TJ Tacos

https://sandiego.eater.com/maps/san-diego-best-local-tacos

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

"Cooking up made-to-order, street-style tacos in the Tijuana tradition, this casual North County restaurant is best known for its asada and adobada, but it also offers other cuts like suadero, buche, lengua, and cabeza bundled in warm, handmade corn tortillas. The counter is divided into different sections for ordering specific foods. Going from left to right, find separate lines for burritos and fries; cabeza, lengua, buche, tripa, and suadero; plain quesadillas, onions, and chiles; carne asada tacos; and adobada tacos. Escondido diners in search of a relaxed atmosphere for tacos during lunch may want to consider this taqueria because service is fast, plus there’s a drive-thru for speedy to-go orders." - Roxana Becerril

https://sandiego.eater.com/maps/taco-shops-taqueria-new-best-san-diego

Where to Eat Tacos in San Diego

"Cooking up made-to-order, street-style tacos in the Tijuana tradition, this casual North County restaurant is best known for its asada or adobada, but it also offers other cuts like suadero, buche, lengua, and cabeza with each meat order from a different spot at the front counter." - Mario A. Cortez, Candice Woo

https://sandiego.eater.com/maps/san-diego-best-local-tacos/

A North County standard-bearer for Tijuana-style street tacos with separate lines for each cut, from adobada off the trompo to suadero and lengua. Consistently highlighted by Eater San Diego for essential tacos.

Mexican Food in Escondido

https://sandiego.eater.com/maps/san-diego-best-local-tacos/

Lines form for Tijuana-style asada and adobada carved to order. Highlighted by Eater San Diego’s taco guide and beloved by locals, it remains a go-to for late-night, straightforward tacos done right.

Best Restaurants in Escondido

ARNEL DELEON

Google

Always a great decision. These days, it makes sense to drive north to TJ Tacos for some delicious food instead of going south of the border. Less traffic and much safer. This location serves up the goods. I've been coming since they first opened. A private lot and some street parking as well as a drive thru. You choose. The food is fresh and tasty. Service is excellent. Their staff are friendly and welcoming. They've added furniture to the patio so there's more dining space. I'll be back for sure.

Bay Danielle

Google

I decided to give this place another try, and as always it disappoints and is overpriced. I was craving a burrito, but after seeing the $19 price tag, I went with an adobada and carne asada taco. $9 for two small tacos is insane. You look at that picture and tell me if it looks good to you. The pork was obviously old and a lot of fatty pieces. It seems your prices continue to get sky high but quality gets worse each visit. I really wish y’all would take people’s advice and do better.

TheOnenOnly Plantz

Google

The Al Pastor tacos here are really good. Tried the cabeza taco as well which were very tender. The setup for ordering tacos is cool too. There are different windows to go up to depending on what tacos you want. It was already crowded at 1030am on a Sunday, but there is plenty of parking.

Emily Joubert

Google

THE BEST TACOS! The adobada is amazing every single time. Definitely love the fries that they cover with the adobada and avocado sauce. I wish I could give them 1000 more stars. Plus the drive through is the best thing ever.

John W

Google

Great chow. Fast service. I had 2 pork and 1 steak tacos, daughter had the steak fries. It was a bit over $30. A real treat.

Teena Malicsi

Google

I arrived here with my family for a delightful dinner. The menu is a vibrant celebration of flavors, featuring an array of tantalizing tacos 🌮 🌮🌮, cheesy quesadillas that ooze goodness, and tasty mulitas that are simply irresistible. Each dish is a wonderful explosion of taste, making for a truly enjoyable meal together.

Lora Pora

Google

I stopped by this taco joint after hearing rave reviews. The carne asada tacos were flavorful, and the handmade tortillas added an authentic touch. However, the wait time was longer than expected, and seating was limited. Despite these minor issues, the quality of the food made it a worthwhile visit.

stay_hungry_taipei

Google

i remembered the first time my partner brought me here, we had a long day driving kinda exhausted and car sick was hitting me however the moment i got that bite of taco i was AWAKEEEE not joking at all, this is probably the best taco i have ever eaten i love that plates at the right of the photo yesterday we went there again for the mear+ fries it was amazing as well but the must eat is definitely TACOSSSS even seeing highway patrol getting it to go we all know that cops and taxi driver have the best food spot🤣

Leonardo M.

Yelp

Gah, D A Y U M !!!! My woman & I were around the area coming BACK from the Safari Zoo. GG ~ Beyond deliciously satisfied with this place!! 2 choices of tortilla Maiz ( corn ) or Harina ( flour ) Went with Corn for that slight rough outer texture. MY choice of proteeein ( 2x Adobada, 1 Cabeza, 1 Buche ).... Think I fuged up on not ordering their mulita style Adobada, damn, next time! Ambiance...... It reminds me of King Taco, but more simplistic, which it fits for this awesome establishment! OH OH OH, and instead of ordering in a single fashion, you have multiple lines to choose from for the type of proteins you desire! This place is the shyt.... just come alrdy!

Christel L.

Yelp

Feel like I go out of my way to get tacos here every now and then to avoid the traffic on my commute for a few extra minutes. As such, I've only ever done drive thru but the place always seems busy inside. Even if there is a line of cars, it usually goes quickly. From the entry, there are separate lanes for the drive thru and limited parking, but there is street parking as well. I do appreciate that the staff work efficiently and are protecting themselves. The menu is pretty straightforward and I usually get the Adobada Tacos or Asada Tacos. The portions are filling, even if you only get two. The fries are good as well. Unfortunately they charge extra if you want to get both red and green salsas (only one is included with orders in my experience).

Tracy N.

Yelp

These tacos were so good! Love getting to see them cook the meat right in front of us. When we went it wasn't too busy, but you have to line up at each window for the meats you want so it can take awhile sometimes. The portion of each taco is pretty big and everything tasted great. Definitely try their adobada and make sure to ask for pineapple!

Si Si L.

Yelp

This place was listed first in an article I found when I searched for top taco places in San Diego. I was driving back from San Diego to NorCal, so it was on the way. I ordered two adobada tacos per reviews that I read and carne asada fries because I haven't had that since I moved from San Diego. I already had two tacos 30 min prior to getting here, so I wasn't too hungry, but man, those tacos were good. There were tons of meat in them, and it was still super yummy despite being on a full stomach. As for the caren asada fries, the portion was big. They put plenty of guacamole, but I couldn't finish the whole thing. To be fair, even if I tried to eat that on an empty stomach, it's probably a dish that's best to be shared. HAHA. The ordering process was efficient. You go to different parts of the kitchen counter/window depending on what you want, they give you your food, and you pay at the register. Seating is just like a fast food restaurant. There is even a drive thru window, but I did not use that. Overall, if you are looking for a no frill place with great tacos plus more, this is a must try. It did turn out to be a bit out of the way for my drive back to NorCal, but I did not regret the extra drive to try this place out.

Roger P.

Yelp

Pictures looked amazing and I could see so many similarities to Tacos El Gordo. When we arrived, I noticed that they had a drive-thru too so if you're looking for a fast pick-up, they got you covered. The ordering system is similar to Tacos El Gordo. Depending on the type of meat you want, you line up in different lines. If you have a group of people who want a mix of meats, it'll be strategic to spread across the lines and order for each other. In the middle, you can ask for free grilled onions and peppers. I ordered the adobada and cabeza tacos for a light lunch. The cabeza was great! Super tender meat, slightly fatty, and great flavor. Every bite was juicy and I couldn't have asked for more. The adobada, on the other hand, was a little disappointing. The flavor tasted more like Chinese BBQ char siu. Everything else in the taco was good but the meat flavor just tasted a little off. Overall, pretty good taco shop if you're in the area but not really worth driving out for.

Brandon T.

Yelp

Everything you eat here is amazing. And the portions of meat are legit. My only complaint here is it's missing some of the Staples that you get at good taco shops like Pollo asada, carnitas, etc. I love that they're open late nights because this is exactly the kind of place you want to go when you're on your way home from hanging out with the boys or just have a late night foodie craving. My favorite here is the Abodaba taco. Great outside seating area with lots of space.

Tammy T.

Yelp

Possibly the best tacos I've ever had! According to my friend, this food here tastes exactly like at Tacos El Gordo. Came here on a Sunday lunch to a full house, but we had no issues with ordering or finding a table. I tried the adobada and carne asada tacos. Both are an absolute must! Meat was so tender, tortilla was good, and the toppings went well with it. The adobada fries are amazing as well! Just make sure you share it with someone because the portion is gigantic. My friend ended up taking the rest of the fries home.

Jane C.

Yelp

Best tacos in North SD county. However like everything, prices are going up so fast. I've been coming here the past 5 years and quality has stayed consistent! But so pricey now... Al pastor will always be my favorite taco and the cabeza is a very close second.

David L.

Yelp

TJ tacos in my opinion is still one of the closest to authentic TJ street tacos in San Diego. Roomy seating, friendly and efficient service. Price has gone up but still cheaper than driving down 45 mins to TJ and another 2-3hrs waiting in line crossing back.. These are my recommendations: 1. Lengua (Beef Tongue) is my favorite especially when they do big cube cuts. Concentrated beefy flavor with soft spongey texture. Best item in the store. 2. Asada is always consistently good. Flank steaks are chunky not flakey or crumbly. Hand made fresh corn tortillas are hard to come by, and elevates this taco above the average. Also good quality fresh handmade thick guacamole. 3. Adobabas are not bad but pork is sometimes dry and over-seasoned. Pro tip: request guacamole on it. 4. Asada fries, if you're hungry for $15 it's a pretty big portion. We've been coming here for 10 years and it never disappoints.

Luis G.

Yelp

Was recommended this place and it was good. Atmosphere was busy, but staff were friendly and nice. Place had a set up like tacos el gordo to get your food. All the tortillas being home made was top notch, amount of meat was per taco was plenty. Let's get to flavor, asada was on point and delicious with the guacamole on top. Al Pastor was ok, was missing on flavor but was good the only thing I didn't enjoy was the funky looking sauce they put on top. I would get them again just without that sauce. Butch was delicious, now the tripas were a little soft for my liking but also felt over salty. Corn and flour quesadillas were delicious and add the grilled onions and jalapeños. In the end yes I would go back.

Tony H.

Yelp

TJ Tacos is such a cool place! The drive through has an incomplete menu however. They don't include the chorizo and nopal tacos there. The al pastor here is the main star, and with the longest lines. If you ask for "with everything", you'll get onions, cilantro, hot sauce and avocado crema. However, you can also get pineapple which I highly recommend. Lengua is a close second for me. The suadero here I've noticed tends to be hit or miss. Sometimes it's really dry. Other times it is tender. Most of the meats other than al pastor tend to be that way. Could be really good or dry. The lengua was tender and another time it was a little tough unfortunately. The carne asada here is okay. I wish it was a bit smokier/more charred. This place, like others have mentioned, is extremely similar to Tacos El Gordo. It depends what you want for who's better. If you want al pastor, TJ Tacos wins hands down. But if you want carne asada, then Tacos El Gordo wins, no contest. Everything else tastes so similar for both locations. The cabeza here is also really good. So tender!

Susan N.

Yelp

Always stop here when I visit my sister! Love the freshness from the spicy salsa to the homemade tortillas! I like the adobada pork best on a flour tortillas-I am a flour over corn tortilla kind of girl. I also prefer one tortilla instead of two-I don't want to get too full. I also got the lengua-tender, and carne asada as well. Drinks are average from the fountain so not too impressed but I'm there for the food. Ask for grilled jalapeños & onions! They have a small little bar of condiments if you want lime, radish, etc. Service is quick which they have to be since they are generally pretty busy! I went on a weekday so it wasn't too bad. Ambiance is average with plentiful of seats. We were with kids so there were high chairs available as well.

Shelby A.

Yelp

Yesterday I came to TJ Tacos with my family at around 4:30 pm. I was visiting from Texas along with some of my family members also from Texas. I was really excited to try some some Adobada tacos because my aunt had been raving about them since I arrived in San Diego. However, we were unable to eat there. My aunt has a life-threatening gluten allergy and is normally able to eat there because they have corn tortillas and they make sure to give her fresh tortillas that have not come in contact with any gluten. However, this time this was not the case. When we spoke to Cesar, the manager, about getting fresh tortillas due to a food allergy, he said could not accommodate our request that day. He then followed up by saying he could only accommodate us on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. When Cesar was informed that we could not eat there, he said simply, "Okay, bye." I really wish I could have eaten here, but Cesar made it very clear that we could not. I was seriously disheartened by his lack of care for food safety and dismissive customer service. Instead of a stomach full of delicious Adobada tacos, I left TJ Tacos still hungry with a bitter taste in my mouth.

Isabelle V.

Yelp

It has been a while since I leave a review! We came to SD for SC vs Louisville holiday bowl and after game my boys wanted the street vender hotdogs. I said "hell no" unless they want diarrhea.... I promised to find a good spot on the way home. I was pressure to find a place ... so quickly went into yelp and this place had great reviews. Omgooooodness this is a must stop! It is about 4 miles away from fwy, but believe me it is worth the drive! Thank you yelpers for leaving great reviews on this place ... because this is how my family and I ended here. You must try the adobada, and carne asada delicious. I love cactus so I asked mine with meat and cactus. However their salsa it is super hot/spicy, I repeat it is HOT... it made me tear up. Also did I mentioned all tortillas are handmade! It is so good that my hubby wants me to investigate if they have other locations hahahaha

Clarissa N.

Yelp

I got two of the adobada tacos with everything on it. It was delicious and definitely bigger than I expected. The hot sauce was super spicy so next time I'd order without it.'overall, it was delicious and the service was super fast. Lots of searing area as well as parking spots.

Jackie G.

Yelp

Tacos 10/10!! Some tacos don't come with guacamole so make sure you ask for the tacos you do want! Vibes could be better.

Lucy M.

Yelp

Best adobada tacos! So flavorful. It was busy but easily and very quickly got my food! Loved the way they have the service set up! It was a walk up tell chef what you want and then go pay! Loved it here!

Wesley W.

Yelp

Overall I give this place 4 because it's solid but nothing special. The buche was a bit dry, the cabeza and lengua could have been more flavorful, the tripa was solid and overall nothing to complain about. What gets interesting is their adobada. I regret eating this last because if I ate it first I wouldn't have wasted stomach space on the rest of it. The adobada is super tender and has a bit of a crisp to the edges of it similar to the tripa and I will never order anything else again. They also offer this for mulitas and adding cheese is a game changer. This has become an sd staple for me and while I got too lazy to check in multiple times, I been loopin back for that adobada all month. GYAT

Frank S.

Yelp

Get here early for lunch cause it gets busy! There's a seperate line for Carne Asasa Tacos, Adobada Tacos and Burritos. Very fairly priced tacos , fresh and delicious.

Peter P.

Yelp

El Gordo, who? TJ Tacos are where it's at! That is, if you don't want to drive to deep south San Diego and wait in the long lines. TJ Tacos is basically a clone of El Gordo, but the wait isn't as bad and the tacos are just as good if not better. The adobada tacos are life changing. The crispiness on edges of the meat and the flavor of the pork is just heaven. I cannot stop thinking about them. I will say that I think their salsa is a tad spicier than El Gordo, but other than, it's hard to notice a difference.

Mary D.

Yelp

I've been to TJs several times over the last few years whenever I'm in the area, and it never disappoints. The food is served fresh and fast. You just have to line up where you see the meal you're most interested in and get ready to tell them how many tacos you want. I've tried all of them, and my #1 favorite is the adobada. The meat is so juicy and pairs well with the sauce. You can see the flavor spilling out of each taco, which they really do fill to the brim. We love getting lengua, carne asada, etc, but the adobada is their star item in my opinion. You may get unlucky if you come around the dinner rush since parking is a bit more limited. Seating is pretty good, with both indoor and outdoor options. I find that they're generally more free in between lunch and dinner peaks, so it's the perfect time to go and grab some second servings without having to wait. I strongly recommend them if you're ever bearby

Audrey S.

Yelp

Great taco spot in Escondido. Very similar set up as tacos el gordo. I recommend anything with adobada-- the meat is so flavorful, with the perfect spicy kick! The service is very fast but it can get really crowded here. There's always the option to order ahead and pick up or use their drive thru

Nina S.

Yelp

Similar concept as Tacos El Gordo. A friend was visiting from out of town and she was in Escondido so Tacos El Gordo was going to be too far but we've heard that TJ Tacos was great too and we were not disappointed! They have drive thru if you'd prefer that. It wasn't crazy busy so we got our food really quick. You order and get your food first, then you pay at the register. Of course, we got the adobada, lengua, and cabeza tacos. All were delicious and comparable to Tacos El Gordo. my husband also ordered the adobada fries. At Tacos El Gordo, you can select different sizes as here, it's just the full size but they absolutely did not skimp out on the meat. If anything, they gave more meat. We'd definitely be back here again if we were in the area.

Sophea V.

Yelp

A solid place right here! I have been coming here if I don't want to drive anywhere too far for some bomb tacos. Their service is fast, plus they have a drive thru! Food is very yummy, their cabeza and lengua are delicious. As well as for their Adobada tacos. My go to orders are usually those. Burritos are packed with meat. However, their carne asada are tend to be very salty. If you live near this place come and try it! Parking is a pain. The area is very sketchy and dark. So be careful. The restaurant has plenty of sits.

David Z.

Yelp

If you're in Escondido and have no plans to drive an hour south to tacos el gordo, this is your spot. The ordering system (different meats at different stalls) is very similar. Parking is easy. The inside is large and clean. The tacos are very very good. I always come back when I'm in the area.

Jeffery G.

Yelp

For a quick, tasty, and budget-friendly taco fix in Escondido, TJ Tacos has you covered. With fast and friendly service, their Asada, Lengua, and Cabeza tacos hit the spot. They're the perfect Mexican street style taco. The walk-up ordering system makes it a hassle-free experience. A must-visit for taco lovers

Monica O.

Yelp

I'd say hands down comparable to El Gordo's. The adobada was 5/5, the pork was tender and had a hint of smokiness and the sauce brought everything together. The carne asada taco was 4/5, a little too salty for my taste, but the heaping scoop of guacamole, I loved. Price wise 3.75 per taco, which is mid range for pricing, but the ingredients were fresh and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The employees are efficient and helpful, I would love to drop by again if I'm in the area!

Melanie O.

Yelp

BEST taco spot! It's hard to find a good taco place, but TJ Tacos always hits the spot! The adobada tacos are my absolute favorite tacos. The meat is flavorful, the sauce is delicious, and the taco isn't plain. The fries are also delicious, with toppings and tons of flavor. The service is wonderful! The cashiers are very respectful and helpful. The ambience is very clean. The cashiers are fast to clean your table. If you're looking for the BEST tacos, I recommend TJ Tacos!!

Wendy A.

Yelp

I went to the restaurant at 4:30pm with 7 guests from Texas. We drove from Del Mar. I had bragged about how good the tacos were going to be. I wanted to show them my favorite place. However, when I requested 6 taco with a clean tortilla. The Tacero on the trampo for the Adobada told me he would not do it. I have been coming to this place twice a week for years and never had a problem with this request. I have food allergies and this is how I ensure I do not end up in the hospital. So I asked to speak to the manager( Cesar ). He instructed me that he would only accommodate my dietary request Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. When I informed him of my allergy and told him I could not eat. He said okay bye. He was not concerned with losing a regular customer. I have noticed that the quality of food has changed since Cesar took over as manager. His lack of customer service and inexperience as a manager has been evident for a while. He does not lead. What is most shocking is that the restaurant used to be full all day on Sunday but yesterday it was empty. I hope you will address this. I am sad to loose one of my favorite places for tacos. And I hope you the owner will fix this situation. Because bad customer service will kill even the best restaurant.

Tony T.

Yelp

I placed an to-go order of 75 carne asada tacos. There was a little misunderstanding on time of pickup. I thought I said 12pm but they understood 12:20pm. When I arrived they immediately tried to accommodate me working at lighting speed to get my order out as soon as possible. They were great! They also helped me bring the food to my car. The food itself was delicious and my party with the tacos was a huge hit! Everyone kept complimenting how delicious the meat was as well as gushing over the tortillas. I have also dined-in here before and all the food I have had was amazingly yummy! There is plenty of parking and seating inside. The look itself of the restaurant is not fancy but clean.

John S.

Yelp

This place has it all. Friendly staff. Great prices. The food is excellent. Drive thru or walk in. Several choices in meat served in tacos or burritos. Been there a couple times now and I'm sure we will be back several more

Archana M.

Yelp

A nice quaint place for authentic tacos. Quick service and the staff is friendly and helpful

Yun-Wen L.

Yelp

Food/Taste/Flavor: 5/5 - we ordered 4 tacos of cabeza (beef head), tripa (listed as beef tripe but it's actually intestines rather than stomach), and buche (pork stomach). The cabeza came with green salsa and had a surprisin kick. The other two came with red salsa and the tripa was fried well and crispy. Absolutely delicious! Ambience: 5/5 - little shop with 3 "lines" you stand in depending on what meat or items you want. Clean overall and while there are plenty of seats, there's so many people there that there might not be any empty ones! Service: 5/5 - slight challenges communicating but we were able to order and get everything we wanted. Value for price: 5/5 - great food! Reminds us a bit of Tacos El Gordo set-up but better food, more competitive pricing, and better service

Nicholas W.

Yelp

Really good. Best adobada taco I've found in North County. On par with tacos el gordo. Not as good as taco stands in TJ, but pretty damn close. Meat was freshly shaved, hot, super juicy and tasted amazing. Taco was the perfect size, generous with everything. The salsa was bomb and complimented the meat so well. It is good enough to where I can avoid long trips to the border for food. Now I only get food down there when it's convenient, all other times I will happily go to TJ Tacos. Awesome!!!

Kayiona G.

Yelp

I was craving Mexican food and I wanted to try a new place. It looked super crowded inside and smelled amazing. I love how there are multiple lines for certain meals. For example, there is a line for burritos and separate lines for each taco meat. I got the adobada tacos, one plain and one with cheese. The cooks cut the meat right in front of you so it is super fresh. The meat was marinated in a delicious sauce and it was super flavorful. They give a lot of meat for the price and two tacos filled me up. I am definitely coming back to try the fries. I highly recommend coming here for authentic Mexican food with the sweetest workers.

Laura M.

Yelp

Yes!!! Never disappointed!! Our go-to's are the lengua and carne asada tacos when we come here. Everything is made to order-- food is in several stations and you queue depending your order. A no frills place-- it's always busy, but lines go fast and I've always been able to sit.

john R.

Yelp

The tacos are good, but almost $5.00 a taco? Really unbelievable how expensive this place is. After $15 and 3 tacos, you feel a bit of regret that you spent that much for what little you got. I was going to give 4/5, but the more I think about it, the more I regret it. Still feeling hungry. This is a sad day for Mexicans all over Escondido.

Orlando P.

Yelp

Always delicious food!!! The menu is simple. Service is friendly. The restaurant is very warm and inviting with so many families enjoying their meals.

Anita C.

Yelp

Went here after the Safari Park based off a few people's suggestions. Quick service and great service. Very flavorful food and a lot of options! I will say the meat was a bit fatty so keep that in mind if you don't like that

Lisa W.

Yelp

Been back many times and brought many of our visitors here. We LOVE the Cabeza taco, aka head tacos. These are the best in town. It's very rich but packed with flavors and meat in the same tortilla. Probably could only eat 2-3 of these in additional to their other tacos. We also love their canes asada tacos, nice char to it. Plenty meat. These 2 they do better than Tacos El Gordo! However I still think Tacos El gordo has a better adobada/pastor. Sauces (especially the green sauce) is on point. I think these tacos are definitely better than some tacos I've tried in Mexico City!

Patrick L.

Yelp

TJ Tacos has become a staple on my road trips back to San Diego. It's the perfect welcome back in taco form, and just never disappoints. While the place is always packed, everything moves fairly quickly, and I haven't really had any issues finding a seat when needed. This location also has a drive thru, which I would imagine to be hella convenient, but I love enjoying it fresh and on the spot. TBH, If I drove home with TJ's Tacos, I know it'd be all gone before I even arrived at my next destination! My favorites are the lengua and adobada. The lengua just melts in your mouth, and the adobada completes this street taco fix! Coming to TJ Tacos is definitely a treat, especially when crossing the border isn't always that convenient.

Amber S.

Yelp

Place was cute, clean, and friendly. Grade A & delicious! Ordered a carne asada burrito, highly recommend! Will be going back for tacos!

Kristen W.

Yelp

The tacos here are good but not amazing. Service is fast. When it gets crowded, seating can be limited. We came here just before the dinner rush. They also have drive thru if you don't want to dine in or walk in to order. We only ordered tacos and every one was stacked in portions, which was greatly appreciated. - asada (3.5/5): the meat was nicely smoked but on the drier side. - adobada (4/5): nicely seasoned with a slight heat kick. - cabeza (2/5): I'm a big cabeza fan but was very disappointed by this. Meat had zero seasoning. - lengua (2/5): I'm a big lengua fan and was disappointed. The meat tasted too gamey for my liking and barely had seasoning. Overall it's a decent spot to get tacos but I would rather go to Tacos El Gordo.

Jazmine P.

Yelp

Lately the food has been hit or miss. Me and my family placed a mobile order to avoid the wait time. Unfortunately 2 of the burritos the mixed asada and adobada one caused severe illness. :( No disrespect to the owners as I know the place is kept clean but we will not be returning.

Edwin A.

Yelp

Great experience eating here would actually go again if I was in the area. The drive thru is pretty quick if your to lazy to get out the car and the staff are helpful. The adobada fries were outstanding. The fries were crispy the cheese melted perfectly, and they were shy with the meat if you know what I mean . The tacos were good but nothing over the top delicious. I'll prob max out on adobada there because it seems like there best best selection there. Will need to try the Mulas next time.

Wendy C.

Yelp

TJ tacos has multiple lines for different meat options and the lines move fast. They accept credit card. We ordered about five different types of tacos. The lengua and carne asada were the best by far, great texture and the grill on the asada was awesome. I've had more flavorful al pastor but the texture was nice. I didn't get any pineapple on mine - not sure if they do that here but I definitely missed it. The tripas was cold :( I couldn't eat it to be honest because cold tripas is a bit gross. And the suadero was dry. I would come back for the lengua, carne asada, and to try the cabeza, the mulitas, burritos, and fries. They don't skimp on the salsas and toppings here which is nice! Both the green and red salsas were good. I will give them another try and update my review!

Josh G.

Yelp

I come here every Sundays after playing volleyball. No words can explain how honestly delicious this place is. From the service to the food, everything is spectacular. Hands down, the best taco shop in all of San Diego. Hate to say it, but tacos el gordo fell off my list. Nothing is comparable to tj tacos!! My usual order is two adobado tacos, one lengua taco and one tripa taco, con todos for all. Their mula de adobado is so fire as well. This place is definitely worth checking out if you haven't already. 10/10 would recommend!

Tommy C.

Yelp

Great tacos, reasonable price, it's a fast food place so don't expect a super comfy decor. Logistically a little confusing. You order at the appropriate line first, grab you tacos & then head to cashier to pay. What if there are long line-ups at each station and I want different tacos - would I have to line up multiple times? Taco de Adobada: my favorite adobada taco so far, after two years in San Diego. There are still quite a few places I need to try out but this one was pretty damn good! To date, the ones I've had typically have: bland tortilla, lukewarm & underseasoned meat. This one got it all right, maybe even a touch over-seasoned, but I'm not complaining. I give this an "A". Taco de Asada: beef tasted fresh but I felt a little underseasoned, a touch chewy, and I wish there was a bit of a crust on the beef. Still quite nice, deserving a strong "B." Will definitely be back if in the area.

Joey W.

Yelp

My friend introduced me to this place and it did not disappoint! Taco de adobada - the green sauce is creamier than at other places but still good. The adobada was flavorful and tender. Tortilla could've been on the grill longer. Taco de Asada - the carne asada was smokey, flavorful, and tender. I loved the salsa because it had a nice kick to it. Tortilla could've been on the grill longer. Taco de Buche - flavorful but on the drier side. The salsa verde on top made it better. Taco de Cabeza - flavorful and fatty. It was tender and melts in your mouth. Quesadilla - Oaxaca cheese is one of my favorites so I was excited to try this. Tortilla sadly wasn't crispy.

Bruce C.

Yelp

Order the adobada taco. This restaurant was very busy at 1:00pm. The parking lot is small and most of the tables were taken. Still, I would return for their tacos.

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

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