Tacos El Gordo ★ 4.7
Tacos El Gordo on Broadway in Chula Vista, San Diego, the canonical Tijuana-style adobada trompo carving handmade corn tortillas until 4am on weekends.
OrderVertical-trompo adobada taco
Marinated pork shaved fresh from a vertical-rotisserie trompo onto a small corn tortilla, with diced onion, cilantro, salsa and a slice of grilled pineapple.
Adobada is the Tijuana adaptation of al pastor, the Lebanese-Mexican shawarma-on-a-spit invented in Mexico City in the 1930s. Tacos El Gordo brought the Tijuana version to Chula Vista in 1998 (Broadway location) and has run a Broadway and H Street trompo since, slicing pork off the vertical rotisserie to order. The Tijuana style uses a smaller tortilla and skips the pineapple-on-top theatrics that Mexico City pastor relies on. Tacos El Gordo's adobada taco is the canonical Border San Diego adobada plate; the city's late-night taqueria menus all run a version.
4 editor picks for Adobada taco in San Diego, ranked by editorial score. All San Diego signature dishes · Adobada taco across every city.
El Carrito ★ 4.4
El Carrito on Logan Avenue in Barrio Logan, San Diego, the homestyle Mexican counter in a 1930s streetcar with chilaquiles divorciados and carnitas.
OrderChilaquiles divorciados, carnitas, breakfast burritos
Lolita's Mexican Food ★ 4.3
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 ★ 4.2
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.
Learn to cook it, or eat it with a guide
Adobada taco makes more sense with someone from San Diego explaining it. These are the classes and tours we have checked, with booking links.
Taste Adobada taco with a local in San Diego
This dish
Guided tour · 3 hours
San Diego: Taco Tour with Guide and Scenic Views
Explore San Diego's taco scene on a guided tour. Visit top taco spots, enjoy scenic views, and learn about San Diego's culture.
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Guided tour · 2h 30m
San Diego: Gaslamp Quarter Food & Drink Walking Tour
Experience the atmosphere of San Diego’s historic Gaslamp Quarter on our 2.5-hour guided walking tour. You’ll have a chance to sample lots of tasty ethnic cuisine, alo...
from$94 Check dates
Guided tour · 2.5 hours
San Diego: Little Italy Food & Drink Walking Tour
Enjoy a leisurely walking tour through San Diego's Little Italy to some of the tastiest restaurants and shops in the area. Explore piazzas, learn about local history, ...
from$94 Check dates