Tacos El Franc – Gaslamp Quarter

Truly authentic Mexican tacos… so delicious! Robbie was incredibly welcoming and attentive, checking on us throughout our visit. We ordered nine different tacos and a cup of beans with meat, and every single bite was fantastic. We can’t wait to come back!

my partner and I are visiting SD and was excited to get Tacos El Gordo, but we saw Tacos El Franc across the street while perusing the city. It piqued our interest and decided to check it out on a whim. This place doesn’t miss, it exceeded our expectations. Great history, yummy tacos, addicting horchata, and last but not the least, amazing and wholesome service. Shout out to Robe for showing everyone hospitality, he went around asking how the food is, which made us feel welcomed. We ordered their adobada and tripa tacos. The tripa was our favorite that we ordered another round. Will def be telling our friends to pay a visit!

I am not Mexican nor a taco expert but really enjoyed the tacos here. It is funny how I encounter the place. I was wondering around finding a place to eat and this for some reason catch my eye. Big surprise to see it was showcased on the Tacos Chronicles documentary from Netflix. I tried the Horchata; sweet and refreshing.

Overall, a great experience. The adobada tacos were super tender and flavorful. The guacamole on top is also good but I would get it on the side next time. The staff is friendly and helpful and the food comes out pretty quick. The restaurant as a whole is very clean and there is plenty of seating. The sides are pretty limited and no salsa bar.

Favorite tacos in San Diego! Not only were the tacos amazing, Guillermo, the General Manager made it a point to greet every customer. Apparently they had just opened 3 days prior to us visiting and they are making sure the food and service are top tier. Also, pro tip: Order the Al Pastor with grilled pineapple on top! Al Pastor is my favorite and El Franc does not disappoint! 10/10 this will be our go to taco spot from now on. Thanks Guillermo and team for making it an unforgettable experience!

Robbie is the best! We got a up close tour and tastes and it was amazing . He made me a special taco with arena (flour tortilla) with grilled cheese and beans! This is the best taco of my life!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Tacos El Franc has officially brought Tijuana flavor to the Gaslamp! I tried the cabeza taco and frijoles con carne — both were amazing. The meat was tender and rich, the beans perfectly seasoned, and the salsas had that bold, authentic kick you expect from a true Baja taco spot. Service was fast, the space was clean, and you can tell they’re keeping the same quality that earned them Michelin recognition. So good to have this level of tacos right in downtown San Diego!

From the Netflix docuseries, Taco Chronicles, and Michelin Star fame at the original location, Tacos El Franc finally arrives in downtown San Diego and are you in for a treat! The location, perfect, right on Fifth Avenue in the heart of the Gaslamp. The staff, amazing, very friendly and have great recommendations. Everyone was very nice and thanked us for coming. It was like being at a friend or family members place. The food, oh the food! Loved loved loved the asada tacos, so classic and so perfect. We had three and devoured them! The brisket tacos was a nice twist. Tried the vegetarian taco for fun, honestly it was very good! The asada quesadilla blew me away! I didn’t think I would like it as much as I did. I can’t wait to go back and try everything! 100% make this your next stop. Easily the best tacos downtown!

Best tacos we had during our week in San Diego! This was my first time trying a "vampiro" which is like an open faced tostada with a layer of melted cheese on top and it was fabulous. The pork here was so flavorful and cut right off the spit - a must! There was a line out the door for good reason!

I took it to go and the Adobado got a lil messed up but was the best tasting of the two. The Asada was not bad but in comparison to other places nearby, it lacked luster (seasoning and smokiness).

I literally fell madly in love with "Tacos El Franc" (Downtown San Diego) after ONLY one dining experience with my friends. The bold, rich flavors surely intensify with every bite!! Satisfied that "Tacos El Franc" have UNIQUE gourmet tacos & their customer service is outstanding! The taco shop has a relaxing, laid-back vibe that makes it easy to "unwind" while you eat their gourmet tacos! Verdict is in! I'm "divorcing" Tacos El Gordo for "Tacos E Franc!!" LOL.

Def a good option for street tacos in DT. I mean sometimes you don't wanna wait in a crazy line for tacos el gordo and if that's the case this is second best taste wise. Please please please be warned they put beans in their tacos so if your like me and despise beans make sure you tell them to omit. Their adobada can't come close to their competition but their carne asada is def wayyyy better!

Had high hopes based on the rave reviews from the other locations, but was let down. Al pastor is usually my favorite, but I was disappointed with how mushy the meat was, like it was over marinated. The cabeza was okay, and the corn tortillas are solid, but for the same price I would much rather go to el Gordo up the street. The side of cucumbers and radishes are a nice touch, but they charge for grilled onions and chilies which is lame.

4.5 stars. Asked a local what the best tacos in town were and they recommend Tacos El Franc. :) The tacos are loaded to the brim with meat! I got a carne asada taco and an el pastor taco. I liked the el pastor more than the carne asada because it was saltier and juicier, but both were a 5/5 for me. It's a little more expensive than some other places but I didn't mind because of the flavor and portion size! The line was 10 people long when we arrived but went by super fast-- we were seated and eating within 20 minutes of arriving. Service was friendly and quick.

Came in and even though there was a line it went by fairly quickly. I've heard of this place through TikTok and decided and wanted to give it a try. I came with my daughter (2y/o) and husband We got a taco de tripa, asada, regular fries, and mixed regular fries, and a quesadilla. Total $40 Overall taste. Quesadilla was good, my husband said the tripa was good. The French fries were crispy. The adoba was not my favorite it was crispy but the taste wasn't my favorite I've had a different one that I prefer. The asada I liked on the fries. Overall rating, I asked for salsa on the side for my fries and it came in top -1 point, the quesadilla was so small for the price of 5.99 I believe was the price was not worth it -2 points. The tacos were kind of small for the price -1 point. +2 the mixed fries were loaded with meat and fries, however lacked cheese, sour cream and salsa. I wish they had a salsa bar -1 point. I wish they also had a kids menu because $11 dollars for fries and quesadilla was not worth it in my opinion. Plus we didn't get any drinks. The place was clean, and they have seating in the back and the front. Staff was nice. Would I come eat here again? Maybe, just for a taco de asada to try it out because the asada was pretty good.

I didn't know what to order so I asked the Valeria at the counter to just give me a bunch of tasty food. Wow, she succeeded. My Lyft driver had told me these Tijuana tacos were the real deal and he was right. I loved every bit of it. The decor was crisp and modern while the tacos that tasted of Tijuana traditions. The Lengua was my favorite. So tender.

Came back to Tacos El Franc to see if they got their food dialed in, and I'm happy to say they did. I ordered an adobada vampiro and it did not disappoint. I'll definitely be coming back. And to answer the existential question everyone asks: Is it better than Tacos El Gordo? For me, the answer is yes. You can debate the adobada, but when it comes to the rest of the meats, it's not even close. The carne asada here is actually seasoned, and the price point between the two spots is pretty much the same.

Finally had a chance to try Tacos El Franc. Everyday I'd pass by the line was HUGE. Until Saturday night it seemed reasonable. I ordered 1 taco de asada, 1 taco de al pastor, and 1 vampiro de asada. After about 10 minutes the order was ready. I asked for a side of the cebolla but that is sold separately. It's $4.65 before tax. The asada had an amazing taste to it. Apart from the smokey flavor it also had a nice seasoning to it. They also add beans onto them as well. Both the taco de asada and vampiro tasted hella good. The Al pastor had a bomb ass taste. It just needed for meat on it. The guac kinda over powered the taste of it. I think next time I'll get the guac on the side. The place inside is super clean. The employees make sure to clean up fast after a table is open. Bathrooms are also nicely kept up.

Tacos El Franc has been on the list. San Diego is so lucky, there's Oscar's, Tacos El Gordo, I mean the list just goes on. I really wanted to try the Michelin-rated Tacos El Franc. My friend and I stopped here right after I got off the plane. I went with the suadero, lengua and cabeza (ya girl was ready to EAT). I was a bit confused because maybe my street tacos got mixed up with my friends' but the cabeza and lengua tasted the exact same. I think they might have given me two cabeza's as lengua is usually more tender. The suadero was cooked tenderly, but I thought it would be a little crisp with the first bite. The tacos fell short for me. The sauces I loved, but I was disappointed. The flavors just weren't all there. I liked that they put veggies, and I think their tortillas are better than the other spots. But the marination or the rico-ness was missing for me. The shop itself is hella cute, and the back area for outdoor seating is nice. Their horchata is delicious though, and their bathrooms are clean which is a plus. Service is friendly and with a smile, 5 stars for the staff por su pesto! We went to Tacos El Gordo afterwards to immediately compare. And yeah, El Gordo still holds the top spot in my book.

Only tried the Assad fries here, which were very solid. Fries were crispy, good amount of meat and overall good balance of ingredients!

Have been so excited for Tacos el Franc to open in Gaslamp after hearing all about its Tijuana hype! The shop is small and welcoming and wasn't busy on a Saturday night. I got my usual Tijuana taco order which is Adobada and while the tacos were delicious, I still prefer the freshness and flavor of Tacos el Gordo. The guacamole honestly took over most of the flavor and the Adobada didn't pack the punch I was hoping for. Worth a stop to try it out, but I may be sticking with El Gordo in Gaslamp

Tacos El Franc began in 1996 when Don Javier Valadez opened a taqueria in Tijuana.  In 2024 and 2025 Michelin Guide recognized the Tijuana location.Night falls and there is a light chill in the air.  Roberto Kelly opened The Gaslamp location October 8 the second in San Diego. Tacos El Franc shines in the darkness.  Inside it's warm.  I order at the counter.  Through the window I see a mound of masa.  They make corn tortillas to order. Carne taco features fresh corn tortilla which was soft and had a delicious light corn flavor.  Carne asada was tender and had a slightly sweet flavor from the marinade and a light smoky flavor from the grill.  Very good taco. Adobada taco also had a tasty fresh corn tortilla.  Adobada was tender and juicy.  Loved the mix of savory and light sweet flavor.  Very similar to Tacos El Gordo's adobada.  Excellent taco. Mexican Coke was sweet and had a bold cola flavor.  My favorite type of cola. Staff was friendly and provided speedy service.  I love the made to order tortillas and flavorful meats.

New taco spot on 5th Ave in the gaslamp. This felt like a more authentic spot, as they offered meats like tripe, beef tongue, etc. no chicken tacos here! You order at the counter and they call your name on a speaker system, which is nice. There is a lot of seating; indoor, outdoor, and semi outdoor on the cutest back patio! The Mexican music, red and white tables and chairs, staff, and decor gave all the vibes of a traditional Mexican taco shop. We ordered a variety of tacos (including carne asada, adobada (my favorite), and tripe as well as a side of pinto beans. The tacos were good, but they were very heavy on the sauce. The salsa on the carne asada had a kick to it that I wasn't expecting. The adobada meat was my favorite, freshly carved.

Stopped here last night with a girlfriend and was so happy they opened a Tacos El Franc in Gaslamp! Service was quick and the staff was nice and efficient. The general manager, Guillermo, was walking around greeting people and checking in and making sure people were enjoying their food. He definitely spread a great energy especially since they've only been open a few days. We got 2 adobada tacos. You can see them slicing from the pork wheel in the back :) we were able to try the flan and horchata too and they were delicious! Overall, I'm excited there's another good taco spot in gaslamp now we don't have to travel to TJ to get them

From the Netflix docuseries, Taco Chronicles, and Michelin Star fame at the original location, Tacos El Franc finally arrives in downtown San Diego and are you in for a treat! The location, perfect, right on Fifth Avenue in the heart of the Gaslamp. The staff, amazing, very friendly and have great recommendations. Everyone was very nice and thanked us for coming. It was like being at a friend or family members place. The food, oh the food! Loved loved loved the asada tacos, so classic and so perfect. We had three and devoured them! The brisket tacos was a nice twist. Tried the vegetarian taco for fun, honestly it was very good! The asada quesadilla blew me away! I didn't think I would like it as much as I did. I can't wait to go back and try everything! 100% make this your next stop. Easily the best tacos downtown!

Vampiro adobado was delicious - good spice level & I loved the melty cheese on the crispy corn tortilla tostada style. Smear of guac finished it nicely!

Service was amazing! I have been dying to try this place as I have seen that they are Michelin Star rated. I came in on a Saturday to the surprise that they were not busy. Food was great, I really enjoyed that they give cucumbers on the side! Adobada was the star of the show, I believed the carne asada was pretty on par with other rival taco restaurants. Pricing is pretty heavy, pricing starts at $4.75 per taco, not sure if it's the downtown premium or if their other location has different pricing. It was also pretty loud inside, but, it is a downtown location so this may be the case to keep the party going for the partygoers.

Craving TJ tacos, but too lazy to cross the border? Tacos El Franc will not disappoint. From their Mexican tile lettering, to the music, and of course their food... they definitely brought a piece of TJ to Gaslamp. Oh, don't forget to get their horchata 10/10. Had the infamous taco asada 8/10 and mixta fries 9/10 - no wonder they're Michelin rated and featured on Netflix. Lived up to the hype and some.

1. The food was AMAZINGLY delicious! Never a hit or miss I love traveling to the OG spot in tj! 2. The environment, the ambiance of THIS taqueria was spectacular and the service was awesome the young lady in the front with purple hair had such an amazing attitude and was very welcoming I really enjoyed the fact that she broke down and explained in very nice detail what each item was in the menu highly recommended always !

Yummy, yummy! I love that they offer veggie tacos such a nice touch. I'm so glad they're expanding, because now I can get my TJ taco fix close to home. The flavors are on point, and they even have fries! Service was great , the staff was quick and friendly. It wasn't too busy when we arrived, but it filled up soon after. Being in the Gaslamp, it definitely attracts a fun, party crowd, which I actually enjoyed. Can't wait to come back . I really hope they continue to thrive!

They serve up some really good pork tacos that were juicy, flavorful, and perfectly seasoned. The only thing missing were chips and guac to round out the meal. Can probably skip the brisket though. Still, definitely worth a stop if you're craving great street-style tacos.

Great spot in gas lamp! Came during lunch hour on a weekday and despite the line it the door, service was quick and efficient. Tacos were so flavorful, we got the marinated pork & beef brisket. Pork taco is definitely the top fave. Corn tortillas made fresh. 10/10 choice for authentic tacos. Also tried the quesa which was also delicious. The cheese was so tasty! Indoor and outdoor seating available w good ambiance. Definitely give this place a try if you're in the mood for authentic tacos!

the taco options in downtown are plentiful, so many places offering the same menu.. how do you know which is the "best"? well, when i see references to a michelin star and netflix, i just had to stop by and let me tell ya .. best tacos in the area, hands down .. there i said it!! tacos el franc may have limited parking options , but that's about it. the quality, clean (not greasy) ingredients are present in every single bite. the char on the adobada tacos and tortillas give them a whole new dimension and bring me back to my old tijuana party days where i sought comfort in tacos after a long night/morning. nostalgia aside, i highly recommend the asada, adobada and suadero tacos. the asada tacos come with beans and have a great salsa kick to them. all my interactions have been for to go orders but there is ample indoor space and they will text you if you wait outside. if you are fans of the the other famous taco shop up the street (which i still love) , you HAVE to drop by and check out tacos El Franc.

New Mexican taco gem alert! Opened a month ago with trendy vibes--staff sing while crafting fresh tacos (so fun & lively! ). Tried beef, pork, and beef tongue (the tongue was insanely tender--TOP PICK! ). Toppings are staff-served (no self-service ). Tacos lovers, add this to your must-visit list ASAP!

Couple of my friends and I came in on a late Saturday night. I can only speak for the veggie tacos, because when we got there everything else was sold out (congrats yall) but they were delicious! The beans had so much flavor and the salsa was delicious. The manager Guillermo invited us in and was super friendly. Keep up the good vibes. I'll be back :)

I had cabeza, lengua, and suadero tacos - everything was delicious. There was a good balance of umami and spice, and a good mixture of textures too - juicy and crunchy. The decor is cute and there's a back patio.

Hype. Had the tripa, adoboda, and Veggie. It's all hyped. Just taste okay. 5/10. 3 tacos $15. Tastes like all run of the mill taco shop.

Tacos El Franc has officially brought Tijuana flavor to the Gaslamp! I tried the cabeza taco and frijoles con carne -- both were amazing. The meat was tender and rich, the beans perfectly seasoned, and the salsas had that bold, authentic kick you expect from a true Baja taco spot. Service was fast, the space was clean, and you can tell they're keeping the same quality that earned them Michelin recognition. So good to have this level of tacos right in downtown San Diego!

I really really wanted to like this place because the one in Tijuana is one of my go to taco spots but to say I was left disappointed is an understatement statement. We came here the other day to finally try their tacos and let me start off by saying they lacked flavor and guac on top seemed like it had been sitting out for hours so it was pretty dark. Their salsa selection is not very good at least compared to the ones in Mexico and overall this experience was meh. The worker who took my order was nice but other than that I don't think I'll be coming back here to eat I honestly didn't even feel good after eating here.

I've been a huge fan of Tacos El Franc in Tijuana for years, so when I found out they opened a location in Downtown San Diego, I was genuinely excited. I had high hopes that they'd bring the same flavor and quality across the border. I ordered my go-to: the vampiro de el pastor - it's been my favorite item from their TJ stand for as long as I can remember. But to be honest, I left disappointed. The el pastor lacked the bold flavor I was expecting. It was bland and didn't have that signature punch that made El Franc a standout in TJ. I'd rate it a 6/10. It wasn't terrible, but with so many great taco spots already in San Diego -- many of which serve better el pastor and carne asada -- this just didn't live up to the hype. Hopefully it was just an off day, but for now, I'll be sticking to the original location when I'm craving El Franc

tried the carne asada tacos, adobada tacos, and fries!! everything was so good, i recommend the adobada tacos and fries! parking is a bit difficult in this area as it's right on the downtown strip. very clean inside and fast line

Very disappointed in this business establishment . Was so excited to try this new location out due to their name and delicious tacos in mexico but they are nothing like the real deal! For starters-- I stopped by this Saturday around 2am and they inform everyone that they ran out of guacamole! What is that!? I suppose central supply didn't order enough Guac. Secondly, they use some type of pato sauce on their tacos that's intensionally tomato based. Not sure if they ran out of salsa too and just made what they could in the back. Last, They charge $4.65 for cebollitas y Chiles, other locations and even taco shops provide that complimentary!! For the cost of their tacos, you would think they'd do a lot better but honestly tacos el cabron down the street honestly beats them and that's pretty sad. So much for a tacos del franc in downtown. If you are looking for great tacos, don't waste your time here and just walk the few blocks and make the line for Tacos el Gordo.

Super busy when an event is in town but the food was worth the wait. Different variety of proteins to choose from but no chicken.

Stopped in Saturday about 7:30 to pick up tacos to go. The new place is bright and clean, and full of diners. Although it was packed, orders were flying out. We ordered 6 tacos with the side of onion/peppers that only took about 10 minutes. 4 Adobo, and 2 lingua tacos. I could not have been happier with the size, taste and price. The seasoning on the adobo was perfect, and the spices in the lingua delicious. The staff was friendly and efficient. I am so glad they are open on this side of the border.

the food was good and the service was quick and great. i would say that the food is a bit on the pricier side. the tacos are a lot different from the ones i've had before near my area in oc but i do like how they add guacamole on some dishes. it's wasn't crowded on a sunday night but it wasn't sparse either. id say it's a nice place to eat and people watch.

The Adobada is a must try! The restaurant is small but very clean and organized service. They were busy but not as busy as tacos el Gordo down the street. The order came out in literal minutes. We ordered lengua and Adobada tacos, both were delicious! Warm, fresh guacamole, and served with all the fixings. Definitely happy to find a taco that tasted authentic from Mexico without having to cross the border. I would definitely go back and try more on the menu!

Nice clean place. People working here great Tacos were way too spicy to enjoy. You mostly taste peppers. Tacos were small and very messy to eat. Priced right

Alejandra and staff were incredibly friendly helpful polite. Food was amazing. Thank you

Absolutely delicious adobada fries. Glad they made another US location to give people a taste of Tijuana style tacos and foods. Fast service and decent seating on weekdays, weekends are packed so put your patience on!

Service and ambience was great! However the food was not up to the hype. The location in TJ offers handmade tortillas which they don't in this location. They added extra sauce to the adobada meat that was not my favorite, it tasted like chorizo. Glad I got to try it but unfortunately, if I ever come down to the San Diego area, I will be going to tacos el rica instead. We got way more food for less and really liked all the meats and sauces offered.

Brand new establishment on fifth Avenue. They also have locations in Northpark and Tijuana. Excellent food they need to get a beer license. Highly recommended.

Cute little place, with a nice indoor/outdoor feel. The service was fast and the food was pretty good. We were in and out very quickly, and noticed they were very good at keeping the place clean despite the turnover!

This place is very tasty, spicy flavorful salsas and seems to me authentic... They make their own tostadas can't go wrong there ...I like this place will definitely come again soon.

I will give them 5 stars for customer service and cleanliness. However the food needs more flavor. The tacos are a little bland. It's hard not to compare to Tacos el Gordo, those have more flavor, but we all know we hate their line/ordering system that makes zero sense! If you are a line at TeG, come here! Oh also the adobada/al pastor has guacamole, I prefer that green creamy sauce from TeG.

I was really excited to try the food but the service wasn't the best. I ordered to go and they got the majority of our order wrong who can we didn't realize until we got home. The only two orders that were correct was a cabeza and the carne asada. The carne asada was terrific! Really smokey and well seasoned. The cabeza was kind of bland and really disappointing. My biggest issue is that the order was incorrect and I was charged way more than what I actually ordered. None of the phone numbers listed on google work so the only way you can reach anyone is via email, which is ridiculous considering there's an option to order food for pick up. Luckily, the next day someone actually got back to me and gave a full refund. I'm hoping the service and the food will improve but I'm not in a rush to come back.

Just tried tacos El Frank we came on a Tuesday not too busy. All the tables were full except outside. By the time I got to my seats they called my name. They gave me and my friend a free Horchata/drink of choice because they are new which we really appreciated. Great tacos. Tried the Adoba and asada. Thank you

Hands down totally recommended this spot I saw this spot on a YouTube video with Mexipapa. I was in San Diego for the weekend so I had to check it out I ordered 4 tacos Saduero,tripas,campachano, and lengua. All were delicious the salsa was so delicious. Can't wait to go back again