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    Tacos El Franc - Gaslamp Quarter

    3.9 (209 reviews)
    ModerateTacos
    Closed 11:00 am - 10:00 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

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    TACOS EL FRANC - GASLAMP QUARTER ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Touristy
    Dogs allowed
    Happy hour specials

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    Tacos El Franc new location at the Gaslamp Quarter on 5th Ave. In Downtown, San Diego, CA
    Olga M.

    First time trying Tacos El Franc the new location at the Gaslamp Quarter on 5th Ave. Originally founded in Tijuana in 1996, this legendary taquería has expanded to include two highly popular U.S. locations in San Diego at the Gaslamp Quarter and in National City. The restaurant was featured in Season 1 of Netflix's Taco Chronicles. I ordered the pork adobada taco, top sirloin steak asada taco and beef brisket suadero taco. The adobada tacos were my favorite tacos! So delicious!! The restaurant was nice and clean with great service. There's seating in the front and back of the restaurant and it got busy fast. Check it out when in the area! Happy Yelping :)

    TACO CABEZA TACO SUADERO and ADOBADA QUESADILLA
    Ivan A.

    Stopped in after a Padre game and the line formed pretty fast but they move through pretty quick with getting orders and sending out food. About 10-15 minutes from waiting in line, to ordering, to getting your food. Inside has plenty of tables and chairs/benches in the front. Towards the back is bathroom but also has multiple tables on the back patio. Ordered an Al pastor quesadilla and two separate tacos (cabeza and suadero). Collectively, the food was bomb. Aside of other things, the meat is what's at center of what makes it a good taqueria. Cabeza and saudero (brisket) is cooked until they are fall off soft tender. Appears to be braised well with their juices aka they weren't dry. Al pastor was juicy and soft, cooked on a spit. I know it's busy but would love to a have a bit more char or crisped slices from the trompo. My only criticism is that the quesadilla doesn't really feel like a quesadilla but more of a larger size Al pastor taco with some melted cheese. Maybe it's because I have a mental picture of a portion size from other taco shops but for $10 ish dollars, the price makes sense to how big the quesadilla is. If this was like $15 plus it'll be disappointing. I'm interested to see how big is the difference if we ordered a mulita or vampiro or even did an al pastor taco but make it a queso taco instead. I guess I'll find out when I come back. Other than that, they are solid. Would still come back for tacos. I can imagine how much busier they would be after a weekend padre game or when the bars let out. They are a Michelin stard taqueria after all.

    ASADA FRIES
    Susie K.

    Tacos El Franc saved our lives. We were toasted out of our minds and we needed some food to ground our stomachs. We stumbled in; there were not as many seats as we have hoped. It was a large space, but not enough seats to accommodate all of us, so we took some chairs from other parties that weren't using them. The food was BOMB. We had tacos with our fries, but the food was so good that we forgot to take pictures of them!

    Menu
    David L.

    Was super excited to see my favorite TJ street taco stor El Franc open in gaslamp. Unfortunately it was not as good. 1. Asada tacos: steak quality was low, kind of dry and not freshly grilled. It's been sitting on the side and already precut. Don't detect the charcoal Smokey flavor either. Also the tortillas were not fresh made. 2. Adobada tacos: pork wasn't juicy and tender, was actually kind of dry and a little over salty for me. The place is clean, kind of empty on a Thursday afternoon. Also surprised they did have water cups.

    Marcus L.

    I've only had a chance to try the mixed fries but based on this limited experience, I'd recommend Tacos El Franc. FOOD Mixed Fries - these have both Adobada and Carne Asada. The fries themselves are nice and crispy. They are straight cut fries but they have that extra crispy layer that you often find with curly fries. I've had the Adobada fries at Tacos El Gordo and the fries at Tacos El Franc are a lot better. SERVICE Friendly, good service INSIDE There a good amount of seating. Inside is comfy and clean. PARKING Street parking (meters)

    Kelvin C.

    Solid taco spot in the heart of the Gaslamp. All the tacos were delicious, but my favorite was the adobada. The flavorful caramelized pork with the sauces made it so like no other. Loved the flavor of the suadero, it was so tender and juicy. The staff recommended the cabeza, but it was a little gamey for me, but still liked it. Tip: ask for cheese on the tacos, it's a little extra, but it's melted and added great richness and flavor

    TACO CARNE ASADA
    Carol S.

    Was a little skeptical about this place, because of how popular it is, but I'm glad I gave them a try, the tacos were so delicious & taste like Tijuana tacos. I recommend you try them. I had tacos the carne asada with guacamole on top, & husband had vampiro style taco & said they were great. I would definitely return when visiting San Diego. Someone actually stole our order, but the staff was very kind about it, & gave us our order pretty fast. It's a cool spot to grab something quick to eat.

    Carne Asada + Al Pastor
    Billy P.

    Im not sure why there is so much hype around this place... its definitely different from other places in San Diego since they include beans on the tacos but in terms of flavor of the meat or softness of the tortilla, its just meh, not worth the price tag that it holds.

    Variety of tacos including adobada tacos, mulita, carne asada tacos
    Nicole K.

    I was super excited to try this place after hearing so many good things, and it ended up being a great spot to grab dinner before a Padres game. They're also open until 2 a.m. on Friday/ Saturday which is a huge plus if you're out late downtown. I ordered four adobada tacos. At $4.75 each, they're a little on the pricey side, but that's pretty expected for the area (still think tacos el Gordo is cheaper though). The tacos were delicious and loaded with guacamole, although I thought the adobada was a bit overcooked and slightly too charred for my taste. Surprisingly, the carne asada taco ended up being my favorite. There was plenty of seating inside, plus a cute back patio and some tables out in front. I'd definitely come back, but next time I'd probably order more carne asada than adobada.

    Mariness D.

    Came here to get their infamous mixta fries, and it was just as yummy as I remembered. However, their portions changed drastically. You'll see the difference in the picture I took 9 months ago vs the picture I took today. The container is a lot smaller now, and there's noticeably less meat overall. I don't mind the price slightly increasing, as it seems like that's the trend everywhere in downtown... but I was disappointed that they lessened their portions too. No matter the case, still gave them 4 stars because at the end of the day, at least the taste stayed the same.

    Deb G.

    Food awesome,tried this during. Our trip to san diego . Will definitely try again.price is affordable too

    Chicken tacos on flour tortillas
    Angie Z.

    Located right in the heart of the Gaslamp District in downtown San Diego. This restaurant is cute with a high energy vibe. Ordered the chicken tacos (on flour tortillas) which came with a side of guacamole, salsa....delicious! They also offer complimentary self serve condiments: cucumbers, radishes, peppers & limes. It can get super busy especially following a major event like a baseball game but the service is fast. FYI...street tacos are smaller than regular size tacos so I should've ordered more than 2.

    Tahini R.

    After having such amazing tacos in LA, we were curious to try Tacos El Franc, after hearing so much about it, and it also being on the top spot for tacos in San Diego. It was super cute inside and lively but each taco was $4 which is pricey in my opinion. We went to thy counter and ordered. It wasn't all that fast for two tacos. It took a while to be ready, so we had to stand there until our number was called. My boyfriend and I decided to get just two to try. We got the carne asada tacos. They were decent but were not anything special. I honestly think our standards for tacos are high because we live in LA, where we have found our favorite tacos, and unfortunately no other tacos can compare to them!

    TACO ADOBADA

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    Tacos El Franc - Gaslamp Quarter Reviews in Other Languages

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    Tacos El Gordo

    Tacos El Gordo

    4.0
    (1.7k reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    Tacos El Gordo continues to be one of my favorite taco places of all time. I found out that…read moreMexico City was the place that originated al pastor tacos as they were inspired by Lebanese immigrants who brought Shawarma to Mexico; however, I appreciate that it worked its way to Tijuana and SD through Gordo. Gordo's adobada can compare favorably to al pastor anywhere; however, my experience at this "Gordo" location in Gaslamp has been inconsistent compared to Chula Vista and Vegas locations, due to their higher volume. The smaller space also has less seating, which is a bummer if you are coming here on a busy comic con day. The adobada here, though, is the taco to get. Consider yourself lucky if you get a nice portion of crispy and burnt bits as they offer nice textural bites. Their sauces/salsas are also equally good, and it sets it above and beyond another taquero from Tijuana, Tacos El Franc. Don't shy away from their asada tacos either, as the meat has a nice kiss of charcoal and it's topped with a generous portion of guac. I don't love that prices have gone up to almost $5/taco; however, I'll gladly pay it if they can give me my favorite taco.

    been here twice. service is meh like they rly don't care but it's okay bc i don't either. you don't…read morego here for the ambiance or service, you go just for the food. i think the tacos are rly good, tostada was decent. everyone seems to get the adobada and that's what i got both times i went. you HAVE to get the side of pineapple tho. i think without the pineapple and limes and stuff this taco would only be like 3/5 but the pineapple rly just elevates it to a 4/5 maybe even 4.5/5. i wouldn't make a drive all the way out to sd just for these but if im in the area, ill get them.

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    Carne asada fries
    Carne asada fries
    Adobada tacos
    Adobada tacos
    Lengua Fries: fries topped w/tongue, creama, avocado salsa & cheese | $5.95 (small)

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    Lengua Fries: fries topped w/tongue, creama, avocado salsa & cheese | $5.95 (small)
    The Waves Taco Club

    The Waves Taco Club

    4.7
    (389 reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$

    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 stopped by on a Wednesday after a fútbol game and found it to be a great late-night option…read more Ordering is simple. You walk in, place your order at the counter, and find a seat. There were a couple of groups dining in and someone picking up a to-go order, but there was still plenty of seating available. The employee working the counter was friendly. They also serve alcohol, and during my visit drinks were 20% off. Options included Pacifico, Modelo, Blue Moon, hard seltzers, and a selection of canned craft beers. I ordered: * Mahi Mahi Taco: the fish tasted fresh, and I liked the crispy onions on top. There was quite a bit of sauce, which made it pretty messy to eat. While the fish was good, it felt like a very heavy taco overall. * Surf & Turf Taco: this was loaded with steak and topped with two flavorful shrimp. The shrimp had an amazing flavor, and this taco was much more enjoyable and balanced. Overall, the service was great, the prices were very reasonable, and the protein quality was excellent. My only critique is that the tacos felt a little overdone with toppings and sauces when the quality of the protein could easily stand on its own. Still, it's a solid spot for an affordable late-night bite. One thing to note: there are no restrooms available inside the restaurant.

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    The Waves Taco Club
    Surf Turf Burrito
    Surf Turf Burrito
    Shrimp Burrito

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    Shrimp Burrito
    Chula Tacos

    Chula Tacos

    3.9
    (296 reviews)
    9.5 mi
    $$

    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
    Keka (carne)
    Keka (carne)
    Outdoor seating

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    Outdoor seating
    La Puerta

    La Puerta

    4.2
    (4.8k reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    Five stars all the way!!! Amazing food, fresh chips and salsa oh and service that cares the taco…read moreplate was full of flavor and the portions were spot on! Everything tasted good

    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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    Restaurant
    Restaurant
    Chicken with fried cheese tacos
    Chicken with fried cheese tacos
    Harland Hazy IPA

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    Harland Hazy IPA

    Tacos El Franc - Gaslamp Quarter - tacos - Updated August 2026

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