Tacos El Gordo

The whole thing was fantastic! The line was a little long but moved quickly and they were making the tortillas fresh and grilling the meat! They prepare the tacos to order and directly in front of you and have a wide variety of meats and everything! Super delicious food and was perfect for my day trip to San Diego! Would definitely recommend and would visit again!

Busy restaurant with long lines. We got the steak taco, chorizo taco, and spicy pork taco and tostada, and a horchata drink. The spicy pork tostada was the best. It wasn’t clear immediately that the spicy taco had a different waiting line that was much shorter but there were some staff with “security” shirts who informed us of the different lines. The security guy had to keep watch on a homeless person on the streets. The tacos themselves were good but not exceptional. The adobada was best

This place is worthy of the praise it gets I was only able to try the asada and adobada tacos, but all the ingredients were prime, seasonings delicious, and all served fresh. You might be able to find a specialty joint that serves a better particular pork or steak taco, but every taco this place churns out is an A and they are a very fair price at ~$3.70 a taco. This place is pretty legendary and certainly speaks to the quality of taco San Diego is able to produce. 5/5.

Came in after my flight for a true taste of Mexican cuisine. The taco was soft, meat was tender and well seasoned, mixing well with the sauces and toppings. The lengua was tender and heavy in beef flavor. Staff were helpful since this was my first time visiting. Good prices for the amount and quality of the food.

Bomb tacos that are worth the wait (if there's a line). If you're in the area, this place has some TJ style tacos that will blow your mind! The only down side is the seating... It's definitely more of a take your food to go spot. They have tables but you're gonna have to watch the transients and pigeons fight over scraps that folks left behind. All in all, still worth it, go try it!

Must visit while in San Diego. Great place and location. Also quick service, not the most friendly but I’m guessing they are used to a lot of people. The tacos? All really good except the asadas! Very strong charcoal flavor, almost like metal tasting. The rest, just amazing

As we walked up to the restaurant we noticed there was a huge line. We still went to try it out. There's not enough seats, people are waiting for someone to get up so they can snatch up the table. As you make your way into the restaurant they direct you where to go depending on what kind of meat or fries you're ordering. If its different then u may have to stand in multiple lines. We were waiting for a while and this guy just walked up, cut everyone off and yelled out his order and they just started helping him and the 4 other people with him. I would have liked for it to be a little more organized. I won't be going back anyway, because food wasn't good either. No flavor on the meat, although they are hooked up with a lot of meat. I ordered 3 taco, only ate 2.

When visiting a new city during travels, finding a local hole in the wall place with a long like of customers is always a sure sign of a great place. The tacos did not disappoint. The lines moved quick and we picked the beef section that had a shorter wait vs carnitas. No frills, fast and friendly service. There is limited seating as most were carry outs. Tacos were very good and they generously packed on the meat. Prices are a bit higher but that seemed normal for San Diego. It’s hard to go wrong with a place like this. The long line speaks for why locals come here. Worth checking out.

How tacos should always be prepared! They definitely have their system down and there's 3 main lines depending what meat you'd like - pastor, carne asada, or other. Tortillas are made in house and tacos comes with some toppings (e.g. guac for carne asada). There is seating upstairs, but with the smell of the grill wafting in the air, definitely suggest trying to snag a seat outdoors.

The adobada tacos with pineapple were really good. The restaurant has a weird setup though that you can either wait in line for asada tacos or adobada tacos or fries. It took me 20 minutes to get through the line so you really have to pick one instead of mix or match. They do have tables both inside and upstairs.

THE BIG: Located in downtown San Diego right off of F and Fifth street. Two story taco joint with the bottom space with the kitchen and upper space and outside with dining areas. Limited street parking. THE BLACK AND WHITE: I came here on a Monday afternoon right before a Padres game and the place was packed! There's an armed security guard outside directing people inside. Pro Tip: There's multiple lines serving different items on the menu. Don't just stay in the long queue that spills outside. I got the Lengua and Cabeza tacos, the mexican way (aka onions and cilantro). Both very delicious and I wish I was hungry because I would've definitely ordered more. THE FINAL BAMBOO: Overall, I spent around $9 for two tacos. This is probably the best taco spot in San Diego and at pretty affordable prices.

This place is always busy no matter what time I come at. Tacos are always amazing and delicious. They definitely hit the spot. Only downside is there's never enough tables for everyone. Even going upstairs, it was so hot that no one wanted to sit up there. I wish they would upgrade this place.

Came here at midnight SOBER and IT STILL HITTTTT!!!! I waited maybe 10ish minutes but idc it was so worth the wait. They have a very interesting ordering system but the staff is very helpful. This was the first time I've had adobada mulas but when i took my first bite I thought I had died and gone to heaven fr. I was worried it was going to be overhyped since literally everyone talks about it (I've also heard it varies by location) but THIS ONE IS SOOOOOOO GOOD!!!! there is some seating inside and outside but it looked like most people got it to go.

First time at this location and it was not as hectic as the other locations! When you first enter in, there is a security and will ask you what you want to order, if you want the adobada taco, you'll go in one line, get a red tray, get your adobada taco and then go through the rest down the line, if you want the other tacos. If you don't want adobada, then you'll go to the asada line and go down that way. It can be a little confusing but once you're there, you'll get the hang of it. Once you're done ordering, you'll pay and choose any open seating. There is 3 solo seats facing the window, a few outdoor tables, and there are a few tables upstairs. I ordered the: Adobada taco Tacos de tripa Tacos de buche Tacos de asada You can get your lime drinks etc near the entrance. The tacos were delicious! I loved the adobada taco and the buche taco! All of it were tasty! Only street parking! It's a crowded place because it's in the middle of Gas Lamp area.

I am not saying this place has bad food, but its not for me. I ordered two carne asada tacos. It had a good amount of guac and onions. The steak had some fatty and hard parts that was difficult to chew. There's a weird line system. One line for pork and the other for beef. Then you pay afterwards. I do like that they take card. It is so packed that there is nowhere to sit.

I've wanted to come here to compare them to Taco Stand. I think Taco Stand is better but these guys are very good! One of the main reasons taco stand is better is because their service is simple and logical. At Tacos El Gordo, they have a canteen style way of serving. There are different counters based on the type of meat in a taco. You basically go to the counter that lists the taco you want and order there. You then go to the cash register to pay. Most people don't understand this and get into the line which is usually for one specific taco - the pork based ones. Nobody explained how the system works to us when we got there. We did want the adobado and the al pastor, so it all worked out, but a heads up about how the system works would have been appreciated. We got the adobado, the al pastor, the chorizo and the nopal. Pricing wise, they are ok. They only provide a couple of salsas and only if you ask. You can't hold a seat - order first and then find a seat. The tacos were great, no doubt. Were they better than my favorites at Taco Stand? No. Were they as good? Yes, but the whole ordering system makes me like taco stand more.

Every time I go to San Diego or Las Vegas, I have to stop by Tacos el Gordo! Everything is delicious and I always wish that I ordered more. You have to know what you want and go in the separate lines depending on the type of meat and sometimes dish. My husband and I divide and conquer! He stood in the carne asada line and I stood in the other lines. Tacos el Gordo is always packed. Parking was a little bit difficult, but maybe because a Padres game just finished. Not much space to sit, so we grabbed takeout boxes. Enjoy tacos el Gordo and order more than you'd think you'd eat!

Not pretentious or uppity. Just great tacos. tacos el gordo is worth the hype. Obviously avoid going during the evenings as the line is out the door but it is a pretty fast moving line and that helps. The folks on the spit are quick and will have you in and out in no time. Got both asada and pork and both hit the spot. Minimal fuss, great food. Preferred the pork meat itself but the asada taco sauces are sublime. A little bit of hot sauce never hurts

It's BUSY for a reason - these tacos are amazing. My best advice: study the menu beforehand and know your order. While the line can be long, they move fast. I ordered a lengua taco and a nopales taco which were delightful. So much flavor, they don't skimp on the ingredients and the prices are amazing for California. All that's missing here is a margarita and some parking spots. A must try!

Caught this location at the best time with short lines! There was one line for Adobada due to how popular it is and another for any of the other items! I tried the Tacos de Asada and Abodaba. My boyfriend got the Large Abodaba Fries for us to share. The tacos were juicy, flavorful, and filled with meat, sauces, and spice! It's so fresh that each bite melted in my mouth. The abodaba had a smokey flavor to it. The fries on the other hand were slightly disappointing. Less meat stacked and the fries were plain. We wanted to come in and ask for more sauce because the bottom of it needed a bit more. I'd probably go to the Chula Vista location next time. Parking was hard to find and tables were taken up too! We just got lucky.

TACOS EL GORDO @ GASLAMP Everyone says these are the best tacos in San Diego, so I had to get my hands on them last weekend during my trip to one of Padres Game in Petco Park. This was about an 8 minute walk from the stadium, so my boyfriend brought me here. We got a quesadilla, and two adobada tacos. The quesadilla was the biggest rip off, it was EXACTLY a taco except with a toasted and mozzarella cheese, robbing us at $7, hated it. The adobada tacos were decent, I wasn't very wowed, it was more covered in the creamy green sauce and I barely tasted the flavor of the meat. What i did like was how everything was presented, and the portions were big, especially for the price at $4 per taco. The assembly line was efficient, and the side bar was nice to have. The service was great, and there was a lady cleaning outside wiping down tables every second. There is quite no parking down here, so I'd recommend taking an uber or trolleying. The area itself is in downtown and it can be dangerous with the amount of homeless people, one of them actually almost walking into the store with a bag of trash while we were seated. Overall, I would try this again for another shot, I really wanted to like this place but I felt like i didn't enjoy the flavor as much as other taco shops!

their tacos are so tasty - particularly the adobada and the carne asada. you can see the fat dripping off the adobada as they cut it and the carne asada is deliciously smoky from the flame grill. HOWEVER. their ordering system is dumb. you have to get into the line for your protein of choice. we wanted a bit of everything so needed to wait in the adobada, carne asada/chorizo/nopal, and the offals (tongue, tripe, etc). this took an hour and no one bothers explaining this, we only knew because we read reviews. if i went back i would reorder multiple adobada and carne asada. tripe was dry/crispy and tasted like it was fried in very old oil, chorizo and tongue were just fine), if there was nopal in our azteca we did not taste it lol. their horchata is from a fountain drink machine and is cloyingly sweet.

Amazing tacos!! There's separate lines for adobada, asada, lengua/cabeza tacos. The long line is for adobada but if you just want the other varieties, just tell security and you'll be guided to the other lines!! Very quick service, casual taco joint, but I loved the adobada tacos. They were soooo delicious!! Carne asada was smoky and on home made torillas, lengua/cabeza was soft and well cooked, but I think their speciality is the adobada :)

TJ style tacos are my favorite kind of tacos and this place is one of the best. It's a very small location in downtown and is quite popular so it does get BUSY. However I do highly recommend it. Definitely authentic and super flavorful. Will return.

I heard so much good things about this place so I was very excited to try! There was a long line to the outside but the line went short very quick. I really enjoyed the green sauce and taco tasted really good. Very flavorful and it had nice smoky smell too.

There was a line but it moved quickly. There is a line inside for each separate meat. I order a carne asada mula and a suadero taco. The carne asada mula had asada, melted cheese and guacamole. It was really good. Highly recommend. Next time I want to try the adobada.

This place is awesome. Not sure you could knock anything about it. I really enjoyed it and will be back.

Some of the best tacos outside of the taco truck, and they are open super late. Perfect spot after a night out. Prices are extremely affordable and you get your food fast. Skip the McDonald's and get you some tacos!

Tacos El Gordo is a wonderful spot, but definitely not the best tacos in San Diego. The carne is on the tougher side compared to other places, but the al pastor is definitely the star! The service is ALWAYS fast and there is a ton of seating upstairs and outside. You get in your desired line, tell the workers your order, and pay within minutes. Even if there is a long line, it never takes too long to get your food. I highly recommend the al pastor tacos and the carne asada fries! The food hits especially specially well late at night!

yummy yummy yummy!! this place is in gas lamp and is so close to everything! it has the perfect location and was super close to our hotel so we went here multiple times a day. i love the lines moved quickly and there weren't many people. i highly recommend the abadaba (pork) tacos because everything about it is perfect and this is the only taco that i get here. i'm from san jose so our tacos aren't as good but also i think the carne asada is just ok. i would pass on it.

We got off our cruise ship and tour the Gaslamp district. Our friends recommended this place for a quick lunch. We walked around and arrived at 5th Ave and F Street. There was a line out the door for ordering. There were different lines for different items. Once we figured out the process, ordering was quick. The meat was flavorful and juicy. There is outside seating, we were able to watch customers order and enjoy their tacos. Will come back to try more tacos when we are back in the area.

I don't usually get excited, but these tacos are worth it! I went to check out the most talked about taco spot in San Diego, and let me tell you, the line was out the door on a Wednesday night, but it's okay because it's all part of the experience. The store was loud since there were a lot of people. There were multiple lines once you get in because each line had different meats. I went for 3 al pastor tacos and the half lengua fries. The total came to $26, and I was satisfied. The lengua fries were solid as the fries themselves were pretty basic, but the lengua? Tender and flavorful, with just the right amount of seasoning. The al pastor tacos were packed with flavor. The meat was juicy, but I will say, the tortilla got a bit overwhelming with every bite. Not that it wasn't a good tortilla, but there was just a bit too much of it. It's okay as the flavor from the al pastor made up for it. Overall, It's clear this spot is worth the hype. I'll be back for sure, but maybe next time trying tacos with different meats. Definitely recommend if you're in SD and craving some tasty tacos!

I go for carne asada which was inedible due to propane gas as / lighterfluidtasye. Just no. The fam liked the other meats but if u sell tacos, do better. Wasted a meal in sd...sigh

Very solid tacos. They load those suckers up are do not skimp on the meat. Really good value for the price. My favorite was the adobada (pastor). Super flavorful and the chef cuts it right in front of you. Definitely a cool show. No burritos or anything crazy here. Variations of tacos and they do quesadillas as well as fries but that's about it. Lime and radish bar on the side with some of the freshest limes I've ever tasted. A bit hectic ordering system, especially if a padres game is going on or just finished.

This place has good tacos but not "the best". I tried 2 tacos adobadas and they were alright and hit the spot. I wouldn't say they are the best I've had! They splash watery salsa and watery guac sauce on it which makes it a lot wetter than I'm used to. This drowns out the taste of the meat. It is almost cafeteria style where you order at the counter of the meat you want and then pay the cashier. The guy serving the adobada gave me onions even though I asked for no onions in Spanish so I had to correct him. Overall fast, but not friendly service. I ate them at my hotel which was more comfortable than on the street.

How appropriate to review this establishment on Cinco De Mayo- Party of 2 - Back in March, we met group at Disney during LNY Food Festival; we were told to skip LL- (other taco place) this time around and just go straight to Tacos El Gordo when in SD. We also asked our Uber driver if there was any place he'd recommend in the area and he didn't hesitate to say, "Tacos El Gordo!" Long story short, we were meeting up with a family from Mexico City and thought to ourselves, the last place we will take her is to eat tacos but did not dismiss the idea of picking up tacos on our way back to our hotel even if it's a couple just so we can say we tried it! That brings us to this review- Walking down 5th Avenue crossing F St, the line was out the door (small establishment). The line is set up according to what to order (fast-paced ordering process.) We walked in thinking to order one asada and one carnitas but we were told by the front security that "carnitas" isn't on the menu. Instead of getting back in a different line to order a different item on the menu, we decided 4 tacos asada and 1 order of jalapeño with onions will suffice. Given that it's a small narrow joint, with all the grill going, it was a bit hot and smoky inside. Overall rating 10/10 They didn't skimp on the meat! The mixed flavors of the asada marinate is one of the first we've ever had- Each bite is mouthwatering which leaves you craving for more. Looking forward to more SD visits so we can try different items on the menu.

Pricing is normal for any tacos that's not on Taco Tuesday deal. They have tripas (intestine) and lengua (tongue) which is rarely offered in a lot of places. The tripas were naturally crunchy (I usually have to ask for it) and it was very tasty! I would definitely come back for more next time! I did not expect it to be this tasty! Guacamole was very fresh as well. Service was good! Just go to the different windows for the different type of tacos on top of the window. No line when we went right when they opened on a Saturday 10 AM!

Phenomenal tacos!! Even though it was so busy the place moved so fast. We were able to get our food and sit down. It is a little hole in the wall but has some of the most delicious tacos.

Tacos El Gordo is my benchmark for how I rate tacos... Definitely my go-to when recommending to a friend. There are soooo many great taco places so it's hard to compare. They have very high turnover of food so it's always fresh, all their locations use the same/similar distribution system so they are consistent in flavor, they are organized so service is relatively fast (sometimes the lines get out of control. This location is in Gaslamp so it's highly dependent on the time of day of what type of crowd you're going to encounter. I never go there during club/bar nights... the lines are ridiculously long, drunk and disorderly (I probably wouldn't mind if I was back in my 20's). I go during the day when it's just tourist and local workers having lunch. There is limited seating upstairs and outside. Their salsa bar is almost non existent... salsa is handed out by cashiers and only a few self serve items.

Ordering was chaos but part of it was not knowing the ropes of there being different stations for different items. But it does make getting a variety of things a huge hassle. Once you're seated with your tacos though, that all melts away and you're just left in taco heaven. I will always go for a tripe taco when I see one and this was in fact great. It was also the best adobada taco I've ever had. Steak was also so good and came with avocado.

After trying Tacos El Gordo in Vegas, I was excited to have it again while visiting San Diego! I came in with high expectations since I already knew how good it could be but honestly, I was a bit let down. The tacos didn't hit the same. The tortillas were thick and cold, which kind of threw off the whole bite. This location is also a lot smaller, so we had to stand around and wait for seats. On the plus side, service was quick and their ordering system is super efficient. I just wish the quality was more consistent between locations.

The el pastor tacos were so good and saucy and the carne asada tacos were nice and smokey. There's different lines for different types of meat so it was harder to get different tacos but the lines moved fast -1 star for limited seating and their ordering system but food was 5/5

The food speaks for itself! The street was packed with people trying to get in. I waited till lunch the next day to go try it and things were very organized they explain to you the different choices the staff is friendly. Seating is available upstairs but back to the food get the spicy pork it is sooooo delicious I would love to come back time and time again the steak was good I wish I got less toppings but the flavor on the meat is good nonetheless

Food: Adobada (Spicy Pork), Cabeza, Tripa, Lengua Price: ~$3.94 Overall: I have gone to Tacos El Gordo in Chula Vista and Vegas locations and I always leave wanting more. It may seem like there is only seating outside but there is a few more seating and tables upstairs. They're known for their Adobada (GAS) which is my fav but I also love the Lengua and Cabeza. The meats just melts in your mouth. The only downside of this is that the line was super duper long for the Adobada (figured since it was peak Dinner time) and the line was wrapped along the building but once you order your food and find a spot, it won't matter. This is a hot spot for tacos in SD!

Amazing.... great place to try here. Took a little longer (came at 12:20 for Carne Asada and got it at 1pm) but the line got super small after 1pm. Environment here just like a normal joint; walk in and order and a little busy. Loved it!

Tried Tacos El Gordo and grabbed a taco de asada and taco de tripa. Both were solid, but the tripa taco was the standout--crispy, flavorful, and super satisfying. The line can be long, especially for the spicy pork (adobada), but here's a tip: if you're not getting that one, just head inside to the other stations--they move a lot quicker. If you're a taco fan, it's definitely worth a visit. Just come with a little patience and a plan.

Came on a weekend day for lunch and barely missed the rush! Once we arrived, we were directed into a line based on what we wanted to order. They definitely have a system down! The wait wasn't too bad- though the line definitely grew behind us as peak lunch traffic piled in. There is upstairs and outdoor seating. I got the carne asada fries and taco. The taco was super hefty, and filling! The fries were also nice and crispy, not soggy and drenched with flavor! The only tough thing is that street parking is hard to secure during peak meal times; but other than that, a yummy, affordable meal!!

Tacos El Gordo gets a lot of hype and for good reason because they have some pretty good food. The service is efficient with little room for conversation with how many tacos they are slinging. Overall a good spot but flavor wise I prefer taco stand.

The best tacos in San Diego! Love the carne asada tacos and all the hot sauces that comes with it on the side. It just gets super busy and chaotic. It's a little confusing and disorganized when you're trying to get different types of protein. There's a separate line for every protein rather than just ordering everything at once. It's very very busy on the weekends especially after a night out of drinking.

I absolutely love tacos but this was not it. Stopped in on a Thursday. It wasn't busy at all. The security guard was super nice and told us how to order. We ordered the asada tacos. The steak tasted like lighter fluid, in which I burped that taste up the rest of the afternoon into early evening. The steak had no flavor. I didn't like the steak had a lot of gristle blended in. The peppers and onions also had no flavor. The only thing we liked was the tortillas. They were really good. Everything needed salt! They do give generous portions. However, generous portions with no flavor is a waste. It's a no go for us.

Loved the menu options, they have different stations for different meats, stand out order is the beef tongue tacos off the cabeza menu, it's fine cut and probably 60-40 meat to fat ratio, service is swift, the restaurant is clean and well run. Normal carne asada and pollo asada are excellent too...

The best marinated Carne Asada you can get from a restaurant in San Diego hands down. Came Downtown on a Sunday morning just to visit Tacos El Gordo. Walked 4 blocks each way because for some reason, parking was stacked! When I got there around 10:30AM, it got really busy really fast. I ordered a small order of Carne Asada Fries and two Asada tacos. Both dishes were pretty affordable and deliciously good. Fresh tortillas, fresh toppings, and tender meat. The customer service alone deserved about a 4.5 (not a 5 - because a cashier who was a little unpleasant and rude) but nevertheless it was a good experience!

We had a craving for Taco Tuesday. We fell upon this place and noticed the big crowds. This restaurant is small but the staff are quick to make your order. The asada tacos comprised of freshly pressed corn tortillas and generously filled the meat salsa and guacamole. There are a lot of meats to choose from. Note, there are lines specific to beef, pork, and exotic bites. Go give it a try!

All Tacos el Gordo locations have insanely long lines. They're that good! It's all in the sauce. When we entered, the security guard ushered us to the correct line and made sure the lines kept moving. I ordered tacos de azteca and tacos de nopal for $3.94 each. The nopal is strictly cactus while the Azteca is mixed with adobada. You pay after you pick up your food and bring it to the cashier. There's a sauce bar and tables outside.

Man, either I had a unique experience or they just being stingy. I love me some pastor from el gordo but this time around was a little disappointing. For $20 a meal, you would hope that the portion would be a bit better and justified but can't say that no more. Still taste good but can't say it's worth it. Still worth a try if you never had it, but someone let the pastor guy know he isn't given enough meat. lol

UM YES. 10000/10! The line was a little bit long but it's so worth the wait. The place itself is small so it's a little crammed when waiting in line but trust the process in wait. The tacos were freaking AMAZING. I would go back to gaslamp just for these tacos.

TACOS!!!! Walk in, order at the guys making the food, pay at the register. At this location the salsa is at the cashier vs at the taco bar so make sure you get the red and green salsa to spice up your order. Bar type of seating is downstairs and sit down tables are upstairs. Everything here is great but 100% recommend the pastor tacos. Get everything on it which is onion, cilantro, guacamole, and salsa.