11 editor picks in San Diego.
11 mexican places in San Diego we have eaten in, sorted by editor score. All cuisines in San Diego | Mexican across every city.
Mexican food is the deepest and most defining cuisine in San Diego, shaped by the border and by neighborhoods like Barrio Logan. Fonda del Barrio works the regional Mexican angle in Barrio Logan, while Carnitas' Snack Shack runs its pork-focused menu on the Embarcadero. Casual standbys like Lucha Libre in Mission Hills, Lolita's in Clairemont, and Oscar's Mexican Seafood in Pacific Beach fill out the everyday landscape.
Carnitas' Snack Shack Embarcadero in San Diego is Hanis Cavin's harbour-front Mexican-American pork counter on North Harbor Drive, the larger waterside.
OrderThe Triple Threat sandwich, layering pulled pork, bacon and pork schnitzel; the carnitas tacos.
TipIndoor and outdoor seating with a harbour view; arrive before 7pm to get a patio table.
Fonda del Barrio in San Diego is Gerry Torres's ancestral Mexican kitchen on Logan Avenue in Barrio Logan, cooking Oaxacan moles and Mayan achiote rubs.
OrderThe 27-ingredient pollo en mole de guayaba; one mezcal flight to start.
TipClosed Mondays; weekend brunch is the quieter window to land a patio table.
Pokez in San Diego is Rafael Reyes's East Village punk-rock Mexican counter since 1994, the first vegetarian and vegan Mexican kitchen in the city.
OrderThe vegan burrito with soyrizo; the vegetarian chilaquiles in the morning.
TipCash and card both fine; the room is tiny and the look is intentionally punk-western. Counter service.
El Comal in San Diego is the North Park family-owned Mexican kitchen on Illinois Street, a longstanding interior-Mexican counter known for carnitas.
OrderThe carnitas plate with handmade tortillas; weekend chilaquiles before noon.
TipCash on hand speeds the counter; the courtyard patio runs warmer than the indoor room.
La Puerta in San Diego is the Gaslamp Quarter Mexican kitchen on Fourth Avenue, the after-bar carne asada fries and Taco Tuesday institution that anchors.
OrderThe carne asada fries to share; Taco Tuesday $3 tacos until close.
TipOpen until 1am Fri-Sat, midnight other nights; the back patio runs heater-and-fan year-round.
Lolita's Mexican Food in San Diego is the Clairemont Mesa Boulevard Chicano taqueria chain founded by the Lolita Garcia family, the originator of carne asada.
OrderThe California burrito with carne asada and fries.
TipDrive-through and counter both fine; the 24-hour locations stay open for the post-bar burrito run.
Lucha Libre Gourmet Taco Shop in San Diego is the Mission Hills Mexican-wrestling-themed taqueria on Washington Street, the Diners Drive-Ins and Dives stop.
OrderThe Surfin' California burrito with shrimp; the Champion's gold booth if you book ahead.
TipBook the gold booth on the website 48 hours ahead; the line at the counter moves fast after 1pm.
South Beach Bar and Grille on Newport Avenue in Ocean Beach, San Diego, the Pier-side fish-taco room serving Mahi and lobster tacos until midnight.
OrderMahi fish taco, lobster taco, late-night happy hour
Mariscos taco truck on Federal Blvd in Encanto, fish tacos, ceviche tostadas, clams and oysters; open daily 9am to 7pm, free ceviche sample at the window.
OrderShrimp Gobernador taco, fish ceviche tostada, aguachile
TipBring cash and patience; the line moves fast and the spicy aguachile clears your sinuses on the spot.
Oscar's Mexican Seafood on Emerald Street in Pacific Beach, San Diego, the local-vote fish taco champion with battered fish for under five and ceviche.
OrderFish tacos under $5, ceviche tostadas $7
Pokez in San Diego's East Village, the punk-rock Mexican counter near City College where the vegan burrito runs nine dollars and the carne asada lands.
OrderVegan burrito, carne asada burrito, breakfast burritos
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