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
Beer-battered white fish, fried golden, served on warm corn tortillas with shredded cabbage, white sauce, salsa fresca and a wedge of lime. The Baja-California original; San Diego made it national in 1983.
The fish taco crossed the border with surfers and fishermen from San Felipe and Ensenada, where Baja-California fishing villages had served beer-battered fried fish in a tortilla for generations. Ralph Rubio brought the dish back from a 1973 spring break trip, copied the recipe over seven years and opened the first Rubio's Deli-Mex at a former Orange Julius on Mission Bay Drive in 1983, selling fish tacos at 99 cents. The Rubio's chain put the dish on the national map; San Diego is now the American capital of fish-taco interpretation, from beer-battered originals to grilled mahi mahi at Oscar's and ceviche variants at Blue Water Seafood and Mariscos German trucks.
3 editor picks for Fish taco in San Diego, ranked by editorial score. All San Diego signature dishes · Fish taco across every city.
Lola 55 ★ 4.5
Lola 55 is modern bib gourmand taqueria tucked into a quiet f street block behind petco park, more reservation-friendly than the bigger names.
OrderPork belly al pastor, smoked fish taco, mezcal cocktail
TipSit at the bar for the taco omakase; the brunch menu is the easiest way in without a reservation.
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
Fish taco makes more sense with someone from San Diego explaining it. These are the classes and tours we have checked, with booking links.
Taste Fish taco with a local in San Diego
This dish
Guided tour · 2.5 hours
San Diego: Old Town Tequila and Tacos Walking Food Tour
Sample food from local restaurants on a walking tour of San Diego. Learn about the "Birthplace of California," and hear chilling ghost tales about America's most haunt...
from$94 Check dates
This dish
Guided tour · 2.5 hours
San Diego: Old Town Tales, Tacos, and Tequila Walking Tour
You'll work up an appetite exploring San Diego's Old Town and discovering hidden historical gems. At the end, you'll enjoy a tequila beverage and tacos.
from$85 Check dates
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.
from$60 Check dates