Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    The Taco Stand

    4.3 (1.3k reviews)
    InexpensiveMexican, Food Stands
    Open 10:00 am - 11:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Order The Taco Stand Takeout or Delivery

    The Taco Stand Photos

    Business Info

    THE TACO STAND ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Trendy
    Good for kids

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - The Taco Stand

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Menu (06/09/26). @LetsTaco @ExploreNorthPark #SanDiego #MexicanFood #Burritos #Tacos
    Jeff B.

    (Tookout 06/09/26 TU @ 6:00pm): This place was more than a taco stand! After waiting most of the day for Best Buy's Geek Squad to show up with a new TV and soundbar delivery and installation, I was famished and decided to take The Taco Stand off my bookmark list. Being a newbie to the area and neighborhood, I was actively trying all of the local eateries (preferably within walking distance from our place for starters), and I hadn't eaten any Mexican food in the area yet, so the timing was perfect. Founders Aram Baloyan and Julian Hakim were inspired by Tijuana's bustling taco stands and their personal culinary adventures across the Baja Peninsula, they opened their first location in 2013 in La Jolla, California (the North Park location was their 4th in 2018), and have progressively opened more locations throughout San Diego County, parts of Orange County, and into states such as Florida, Nevada, Texas, with more planned on the horizon. Would I be willing to stand in line for their tacos after this first meal!? PURCHASE(S) Grupo Modelo Victoria Lager Beer 4.0% ABV 12floz Bottle ($5.69): Golden amber color, light malty aroma, light body, light malty flavor, clean smooth finish, and light malty aftertaste. Baja Taco ($3.99): Their fish taco (choice of baked or grilled; I had mine grilled), this was a mass of sloppy goodness seasoned supple fish mixed with taco salad, a fresh crema, and Lord knows what else, barely held together on a homemade corn tortilla, this finger-licking entry to their food was stupendous! Pollo Asado Taco ($3.99): Highly-seasoned and flavorfully tender chicken with guacamole and cilantro wrapped in their homemade corn tortilla, this was simplicity at its best! Mushroom Taco ($3.85): Caramelized seasoned plump mushrooms with a thick avocado slice and cilantro held together by a freshly-made corn tortilla, this was a filling healthier taco, and I loved it! Carne Asada Burrito ($10.69): Generally speaking, this was an all killer and very little filler burrito which was how I liked it! Packed with juicy seasoned succulent tender chunks of beef, guacamole, and little else all wrapped in a stretched flour tortilla, I was loving this gordo burrito during every bite and finger-licking moment! SERVICE As a first-timer, I casually walked in, placed my order, and waited for my name to be called. Another option was ordering online ahead of time and picking it up. Whatever, the wait was barely ten minutes as I watched the line grow the entire time I was there. The staff was friendly and fast. Everything was easy and straightforward - muchas gracias! PARKING (Varied; N/A this instance): Because I walked barely five minutes from the property, parking wasn't an issue. However, there appeared to be minimal available spots along the main drag of Upas St. and all of the surrounding residential streets (read any posted signs) - 'nuff said! ATMOSPHERE, DÉCOR, AMBIENCE Truly a stand with an open kitchen, an easily legible menu above the order counter, a few tables inside with the fountain drink machine, salsa bar, and cooler for bottled drinks, the outside front patio had most of the dining tables and some communal benches. It got crowded quickly once the line got long. Plenty of natural lighting entered through the front door and window while electric street and string lights filled in the rest. There weren't any TVs nor could I recall any background music; although, there was plenty of chatter and vehicular traffic all around. ATTIRE Totally casual, so I would normally be in a t-shirt, boardshorts, and flip-flops. OVERALL The Taco Stand was a wonderful way to introduce me to Mexican food in the neighborhood, and I would definitely be back. The food tasted awesome, the prices were affordably reasonable, the menu was varied enough although they didn't have any of the preferred "off" meats (e.g. cabeza, lengua, suadero, tripas) which took luster off the authentic claim, and the service was outstanding. I found very good value based on the prices, service, and experience noted above (TOTAL paid experience was around $30.00 BEFORE any discounts, points usage, and/or tip). And, they accepted my credit card of choice... AMEX! 4.0 STARS

    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!

    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!

    The menu
    Hanna O.

    I've had The Taco Stand on my must-try list for quite some time. I finally went today, after my Barber encouraged me to give it a try. In Barbers, we trust! This spot blew my taco expectations out of the water! I arrived around 6:30 on a Monday, which was the tail end of rush hour. I was only in line for a handful of minutes before putting in my order which was three tacos; Carne Asada, Al Pastor, and Baja. I was told my order would take around 10 to 15 minutes , so I hit the salsa bar, filled some small plastic cups with a variety of salsas and limes, and patiently waited for my meal. Less than 10 minutes later, my name was called and it was time to grub! I know this might be a standard expectation, but I was absolutely delighted that all three of my tacos were piping hot and freshly made! I've been at other taco joints where I received my food lukewarm, which is always a bummer. I tried the baja taco first. The fish was fried to perfection! I really enjoyed the medley of cabbage, veggies, and sauce. Such a perfect balance of all the elements. This was so so good. It didn't need any of the extra salsas I had gotten on the side!. I moved onto the Al pastor taco, which was garnished so beautifully! The meat was tender, had that iconic Al pastor color, and was topped with a few pineapple slices and onions/cilantro. Oh my gosh, this taco scrumptious! Again, there was such a great balance of meat pineapple and onions/cilantro. This was such a well-done Al Pastor! And last, but certainly not least was the carne asada. I spritzed on lime juice and took a bite into the perfectly grilled, tender, and seasoned meat. this was everything I hoped for and more! I really appreciated the dollop of avocado on top! I know there's a big debate as to which taco spot is the best in San Diego.... Dare, I say this is one of the top contenders?!? I will definitely be coming back to this spot the next time I'm craving tacos!

    California burrito and Baja taco
    Graschelle H.

    Probably the best California style burrito I've ever had! The steak was super flavorful and the melted cheese was a nice touch. The baja tacos were good, classic fish tacos. The salsa bar was stocked and clean, and the chipotle sauce took everything to the next level. Horchata was on point too. Everything tasted fresh and the prices were great. I came on a weekday evening and it was pretty busy. There are tables inside and some outdoor seating as well. Wasn't really an issue snagging a table for 2 if you keep an eye out for people leaving. TLDR: This spot is now on my non-negotiable good eats list whenever I visit SD. Their Cali burrito with chipotle sauce is a must try!

    CORN ON THE COB
    Cat N.

    I just don't get the hype of The Taco Stand. I went with one other person during the weekday for a quick grab of food. Parking was atrocious even though it was a weekday. The lot was full and street parking was non-existent. After a while we finally found parking. After ordering they told us our food would be a 15-20 minutes wait. I got their popular fish taco. I got the grill one and it was bland AF, even with their bland ass salsas. The corn on the cob was made boiled which I preferred grill. The flavor was nice but wasn't super sweet. Can't say I loved the food. Unfortunately I won't be back. Consider my 3 stars generous.

    Menu
    Wendy S.

    This place was a hot spot the whole time we were there!! So good! All of the tacos were amazing and so unique. My favorite today was the mushroom taco. Tried almost all of the salsas. It's a must!! The salsa bar is next level! We order quite a bit and they got them out fairly quick. This is a must try!!

    BAJA TACO
    Nadia S.

    Tried Taco Stand during my San Diego trip and loved it so much that I ended up going twice. Got the Baja & the pollo asado tacos - both were delicious, packed with flavor, and made with tender meat that was cooked perfectly. I also tried the pollo asado burrito, which was just as good and super satisfying. The food is budget-friendly, filling, and doesn't compromise on quality. Servers were friendly and quick too. Definitely a must-visit if you're in San Diego.

    Horrible burrito today... so much tortilla. Missing ingredients... so disappointed

    Update: Thankfully, The Taco Stand made things right. I really appreciate them addressing what happened, and I'm hopeful they'll use this feedback to fix the issues so other customers don't have the same experience.

    Disney churros? No, these are better
    Michael H.

    So nice we came here twice in one San Diego visit. Tacos? Yes Churros? Yes Beer? Yes. Lucky for us this place was across the street from our Airbnb and that's what we call....convenient. Even better was the food and everything tasting fresh and delicious. After someone else in the place ordered Churros, we knew the right thing to do was order some churros for ourselves. Better than Disneyland churros I hear you asking....yes....100%. So get you some!

    AL PASTOR TACO
    DanQuynh B.

    One of the best taco places I've ever been to!! Friendly/efficient service, ambience and vibes were booming. Quite packed, but people come and go quickly so we were able to get seats. My only gripe is the parking, which took 30 minutes to find, so we parked a few blocks away.. but worth it?! Probably YES! I got the volcan carne asada taco, pescado (grilled) taco, and alpastor. The carne asada was just slightly saltier than I'd like, but the meat was cooked perfectly--juicy, tender, marinated well, savory; and adding on the chipotle sauce, cilantro sauce, pickled red onions and lime brought out the overall flavors pretty well! It was quite a generous portion of not only the meat but also the guacamole! For the pescado taco, they recommended grilled (vs fried). The fish was filling, tasted clean and light, and I felt it melted in my mouth. It was pretty refreshing, tangy, zesty! No complaints whatsoever. For the Al pastor, it was smoky, porky, crispy, filling, and marinated well; pineapple bits brought out the flavor more with its acidic contrast. Overall I enjoyed everything I got. I think I could be full off of 2 tacos max next time since their portions are pretty decent. I also loved that the sauces are self serve so you could get as much as you want! Lastly, my friend got the Al pastor, carne asada and also corn on the cob. Per her words verbatim: "the corn on the cob is the best I've ever had!" Would 100% come back next time im in San Diego!

    See all

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 hours ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 day ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 days ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 days ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 1
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    20 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    23 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 12
    Thanks 1
    Love this 8
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Gene G.
    865
    219
    7

    8 days ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Maya K.
    1
    30
    30

    5 hours ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 day ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Joel A.
    102
    7
    1

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Priscilla M.

    Priscilla M.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Kevin V.
    182
    10
    11

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Maggie Z.
    3
    85
    102

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 1
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Cynn M.
    19
    89
    112

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 34

    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

    You might also consider

    Quixote

    Quixote

    4.0
    (679 reviews)
    1.1 mi
    $$$

    Loved it here. Things to note 1. Parking is bad so plan…read moreaccordingly and be prepared to walk a block or 2 to get to the restaurant 2. It is very dark in here. I had to take photos in night mode so it looks a lot brighter than it actually is. If you are going with someone older or who has trouble seeing in the dark, they are not gonna see anything lol 3. I heard reservations were required months out but i went in the same day. It was the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend around lunch time but they took walk ins left and right so maybe just dinner is what needs to be booked in advance? The decor was immaculate and everything that came out was delicious and it came out very fast. It is connected to the Lafayette hotel which has the jungle room, bowling alley, pool and multiple bars. You can easily spend the day here. Mmmm not if you have kids though. 10/10 recommend

    Very trendy, friendly, evocative dining experience! It's located inside the Lafayette Hotel, but…read morethere's also an outside entrance to the restaurant. Beware there's only street parking, no valet service (unless you're a hotel guest), so that can present a challenge. Reservations a MUST on weekends, especially with a group. Now for the food reviews. Everything we ordered was delicious from the squash blossom and smashed tuna tartare appetizers to the El Festin platter (made for groups) . Since the main dining area is kept dark for the dramatic gothic effect, it's tricky to rely on your sense of sight for the presentation of each of the dish. The highlight for me was the chili garlic shrimp tacos. So full of flavor! The only drawback is that many of their dishes are made with nuts. So if you have a nut allergy, which one of us in our group did, the menu was limiting. Overall, it's an incredible place for first timers and out-of- towners. I might return for a special celebration, but not repeatedly. Once is good enough experience, especially with so many other special dining options in our fine city.

    Photos
    Dramatic dining space!
    Dramatic dining space!
    Chamoyada dessert, the mango sorbet was the highlight!
    Chamoyada dessert, the mango sorbet was the highlight!
    Cool and dramatic setting!

    See all

    Cool and dramatic setting!
    Coasterra

    Coasterra

    4.0
    (4k reviews)
    3.6 mi
    $$$

    Delicious food, great view, and wonderful hospitality!…read more On our last evening in San Diego, we went to Coasterra to wrap up our vacation there. This restaurant came highly recommended by major Visit San Diego websites, and we felt we should give it a try. Located right next to the water, the restaurant offers expansive view of the harbor and the San Diego skyline. Sitting is about 50/50 indoor vs. outdoor, and we chose the indoor sitting as it tended to get colder in the evening. Parking is available out front, but we took Lyft there. We came in around Happy Hour, and we were able to score two appetizers for $11 each. We got fried calamari and fish cervice as appetizers. For entree, we had the fish tacos and scallops. Both of the appetizers were excellent, and the cervice was so light and flavorful. My husband loved his scallop entree, and the taste and presentation were original and outstanding. My fish taco was enjoyable as well. For dessert, we had fresh churro that was paired with ice cream, which was excellent as well. Our meal came to $143 with taxes, which was a very good value with the quality and services offered. Our waiter was attentive and friendly, which made us felt right at home. As for the ambiance, it felt modern and relaxed. There were diverse customers from locals, tourists, and business people. Overall, it was a wonderful dining experience and we will return.

    We discover a gem. Our server Case is a 10 star server in a 5 star rating system. The atmosphere…read morewas all of the 5 stars. The table side guacamole was all five stars. The main courses we ordered we not what our taste buds were looking for. The flan ( Yes, the flan ) was the best flan I have ever consumed. As dense as a cheese cake and coconut flavors of the islands. We lookd forward to giving the place another go because of the Service, the Atmosphere, and the guacamole. We hear happy hour on a week day is the best time to indulge.

    Photos
    Skyline & bay views
    Skyline & bay views
    View from patio
    View from patio
    Main dining room

    See all

    Main dining room
    California Burritos

    California Burritos

    4.3
    (1.4k reviews)
    3.9 mi
    $$

    I ordered the shrimp burrito with black beans & avocado added. It was such a delicious burrito with…read morea massive size. I did really enjoy the additions I made which made it more filling. Great flavor and good prices! I would be back to try more menu items. They have a good selection of items for the menu! I ordered a raspberry tea and unfortunately they gave me a root beer instead. Oh well. My partner really liked the beef taco and CA burrito.

    They do things a little different at this place. The California had guacamole and sour cream. Makes…read moreit more like a carne asada burrito adding fries. That said, I was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked this burrito. It's large, filling, but their sauce had an almost artificial red color to it. Despite the weird look of the sauce, it had decent spice, wasn't overwhelming but wasn't weak either. Parking is very difficult here, and seating is limited. It's a small tack shop style place, made more for to-go orders. Service was fast and friendly. Their horchata is where they really lose a star, it's from a fountain and tastes like it, watered down artificial flavor. However you don't come here for the drinks, you come here for the large tasty California Burritos, hence the name. They've definitely won me over and I'll be back when in the area. That's this critic's review, until next time, I'll be eating.

    Photos
    California Burritos
    Sausage, Eggs, Cheese, and Potatoes Burrito
    Sausage, Eggs, Cheese, and Potatoes Burrito
    California Burritos

    See all

    Puesto at the Headquarters

    Puesto at the Headquarters

    4.1
    (5.7k reviews)
    3.2 mi
    $$
    Locally owned & operated
    Private events

    The name might be Puesto but the food was PRESTO!!…read more Never been here before but I will ABSOLUTELY return in the future. From start to finish, everything was wonderful and I will NEVER forget my experience. We were met immediately with great service as well as continuing to receive it from every member of staff including our lovely server. Every other member that brought out our food & drinks was just as delightful. The weather was perfect to be seated outdoors in their patio, it matched the relaxing and enjoyable vibe we had. The food, I mean, the FOOD was undeniably delicious and full of flavor. I've literally never had a better taco anywhere else. The Al pastor was exceptionally juicy and tasteful and I'm so glad I went with my go to because it's a meal I'll never forget. The Agua Fresca were so refreshing too, sweet but not overly sweet, just the right balance. Overall, I have another new favorite when I come back out again.

    * catching up on old backlogged drafts so this review may be a bit out of date…read more Booked a big group dinner here as they had lots of spacious seating. We were split into two tables outside. Overall the experience was pretty underwhelming. The food was not very flavorful - it wasn't authentic Mexican food or even good California fusion Mexican food. There are so many better Mexican restaurants in San Diego, it was disappointing to have wasted a meal here. I believe it's a chain so not sure if the other locations are better as I've only tried this one.

    Photos
    Ribeye Taco
    Ribeye Taco
    Puesto at the Headquarters
    Puesto at the Headquarters

    See all

    The Taco Stand - mexican - Updated June 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...