Oscar's Mexican Seafood ★ 4.5
Oscar's Mexican Seafood on Emerald Street in Pacific Beach, San Diego, the local-vote fish-taco champion with smoked and battered options for under five dollars.
Try: Battered fish taco, smoked fish taco
Lucha Libre Gourmet Taco Shop in Mission Hills, San Diego, the 2008 Rojano-Garcia counter on Washington Street with pro-wrestling decor and the Surfin' California burrito.
Address: 1810 W Washington St, San Diego, CA 92103
Oscar's Mexican Seafood on Emerald Street in Pacific Beach, San Diego, the local-vote fish-taco champion with smoked and battered options for under five dollars.
Try: Battered fish taco, smoked fish taco
Salud Tacos on Logan Avenue in Barrio Logan, San Diego, the Chicano taquería near Chicano Park with a steady rotation of asada specials.
Try: Asada taco, carne asada burrito, Chicano specials
City Tacos on University Avenue in North Park, San Diego, the original of the local chain with handmade tortillas and a Camaron Ahogado shrimp taco worth ordering twice.
Try: Camaron Ahogado shrimp taco, Tinga de Pollo
El Pescador on Pearl Street in La Jolla, San Diego, the day-boat fish counter pulling local catch into grilled sandwiches and ceviche just blocks from the Cove.
Try: Grilled fish sandwich, ceviche, smoked fish tacos
Carnitas' Snack Shack on the Embarcadero in San Diego, Hanis Cavin's harbour-side window for carnitas tortas, schnitzel sandwiches and pork-belly tacos with bay views.
Try: Carnitas pork torta, schnitzel sandwich, pork belly tacos
South Beach Bar and Grille on Newport Avenue in Ocean Beach, San Diego, the 1992 Pier-side cantina behind the Mahi fish taco that locals defend by name.
Try: World-famous Mahi fish taco