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I stopped by this taco shop on the way home. Parking is difficult so you'll really have to go out of your way to pick up food from here. Nonetheless I was excited to try something new. I ordered 3 adobada, 1 carnitas, 3 carne asada, 3 cabeza, and 3 rolled tacos. All the tacos came with flour tortillas which were on the thicker side. The thickness of the tortillas were almost comparable to arepas. The adobada was flavorful but I'm used to other places adding guac which was not the case here. The cabeza was not as soft and fatty. The rolled tacos were just ok. There's a salsa bar in the back. They give you the sauce lids when you pay so it's a limited amount that you can help yourself to. There is a decent amount of seating available. In terms of cleanliness, this is not it.
I came here for lunch trying to find a new place for tacos. Unfortunately (no-Lengua) but the food i ordered was so tasty and portions are generous - the price is adequate, fast service- very friendly, the Ambiance is very quiet (this is around 2:00 p.m. on a friday) I'm not really sure how it is later with the evening crowd I will definitely come back if I'm in the area , one very important point Parking is very scarce bring a couple of dollars in quarters or if you know how to use the parking meters with your smartphone Apple or Google pay is accepted that is about the only way to park here there is other businesses that have parking but I did not want to take a chance to get towed or get a ticket so bring change or pay with your smartphone and give them a try
Homemade tortillas, fresh ingredients, no lard in anything (we don't eat pork)... this place is awesome. Luis was very kind and helpful throughout our visit. I think we find our new spot!
Are you looking for good tacos late at night? This might be the best place to go to for affordability. They serve great tacos for 3.50$ each. Out of the tacos I tried, my favorite was adobada, it had a very good taste. Service is good, but be advised that it can get packed because it is a small place so you might be waiting for a spot to sit during peak hours. But they bring the food out to your table which is very cool. The salsa and lemons are available for you to get on your own at the back of the restaurant.
Our favorite go-to taco spot in San Diego! Good quality of food, fast service, friendly staff. It's always busy and parking isn't the greatest, but it's worth it.
I want to set the record straight: there is no Taco Tuesday special. It doesn't exist. They do have an everyday special of three tacos, rice, beans, and a fountain drink for $13.50. It's a bit of a hole-in-the-wall, but the staff have been there forever and the service is quick.
These tacos are pretty fire. Meats are tender and the flavors are good. Also decent amounts of meat given the prices per taco. Salsas were not bad either. Give it a try.
Never disappoints! I could eat these all day everyday. Asada Smokey, carnitas crispy and porky, and the tortillas are ALWAYS FRESH
Found a new spot of Taco Tuesdays. Known for the Crispy Tripa Tacos but everything else was also very tasty. Fresh tortillas. Meat is tender, juicy & flavorful. As you walk in you can see them grilling from the window. It's a pretty small inside. Only a few sit down tables & a couple outside. I believe most people order to go. Sauce bar had 1 green sauce & 2 reds. Wished they provided grilled onions & peppers as well but I'm sure you can order it as a side. Will be back.
Tacos El Panson isn't on my usual Mexican food radar in San Diego, but I was visiting a friend and he wanted to try it as it was close to his house. I wanted tacos and variety, so I ordered six tacos, one each of carne asada, pollo, adobada, birria, cabeza, and pescado. Everything was solid except for the birria, which tasted more like dry shredded beef than birria. It definitely needed some consome with it. Staff was very friendly. They brought my order out to me, so that nice. Decent spot if you're living close to it.
I still think the hand made corn tortillas are tops. They are thicker, have slight chew, and don't get soggy even if you take a while to finish your meal. My only complaint is that you cannot rely on the meats tasting the same each time. On my last visit in August 2025, my ranking was: 1. Cabeza- meat from the head (not brain. I always feel compelled to get confirmation, partly due to my ignorance and perhaps irrational fear of eating brain). The cabeza was very tender with a slight bits of fat and tendon to add some texture. 2. Carne asada- this has been consistently cooked over the last few years. Thinly sliced and flavorful, albeit a little dry. 3. Adobada. Cut in bigger chunks this time and not as moist as I remember 4. Pollo asado. Tender but missing the chargrilled flavor and texture that was in iterations past. I like that they now have some agua frescas, including a refreshing pineapple, cucumber, and spinach flavor.
How incredibly lucky I am to have found tacos el Panson! Their meats are tender, crispy, juicy, and everything else in between. That paired with handmade tortillas. Some of the best tacos I've had in a looooong time. And I've been to Mexico a few times in the past year. Ugh it was so so so good. Just wish I lived closer and this would 10/10 be a weekly stop for a quick bite.
A small hole-in-the-wall shop with some inside seating and a modest salsa bar (3 options). When I went, they didn't have any limes! They only had lemons which wasn't a great sign. It wasn't busy when I went at 1:00pm on a Saturday, and my food took about 10 minutes to be ready. The carne asada taco was definitely the better taco out of all the ones I got. The meat had a slight charred flavor to it and wasn't overly smoky. The cabeza was okay. The adobada flavor and texture were lacking. It wasn't that tender/moist and the flavor could have been more. And for the mulita, I got it with suadero. Usually suadero meat is cut more thinly, however this one was cube chunks of suadero. The ratio was off because of this and the meat itself was dry and not tender. I don't know if I came on an off day, but for San Diego standards of tacos, I felt that my experience really fell short.
2 months ago
1 month ago
3 months ago
I came here around 9:00 p.m. on a Friday, and the place was packed. You order at the counter, and the employees were extremely friendly and welcoming. I ordered: *Adobada Taco: Absolutely phenomenal. Probably one of the best adobada tacos I've ever had. The meat was perfectly cooked, incredibly flavorful, and well seasoned. *Carne Asada Taco: Another great taco. The carne asada was tender, well cooked, and packed with flavor. *Carnitas Taco: Also delicious, but probably my least favorite of the three. Still very good, just overshadowed by the other two. *Side of Carne Asada: For only $4, I ordered a bowl of carne asada for my pup. It was a huge portion, and she absolutely loved it, devoured it in no time. *Corona with Lime: The perfect pairing with the tacos. We grabbed a table outside where they have a nice little seating area in front. Our food came out in less than five minutes. The employee who brought it over even remembered my dog's name, which was such a nice touch. With tip, my total came to almost $25. The taco prices are an incredible value. I do think something may have been off with my bill because my food came to about $14.50, and I don't think a Corona costs $7. I should've paid closer attention before paying. Overall, this was a fantastic spot with amazing tacos and excellent service. The adobada taco is an absolute must-order, and I also love that they're so dog-friendly. I'll definitely be back! read more
I stopped by this taco shop on the way home. Parking is difficult so you'll really have to go out of your way to pick up food from here. Nonetheless I was excited to try something new. I ordered 3 adobada, 1 carnitas, 3 carne asada, 3 cabeza, and 3 rolled tacos. All the tacos came with flour tortillas which were on the thicker side. The thickness of the tortillas were almost comparable to arepas. The adobada was flavorful but I'm used to other places adding guac which was not the case here. The cabeza was not as soft and fatty. The rolled tacos were just ok. There's a salsa bar in the back. They give you the sauce lids when you pay so it's a limited amount that you can help yourself to. There is a decent amount of seating available. In terms of cleanliness, this is not it. read more
I came here for lunch trying to find a new place for tacos. Unfortunately (no-Lengua) but the food i ordered was so tasty and portions are generous - the price is adequate, fast service- very friendly, the Ambiance is very quiet (this is around 2:00 p.m. on a friday) I'm not really sure how it is later with the evening crowd I will definitely come back if I'm in the area , one very important point Parking is very scarce bring a couple of dollars in quarters or if you know how to use the parking meters with your smartphone Apple or Google pay is accepted that is about the only way to park here there is other businesses that have parking but I did not want to take a chance to get towed or get a ticket so bring change or pay with your smartphone and give them a try read more
6 months ago
Are you looking for good tacos late at night? This might be the best place to go to for affordability. They serve great tacos for 3.50$ each. Out of the tacos I tried, my favorite was adobada, it had a very good taste. Service is good, but be advised that it can get packed because it is a small place so you might be waiting for a spot to sit during peak hours. But they bring the food out to your table which is very cool. The salsa and lemons are available for you to get on your own at the back of the restaurant. read more
4 months ago
Our favorite go-to taco spot in San Diego! Good quality of food, fast service, friendly staff. It's always busy and parking isn't the greatest, but it's worth it. read more
4 months ago
I want to set the record straight: there is no Taco Tuesday special. It doesn't exist. They do have an everyday special of three tacos, rice, beans, and a fountain drink for $13.50. It's a bit of a hole-in-the-wall, but the staff have been there forever and the service is quick. read more
4 months ago
These tacos are pretty fire. Meats are tender and the flavors are good. Also decent amounts of meat given the prices per taco. Salsas were not bad either. Give it a try. read more
5 months ago
Never disappoints! I could eat these all day everyday. Asada Smokey, carnitas crispy and porky, and the tortillas are ALWAYS FRESH read more
10 days ago
Found a new spot of Taco Tuesdays. Known for the Crispy Tripa Tacos but everything else was also very tasty. Fresh tortillas. Meat is tender, juicy & flavorful. As you walk in you can see them grilling from the window. It's a pretty small inside. Only a few sit down tables & a couple outside. I believe most people order to go. Sauce bar had 1 green sauce & 2 reds. Wished they provided grilled onions & peppers as well but I'm sure you can order it as a side. Will be back. read more
1 year ago
Tacos El Panson isn't on my usual Mexican food radar in San Diego, but I was visiting a friend and he wanted to try it as it was close to his house. I wanted tacos and variety, so I ordered six tacos, one each of carne asada, pollo, adobada, birria, cabeza, and pescado. Everything was solid except for the birria, which tasted more like dry shredded beef than birria. It definitely needed some consome with it. Staff was very friendly. They brought my order out to me, so that nice. Decent spot if you're living close to it. read more
1 year ago
I still think the hand made corn tortillas are tops. They are thicker, have slight chew, and don't get soggy even if you take a while to finish your meal. My only complaint is that you cannot rely on the meats tasting the same each time. On my last visit in August 2025, my ranking was: 1. Cabeza- meat from the head (not brain. I always feel compelled to get confirmation, partly due to my ignorance and perhaps irrational fear of eating brain). The cabeza was very tender with a slight bits of fat and tendon to add some texture. 2. Carne asada- this has been consistently cooked over the last few years. Thinly sliced and flavorful, albeit a little dry. 3. Adobada. Cut in bigger chunks this time and not as moist as I remember 4. Pollo asado. Tender but missing the chargrilled flavor and texture that was in iterations past. I like that they now have some agua frescas, including a refreshing pineapple, cucumber, and spinach flavor. read more
7 months ago
How incredibly lucky I am to have found tacos el Panson! Their meats are tender, crispy, juicy, and everything else in between. That paired with handmade tortillas. Some of the best tacos I've had in a looooong time. And I've been to Mexico a few times in the past year. Ugh it was so so so good. Just wish I lived closer and this would 10/10 be a weekly stop for a quick bite. read more
1 year ago
A small hole-in-the-wall shop with some inside seating and a modest salsa bar (3 options). When I went, they didn't have any limes! They only had lemons which wasn't a great sign. It wasn't busy when I went at 1:00pm on a Saturday, and my food took about 10 minutes to be ready. The carne asada taco was definitely the better taco out of all the ones I got. The meat had a slight charred flavor to it and wasn't overly smoky. The cabeza was okay. The adobada flavor and texture were lacking. It wasn't that tender/moist and the flavor could have been more. And for the mulita, I got it with suadero. Usually suadero meat is cut more thinly, however this one was cube chunks of suadero. The ratio was off because of this and the meat itself was dry and not tender. I don't know if I came on an off day, but for San Diego standards of tacos, I felt that my experience really fell short. read more
1 year ago
I was in town for training and one of my coworkers asked one of the locals for a good place to eat that was close. Tacos el Panson was the answer. They knew what they were talking about! Located on the very busy El Cajon Blvd, Tacos el Panson is a place you'll miss because you didn't see it or you'll miss it because you're looking for a parking spot. Seriously, parking around here is terrible. Tacos el Panson is super small where you order pretty much as soon as you walk in. There's a few tables in the rear where the salsa bar is and a couple more tables outside. The menu is pretty standard fare. I went with the 5 Rolled Tacos combo and it was all really good. The tacos were super crispy and topped with all the fixings. The beans and rice were pretty basic. I like more of the lard flavoring as that's what reminds me of homemade goodness. My coworkers got regular tacos and they raved about them. Would I make the trek from Riverside to SD just for Tacos el Panson? No. If I was in the area would I eat here again? Absolutely! The food is fresh, tasty and comes out fast. They have a large variety of meats if you want something other than pastor or asada. Just be prepared to eat in your car (if you find a parking spot) because of the limited seating. Highly recommended! read more
They had tripas tacos, so we had to come grab some. My cousin and I got two tripas tacos each, and also each got a birria taco to try. It was pretty busy, so we just stood at the front and watched them cook and make tortillas. The tripas tacos were good, and we had requested it to be extra crispy. We didn't care too much for the birria tacos; we were thinking of the crispy birria tacos, the quesabirrias, when we ordered it. read more
I was in town and decided to stop by. Place is very small. Felt a little claustrophobic. The cashier guy was nice and patient. I was pretty hungry since I drove 2hrs to get here. I ended up ordering their enchiladas, 3 taco plate deal, carne asada fries, and a quesadilla. The tacos were AMAZING! The homemade corn tortilla was outstanding. Enchiladas were okay and the asada fries were enough to feed all 8 of us. The only down side of this place is the seating. Not enough tables. read more
2 months ago
1 month ago
8 months ago
Tripa Tacos... the best I've had in San Diego! Carne Asada is Smokey and good but if I had to sum this place down it's the tripa tacos. Al pastor is okay. I would rate 1. Tripa, 2. Carne Asada, 3. Al pastor. Go there and get 3 tripa tacos with green sauce and you can thank me later! read more
4 months ago
I was craving rolled tacos and this spot came up as a place to try nearby. It's a true little shop, parking on side streets is best rather than El Cajon blvd. Ordered my three rolled tacos, no cheese, and was given some cups to use at the self serve salsa bar. They called my name when food was ready, and I ate them about ten minutes later. The rolled tacos were on the saltier side, and unfortunately didn't hold their crisp. But they were nicely filled, the guac was good and so were the salsas. Friendly people running it. I'll be back read more
9 months ago
My husband and I came here for some tacos and it did not disappoint. Good size tacos with reasonable prices. Buche was my favorite cooked perfectly. Birria was tender and flavorful. Salsas flavorful with the right amount of spice. Nice staff, I recommend eating here. read more
2 months ago
11 months ago
6 months ago
5 months ago
1 year ago
Tacos El Panson is everything. I got the carne asada, carnitas, and adobada tacos--and they were all insanely good. Like, I genuinely dream about these tacos. The flavors were bold, the meat was perfectly cooked, and every bite was packed with flavor. I can't wait to go back. The shop is small but has seating inside, which is perfect for a quick bite. Plus, unlimited salsa and limes? Major bonus. There are a few parking stalls right out front, so it's easy to pop in. If you're a taco lover, this place is a must. read more
10 months ago
I ordered two Al Pastor tacos and a drink. The amount on each Al Pastor taco was more than enough and it was tasty except not enough spice to them. I had to add a bunch of salsa but after that they were good. The service was great and served right away. I wish they had a trompo but other than that no complaints. It does appear to be a mom and pop taco shop. read more
Not bad, not bad at all. I had 3 adobada tacos today for $9. So affordable. The tacos were packed with a generous portion of meat on what I assume are homemade tortillas. They had 3 different kinds of salsa and I thought all 3 were pretty good. The tacos are actually huge and after eating 2 tacos, I was too full to finish the 3rd one...so I could get away with eating lunch for $6! Wild! Adobada was cooked well and flavorful. Ambiance is homey and not crazy busy. Not as good as Tacos El Gordo, but I would still come back. read more
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More info about Tacos El Panson
4433 El Cajon Blvd
San Diego, CA 92115
City Heights
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(619) 241-2222
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Anyone know the updated hours --came just now and they're closed even though yelp reports 11pm?
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