Tacos El Gordo

Second time here at Tacos El Gordo when camping at San Diego KOA nearby. Heard it's a local institution know for adobada.

I ordered 3 tacos: adobada, asada and tripa. I asked to have everything on all 3 tacos. The adobada came with an avocado cream sauce that goes really well with the sliced pork. Pro tip: ask for extra pineapple. They will give you sticks of pineapple to go with the taco. The asada taco came with guacamole because it's Tijuana style. The meat is slightly chewy for my liking but it had good flavors. Tripa is my least favorite of the 3 tacos. It has a slightly gamey taste to it. They freshly make corn tortillas to serve with the tacos.

We came at 2:30pm on Friday so luckily avoided the crowd and line. The restaurant is clean. There are staff constantly cleaning up the tables as they turnaround for next guests. I'd come back just for adobada tacos.

An oldie but a goodie, if you've spent enough time in San Diego looking for tacos, you eventually get sent to this place. Excellent tacos, good price, but incredibly busy at night. Be warned, taco cravings happen after 8 PM.

I went here on Friday night to pick up an order for some friends. I spent about 20 minutes here getting my food. I know, it seems like a long time for a taco place, but when everything is made fresh in front of you, it's really hard to complain. The inside of the restaurant is pretty modest, but it's clean. It's usually pretty hot inside the restaurant, and that's just because of the amount of food that they're making.

When you see somebody putting together a homemade tortilla, with freshly grilled Asada, cheese, and all the fixings right in front of you, it really changes your perception of good food.

I wish I would've taken more photos of the food, but we ate it all very quickly. lol. This is one of my favorite places and I will definitely be back.

Tacos El Gordo absolutely lives up to the hype. The ordering system is confusing -- multiple lines to order from depending on what meat you want, line up to pay at the cashier after receiving all your food -- but if you can overlook this oddity, you will have a great time.

The adobada here can't be beat. I'm usually a fan of asada, but the adobada is by far the best protein I've ever had in a taco: every piece is perfectly charred after being cut off from the spit, with a perfect balance of smoky and sweet, reminiscent of Chinese char siu.

Definitely worth trying out if you've never had it before. The tacos here are simple -- garnished with just onions and cilantro, but this is one of those situations where simplicity is the best.

Okay SD- y'all win best tacos in the world. Tacos EL G is perfection. This is a must try if you're visiting SD! The line system in the restaurant is a little chaotic but the cooks are grinding away to keep everyone moving along! The place can get jammed packed but it's well worth it! My personal favorites are the Cabeza and Al pastor tacos-
Be prepared to fight for seating during dinner time!

I've seen the many great reviews and had a friend recommend it. so I knew I had to come during my visit to San Diego. I drove all the way down to Chula Vista for the famous Tijuana based tacos.

When you enter the establishment, the menu is listed on top. They have various lines for different cuts of meat. You just line up with whatever corresponds to the cut of meat that you prefer. There, you can order what you want whether it's tacos/tostadas, etc.

Personally, I'm not adventurous enough to try the more uncommon cuts of meat like the tongue/lengua or head/cabeza, so I just decided to stick to the more common spicy marinated pork aka Al Pastor/adobada or grilled beef/carne asada.

The size of the tacos aren't really big. So, you may need about 3+ to get full. I personally decided to get 2 orders of the Al Pastor and 1 of the Carne Asada.

CARNE ASADA
I was honestly quite disappointed with the carne asada. It didn't taste burnt, but had a very grilled taste. I didn't enjoy the after taste. I typically like carne asada elsewhere, but it wasn't my favorite one here.
ADOBADA
On the other hand, I really loved the adobada. It was delicious!! When they serve it, they literally scrape the red meat off a vertical rotisserie. This was probably the best Al Pastor taco that I've tried. The seasoning and the preparation of the meat was so good that I literally ate these up so fast and went back on the line for 1 more. I would highly recommend this one!

Hands-down the best adobada tacos in SD!

I've been coming here ever since 2015. Every single time I revisit this place, it's just as mouth-watering and delicious as the first time.

I recommend this location over the one with the drive-thru that's close to this one. The lines move more quickly. Pro tip - there are two abobada lines, go towards the one near the register. This line is ALWAYS shorter. I highly recommend their adobada quesadillas with flour tortillas - they make the tortillas fresh to order and they're so bomb :'D FYI the quesadillas are THICK. This location also has fries! I usually don't like fries at Mexican places (lol sorry), but these are fire.

The staff are working incredibly hard to bust out delicious tasting food.

The prices are ok! I remember the days when they were less than $3; but that's also ok - it's still with it in my opinion.

The ambiance... is... a little lunch school cafeteria but I'm here for the food not for the ambiance. Finding a seat can be a nightmare when it's packed - but these tacos as take out/the next day do not hit the same so it's worth dining-in.

5/5, I heart you Tacos el Gordo : D

When people talk of SD, TEG is never that far behind!

This is arguably the most famous taco spot in the county and for good reason! I cannot say enough amazing things about their tacos.

My go-to are the Tacos de Adobada. Fresh tortillas topped with succulent meat and dressed in the most zingy sauces and fixins! Every visit is pure bliss.

Do note that wait times can get a big long during those late nights!

So you crave street tacos. But thinking about lines & parking makes you tired. And restrooms? Good luck.

Tacos El Gordo makes life easy. A large parking lot, clean restrooms, and a streamlined cafeteria system means you can actually come hungry.

Tacos El Gordo offers so many items it's like 5 food trucks under one roof. Get in the appropriate distribution line(s) then pay at the cashier station.

Tijuana-style tacos will have you seeing green. Dollop of guac on carne asada. Creamy green sauce on adobada. Green salsa on my all-time fave, cabeza. All that sauciness held in by grilled tortillas.

So for those days when you want street food but don't feel the streets, there's Tacos El Gordo. Sit your butt down and make a mess. They have napkins too, lots of them.

Best tacos around ! Just like Tijuana style delicious flavorful and salsa is on point, one of my favorite taco spots- quick service and a cool vibe

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Tacos El Gordo a Mexican restaurant that has quickly become a standout in the local culinary scene. Nestled in the heart of the San Diego this establishment offers an authentic and vibrant dining experience that transports patrons straight to the streets of Mexico.

From the moment you walk through the door, the atmosphere is lively. For the main course, I opted for the Carne Asada Tacos The Carne Asada Tacos were a revelation, featuring tender, juicy strips of marinated steak topped with fresh cilantro, onions, and a squeeze of lime, all wrapped in soft, handmade corn tortillas. Each bite was bursting with flavor, showcasing the quality of the ingredients and the skill of the chef.

In conclusion, Tacos El Gordo is a must-visit for anyone looking to indulge in high-quality Mexican cuisine. Whether you're a fan of classic dishes or eager to try something new, this restaurant offers a culinary adventure that will leave your taste buds delighted and your heart full. I highly recommend it and look forward to many more visits in the future.