Tacos El Franc – National City (Plaza Bonita)
Taco restaurant · National City ·

Tacos El Franc – National City (Plaza Bonita)

Taco restaurant · National City ·

Authentic Tijuana tacos with tender asada, flavorful adobada, suadero

adobada
carne asada
lengua
suadero
tacos
cabeza
tripa
fast service
Tacos El Franc – National City (Plaza Bonita) by null
Tacos El Franc – National City (Plaza Bonita) by null
Tacos El Franc – National City (Plaza Bonita) by null
Tacos El Franc – National City (Plaza Bonita) by null
Tacos El Franc – National City (Plaza Bonita) by null
Tacos El Franc – National City (Plaza Bonita) by null
Tacos El Franc – National City (Plaza Bonita) by null
Tacos El Franc – National City (Plaza Bonita) by null
Tacos El Franc – National City (Plaza Bonita) by null
Tacos El Franc – National City (Plaza Bonita) by null
Tacos El Franc – National City (Plaza Bonita) by null
Tacos El Franc – National City (Plaza Bonita) by null
Tacos El Franc – National City (Plaza Bonita) by null
Tacos El Franc – National City (Plaza Bonita) by null
Tacos El Franc – National City (Plaza Bonita) by null
Tacos El Franc – National City (Plaza Bonita) by null
Tacos El Franc – National City (Plaza Bonita) by null
Tacos El Franc – National City (Plaza Bonita) by null
Tacos El Franc – National City (Plaza Bonita) by null
Tacos El Franc – National City (Plaza Bonita) by null
Tacos El Franc – National City (Plaza Bonita) by null
Tacos El Franc – National City (Plaza Bonita) by null
Tacos El Franc – National City (Plaza Bonita) by null
Tacos El Franc – National City (Plaza Bonita) by null
Tacos El Franc – National City (Plaza Bonita) by null
Tacos El Franc – National City (Plaza Bonita) by null
Tacos El Franc – National City (Plaza Bonita) by null
Tacos El Franc – National City (Plaza Bonita) by null
Tacos El Franc – National City (Plaza Bonita) by null
Tacos El Franc – National City (Plaza Bonita) by null
Tacos El Franc – National City (Plaza Bonita) by null
Tacos El Franc – National City (Plaza Bonita) by null
Tacos El Franc – National City (Plaza Bonita) by null
Tacos El Franc – National City (Plaza Bonita) by null
Tacos El Franc – National City (Plaza Bonita) by null
Tacos El Franc – National City (Plaza Bonita) by null
Tacos El Franc – National City (Plaza Bonita) by null
Tacos El Franc – National City (Plaza Bonita) by null
Tacos El Franc – National City (Plaza Bonita) by null
Tacos El Franc – National City (Plaza Bonita) by null
Tacos El Franc – National City (Plaza Bonita) by null
Tacos El Franc – National City (Plaza Bonita) by null
Tacos El Franc – National City (Plaza Bonita) by null
Tacos El Franc – National City (Plaza Bonita) by null

Information

3030 Plaza Bonita Rd Suite 1108, National City, CA 91950 Get directions

$20–30

Reserve a table
See Menu
Restroom
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Trendy
Family friendly

Information

Static Map

3030 Plaza Bonita Rd Suite 1108, National City, CA 91950 Get directions

+1 619 900 7696
tacoselfranc.com
@tacoselfranc

$20–30 · Menu

Reserve a table

Features

•Restroom
•Accepts reservations
•Popular for lunch
•Popular for dinner
•Trendy
•Family friendly
•Good for groups
•Good for solo dining

Last updated

Jan 14, 2026

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391,688 Postcards · 10,991 Cities

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

https://sandiego.eater.com/openings/60259/one-of-tijuanas-most-legendary-taco-spots-opens-in-san-diego
Tacos El Franc
@eater
391,688 Postcards · 10,991 Cities

Hot San Diego Restaurant Openings You May Have Missed, May 2025 | Eater San Diego

"The first stateside location for the Michelin-recognized taqueria is slated to open at Westfield Plaza Bonita by May 30 and will bring the brand’s signature adobada and carne asada on corn tortillas to a 6,000-square-foot space. Originating in 1974 when Javier Valadez sold Tijuana-style tacos out of a street cart and later opening an open-air, brick-and-mortar taqueria in 1996, the new location will carry the same dishes with additions like fries cooked in beef tallow. The cheve bar will serve Mexican beer, micheladas, clamatos, and caguama (large bottles of beer). A second location will open at 528 Fifth Avenue in the Gaslamp Quarter in late June." - Helen I. Hwang

https://sandiego.eater.com/2025/5/27/24438262/hot-san-diego-restaurant-openings-may-2025
Tacos El Franc
@eater
391,688 Postcards · 10,991 Cities

Tijuana’s Tacos El Franc Opening at Westfield Plaza Bonita in San Diego | Eater San Diego

"Opening its first San Diego–area location at Westfield Plaza Bonita in National City by early 2025, Tacos El Franc traces its roots to a streetside taco stand launched in the early 1980s by Javier Valadez; Valadez opened the downtown Tijuana taqueria in 1996, where it amassed a huge local following and broader acclaim. Featured in Netflix’s “Taco Chronicles,” listed among Eater’s 31 essential restaurants in the city, and recognized in the 2024 Michelin Guide Mexico, it’s best known for tacos with mesquite-grilled carne asada or marinated adobada carved from the trompo. The taqueria also sears suadero, cabeza, tripa, and lengua to be stuffed into tacos made with homemade tortillas or served as quesadillas and mulitas, and the incoming National City restaurant will look a little different from the Tijuana flagship while keeping a virtually identical menu." - Candice Woo

https://sandiego.eater.com/2024/9/11/24241815/tacos-el-franc-tijuana-taqueria-restaurant-opening-westfield-plaza-bonita-national-city-san-diego
Tacos El Franc
@eater
391,688 Postcards · 10,991 Cities

Marisi Chef to Host James Beard Dinner in La Jolla | Eater San Diego

"A Tijuana institution since the mid-90s, Tacos El Franc — best known for its adobada carved off a spit and accomplished carne asada tacos — is opening this summer at the Westfield Plaza Bonita mall in San Diego and will reportedly serve the same menu as its Tijuana counterpart." - Candice Woo

https://sandiego.eater.com/2024/2/6/24063734/marisi-james-beard-lions-share-corriente-cevicheria-tacos-el-franc-clique-hospitality-new-san-diego
Tacos El Franc

Etna G.

Google
First time trying after seeing the Tijuana experience and watching a video relating the US and TJ locations and how the cooks are moved around, best idea for a restaurant to have the best quality! Enjoyed all the food we tried even though it was away from home. Would definitely return and can't wait to cross the border to try the original location!

Gabriel P.

Google
First time here and it was good but not great. flavors were spot on we ordered tacos, vampiro, beans con carne, carne asada fries everything came out quick and in a timely manner my biggest complaint is food was barely warm. Felt like the temperature of everything we ate was like it had been sitting for sometime before being served to us. We thought at first it was only the beans that was barely warm but the Vampiro came out barely warm and the fries were the only thing that was a decent temperature. I know it’s not soup but we were expecting a warm meal and it was way off. Would’ve been a 5/5 visit but the temperature of food was too cold for us we wish it would’ve been hot to show case the freshness. Again the flavor was there but it was a breezy night and some hot food would’ve hit the spot but unfortunately for us it did come out like that.

Dennis P.

Google
talking A: Tacos El Franc is a welcoming environment; you feel like you belong there. The ladies are super nice to you, and of course, the tacos are good. They have a very good culture of tacos, coming from Tijuana. Even the taqueros are saying hi to you. Address 3030 Plaza Bonita Rd, Space 1108, National City, CA 91950 The shop has an open space, so you can see what they're actually cooking. And I also love Citrina Berry Fresh. They have the most amazing sandwiches and side bowls. This is a family-owned business, and they have super healthy options like their mushroom sandwich, for example, and they have a portobello sandwich that my kids say is good.

Esmeralda Mejia T.

Google
Tried the al pastor, campechano, and suadero tacos. The al pastor lacked flavor and had some weird tasting chipotle sauce. The campechano was probably the best one but the salsa on it was flavorless. The suadero was dry and the salsa on it was also bland. Overall, the meat lacked flavor and the salsas were bland and not spicy. A good spicy macha salsa or a spicy habanero salsa could make the tacos taste better. Service was really good tho. Overall, I’ll rather go to Tacos el Gordo which is better and cheaper.

Emrys Lemon (.

Google
Fast paced, high quality, and excellent service. The servers are running around but never leaving you hanging. My girlfriend ordered the carne asada quesadilla and made it disappear, so I know she loved it. I got the carne asada fries and lemme tell ya that these fries are fried to yumyum levels of crunch. I do get that Tijuana vibe from the atmosphere as I do go down for my molitas and quesadillas when visiting my father. Alot of the reviews talking ill of this place are not really educated on true Mexican quality and service. Music 10/10 Ceria was extremely helpful, trying to do 1000 things at once but still finding time to help us out promptly. Oh and we got our food super fast, actually suprised on that end on how quick they were. I recommend giving this place a shot if youre on the fence because of some of those lower reviews. Make your own opinions and enjoy. 😎

Rosie F.

Google
Had a good time at this taco place!! Very fast service, amazing tacos, you can tell the staff prides in the Mexican food they serve!! Our server Alexa was one of the best servers I ever had!! Super sweet!! And if you come, please try the Flan! I don't even like flan, but this was super good.

Luis L.

Google
The experience was good for first timer here. Is more of a seat down and order; which I like. Unlike the other popular one in chula vista mall, where you have to get in line to order asada then another line to get adoba then another like to get tripas. By the time you are done, the tacos are cold and 30+ mins already passed. I got 3 tacos; asada, adobada, tripa. My fav was tripa. Is soft and not crispy like how I like it. Their asada fries is different from how I like it. Not my fav. It did looks like it needs more meat though :) The salsas are not spicy. Wish they offer spicier ones. Other than that their agua frescas was good. There is no refill though :(

Jozh B.

Google
Tacos El Franc is hands down one of the best taco spots I’ve been to. 🌮 The hospitality is on another level! 👌🏽 The owner even shared a specialty that’s not on the menu. Food was fresh, flavorful, and made with so much love. Definitely a spot I’ll keep coming back to! 🙌🏽
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Austin B.

Yelp
People kept saying it's better than tacos el Gordo so I had to try. Got just tacos and this is my verdict: Asada: better here Adobada/pastor: better at el g Lengua: better here (my fav of the meats I got) That be loading up the tacos here too
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Rona D.

Yelp
When we heard that tacos el franc was opening up in Gaslamp we kind of did not want to go. But after a quick yelp search we saw that there was one at Plaza Bonita. So yay, parking is not gonna be an issue here! We've gone for lunch twice within the past month. Enter through the mall and wait to get seated! They have an outdoor patio so we brought our dog with us. A server will come to your table and take your order. THEY ARE QUICK! I ordered the suadero (beef brisket - my FAVE here), asada, lengua, and adobada. All the steak meats come with beans, so if you aren't a bean fan like me make sure to say no beans. My boyfriend got a quesadilla and tried the mulitas (queso in the tortilla). Topped it off with a delicious horchata. Everything was soo good! I love that I don't feel like I have to fight for my life to eat some tacos like I do at Tacos El Gordo. It took me way too long to try this place. Definitely add this place to taco places to go to! You won't regret it.
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Amanda N.

Yelp
Get the Lengua! It's so tender and juicy. While a bit on the pricer side for Mexican food, it is well worth it. The fries were also portioned huge! I got the Lengua quesadilla, which was a bit small, but still delicious. They packed it with so much meat. I will definitely be back to try their other meats and get some tacos. Lots of seating, but a popular place so it can get packed. Service was awesome! The food we ordered came out so fast. It started coming out before the server left our table after we ordered.
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Nina N.

Yelp
Tacos El Franc is located inside a mall. There's already a line in the morning before they even open. They bring you in and seat you and then come by to take your order. When ordering in a big group, it gets a little confusing because they're so many tacos coming out when available, so not all of your food will come out at once. The meats are good and the tacos come pretty loaded. The meats are fresh and flavorful. The drinks offered were refreshing as well. Their asada fries were so good.
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Jenny T.

Yelp
My favorite tacos for the moment, I'm just really bummed that it's so far away from me. I came in around 11am on a Saturday and the line wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. There was still definitely a line, but it wasn't around the corner yet as I've heard it could go. The counter was right at the front and we were seated right away. We ordered the Cabeza ($4.65), Lengua ($5.65), Asada ($4.65), and Adobada ($4.65) tacos. We also ordered the regular size Fries with Asada and Adobada ($14.75). Literally everything we got was great. All the meat was nice and tender and nearly melted in your mouth. Everything was perfectly seasoned but not so much so that you could still taste the flavor of the meat itself. The only thing is that prices are a bit steep considering you're only getting street taco sizes. However, you really are paying for the taste and quality.
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Lina P.

Yelp
Cons: can be a wait depending on time you arrive At a busy mall so although there's a ton of parking, parking nearby is usually full so best to park where it's open and walk there Pros: very big and you do get them served to you. Price point is fair. Big menu. I only came once during the first week that they were opened and the wait time was horrible after being seated. Our order was mixed up quite a bit. It was not the best experience. The food was good, but it was nothing amazing and I've had better at other restaurants . I will come back to give them another try because maybe it was not too great due to opening week. But again, nothing here really stood out.i did like their hot sauce tho. The tacos were fine, again nothing spectacular about them.
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Alexander Y.

Yelp
Never thought I would see the day that Tacos El Franc made its way north of Tijuana, but that day is here! Definitely had to try it on my recent visit to San Diego. It's not like I come here everyday, so I got almost every meat on offer: adobada, asada, cabeza, suadero, tripa, and lengua. The tacos remind me why El Franc is so much better than El Gordo. The meats were bursting with flavor and super tasty! Adobada is so much more superior than El Gordo that it's not even funny. Prices are a bit on the higher side, but I understand that being that this location is inside the Westfield Plaza Bonita. Service here is great! Similar to its Tijuana location, this operates as a sitdown restaurant where they take your order at the table. Really friendly people here. I thought it was quite humorous when I went to Tijuana where El Franc and El Gordo are across the street from each other, with everyone being at El Franc and no one being at El Gordo. As much as I like El Gordo, El Franc is definitively better in my book. A welcome addition to the San Diego area!
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Jeff R.

Yelp
I should start off that my first encounter with Tacos El Franc was my wife making a spontaneous stop and doing takeout. We live sorta close but even then, food had cooled a bit and our initial thoughts were "it's just okay". So when my friends and I decided for a little high school reunion and several through out TEF I was a bit apprehensive. However, one of my buds lived in TJ so if anyone of our gang knew what they were talking about it was him. Eating in did not disappoint. Despite having 7 of us on a Saturday night we were seated within 5 minutes. The location in Plaza Bonita mall is fairly spacious. We were seated outside which was perfect for the weather and frankly we were pretty loud. We were given menus and a few minutes to peruse. Food comes out quickly and there is a lot of staff and we were checked on frequently. I first ordered the adobada and suadero (brisket) tacos. Both were awesome coming out hot and packed with flavor. The suadero was a new experience for me and I do recommend. For the second round I got a "mixta" mulita. This comes with two meats, carne asada and adobada, and a gooey layer of Oaxaca cheese. My friends let me pick off of their orders of "mixta" fries and I have to say I was blown away by how well these fries were. I mean... damn these were good fries! It was tempting to order some but I knew I wouldn't be able to finish it. Next visit, I'm getting some fries. Modelo to pair with my food. Great visit and will return.
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Wes O.

Yelp
Prepare to get your hands dirty at this buzzing restaurant! You will need plenty of napkins after holding these tacos which come loaded with toppings. The meat and salsa flavors were rich but almost bordering on overbearing. Given the restaurant's hot ratings, the tacos met my expectations but I still prefer Tacos El Gordo's balance. To my surprise, and different than other taco shops, you're welcomed by a host and seated at a table with a waiter or waitress assisting you. This was a pleasant experience compared to standing in long lines.
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Michelle P.

Yelp
* Spacious seating indoors and outdoors * Plenty of parking * Great ambiance * Delicious tacos I'll definitely come back for the tacos de carne asada -- they were my favorite, especially the tostada de carne asada! The homemade corn tortillas (de maíz) were bomb, and the salsa had great flavor. The guacamole was fresh and tasty. The tacos de adobada were okay, and the suadero was also good. Service overall was good -- our server was great once they came by, though we did wait a little bit to be checked on after being seated. Not my absolute favorite taco spot, but if you're in the neighborhood, it's definitely worth a try!
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Michelle F.

Yelp
I was thinking 3.5 but rounding up to 4 stars because TACOS. I waited a minute before checking them out. Dined on a Friday afternoon and were seated immediately. We sat at the bar and ordered our tacos. The staff is very helpful and friendly and the space is large with various areas for seating. I had the: All tacos ordered with everything. Tacos de Lengua: Delicious amazing, perfect tender lengua, with the right small double tortillas. A little heavy on the sauce, thankfully it's not spicy. Carne Asada: ok, like their good, but definitely not the best in town. The carne is missing a little magic. I do wish the tortilla was smaller similar to the lengua. Also, what's up with the beans? As a carne asada taco condesiour I'm offended. Tacos de Cabeza: good, but not note worthy plus it didn't taste particularly fresh. Overall my experience was just ok. It was fun to visit and check out the spot. Unfortunately the tacos didn't leave me wanting to come back or raving to others about it. I've never had tacos from their Tijuana location so I am curious to try those at some point.
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Soo H.

Yelp
Tacos El Franc's Tijuana location was in the Michelin Guide in the 2024 and 2025.  They opened their first San Diego location June 11 2025.  There were lines out the door for months.  I visited at opening time on a weekday in September and it was not too busy. I noticed Tacos El Franc has one spit for their adobada.  Some of their drinks are pre-made so you don't have to wait.  I was impressed how quickly you get your food and drinks and get on your way.  I tried 3 tacos. Adobada taco came on a thin corn tortilla.  It was soft and moist with a light flavor I loved.  Adobada was tender, moist, and full of savory flavor with a hint of sweetness.  Reminds me of Tacos El Gordo which I love. Carne asada taco featured tender and moist carne asada.  Loved the beefy, smoky flavor, and light char from the grill.  One of my favorite carne asada tacos. Saudero taco was tender and moist with a light beef flavor.  Very good but I would have seasoned it a bit more. Janranja was an orange agua fresca.  Flavor was fresh oranges and not too sweet.  I loved it. The tacos had an excellent meat to tortilla ratio but they were small so 4 made for a good size lunch.  Service was friendly and incredibly fast.  Cost was $25.
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Ann H.

Yelp
I read this was Michelin Guide recommended so had to try it. I really struggled with giving it 4 stars over 5 as it was really close. I think now that I know exactly what I like here, next time the visit will be 5 stars. My favorite item of the night- campechano taco (tripe & grilled steak). It was so flavorful and juicy but not overly wet/sauced. I also really loved lengua (the meat) but felt my lengua quesadilla overall was too wet and did not have enough cheese. The carne asada taco and adobada tacos were good but I did not think as highly about the brisket taco (which I felt was too skimpy on the meat) We sat at the bar and the bar tender was friendly and attentive. He cracked a few jokes here and there and we appreciated the effort he put into customer service. The restaurant is large with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. Overall a solid choice for tacos although I can't help but compare them to Tacos El Gordo (which I do prefer slightly more)
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Trinh T.

Yelp
Food: Carne Asada Taco - a bit salty and didn't have that really smokey taste and smell to it. it was somewhat missing flavor to the meat? it also had beans! it wasn't bad it was still decent but i've definitely had better. Adobada Taco - also missing some flavor to the meat but still a decent taco and soft tortilla Mixita Fries (Carne Asada + Adobada) - loved the crispy fries. it had lots of potato and was made perfectly. the asada had some smokey meat peaces which i liked. the adobada was decent with it. the sauces and toppings also went well together with it all. Service: The workers are really nice and helpful! Ambiance: There's indoor and outdoor seating with an open-windowed view of the kitchen inside. There's many seats and this is located within a mall.
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Arleen A.

Yelp
I had Tacos El Franc for the first time and it was just too saucy and a little too spicy. My tacos came out pretty fast which I appreciated. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed them, needed lots of napkins and gobbled them up fast. Next time, I would order without sauce and ask for some on the side. I will definitely order the tripa, lengua, adobada and campachana again.
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Alex M.

Yelp
The service is great. We got there at a good time, so no line, and the food came out really quickly. The place is spacious and nicely decorated. My only issue was that the waiter didn't ask, as they usually do, if I wanted my tacos "with everything." Because of that, I forgot to ask them to remove the raw onion, which I don't like. That's partly on me, but I would have also appreciated if they'd mentioned that the quesadilla comes with onion, cilantro, and beans. The menu didn't list beans or onion and cilantro which is not very common. Now, the food: Tacos are the star. The adobada is amazing, easily the best option. Honestly, skip the mulita, vampiro, and quesadilla. Trust me, just get tacos. Their freshly made tortillas are soft, sturdy, and everything you'd want, and tacos are the only way to fully enjoy them. If you do want variety, the vampiro is your second-best choice. The tostada adds great crispiness while still letting the meat shine. The mulita is not worth it. It's inconvenient to eat, the tortilla gets soggy, and the meat gets lost. The quesadilla is fine but not great. The tortilla is bigger, tougher, and fills you up without really showcasing the meat. Plus, the beans and condiments overwhelm the flavors. As for the meats: Adobada/pastor: hands down the best. Tender, packed with flavor. I even got an extra taco just to enjoy the meat on its own. You can ask for pineapple if you like. Suadero: my second favorite after adobada. Finely chopped, slightly charred, fatty, and full of flavor. Perfect in a taco and it pairs really well with the salsa. Lengua: Pretty good, tender and finely chopped. Would be great with a spicy salsa. Asada (in the campechano): strong smoky, charcoal flavor. If that's your thing, you'll love it; if not, maybe skip. Cabeza: solid. Nothing extraordinary, but reliable. On salsas: they're tasty and unique, but not spicy. They add nice flavor, but keep in mind the tacos come pre-loaded with salsa and guacamole. I strongly recommend asking for salsa and guac on the side, so you can control how much goes on and let the meat stand out. Overall: amazing tacos, standout tortillas, worth coming back.
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Elizabeth V.

Yelp
Tacos El Franc located in National City at Plaza Bonita Westfield Mall, parking is abundant. I heard so much hype about this place! People reporting that they put Tacos El Gordo to shame...I DID NOT HAVE THAT EXPERIENCE AT ALL! Customer service was amazing! Their work flow is a lot better than Tacos El G (gotta give them that) but, quality of tacos as far as their meat flavors and flavor of sauces...TACOS EL GORDO got them beat hands down!!! We ordered: Jamaica - delish Horchata - too much cinnamon Adobada fries - fries too thick, a bit too dry Adobada mulita - I did not like the taste of the marinade for the adobada and too dry Adobada vampiro - not a fan of the meat flavor and too dry Cabeza taco - very good Adobada tacos - PASS Lengua taco - delish Being from Daygo, we know Mexican Food!!! It comes down to preference of taste and textures.
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Larixsa H.

Yelp
Came to this taco shop on a Saturday night. We got a variety of their tacos including cabeza, steak, adobada, and suadero. The steak and the tripa lacked flavor and overall had a mushy consistency, thanks to the beans they add to their tacos. Instead of elevating them, the sauces only made the texture worse. It was like eating a wet napkin drenched in salsa. Honestly, Taco Bell could do better. Not to completely diss this place, the adobada was the only decent one. If you have to get something, I'd stick with that. The service was quick, attentive, and friendly (I'll give them that). I just wish they would include a written note of which taco is which instead of leaving you to guess. From past reviews, I see that Robe, the owner, takes honest negative feedback very personally so I'll save him the suspense: this place is not it. If soggy, flavorless tacos are your thing, congrats, you've found your spot. If not, save yourself the disappointment and eat literally anywhere else (even Taco Bell).
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Robert W.

Yelp
First time trying Tacos El Franc Placed a phone order for takeout, server had a hard time hearing since music was kind of loud in the restaurant. Location is at Westfield Plaza Bonita Mall. Horchata was okay nothing crazy Adobada tacos didn't have the same flavor as I'm used to from Al pastor. Was a little bland to me compared to other tacos. I would not get again Suadero was yummy, had bits of fat, flavorful and tender My favorite was the Carne Asada, nice char smokey flavor. Better than tacos Los chuchy's Tacos were on the pricier end, almost $5 a taco after tax. I would come back for their Suadero and Carne Asada
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Nick S.

Yelp
Visiting San Diego, I was told that this is some of the best street tacos SD has to offer. As a passionate TexMex lover, I was skeptical, but this place really is worth a stop The restaurant itself is connected to the Westfield Plaza Bonita mall in National City. We went on a weekend, and parking was difficult even though it's a massive shopping mall parking lot As you walk up you can see covered patio seating jutting out from the restaurant/mall. Walk inside the mall to get seated. We sat on the patio as it was a lovely day... and it's pretty much always a lovely day in San Diego, especially when compared to Texas Apparently, this is the first location opened in the US. It was packed, but we didn't have to wait for a table. There is a lot of seating options both inside and out The menu offers several variety of dishes that you can get as a taco, toastado, vampiro (pretty much a tostada version but with a different cheese), and even some dishes on French fries. We tried an assortment. Also, try one of their aquas frescas, they have orange juice, a Jamaican juice, and horchata. They also have plenty of beer to choose from For mix-ins (proteins and toppings), they have marinated pork (adobada), grilled steak (asada), beef head (cabeza), brisket (suadero), tripe (tripa), beef tongue (lengua), as well as mix and vegetarian options The service was great. Our server took our order almost immediately, and I was astonished with how quickly everything came out, especially for how much we ordered Everything was incredibly fresh and delicious. I love street tacos, and these were some of the best I have ever had in the United States Some tips: Some dishes come with beans, and if that's not your thing just ask for the dish without beans. The tacos are fully loaded and are reasonably affordable, so, I would consider ordering a variety and trying everything. Street tacos are smaller than most tacos, and while these aren't tiny, if you plan on sharing you might only get a bite or so Cheers!!
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Vincent L.

Yelp
I was really hyped for this place after hearing so many good reviews, so we went all in and ordered about seven different tacos. The steak was decent, seasoned okay, but the beans really threw me off--they overpowered the meat. Maybe that's a Tijuana style thing, but personally I didn't like it. The cabeza had a nice chew and was charred well, though I can't say if that's totally authentic since I've never been to Mexico 7/10. The tripa wasn't my favorite--it felt too soggy compared to other places where it's crispier and charred better 5/10. The suadero was solid with a good char 7/10, and the adobada ended up being my favorite 8/10, though unfortunately we only ordered one of those. Price-wise, the tacos were on the expensive side at nearly $5 each. There's no self-serve salsa bar; instead, they just give you a small plate. With the beans, it felt like more of a filler for the tacos. The horchata also isn't refillable--you have to pay for each one. Very good service though and your tacos come out really fast. Ambience was OK. It's in a mall. Good amount of seating with the bar and TVs. Overall 5/10 rating, I wouldn't come back. For the price and quality, I'd rather go to TJ's Tacos, Tacos El Gordo, or The Taco Stand. Those spots are way better than this one.
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Tiffany H.

Yelp
Love this spot! I came in 7pm Tuesday and was seated right away. What I liked about this restaurant is that unlike other taco spots, you can sit down first and have a look at the menu to order instead of waiting in line to order everything up front then vulturing for a table. This was nice so we could order more at the table if we wanted instead of getting back up in line. The other thing I liked was that those tacos were filled to the brim. This isn't a bad thing at all but even folding the taco would spill the meat over so yes it gets messy but what a great problem to have! I had the suadero, the carne asade, and the adobada. All were good if I had to rank my favorite would be the adobada, then suadero, then carne asada. Pro tip: the adobada doesn't come w pineapple by default but the next round we ordered the waitress offered to put some on top. So if you order adobada you have to request the pineapple
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Maria H.

Yelp
We wanted to see if it's the same Tacos El Franc from TJ. Right when you walk in you notice it's definitely more scale up than your traditional order at the counter taco places. You get a server who takes your order and they have good runners brining out your food and drinks. The decor is very nice and they certainly did a nice job. They do try to still keep the Mexican vibe by playing banda music. So we ordered: Carne asada tacos- these are served with beans, guacamole, onions, cilantro and their red sauce (which is less spicy. You get the traditional handmade tortillas and good portion of quality meat. Very delicious! Tripa tacos- crispy tripas served with guacamole, cilantro and onions with their green salsa (has a good kick) they should bottle that salsa, it's so good! Traditional corn handmade tortilla and good portion of meat. Adoba tacos - Like others have stated the adoba sauce they marinate the pork meat does not have the same taste as what you get in TJ. This seems to have an overpowering flavor that just was not our favorite. The tacos are served handmade tortilla, guacamole, onions, cilantro, guacamole and a nice portion of meat. Cabeza quesadilla- nicely seasoned and tender meat, a lot more cheese to meat ratio on this one. No cheese pull, so the cheese needs to melt more. Overall we've had better quesadillas. Overall you don't need to cross into TJ, just drive to National City to try the tacos. Will be back to try their agua frescas.
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Sofia P.

Yelp
First time eating here this past Monday. The food was delicious, I recommend the Birria quesadilla. Service was good. The ambiance was chill outside. You can choose to sit indoors or outdoors. No reservations needed. Plenty of parking outside.
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Nom C.

Yelp
Great fast casual taco spot that serves tacos, quesadillas, tortas, fries and a few other taco-ish variations (mulitas and vampiros). We lined up with at least 30 people ahead of us around 8pm on a Friday but were seated within 10-15 minutes. We ended up sitting at a high top counter right in front of the grill. Really fun to see the action going on in the kitchen but not so much if you don't want your clothes and hair to smell like meat afterwards. Lol Everything we ordered was delicious. My husband would have tried one of everything if he had the appetite. We got 4 tacos, a quesadilla, and mulita. Our meat choices were cabeza, lengua, suadero and adobada. Definitely be prepared to use your hands and get a little messy. They also brought a side of sliced radishes, cucumbers, and limes. With all the richness from the meat, adding a squeeze of lime made such a huge difference. Overall, we were highly satisfied and definitely would try this spot again.
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Olga M.

Yelp
Finally had a chance to try Tacos El Franc the new restaurant location in Plaza Bonita Blvd, National City, CA. The restaurant opened in June of 2025 and every time we tried going, the line was out the door with a long wait time. We got here at 4:30pm and there was no line. So we tried the following tacos and sharing the best to least favorite: 1. Suadero Tacos -WINNER! 2. Carne Asada -Generous amount of guacamole. 3. Cabeza -Very tender 4. Lengua -A bit dry 5. Adobada-I didn't like this recipe as other taquerias I've tried in the area, but that's just me. We really enjoyed the Suadero tacos. Suadero is a specific cut of beef, often described as being between the flank and sirloin cooked in lard in a metal disk. The taste is very similar to pork carnitas. There are so many great taquerias in Chula Vista and each one has something different I like about them. Tacos El Franc's Suadero Tacos with the works is a must try!! The restaurant was clean. There's indoor and outdoor seating. Our server Sofia was great, very attentive and made very good recommendations. Give this place a try! Happy Yelping :)
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Reyman B.

Yelp
Literally had the best carne asada taco I've ever had and it only took 20 minutes to get seated, order, eat, and pay. You really can't beat that. Tried the cabeza, adobada, suadero, and campenchano tacos as well. They taste as good as some of the taco trucks I've had in SD. The carne asada was next level tho. Would mainly just come here for that. Tacos are kinda pricey too, but the asada is worth it. Did not know it was a sit down restaurant, but that didn't matter since we were in and out in 20 minutes. Servers were great and were specific on what we wanted on the tacos since the menus don't describe them.
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Miguel S.

Yelp
Finally made it out to Tacos El Franc, overall the experience was not bad. We were sat down promptly, the music and ambiance was pretty good. The waitress and food service was faster than I was expecting. I tried three different tacos and an agua fresca everything was delicious. The waitress brought us a plate with limes, radishes, and cucumbers while we waited for our tacos. I tried a carne asada, taco de cabeza, and an adobada taco, all came with different salsas and all delicious. The salsas are spicey but not too hot but all had distinct flavors. I especially liked that the carne asada taco came with bean in it. Plenty of seating indoor and out even for a mall location. I noticed they have a bar, but did not get a chance to try it out this time around. I will definitely be back.
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Suzanna L.

Yelp
More of a 4+ due to missed points on the carne asada taco. They told us that they make handmade tortillas for just the carne asada taco and the quesadillas. The tortilla on the carne asada taco got quite soggy after sitting about 5 minutes before I was able to eat it. However, the adobada was excellent and the serving size was more than heaping in the quesadilla. I also thought the naranja drink was refreshing and not overly sweet. The location has an entrance on the exterior of the mall. At around 6pm on a Saturday, there was a line but it moved relatively quickly. They are currently doing dine in only during their busiest times. There is a large patio plus indoor seating. The servers were pleasant, but think they wanted us to serve ourselves with the plastic ware (situated inside).
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Lala H.

Yelp
We finally made it down to Bonita for this gem and let me tell you it was well worth the drive! Located on the east-side of the mall, next to the main entrance with ample parking, makes it an easy find. The service was top-notch; servers were friendly and attentive. The outdoor patio is very clean, open and airy, with plenty of seating. Now, the food....OMG! Everything we ate was perfection! From the homemade tortillas, to the generous portions of delicious meat on each taco, tasty salsa and refreshingly sweet aguas frescas (their jamaica was perfect). Our experience was one for the books! Don't sleep on their mulitas and quesadillas either; the cheesy goodness between chewy (in the best way), fresh homemade tortillas made these tasty treats stand out in the best way! We were skeptical, however, Tacos El Franc definitely proved themselves and lives up to their hype. This place is worth the trip...you will not be disappointed.
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Sesang Y.

Yelp
Food: 8/10 Service: 9/10 Ambiance: 9/10 Adobada is alright but ASADA is where it's at. The place is really nice and clean; people were really nice too. Adobada I'd personally say tacos el gordo is better but asada was freaking fire. Recommend. Would NOT wait in a 2-hour line for this tho.
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Jimmy S.

Yelp
Came here with my brother since we kept seeing Taco El Franc all over Instagram and wanted to give it a try. It's located inside the mall, which already makes parking a bit of a headache. We ordered most of the meats on the menu hoping to get that TJ-style taco experience, but honestly the meats were so bland. The only thing that really stood out was the salsa, which ended up saving the tacos. Service was excellent and the ambiance was great, but the food just didn't deliver. It was disappointing enough that we ended up heading to Taco El Gordo afterward, which says a lot. Overall, good service and vibes, but the flavors just weren't there.
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Jacqueline C.

Yelp
I've been hearing about this restaurant since it opened in Plaza Bonita. The customer service was excellent. The hostess is friendly and accommodating. The restaurant was clean and spacious even during the noon lunchtime on Saturday. There's a wide variety to choose from the menu. I chose the adobada and asada mulitas . They were excellent. I also tried their mild and spicy salsas.
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Hanna K.

Yelp
We came 10minutes before opening and there was no line. A couple of minutes before 11, they opened the door and started the line. We were the second group seated and ordered from the table. There were a lot of staff working the hall and the kitchen and the tables seem to rotate quickly. The restaurant was clean and had plenty of tables. The horchata was a bit on the sweeter side but went great with the tacos. They gave a plate of limes, cucumbers and radish to eat with your order. I ordered the Adobada (marinated pork) taco and it was juicy and well seasoned. It already comes with salsa on it but if you want more, you can ask for more of the red/green sauce. I also ordered the Adobada fries but never got it. When I told a server, he just said that it takes longer to make which was weird because the table next to us who came later than us already got theirs. I ended up getting the fries 50minutes after ordering it and of course that was when everyone was done with their meal so I had to take it to go. Our server told me she would not charge me but she ended up charging me anyways. The fries itself were good; fries were seasoned fries and came with plenty meat, guacamole and sauce.
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David Z.

Yelp
Waited a bit of time for the hype to die down. We waited in line for ten minutes, not too bad. We were seated and given menus. Service was pretty fast and the tacos came out faster. It is very large inside, and an even larger outside patio to sit at. Am not too thrilled about the $5 tacos. Did not feel like it exceeds the taste of any other large and well known taco establishments.
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Clara C.

Yelp
Tacos el Franc is finally open in the Westfield (around 1) mall! Their Tijuana, Mexico location has a Michelin guide distinction. This is a nice way to try it without crossing the border. Entrance is through the mall entrance. The gate is exit only. This is a sit-down type of establishment. They will take you to a table, and a server will come by shortly to take your order. Parking is plentiful on this side of the mall. You can sit indoor or outdoor. The bathrooms inside are separated by gender. The menu is easy. Of course I tried the tacos. The adobada was slightly disappointing to me. It was pretty packed with meat but also overloaded with guacamole. It cost $4.65, which seems high to me. The cabeza, asada, and suaderò were good. The inside of the restaurant was smelly (due to meat cooking and open kitchen), and the smell stuck to my clothes and hair since I sat inside. Credit card / Apple Pay accepted.
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Christy A.

Yelp
My kids and I tried this place yesterday. Such a cute spot and the customer service was on point. It was so nice to actually sit down and be served after being on our feet all day. We had adobada tacos and carne asada. We also ordered a quesadilla on the side. I regret not ordering more quesadillas. They were so delicious. My boys are all about the cheese pull. Anyway, we all loved the delicious tacos. They are my new favorite spot, and even my two picky boy's said they're the best in town. We will be back!
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Noriel O.

Yelp
I've been here a handful of times at night. There's never a wait even with a group of 5+. Their service is nice and quick for a sit down restaurant. I've ordered the adobada, carne asada and suadero tacos. The adobada has gotten better from my first time. It was dry when they first opened. The suadero is very flavorful and the asada is ok. The prices are more than other taco shops and it's overall good but doesn't beat classic tacos shops in National City. It's still a good spot at Plaza Bonita. The place is huge and modern.
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Kathy B.

Yelp
We visited because of the Michelin recognition in Mexico and found the tacos to be good, but nothing exceptional. The adobada taco was flavorful, but even better served vampiro style (but what doesn't tastes better with melted cheese?). The suadero taco was moist and tasty, while the asada taco was average. The outdoor dining patio was comfortable and the service was outstanding. Shout out to our server Alejandra N. who was most pleasant and helpful. The other young people working were also quick to bring out the dishes, remove plates, wipe down tables, etc., while those behind the counter were hustling too, and all deserve kudos.
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Jozel R.

Yelp
Stopped by yesterday but the line was so long. Decided to try today since we were inside the mall and surprisingly there was no line. It was noon when we arrived we were greeted, party of 6 adults and 3kids. They told us about 10-15min wait. They were kind enough to combine 2 table so our party doesn't get separated. We waited less than the time we were told. Water was provided all around. Our server was so kind and welcoming and she answered all of our questions. We ordered a few adobada tacos, asada, cabeza and an asada vampiro (on tostada with cheese). Our food came out fast less than 10mins. They had beans and quac on the asada tacos, optional pineapples for the adobada for an extra charge. The tacos were AMAZING!!! Loaded with meat and toppings. The asada meat had a smoky flavor but a little on a dry side. The adobada was so flavorful and juicy. One of the best tacos I've ever had! Lives up to the hype! Highly recommend and will definitely return. When we visit SD again.
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Ellie N.

Yelp
I was so excited to finally try this spot! Whenever we're in Tijuana, we always talk about going, but happy they opened in San Diego this time we made the drive down to National City just for it. There was a line, but it wasn't too bad about a 30 minute wait. Once inside, the staff was organized. Someone greets you and seats you, and the service overall was solid. They were great about clearing tables and keeping things clean, which I really appreciated. We ordered four tacos, one carne asada fries, and two drinks. The total came out to $46.27. I'll be honest, I was a bit disappointed. I wasn't quite sure what they were known for beyond the name, and I was hoping for a more diverse menu, maybe some fish, shrimp, or chicken options. The food was good, but I probably wouldn't drive all the way down again just for it. There are other spots closer to me that I'd choose instead. Still, it's definitely worth checking out at least once, especially since it's recognized by the Michelin Guide.
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Matthew B.

Yelp
From TJ to SD Tacos El Franc opened up a spot in National City Mall to provide their street tacos to the US. Solid spot, great food, super busy. I have heard plenty of good reviews of Tacos El Franc in TJ and wanted to try it out now that they are here in the US. I had different expectations given it is a different location than their OG. We arrived around lunch time and there is plenty of parking given its the mall. The line was out the door and we waited about 20-25 minutes until we were seated. Its a sit-down restaurant so you get your menus and order your food and they bring it to you. Tacos are pretty expensive in this economy so I'd say they are a bit more on the pricer side ($4.50~ per taco). The flavors were excellent. I loved the options of the various meats. My favorite was the lengua. I wasn't as impressed by their Al Pastor and I think there are places with better Al Pastor. Their green salsa was tasty and delicious. The ambiance is your usual taco shop vibe with open kitchen and roasting meats. They have a large outdoor area and a indoor seating area. Solid spot. I'll go if other people want it but there are better options out there.
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Brandon C.

Yelp
On behalf of my family, thank you @tacoselfranc for your support during one of the most challenging times of our lives. My dad was always up for good tacos, so we sent him off the right way -- with one of the best taquerias ever. As our family gathered after the funeral, your team welcomed us with warmth and respect. Fresh food, incredible service, and enough space for everyone to come together and honor my dad. Every plate felt made with love -- and every person kept saying the same thing: "He would've loved this." From our family to yours, we are deeply grateful for the beautiful send-off meal in honor of my father, Marlon Cristobal. Thank you for helping us celebrate his life in a way he would be proud of.
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Linford E.

Yelp
We came around 7ish and were able to get a seat at the bar fairly quickly. Seems like the lines of opening day/week have eased. The service was great and the food came out really quick. All the staff were friendly and they all looked like they were having a great time serving up great tacos. The energy of the staff definitely made for a better experience. We ordered a few cabeza, lengua and adobada tacos with charro beans and a couple of beers. The bill came to a little over $50, which seemed reasonable. I wouldn't say these were the best tacos I've had, but definitely in the top five. The tortillas melted in your mouth and the meat and toppings were on point. Having minced cabeza and lengua tacos were different from what I would expect, but both were good. The adobada tacos were ok, but didn't stand out compared to others I've had. I would recommend coming during off peak hours as I could see waiting in a long line could lead to a disappointing experience. All in all, another great taco spot in Diego and looking forward to eating here again.
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Jiselle T.

Yelp
BEST TACOS IN THE USA! Great quality meat and tortilla, they are delicious. Great ambience and service too. The tacos come out quick! Suadero Taco 10/10 Al Pastor Taco 10/10 Asada Taco 10/10 Beans were okay, not special.
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Jules C.

Yelp
Easy parking right outside the mall. Recommended from a friend who has visited their Mexico location. Went early on a weekday so no wait to be seated. The restaurant is huge, lots of seating. The waitress was nice and patient while we decided which tacos to order. Food came really fast, drinks were tasty. Would definitely come back if I'm in the area.
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Ray M.

Yelp
Nice spot but this will never compare to real street tacos. The ambience is nice but meat we all know this is not how real street tacos taste. You can never compare a carne asada taco cooked on charcoal grill. Owner replies upset. Don't get mad my guy. This is my opinion.
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Annie K.

Yelp
There was a fairly long line to get in but it was one that kept moving. The staff is very friendly and i felt very welcomed by them and our waitress was so nice taking our order and got us extra salsas. My fav was the abobada the meat is very soft and flavorful. The cabeza is soft slow cooked taste. The others were just okay for me. The carne asada comes with beans and u can opt out of them. Horchata was very yum. I would come here for the abobada but the others i think other places might do better.
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Marissa M.

Yelp
fast service, nice staff, good food carne asada tacos were my fav, nice smoky flavor and beans were so yum - different than what i expected adobada not my favorite, still soft and decent flavor but i prefer TEG adobada suadero was also good i would get this again, better than TEGs imo adobada quesadilla was decent as well, fair price and generous meat portion, but would get tacos over quesadilla next time