Make every day Taco Tuesday in La Jolla!
If tacos are your love language, you’re in the right place. San Diego’s proximity to Mexico means the region has a wealth of dine-in restaurants and more casual taco spots that don’t skimp on flavor.
When you’re craving tacos, La Jolla has several top-notch places serving up a variety of traditional and creative flavor combinations with expertise and quality.
Ready to guac and roll?
1. Don Bravo
Steve L. via Yelp
From street tacos to fish tacos, La Jolla staple Don Bravo at 5504 La Jolla Blvd. is a Bird Rock must. Within sight of the beach, Don Bravo’s extensive menu features several items to taco ‘bout, including Baja-style, beer-battered fish, Angus carne asada or octopus, all in authentic tortillas and sauces. You’ll see locals of all ages lining up for the salsa bar after placing an order, whether they’re taking it to go after a surf session or watching the sunset from the back patio. And if the one you’re with isn’t as taco-crazy as you, fret not: Don Bravo’s array of burritos, pozole and other casual, traditional Mexican fare means everyone goes home satisfied.
2. Don Carlos Taco Shop
Village hot spot Don Carlos at 737 Pearl St. No. 113 has a loyal following that no La Jolla taco seeker should ignore. For more than 30 years, Don Carlos has been family-owned, a delicious landmark loved by residents and tourists alike, with a taco menu offering soft, crispy and rolled tacos as affordable as they are flavorful. Choose from a variety of fillings, from bean, potato and carnitas to fish, chicken or shrimp, and make sure to grab any of their refreshing drinks to go with it. And if you deviate from tacos towards their special menu of tamales, we would applaud!
3. El Charro Mexican Food
El Charro at 2175 Avenida De La Playa is ready for your beach day, with a flavor fiesta to inspire the best tacos La Jolla Shores is hungry for. Adobada pork? Pollo asado? Carne asada? El Charro has it all, expertly wrapped to accompany you to the beach, or for a quick stop on the way home. Sit outside with the others on the dining-only street or stroll to the sand for La Jolla tacos with a view. And with breakfast items, along with an extensive list of creative burritos (Hot Cheetos Burrito, anyone?), there’s something for everyone in the group.
4. Jose’s Courtroom
History happens at Jose’s Courtroom, which has been serving traditional Mexican favorites – including tacos – in La Jolla for more than 50 years in an old courtroom transformed into a cantina. At Jose’s, tacos are served in plates of two with rice and beans, and the friendly atmosphere welcomes you to have a margarita or one of their many beers on draft. But don’t feel you have to stay inside; Jose’s location at 1037 Prospect St. has outdoor seating with a direct view over The Cove and Scripps Park, a great backdrop for that photo of your tacos in La Jolla.
5. La Corriente La Jolla
A search for the best tacos La Jolla offers lands you at La Corriente, 456 Pearl St., no stranger to Mexican cuisine, bringing the best of its well-established seafood reputation across the border into its first U.S. restaurant here. Their numerous fresh takes on Pacific seafood include the “Kalifornia” taco with shrimp, chili and special sauce and the soft shell crab taco with pickled onions. Pair these with one of La Corriente’s Mexican Bloody Marys for a match made in Mexican seafood heaven.
6. Puesto
Tacos, La Jolla. This combo comes together perfectly at Puesto, where the best tacos in La Jolla means an elevated, modern take on the classics. At the 1026 Wall St. restaurant, sit inside or out and feast on fresh, sustainably grown, all natural and organic ingredients, found in items like Puesto’s short rib quesabirria, swordfish, lobster, filet mignon taco and more. Start with one of Puesto’s guacamoles or ceviches and a high-quality, top-shelf cocktail before diving into the main event.
7. Raymundo’s Taco Shop
Another Village taco shop, Raymundo’s at 7918 Ivanhoe Ave., is shelling out all the taco varieties you expect: the fish tacos, grilled shrimp, carnitas and more. This is definitely a day spot for La Jolla tacos and more (the chimichangas and quesadillas have us salivating) – Raymundo’s closes at 5 p.m. and isn’t open Sunday. So plan your breakfast or lunch, grab your crispy, soft or rolled taco delights and get going!
8. Rigoberto’s Taco Shop
Huyen L. via Yelp
Fresh, authentic tacos? La Jolla Boulevard is your street, with not one but two Rigoberto’s Taco Shops about 1,500 feet apart at 7345 and 6990. Grab the made-from-scratch fish tacos, tripe, chicken, beef or pork, or taco chance on Rigoberto’s cabeza (cow head) tacos. Enhance them all with homemade salsas from the salsa bar. Marine Street and Windansea beaches are a short walk away from either Rigoberto’s, so order up and make it a taco picnic to go!
9. The Taco Stand
If lines down the block are any indication, “best tacos in La Jolla” could arguably go to The Taco Stand at 621 Pearl St. Taco Stand has it all, from the traditional, infamous Baja taco with fish and al pastor (marinated pork with pineapple) to the veggie- based mushroom taco or nopal (cactus) taco. Spice up your day with one of their original salsas and sweeten the deal with churros for dessert. Order ahead to beat the lines, or get there early to ensure a shorter wait. Salud!
10. Verdes El Ranchero
Adri R. via Yelp
