Only open on Saturday and Sunday* There's a large parking lot across the street for convenient parking. The service was friendly and helpful. Everything our group ordered was fantastic. The pork snout and pork organs seem to be their most popular! Everyone in front of us was ordering them. Tacos, burrito and tostada were all authentic and delicious. There were two seating areas under coverings. Even on a busy Saturday we were able to get a table for our group of 6. We will absolutely come back! read more

Cesars Taco Shop - Cesar's Taco Shop, no sign visible from the street so it can be tricky to spot - Mexican Near Me - National City, California

This place was so delicious! My friend recommended this place and first time at this National City swap meet. Short line when we arrived, we got one of each taco. I didn't do the tacos with organs/body parts saved those for my friend. LOL They have a great looking salsa bar but sadly even the most mild sauce was too much to handle. Loved the beef, pork and deep fried fish tacos the best. For sure will return as this place really was amazing! read more

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Los mejores en San diego!! Excelente calidad 10/10 siempre vengo cada fin de semana. Se los recomiendo a todos. Todos Los tacos saben muy ricos. Servicio rápido. read more

First impression was great! My boyfriend and I came here before heading to the swap meet. Didn't know which meat to choose for my torta, but they said I can do half n half! Picked carnitas and barbacoa. The torta was delicious! Was so good, came with a lot of meat and the bread was soft. Outdoor seating. Super quick service, made fresh to order. Friendly too read more

Cesars Taco Shop - Very good torta! I think it was half barbacoa and half carnitas - Mexican Near Me - National City, California

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Classic taco stand indoors with outdoor seating only. Hefty tasty portions of meat for a solid price. Appears to be cash only. Immediate and friendly service. They let me try several meats. read more

Cesars Taco Shop - Menu - Oct 2025 - Mexican Near Me - National City, California

The best tacos I have ever tasted. Homemade flavor from a family owned business. It was absolutely amazing. The service was awesome. There was plenty of outdoor seating which was awesome! It's located in National City and has an incredible view. Did I say the tacos were amazing? read more

Cesars Taco Shop - Mexican Near Me - National City, California

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Great fish tacos, carne asada is dry but the carnitas a good alternative. Highly recommended. Cash Only! read more

Cesars Taco Shop - Carnitas, fish and carne asada. - Mexican Near Me - National City, California

Definition of hole in the wall but that's part of its charm. One word - barbacoa. It's FANTASTIC. Perfectly spiced, juicy. One of the best tacos I'd had in a while. Carnitas were pretty good too. Fish weren't great, I wouldn't get again. But I will def be back for that barbacoa. A heads up, salsas at the bar are good but all quite spicy. Carrots there are delicious! read more

Great environment decorated with parrots and nature outside area for dinning. The staff is very good at keeping the salsa bar full at all times and dinning area clean. This location opens at 7am and gets very busy quick. Cash is the only form of payment. When you go insure they take your order then issue a ticket that you must pay attention when they call it. I ordered a fish taco that comes with cabbage, tomato, onion, cilantro, and mayonnaise and no chipotle is offered at this location. Overall a positive experience the tacos were very flavorful with double corn tortillas. read more

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Best authentic taco shop! Try the mixto tacos which has all the meats combined in 1 taco. So good. There usually is a long line but we don't care because the tacos are worth it! They also sell their homemade cueritos and those are bomb! read more

My husband and I have been coming to this taco shop on and off for about 5 years and every time we come we are not disappointed. My parents introduced us to this hole-in-the-wall they are venders at the National City Swap Meet that is right next door. Let start with the location. It is located behind a big tree that covers its view right across the street from the Swap Meet parking lot. It has about 3 parking spots but you should just try to find street parking as soon as you turn on D Ave. or go for the free Swap Meet parking (that is what we did today). When you walk up to the shop you go up a set up steps then there is a door immediately to the right that is were you go in to place your order. Some times the line wraps around so you just have to ask the people around if they placed their orders already or are waiting. The line move pretty quickly so it is no huge problem. While you are waiting in line inside the shop you can see the menu and the display with the food. My husband doesn't speak Spanish so he was worry he was going to have a hard time ordering but the guy taking orders was super nice and answer all my husband's questions in English (mostly what comes in the burrito). Once you order you get a number and your drinks (if you order any). I recommend you head outside to find a place to sit. They have about 3 outside dining areas. We like to seat in the main area (bar) to be next to the salsa bar. The salsa bar contains all the goodies (see photo). Outside near the salsa bar on the wall there is a hand washing station for your convenience. Now for the food! It is great we come here for the CARNITAS. The tacos are large they come with two tortillas, onions and cilantro. They can customize your order, like for me I order mine without onions. My husband order a carnitas burrito for the first time today just to try it out. He was not a big fan. He said the meat was about the amount of 3 tacos so a good deal. What he didn't like was the ratio of meat to other ingredients and that the beans were on the salty side, he thought there was to much meat. He said he is going to stick to the tacos. The price is not bad we our order consisted of 3 carnitas tacos, 1 carnitas burrito, and 2 sodas all that equaled $18 :) (Cash, we don't think they accept cards) Overal we will continue to come here to get our carnitas fix. read more

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I love thats its family owned .. I've been coming here for more than 15 years and its always delicious. Great customer service!!

If you're looking for order accuracy, customer service, friendliness, consistency you might want to stay clear of this place . I have been coming here for a long time and nostalgia of bygone days keep me coming back. When the planets align their barbacoa is heavenly ..however they have been riding on that nostalgia and hitting or missing the mark whenever it happens. If you're a die hard fan keep coming back but otherwise stay clear and hit up the better places you can find here. read more

Out in the middle of nowhere there is a mystical tacoshack (literal). Its so heavily drenched in authenticity foreigners might feel rejected upon initial sight of the green tent and a floating veggie bar parked in the open like a "for sale" vehicle. The most engaging, adventurous foodmonger will give a fuck less and wait in line for his turn with real, gringo-free, tacos. This one has devoured a goat meat taco and a carnitas burrito. Next time, I will omit the burrito due to its lack of cheese and rice. I still need that touch of Tacobell. The tacos are more dynamic in thanks to the veggie stand ingredients waiting to be strewn across your plate. I dunno if these guys want a review but I made one anyways. Hopefully the world doesn't drop down about upon this little shack due to a 5-star review. Honestly, the huge mexican cokes are the real reason for the big 5, the food may not be worth it for you................... read more

I don't know why more people don't know about this hidden gem. Love love love their tacos and horchata (no one else's compares) If you are looking for some yummy tacos def. the spot to visit. Don't go expecting anything fancy, cause you won't find it here. Place is clean, staff is friendly and very accommodating. Cons: very small place, parking sucks Cheers!!!! read more

Here's a REAL review. The food here is GARBAGE. Save your money,. So, many better places in the South Bay to choose from. Thumbs DOWN! Possibly the WORST taco stand in National City. So DISAPPOINTED! read more

Best taco shop in the south-bay you have to come here at least once to try this out it's only open on weekends before you get to swap meet best little treat Saturday and Sunday morning read more

Cesars Taco Shop - Mexican Near Me - National City, California

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Ohhh he'll yeah tacos are the best worth coming for tacos with my lovely family the tacos are monsters big the best in town read more

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I've been coming here since I was little. I stopped for a while and then started coming again recently and, omg, they have the best barbacoa tacos ever!!!!!!!!! And their red salsa in the sriracha bottles is sooooo good!!! I love this place!! read more

The key ingredient that brings paradise to your taste buds for this Taco Shop is the different type of meats chopped very fine: Barbacoa, Carnitas, trompa, asada,etc or the best Cabeza, they are never dry but not too wet, the amount of meat you get in every taco is VERY GENEROUS inside a pair of just made white tortillas with the right thickness and size, you can get them plain or some chopped cilantro and onion the right combination, the sauces bar in my taste is not that good only the green one passed my test, but who cares. You can't get only one read more

Tacos of barbacoa were very delicious, I come all the way from New Jersey to visit family and Cesars Taco Shop is a must have!

The parking is very, very limited you might have to park far but don't let that discourage you from actually having some of these delicious tacos!! The line is long yes but they're quick and it's cash only so bring cash if you don't like paying the ATM fees, but if you don't mind paying the fees that do have an ATM conveniently located inside the establishment as you get closer to placing your order. Their menu is pretty simple so don't complicate it by asking if they offer anything that's not on the menu, it'll only make us hungry patrons angry with your dumb questions just keep it moving lol. They also have the Mexican cokes that go hand in hand with their delicious tacos!! Highly recommended read more

Been coming here since I was 10 years old bomb birria tacos I wish they would open a restaurant or taco shop ..

Food not bad, but the bad attitude makes me never want to come back to this place again. They got one of my tacos wrong and when I went to try to get it fixed, the guy who puts the meat in the taco started with his attitude telling me he made it right like he was mad at me. lol I was like wtf. I tried to explain to him and he started telling me what it was I wanted. After telling his rockskull many times he says, Jesus! and gave it to me. His only job is putting meat into a tortilla.. I work in a kitchen with 3x as many customers as that place. I think this guy just a sissy and if he can't handle a simple job he should quit. I'm giving this 2 stars, not for the food, but when I was leaving some guy said to have a nice day who was cleaning tables in the hot sun. Someone replace the kitchen guy with him. read more

BIRRIA LOVERS and tacos de cabeza, carnitas , cueritos de puerco, and more. Best birria ever! coupled with great refried and hot sauce, you will not be disappointed. You can't sit down in their patio area now because of he corona virus but you can get it to go or eat in your car parked on the street next to it. Opens only on the weekends starting at 7:00 am. This place in right next door to the National City Swap meet which is closed now. This place is family owned and has been there for over 40 years. I would give it 10 stars if I could. This people need your help now, because of the corona virus, the swap meet is closed and although the hard core birria lovers are still coming, they need your business to keep going. The place is behind the big tree, you can't miss it. Located on D Ave, just east of 30th street National city. Enjoy your weekend with some of the best, Birria, tacos de cabeza or carnitas. Try their cueritos de puerco, mmmmm. read more

Absolutely amazing Tacos. I love this place so much. Try the Asada and the Barbacoa. Unbeatable. Employees are beyond friendly. Good price for the quality. Don't delay, dig in. read more

Been coming here since I was a kid & I loveeee the tacos they are the best workers are so nice

I have been thinking of you. Like a mythical unicorn with wings. *side note- Do unicorns have wings? What am I thinking about?? It was in the Clash of the Titans....dammit. Anyways... point is: You are mysterious. People that have been around know you and know what you stand for. But if I were to talk with a lot of people... they wouldn't know. It might not make sense to you but I understand what I am saying so shut it, I am on a roll They don't seek answers; they don't want to know what they are missing. I wanna know. I want to learn. I want to experience. I want laughter and smiles and I wanna ha cha cha cha. You are humble, non pretentious, have a come hither and accept me for who I am or get the f' out of my way. I like that. No one has time to waste on mediocrity. Well...except the lemmings that like Sushi Deli or places like that. You can't go wrong with anything you order at this spot. If Las Milpas has a long line, I go here. If I have friends from out of town and they want something unique, I go here. If I am craving the most amazing fruit stand in San Diego, I go to the National City swap meet right next door, and then come here. I cannot begin to say how much I like this spot. A San Diego institution and I think Ian grew up on this road. I just wanted to drop Ian's name. He didn't grow up here. He grew up in Paradise Hills. He might run by here tho on occasion. In his little short shorts and pro cushion reaction shock socks or something like that that he wears. Pretty sure it is cash only and English is sort of a hit or miss language. Pegasus! Winged horse is a Pegasus. read more

Old school home feel to this spot. Close enough to the border to feel like you're in Mexico. Felt like I was just eating at grandmas house. Cabeza was the best. Asada was awesome too. Decent prices. No wait to be seated. Just order and sit. read more

Worst tacos and service ever. The food is way below roach coach quality and their service is perhaps the worst in San Diego. I decided to eat here because it was the nearest and most convenient place next to the swap meet but it was a bad decision. Nothing was prepared right. Ive tried tacos everywhere in SD and Robertos probably blows these dudes out the water. The employees look like semi reformed cholos but treat you like you were in a prison chow line. No manner, class, and customer service..forget about it. I will never return to this place for those two reasons. Don't waste your money either. read more

Like place the tacos are good great taste and they are big with alot of meat. You get two tortillas, you get two tacos out of one. But need to get there as early you can cause it does get pack of hungry people do to having the swap-meet next to it also to get the fresh meat. read more

I just can't stop coming in for the best tacos in town. Especially the Buche and Carnitas tacos. Like the homie behind the counter says. We might not be so big on customer service because there are just so many customers (can you blame them with the quality and price of the food) We do the best we can with the customer service but we make damn sure the quality of the food is great. I couldn't agree more. Great freaking tacos and a cool bunch of brothers. read more

The homies just introduced me to this little peace of heaven yesterday. The tacos and tortas here are fire. I tried the cabeza taco, a carnitas torta, and one other kind of taco but I have no idea what it was. Everything was super bomb. The line is crazy but that usually says more about the food than it does about the service. The cooks and workers were all super nice. The entire setting feels like a little corner In Tijuana - the people, the aromas, the bottled cokes, and the tacos. Super bomb tacos, super bomb tortas. read more

line is long the food is good but they are not very hygienic, (slapping food together with bare hands) guess that's were all the flavor comes from. REAL MEXICAN FOOD ! overall good especially the Baracoa tacos, be ready for a long line, CASH only and limited parking. read more

All the tacos are delicious! Best birria in town and their carnitas with buche tacos are awesome too!!!!

Great good amazing place..I reccomend it to people ...I love their chamamgos and churros..no to mention the champurado

This is my favorite taco shop. I've been coming here for 25+ years. It's family owned and operated. They guys are awesome and super friendly. Great selection of meats and it's all delicious. Highly recommend this place. It's a small hole in the wall place, but don't let discourage you, because you will happy you gave it a try. read more

Probably the best. I've been coming here since I was little. Never have they fallen short on quality and service. [I would not recommend tourists to come here.] They like their business moving quick so if you think this just an ordinary taco shop... you are mistaken. Tacos el Gordo ain't got nothing on these folks. They like to serve from the morning to the afternoon and from there they're done serving. Classic traditional tacos as authentic as they get. If you read this and you understand their business you'll have no problem giving them the 5 stars. But obviously if you're out of town you pretty much should stay with the other taco shops. Don't mess this up for the locals who have grown with this business. The last thing we need is some out of town folks being entitled to their picky options and expressing their rude manners. This place is known for mostly for their tacos. So just go for tacos. Don't do anything extra and order a burrito. A burrito isn't even authentic. You wanna know authentic try every taco they serve. read more

huge tacos. damn good customer service too (like it friggin matters). order your food, eat your food, thank the cooks, carry on

They are always busy, yes. But oh my gosh well worth the line!! Meat always tastes good, and salsas are just as good!