They've got six types of salsa that are all pretty flavorful and scrumptious. There you have it--4.4/5 stars for Mike's Red Tacos.
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Myphuong L.

Yelp
Mike's Red Tacos is everything birria. Birria is not for everyone due to the texture. It's shredded beef. We got the California burrito and combo #2 (no cheese). The burrito felt like 5 pounds! So much meat. My mom loved it because the meat was soft, tender and flavorful. It was easy on her dentures compared to a typical carne asada burrito. Combo #2 was no cheese and came with chips, cilantro, onions and consume. I should have tried the cheese version. The dining room is not that big and no outdoor seating. We ordered take out and saw people after us dining in but had no seats and ended up going home.
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Sarah K.

Yelp
yummy birria taco spot. good price. great service. and amazinggg tacos. i got the #1 combo which came with 2 birria cheese tacos w/ consume + chips. they give good portions with lots of radish, onion, cilantro and pickled onions on the side. there is limited space so we ended up eating outside on the bed of our truck and it can get messy. the only thing i wish is there was a restroom so patrons could wash their hands afterwards. overall, 10/10 spot and super glad we came across this business!
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Liceth P.

Yelp
Food was amazing!!!!! The only reason I gave it a 4 and not a 5 is because the wait time is insane! The employees are polite & nice, I think they either need more help or work a bit faster because we waited at least 1/2 hour... It was crowded! I noticed that once the cashier stopped taking orders he just lingered around instead of helping with take out orders or helping in general...their consume is the best I've had so far!!! I like that they give radishes & a slaw on the side...
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Amy N.

Yelp
Finally I got to try this place out. So Mike's Red Tacos has been in my bookmarks for quite some time and I finally had the opportunity to try it out yesterday evening with my family. It's tucked in a corner of a smaller shopping plaza in the area. Parking is sorta crappy with tiny spots but it was extremely had to find a spot. It's a small little shop that had a out 5 tables. We went yesterday evening around 6pm and it was consistently busy but we were able to get a table. We ordered a Cali burrito, combo #2 and a crunchstack for my family of 6. Our food came out pretty quick. My youngest did not eat any of it. It was plenty of food to share. I thought everything was good. My kids enjoyed the meal (especially my son who is super picky). Staff was super friendly. We all had a good experience. I'd definitely come back again in the future.
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Michael L.

Yelp
I was interested in trying this place because I saw they had birria ramen on their menu. Birria ramen is one of those trendy fusion foods that has come onto the scene recently and I've been curious to try it for some time now. Finally got the opportunity with a couple of friends out on a trip in San Diego for a friend's bachelor party. I was pleasantly surprised -- it tastes like a slightly modified version of classic Taiwanese beef noodle soup! Same rich taste with a bit of acidity. I think I still prefer Taiwanese beef noodle soup to this, but it's worth a try for anyone who is curious. You won't be disappointed!
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Wendy H.

Yelp
I do love mikes red tacos locations and this one was another winner! Salsa bar was stocked and cleaned. Front counter service was excellent. I watched as they immediately clean between customers. The food is very filling. Unless you have a bigger appetite some of the main dishes such as quessadilla and burrito can be split which is nice since the price point is a bit high but the tacos are full to the brim. My only negative about this location is it's very tiny with no restroom. Tables fill up quick during busy times.
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Sylvia O.

Yelp
Everything we ordered was legit good. My boyfriend enjoyed the birria tacos with consume. The loaded fries were bomb, with the fries being soft and crispy at the same time. The birria ramen is also really really good. Everything also pairs very well with each other. We ate the tacos with ramen, the fries with ramen, and tacos + fries. All so yummy! The guy who served us last night was also very professional and friendly. Highly recommend!
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Amy H.

Yelp
Got a 2 taco without cheese combo that came with chips and onions and cilantro and sliced radishes and two limes. Oh boy, the tacos were so juicy and delicious! It came with a hot cup of soup that you can dip the tacos in and that broth is so bomb! Overall, the perfectly balanced tacos that satisfied every bit of my soul and gave me so much pleasure to devour. There is a salsa bar and I love the jalapeño and green salsa. I didn't dare to go for the two spicier ones. There were two computers to take your orders when you walk in, or someone behind the counter. We took it out so we didn't dine in, but the place was packed. We walked in and got right up to order, but when we were leaving there was a line out the door. That seems to happen to us a lot. You definitely want us at your restaurant cuz people follow where we go! Hahah, got a taco craving, get you some mikes red. They do not disappoint.
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Amanda B.

Yelp
Oh no!! What happened to my previous review? I wish I could post my video that I made, but all you need to know is this is a MUST TRY on every list in SD for a reason. Super friendly service, clean, terrific salsa bar, in Guy Fieri's words.. FLAVORTOWN!!! I was especially impressed that even though we got all our food to go, it was still hot and crispy 30 min later when we got home and even the nachos and churros were still fresh and not soggy the next day!!! Can't wait to go back.
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Shirley W.

Yelp
This place gets so busy! We ordered online on a Friday night around 8pm and it said it was a 40min wait until it was ready. We went a bit earlier than estimated hoping it would be done earlier cause we were hungry lol. The parking can be quite filled, but should be some spots open. At least there are the 'green' parking spots so it's easier to grab and go. So we arrived and it was pretty busy. A lot of kids too! I went up the counter at 9pm and they said it's not ready and to wait 10 more mins. So we did, walked around the plaza, went in again 10 mins later... and another staff said they needed an extra 10 mins.... so they seemed pretty backed up. Finally we got a text that it was ready and we eagerly went to go get it haha. Grabbed it and went back to our place to feast. We ordered several birria tacos, loaded fries, two of the #1 combos, and a loaded burrito. I mainly had the tacos and the fries, but the tacos were pretty nice! I feel like they were pretty standard, maybe if I tried it with consome, it would have made a bigger difference, but it was pretty nice in general. The birria itself was quite tender and flavorful. The loaded fries, I actually enjoyed a lottt more. Those were so good! With the birria too, it was really nice. My friends also enjoyed theres and the combo can be filling because it comes with chips.
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Sammi L.

Yelp
Mike's Red is a regular neighborhoods take-out spot for my friends in the area. Their salsas are so good and a must-get with their menu (sometimes we take home a lot). We ordered the taco combo with chips and cheese, crunchstack and loaded nachos, which came out to 50.37$ for 3 people. Staff are quick and friendly there - sometimes we walked around the plaza while waiting for the order, but it was fast. I loved the crunchstack with 3 of their jalapeño salsas - like an upgraded crunchwrap.
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Katherine N.

Yelp
Had a friend choose where we'd eat for dinner after work, and she chose Mike's Red Tacos. I can't even begin to put into words how thankful I am that she decided to choose this place. Such delicious birria tacos! Parking wasn't too bad, but it was definitely a crowded spot. Mike's Red Tacos isn't super spacious, and there wasn't a lot of seating, so it won't be a guarantee that you will be able to dine in. FOOD: Combo #2 (5/5) - Comes with two beef birria tacos with cilantro and red onions, a cup of consome, and a heap of tortilla chips. It also came along with a bunch of extra sides/toppings of cilantro, red onions, pickled red onions, lime slices, and radishes you can add to your tacos. The beef was sooo tender and juicy. The taco shell was perfectly crispy, and dipping the tacos into the consome was just a wonderful explosion of flavors. Get Combo #1 if you like everything in combo #2 but want the addition of cheese. It's their only difference. (I just don't personally care for cheese.) There's a salsa bar near the entrance of the taco shop with such a wide variety of fresh options. They also clearly label the spice levels of the different salsas/sauces. Adding them to the tacos and dipping the tortilla chips in them will further elevate the mouthwatering experience. You can scoop them into the provided plastic cups to bring back to your table, or cap them and bring them to go. SERVICE: (5/5) Everyone was so smiley and kind. You order at the counter, and your food won't take very long to come out at all. It got pretty busy during our dine-in in but everything and everyone at this establishment was efficient. TLDR// Wonderful birria tacos spot! It will make you understand and visit "flavortown." I will absolutely be back! Highly recommended.
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Geselle R.

Yelp
Absolutely delicious flavored tacos and birria ramen! The place is a bit small with a couple of tables and food comes out quickly. There's a salsa bar and soda machine. Perfect stop for your tacos away from the main downtown area but not too far as well. There is no public restroom. Service was friendly, thank goodness we went on a non busy day because I've seen the photos with long lines. The only thing was the chips weren't that great which docks a star, but other than that everything else was perfect!
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Kandy F.

Yelp
We met a friend here for lunch. Mike's Red Tacos is nestled in with other businesses and a busy shared parking lot. As you enter the restaurant, there's a large menu posted for you to read. It's a smaller scale place so the tables fill up quickly. Luckily, there's tables outside, too. We ordered their Keto Tacos that were DELICIOUS!! It's the Birria tacos and the taco shell are made with cheese. Crispy cheese shell, tender beef, and more melted cheese inside!! YUMMY!!! Our friend ordered his favorite Red Quesadillas!!! Overall, you order at the counter. Pay your bill and they will call your number when ready. There's a drink counter that is self served. Find a seat inside or step outside. It's a shared parking lot so it can be busy during peak times. Prices are competitive with today's market. Employees were friendly, helpful, and full of smiles!! The restaurant was clean, bright, and vibrant. We can't wait to try other menu items. Ohhhh! We were so hungry that we forgot to take pictures!
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Katya Z.

Yelp
Dropped by here because we were in San Diego and that usually means tacos! We got the Cali burrito & the birria tacos. The tacos were really good & balanced. The birria had a deep rich flavor that came through & it wasn't too fatty like some places. They had an array of salsas that were all very delicious! The Cali burrito was good but wasn't bursting with flavors like the tacos. I'd come back if I was in the area!
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Kiet P.

Yelp
Stopped here on a limb on our way to sea world.... Dayummmmmm this place is bomb, especially the Cali burrito and loaded fries. 5/5 for sure. The tacos were delicious too but not as tasty as the burrito. They also have to many selections of salsa that you can try so of course we had to try all of them. The best one in my opinion was the green one. Service was also on point, everyone was really friendly and helpful with our order. My only gripe is that the place inside is super tiny, and also parking kinda sucks. On a side note, I was soooo full that I didn't even eat dinner when I got back home to Ontario. Anyway if you're in the same Diego area or on your way to sea world, come give this place a try. TIL next time my fellow yelpers
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Kristen B.

Yelp
5 Stars - Birria Heaven! Mike Red Tacos is next level! We ordered the birria tacos and the birria ramen, and I can't even express how amazing the food was--so flavorful, tender, and absolutely delicious. Every bite was perfection! The salsa bar was a huge plus, packed with fresh and tasty options to customize every bite. On top of that, the service was great--friendly, fast, and welcoming. I seriously cannot wait to come back again. If you love birria, this is the place to be! Highly recommend!
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Lianna T.

Yelp
Wanted to try this place because of all the hype and they did not miss! We visited on a Tuesday, and the staff mentioned that it was Taco Tuesday, so combo orders came with a free taco. We ordered two #1 combos and a veggie taco and everything was so delicious. These tacos were soo yummy especially with the onions and cilantro. The shell was crispy, the meat was tender, and the consome paired perfectly with the tacos. The service was friendly and we didn't have to wait long for the order even though it was busy. There's also a self serve sauce station at the front which had a variety of sauces to choose from. I would definitely return next time I'm back in SD!
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Sofia G.

Yelp
Came here with a friend as I told her I was craving birria-- And I am glad we did because this is my favorite spot at the moment! We ordered Combo 1 & 2, plus a side of churros. The birria was very flavorful, and not as greasy compared to other places. The consume was perfectly paired with the tacos, and staff was very kind to costumers. The place itself is small, and can get crowded easily. If you don't like small places, they offer take out and uber/doordash. Overall, I'd definitely come back and recommend to a friend!
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Dan L.

Yelp
These tacos were really good, especially the birria tacos which is what we came for. It's very popular and hard to find seating as there are not a lot of tables. Overall, a bit pricey for tacos but great to try out for an experience while in San Diego
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Christine N.

Yelp
This was such a pleasant dining experience and we were super excited to try it. There was a long line in the beginning so we knew it was gonna be good. There was a bit of a wait time for the food to be ready, but it was worth it! We got the loaded nachos, which the full order is huge. So definitely either share with a big group or order the half one. We got the birria quesadilla that was packed with so much flavor and delicious add ons. The drink options were really great and we enjoyed some fruity aqua frescas. The staff were super friendly and inviting. We definitely will be back when we are in the area!
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Brianna L.

Yelp
Overall, a pretty good experience. The consome is the really stand out. Whatever you order, I recommend getting the consome added. They only negatives had to do with their loaded fries. No complaints about the Tacos. Pros: * Delicious consume; recommend the #2 combo * Adequate service at the register & quick service with the food * Clean inside * Great Salsa bar; recommend the jalepeno salsa Cons: * We ordered a large loaded fries and while the tray seemed large... the portion seemed quite small once we started mixing it. * There was not enough meat to the already small portion of fries * The loaded fries were dry. Thank goodness we had consume from out #2 order. The fries dipped made it a delicious bite. Extra: * Limited parking & the spaces are tight * Limited seating. There are a few benches outside. * No bathrooms
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Ashley P.

Yelp
Personally my favorite birria place. It was so crispy and juicy and so flavorful. I also love the loaded nachos.
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Cindy P.

Yelp
This taco eatery is a gem among the hundreds of taco shops that San Diego is famous for! Although the menu is not extensive, their birria specialty dishes are well worth it. We ordered the birria cheese tacos and the birria ramen to go. They were packaged securely when we came to pick it up. We added a few cups of their famous salsas. Very generous of them to have an open salsa bar, I might add. Side Note: the jalapeño salsa, my fav, is flavorful and spicier than "medium". Unless you can handle fiery burn your mouth heat, I'd stay away from the orange habanero salsa. The staff was friendly and efficient with any requests. Since it's a tiny shop with a small dining area, I would highly recommend using the online ordering from their website. Beats fighting any possible lines or crowding around a small table as you wolf down your food while others stare hungrily at you just waiting to pounce on your table when you leave! Overall, when that taco craving hits you, remember Mike's Red Tacos. They are unique among the many taco stands out there. Don't let the strip mall setting fool you!
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May W.

Yelp
If you're in San Diego and you're in the mood for a great burrito. Like one of the best burritos you can have. I would imagine eating on a crisp early morning in a San Diego parking lot or eating at an outdoor table watching the planes fly in the sky. I would come here. So easy to order either at the counter or the self-kiosk. Parking: Located in a big supermarket and shopping plaza. Won't be hard to find a space available and walk over. Breakfast Burrito: I honestly liked the burrito more than the taco. Very few places can execute ooey-gooey cheese and warm scrambled eggs packed with generous meat. It's a pretty thick burrito too, and pretty worth it for its price. Birria Taco: This taco is packed with veggie toppings and shredded meat. Taco shell is sssoooo crispy! Doesn't come with birria sauce cup, but the meat juicy when you bite into the shell.
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Maayan Y.

Yelp
Came for a late lunch - nearly no wait time which was fabulous and food came out fast. We got a smattering of options to try the different ways they make birria. We figured it would vary the meal but every bite tasted the same. We ended up feeling like it was too much of the same. That being said, the birria was good. Salsa bar did have options but they probably would have benefited from a cilantro or a more creamy type sauce to break up flavor. The location is small, maybe 5 tables and no bathroom. People were very kind! Service was quick Tried it once because of all the talk but I'm not sure I'd go back since it felt like one time was enough
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Jon S.

Yelp
A small hole in the wall restaurant vibes with decent side seating but not a lot, made it designed like a quick stand and eat place (though it does have chairs, just talking about the vibes). I say this mostly because there's also no bathrooms, and as a germaphobe, I just really want to wash my hands but couldn't which for me is a huge downside. There's a sauce bar in the back and everything else was self serve for water, cutlery, ect. Anyhow it's pretty fast, ordering was easy, cashier/waiter was friendly and helpful. I Ordered a #1 Two birria taco with cheese, side of guacamole, and added churros. Wow, the birria tacos were great, good flavor, tender, cheese portion was great and the dipping sauce, great!!! Guacamole was delicious Don't skip on the Churros!!! They were also amazing, good flavor, crunch, and tender bounce, fantastic! I dunno if they had chocolate or anything to dip it with (I only thought of it later) but that would be awesome if they did. Overall, excited to come back and try more of their stuff!! Loved it and would 5/5 recommend
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Danielle M.

Yelp
MIKES RED TACOS IS A MUST IF YOU'RE IN SAN DIEGO!!! The food is amazing! the quesadilla is bomb, the beef shredded tacos are delicious, and their chip dip is to die for . The staff is super friendly and even checked in on us while we were eating. Definitely a spot I'll be coming back to!
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Brythnie Michelle H.

Yelp
Small little shop that serves some tasty tacos! Got the number 2 combo for two birria tacos that comes with chips and they have a salsa bar by the front door you can pick from numerous selections of salsas. Service was fast and the cashier greeted us with a smile. Our food came out fairly quickly as well. The ambience is chill. People were seated eating or waiting for their order so it was fairly busy and crowded but plenty of room to sit. It was a little loud but not so much that I couldn't hear my friend talk across from me. Would def come back.
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Kimberly K.

Yelp
This is my second time coming here. Had to come back because the first was so good. This time I had to take the food back home unfortunately because there weren't any seats available in the restaurant. The shop is pretty small and doesn't have many seat which kinda sucks. There isn't any outdoor seating either so when it's busy you just have to wait or take it home. Obviously taking the food home means it's not as fresh so this time it wasn't as good as when I was able to eat it at the restaurant but it was still really good. The fries are nice because they're seasoned and when they're fresh they're so crispy and good. The crunchstack is also really good but I wish the ingredients inside were a little more evenly distributed. The birria which is their specialty is so flavorful, tender, and never dry. They also have a salsa bar that is self serve and they have a wide range of different salsas and spice levels. I also like that their menu has some vegetarian options as well so it's a good place to bring anyone. The prices are also very reasonable compared to meals these days. Will definitely be going back
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Billy P.

Yelp
I'm not sure why I took so long to try this... I was definitely hesitant to, especially since there were so many mixed reviews, but after trying I can confidently say that it's definitely some of the better Birria I've had in San Diego. Tacos: - crispy/soft shell (combination) - was flavorful - meat was a *tad* dry, but the consume dip definitely made up for it
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Jacqueline D.

Yelp
Was in SD area and wanted to grab a quick bite for lunch. My boyfriend and I came across Mike's Red Tacos on Yelp and decided to give it a try! The store is located in a pretty spacious plaza so parking wasn't an issue! I will say though that Mike's Red is definitely a small store with limited table seating. They also don't have a public restroom, unfortunately. We decided on the birria tacos (which comes with a side of tortilla chips) and loaded nachos. There's also a sauce bar where you can grab whatever condiments you'd like without having to ask, which I thought was a nice touch. Everyone working was also super nice and helpful! My boyfriend and I LOVED the birria tacos, it was definitely the highlight of our meal! The birria was flavorful, the consume was steaming hot, and the tacos were crunchy with every bite -- it was delicious! I wish we had known before that an order of birria tacos comes with a side of chips, otherwise we wouldn't have ordered the loaded nachos at all. The extra tortilla chips were an overkill and we didn't end up finishing it! The loaded nachos were good, but I'd skip getting them tbh -- was nothing noteworthy. In all, Mike's Red Tacos is a great spot if you're hungry and craving some birria tacos, they definitely hit the spot for a good price point!
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Craig W.

Yelp
Easy five stars. You won't leave hungry and the food has a ton of flavor. Birria is the name of the game here and you can have it served however you like: in a taco, burrito, quesadilla, ramen, and so on. Combination number 1 gives you two large hard shell birria tacos with melted cheese, a large cup of terrific consome, and a nice portion of well-seasoned chips. Everything on the plate was excellent. I saw people literally drinking the consome and I don't blame them. The Cali Burrito is absolutely massive and is easily shareable. It's a terrific burrito but if I had one criticism, I would say there's no crunch or texture. But if you want a ginormous, delicious burrito that you will be enjoying for days, get this. The birria quesadilla is also huge. It's cheesy, meaty, and greasy, in a good way. I don't know how some people think can wonder whether the aguas frescas are homemade. They come out of a self-serve machine. They obviously aren't homemade. Finally, the salsa bar near the front door is ingenious. It's a refrigerated unit. I found the "spicy" sauce hotter than the "spicy AF" one but the superstar is the creamy jalapeño salsa. It's absolutely delicious. The prices are a little expensive but you get a ton of high quality food. It's well worth it. The food is awesome here.
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Samir Y.

Yelp
Not just another San Diego taco shop, this spot definitely stands out amongst the rest, the flavors are pretty amazing, and the consumè is a nice addition. Their selection of sauces are all amazing, and the spicy is not kidding. The team is super friendly and helpful. Spots a little smaller than most but still good

Constantine A.

Yelp
Love their birria tacos! Fries were great! Their salsas are high quality. Don't skip on the churros special with strawberries and whipped cream! Awesome expansion on this place! Great and consistent service on both locations. Looking forward to the 3rd location up north at Scripps Mesa! The only negative comment I have is that they stopped serving bone marrow. I can't blame them 'cause nobody's ordering them. Too bad. That made the place even more special. Hopefully they add it back to the menu again. C'mon people! Demand it! Thanks
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Jessica D.

Yelp
what we ordered | 2 birria + cheese | additional birria taco | horchata | side of queso taste | birria tacos had lots of flavor and the cheese option made it even better. queso was pretty good since most places I feel like don't really offer queso. service | workers were nice and food came out fast parking | plaza lot notes | definitely good to try if you're craving birria. t
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Priscilla C.

Yelp
Came back again to try more food and it was another big hit. Service was great, everyone is nice and the ambiance was clean and busy.