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
A heap of crisp french fries, smothered in carne asada, melted Jack cheese, guacamole, pico de gallo and sour cream. Eaten with a plastic fork at the counter; invented in San Diego's Chicano taquerias in the 1990s.
Carne asada fries are a San Diego invention attributed to Lolita's Mexican Food, whose owners say a tortilla distributor suggested loading fries with carne asada and toppings in the late 1990s. The dish spread fast through the city's -bertos taquerias and became Chicano San Diego's house plate. Wikipedia and the LA Times trace the dish's origin to San Diego specifically; you can now find it at every late-night taco shop from Chula Vista to Pacific Beach, with regional debates about whether sour cream belongs.
5 editor picks for Carne asada fries in San Diego, ranked by editorial score. All San Diego signature dishes · Carne asada fries across every city.
Also in: Los Angeles.
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.
El Comal ★ 4.2
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 ★ 4.0
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.
Learn to cook it, or eat it with a guide
Carne asada fries makes more sense with someone from San Diego explaining it. These are the classes and tours we have checked, with booking links.
Book food experiences in San Diego
Guided tour · 2.5 hours
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...
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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, ...
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Guided tour · 4.5 hours
San Diego: Chauffeured Winery Tour with Full Meal
Savor award-winning wines and a full vineyard meal on a guided tour. Explore scenic vineyards, enjoy local flavors, and discover San Diego’s wine heritage.
from$184 Check dates