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    Tacos El Gordo

    3.6 (1.3k reviews)
    ModerateMexican
    Open 11:00 am - 2:00 AM (Next day)
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Tacos El Gordo Photos

    Business Info

    TACOS EL GORDO ATMOSPHERE

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

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    Recommended Reviews - Tacos El Gordo

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    Preparing the Tacos de Carne Asada
    Luis D.

    Taco El Gordo Donated their Time, Service and The Food for St. Charles Bazaar Volunteer Appreciation Dinner and Everything was Amazing ! May God Continue to Bless Everyone from Tacos El Gordo

    I ordered 2 tostadas and 1 mulita. I only received 1 dip and was told this should be enough for all 3 items, Inches codos !
    Adam R.

    Tacos el gordo is good but stingy. I asked for the dip on the side and was binging one container half ways full and when I asked for more I was told this is enough for 3 items.

    Fatty carne asada
    Gerardo G.

    Purchase a Carne Asada Taco and Carne Asada Mula. Half of the meat had too much chewy fat, not edible and the Mula had a piece of plastic! Inspect your food before consuming!

    Dimitri G.

    This is my first time being at the Palm Avenue location of tacos El Gordo, and I'm still impressed. I'll order a taco de Asada taco and it was amazing. The meat was very tender and bursting with flavor. The service was fast and efficient. Food got done within five minutes. As for the ambience, that is a very classic taco shop gives you a very classic Mexican feel. I will be stopping by here again.

    Asada
    Danielle E.

    Straight forward and delicious Asada tacos!!! We try to stop by for a quick bite every time we're in SD. You order in the front (by type of meat) and get your own condiments. Salsas are already in the tacos. Anyway, try it for yourself it's delicious! Parking lot available too!

    outside
    Dani B.

    so yummy as always. came on a dead night so got food quickly. this is a small location so i bet it gets packed easily. it's nice that there's a drive thru as well as outdoor seating. food was so delicious

    Courtney O.

    Tacos El Gordo is always the GOAT, no matter which location you go to. But, this location may be a winner because it's a lot less popular than the H street or downtown one. Tucked away, it's a smaller drive thru and frequented more by locals than some of the other more tourist trap spots. If you've never been to a Tacos El Gordo, you line up based on the meat you're choosing (not a problem if you do the drive thru). The adobada is my absolute favorite. You can ask to add pina if you'd like! I always get adobada tacos and will sometimes add on a mini adobada or carna asada fries. These tacos are saucyyy so a little trickier to eat in the car. These are some of the best tacos in San Diego and an absolute must! Once you try them, you'll remember them forever.

    Edward B.

    Food here was awesome as always. I stopped by this one on my way back from tj. Service was quick and friendly. Campechana fries never disappoint.

    Marija P.

    Tacos El Gordo never disappoints, and neither did this location in Otay Mesa. First of all - go there on SUNDAY evening,  it is not busy at all!! their asada tacos are to die for, and we even got few of them "vampire style" which means cheesy tortilla so yummy. You get lots of radishes, lime, grilled onions and peppers. Great service, everyone is nice and friendly, and delicious food. Best tacos in SD for sure!!

    Cabeza
    Cyn K.

    Overview: Perfect for late-night meal, fast and authentic food ---- I came here after a concert late at night. Parking is limited but they have a drive-thru as well. They close at 1 AM on Sunday to Thursday and at 2 AM on Friday and Saturday. They can get very crowded, especially during late nights. ---- How it works: - There are different lines for different types of meat, you line up for which meat you want and they make it right in front of you - Go down the line for each one that you want and then pay for all of it at the left side - Limes and radishes available to grab too ---- Carne Asada $3.94: - I like that they had lots of guacamole - The flavor of the meat was okay, I've had better at other places Lengua $4.26: - Beef tongue was tender and topped with cilantro, onions, and a green salsa - Very yummy Cabeza $3.94: - My favorite out of the ones I've tried - More tender than the lengua and cheaper too! - I highly reccomend this one ---- Other notes: - Service was mixed, the chefs making the tacos were lovely and great, but when it was time to check out, the cashiers were not very friendly and ignored me when I tried to pay for my food - Luckily we beat the crowd, but it gets very busy during late nights and especially after concerts nearby because it's one of the only places that stay open late - There is both seating inside and outside ---- Overall: If I ever need some late-night food, I know where to go. It's busy in waves and if you're lucky you'll be able to enjoy a quick and tasty meal

    Waiting for our order from the drive through. They bring the food to your car.
    Yeshenia G.

    Craving Tj style tacos so we came to tacos el gordo for the first time in a long time. I have to say it didn't disappoint! Craving fixed! We ordered tacos al pastor, mulita al pastor, campechana fries (medium order) and lengua fries (medium order), the total came to be $45.84. We went through the drive through and the wait wasn't terrible. There is a lot of space for sitting but it was all occupied, they were very busy as per usual. Overall a good experience! Food:**** Service:**** Ambiance:***

    Carne Asada tacos

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    Great location, less busy than the others. tavos el gordo tacos el gordo tacos el gordo

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    Tacos El Gordo Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Tacos El Gordo

    Does tacos El Gordo take ebt?

    No it doesnt

    Are you open on november 25? And what are the hours? Thank you!

    Can you pay with cards?

    Yes

    Why is this location closed? Drove by today and it was shut down?

    It has zero to do with ICE, millennials, or anything else. Try reading the statement the Owners released smh -… 

    Does tacos el Gordo have habanero salsa or some hot one?

    They have up to 4 salsas available. 2 were good and hot. I thought the green salsa was the hottest.

    Do they serve taquitos here?

    If you mean tiny tacos: they only have a standard size. If you're referring to the fried rolled up ones: never seen them. Never like those anyway.

    View All 9 Questions

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    Quixote

    Quixote

    4.0
    (696 reviews)
    12.7 mi
    $$$

    Quixote is connected to the side of the Lafayette hotel in a deconstructed church with stained…read moreglass, heaven and hell rooms. Super dark and I mean dark, it'll take a minute for your eyes to adjust. Tapas style menu, we were a party of 4 and ordered: Squash blossom Relleno - it's the flower part of a squash plant and stuffed with mushroom duxelles which resembles a meat mixture with squash succotash. Outside is a corn tempura with a tomato base sauce. Pulpo-grilled octopus, one of the best texture and perfectly grilled skin with a chewy yet soft interior. The sauce has a slight kick and crunch from the corn nuts. Crab corn doughnut- this is their specialty and we were about to skip out but glad we didn't. The brioche bun had a donut batter with lumps of crab salad and corn mixture on top. El Festin- perfect for our party of 4 because it was a platter full of 4 Cheese quesadilla, 4 shrimp, 4 chicken slices, 1 jalapeño bacon wrap, ribeye. Flan-we should have each ordered one ourselves! Great flavors and texture, the top had ancient chocolate soil and had crispy corn nuts. Different but yummy. Overall, delicious food that came out so quick, great ambiance, we celebrated our birthdays and were each gifted candles with our names on the label. Truly amazing from beginning to end. Street parking only. The spots on the same block are metered but if you drive down to the second street towards residential, it's free.

    Great place, perfect for a third date. Parking can be tough so plan for that. Smaller venue that…read moregets a bit loud. Dimly lit but that is part of the ambiance. Heaven and Hell theme that would make Miguel de Cervantes proud. Goths love and would love this place. The service was great as was the food. A small rotating menu with many treasures to choose from and many items to share. The plating is very unique. A bit on the pricy side but it is worth it for the experience. You need to go at least once. A good place to bring peeps from out of town as well if the budget provides. Reservations are recommended. My only real gripes are the parking (not really their fault), the prices being a bit high and the noisy and dim atmosphere, but the other perks make up for a lot of this. Also, be careful of the candles, one dripped on my date and messed up her dress.

    Photos
    Dramatic dining space!
    Dramatic dining space!
    Chamoyada dessert, the mango sorbet was the highlight!
    Chamoyada dessert, the mango sorbet was the highlight!
    Sangre Santa. Taste like a sangria. It was delicious.

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    Sangre Santa. Taste like a sangria. It was delicious.
    Coasterra

    Coasterra

    4.0
    (4.1k reviews)
    12.2 mi
    $$$

    If you're heading out to Coasterra, do yourself a favor and go. The view alone is worth the trip,…read moreyou're right on the water looking out at the San Diego skyline, and honestly it feels like a mini escape without leaving the city. We grabbed a table for our whole crew, kids included, and settled in for what turned out to be a really memorable evening. Now, no meal is perfect, and ours had a funny little hiccup. We ordered the shrimp salad, and it showed up... shrimp-less. Just a salad. We laughed about it because hey, things happen, but what really made the night was how it got handled. Our server Erika noticed something was off before we even said much, and she jumped right on it. Not only did she get the dish fixed and out to us fast, she also surprised the kids with free dessert, no fuss, no attitude, just genuine hospitality. That's the kind of service that turns a small mistake into a story you actually want to tell. The rest of the meal was great too. Fresh flavors, a menu that leans into that coastal Mexican-meets-California vibe, and a setting that makes everything taste a little better. Sunset hit while we were there and the whole patio just glowed. It's one of those spots where you're paying for the experience as much as the food, and honestly, both delivered.

    Coasterra is easily one of my favorite restaurants in San Diego. The food has a great fusion of…read moreflavors, and I love that so many of the dishes have plenty of spice and actually taste bold and flavorful. The calamari is a must for me every time I come. It definitely has a kick, so beware if you're sensitive to spice, but it's so good. The queso fundido is another favorite and great for sharing. I've tried quite a few of the entrées over different visits. The Mexican paella was really good, the ancho chile roasted salmon is another standout, and the Pork & Chile Colorado Cazuela was incredibly tender and packed with flavor. Definitely save room for dessert too. The butter cake was delicious, and the churros were just as good. Beyond the food, one of the biggest reasons to come here is the location. The outdoor patio has amazing views looking across the water toward downtown San Diego and makes the whole experience even better, especially around sunset.

    Photos
    Located on Harbor Island, Coasterra offers stunning views of the San Diego Bay, downtown skyline and Coronado Bridge.
    Located on Harbor Island, Coasterra offers stunning views of the San Diego Bay, downtown skyline and Coronado Bridge.
    View from patio
    View from patio
    Main dining room

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    Main dining room
    Oscars Mexican Seafood

    Oscars Mexican Seafood

    4.2
    (2.2k reviews)
    12.7 mi
    $$

    Hands-down the best seafood and fish taco place in San Diego! A must order is the Taco Especial…read morewith smoked fish, shrimp, scallops, tomato, cilantro, onion, melted cheese and avocado. I highly recommend pairing this with the chipotle sauce, which is offered along with all of the other sauces. The Battered Fish Taco and Tuna Ceviche Tostada is also a must. Every time I have visitors to San Diego and they want authentic Mexican Food I take them to Oscar's. I won't eat my fish tacos anywhere else! This place is definitely a local establishment. Note that parking is tight in the parking lot, but you can also park on the street around the corner. The food is worth the search for a spot if the lot is full. This eatery is legit!

    Oscar's came highly recommended by a bunch of SD locals. I've been here three times and it hits…read moreevery time. Some highlights: -Mixto Ceviche: ceviche with shrimp and fish. Comes in a personal sized cup and can be shared as a group or as part of your entree. -Grilled Octopus/Pulpo Taco: I'm always a little hesitant about grilled octopus because it's hard to prepare and can end up being really chewy. It was grilled perfectly here! The chunks were big enough so you get the squid flavor. It also comes with a sweet/spicy sauce which was unexpected but really yummy. -Battered Fish Taco: my favorite dish! Huge flaky piece of fish that's fried really well. Not too much rough and you can really taste the fish. -Chips and Guac: fresh made guac! Get it as a side order and you can add to your tacos too. It can get really busy here. Our food took longer than expected and you have to wait around for a table too. Parking lot can be a hit or miss. Try to come during off hours!

    Photos
    Inside | IG:@socalsnomnoms
    Inside | IG:@socalsnomnoms
    Battered Fish Taco
    Battered Fish Taco
    Fish Ceviche

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    Fish Ceviche

    Tacos El Gordo - mexican - Updated August 2026

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