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    The Taco Stand

    4.4 (1.4k reviews)
    ModerateMexican, Food Stands
    Closed • 10:00 am - 10:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Order The Taco Stand Takeout or Delivery

    The Taco Stand Photos

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    THE TACO STAND ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Trendy
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - The Taco Stand

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    Al Pastor Tacos (rotisserie marinated pork, cilantro, onion, salsa cilantro and pineapple)
    Joe C.

    My first experience of this place was in Encinitas and it's always a stop for me while in San Diego. The meats in the tacos are seasoned perfectly and cooked to perfection. I always order the following: -Al Pastor Tacos (rotisserie marinated pork, cilantro, onion, salsa cilantro and pineapple) -Carne Asada Tacos (flame grilled angus steak, cilantro, onions, guacamole and mild salsa) Their salsa bar is great too! It's full of delicious salsas and pickled veggies. You can go mild or all the way to the their hottest (La Salsa Macha). Seating is limited, but there's tables inside and out. Bathroom is also located outside. Food arrives quickly - literally minutes. They're super efficient! There's nothing negative to say about this place and if you haven't tried them, give it a shot! I hope you enjoy the food as much as my family and I do.

    Camaron (spicy shrimp) tacos
    Jasmine D.

    The Taco Stand was our first stop in San Diego on our weekend trip and tacos ended up being one of the highlights of our trip! There's both indoor and outdoor seating - overall the space is on the smaller side, but with tacos the turnover is pretty fast. You order at the register and pick up your tacos when they call your name. There are lots of options to pick from, but I tried the carne asada, al pastor, and camaron (spicy shrimp) tacos and they were all so flavorful and yummy! The tortillas tasted so fresh too. Salsas, toppings, and water are all self-serve. Street parking only - which can be a bit tough during peak weekend hours, but definitely worth a stop!

    Mar y Tierra (Steak & Shrimp) Burrito
    Jordan B.

    My first meal fresh off the plane during my recent trip to San Diego, and it did not disappoint! I'd been wanting to try The Taco Stand for a while, so when the good friend I was meeting up with told me there was a location right in the neighborhood where I was staying, I knew I had to go. The place smelled AMAZING as soon as we walked in. After looking over the menu and getting some recommendations from my friend, who's a local, I landed on the Mar y Tierra burrito with steak and shrimp. It was SO good, flavorful, filling, and even better paired with the different sauces from the salsa bar. After being away from California for over three years, this was the perfect first meal back. Great food, great flavor, and definitely somewhere I'd visit again. Chipotle and Moe's could neva!!!

    Interior
    Jacob M.

    I was really looking forward to trying this place. I'd heard very polarizing reviews, with some people saying it's one of the best taco chains in San Diego and others calling it overrated gringo tacos. Either way, I had to form my own opinion. I loved the vibe of the place. The aesthetic is retro and inviting, almost like a classic burger window. The menu is simple and easy to follow, and I liked the variety. The prices also seemed reasonably fair. I ordered a carne asada, al pastor, and pescado taco to go, and everything was ready in under 10 minutes. The salsa bar was a nice touch, with a great variety of salsas. Some were better than others, but they can't all be great! As for the tacos, I'd rank the carne asada as the best, the al pastor as just okay, and the pescado as my least favorite. I think I'm just not a huge fish taco fan, although it was recommended by the worker. All the tacos were hefty, and the fresh tortillas were really nice. Each taco also had its own unique blend of toppings and salsa. The carne asada stood out because it had a great mix of fatty and meaty pieces. I'd personally rank this place pretty highly. It's not my favorite taco spot, but I'd definitely come back. I also tried some of the mushroom from the mushroom burrito, and the flavor was incredible. I understand why this place is divisive, but I think there's a time and place for a spot like this.

    Left: POLLO ASADO TACO; Right: CARNE ASADA TACO
    Jessica W.

    Food: pescado taco, pollo taco and churros. I messed up and ordered pescado instead of the fried Baja but it was still very tasty. The corn tortillas are so fresh and chewy. Both tacos were really flavorful but I liked the pescado more. One order of churros is three pieces. They were very good. Service: the place was packed and it took about 15 minutes for our order but then I noticed a sign for patience as they make the food when you order it. So worth it! Ambiance: inside there were only four tables but there were more outside. We were lucky to score a table inside. Found out about this place from someone's YouTube posting. We will definitely be back and next time I'll get the Baja taco!

    Ella G.

    Fish and shrimp tacos!!! Best fish taco I've ever had! Limited seating. No a/c so come early or come even it's cool. The salsa and avocado salsa were really good. All the sides they have for you to get I highly recommend testing to see what you like. The service was fast. It is a hole in the wall place but worth going to if you want some great tacos.

    Anny L.

    Great taco spot in North Park! I tried the Shrimp Taco, Carne Asada, Al Pastor, and Mexican street corn. The Shrimp Taco was my favorite--fresh, flavorful, and well-balanced. The Carne Asada and Al Pastor were also tasty, and the Mexican street corn was a must-try. Definitely worth a visit!

    Hair in my food
    Alicia W.

    I am writing to express my total frustration regarding my recent visit to your establishment. After the struggle of finding parking, I expected at least a decent meal. What I received was not only inedible but a clear health hazard. The tacos were poorly prepared, hard, and covered in burnt cheese. Most concerning, however, was the extreme amount of grease--the food was clearly cooked improperly, as it was saturated with oil. To make matters worse, I found a hair in my food. It is insulting to charge premium prices for this level of low-quality, unsanitary food. Being busy is not a valid excuse for neglecting basic kitchen standards and safety. I ended up having to throw my entire dinner away, leaving me with nothing to eat after spending a significant amount of money at your restaurant. I am disgusted by the lack of care for both the quality of your product and basic food safety. You are charging too much to be serving hazardous, poorly cooked meals. I strongly recommend you address these kitchen failures immediately.

    Outside
    Erin G.

    My niece took us here for some good tacos. We walked up to the counter where we placed our order and could also see them making the fresh food. I ordered a Baja taco, carne asada taco, and grilled pescado taco. Everything was delicious and the Baja taco was my favorite. The restaurant is small inside but there was plenty of seating. I would absolutely eat here again and I am glad to see there are locations on the east coast.

    Tree
    Blain C.

    The most mouth watering tacos!!! I WILL be dreaming about these tacos! Lots of outdoor seating. Lots of taco options. I highly recommend al pastor and pollo asado. Big back foodie lifestyle because dos tacos was lowkey not enough for me. I managed so don't worry about it y'all lol. Service was fantastic, fast and furious. My hubby and I are about to frequent this taco stand real talk real life okurrr. Period. Enjoy and thank ya!

    Menu
    Caitlin V.

    I went to the Taco Stand after the San Diego Zoo in the early evening. Parking can be a problem since you have to find a spot on the street. The line wasn't too bad, but there was no available table to eat inside, so we ate them in our car. I tried three tacos: carne asada, cameron, and Baja. All were good, but Cameron was definitely a stand out taco. A must try!

    Loan N.

    Our usual spot is the Convoy location, but this North Park one is just as good! Just a heads-up: it gets a bit confusing near the register because of all the delivery drivers waiting around, making it hard to see where the line actually starts. We always get the al pastor tacos, which are excellent. I also tried the margarita in a can recently, and it was pretty good! We ended up sitting outside near the restroom, which provided some entertainment watching people try to open the locked door before realizing they needed a key. Overall, it gets packed in the evening, so parking can be tough, but it's well worth it.

    Baja Fish taco and Pollo Asado taco
    Carissa C.

    We really enjoyed lunch at the Taco Stand! We got their Baja, Pollo Asado, and Carne Asada tacos. My favorites were the Baja (so fresh!) and Carne Asada (very meaty!) tacos. The Pollo Asado was a bit on the greasy side for me. We also recommend getting their churros! They came out hot and fresh and had the perfect crunch. It was late lunch and we brought our baby in a stroller, and we found the perfect little table on their patio to enjoy our lunch. We found free street parking nearby. Would recommend!

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    16 days ago

    Azer , Tino. Eduardo , Alejandra and Dania was great. They helped me out even though I messed up the order.

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    24 days ago

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    1 month ago

    Carne asada fries, very filling for the price and amazing fries. Also love the chipotle salsa!

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    19 days ago

    So worth the wait! This place is always packed because it is delicious and consistent. We love their fish tacos. Service is always nice too!

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    The Taco Stand Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - The Taco Stand

    Is there taco Tuesday deals?

    I am not sure

    Is there indoor seating as of 06/03/2020?

    Indoor standing to eat at a high top table.

    Is the restaurant dog friendly?

    Yes! There's a patio in front.

    Is there a Taco Tuesday deal?

    Nothing is advertised in store or online as of 9/11/18.

    Do you make Micheladas?

    Yes they do .

    View All 6 Questions

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    I freaking love this market, Sat & Sun only, 10-4…read more What did I want to do for Mother's Day? Lane Field market! Walk along the Embarcadero & get a freeze on a hot day, stop by Chilanga's (the best booth there) & get my huitlacoche on. Live music, shade, delicious vendors, right across from the water. I did have a little detour from Chilanga's - while I was waiting for my spouse to park, I sat at a shady table with a woman who was telling me about the poke truck (Island Mike's) & explaining that her coworker ran it as a side hustle, and that the poke was delicious because he had lived in Hawaii. I agonized a bit - get my Chilanga's huitlacoche huarache - or try the poke? I eventually decided: it's Mother's Day, you can have ALL the things, just like at a buffet! So I went to Island Mike's first. They advertised Broke Da Mouth poke - and I was a little suspicious at first - cuz Island Mike's didn't look like a Hawaii native but a mainlander who spent some time there. BUT... I got my poke "island style" (furikake, sushi rice, and the poke - not lots of distractions like seaweed salad or ginger like in the "mainland style") - and it really was off the hook. Really fresh & delicious and perfectly made. YUM & YUM. $12 for one scoop (the smaller size) & very worth it. Of course I still needed my Chilanga's so then I got the huitlacoche huarache (a vegetarian taste of heaven - shredded lettuce, huitlacoche, Mexican cheese on a huarache (masa dough) & tried the mango passion fruit agua fresca. The huarache is huge and I'd already had the little poke, so I took most of it home to eat later. But it was just as yummy as I remembered. And the agua fresca is amazing. I'll still crave Chilanga's but now I'll crave Island Mike's too. I need to get down here more often because it is a super fun outing that is too good to waste on tourists!

    This was walking distance from Hotel Republic just past the Santa Fe Depot so before we started our…read moretrek back to OC 2 weekends ago, we decided to check out some of the vendors at Lane Field Park Market. There was live music and aa few food stalls. Good Eatz (filipino/hawaiian fusion) caught my eye mainly because they have a few Ube pastries (mochi, ube bar, etc). I first ordered the ube bar which passed the test so I went back to order the mochi. They also offer lumpia, spam musubi and chicken wing combo plates and pork dumplings.

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    Island Mike's poke stand

    San Diego Food Markets - Island style poke from Island Mike's, one scoop of non-spicy shoyu ahi. BROKE DA MOUTH!!!!

    Island style poke from Island Mike's, one scoop of non-spicy shoyu ahi. BROKE DA MOUTH!!!!

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