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    Crest Taco

    4.4 (114 reviews)
    Closed 9:00 am - 10:00 pm
    Updated 1 month ago

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    CREST TACO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating
    Good for groups
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - Crest Taco

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    Breakfast burrito
    Shawn P.

    Nice new addition to Hillcrest! Was craving a breakfast burrito on my way home from a run at balboa park and figured I'd finally give Crest Taco a try. Could see being tricky during busy hours to find parking but the walk-up window for quick ordering, fast service and huge portions made it worth the stop. I went with the bacon egg and potato breakfast burrito and I could barely finish half. Made fresh to order, came out piping hot, and the green salsa was so so good! Will 100% have to stop back in to try the Crunchwraps. Def give crest taco a try

    3 rolled tacos (great meal for the price and filling)
    Doug N.

    The guys were great, told them it was first visit and he gave me a free carne asada taco to also try. The 3 rolled tacos were the best I've ever had (only $7) and my friend also dug his garlic grilled shrimp taco. Another important thing at a taco stand is good salsas, liked all 3. The one I thought was sour cream was actually a white spicy unique sauce I loved. I would recommend trying out this place, I can't wait to try a burrito next time.

    CREST TACO STAND in the Hillcrest area of San Diego
    Henri V.

    Overdue review for Crest Taco located in Hillcrest area of San Diego close to Scripps Mercy Medical. Free 10 mins parking in the same lot this stand is in. Ordered the beer battered Mahi Mahi tacos for myself and the Queso Birria taco plain, no onions for my pup. The fish tacos were very tasty, but I didn't care much for the corn tortillas, too thick, which I didn't eat. My pup really liked the queso birria which is tender shredded beef and melted cheese, she practically inhaled it. Outdoor seating with umbrellas for shade which faces Washington St one of the major streets in the area. So many people in their cars being lookey loos doesn't give a good vibe for a dining experience. If you have the time and inclination, it's best to order togo and eat in your car or a better place with no car exhausts and lookey loos lol Service from staffers need training, they're not very customer oriented, not courteous or friendly. Also, didn't like it when other people who ordered after me got their orders ahead of mine :/ to which I expressed my displeasure.

    Menu 1 of 2 (New Specials Bottom Right Corner)
    Mikey W.

    Part 9 of the Seed-Oil-Free Taco Shack Saga: Back from Utah, Expanded Menu, and My Shih Tzu's Official Seal of Approval I can't believe I'm writing another damn review, but the saga refuses to die. Just got back from a couple weeks in Utah for a modeling gig, and today was one of those "supposed to be Sabbath rest" Sundays that turned into a 5:30am-to-6pm nonstop grind -- brekkie, yacht provisioning, sauna, gym, laundry, writing, dog grooming, hotel meetings, the whole chaotic list. By evening I was numb, brain dead, and just needed my little plate to get home and collapse. Shayne and Nick decided this was the perfect day to hit me with an expanded menu and daily specials. Tacos, burritos, nachos/fries/tots, bowls, crunch wraps, breakfast burritos, quesadillas, sides, drinks -- it was too much for my fried Sunday brain to process. I took pictures though, so y'all can see the glory for yourselves. I kept it simple: three rolled tacos + a side of fries covered in beans and melted cheese (first time trying their fries). I've been ordering bean-loaded fries for 15 years at my old favorite spot (RIP to that era), especially during my strict pescatarian decade after the poultry allergy. This place nailed it. The beans and cheese on those fries? Fkn amazing. Next time I'm going deluxe with guac and sour cream on top. The rolled tacos were solid as always, but the real MVP was that massive side of salsa -- I killed the whole thing between the tacos and fries like it was my job. Here's the wildest part: I take my Shih Tzu to In-N-Out sometimes, but my picky little guy straight-up stopped eating their fries (fried in sunflower oil, a seed oil). Now? He only goes crazy for the fries, tots, and chips from this seed-oil-free taco shop. Dude won't even drink tap water -- only bottled spring or nothing. If my dog's picky palate approves, that's basically Michelin-level validation in my book. Gym bros and the Health Conscious I see in line -- y'all better be telling Nick and Shayne that Mike the gym bro from Yelp sent you or we're gonna have words Oh, and I fkn love the fries here. Can't do In-N-Out anymore; the seed oils make me break out like crazy. I'm following my Shih Tzu's lead from now on -- only these clean ones, deluxe gym bro edition. Huge W for the expanded menu too. Taco special night on Tuesday? 4 tacos for $10 is going straight on my calendar. I'll be there. This spot keeps winning. Clean food that actually tastes incredible, fuels hard training days, keeps my body happy, and even my shih tzu co-signs it. Shayne and Nick are building something real. See you Tuesday for taco night. The saga rolls on stronger than ever.

    Steve S.

    One of the best taco shops in San Diego, hands down. The California burrito was really good, great flavor, good texture, and everything tasted fresh. We also had the carne asada taco and it was just as good. Simple, flavorful, and exactly what you want from a solid taco shop. Don't overthink it, get the California burrito and a carne asada taco and you'll be happy. Crest Tacos is definitely a spot I'll come back to.

    Street corner sign
    Emmett T.

    Crest Taco is a modern corner taco stand in the Hillcrest neighborhood. The new owners completely refurbished the structure after taking over from the predecessor taqueria. There was some limited on-site parking with the liquor store and other neighboring businesses in the small plaza. Outdoor tables with canopies were available on a patio to the west of the building. The service window faced north towards Washington St. About a half dozen kinds of tacos were the first items displayed on the menu board. Nachos/fries/taters, crunch wraps, burritos/bowls, quesadillas, breakfast burritos, and sides were the other categories. The products were made without the use of seed oils if that matters to you. I chose the initial two listed tacos which were The Castro and Al Pastor. The first was a carne asada type using citrus-garlic marinated top sirloin steak with guacamole and pico. The second consisted of marinated pork, grilled pineapple, onion, cilantro, and crema. Both tacos were served on a regular corn tortilla and not the street size variety. The steak was juicier (and one dollar more expensive) than the pork which was why I favored that taco over the other. My experience at Crest Taco was worth a four star rating.

    Tommy C.

    Chilling, waiting for my wife's dental appointment and decided to grab a taco. The price is high, $6 for an al pastor taco. But it was good - I'd give it a solid B+. The pork was nicely marinated / seasoned, and cooked very well, maintaining juiciness. The garlic sauce is something I've never tried and I enjoyed it. Nice to just sit and people / traffic watch on Washington street. And they keep the outdoor space very clean, a rarity for taco shops. If in the area, I'd come again. But I wouldn't order the Coke. $4 is too much!

    Alex A.

    Was curious to come back here since they renovated the outside and have new management. This spot is in Hillcrest, attached to the parking lot of the liquor store, and parking was actually really easy. It's a taco‑shop‑style setup where you order at the window, with outdoor tables and shade. The little eating area definitely got a facelift -- new umbrellas, furniture, and some nice tile detailing on the exterior of the building. The carne asada was more like a grilled steak, cooked nicely. Prices felt a little steep in my opinion for a taco shop, but I'm glad I tried it. Not sure it'll become my go‑to taco spot, but if I'm in the area and want something quick to go, I could see myself picking up food from here again.

    Menú
    Courtney O.

    Crest Taco recently opened off of W Washington Street in a small store front in the same parking lot as a liquor store. It's super easy to get access, which can be a rarity for shops in this area. I liked seeing their sign highlighting their seed oil free menu, but was a little worried the healthy focus might detract from the taste. Nothing to worry about here! The food is delicious and authentic! I ordered a breakfast burrito- the OG (eggs, potato, ham and cheese)! I liked that the burrito was clean, but huge! I was hungry but still only able to eat half. I especially loved the salsas. They were so flavorful. The red had a nice smoky kick to it and the verde was equally tasty. This is a great spot. Food is delicious, but also well made and feels clean. You don't leave feeling weighed down, even with a huge burrito! Service was friendly and there's some seats if you want to sit outside!

    Grand slammer breakfast burrito which comes
    Liz R.

    A great addition to the neighborhood. Some might say, another taco shop, but it's so much better than the taco shop that previously housed this location. I got their chorizo breakfast burrito which comes with eggs, cheese, chorizo and chipotle sauce and they were nice enough to sub the potatoes for beans instead. It was such a good burrito! $14 which is a bit pricey, but I sliced in half and I'll be eating the rest for breakfast tomorrow. They get an extra star because of their hot sauce selection. They gave me three to choose from (obviously I chose to try them all) and red, green and a creamy garlic habanero. They all packed massive flavor and heat. The garlic habanero was my favorite! Staff was very nice and you could see a lot of people in the kitchen prepping food. This is a casual spot, but they still have some nice seating areas and have really cleaned up the space. My only critique for them is their operating hours. Would love if they were open before closer to 8am because I very rarely eat breakfast after 9am most days of the week.

    Jack M.

    Crest Taco has recently open its doors in the old La Posta location. The building has been remodeled and brought up to standards. It offers a nice inviting trendy look. They are located at the Bubbles Market & Spirits parking lot. Crest Taco is offering fresh house made Mexican eats. I picked up "The Breakfast Banger" burrito with a delicious house chorizo blend, three eggs, house potatoes, cheese, and a tasty house made chipotle crema for $12.99 plus tax. The burrito was not only large, but very delicious. The chorizo was quite good, the eggs well seasoned, the potatoes tender, and chipotle cream brought everything together nicely. It was a delicious breakfast burrito. They also offer a value ham and two egg, and cheese breakfast burrito for $4.99. Also, an O.G. bacon or ham, three eggs, cheese, and potato breakfast burrito for $12.99, not to mention a breakfast sausage or veggie breakfast burrito. In addition to tacos, burritos, rolled tacos, quesadillas, nachos, and fries, they also offer crunch wraps and $1.99 fish tacos! The service was upbeat and friendly. They offer outside stand up eating spaces. Oh yes, make sure to try their salsas, they are very tasty.

    Enjoyed the food, but was disappointed to see unexplained and unaccounted for fees added to my receipt, despite making no modifications to my order. Unexpected charges without any explanation leave a bad impression and taste in my mouth!

    Big banger has chorizo in it and a side of tater tots. So good
    Raul J.

    Don't pass this place up! They have amazing food. The breakfast burrito was huge and filling with great ingredients. The staff was quick and nice. We are on out me way to the SD zoo and I had to stop here and grab a bite. Will be coming back

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    9 months ago

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    Evan J.

    Thank you for the 5 star review!

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    5 months ago

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    4 months ago

    Great food, amazing selection and the salsas are a must on the burritos! highly recommend the burritos, portion can be two meals

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    10 months ago

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    Evan J.

    Thank you for the positive review!

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    Evan J.

    Thanks for stopping by! More good eats ahead!

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    7 months ago

    Love this place, the food & service are always spot on!! Gavin & tom are exceptional people, Come here for the best tacos and onions ;)

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    10 months ago

    I'm so excited they're finally open! Stopped by today and got the Cali burrito. Staff were really friendly and the burrito was awesome!

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    8 months ago

    I had the potatoe tacos and they were awesome! Service was good too. The salsas were 11/10

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    9 months ago

    Food and service is absolutely amazing!! This place is a must try!!! You won't be disappointed!!!

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    9 months ago

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    Evan J.

    Thanks for choosing us for tacos!!

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    9 months ago

    I got the mahi mahi taco and it was very good!!! Definitely will be back! Service was also amazing!

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    Your support means a lot thank you!!

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    10 months ago

    Great food best service quick food clean place unreal best tacos in the city stop bye and give it a try

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    We are happy you had a great experience! See you again soon!

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    Page 3 of 3

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    Tacos El Gordo - Carne Asada

    Tacos El Gordo

    4.3(7.1k reviews)
    9.4 mi
    $$

    Tacos El Gordo hits right every time! If you're a foodie you know that's this is the spot. This is…read moreby far the best location to get authentic TJ tacos. The Carne Asada Taco has a smoky beef flavor, and the quesadilla with corn tortilla has that seared cheese effect that you can only get with Oaxaca cheese, which is like a Mexican Mozzarella. I highly recommend pairing a quesadilla with your tacos. You can order it from any line. I've been going to Tacos El Gordo for almost 25 years now and it is still legit! This place is a San Diego staple that is true to home, and if you're not from San Diego, don't leave without trying it out!

    Went to SD this past weekend and went twice in a row because their cabeza and carne asada tacos and…read moreplain quesadillas were so good! The tacos were around $4 which is pretty average but I thought their tacos were a bit bigger than average and had a good amount of meat. I usually can do two bites at other taco places but I have to take three bites here lol. The cabeza tacos were so tender and the carne asada tacos had a nice smoking taste to them. I also like how they came with a good amount of guac and you can also get a side or extra guac if you want more which was very nice of them. The plain quesadillas are simple but something about it was taste soo good, might be the cheese that they use and their handmade tortilla. I'm not too fan of their ordering system as there are around 5-7 different lines depending on what item/meat you want. If you want carne asada, you have to line up and then you have to line up at another line if you want another type of meat. Some lines are longer than others so I feel like my food gets cold by the time I get my second order and then I have to line up to pay. Both times I came, I came around 10-11pm and they ran out of the green sauce. They have a parking lot in the back so I prefer this location than the one at gaslamp.

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    Tacos El Gordo - Saturday night (around 9:00 pm)

    Saturday night (around 9:00 pm)

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    Mike's Red Tacos - Clairemont Mesa

    Mike's Red Tacos - Clairemont Mesa

    4.6(1.7k reviews)
    5.1 miClairemont
    $$
    Halal
    Vegetarian friendly

    Got the Red Quesadilla and it was so good!!…read more Super large portion size, the birria was amazing and the quesadilla was packed with so much flavor. A solid 10/10, will order again. First time at this establisment and had a very pleasant experience. I really loved the vibe of the place. Casual, yet hip (the splashes of red color really pops!) Service was friendly and there is a salsa bar too with lots of options. Will definitely be back!

    I was really excited to try Mike's Red Tacos. The website bragged about all of the different…read moreflavors of homemade salsa. But I didn't realize that just about every dish was based on birria. But okay. I love a good, flavorful birria taco. I guess I just didn't order right. I grabbed the Mikes Meal Special, but I was really craving some nice crunchy, cheesy and Jalapeno-hot Nachos. So I thought I would try a half-order of Mike's Nachos. Man! They were horrible. The huge pile of shredded beef tasted okay, but the red gravy got all of the chips that it came into contact with really soggy and unpleasant to eat. Maybe it would have been better if I had eaten it in the restaurant, but it should not have degraded that quickly. And to claim to be Nachos? Why? What was Nacho about this messy, uninteresting dish? The only suggestion of cheese that I got was one stray pipe of yellow processed cheese that could have been mustard for all that I know. There were NO Jalapenos whatsoever. The guacamole was just one spoonful plopped down in the middle of the order. There was really nothing red hot about the food at all. So the sour cream just made it taste incredibly bland. My advice? Always go with as authentic to real Mexican food as you can find. If you really want "Gringo Sonora," I would heartily recommend Del Taco over this restaurant.

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    Mike's Red Tacos - Clairemont Mesa
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    The Waves Taco Club

    The Waves Taco Club

    4.7(393 reviews)
    2.4 miGaslamp
    $$

    Wanted to try some tacos while out here and this one had good reviews. It was also near our hotel…read morewe were staying at in Gaslamp. They have drawings all over their walls which was fun to look at. They have a few specials which are a good deal if you're going to get a drink anyway. I love c that c they had a self serve salsa bar. Must get the chipotle shrimp taco! 10/10 with flavor. Battered fish taco was ah ok.... Salmon taco was great too 10/10. Service was prompt. We had chips and salsa while we waited so it was cool. Overall, I recommend checking this out and trying the chipotle shrimp and salmon taco!

    I feel that I was misled by the 4.7 rating. We had a 20 minute walk to get here in the heat. Then…read morethere was no air conditioning at the place. I had a grilled fish burrito. It looked good, and I liked the chilled and covered salsa bar, but the burrito had no cabbage or pico de gallo. It tasted like a kind of salty egg burrito. The flavor was off. My son had a few tacos. He liked the Birria taco. I purchased a horchata for him, a small water bottle for myself. After our meal in the heat, we both wanted more water. The cashier said that the small water bottles were $3.90 each. (Something I missed the first time around) We left without the water bottles to walk blocks in the heat with a weird taste in my mouth from the fish burrito. The prices were the same as a nicer place with decor and air conditioning.

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    Chula Tacos - Asada vampiro

    Chula Tacos

    3.8(299 reviews)
    12.1 miNestor
    $$

    Sometimes, there are nights when only tacos can fix me. It's no secret that San Diego has tacos in…read morespades and being so close to the border, you'd think that a quest to find the perfect taco would be as simple as rolling down to the nearest taqueria. Except, it's not quite that simple. Many beloved staples have gone downhill, while some newer spots that might boast things like a Michelin mention or multiple locations ranging from TJ to Vegas contain more hype and gristle than tender meat and substance. Enter Chula Tacos. Chula is, and always was, the type of place that makes you forget that you're not actually in Tijuana. While part of me misses their OG Market Street location, seeing them with brick-and-mortars feels hard-earned and well-deserved. This location on Palm in IB is relatively easy to access from the freeway, but parking can be tricky. You can safely assume that it will be busy and you will either have to be very lucky or be willing to find a spot on the street. Out of all the times I've been here, it's always been crowded enough that I've never been able to find a table inside, but I enjoy sitting out on the patio next to the ahumederos. The first thing that hits you walking through the door is how amazing everything smells. The queue to the cashier takes you near a window showing the kitchen where you can see the Chula Tacos team making fresh tortillas, slicing meat from the trompos, grilling up jalapenos, nopales, onions, labio, and tripa. For me, it's not so much a challenge to decide what I want, it's more a challenge to keep myself from ordering everything. My usual is four tacos: two asada, two al pastor (but I've heard that I should also try their world famous keka). The tacos though? Perfection. Every time, the asada is the juiciest and most tender I've ever eaten, the al pastor is succulent and flavorful, and no taco in front of me is long for the world. At $3.50 each, every one of them is absolutely loaded. Three would honestly fill me up, but I always want four. After getting burned by spots that ask around 75% more and deliver anywhere between 25-50% less, Chula Tacos feels like an absolute godsend of a Tijuana-style taqueria and I can't see any other contenders being my go-to. So, when I say "Tacos will fix me," what I mean nowadays is "Chula Tacos will fix me."

    Chula Tacos in Nestor is definitely worth a visit if you're looking for authentic, flavorful tacos…read morewith generous portions. Every item we ordered was packed with delicious flavors and made fresh. One thing that stood out was their attention to detail with to-go orders--they provided plenty of condiments, including a variety of salsas, cucumbers, radishes, and peppers, which really elevated the meal. The highlight of the menu is the Keka Taco. It is incredibly delicious, loaded with flavor, and so filling that it can easily satisfy even the biggest appetite. The only downside to this establishment is the limited parking, which can make picking up your order a bit challenging during busy times. However, the amazing food and generous portions more than make up for the parking inconvenience. If you're in the area, the Keka Taco is a must-try!

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    Chula Tacos
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    Outdoor seating

    La Puerta - Combo Tacos

    La Puerta

    4.2(4.8k reviews)
    2.7 miGaslamp
    $$

    We had a great experience at La Puerta! The service was excellent, and the atmosphere had that…read moreperfect mix of chill and lively -- definitely a popular spot without feeling too hectic. They also had some really great vegetarian options. The tostadas, veggie tacos, and flautas were all awesome and full of flavor. The margaritas were reasonably strong, which was nice. And definitely save room for the churros -- they were so good! The only thing that wasn't quite our preference was the queso fundido. It was a little more solid than we like; we prefer ours to be extra melty and gooey. Otherwise, everything was fantastic. Great food, drinks, service, and vibes!

    I'm so mad about this place!! Hubby and I headed down to SD…read moreto get away from the heat in the OC. On the drive, I decided I wanted Mexican food. I picked a place off Google but when we landed there we were not comfortable stopping to park, so we looked again and decided to check out La Puerta not realizing it was in the Gaslight District. I am not a fan of the Gaslight District, which is why I am so mad!! I'm going to HAVE to go back to the Gaslight District!! The food was AMAZING!! I HIGHLY recommend the Potato Flautitas. It's the kind of dish I'm going to dream about, I'm salivating now just thinking about them. I also did the Pick 3 Street Tacos (and actually ordered a 4th). The Ranchero Shrimp and Grilled Veggie were top notch. The Conchinita was recommended by our waiter, and it was interesting, tasty but different. It could have used a little more pickled onion. The only one I would not recommend (shockingly, I thought it would be the easy pass) was the carne asada. It was too greasy. My husband ordered a carne asada quesadilla and said the same, it was too wet and soaked through the tortilla. But there were no many other delightful options, I would say just don't go traditional. But honestly my favorite thing on the plate was the side dish rajas con crema, seriously, that alone is going to drag me down to the Gaslight District. I'm even considering going to a Padres game just for the excuse. I'm salivating again! As for our waiter, Colin, he was fantastic. Very informative, made great suggestions and seemed genuinely pleased by our satisfaction. He was smiling the whole time, friendly and stayed very present. I highly recommend you get yourself through the door at La Puerta and sit down for a meal ASAP. (We ate the food so fast I forgot to take pictures.)

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    La Puerta - Restaurant

    Restaurant

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    Harland Hazy IPA

    Crest Taco - breakfast_brunch - Updated September 2026

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